A Year As President My year as president of the club finished at the end of June so I can now sit back and give my thoughts on it. I suppose the starting point is the question ‘why do it in the first place?’ Like many active Lions I had organised some events within the club and chaired the fund raising committee. I felt that I wanted to experience the role of president both as a natural progression and because it would be rewarding. (I will leave others to say if I had something to offer) I had been told that being president was easier than running either the fund raising or community services committees’ as delegation was the key. If only it was that easy. The role has been totally absorbing and for the first time I really appreciated how the organisation works beyond club level when I attended the district convention for the 92 clubs in the south east of England. If memory serves me well there were 254 Lions at the event – it must have taken some organising. I have enjoyed being a part of some of the events and activities that I would not normally be involved with, such as presenting awards to the winners of Lions International Peace Poster and Young Ambassador of the Year competitions. We can normally attract local press interest for these events so it is important for the president to be present. This extra variety has improved my experience and knowledge of the club. More importantly I have seen just how much each of us within the club relies on the other members for support and how much the club is supported by the folk of East Grinstead and district. My final duty of the year was to pass the chain of office to our new president, Roger Mead at our ‘Handover’ lunch. At the lunch our long serving club secretary, Jim Ikin was presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. This is the highest honour available within Lions except for an International President award and it gave me a real buzz for this to happen on my watch. So finally….did I enjoy it? Of course! Would I do it again (if asked)? You bet! Rob Howell Stan Hogman - member for 34 years writes: “Why did I join Lions? During a social chat with my Doctor (who was a member of Crawley Lions Club) He told me what the lions were all about and the sort of things they did and the pleasure and enjoyment they got from taking part in the various activities. He also said he found it very relaxing! So I was introduced to Horley Club and became a member in Jan 1971 It was good, three meetings a month, business and then fund raising or community service and finally a dinner meeting. From visits of other Clubs to Horley I found out that we all did much the same thing. Raising money wherever possible and distributing those monies to those who cause was the greatest. After moving to East Grinstead in 1975 I continued my membership with Horley for a further 6 months I then decided to transfer to EG (I would add that no transfer fee was paid) If I remember correctly the membership of EG was about the same as Horley, the routine at meetings the same and in most cases the Agenda was the same. The only difference was that EG did not have regular dinner meetings. Looking back over some 30 years things have changed. Work commitments make it more difficult for the working members to get too involved. Fund raising is more difficult because of all the recent legislation, political correctness, and insurance limitations. However, we still manage to raise £17,000 a year for deserving cases and have FUN doing it. Why am I still involved? Because I still enjoy what we do. The things people say to you when you’re on the bookstall; the letters written to the Club thanking the Lions for their help; people we have taken out for the day; those who have been to the Elderly Citizens Party; it all gives you a feel good feeling, and we have in all honesty enjoyed doing it. In the EG Club there are 35 members, all different, and from all walks of life. Surprising though it may seem, we all get on remarkably well, friendships that are made are ongoing. Goodness I have even been on holiday with some of them and survived, and I am still in contact with the Horley Club How long will it last? I suppose all the time I can attend meetings and give some help when its needed, at the moment I’m going fine, and long may it continue. "Unfortunately Lion Stan died on Tuesday 8 June 2010 and will be sadly missed by the Club" Membership is by invitation only but if you would like to join us contact the Club Secretary -