2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Friday Evening Social
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention officially opened Friday evening with live music provided by Lion Jack Berry, President of Helena Lions (keyboard) and Lion Scott Cromwell, Director of Helena Lions (drums). Lion Jack introduced DG Raleigh Peck who welcomed over 100 lions and guests.
Todd Carmichael represented the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind and provided an update on what the school has accomplished since the last convention.
The evening also saw the beginning of the sale of 50/50 tickets by various convention Tail Twisters who worked throughout the weekend.
By Lion Peggy Tobin2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Live Auction
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention live auction was the final event Friday evening. Attending clubs provided some of the auction items and so did many local area businesses! We raised $5,175!! This brought the total revenue of both auctions (silent & live) to $9,015!! Proceeds were aplit evenly between Lions Club Int’l Foundation (LCIF) and and the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundaiton (MLS&HF).
It was noteworthy that a chocolate cake donated by a local bakery raised funds not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! DGE Corinna Christensen purchased it the first time. Then two more quarters were auctioned off again!
From the Desk of Governor Corinna – September 2025
Montana Lions on the Move: Building on a Strong Foundation
Dear Montana District 37 Lions,
As we journey deeper into this exciting Lions year, I want to thank each of you for the energy, commitment, and heart you bring to service across our great state. From the mountains to the plains, Lions of Montana are living out our shared purpose in meaningful ways every day.
Leadership with Purpose – The Vision of IP A.P. Singh
International President A.P. Singh brings us a powerful message this year:
“Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.”
His vision encourages long-time Lions to step up to new leadership roles, mentoring and guiding others, while also empowering new members to become leaders early in their service journey. This is how we ensure our Lions Clubs stay strong, relevant, and ready to serve future generations.
The momentum is ours to keep going. Let’s invest in each other’s growth, share the load of leadership, and continue building a legacy of service that will stand the test of time. More information can be found in IP Singh’s Presidential Theme Book.
By DG Corinna ChristensenGlobal Leadership Team – PDG Mike Collins-September 2025
Montana Lions Leadership News
September, 2025
“Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead”
Dear Montana Lions,
Are you interested in learning more about Lions Leadership?
Then join us for the 2025 VDG Regional Training , happening October 3-5, 2025 In Bozeman, MT
Cost: Attendance is free – you or your club will need to cover your hotel and travel expenses.
This training is not just for current VDG’s. Anyone interested in becoming a Vice District Governor in the future is welcome to attend.
Your club may even have funds available for leadership training. Just ask.
Investing in your growth as a Lion is an investment in your community’s future.
Let’s show our Montana pride and send a strong delegation! Whether you’re preparing for a future club office or simply want to be more effective in service, this institute will equip you with the tools and confidence you need.
Please Contact me ASAP as the training is less than a month away.
In service and leadership,
PDG Mike Collins
Global Leadership Team Coordinator – Montana
By Global Leadership TeamGlobal Membership Team Report – PDG Richard Gessling-September 2025
Global Membership Team
Global and Montana Membership – September, 2025
Report on Progress
As humans we tend to quantify many things. How many years married, how many children, how much we earn, how much we save, credit scores. You get the idea, not a bad concept and it can be useful.
This year three Lions clubs in Montana ceased to exist, leading to loss of services to their communities. Since I was the district governor in 2015-2016, the district has lost 10 clubs. Lions International measures lots of issues including clubs. The most concerning to all of us is the net loss or gain of members and clubs over-all in our district. Over the last five years, our clubs and district have worked to reverse this trend. Two years ago, we had a net loss of four, one year ago we had a net gain of one, the year just ended showed a net gain of six. Not a large number, but significant because we have over-come the year after year loss of clubs and members. It was a difficult reality and necessary to turn around, like stopping a large stone from rolling down-hill.
By Global Membership Team
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Lary Garrison & PDG Mike Tobin – September 2025
District LCIF Co-Chair Mike Tobin – September 2025
THANK YOU DISTRICT 37 LIONS!
* District 37 was #1 as a single district donor to LCIF!
- District 37 Clubs and Individuals donated $59,281.50 in 2024-25.
- District 37 finished 2 LCIF grants totaling $117,356 in 2025-25.
- 3 Clubs qualified for a total of over $2,800 in Community Impact Grants!
* Two questions:
- How are you and your club going to support LCIF in 2025-26?
- What does your community need that may qualify for an LCIF Grant?
* Answers:
- Your club can do a special fundraiser for LCIF.
- You as a Lion can make a single or monthly donation to LCIF.
- You as a Lion can become a Legacy Society Member.
- Go to lionsclubs.org, click on “Donate”.
- Mail a check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, Illinois USA, 60523-8842
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Lary Garrison , 703 Conway St., Billings, MT 59105, 406-855-6997, [email protected]
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
By LCIF CoordinatorsDates to Remember – September 2025
SEPTEMBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
170 years of service by two clubs!
Culbertson 09/13/1946
Sunburst 09/13/1934
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 18, 2025 @ 9:00am Location to be Announced
District Cabinet Meeting – October 18, 2025 @ 11:00am Location to be Announced
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2025 Atlantic City, NJ – September 18-20
Registration is open online at
https://members.lionsforum.org/event-5804241/Registration
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
Special Notices – September 2025
ALL CLUB SECRETARIES
IF YOU HAVE NOT ENTERED YOUR OFFICERS FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR, PLEASE CALL LION PEGGY TOBIN AT 406-461-4206 OR EMAIL HER AT [email protected] !!
YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIONS PORTAL UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RECTIFIED.
For Club Treasurers
PLEASE NOTE THAT LCI DUES WILL INCREASED JULY 1, 2025. THE INCREASE IS $2/YEAR ($1/6-MONTH BILLING CYCLE) FOR FULL MEMBERSHIPS. NOTE: New members are charged at a prorated amount depending on date joined.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”.
- 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)
With the release of the new LionPortal, we have added links to some of the short videos provided by LCI:
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
The new “Tri-Fold Generator” is now available for clubs to create their own club brochures using a tri-fold format that your club can use to share your information to prospective new members. You will find it under Training/Resources on the website.
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.
From the Governor’s Desk – August 2025
Montana Lions on the Move: Building on a Strong Foundation
DG Corinna Christensen–August 2025
“Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead”
Dear Lions of District 37,
This Lionistic year, we proudly embrace the powerful motto of our International President A.P. Singh: “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.” These words remind us that leadership and service are inseparable—two sides of the same coin. When we serve with heart, we inspire others to lead. When we lead with humility, we create a path for others to serve.
This is not about statistics. It’s not about numbers on a report. It’s about people—neighbors, families, youth, and seniors—whose lives are changed through the kindness of Lions like you. We are here for one purpose: to serve our communities.
People are not joining our district. They are joining YOUR CLUB. Your community. Your mission. And that’s why District 37 exists to support YOU.
From the Immediate Past District Governor – August 2025
From the Immediate Past District Governor’s Desk
IPDG Raleigh G. Peck–August 2025
Hello Lions,
As I begin my term as Immediate Past District Governor, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Serving as your District Governor has been one of the most rewarding and educational experiences of my life. From club visits to district events, it was an incredible journey—one that I will always cherish.
Over the last two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of visiting nearly all 57 clubs in our district. Meeting so many dedicated Lions and learning about the amazing service projects happening across our communities was truly inspiring.
By IPDG Raleigh Peck
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