From the Desk of 1st VDG
Hello Montana Lions, and greetings from your 1st VDG Lion Gary and
Dear Fellow Lions,
As we embark on another incredible year of service, District 37 has established five critical, actionable goals designed to expand our reach, fortify our existing clubs, and elevate our impact across the Big Sky State. True success requires dedication, persistent effort, and a collaborative spirit. We are off to a phenomenal start, but crossing the finish line requires all hands on deck!
Here is an update on our five primary district goals and the tangible progress we are making right now.
Our District 37 Goals & Progress Update
We have successfully wrapped up our community interest meetings in Libby and have already identified five passionate individuals ready to step up and form a local club! To formalize the next steps, an initial organizational meeting is scheduled for tonight, September 30, 2026.
The groundwork in Lewistown is moving rapidly. Our teams have begun surveying local citizens to gauge community needs and have developed excellent local contacts. These new allies are eagerly stepping up to help us execute a massive Lions Club project: performing vital eye screenings across 5 local schools on October 4 and 5.
To maintain this incredible momentum, District 37 is hosting its annual Leadership Retreat in Lewistown on October 2 and 3, 2026. Following the retreat, executive staff will remain on the ground for a few days to continue building club formation interest.
We are actively building out tailored support systems to aid the Hot Springs Lions Club in attracting fresh faces and keeping current members engaged. Strong clubs require stable foundations, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary tools and toolkits.
Our Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chairperson have formally agreed to step in, contact, and personally mentor the Bozeman Noontime Club. This targeted leadership support will directly focus on member recruitment and strengthening retention strategies.
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) does vital work globally, but its impact here at home is unmatched. District Executive Staff have been hitting the pavement making official club visits to spread a critical message: Montana Lions Clubs receive significantly more funding back from LCIF than our clubs collectively contribute. Boosting our district donations by 5% ensures that this powerful cycle of compounding local grants continues.
Direct Comparison: Expansion vs. Support Focus
To give you a bird’s-eye view of how our strategic focus is divided this quarter, take a look at our current balance between new club development and existing club reinforcement:
Strategic Focus | Target Community | Primary Immediate Action |
New Club Development | Libby, MT | Initial organizational meeting on September 30, 2026. |
New Club Development | Lewistown, MT | School eye screenings (Oct 4–5) and Leadership Training (Oct 2–3). |
Retention & Recruitment | Hot Springs, MT | Deploying regional marketing and engagement resources. |
Retention & Recruitment | Bozeman Noontime | Direct mentorship by the Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chair. |
Foundation Growth | District-Wide | Club visits demonstrating how LCIF heavily funds Montana projects. |
How You Can Help
These goals are specific and entirely achievable, but they cannot rest solely on the shoulders of your executive staff. We need the persistent effort of local Lions who understand that the people who know a community best are those who call it home.
If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and help with the Lewistown eye screenings, the Libby expansion, or local recruitment, please reach out directly to your Zone Chairperson or a member of the District 37 Governing Staff today! Let’s keep this great momentum going.
In Service,
Jon Kimble
District Governor,
Montana Lions District 37
559-352-1455
Hello Montana Lions, and greetings from your 1st VDG Lion Gary and
The Need for Leos Leos perform hard and essential work for our
Jon Kimble was born and raised in Southeastern Arizona. He attended Arizona State University from 1980 – 1983 after which he worked in the plumbing trade. Jon joined the US Navy in 1984, completed Nuclear Plant Operator Training, and served aboard the USS Truxtun, CGN-35 from 1986 until 1990. He was honorably discharged, and obtained employment with an Independent Power Producer in California. His career included technical, supervisory, and management positions involved with power generation, transmission, distribution, regulation and compliance. Jon and his wife, Laura Cullen, retired to Seeley Lake in 2013. They enjoy the outdoors and Jon finds reward in serving several volunteer organizations including the Seeley Lake Lions Club, Veterans & Families of Seeley Lake, the Seeley Lake Senior Center, the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District and MEC’s Operation Round Up Board of Directors. He occasionally provides consulting services to his former employer, Wellhead Services, INC.
All donations accepted on lionsclubs.org support Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charitable organization. Lions Clubs International (LCI) is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt social welfare organization and is not eligible to accept or solicit charitable donations. All LCI administrative costs are paid solely through dues, while 100% of funds raised through LCI fundraisers goes directly into funding community projects.
2021 © Copyright, Montana Lions District 37. All rights reserved.
Website by Edge Marketing.