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.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
By Lion Peggy TobinFrom the Desk of Governor Jon Kimble – October 2026
DISTRICT 37 BULLETIN
District 37 Newsletter Update: Tracking Our Goals for a Stronger Montana
Dear Fellow Lions,
As we embark on another incredible year of service, District 37 has established five critical, actionable goals designed to expand our reach, fortify our existing clubs, and elevate our impact across the Big Sky State. True success requires dedication, persistent effort, and a collaborative spirit. We are off to a phenomenal start, but crossing the finish line requires all hands on deck!
Here is an update on our five primary district goals and the tangible progress we are making right now.
Our District 37 Goals & Progress Update
- Launching a New Club in Libby, MT
We have successfully wrapped up our community interest meetings in Libby and have already identified five passionate individuals ready to step up and form a local club! To formalize the next steps, an initial organizational meeting is scheduled for tonight, September 30, 2026.
- Planting Seeds for a New Club in Lewistown, MT
The groundwork in Lewistown is moving rapidly. Our teams have begun surveying local citizens to gauge community needs and have developed excellent local contacts. These new allies are eagerly stepping up to help us execute a massive Lions Club project: performing vital eye screenings across 5 local schools on October 4 and 5.
To maintain this incredible momentum, District 37 is hosting its annual Leadership Retreat in Lewistown on October 2 and 3, 2026. Following the retreat, executive staff will remain on the ground for a few days to continue building club formation interest.
- Assisting Hot Springs, MT with Recruitment & Retention
We are actively building out tailored support systems to aid the Hot Springs Lions Club in attracting fresh faces and keeping current members engaged. Strong clubs require stable foundations, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary tools and toolkits.
- Revitalizing the Bozeman Noontime Club
Our Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chairperson have formally agreed to step in, contact, and personally mentor the Bozeman Noontime Club. This targeted leadership support will directly focus on member recruitment and strengthening retention strategies.
- Increasing LCIF Contributions by 5% Year-Over-Year
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) does vital work globally, but its impact here at home is unmatched. District Executive Staff have been hitting the pavement making official club visits to spread a critical message: Montana Lions Clubs receive significantly more funding back from LCIF than our clubs collectively contribute. Boosting our district donations by 5% ensures that this powerful cycle of compounding local grants continues.
Direct Comparison: Expansion vs. Support Focus
To give you a bird’s-eye view of how our strategic focus is divided this quarter, take a look at our current balance between new club development and existing club reinforcement:
Strategic Focus | Target Community | Primary Immediate Action |
New Club Development | Libby, MT | Initial organizational meeting on September 30, 2026. |
New Club Development | Lewistown, MT | School eye screenings (Oct 4–5) and Leadership Training (Oct 2–3). |
Retention & Recruitment | Hot Springs, MT | Deploying regional marketing and engagement resources. |
Retention & Recruitment | Bozeman Noontime | Direct mentorship by the Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chair. |
Foundation Growth | District-Wide | Club visits demonstrating how LCIF heavily funds Montana projects. |
How You Can Help
These goals are specific and entirely achievable, but they cannot rest solely on the shoulders of your executive staff. We need the persistent effort of local Lions who understand that the people who know a community best are those who call it home.
If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and help with the Lewistown eye screenings, the Libby expansion, or local recruitment, please reach out directly to your Zone Chairperson or a member of the District 37 Governing Staff today! Let’s keep this great momentum going.
In Service,
Jon Kimble
District Governor,
Montana Lions District 37
559-352-1455
By DG Jon Kimble
From the Desk of 1st VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl – October 2026
Hello Montana Lions, and greetings from your 1st VDG Lion Gary and District GST Lion Cheryl Lewis! With 1st VDG Training, travel and club visits, we’re on the move a lot!
We started this spring with a trip to Atlanta, Georgia for Mission 1.5 Training for me. DG Lion Jon Kimble and our District GET Lion Margaret Baylinson also attended, where we were reminded again of the importance of doing our part to grow membership in our area. Much learning and strategy involved in this project, which will culminate next year during my year as District Governor. It is definitely on my mind and in my sights to succeed, and Lion Cheryl and I will be looking at ways to implement the strategies learned in Atlanta. More to come on that.
Next, we headed out to Hot Springs, MT to see what can be done to generate interest in rejuvenating that club. Hot Springs is a unique area that has a lot to offer, along with a caring population that believes strongly in community service. For that reason, we are committed to doing everything we can to save this 86-year-old club! Several members from our home club of Seeley Lake went with us to recruit for new members. We enjoyed the farmers’ market, and picked up some delicious Dixon melons on the way home. If you haven’t tried them, it’s worth the trip to tiny Dixon, MT on Highway 200!
September was chock-full of travel, first to beautiful Memphis, Tennessee, to attend the USA/Canada Forum, another great opportunity for leadership learning and growth. With presentations on everything from “soup to nuts,” coupled with a chance to rub elbows with our past, current and future international leaders, we couldn’t help but come away with even more enthusiasm for Lions Club!
While in Memphis, we enjoyed visiting Graceland, the family home of Elvis “The King” Presley! The accompanying museums housing his cars, clothing, airplanes and other memorabilia were impressive. And, we found out he was a true philanthropist, donating thousands of dollars to his hometown, including the Memphis Lions Club!
A visit to Beale Street, the home of the blues, and partaking of some world-class barbecue completed a memorable visit to an iconic American city
Later in the month, Lion Cheryl was able to realize a lifelong (or at least as long as she’s been a Lion!) dream when we were privileged to visit the Leader Dog campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan! If you don’t already know, the folks at Leader Dog invite all incoming District Governors to their facility to see first-hand the amazing work they do for the blind and low-vison community.
At the campus, not only do they train and place leader dogs for their clients, but they take care of the “whole person” by offering other living with blindness skills, such as Orientation and Mobility training using a white cane.
Lion Cheryl and I, along with DG Jon Kimble and his wife Laura participated in three blindfolded events: White Cane navigation, walking with a Leader Dog, and Dining in the Dark! All of these activities made us realize how important it is to continue this important work and support the Leader Dog facility, and gave us a new level of respect for the blind and low-vision community who overcome extraordinary challenges every day. It was also very exciting to learn that new technology, such as the currently offered “Meta Glasses,” can provide even more valuable tools to help those with low vision.
Returning home, we immediately began our club visit circuit, attending meetings in Roundup, Big Timber and Winnett. Three down and 18 to go!! We are so encouraged by the dedicated Lions we meet with each visit!
Being a Lion has never held more excitement for us than here and now. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities for learning and growth as we travel to these various Lions Club events as a District Governor elect. It’s a great time to be a Lion!
Happy Trails – see you soon!
VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl
C:406-677-4072; [email protected]
PO Box 523, Seeley Lake MT 59868-0523
By 1VDG Gary LewisLCI 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
IP Mark Lyon Announces Int’l BOD Recommendation for Third Vice President in 2027
Dear Lion Leaders,
Certified and endorsed international third vice president candidates are interviewed, evaluated and considered for a recommendation by the International Board of Directors based on their knowledge of the association, understanding of the role of international president, support of LCIF, and their demonstrated leadership in the association and alignment with the association’s mission.
The board met earlier this week, and I am pleased to announce that the Lions Clubs International Board of Directors recommends Past International Director Vijay Kumar Raju from Multiple District 316 (India) as international third vice president for election at the 2027 Lions International Convention in Washington D.C., USA.
The international board was incredibly impressed with the dedication, vision and service of Past International Director Raju, including his recent role as a member of the LCIF Board of Trustees.
Past International Director Raju has also served as chairperson of the Membership Development Committee, Centennial Action Committee member, GAT area leader, Lions Clubs International Strategic Planning Committee member, LCIF constitutional area chairperson, and has served on a number of other local and international committees, all advancing the association’s mission and goals over his 30 years as a Lion.
Past International Director Raju works in the education field as a senior executive with a focus on governance, strategic direction and advisory leadership. In addition to his long-standing history of service to our association and foundation, he has been actively engaged with a wide range of civic, cultural and professional organizations, reflecting his commitment to both industry and community.
The 2027-2028 third vice president will be elected by certified delegates at the Lions International Convention in Washington, D.C., July 2-6, 2027.
Past International Director Raju is an exceptional leader and a long-serving Lion, making him the ideal choice to lead our great association forward.
On behalf of the international board, I would like to thank you for your support and your service.
In friendship and service,
Mark S. Lyon
International President
By PID Ben ApelandLeo Update – October 2026
The Need for Leos
Leos perform hard and essential work for our communities. From cleaning highway ditches, to supporting our elderly, to helping provide food for those who are hungry, Leos are making a difference. WE NEED MORE LEOS!
The Sidney Leos recently cleaned their two miles of highway, and this is no easy undertaking. Their stretch of highway is on the way to the dump, which makes their service especially important. Their hard work is a great example of how Leos step up to take care of their communities.
If You Missed the SD37 Convention…
If you missed our SD37 Convention in Columbia Falls, you missed something special!
The newly formed Fort Benton Leos sent two lovely young ladies to our convention. They made two wonderful presentations and performed the 50/50 drawings both days.
As Lions, we wanted them to take their share of the 50/50 proceeds back to help support their club. There was none of that! Instead, they gave $300 back to the district to support the growth of Leo Clubs throughout our district. Their generosity and commitment to other young people truly touched us.
Then came the moving part…
At the banquet, they announced that attending our convention meant giving up the opportunity to go on their senior trip. They chose to come to the Lions convention instead—and told us that they knew they had made the right decision. What an incredible example of service, commitment, and the spirit of Lionism! Be sure to see the attached article from their local newspaper. Their story deserves to be shared and celebrated.
Connecting Our SD37 Leos
I am working on a district-wide chat group for all the Leos of SD37. This will give our Leos a place to share their successes, ideas, projects, and experiences with one another.
Most Lions clubs do not have a designated Leo Advisor listed on the portal, so I don’t know who to reach out to in order to get this essential tool into the hands of our Leos. Please help me make this connection. If you are a Leo Advisor—or know who is working with your local Leo Club—please reach out so we can get your Leos connected. And if your Lions Club does not yet have a Leo Club, please reach out to us! We would love to help you get one started.
Our communities need Leos. Our Lions clubs need Leos. And, most importantly, young people need the opportunity to serve, lead, and make a difference.
WE NEED MORE LEOS!
PDG Raleigh G Peck
By Leos AdvisorFrom District Treasurer Steve Dogiakos
IRS 990 Annual Tax Filing Reminder
Please remember that all Lions clubs, districts and multiple districts with annual gross receipts less than US$50,000 that are not required to file Forms 990 or 990-EZ must file the e-Postcard (also known as the 990-N). Please be advised that this filing relates specifically to the 501(c)(4). If your Lions club, district or multiple-district has a foundation, which is a separate legal entity, the appropriate form will need to be filed as well.
Please review the Annual Tax Filing information below. Thank you!
Please note that Lions Clubs International is not authorized to provide guidance regarding your filing. For specific questions, please contact a local tax professional or the IRS.
Kindest regards, Legal Division, Lions Clubs International
By Lion Steve DogiakosDistrict LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Mike Tobin & PDG Raleigh Peck – October 26
Clubs Can Benefit from LCIF Donations
Hello Montana Lions,
Well, here it is October already! School is in full swing and most all clubs have started having their meetings. This is also the time when Raleigh and I start our LCIF club visitations. As we visit with your club be sure to bring at least $10 so you can pick out your favorite number on our LCIF Melvin Jones Recognition boards. 100 slots = $1,000, and when all the slots are taken, a random number will be drawn and the winner will receive a Melvin Jones. If you don’t know what a Melvin Jones is ask your club President to invite Raleigh or myself to visit with your club so we can explain it to the entire club.
ALSO, if you are interested in free money for your club, have us come and visit to show you how your club can get this free money. We look forward to seeing you this year. Be the first to give us that call and get all the information.
Together, we can accomplish great things through service.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
PDG Raleigh Peck , 1575 10th Ave SW., Sidney, MT 59270, 406-480-5000, [email protected]
By LCIF CoordinatorsTwo Lights Montana Series – Flag Day
June 14, 1777 – The Story Behind Flag Day
Every June 14th, Americans from coast to coast pause to celebrate Flag Day, honoring the banner that has flown over battlefields, classrooms, front porches, and every great moment in our shared history. But do you know how this cherished tradition began?
A Banner Born in Revolution
The story starts on June 14, 1777, when the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution. In the middle of a revolution—with the outcome of the war still far from certain—the young nation paused to declare what its banner would be: thirteen alternating red and white stripes, with thirteen white stars on a field of blue, “representing a new constellation.”
The founders weren’t just designing a flag. They were imagining a country that didn’t yet fully exist—a new light among the nations. As the United States grew, so did the flag, gaining a star for every new state while the original thirteen stripes remained a lasting tribute to the courage of those who started it all. Today, fifty stars shine for fifty states, still united under one banner.
One Teacher’s Big Idea
While the flag was born in 1777, the celebration of Flag Day was sparked by a single determined American. In 1885, a 19-year-old schoolteacher named Bernard J. Cigrand stood before his one-room classroom and placed a small 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk. He asked his students to write essays about what the flag meant to them, calling that June 14th the flag’s “birthday.”
That simple classroom lesson became a lifelong crusade. Cigrand spent decades writing articles, giving speeches—reportedly more than two thousand of them—and rallying support wherever he could. For his devotion, history remembers him as the “Father of Flag Day.” It’s a fitting reminder that some of our most enduring traditions began not with politicians or generals, but with ordinary citizens who simply loved their country.
Making It Official
Cigrand’s dream gathered momentum over the years. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day. The cause finally reached its summit in 1949, when President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day for good.
Interestingly, Flag Day is not a federal holiday—the post office still runs and the banks stay open—but that’s part of its quiet charm. It’s a day we observe not because we have to, but because we want to. Over the years, Americans have come to see their own values reflected in the flag’s colors: courage and sacrifice in the red, hope and purity of purpose in the white, vigilance and justice in the blue.
We may come from different places and different walks of life, but we are united beneath one banner—the red, white, and blue. Before the Stars and Stripes, the colonies used the Grand Union Flag—13 red and white stripes with the British Union Jack in the corner—first raised in 1775.
Join Lions across Montana in celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary through learning, civic participation, and community service. Plan or participate in a service project on October 24—Montana Makes a Difference Day—and share your efforts using #TwoLightsMT and #D37Lions.
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By Global Service TeamMontana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 2026
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Statistics
Please find below the statistics from January 1, 2026 to September 26, 2026
- Applications Received: 29
- Assistance Provided: 14
- Total Cost of Assistance Provided: $27,316.49
- Applications Received From: Belt, Billings, Bozeman, Emigrant, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Ovando, Polson, Sidney, Trego and Whitefish
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Fellowships
Foundation Fellowship: Foundation Fellowships can now be purchased by individuals. Foundation Fellowships are used to recognize outstanding Lions and other deserving individuals. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation endorses this Fellowship. The Fellowship award includes a lapel pin and a mounted certificate and may only be bestowed by a Lions Club on an individual or group of individuals with a donation of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
PID Fellowship: The PID Dave Hajny, PID Tom Lehman, PID Gary Tschache and PID Ben Apeland Fellowships are now available. The fellowships recognize the contributions to Lionism made by PID’s Dave, Tom, Gary and Ben. The new fellowships are a great way to provide recognition for a deserving Lion. Fellowships can be purchased for five hundred dollars ($500) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Life Membership: A Life Membership to the Foundation, which includes a lapel pin and pocket card can be bestowed by an individual, group of individuals, Lions Club or can be purchased by an individual with a donation of one hundred dollars ($100) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Memorial or Honorarium: Remember a loved one or honor that special person by donating to the Foundation. What better way to remember or honor someone than having your donation live in perpetuity? Your Memorial or Honorarium donation is never spent; only the interest earned on these assets will be used to further the purpose of the Foundation.
Thank you for your continued support of the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
Does Your Club Collect Glasses?
Used glasses can be dropped off in Great Falls at Floors and More, located at 920 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT.
Please place the following address on boxes of used glasses:
Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, 9013 Mullen Road SE, Olympia, WA 98513
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
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