September 2025 Newsletter
We are continuing to evolve the format of the newsletter notification emails. This month, instead of printing each article in the email, we are providing the beginning of each one and you can select to read more or move on.
The publication of the 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 on the new format. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
By Lion Peggy Tobin
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 Christensen
LCI President’s Message
President’s MessageLead to Serve, Serve To Leadwith International President A.P. Singh |
Dear Lion,
Whether you are a new Lion or have been a member for years, you are here because someone invited you to join. To help us grow our clubs and our service — and reach our MISSION 1.5 goals — now it is your turn to invite someone else and share the joy that service brings.
Growth is essential for us to be able to continue to improve the service that Lions are known for around the world. We are a people-driven organization where service is at the heart of everything we do — and we need dedicated Lions like you to help us make an even greater impact together.
So invite friends and neighbors who have the heart to serve. Welcome diverse individuals and groups who will offer us fresh perspectives and energy. This is how we will keep our organization growing and thriving.
Growth benefits us all — our clubs, our communities and the people we serve. I look forward to seeing your club and your service grow.
Together we serve,
A.P. Singh
International President
Global 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 Coordinators
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – September 2025
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Statistics
Please find below the statistics from January 1, 2025 to August 26, 2025
- Applications Received: 32
- Assistance Provided: 16
- Total Cost of Assistance Provided: $17,610.72
- Applications Received From: Billings, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Coram, Corvallis, East Missoula, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, Hot Springs, Kalispell, Livingston, Missoula, Sidney, Superior, Townsend and Trego
The Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation is looking to purchase an enclosed trailer to use to haul the current ATV the Foundation is set to raffle off as our yearly fundraiser. Specs for the trailer: 14′ of 16′ (prefered) long x 7′ tall. If you have a trailer to sell or know of anyone looking to sell a trailer, please have them reach out to PDG Dan Sturdevant at 406.439.9297.
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing FoundationDates 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.
Seeley Lake Club News-Park Stewardship Award
Seeley Lake Lion Recognized by Missoula County for Stewardship –Kai Williams | Aug 14, 2025
An enthusiastic crowd of Lions Club members, families and friends gathered at the Seeley Lake Lions Park on Wednesday, August 6th to witness Missoula County commissioners award a longtime Lion for his stewardship.
Rich Westin was the 2025 recipient of the Missoula County Parks and Trails Steward Award. A press release from Missoula County stated this award is given to people and organizations who dedicate years of service to building and improving facilities across the county for the public to enjoy.
Missoula County Commissioner Juanita Vero delivered a proclamation celebrating Westin’s work with the Seeley Lake Lions Club to kick off the celebration.
By Seeley Lake Lions Club
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