Nova Scotia Lions gather in Yarmouth

Involvement in Lions great way to serve community, past international president says

Among those who were happy to see plenty of Lions Club members in Yarmouth over the weekend was Clement Kusiak, past international president of the Lions, who said it’s good for members of different clubs to get together, as they did for this year’s annual Nova Scotia Lions convention.

Kusiak, who is from Maryland, was the guest speaker for the convention banquet, which was held Saturday evening at the Rodd Grand Hotel, but earlier in the day he was at NSCC Burridge, where convention participants were holding business meetings.

Taking a few minutes to chat after the Saturday morning sessions were done, Kusiak said he was impressed with the Yarmouth event.

“Interaction like the convention they’re holding here is terrific for Lions to come out and share by being engaged in discussion with other Lions Clubs and Lions members on what they’re doing Sharing a moment during the Nova Scotia district Lions Club convention this past weekend in Yarmouth (from left) Yarmouth Lion Ivan Doucette, past international president Clement Kusiak, his wife Jeanne Kusiak, district governor Rhonda Trickett and Fred Graham, co-chair of the host committee for the convention. Absent from the photo is Yarmouth Lion Sandra Blake, also co-chair of the convention host committee. in their communities,” he said.

Kusiak first became involved in the Lions in 1963 and has held just about every position. He said it’s a good idea for members to do different things within their clubs.

“If they hold different positions – you know, fundraising activities, administrative positions (etc.) – then they will feel that they’re satisfied in what Lions can do for them and what they can do for the community through Lions,” he said.

Recalling his early days with the Lions, he said he benefitted from having a very good mentor, someone who encouraged him to become actively involved in his club.

Kusiak, who served as the Lions’ international president in 2004-2005, acknowledged that the Lions face a challenge – as other groups do – in getting more young people involved. He said he would encourage young people to consider becoming a Lion.

“Even though we are at an average age of 57 years old,” he said, “we have experiences we can share with young people to allow them to become involved in serving their community.”

Established a century ago in the United States, Lions Clubs are in over 200 countries and geographic areas around the world. There are 46,000 clubs, according to the Lions Clubs International website.

There are 69 clubs in Nova Scotia. This was the first time Yarmouth hosted the provincial Lions convention since 2011.

Kusiak said this was his first time in Yarmouth, although he had been to Halifax before and he recalled going to Prince Edward Island about a decade ago.

He expressed admiration for the Lions here in this area.

“They’re strong clubs,” he said.