Club Twinning is a Thing

Twinning Across the World

Being deemed an “essential service” by your government is a heavy experience for any club, but the Roodepoort Clearwater Cyber Lions Club and others in District 410-E fill the bill.

Lions Kathy and John Reese of St Joseph East Side did a return raid at a recent Saturday meeting of this South African Lions Club.

As opposed to the traditions in the United States of singing “My Country Tis of Thee”, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer, Roodepoort Clearwater Cyber Lions Club collectively begins its meetings with the reading of the International Lions Code of Ethics.

The agenda appears on the monitor’s screen and is followed rigorously.  Lions of this district often do service projects together.  Among these projects are such things as food donations to the needy.  They make blankets and beanies for the homeless in their communities.

They also have a Sensory Garden for the visually impaired.  When the pandemic lock-down allows, they want to go check on it for maintenance purposes.

Buddy Day is an event which has been held for 15 years.  It began with 20 students and has grown to 300 through the years.  Handicapped students are paired with non-handicapped students for a day of fun and education.  It also helps non-handicapped peers to understand the challenges of the handicapped individuals.

The Warrior Walk, which is to take place in September, may have to be postponed due to the coronavirus.

Although this is a cyber club, they also have face-to-face contact with Lions of other clubs in their area.  They get together and talk about possible projects and propose ideas.  Oftentimes, the decisions are made through email.

The Lions are concerned about the need for hunger relief and warmth as they are entering winter.  One thing they are doing is making “Snugglers”.  These are sleeping mats made from plastic, old newspapers, and tape.  They are waterproof and warm.  They are given to the homeless and are said to last a long time.  The tape is very strong.

Lions are always looking for new members.  One of the cyber members was recently hospitalized and while there, talked to people about Lions Club, resulting in a new member.

One thing which was very interesting was that in Zimbabwe, people can remain as Leo’s until the age of 35.  Many want to stay with their same groups, and do, while some join as Lion members when they qualify.

Among the other projects discussed was the distribution of first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

Our first message was posted as twinning on August 14, 2014.  We have a positive experience and want to continue.  In addition, Clearwater Lions are considering adding another twinning club.  It’s fun!

President Rowan Tuckett runs a very good and focused meeting.  The presidency of their club is for two years and Lion Rowan will soon begin his second year.

We list projects as a way of informing Missouri Lions of 26-M4 what Lions in other countries are doing.  They have also shown they don’t fear technology. They embrace it.  They have found that embracing both face-to-face and cyber has been appealing to younger members.

The Reese Lions thoroughly enjoy their times with the South Africans and suggest twinning for other Lions Clubs.

Lions Kathy and John Reese

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