The first 2017-18 Lions year Leadership Training was held on September 30th at the Garden Grove Clubhouse. Forty-Five Lions from the District and from District 4L2 attended this training. Steve Thomas, Performance Consultant, Dale Carnegie of Orange County, kicked off a highly interactive discussion on key leadership topics – goal setting, planning, and communication. Steve spoke about:
 

• Triangle of Success
• Cycle of Performance
• Creating a Vision & Setting Goals
• Stating Opinions with Credibility & Disagreeing Agreeably
• Communicating with People of Different Styles

 
Lions had the opportunity to understand different personality styles so they can better work with their fellow Lions on projects. By understanding how other personality styles engage and react, Lions can create an environment which makes full use of everyone’s talents and skills. Steve also had each participant create their own Vision statement using powerful, present tense, active language. Attendees had the chance to share their statements and were provided feedback from other attendees.
 
The leadership discussion was followed by a practical application of what was learned. Attendees were broken into their Regions and tasked with creating a Region-wide event. Each group was asked to identify a project, select several dates for performing the project, name a project chair, and report back to the attendees. Here are the planned projects:
 
Foothill Region – Diabetes Awareness and Health Fair on February 24, 2018.
Orange Region –Health and Wellness Fair in Stanton. Tentative date is April 14, 2018
Diabetes Awareness, vision and hearing screening, food collection for food bank
Saddleback Region – Diabetes Screening along with the Tustin Host Lions Vision Screening on April 24, 2018
 
Here is what some participants had to say about the training seminar:
 

• Everything! Great information to share with others
• Whole course was excellent. Facilitator was excellent
• Learning and knowing various types of personality traits and behaviors
• The sharing finding out that we are 4 different personalities that are all needed and who can work together to accomplish our goals
• Learning how to disagree amicably. Learning the different personality styles. Engaging speaker.

To date, Governor Judy, 1st VDG Randy, and I, along with many cabinet members have visited:

• Costa Mesa - Orange Coast Lions
• OC Hana Lions
• Saddleback Zone B Meeting
• Stanton Lions
• Tustin Host Lions
• Seal Beach Lions
• Fullerton Host Lions
• Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions

At each of these meetings, we are warmly welcomed by enthusiastic Lions roaring to go to make Lions year 2017-18 a fantastic time to be a Lion in District 4-L4. DG Judy shares information about International President Naresh Aggarwal's "Power of We" focus and LCI's new efforts in the areas of diabetes awareness and pediatric cancer. 1st VDG Randy, shares his thoughts on clubs working together and sharing the opportunity of service by reaching out to other clubs in the district to help on projects; a continuation of IPDG Bob's "Joining Hands in Service". He also talks about the need to invite more people to help us serve our communities. Me, besides sitting there and looking handsome, talk about Leadership and focus on the many Leadership training opportunities offered by LCI, MD4, and our District. Each visitation increases our enthusiasm and strengthens us as a team. Here are some pictures of these recent visitations.

It has been a hectic several weeks as the new Lions year has kicked-off. Lots of travel and the start of the Governor Visitations to each Club.  Please forgive me as I combine several weeks of events.

My colleague, 2nd Vice-District Governor Bill Browning invited me to attend his installation in District L6. California is a Multiple District consisting of 15 Districts from the North to the South. Bill's district is comprised of San Diego and Imperial Counties. The event was held at the Miramar Officer's Club in Miramar. I sat with 2nd VDG Bill and several Lions who were Past District Governors.
 
Next, Governor Judy, 1st Vice-District Governor Randy, and visited two Lions Clubs. The OC Hana Lions and the Stanton Lions. A total of four new Lions were inducted during these visits. The OC Hana Lions will be celebrating their 1st anniversary as a Lions Club on August 24th and the Stanton Lions are celebrating their 70th year as a Lions Club on 11/11/2017. Both of these clubs represent the resurgence of Lions in our communities and are attracting new Lions with the desire to serve their communities.

The first District 4-L4 Meeting was held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Costa Mesa Country Club. More than 180 Lions and friends attended this meeting to kick-off the new Lions year. District Governor Judy Barr put together a great event to install her cabinet. Along with the installation of 1st Vice District Governor Randy McMillan and me, Cabinet Secretary Diane Quinlan, Cabinet Treasurer Sandy Scheafer, GMT Chair Steve Christy, GLT Chair PDG Dan Mayer, and Region and Zone Chairs we installed by PDG Mike Scheafer. PDG Mike did a great job of adding to the fun of the day, as did the artistic creation by Miss Tustin Emma Foss, and the beautiful voice of former Miss Tustin 2010 Sarah Salazar.

I received a special award (sort of) from IPDG Bob Susaeta. Though I was hoping it was the exalted ruler medal, IPDG Bob indicated it was the wrong group, and instead presented he with a Lion hat. I am sure he thought it would make me stand out.

I was honored to have 24 Huntington Beach Host Lions in attendance cheering me on, and being present for the induction of two new HBH Lions, Lion Erinn Lancaster and Lion Mike Newell. I could not undertake this venture without their endorsement and support.

This past weekend, I began visiting Lions Clubs in our District as 2nd Vice District Governor.

Kicking off the weekend was the 73rd Annual Community Fish Fry in Seal Beach, hosted by the Seal Beach Lions. More than 200 Seal Beach Lions join together for this longtime community event. While there, I met Club President Seth Eaker whose enthusiasm and dancing skills need to be seen to be believed. The fish was great, as was the hospitality of Lion Renee Gormley.

Seal Beach is one of the largest Lions Clubs in North America with over 300 members. The relationship they have with their community is one to be envious of; they have been serving the residents of Seal Beach since 1939.

Here are some fun photos from the event:

The second visit was to the Harbor Mesa Lions 25th Anniversary celebration in Newport Beach. These Lions were gracious and fun loving as usual, as we relaxed on the Lanai at Newport Landing. Lion President and Past District Governor Barbara Hayward welcomed us and shared their humble beginnings as a Lioness Club and the formation of the Harbor Mesa Lions Club shortly after women were admitted as Lions. It is hard to believe that some of these ladies were not only charter members of the club, but members of the Lioness club as well. Youth springs eternal!

Yvonne Poyo, a member of the Cape of Good Hope Lions Club in South Africa was in attendance with her two daughters. Her club is a Twinning club with Harbor Mesa. The International Club Twinning program promotes the association’s Third Purpose: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. Through this program Lions and Leos alike have the opportunity to formalize their friendships with clubs in other countries, learn about different cultures, exchange experiences and ideas about what it means to be a Lion, and add an international dimension to their service mission.

Let's let some pictures tell the story:

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.