Author Archives: DG Corinna Christensen

“Leading with Heart: Service, Empowerment, and Community”

Fellow Lions and Leos of Montana,

As we step into April, it’s incredible to realize that our Lionistic year is already 75% complete. The time has flown by, but our opportunity to serve is far from over. Now is the moment to finish strong, expand our impact, and continue changing lives across Montana communities.

District 37 Lions Convention – April 17–18–19

Cedar Creek Lodge | Columbia Falls, Montana

One of the most exciting events of our year is just around the corner! The District 37 Lions Convention promises to be an engaging, inspiring, and fun-filled gathering for all.

Friday Highlights:

• Officer Training (Morning)
  Attend and receive reimbursement for one night’s lodging—a great opportunity to grow your leadership skills.
• Area Tours (Afternoon)
  Explore and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the Columbia Falls area.
• “Montana Aloha Luau” (Evening)
  • Silent & Live Auction
  • Live Music & Dancing
  • Hawaiian attire encouraged!

Saturday Highlights:

• Presentation of the Flags by the Columbia Falls American Legion
• National Anthems of Canada and United States performed by Craig Blair
• Special appearances by Miss Montana and Miss Montana’s Teen
• Leader Dogs for the Blind program presentation
• Convention business:
  • Nomination of officers
  • Selection of future convention site
• Leadership training opportunities
• Memorial Service
• SPEED LEARNING 
• Parade of Green
• Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation presentation and raffle drawing
• Evening Banquet featuring keynote speaker PID Deb Weaverling
• District Awards Celebration

Sunday Highlights (Optional):

• Plus Optix Community Engagement Workshop
• District Cabinet Meeting
• Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation Meeting

FULL CONVENTION AGENDA LINK…CLICK HERE

This convention is more than a meeting…it’s a celebration of who we are as Lions and Leos and the impact we make together.

Let’s Finish the Year Strong

With just a quarter of the year remaining, I encourage every club to:

• Expand your service efforts
• Invite new members to join your mission
• Look for new communities that could benefit from a Lions Club

Montana Lions District 37 is ready and eager to support the creation of NEW CLUBS in new areas. If you see a need, let’s meet it TOGETHER.

Reach out to DG Corinna or VDG Jon for:

• Guidance on starting new clubs
• Membership growth strategies
• Ideas to strengthen your service impact

Moving Forward with Purpose

Each act of service, each new member, and each new club strengthens our ability to serve. Let’s carry our momentum forward and make these final months of the Lionistic year our most impactful yet.

Together, we serve. Together, we lead. Together, we grow.

With gratitude and determination,
DG Corinna Christensen

“Leading with Heart: Service, Empowerment, and Community”

There is something about this time of year in Montana that feels full of momentum. The days stretch a little longer, projects start taking shape, and our service calendar begins to fill quickly. I continue to be so proud of the energy, creativity, and steady commitment I see across District 37. Whether you are in a town of less than 200 or 120,000+, you are making a difference and it shows.

I want to personally remind you about the upcoming She Leads Symposium on March 8 at 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Hosted through Lions International, this event is designed to inspire and strengthen leadership at every level. If you are able, consider turning it into a club watch party.  Gather around a laptop at your meeting hall, meet for breakfast at a local café, or invite neighboring clubs to join you. Leadership grows stronger when we grow together. 

Earlier this month, I sent the registration details from the District 37 email account. Please refer back to that message for details.  She Leads Registration Link can be found here.   I would love to see a strong Montana presence.

Looking ahead, April 18–26 marks the Environmental focus of the Lions Worldwide Weeks of Service. This is our opportunity to amplify what we already do so well — serve visibly and meaningfully. Plant a tree. Clean a stretch of highway. Organize an e-waste recycling day. Partner with your local school on a beautification project. Support a waterway cleanup. The project does not have to be elaborate; it simply needs heart and participation. When each club does something, our district impact becomes powerful.

And then, of course, District 37 Convention. April 17–18 in Columbia Falls will be here before we know it. The convention team has poured thoughtful planning into making this an event that balances education, connection, and fun. Convention is where we refuel, where we exchange ideas, where we laugh, and where we remember why we first said yes to Lionism.  Be sure to register soon: District 37 Lions Convention Registration Link. 

As we prepare for Convention and our annual Memorial Service, please take a moment to submit the names and information of departed Lions from your club at https://www.montanalions.org/memorial-necrology-service/ so that each life of service, friendship, and dedication is properly honored and remembered.   

Lastly, if you are in Eastern Montana, consider traveling west by train with PDG Raleigh Peck. I have a feeling that trip alone could become a district legend. Good conversation, Montana scenery rolling by, and Lions fellowship… it does not get much better than that.

On behalf of District 37, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to our Lions neighbors to the north in Alberta on the passing of Justice Brian Stevenson, Past International President of Lions International.  At the time of his presidency, we proudly shared a Multiple District with Alberta.  PIP Brian will be remembered as an exemplary leader, devoted Lion, and true friend whose legacy of integrity and service will continue to inspire us all. 

Thank you for continuing to lead with integrity and serve with generosity. District 37 is strong because of you. Let’s keep the momentum going as we move into a very full and exciting spring.

With appreciation and confidence in our shared mission…WE SERVE, 

District Governor Corinna Christensen
Montana Lions District 37
Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead

“Leading with Heart: Service, Empowerment, and Community”

February is a month where compassion takes center stage. As Lions, we continue to lead with heart—empowering others, uplifting communities, and embracing new opportunities to grow. With the year well underway, now is the time to deepen our impact through meaningful service, strong partnerships, and inclusive leadership.

This month, let’s channel our energy into impactful Service Activities and align our goals with Lions International’s global themes as well as the needs of your community. Whether you’re organizing a local food drive, vision screening, or planning a Service Carnival, your work changes lives.  Remember to plan for the third and final Lions International Week of Service on April 18-26 with focus on the environment.  More information can be found at https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/member-resource-center/service/global-causes-initiatives/weeks-of-service

Leadership in Action

• February is also a time to mentor and empower new leaders. Consider:
• Recommending Lions for leadership training
• Supporting potential Leo Advisors and Leos
• Promoting establishing New Lions Clubs or Lions Club Branches where you see a need
• Leadership doesn’t begin with a title. It begins with a willingness to serve.

Save the Date: March 8, 2026

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Lions around the world are invited to participate in She Leads – A Global Lions Symposium. This virtual event will bring together Lions, Leos, allies, and change‑makers to empower women in service, share leadership strategies, and strengthen global inclusion and collaboration within our organization.

The symposium will begin at 7:00 AM Montana Time and is open to all members worldwide. Registration details and access information can be found through the Montana Lions District 37 website at https://www.montanalions.org/2026/01/27/she-leads-global-lions-symposium-march-8-2026/.  Personally, I will be having a watch party with many of my Lady Lion Friends.  Please join us either in person or virtually. 

Save the Date: District 37 Convention

Be sure to register for the upcoming District 37 Convention, to be held in beautiful Columbia Falls on April 17-18. This is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Learn what your neighboring Lions Clubs are doing
• Get updates on Lions International initiatives
• Attend the popular “Speed Learning” session, which will be back this year

Check it out and register at:
https://www.montanalions.org/events/2026-district-37-convention/

We Want to Feature You

Send photos, stories, and success highlights to be included in the next newsletter. Let’s celebrate our District’s incredible Lions. Post any stories by clicking on https://www.montanalions.org/submit-club-news/ or tag us on social media using #MontanaLionsDistrict37 or simply #MontanaLions and always include #WeServe. You are also welcome to email your story and photos to [email protected].

Together, We Serve
Here’s to the second half of the Lionistic year focusing on bold action, big hearts, and lasting change.

With gratitude and excitement,                              
District Governor Corinna
Montana Lions District 37

From District Governor Corinna Christensen

As we welcome 2026 with fresh energy and optimism, I want to thank every Lion across District 37 for the service you have continued to provide throughout your communities. You are the heart of Lions, and it shows in every project, every act of kindness, and every person you serve.

One of our global priorities this month is hunger relief. I encourage all clubs to join our Hunger Week of Service from January 3 through January 11. Lead projects that address every aspect of hunger, including food security, community meals, food pantry support, and even agricultural assistance. Do not forget to capture your efforts. Clubs are invited to submit hunger-focused service videos by January 23, 2026 for an opportunity to be featured in the Weeks of Service Video Showcase. If you need ideas, I encourage you to watch the standout entries from our recent Mental Health and Well-being Showcase. You will be inspired.

Have you  visited LionPortal.com lately? It continues to improve each month with new features, training tools, resources, and service ideas. You may have heard me mention my favorite form of “R & D”. Research and Development? Nope. Ripoff and Duplicate! Lion Portal is the perfect place to learn from successful club initiatives around the world or to reach out to the club in the next town for ideas. Work smarter and utilize the tools at your fingertips. Additionally, remember that you can start at MontanaLions.org for EVERYTHING Lions.  There is News, Training, Directory,  Links, and so much more.

Looking ahead, I am very excited for our District 37 Convention in Columbia Falls on April 17 and 18. This will be another outstanding opportunity to collaborate, learn, grow, and yes, do more R and D. We have incredible Lions in our district, and when we come together, our collective strengths shine even brighter.

New Year. New Clubs. New Lions. New Projects. New Leadership Roles. Let us make 2026 the best year ever for service in Montana. Together, “We lead to serve and serve to lead.”

Yours in service,
DG Corinna Christensen
District 37 Montana Lions

(Pictured at “Lion Lake” near Hungry Horse Dam)

From District Governor Corinna Christensen,

In this season of Thanksgiving, I find myself pausing—hands around a warm mug, heart full and reflecting on how deeply Lions has blessed my life. The gratitude runs so wide and wild it feels like it could spill over the Montana river banks.

It begins at home. My Lion Mom… the first woman Lion in the Ennis Lions Club, the first woman President, my biggest encourager, and also the first person to look me square in the eye and say “bologna” when I need it. Every good Governor needs one of those.

Or perhaps that role is shared with PID Dave…Lion Dad…my sage compass who somehow manages to keep me on the Lions International straight-and-narrow with equal parts humor and steadfast support.

And then… the Ennis Lions. Too many extraordinary hearts to list individually. You have lifted me, steadied me, cheered me on, and laughed with me through this journey as District Governor. You’ve made “Gov” feel less like a title and more like a team.

A special thank you to Lion Julie…my fearless, loyal travel partner who many of you have now met. She brings entertainment, encouragement, and the kind of friendship that makes long roads feel short.

To every Lions Club in District 37: my gratitude for you is immeasurable. Traveling our great state of Montana and visiting your clubs has reminded me again and again that your service is powerful, personal, and beautifully unique. “Your Club… Your Way” isn’t just a slogan—it’s alive in every act you take to strengthen your communities.  

To the District Cabinet: thank you for your steady guidance, your nudges, your reminders, your calm behind-the-scenes orchestration that keeps this district humming like a well-tuned fiddle.

And to the 2026 Convention Committee in Columbia Falls…you’re knocking it out of the park. I cannot wait for April 17–18. Keep that creative fire burning.

As we continue forward, may we all remember the heartbeat of our year: “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.”

With a thankful heart at Thanksgiving…

WE SERVE. 

With heartfelt gratitude,
DG Corinna Christensen
District Governor, Montana Lions District 37

Dear Lions of District 37,

As we head into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I find myself reflecting deeply on the blessings that come with being a Lion. The friendships I’ve built across Montana, throughout our nation, and around the world have enriched my life beyond measure. Each encounter, whether over a shared meal at a small-town fundraiser or in the grand halls of an international convention, reminds me how powerful our bond of service truly is.

Being a Lion is more than wearing a pin or attending a meeting. It’s about belonging to a family that leads with heart and serves with purpose. Together, we bring light to our communities through acts both great and small…feeding families, supporting youth, preserving sight, and protecting the environment. Every Lions project begins with compassion, grows through teamwork, and ends with gratitude.

This season of thankfulness is the perfect time to express my appreciation to each of you. Your commitment, generosity, and spirit of service make Montana shine bright in the Lions world. Whether you’re collecting food for local pantries, providing eyeglass screenings, or assisting at community events, you’re demonstrating what it means to “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.” Thank you for giving your time and heart so freely.