To The Lions of Montana District 37 and Alberta MD-C
It is with heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of PDG Steve Hadnagy on August 1, 2026. Lion Steve was a great Lion who was instrumental in shaping District 37 and Multiple District C into what we are today. He was a true friend, a mentor, and a leader in our world of service. Just knowing Lion Steve brings back memories of his personality and his dedication to the causes he believed in.
Lion Steve was a long time member of the Butte Mile High Club along with dedicated support of the Anaconda and Deer Lodge Clubs. During the Lions year 2002-2003 Lion Steve served on the MD 37 Council of Governors representing District D along with Shirley Dillman from District A, Ken Pickett from District B, Gail Witherspoon from District C, Dennis Stevenson from District E, Allan Reed from District F and Betty Ann Robson from District G. Now Lion Past International President Dr. Patti Hill served as Council Chair during the Lions year 2002-2003.
A memorial service is planned for Friday August 28th at the Wayryen-Richards Funeral Home, 1800 Florence Ave. in Butte at 1 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lion Steve’s name may be made to the Lions Club in care of the Funeral Home. Here is the link the funeral home and the official obituary.
https://www.wayrynen-richards.com/obituaries/steven-hadnagy/#!/Obituary
Respectfully submitted,
Lion Ben Apeland
A Special Memory from IPDG Corinna Christensen
Thank you for sharing this sad news and for honoring the remarkable service of PDG Steve Hadnagy.
I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to meet Lion Steve during a visit to the Butte Lions Club in May of 2025, when I was serving as First Vice District Governor. Although he had become less active in his later years, Steve made a special effort to attend that meeting. He came not only to visit with me, but also to be there for a very memorable occasion—the induction of an incredible six new Lions into the Butte Lions Club.
It was clear that evening how deeply Lion Steve cared about Lions and about seeing the organization continue to grow and serve. Watching a longtime Lion and Past District Governor be present to welcome six new members into our Lions family was especially meaningful. It was one of those evenings that reminded me of the legacy our longtime Lions leave behind and the responsibility we have to carry their dedication to service forward.
I only had the privilege of knowing Lion Steve for a short time, but that evening made a lasting impression on me. I feel truly blessed to have shared it with him.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Lion Steve’s family, his fellow Lions in Butte, Anaconda and Deer Lodge, and all of the Lions throughout Montana and Alberta whose lives were touched by his friendship, leadership and service.
Rest well, Lion Steve. Your legacy of service lives on.
In Lionism, IPDG Corinna
Lion Steve was a Lion for the ages. Spoke his mind and listened. Rest in peace.
PDG Richard Gessling
By PID Ben ApelandHeads Up Treasurers (and Presidents)
By Lion Steve DogiakosWinnett Lions August News
Winnett Lions have been busy with community beautification projects. We planted our hanging baskets and with help from Fergus Electric boys, placed them on Main Street light poles.
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We purchased another custom-made bench and placed it in front of another business. The owner was thrilled we did that. We also added a couple of planters and filled them with flowers for her. We also recruited three new members in July!
By Winnett Lions ClubSeeley Lake Lions News
A Seeley Kind of 4th!
Every year the town of Seeley Lake puts on a special parade for the 4th of July that is attended by thousands. People drive for miles to come to our parade and all the activities in town, finished off by a tremendous fireworks show in the evening..
This, however, was special in that it was our country’s 250th birthday and the Lions could not miss an opportunity to show off and ROAR!
First we had a dump truck load of firewood to raffle off which netted us over $6,200! This all goes to scholarships for the high school.
Next our float featured the founding fathers signing the Declaration of Independence and Betsy Ross sewing her flag. Many hard days and hours went into the planning, purchasing of costumes, decorations and finally having off-road vehicles riding behind the float with signs telling the town what activities we participate in. We had a great time doing this with it culminating in a FIRST PLACE FINISH!!!!
By Seeley Lake Lions ClubSupporting 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 IPDG Corinna Christensen50th 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 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.
Sidney 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!
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 Foundation
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