Supporting Mental Health Together
FROM THE DESK OF DISTRICT GOVERNOR CORINNA CHRISTENSEN
Mental health is one of the world’s most urgent challenges, and Lions across Montana District 37 are helping make a difference through service, compassion, and community connection. Whether it is supporting youth, checking in on neighbors, assisting families in need, or simply offering a helping hand, every act of kindness matters.
Research also shows that volunteering not only helps others; it can improve your own mental health and well-being too. Serving as a Lion brings purpose, connection, friendship, and the rewarding feeling of making a positive impact in the lives of others.
As Lions, we know that service changes communities and it changes us as well. Discover how your club can take action and support mental health and well-being in this short video. For those of you that were at the District 37 Convention in Columbia Falls, you may recognize a familiar face, our friend PID Marvin Chambers from Alberta.
Take a moment to explore Lions International’s Global Cause for Mental Health and Well-Being and consider how your club can make a difference right here in Montana District 37. Together, we can continue to lead with compassion, serve with purpose, and strengthen the well-being of our communities.
By DG Corinna Christensen
50th USA Canada Forum-Memphis TN-Sept 3rd-5th
The 50th Annual USA Canada Lions Leadership Forum will be held September 3rd – 5th in Memphis, TN. If you are planning to go, or have thought about going, or would like to find out more about Lions and being a leader, please note that the Early Bird Registration increases June 1st! Click here to see a brochure with more information 2026-Memphis Brochure Click here to download the registration form 2026-Memphis-Registration
Want to learn a little more about Memphis, TN? Watch the video below.
Finally, if you ARE going to Memphis or might want to go, contact IPDG Raleigh Peck.
By Lion Peggy TobinDon’t Just Take My Word for It: Read Item 2 in the Official Convention Call
Back in February I covered the proposed international dues increase that will be voted on at the 2026 Lions Clubs International Convention in Hong Kong. This post is a short follow-up with one specific ask: go read the official language yourself.
LCI has published the formal call for convention, which lists all proposed amendments to the International Constitution and By-Laws that delegates will consider. The dues proposal appears as Item 2.
What Item 2 proposes
Item 2 is a resolution to amend Article XII, Section 2(a) of the International By-Laws, which governs semi-annual international dues. If adopted by a majority vote of convention delegates, the amendment would increase the semi-annual rate from the current $25.00 to $30.00 over five consecutive fiscal years:
- July 1, 2028: $25 to $26
- July 1, 2029: $26 to $27
- July 1, 2030: $27 to $28
- July 1, 2031: $28 to $29
- July 1, 2032: $29 to $30
That is a $10 total increase to annual dues spread across five years, or $2 per member per year.
Why read the source document
Summaries, including ours, involve editorial choices about what to emphasize. The official call for convention contains the exact proposed language that delegates will vote on, including the specific by-law sections being amended. If your club is going to have an informed conversation about this proposal, or if your club has a delegate attending the convention, reading the primary source is not optional.
What to look for
When you find Item 2, note that the resolution language is structured as a series of sequential “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED” clauses, one for each year’s increase. This is the mechanism that allows the phase-in. The resolution requires a majority vote to adopt, not a supermajority.
For reference, Item 3 in the same document covers a separate proposal to restructure international director representation by region. That item requires a two-thirds vote and is a different conversation entirely.
District 37 dues remain unchanged
As noted previously: this proposal does not automatically change District 37 dues or club dues. District dues are set through our own budget process. If the international increase is approved, individual clubs will decide independently how to handle the impact.
Questions about the convention call or the delegate process can be directed to your Zone Chair or any member of the District Cabinet.
By Lion Steve DogiakosSidney Leos Crush Pop Tab Challenge!
By collecting over 400 pounds of pop tabs – that’s over 1/2 million tabs – the Sidney Leos handily defeated the Sidney Lions and received a free pizza party. The tabs are an almost pure aluminum alloy and bring a much higher price than the whole can for recycle.
This is not all! The photo on the right shows what fit in the truck to go to the Ronald McDonald house in Billings. They say there’s about 200 more pounds to be turned in. The Sidney Lions were thrilled to buy these great young people pizza. But Wait..There’s More!
The Sidney Leos completed their pop tab collections for another 429 pounds of pop tabs. For a total of 830 pounds to support Ronald McDonald House!! At 1,500 tabs per pound that’s approximately 1.25 MILLION tabs!!!!!
They did have a little help. They had their own contest with all the grade schools and middle school where the winning class at each of the 4 schools also got a pizza party. This time from the Leos. WE NEED MORE LEO CLUBS IN SD37.
By SidneySeeley Lake Lions Vision
One of the most important functions that Lions around the globe participate in is Sight and Hearing. We make sure in the Treasure State of Montana that we see the children each year to screen their eyes and head off a possible problem down the road early in the process. Each club has a committee that goes to the local schools and performs the screenings.
On April 23, 2026, the Seeley Lake Lions had the pleasure of doing just that at the Seeley Swan School in Condon. There were 19 children screened and they couldn’t have been sweeter. Knowing that we are doing this to help young children gives you that sense of satisfaction and also helps parents with regards to the health of their child.
We Serve!
By Seeley Lake Lions Club
MLS&HF Raffle Winner Announced
The Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation drew the winning ticket for the Honda Side by Side at the recent 2026 District 37 Convention held in Columbia Falls.
The lucky winner is Lion Greg Lackman of the Hysham Lions Club!
The MLS&HF has been doing raffles for many years and the proceeds have allowed the foundation to serve many Montanans around our great state.
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing FoundationLCI 2026 Convention Call and Notice of Amendments
Dear Lion,
The Lions 108th International Convention is fast approaching!
This notice will serve as a reminder that the Official Convention Call has been published in the LION Magazine in compliance with Article VI, Section 2 of the International By-Laws.
All Lions can review the 2026 Official Call and Notice of Amendments on the Lions’ website or the 2026 Official Convention Call and Notice of Amendments in LION Magazine. or by clicking on the items above.
We look forward to seeing you in Hong Kong!
Sincerely,
The Legal Division Team
May 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!!
From the Desk of Governor Corinna – May 2026
“Leading with Heart: Service, Empowerment, and Community”
Fellow Lions and Leos of Montana,
April was nothing short of a whirlwind across Big Sky Country, and what a great reminder of the power of Lions in action. From one end of Montana to the other, clubs were busy serving their communities in ways both meaningful and fun.
Easter Egg Hunts brought smiles, and a little friendly competition, to kids and families. Environmental projects during our Lions Week of Service helped care for the places we call home. And with warmer weather peeking through, Lions Park projects are ramping up all over the District. If you drove by a park, chances are a Lion was nearby with a rake or mower.
District 37 Convention – Columbia Falls
The highlight of April was, without question, our District 37 Convention held at Cedar Creek Lodge in Columbia Falls. Thank you to the Columbia Falls Lions as well as the Kalispell Lions and Kalispell Sunriser Lions for hosting the event.
What a showing:
- 125 Lions and Leos in attendance
- 40 Clubs represented
- 33 Montana Lions Clubs present — 57% of the District
That is something to celebrate!
One of the most inspiring parts of the weekend was our LEOs. Several gave up their senior trip to attend the convention. That kind of commitment speaks volumes. Even better, they shared their plans to continue their journey as Lions after graduation. The future of Lions in Montana is in very good hands.
A Little Montana Meets Aloha
Friday night brought a special celebration honoring Debra Weaverling and her Hawaiian heritage with a lively Luau.
The evening featured:
- Silent and live auctions
- Nearly $14,300 raised
- Proceeds benefiting Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation and Lions Clubs International Foundation
And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the night wrapped up with the incredible DLO 17-piece orchestra and a dance floor full of Lions who proved they can serve and swing.
Saturday: Business, Inspiration, and Learning
Saturday brought a great balance of Lions business and meaningful inspiration. We conducted nominations and elections for District Officers, held a special memorial service for 17 Montana Lions that had passed since we last met and heard outstanding presentations from:
- Miss Montana & Miss Montana’s Teen
- Leader Dogs for the Blind
Saturday afternoon kicked off with Speed Learning, a fast-paced and engaging session packed with ideas Lions can take straight back to their communities.
We also heard updates from Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, including their Side-by-Side drawing – in true Lions fashion the lucky winner was one of our own MT Lions.
Celebrating Service
The District 37 Convention concluded with a memorable banquet featuring an inspiring message from PID Deb Weaverling and recognition of several outstanding Lions across the District. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do.
Looking Ahead
If this year is any indication, you will not want to miss next year’s convention:
Choteau, Montana, 
April 16–18, 2027, Mark your calendars now!
Let’s Keep the Momentum Going
April showed us what is possible when Lions come together with purpose, energy, and a little bit of fun. As we head into the busy summer season:
- Jump into your club’s projects
- Invite someone new to serve alongside you
- Share your stories and impact
Because when we stay engaged, we grow stronger—and our communities do too.
Lead to Serve, and Serve to Lead.
DG Corinna
From the Desk of District Governor Elect Jon Kimble – May 2026
Montana Lions District 37
Invitation to Service: May 2026
Our Montana Lions are great assets to their communities! Our kindness and caring really add to the fabric of our lives. Our Single-District 37 is organized to broaden service and fellowship by dividing the large District into four regions. Those four regions are further divided into 14 Zones. A member from each Zone volunteers to be a liaison between the District Cabinet and the Clubs. For the coming Lion year, 2026-2027, we have several volunteers who have accepted the position. We still need a few more…
If you wish to help support our District operations, please consider serving at this level. It will be a great opportunity to connect with other Lions Clubs, and it can be rewarding and fun!
I extend a “Welcome Back!” to our returning Zone Chairs and a hearty “Welcome!” to the new volunteers who have agreed to help: They are:
Zone Lion Clubs Served
Zone 1 Rob Shaffer Hamilton, Missoula, East Missoula, Seeley Lake
Zone 2 Nick Ostle Superior, Plains, Hot Springs
Zone 3 Naomi Valentine – Kalispell, Kalispell Sunrisers, Eureka, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, ColFalls Mountain Branch, Kalispell Rising Lions Branch
Zone 4 Butte – Mile Hi, Deer Lodge
Zone 5 Tom Naegle Helena, Helena Gold Rush, Townsend (Broadwater), White Sulphur Springs
Zone 6 Neil Swift Cascade, Great Falls, Great Falls Sunrise
Zone 7 Jerry Kuhn Chinook, Havre, Turner/Hogeland, Fort Benton
Zone 8 Jack Preston Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Fairfield, Sunburst, Sun River Valley
Zone 9 Rosemary Weber Baker, Glendive, Sidney
Zone 10 Scobey, Wolf Point, Culbertson, Nashua, Plentywood
Zone 11 Mark Manning Billings, Billings Hts, Forsyth, Huntley Project, Hysham, Shepherd
Zone 12 Big Timber, Joliet, Laurel, Red Lodge
Zone 13 Julie Bartos Bozeman, Bozeman Gallatin Empire, Bozeman Sweet Pea, Dillon, Ennis
Zone 14 Denton, Roundup, Winnett
As you can see, we still need support for Zones 4, 10, 12 and 14. If you are a member of those Clubs served, and want to contribute to our District Governance, please contact us. We have several goals for the year for the improvement of service across the State, so you will be a welcome member of the District Team.
GO LIONS!!
DGE Jon Kimble
By 1st VDG Jon Kimble
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