This year’s District Convention took place at the Holiday Inn, Corby and was organised and hosted by the Lions of Zone I. From the outset it was clear that our DG, Lion Neil Chisholm wanted to continue with the theme for his year to put a SMILE on everyone’s face as WE SERVE.

Following the Call to Order, Sergeant-at-Arms, PDG Lion Ron Cross, took us through the opening ceremony which included the flag ceremony which was conducted by the local Sea Scouts, the reading of the Lions Code of ethics, the Invocation and in Memoriam, apologies, minutes of the last District Convention and the formal opening itself by the mayor of Corby.

Convention was then addressed by DG candidate - VDG Lion Paul Anstice, 1st VDG candidate – Lion Simon Moss and 2nd VDG candidates Lion George Billingham and Lion Ian Haffner.

District Constitution and Nominations Officer, PDG Lion Wim Hoogerwerf then guided everyone through the two Resolutions that had been put forward.

The resolution that the annual subscription be increased by £1.25 to £10.00 per annum per Lion member was passed as was the second resolution that where clubs are required to be notified in writing that this may be done by email to the Club President and Secretary.

Following this DG Neil took us through all the District Convention reports which were duly passed en masse.

In the lead-up to lunch PCC Lion Geoff Leader then gave a most informative presentation on LCIF, GLT and the “One Shot, One Life” measles initiative.

Following lunch DG Neil announced the election results which were that Lion Paul Anstice would be our DG for the Lionistic year 2012-2013, Lion Simon Moss our 1st VDG and Lion Ian Haffner our 2nd VDG.

Unfortunately Membership Chairman PDG Lion Heather Lee was unable to attend Convention but the ever shy and retiring PDG Lion Doug Cross stepped in at short notice and gave Convention an update on membership in the District.

The infamous “bluenose”, PCC Lion Andy Pemberton then gave an update on the MD Convention which of course is being held on our patch and encouraged Lions to book in asap.

Sergeant-at-Arms Lion Ron assisted by DG Lion Neil and International Director Lion Per Christensen then presented trophies to the various competition winners:-

Lion Joy Haffner followed this up with a presentation on next year’s District Convention to be held at the Pear Tree Hotel, Worcester over the weekend 22/24th March 2013 and 1st VDG Lion Simon gave an update on the Lions Signature projects – Young Leaders in Service and Lions Eye Health Programme.

The highlight of the afternoon session soon followed – the presentation by International Director, Lion Per Christensen. From Aalborg in Denmark, Lion Per has only been a Lion since 1992 but in that time has had held many District and Multiple District positions as well as receiving numerous International awards. Lion Per gave an attentive audience his take on a wide range of Lions topics which resulted in a standing ovation at its conclusion.

In conclusion DG Lion Neil thanked the 2012 Convention committee and led everyone in the usual rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory.