District Governor-elect speaks to Gravette Lions Club
GRAVETTE — Carol Allen, Lions Club district governorelect, was the guest speaker for the March 16 meeting of the Gravette Lions Club. Allen, who is currently a zone chair, has been a member of the Russellville Lions Club for seven years. She will become district governor on July 1.
Allen is a retired nurse who started out working in the neonatal intensive care unit and at retirement was working as a hospice nurse. She has two daughters who are legally blind without their glasses, so she has been very involved in the Lions’ sight conservation work. She noted that Lions Clubs are especially committed to serving the blind and visually impaired.
Allen said Lions Club is the largest and most active service organization in the world, with 1.4 million members. There are over 48,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. The Lion motto, “We Serve,” perfectly exemplifies the organization’s mission, she said. She complimented the Gravette club for being so active in the community despite being a small club and said she thought the club’s human foosball court was a “great project.”
Following her talk, Allen inducted two new members, Bill Mattler Jr. and Roger Efram. Their sponsor, Bill Mattler, who is Bill Jr.’s father and Roger’s uncle, presented the new Lions with their pins and membership certificates. Club president Linda Damron welcomed the new members and encouraged them to submit ideas for service projects. Finally, she urged them, “If you see a need you can meet, do it!”
District governor Jeff Davis reminded members of the upcoming 103rd Arkansas state convention which will be held both virtually and inperson on May 1. One of the guest speakers, past international president Bill Biggs, will speak on service projects. Several organizations will have vendor booths at the meeting, including Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing and World Services for the Blind. He encouraged local members to fill out and submit registration forms.
Council chair Brad Baker will be the guest speaker for the Gravette club meeting Tuesday, April 6, at 12 noon. Baker is CEO of Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing in Memphis, Tenn., and will speak on both Lions Club and Mid-South. Prospective members and guests are always welcome. Anyone interested in attending may call Jeff Davis, 479-787-1068, to get the Zoom link for the meeting.