Submitted by DG Arthur Downs, DG July Newsletter
We have just returned from Sydney, Australia where I attended District Governors School and was installed as Governor for District 21A. Lion Joetta attended a variety of seminars as well.
What is the meaning of: One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty/Thirty Five? These are the minimum numbers that a District needs to be a full District as designated by Lions Clubs International. Guess what the topic of discussion was about at District Governors School. You got it: membership
growth. Membership is down in the United States. District 21A had 1,327 members and 50 clubs July, 2005. Jumping forward to May, 2010, the District had 946 members and 39 clubs. Since 2005, the District is down almost 400 members. We will not get those 400 members back in one year when it took more than five years to get to where we are now. However, with the help of the clubs, MERL team and the District leadership, we can start working on improving the total District membership. The good news with the District, even though our numbers have been declining, is the annual net drop has been decreasing each year.
The cabinet has put together a three year membership growth plan to get the District back to the minimum number of members and maintain the minimum number of clubs required to be a District. Included in this plan is a series of seminars that will be conducted throughout Arizona. The Membership Enhancement Plan/Membership Growth Plan will involve all three Districts and District MERL teams. These seminars are designed to increase membership in existing clubs, decrease the total net drops and to charter new clubs. We can do this and have fun along the way.
I would like to thank the following clubs for accepting the challenge to have their club membership at net + 1 by June 30, 2011: Goodyear, Peoria Pioneer, Peoria Westbrook, Phoenix Metro, Phoenix Mid-County, Phoenix North Phoenix, Sun City Early Bird, Wickenburg, Ahwatukee, Buckeye Sundance, Peoria Sunset, Gila Bend and Surprise Sun Village.
I am looking forward to being your District Governor. To quote PCC Bob Lee: “It is an exciting, demanding, boring, challenging, rewarding and long year”. This sounds like the job I want and with everyone’s help, we can get it done!

Submitted by DG Arthur Downs, DG August Newsletter

We had no idea how cold it would be in Sydney. It is one thing to go on the internet and check the weather, but it is all together different when you are actually in the environment. The thermometer in our room could not go higher than 23 degrees Celsius, which is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. We were able to get a space heater from the hotel, which raised the room temperature to a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit. We were located at the Four Points Sheraton with all of the other District Governors Elect. The DGEs attending the school represented more than 200 countries. It was truly a great experience meeting our fellow Lions from around the world. If you haven't attended an international convention, then you shouldn't miss the next one which will be in Seattle, WA, July 4-8, 2011.
As your District Governor for 2010-2011, I sincerely hope you are ready for a year of working together to achieve our goals and having fun in the process. Sid L. Scruggs, III, International President, set the tone at our International Convention in Sydney. This year's theme is “A Beacon of Hope”. “Each club and each member represents a light of hope to someone in need.” We are going back to basics. Our services are needed in the communities we serve and our four state projects. The beacon of light this Lionistic year will be shining on the hands-on service projects and humanitarian services.
We will start the year with the Kick-Off Cabinet event Saturday, August 14, Grace Inn Best Western in Ahwatukee. All Lions are welcome to attend with your family. This will be a good time to meet 1st VDG Debbie Vine, 2nd VDG Gary White, Zone Chairs Richard Hopkins, Tony McLain, Barbara Shine, Pat Tejada, Andy Lehner, Hal Ries, Tom Price and Lori Houck. You will also want to get to know the District's Cabinet Secretary, Lion Joetta Downs and Cabinet Treasurer Hal Edelman.
The Mid-Year Convention will be November 5-7, 2010 at the Prescott Resort. The guest speaker will be International Director Bob Smith from Sacramento, CA.
All club presidents should be on a first name basis with Immediate Past District Governor, Ann Roberts. She is the District Public Relations Chairperson. If you need help or some ideas on how to publicize your clubs' projects, contact IPDG Ann.
Lion Dave Thompson, a member of the Laveen Lions Club and owner of Copper State Technologies, will be busy revising the District's web site. It will have a fresh new look with current events, forms, information, photos, etc. Does your club have a web site? If so, a link can be placed on the District web site.
Be ”A Beacon of Hope”. Let the light shine on your clubs' service projects!!