From a Different Perspective
written by Mary Stephenson
Prior going to the Lions District 4-C1 58th Annual Convention on Friday April 29th I had wrote out some thoughts and have since deleted them.
Not knowing if I would be bored silly or have a lot to report the other alternative was to approach the event with a perspective on psychology.
As the weekend moved along things began to take shape and the many questions of what motivates people came to light.
In politics motivation can be from really believing in what you do, to loving the celebrity status, perks of the job, money, prestige and all the numerous other reasons. Or even some of those non-profit organizations that have outrageous salaries. Maybe some go into the positions with honorable intent yet drop off on the dark side.
International Director Lewis Quinn gave a speech and one of his statements was “Lions – one of the best kept secrets.” That said a lot of about who the Lions really are.
I wondered what motivated these people to step into positions that neither paid them nor reimbursed them for most of their expenses.
Hearing testimonials of why they became a Lion and what they were doing for others it was enlightening but something was missing. I know all about the desire of giving back, but there is much more to it.
Only when they talked about what touched their heart and embedded in their soul it all became apparent of the why.
Many of them broke down in the middle of their speech and when the award ceremony took place it all became a true revelation of who these people really were. By the time the ceremony was over I doubt there was anybody that survived it with a dry eye.
The event was much more than a boring convention as some might think, it was good for the soul.
3 Responses to From a Different Perspective
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Sounds like the convention really hit the spot with you. The club used to embrace the convention but it was from a different perspective yet again.
Visitations to other clubs were an opportunity to either get the visited club’s bell, gavel, banner or anything with a lions logo on it that wasn’t tied down. The idea was that the visited club would then have to make a trip to our club to retrieve the stolen item/ items. This, sticky fingered, spirit was exported by our club and generally imported again when the goods changed hands. It was great fun. The fellas went to the conventions with this same spirit in the hope that the exported spirit would be well received. Alas, the spirit was not welcome, any Trojan Horse was sniffed out and the fun went out of the visits to the convention.
I don’t intend for this perspective to be negative about the conventions at all. It’s just simply that this is a motivated group of men already. When they mix things up with other Lions there has to be some fun. I mean wouldn’t a water balloon war be great. At least a dunk-tank. Ha! Now that would get some folks to the convention.
Hey Stan
My expectations for the convention was a wait and see how it goes, from day one. Didn’t know if we would attend day two other than we had made a commitment with Ernie as to the carrying of the flag.
It was educational, inspiring and fun. Having to go around pushing into conversations with a few manners, just to try and answer the first timers trivia challenge was surprisingly well received.
I know our group is known for the rowdy behavior and they didn’t tell us much as to past convention visits by the group. Probably in the hopes we would be good kids!
So we were given invites to other clubs and since we had been asked to visit the Redding Host club we ended up going there on Thursday at lunch. They were more reserved and not nearly as much fun. Don’t know if they really accomplished anymore in the time period of the meeting.
I suppose having fun while doing things is not going to be a lack of accomplishments, if you can’t have some fun along with the serious stuff…then why do it?
Nice piece! I get it and am glad you had a good time. I gained by your going. Thanks