August, 2025

 

Fellow Lions of 38 N,

 

Traveling around the district the past few weeks, I have been impressed by the amount of work and service our clubs are doing. With four clubs visited and another eight scheduled my goal is visit as many as possible during the Summer and Fall months. The theme of our International President A. P. Singh, is “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead”. It does not matter what our current title or position may be, President Singh wants all of us to  work together as one in service to our communities. 

 

The first of three service goal events will take place in October with Mental Health and Wellness as the emphasis. Every club is encouraged to find a way to engage in this area. While the task sounds daunting we all should find a way to engage with someone in your community. This may be as simple as visiting someone who has lost a spouse in the past few months. The grief process is different for everyone, still it is not unusual for visits from friends and acquaintances to become frequent after six months as few people are stopping to check in. This is only one example of how we as Lions could provide a welcome break from the stillness of a lonely day for such an individual.

 

Words are important. Our choice of words impact others without realizing the consequences. Regardless of our position in the club, we must chose our words carefully. 

 

Since my first newsletter much has taken place around the district. Officers have been installed for the new Lion year and club visits made along with the Summer Cabinet meeting,  Nebraska Lions Foundation (NLF) and the Council of Governors (COG) meetings. Please remember all Lions may attend NLF and COG meetings as the business is for all Nebraska Lions. First International Vice President Mark Lyon held a zoom meeting with those at the NLF and COG meetings, sending his thanks for all District 38 has been doing. He congratulated PCC David Wentworth on his election as International Director at the 107th Intenrnational Convention which was held in Orlando in July.

 

Club Presidents, if you have not been contacted yet about a club visit call me so a date may be set.

 

Some recent club events include:

 

Humboldt - working on a community bingo event

Hordville - mowing a pioneer cemetery, assisting with holiday baskets

Beatrice - working with Project New Hope by holding two fundraisers

Crete - working with the FoodNet program and backpacks for students.

Utica - The list of service activities done in Utica was impressive.

 

Some of these events have been reported, others have not. Reporting service helps all clubs and the district as the number of hours and number of members involved allows Lions International to prove to potential donors the impact we provide. 

 

Looking forward — Fall Rally will be in Grand Island in November

January — Second theme service activity, Hunger

Midwinter convention in Lincoln in March 2026

April — Third theme service activity, Environment

 

In closing keep up the great service, remember the local community if important but lines on a map only serve to divide, we are all taking this global trip around the Sun together.

 

In Service,

 

John Braisted

District Governor, 2025-26, District 38-N