PRESS RELEASE – THE Lions and Leos of Zone 3B, Saint Lucia concluded a successful Multiple District 60, 29thMid-Year Conference at the Bay Gardens Beach Resorts from November 8 – 12 under the theme, “Lionism: Our Pride, Our Passion, and Our Purpose”.
Participation at the conference was low, owing to the ravages of the recent tropical storms and hurricanes in the Caribbean. Despite this, the over 180 participants agreed that it was a well-planned and executed conference.
The conference received reports from the two District Governors on the status of the clubs in the two Sub Districts – 60A and 60B — in the core areas of focus for Lions International which, for this year, are Pediatric Cancer, Environment, Hunger, Vision and Diabetes. The Council Chair, Lion Nadine Bushell, who was the host of the meeting, updated participants on the administrative and constitutional changes that were effected for the Multiple District.
In addition to the meetings, the conference was privy to three educational workshops. The first was presented on climate change and its effects on small developing states — what can we do? This was facilitated by Dr. James Fletcher. The second presentation was done by Jerry George, who gave a comprehensive insight into public relations and service organizations.
The youth were not left out, and their presentation was done by Mervin Agiste, on communication skills. Participants were informed on how what you say and do in communicating can affect your relations with others.
A courtesy call was paid to the Head of State, Her Excellency, Dame PearletteLouisy, who indicated that she was pleased with the work that the Lions have been doing on the island.
The highlight of the conference was the literacy project. Through the Reading Action Program, Lions International had embarked on a ten-year commitment to increasing reading and literacy rates. It is a call to action for every Lions club around the world to organize service project and activities that underscore the importance of reading and address specific needs related to illiteracy in their own community.
The Council Chairperson, in response to this, called on Lions attending the Mid-Year Conference to bring along items – books, kindles, listening devices, educational games, to be donated to three schools on the island identified by the Literacy Department of the Ministry of Education. The beneficiaries of this project were the Boguis Combined, Millet Primary and Banse La Grace Combined School. This activity will continue when Lions again meet for the Convention in May 2018 in Antigua.
The conference culminated with the Council of Governors ball hosted at the Royalton Hotel, which saw Lions dancing into the wee hours of the morning.
Participants expressed the view that the Saint Lucian Lions lived up to the expectation of hosting a conference that sets the standard for others to follow.
If you are service-minded and want to give back to your community, come join a Lions or Leo Club near you. The Lions and Leos of Saint Lucia are on social media.