October 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
By Lion Peggy TobinLCI President’s Message-October 2026
President’s MessageRooted in Servicewith International President Mark S. Lyon |
Dear Lion,
One of the best things about being a Lion is our service. When we stay grounded in our service, we unlock our club’s full potential.
And while service is the most important thing, it’s also important that we help every Lion unlock their potential. Offering an inclusive, welcoming club environment, leadership opportunities and opportunities for personal growth helps attract new members and keep all members engaged and enthusiastic.
Lions is a place to serve and grow, and our clubs get stronger and our service gets better when all members make unique contributions based on their skills, interests and passions.
Keep up the great work as we stay Rooted in Service together.
In friendship and service,
Mark S. Lyon
International President
Special Notices – October 2026
For Club Secretaries
Lion Portal Forum on Facebook
If you use Facebook, I can highly recommend the “Lion Portal Forum”. They answer all kinds of questions and you can ask questions there too! It is another option for finding the newest “Updated Training Videos” that are now available on the Portal as well as zoom sessions such as “how to prepare for the end of the fiscal year”.
For Club Treasurers
Club statements are no longer being mailed and can only be accessed via the Club Portal.
If your club’s treasurer has not created an account on the portal, that is the first step to completing the process of being able to access your club statements. The login is the email address that LCI has on file for each officer. If an email address has not been provided to your club secretary, you will NOT be able to create an account in the Lion Portal. Below is a short “tutorial” on how to access Club Statements:
Accessing Club Statements on the Lion Portal
1. Log into the Lion Portal.
Note: to create a login, your email address MUST be in the portal as part of your personal information. If you get the message, “email not found” then you need
to update your personal information to reflect the correct email address.
2. Click on “My Club” (2nd Box across the top of the page)
3. Click on “Statements” located under your club information (sixth item to the right).
4. Review your Statement your club’s Monthly activity will be listed along with any
Current Balances owed. IF that statement simply brings a balance
forward from a previous period, then you can scroll down to the “Statements and
Invoices” listing….please note that you can select a prior fiscal year if you have to go
back several months to find the actual invoice that generated the current balance.
Example: For fiscal 2027, the first half of fiscal year was invoiced on June 30th for July 1 – December 31st and is listed under fiscal “2026”. That balance was due July 31st. Also, every time you add a new member (no matter what month of the year), you will be charged a “pro-rated” portion of the annual dues and those invoices will carry forward as well. PLEASE REVIEW YOUR INVOICES ON A MONTHLY BASIS!!
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”:
- All Club officers: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
- Club President: Trainer PDG Mike Tobin
- Club Secretary: Trainer Lion Peggy Tobin
- Club Treasurer: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
Short videos about how to do specific secretary or treasurer tasks:
Filing your 990-N (e-Postcard) (9 minutes)
District 37 Facebook Page
We all know that Lions serve from the heart, and now we want to see YOU in action! Whether you’re planting trees, organizing a food drive, helping out at a community event, or any other service activity, we want to showcase the amazing work our Lions are doing.
We’re looking for candid shots of Montana Lions actively engaging in service. We appreciate the posed group photos that commemorate events but we want to see how you have captured the real moments that show the spirit of Lionism in action!
How to Participate:
-
-
- Snap candid photos of Lions in action during service activities.
- Share your photos via message to the District Facebook Page (https://m.me/MontanaLions).
- Include a brief description of the activity and the names of the Lions involved.
- Bonus points for Lions wearing Lions Club logos on hats, vests, shirts, etc.!
-
Let’s fill our media with the heart and soul of our District’s service efforts. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words—let’s show the world the impact of the MT Lions Clubs of District 37!
Newsletter Information
Any Lions club member can submit information associated with any type of Lions project or general club information. You can submit Club News ANYTIME! You are also welcome to email your news (hopefully with photo) to: Lion Peggy Tobin at [email protected].
Website Updates
In Addition to the “Tri-Fold Generator” for clubs to create their own club brochures, additional documents have been added including Leo Application forms and Club Service Project Ideas. If you have trouble finding a resource and it’s not currently available on the website, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Free Club Websites!
The club-level website is still being offered by Montana District 37 at NO COST! If you don’t already have a domain name, Deanna can provide one for a cost of $20/year after the first year. If you are interested in getting a website for your club, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Dates to Remember – October 2026
OCTOBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
181 years of service!!!
Fort Benton 10/10/2005
Billings 10/20/1921 – 105 years!
Joliet 10/22/1971
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
District 37 6th Annual Leadership Retreat – October 2 – 3 2026, Lewistown, MT
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 17, 2026 @ 10:00 Jefferson High School, Boulder MT
District Cabinet Meeting – October 17, 2026 @ noon, Jefferson High School, Boulder MT
2027 District 37 Convention – April 16-17, 2027, Choteau, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN – June 29 – July 3
2030 San Antonio TX – June 28 – July 2
2031 – Helsinki Finland – July 4-8
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – September 21 – 23
2029 Shreveport, LA – September 13 – 15
September 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
LCI President’s Message-September 2026
President’s MessageRooted in Servicewith International President Mark S. Lyon |
Dear Lion,
Being “Rooted in Service” is about more than just the service others see us do. It’s about who we are at our foundation. Our roots in service are strong, and they run deep.
Lions are often the first to answer the call, find a solution or identify a need. And when we do, we step up. We help. We serve.
This year, work with your club to create service projects that are engaging, impactful and aligned with what your community needs. And if you want to make them even more fun, invite your family and friends to serve with you.
True impact starts with one act of service, big or small. I can’t wait to see what you do!
In friendship and service,
Mark S. Lyon
International President
Special Notices -September 2026
For Club Secretaries
New Training Videos Available on District the Website
LCI has provided several new training videos that reflect the updates that were completed in the Lions Portal over the past year. They include “How to Create and Report Service”, “How to Add a Member”, “Assigning Lion Club Officers for the Next Year” and “How to Manage a Sponsored Leo Club.
These videos are available on the home page of the Lion Portal Website and have also been put on the Training Page of the District 37 Website at the link below:
https://www.montanalions.org/training/
For Club Treasurers
Club statements are no longer being mailed and can only be accessed via the Club Portal.
If your club’s treasurer has not created an account on the portal, that is the first step to completing the process of being able to access your club statements. The login is the email address that LCI has on file for each officer. If an email address has not been provided to your club secretary, you will NOT be able to create an account in the Lion Portal.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”:
- All Club officers: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
- Club President: Trainer PDG Mike Tobin
- Club Secretary: Trainer Lion Peggy Tobin
- Club Treasurer: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
Short videos about how to do specific secretary or treasurer tasks:
Filing your 990-N (e-Postcard) (9 minutes)
District 37 Facebook Page
We all know that Lions serve from the heart, and now we want to see YOU in action! Whether you’re planting trees, organizing a food drive, helping out at a community event, or any other service activity, we want to showcase the amazing work our Lions are doing.
We’re looking for candid shots of Montana Lions actively engaging in service. We appreciate the posed group photos that commemorate events but we want to see how you have captured the real moments that show the spirit of Lionism in action!
How to Participate:
-
-
- Snap candid photos of Lions in action during service activities.
- Share your photos via message to the District Facebook Page (https://m.me/MontanaLions).
- Include a brief description of the activity and the names of the Lions involved.
- Bonus points for Lions wearing Lions Club logos on hats, vests, shirts, etc.!
-
Let’s fill our media with the heart and soul of our District’s service efforts. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words—let’s show the world the impact of the MT Lions Clubs of District 37!
Newsletter Information
Any Lions club member can submit information associated with any type of Lions project or general club information. You can submit Club News ANYTIME! You are also welcome to email your news (hopefully with photo) to: Lion Peggy Tobin at [email protected].
Website Updates
In Addition to the “Tri-Fold Generator” for clubs to create their own club brochures, additional documents have been added including Leo Application forms and Club Service Project Ideas. If you have trouble finding a resource and it’s not currently available on the website, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Free Club Websites!
The club-level website is still being offered by Montana District 37 at NO COST! If you don’t already have a domain name, Deanna can provide one for a cost of $20/year after the first year. If you are interested in getting a website for your club, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Dates to Remember – September 2026
SEPTEMBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
172 years of service!!!
Culbertson 09/13/1946 – 80 years
Sunburst 09/13/1934 – 92 years
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
District 37 6th Annual Leadership Retreat – October 2 – 3 2026, Lewistown, MT
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 17, 2026 @ 10:00 Jefferson High School, Boulder MT
District Cabinet Meeting – October 17, 2026 @ noon, Jefferson High School, Boulder MT
2027 District 37 Convention – April 16-17, 2027, Choteau, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN – June 29 – July 3
2030 San Antonio TX – June 28 – July 2
2031 – Helsinki Finland – July 4-8
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2026 Memphis TN-50th Annual!! – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
August 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
LCI President’s Message-August 2026
President’s MessageRooted in Servicewith International President Mark S. Lyon |
Dear Lion,
Service is the foundation of our organization. It’s at the very root of what we do and who we are as Lions. Meaningful service fuels growth, increases our impact and strengthens our communities and our world. It’s why people join us — and why they stay.
That’s why my presidential theme this year is “Rooted in Service.” I encourage all of us to reconnect with our Lion roots and focus on what matters most. Get creative with your service. Have fun. Look for new ways to meet the needs of your communities. And remember, no act of service is too small — every effort makes a difference.
I look forward to serving alongside you as your international president. Thank you for all the ways you already serve, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.
In friendship and service,
Mark S. Lyon
International President