Dates to Remember – August 2026
AUGUST CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
230 years of service!!!
Baker – 08/29/1946 – 80 Years!
Ennis – 08/30/1948
Huntley Project – 08/30/1954
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
District 37 6th Annual Leadership Retreat – October 2 – 4, 2026, Lewistown, MT
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 17, 2026 @ 10:00 Boulder High School, Boulder MT
District Cabinet Meeting – October 17, 2026 @ noon, Boulder High School, Boulder MT
2027 District 37 Convention – April 16-17, 2027, Choteau, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN – June 29 – July 3
2030 San Antonio TX – June 28 – July 2
2031 – Helsinki Finland – July 4-8
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2026 Memphis TN-50th Annual!! – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
By Lion Peggy TobinBillings Lions Sponsor Free Summer Camp
The quiet stillness of the crisp morning air of the Beartooth Mountains is sharply pierced by the ringing of a cowbell, bringing the delivery of a morning wake up to the campers and counselors of the Charles Campbell Children’s Camp to prepare for another amazing day at Camp!
Since 1961 the Billings Lions Club has sponsored the entirely free, week long summer camp for amazing children aged 6 to 18 with physical disabilities, but their dedication to serving others started decades earlier.
In 1946, the Billings Lions Club hosted the “Deserving Boys Camp” at the Billings Lions Beartooth Mountain Youth Camp outside of Red Lodge Montana.
The camp was first proposed by then Club President Dr. Charles D. Dean, with the getaway being touted as a “free vacation” for less fortunate boys in Billings. After a “hearty indorsement”, the Lions Club sponsored the inaugural Camp July 1946 for 80 youths. The boys were first nominated by Billings school principals and educators, then selected by a committee of Lions members- boys aged 10-14 (depending on the article) boarded buses to head to the Beartooths for a week away from “financial worries” of their home lives.
The goal was to give boys the opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring freedom of the mountains – away from the struggles of home life and to hike, cook, and experience all the wonderment of nature.
The camps first director Justus (JW) Leggate spoke about the hesitancy of parents, citing financial concerns as he “emphasized the camp was an expense-free affair”, with unsure parents inquiring about how much it would cost them when their sons returned.
The generosity of the Billings Lions Club sponsorship of the Camp was achieved after “the problem of financing such an undertaking presented the next hurdle” and the solution becoming the first annual “Lions Club Minstrel Show” bringing in $1,100, “assuring ample funds for the first year. The camp ran for at least 6 years, and its impacts have affected generations. .
Today the Charles Campbell Children’s Camp, named after Montana’s only back to back Past District Governor Charles “Chuck” Campbell (1972-1974) who was instrumental in persuading the Billings Lions Club to assume the camp after the Elks Club could no longer run it, offers youth an amazing opportunity to experience nature in the Beartooths while escaping the sometimes tumultuous “real world”.
This year’s camp had 25 campers and 26 counselors, along with 18 volunteer staff members including many Billings Lions Club members. Each year we have a multitude of activities planned including crafts, a hike, archery and ax throwing (kid appropriate), a splash park, a dance, theme night, a movie night, and a host of other adventures for the week.
The Camp is supported by the rental of the Billings Lions Beartooth Mountain Youth Camp during the summer to other youth groups an opportunity to experience the mountains. Our camp has been around since the 1920s, being built by the Civilian Conservation Corps while they worked on the Beartooth Highway.
Camp is an amazing place where innumerable memories have been made and countless lives have been impacted by those who follow the Lions mantra of “We Serve” by giving their time and love for humanity and service to others.
By 2VDG Gary VanDykeSeeley Lake Lions News
A Seeley Kind of 4th!
Every year the town of Seeley Lake puts on a special parade for the 4th of July that is attended by thousands. People drive for miles to come to our parade and all the activities in town, finished off by a tremendous fireworks show in the evening..
This, however, was special in that it was our country’s 250th birthday and the Lions could not miss an opportunity to show off and ROAR!
First we had a dump truck load of firewood to raffle off which netted us over $6,200! This all goes to scholarships for the high school.
Next our float featured the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence and Betsy Ross sewing her flag. Many hard days and hours went into the planning, purchasing of costumes, decorations and finally having off-road vehicles riding behind the float with signs telling the town what activities we participate in. We had a great time doing this with it culminating in a FIRST PLACE FINISH!!!!
By Seeley Lake Lions ClubJuly 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
Meet 2026-2027 2nd Vice District Governor Gary Van Dyke
Lion Gary Van Dyke has had the privilege of living his entire life in the great State of Montana, moving from various small towns during his youth, to finally settling down in Roundup, MT with his amazing wife Lion Jennell, where they raised their now adult son Lion Aaron.
Lion Gary was first introduced to Lions during the Billings Lions Club’s annual Charles Campbell Children’s Camp, held every July since 1961 at their Lions Beartooth Mountain Youth Camp. Gary first attended Camp as a counselor in 2005, immediately falling in love with the majestic mountain views, the babbling creek, fresh pine scented mountain air, and most importantly, the amazing opportunities that the volunteer Lions members and staff gave to youth experiencing physical disabilities – providing them an amazing opportunity to just be a kid in the wilderness away from the “real world” for a week at Camp!
Shortly thereafter, Lion Gary joined the Billings Lions Club, the first club in Montana, founded in 1921. During his tenure with the club, he has held the offices of vice president and president, and recently completed a second term following a small break.
Lion Gary also was a zone chair, and a regional zone chair. He serves on the Camp Committee, ensuring the camp continues to be available for youth organizations and others to enjoy, is a member of the Charles Campbell Children’s Camp staff. He can usually be found running around Camp in various costumes or wild hats. Lion Gary is also a founding member and director of the Camp’s Counselor Scholarship Committee, giving scholarships to counselors of the camp as a small token of appreciation to their dedication and the impacts they make on humanity.
Lion Gary has volunteered and worked in a variety of pre-hospital and emergency settings starting as a high school senior with a small rural ambulance service in central Montana. He currently is a critical care paramedic with a busy rural service in South Central Montana.
In his scant free time, Lion Gary can be found spending time with Jennell and their beagles, visiting with their son Aaron, helping Gary’s brother with various projects, and during the summer, in the pristine Beartooths working around Camp and just enjoying the peacefulness of nature.
For more information on District 37’s Organization & Leadership, please click this link: https://www.montanalions.org/about/organization/
LCI President’s Message-July 2026
President’s MessageLead to Serve, Serve To Leadwith International President A.P. Singh |
This year, Lions and Leos around the world have made a meaningful difference. Through your leadership and service, compassion and kindness, needs have been met, lives have been touched and communities strengthened.
As the Lion year comes to a close, that impact continues. MISSION 1.5 reminds us there is more to do, and by growing our membership, we expand our service and extend our reach into the future.
This impact is worth celebrating, so take time to recognize what you and your fellow Lions have accomplished. As you look ahead, continue building momentum by preparing future leaders and strengthening succession plans, ensuring your club and our mission thrive for years to come.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your international president this year. Thank you for your service and leadership as we continue leading to serve and serving to lead together.
Together in service,
A.P. Singh, International President
Meet 2026-2027 International President Mark S. Lyon
Mark S. Lyon, from Brookfield, Connecticut, USA, was elected to serve as first vice president of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 107th international convention held in Orlando, Florida from July 13 through July 17, 2025.
Prior to his retirement in March 2024, Vice President Lyon has worked in corporate legal administration and financial services with several major corporations and banks for over 40 years.
As a long-time resident of Brookfield and an active volunteer in his community, church and local government, his connection with Lions was already well established before he became a member of the Brookfield Lions Club in 1996. Since then, he has held a number of offices within the association, including international director, multiple district council chairperson and multiple district GLT coordinator.
He was also appointed as a member of the LCI Forward project team, a Global Action Team area leader, a District Governor-Elect Seminar group leader and board liaison to the 2019 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Executive Committee. Vice President Lyon has also served as presenter, faculty and participant at countless training events and leadership forums throughout the years.
In recognition of his service, he has received multiple International President’s Awards and International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, as well as an International President’s Leadership Award. Vice President Lyon is also a recipient of the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Knight of the Blind and a Connecticut Ambassador of Sight, and is the recipient of a number of project and service-related certificates.
In addition to his Lion activities, President-Elect Lyon has been active in numerous professional and community organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the Silver Lake Conference Center and Wide Horizons for Children. He was an associate member of the American Bar Association and a past member of the Association of Legal Administrators, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the Shareholder Services Association.
Vice President Lyon is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. His wife, Lyn Lyon, is also a longtime Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. They are the proud parents of three incredible daughters.
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Raleigh Peck & PDG Mike Tobin – July 26
Eastern Montana Lions Clubs Invited to Explore LCIF Funding & Service Opportunities
Hello Montana Lions,
When I took on the role of Governor of SD37, one of my primary goals was to shine more light on the incredible Lions serving across Eastern Montana. Time moved quickly, and while I wasn’t able to accomplish everything I had hoped during my term, my commitment to supporting our clubs and communities has only grown stronger.
Because of that commitment, I am proud to announce that I have accepted the role of LCIF Coordinator for Eastern Montana.
In September, I will be traveling to New Orleans for my initial LCIF training and look forward to learning even more about Lionism and the many opportunities available through Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). With the support and guidance of PDGs Mike Tobin and Larry Garrison, I am excited to help clubs throughout Eastern Montana begin and complete meaningful new service projects that strengthen our communities.
LCIF exists to help Lions clubs turn compassion into action through grants and project support. Whether your club is considering a community improvement project, humanitarian service initiative, disaster relief effort, youth support program, vision project, or another service opportunity, I want you to know that I am here to help.
If your club has ideas but needs assistance identifying funding opportunities, navigating LCIF grants, or developing projects, please reach out. My goal is to help Lions across Eastern Montana bring more impactful projects to life and continue making our communities, our state, and our world a better place for everyone.
Together, we can accomplish great things through service.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Raleigh Peck , 1575 10th Ave SW., Sidney, MT 59270, 406-480-5000, [email protected]
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
By LCIF CoordinatorsClub Treasurer Financial Checklist for July
Welcome to the new Lionistic Year!
As we turn the page to another year of service, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to District Jon Kimble, First Vice District Governor Gary Lewis, Second Vice District Governor Gary Van Dyke and all of our dedicated club officers across District 37 a successful, inspiring, and rewarding year ahead.
Your commitment and leadership make a powerful difference in our communities, and I look forward to working together to support the financial health of our clubs throughout the coming months.
Start the new fiscal year strong by working through this checklist:
- ✅ Review prior year’s ending balances and carry over amounts
- ✅ Confirm all signers on club bank accounts are correct and current
- ✅ Reconcile year-end bank statements to make sure no outstanding transactions
- ✅ Prepare and present a beginning-of-year financial report to your board and club
- ✅ Ensure your club’s annual 990/990-N filing is up to date if the fiscal year ended June 30
- ✅ Verify any bonding/insurance coverage for club officers, if required
- ✅ Check dues invoicing from Lions Clubs International
- ✅ Update your club budget for the year, including anticipated expenses and fundraising plans
- ✅ Confirm your membership roster is accurate to avoid paying dues on dropped members
- ✅ Review club governmental filings with the Montana Secretary of State to ensure good standing with state
- ✅ Familiarize yourself with the Lions Club Treasurer e-book and resources in the Lions Club Treasurer Page
By Lion Steve DogiakosGlobal Leadership Team – PDG Mike Collins-July 2026
Calling all District 37 Lions!
6th Annual Montana Lions Leadership Retreat
Lewistown October 2-4, 2026
Dear Montana Lions,
The leadership retreat is a unique opportunity for Montana Lions to enhance your leadership skills, gain new insights, and strengthen the connections within our Lions community. Your role as an officer in your Lions Club is vital to the success and growth of our service and Lionism in Montana, and this retreat is designed to support you in that mission.
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By Global Leadership Team
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