PLANNING THE DISTRICT
GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL VISIT
All Clubs in this
District host an annual visit from the District Governor, Christine
Woolnough, who under the International Constitution is required to visit
each Club at least once during her term of office. DG Christine will be
accompanied by Lions Partner Darrel.
Your DG has a year of
arduous and challenging service ahead of her and Clubs will want to honour
this dedication by making the Governor's visit a highlight of their Club's
year.
In order that both
the DG and Club knows exactly what form the visit will take, it is essential
that final arrangements are confirmed in writing by Clubs well beforehand.
Clubs will receive approximately one month prior to their visit a
confirmation questionnaire that they are requested to complete and return to
the Cabinet Secretary. This confirmation will include date, time, place,
dress and other significant points about the visit, such as presentation of
awards, special anniversaries or induction ceremony.
Clubs are requested
to make and confirm accommodation booking made on behalf of the DG at the
earliest time. Some Clubs, as a gesture of hospitality, meet accommodation
expenses for official visits. If a Club is not in a position to pay the
accommodation, please advise the DG as soon as possible.
The DG receives no
reimbursement from LCI for attending Changeover Nights and/or social
functions. For such occasions it is normally expected that the accommodation
costs will be met by the Club.
It is usual for the
Club to invite the Zone Chairmen or another District Officer to be a guest
of the Club for the District Governor's Official visit. It would be
appropriate for this District Officer to be requested in advance to formally
introduce the District Governor.
The evenings programme should make allowances for the DG's
address of say 25‑30 minutes and for questions and answers that may follow.
It is also appropriate to invite a non‑Lion quest such as the Mayor, Shire
President, Press or Presidents of other Service Clubs etc to propose a Toast
to Lions international. The response will be made by the DG. No other guest
speaker should be included on the programme.
The DG's visit should be used to 'showcase' Lions and it is
therefore appropriate to invite prospective members and local dignitaries.
DG visits are usually conducted as partner nights.
Club Presidents should meet and welcome the District Governor
shortly after her arrival. The President should brief and inform the DG on
the status of his/her Club and confirm arrangements for the evening.
The DG will meet with the Clubs Board of Directors prior to
the meeting. Past experience indicates this meeting could take up to 30
minutes but is dependant on questions from Board Members.
Club Bulletin should carry advance publicity of impending DG
visit and encourage the best possible attendance. Local newspaper/s TV
channels should be notified of the DG visit. A photograph and a few facts
from the DG's profile should be included in the Clubs 'press release'. The
Club will benefit from a press interview and should be followed up with a
short media article on the visit and details of recent Club activities.
The DG will present her official personal bannerette to the
Club. Please have available a Club bannerette or Club badge if appropriate
for presentation in return.
Clubs may wish to show appreciation by presenting a small
gift to the DG. Such token might be a memento representing local area.
