Wednesday marked the beginning of my visits to District 4-L4 Lions Clubs to introduce myself and share why I am a candidate for 2nd Vice District Governor. We started with a noon time visit to the Garden Grove Lions. Lion President Lollie Beauchamp was quite welcoming along with the club (see first picture on left). Lion Dewey read my bio and introduced me. I spoke briefly about my goals and campaign theme "Leading Our Legacy to the Future". Lions Dewey, Scott, and Hank came with me. We managed to win three of the four prizes in their drawing and drove away before they had a chance to get it back.

Later than evening, Lions Hank, Steve, and I took a very long trip to Rancho Cucamonga. We traveled so far, I was concerned I left my passport at home. It is a mere 57 miles north east of Huntington Beach. It seemed longer as my intrepid navigators were busy with their phones and kept giving me different ways to go. It was my first time visiting Cucamonga District Host Lions and they are a friendly bunch. Lion Tamara Martin was quite a host, as were Lion President Tony High and his wife Lion Nancy. Past District Governor Norm MacKenzie and Foothill Zone B Chair Mike Shaw were both there. PDG Norm is an associate member of the club and Lion Mike is the Zone Chair. The program was about the new community garden in Rancho Cucamonga, Root66. The idea was conceived by a local citizen and after about five years has become a reality. Overall it was a fun and long day.

Today marks the official launch of our site, www.markpiva.com. Yay!

Emails were sent to club presidents and secretaries announcing my candidacy and included a link to the website. Moving forward, I will periodically record my activities related to the campaign. As I do, the focus will be on the clubs and Lions I meet along the way.

This website marks a change in some of the traditional approaches taken to running for and being a District Officer. Rather than provide a physical brochure, Lions will be invited to visit the website to learn about me and stay abreast of activities between now and the District 4-L4 convention in May.

The path to becoming a District Governor is long and costly. First, you run for 2nd Vice District Governor, then you run for 1st Vice District Governor, then District Governor. Finally you serve as Immediate Past District Governor.

The cost and time commitment associated with being a District and Vice District Governor can be an impediment to many Lions who are considering moving up and taking leadership roles in Lions. In an effort to find a way to remedy this, a team of Lions was formed to support me in raising the funds needed to successfully carry out the duties of being 2nd Vice District Governor. Throughout the year, they will hold fundraising events to help defray the expenses associated with being 2nd Vice District Governor. If this approach is successful, it will mark the beginning of an effort to provide future Lions, who wish to lead, some of the financial resources they need.

To be involved in this effort, and to stay abreast of events, please sign up to receive notifications by following this link: Let Me Know. Your contact information will remain confidential. Should you like to make a direct gift to the fund, contact Lion Steve Christy, by sending an email to: Lion Steve. Lion Cathy Waters of the Harbor Mesa Lions is serving as a treasurer for this effort.

I hope you will join me in this effort and I ask for your vote this May.

Welcome to the start of my campaign for 2nd Vice District Governor of Lions District 4L4.

Over the next four months, I will record my visits to each Lions Club in the District as I share my thoughts and goals with fellow Lions and ask for their vote. The election will be held at the District 4L4 Convention May 19-21, 2017 at the Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook, CA.

The endorsement letter from my club, Huntington Beach Host Lions, was sent to District Governor Bob and the chairs of the Nominations, Elections, and Credentials committees. I sent an email to Past District Governors informing them of my candidacy as well.

The final touches of the website were made and it is nearing ready for its launch this weekend. The website is an active site and should I be elected it will serve as an communication vehicle to District Lions regarding the tasks I am involved in. Your input is greatly appreciated and encouraged.

Now that we are well on our way into the 21st century and shortly will be celebrating Lions 100th Anniversary, I will use the communication tools many of us rely on daily. This is intended to celebrate our past and embrace new opportunities to serve, by using all of the tools available to communicate our work. It will hopefully encourage others to join with us in serving out communities.