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Lions Clubs International - Lion Phil Nathan |
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Show you care, get involved, let's enjoy ourselves |
Past International Director Phil Nathan
International 2nd Vice President Campaign
Macedonia – Part 2 - Phoenix Rising…
The last few weeks have been fascinating, interesting and rewarding and have taken in events at home and overseas.
In an earlier blog I talked about our trip to Macedonia and described the Lions we met, the people and some of the places we visited. Our friends in Macedonia [Photo: Phil with DG & Wife] had invited us to take part in a number of events and I was pleased and delighted to be invited to participate at the Charter Presentation of the Lions Club Skopje PHOENIX, where I had the privilege of presenting the President with the Club Charter.
This was a full Lions Club, not a New Century or Leo Club, comprising 23 new members, none of whom were over 30. There was so much enthusiasm for Lionism from each member of the new Club; you could feel the desire to be Lions.
The following day we drove to Ohrid, pronounced Ochrid, for the Charter Anniversary of the Lions Club Ohrid Desareti. Ohrid, an ancient, historical walled city, which sits on the lake of the same name, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations in Europe, describing it as stunning does not do it justice.
We were welcomed by the President and many members of the Club when we arrived at the hotel which was the venue for the Charter and spent an hour or so in discussion about a range of Lions issues; I presented the President with a painting and asked that the Clubs use it to raise funds for their work.
After a delightful lunch and more Lions related conversation we returned to the hotel and to a meeting between Macedonian and Albanian Lions. The Lions of Macedonia are not just concerned with growing Lionism in their own country but also in neighbouring Albania, under the careful guidance of PDG Nebojsa Davidovski.
And then, rather to our surprise, we were invited to join the Region Meeting that was taking place. The logic was impeccable, a region meeting, called to coincide with a Club Charter that each Club was going to be attending.
The Charter Anniversary later that evening had much in common with an MD105 Charter, except perhaps for the dancing; Macedonia has a long history and many traditions including indulging traditional dancing, which went on for hours and everyone, guests included, was invited to participate. How could we not!
Macedonia may be a relatively new Lions’ nation and District but they have many outstanding Lions as members.