New Lion president emphasizes team work

(LCGC): Local Lions from the Grand Cayman have elected Ian Callow as president at their recent change over luncheon.  Callow accepted the Presidency of one of the longest extant service clubs in the Islands and promised to uphold the values that the Lions are known for throughout the community. He emphasized the vibrancy that teamwork brings to any organization and the entire community, shifting the accent as it does from individual to collective endeavor.

“I have chosen the theme for my year as President “I am a Lion, serving our community” as our motto in helping us to achieve our objectives for the year,” he told a packed audience at the installation of the new executive of the LCGC for 2012-2013 year.

Guests from every service club in the Cayman Islands were on hand to watch as the new board pledged their commitment to teamwork.  “Together we can achieve so much more by working together,” the new LCGC President said.

He pledged a year in which as a team, the LCGC would achieve its set goals while having fun, and working towards specific goals in the community.

Building team spirit within would go hand in hand with the club’s sight, social services and youth programmes for which the organisation is cherished in the community and indeed around the world.  

“I’m looking forward to leading the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and helping ensure that we continue to provide much needed assistance to those less fortunate than ourselves.  It is particularly significant this year as we will be celebrating the club’s 40th anniversary serving the Cayman Islands”.

He underscored his commitment to new programmes such as the inaugural PACCE (Prostate & Colon Cancer) Event and continued support for the Lions signature events such as White Cane week would continue with renewed vigour, he noted.

He said that the membership had two choices – to be involved or committed. “Each of you today has been given a sticker that I would like you to place on your mirror.  Every time you look at it you will be asking yourself the question “Am I a Lion,” he added.

Outgoing President Mitch Ebanks took the opportunity to wish the new President every success in all his endeavors in the year ahead.  He briefly outlined the club’s achievements in the previous year including continuation of sight screening for over 1,000 school children, the annual Christmas gifts delivery throughout the community and the all-island children’s Christmas Party.

Lion President closed with “I look forward to everyone’s support as we head into this new Lionistic Year.  We know that we have to work harder to get sponsorship and donations in the current economic climate but we have already seen some fantastic support for our new event PACCE which will benefit men in our community who are suffering with prostate and colon cancer.  The proceeds will be split between the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and the Cayman Islands Hospice. Our supporters in the business community are still as committed as ever to helping us to improve the lives of some of the less fortunate in our community”.

About Lions Clubs International: Lions International is the world’s largest service club organization, with nearly 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 193 countries.  Since 1917 Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.  For more information about Lions Clubs International logon to www.lionsclubs.org.