District Governor Dan Visone’s June 2026 Message

District Governor's Message
By / / District Governor's Message

June 2026

Fellow Lions, Lioness-Lions, and Leos,

Before I share my monthly update, I want to remind everyone that our Incoming Officer Training begins this upcoming weekend. Past Council Chair Wilma has assembled an outstanding training program for our incoming Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers. Please register through our website to receive the Zoom link. The following Saturday, our incoming Zone Chairs will participate in in-person training at the Remington Lions facility.

This training is an investment in the future of our clubs. Strong leadership drives meaningful service, healthy clubs, and membership growth. Thank you in advance to all of our incoming leaders for stepping forward to serve.

Dorothy and I recently returned from the Lions of Virginia State Convention in Bristol, and what a wonderful and truly magical event it was!

One of the highlights was the honor and privilege of hosting International First Vice President Mark Lyon and Lion Lyn Lyon. In just a few short weeks, Mark and Lyn will become our International President and First Lady, making this one of the final opportunities for Virginia Lions to spend time with them before they assume these prestigious roles. Their warmth, passion, and commitment to service inspired everyone in attendance.

Mark's message was both simple and powerful: everything we do begins and ends with service. Membership growth and retention are not goals unto themselves—they are the fuel that allows us to serve more people and create a greater impact in our communities. He also challenged us to continue developing opportunities for Leos to remain engaged in Lionism as they transition into adulthood and continue their journey of service.

The convention was filled with celebrations of service and talent. One of our District 24-L instrumentalists captured first place in the Bland Music Contest, while one of our vocalists finished among the top three in the state. Congratulations to all of our talented participants and thank you to PDG Jim Christiansen, PCC Shirley Wilson, and every club and zone that hosted local Bland competitions throughout the year.

Another memorable moment was our statewide hands-on service project. Lions from across Virginia assembled 100 "You Matter" Bags for homeless veterans and 100 Care Bags for survivors of domestic violence. MD-24 Leos created heartfelt cards of encouragement that were included in every bag. The completed projects were presented to two local organizations during the convention, and the event was even featured on local television news. It was a powerful reminder of who we are and what we do best—We Serve.

The convention also provided an opportunity to recognize outstanding Lions from District 24-L for their exceptional service and leadership.

Lion Jim Paige of Alexandria Host and Lion Pam Martinov of Bailey's Crossroads received the International Presidential Award, the second-highest honor in Lionism. PDG Jim Cech also received the International Presidential Award for his outstanding leadership and dedication to Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Lion Bill Poole of Clifton Lions received the International President's Leadership Award, the third-highest honor in Lionism.

Lions Vicki Davies of Stephens City, Sally Cooney Anderson of Fredericksburg Host, Thomas Rachele of Montclair, Chuck Schwab of Broadway, and Glen Logan of Alexandria Asian American Lions received the International President's Certificate of Appreciation.

Lion Dorothy Visone was honored with a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in recognition of more than 43 years of dedicated service to Lionism.

Ten 24-L clubs were recognized for their participation in the March Madness Membership Contest with the McLean FilAm Lions winning the District 24-L and MD-24 Champion Patches!

Please join me in congratulating each of these outstanding Lions for their remarkable contributions and commitment to serving others.

We also raised over $7,000 with our Virtual Ducks Races for LCIF – great job PDG Jim Cech as our MD LCIF Chair and FVDG Chuck as our District LCIF Chair on doing trying something new, innovative, and fun – it was very well received!

Service leadership continues throughout our district. Through the partnership and collaboration of Districts 24-C, 24-I, and 24-L, we successfully applied for and received a $5,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation Disaster Preparedness Grant. These funds will support the purchase of disaster preparedness kits and help strengthen partnerships with local communities as we develop disaster response plans alongside Lions. Thank you to Lion Greg DeRosa and PCC Marty Alford for their leadership in making this initiative a reality.

Our Listen Up! hearing screening initiative also continues to gain momentum. Lions Evelyn of Montclair and Sandy of Winchester Host have done an outstanding job coordinating roadshows and training sessions across the district. Our goal is to have the program fully operational in 2027. Imagine District 24-L helping identify hearing challenges in preschool children throughout our communities. This visionary project, originally championed by PCC Jean Cook, will help make Virginia the first state in the nation to provide this level of hearing screening support to young children. Please consider volunteering and supporting this important initiative as your clubs plan future budgets.

Dorothy and I were honored to celebrate the first Charter Anniversary of the McLean FilAm Lions Club. During the event, I had the pleasure of assisting PCC Glen Logan in inducting ten of the seventeen newest members. Their passion, growth, and commitment to service are truly inspiring and demonstrate what can happen when clubs focus intentionally on both service and membership.

We also celebrated the chartering of the Colonial Beach Rivah Lions Club. PID Jay Moughon inducted the new members, and the energy in the room was absolutely contagious. It was exciting to witness the beginning of what will undoubtedly become a strong tradition of service within their community.

Dorothy and I, along with Lions from Reston and the Aquia Stafford Branch Club, participated in the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Walk in Washington, D.C., which raised more than $195,000. Special thanks to Lion Davida for coordinating support and donations from clubs throughout our district for this important cause.

We also joined many District 24-L Lions in marching and riding on our Lions float during the DC Memorial Day Parade. PCC Glen Logan did an outstanding job coordinating the event alongside MD-22 after assuming leadership from PDG Woody. Lions were proudly represented as we honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and our freedoms.

As I reflect on this year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor. Watching our clubs grow, lead, and make meaningful differences in their communities has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Our Cabinet members, zone chairs, club officers, and Lions have demonstrated every day what it means to "Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead."

But we're not finished yet.

We have ONE MONTH remaining, and June is our opportunity to finish this year with a ROAR!

Membership fuels service. Every new Lion brings new ideas, new energy, new hands, and new hearts to our mission. More members mean more service projects, more lives impacted, and stronger communities.

District 24-L proved what we can accomplish during our March Madness Membership Contest, bringing in more new members than any other district in Virginia, while the McLean FilAm Lions Club captured the MD-24 Championship.

Now it's time for one final challenge: More Members. More Service. Less Hair.

If District 24-L recruits at least 40 new members during June AND achieves positive net growth for the month, I will shave my head during our Visitation Kick-Off and Awards Celebration. And to make it even more memorable, the top five clubs in membership growth will each get an opportunity to help with the shearing!

Let's honor International President A.P. Singh’s theme, "Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead," by finishing this year stronger than ever. Let's grow our membership. Let's expand our service. Let's leave a legacy of impact.

We have one month left. Let's make it count.

Navigating to the Future,

DG Dan

Lions at the National Memorial Day Parade

General Service
By / / General, Service
lIONS-NMDP-Web-Banner-2048x371

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lions Clubs from DC, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia to March in the Freedom250 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. — Lions Clubs members from across the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia will proudly participate in the Freedom250 National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026, in the nation’s capital. The event, organized by the American Veterans Center, honors the men and women who have served and sacrificed for the United States while celebrating America’s enduring spirit of freedom and unity.

Representing one of the world’s largest service organizations, Lions will march together in recognition of Memorial Day and in support of veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. The participation highlights the Lions’ long-standing commitment to community service, patriotism, humanitarian outreach, and support for those who have served the nation.

The Freedom250 National Memorial Day Parade will feature veterans from every era, active military units, youth organizations, marching bands, and patriotic groups from across the country. Thousands of spectators are expected to line Constitution Avenue to witness this national tribute.

“Lions are honored to stand alongside fellow Americans in remembering and recognizing the heroes who have defended our freedoms,” said event organizers coordinating Lions participation. “Service to community and country are values deeply rooted in Lionism, and Memorial Day is a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate gratitude and unity.”

The parade also coincides with the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, making the 2026 event especially significant as communities nationwide reflect on the nation’s history, service, and shared future.

Additional information about the parade can be found at American Veterans Center. Information regarding Lions participation is available at Lions Freedom250 Parade Information.

About Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with more than 1.4 million members in over 200 countries and geographic areas. Lions are dedicated to serving communities through humanitarian projects focused on vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, and other critical causes.

Media Contact:
Lions Freedom250 Parade Coordination Team
Website: Lions Freedom250 Parade Information

Click Here to Download Press Release

2026-2027 Club Officer Workshops

Leadership
By / / Leadership

District 24-L will conduct 2026-2027 Club Officer Workshops on Zoom on June 6, 2026. Workshop sessions are: Club President - 11:00 am, Club Secretary - 1:00 pm and Club Treasurer - 3:00 pm, respectively. Sessions for Club Service Chair and Club Membership Chair will be scheduled at a later date. Click here to register for the Workshops on Zeffy.

Club Officers Training

District Governor Dan Visone’s May 2026 Message

District Governor's Message
By / / District Governor's Message

May, 2026

Fellow Lions, Lioness-Lions, and Leos,

April has been an incredibly busy and inspiring month across District 24-L, and I continue to be amazed by the energy, passion, and commitment of our Lions. As International President A.P. Singh reminds us through his theme of making service meaningful and heartfelt, and as we continue to focus on our own district theme of “Navigate to the Future,” I see both of these ideas coming to life in every club visit, service project, and new opportunity for growth. When we serve with passion and purpose, we not only strengthen our communities—we strengthen Lionism itself.

In my travels this month, I had the pleasure of attending the Woodstock Lions Club’s 85th Charter Celebration. What a special event and what a remarkable legacy they have built through decades of service to their community. Their commitment truly exemplifies our Lions motto—“We Serve.” It was inspiring to reflect on the generations of Lions who have made a lasting impact and to celebrate the future service still to come.

I also had the privilege of inducting two new members into the Mason Neck Lions Club—two new Lions full of energy, fresh ideas, and a desire to make a difference. In addition, through the outstanding work of Lion Cathy Cutright and the support of our District Extension Team, we have officially started a new club in Colonial Beach, Virginia. Twenty-one new Lions are ready to serve their community, and I had the pleasure of seeing their excitement firsthand. Their Charter Celebration will be held on May 6th, and I know they will do amazing things.

On April 25th, I had the honor of joining multiple Lions Clubs at the Rappahannock Education Farm to plant tomatoes as part of Lions International Service Week in support of our global cause of Environment. A film crew from Maryland was also there to capture the Lions’ partnership with the farm as part of an Lions Clubs International Foundation telethon story. This partnership demonstrates how local service can create a larger impact—supporting hunger relief, environmental sustainability, and helping our communities better understand the power of Lionism.

That same day, more than 30 of our new members joined Lions around the world for Worldwide Induction Day. This live event featured International President A.P. Singh personally performing the induction and challenging each new Lion to pursue service they are passionate about—service that touches their heart, impacts their community, and makes them a Lion, not just a member. That message aligns perfectly with our district’s focus on building strong, engaged Lions as we Navigate to the Future. Special thanks to Past Council Chair Glen Logan for organizing this outstanding event for our district.

Earlier in the month, on April 15th, we were honored by Lion Daniel Marney Elkins with an outstanding presentation on Artificial Intelligence and Lions Virtual.org. His session challenged our district to think outside the box and explore how emerging technology can support membership growth, leadership development, service planning, and public visibility. As we look ahead, embracing innovation will help us better serve our communities and strengthen our clubs for the future.

I also want to thank all the clubs that participated in our March Madness Membership Drive. Our district welcomed 55 new members, with 16 clubs participating. I am especially proud to announce that McLean Fil-Am brought in 12 new members—the most in all of Virginia! Congratulations to McLean Fil-Am. All participating clubs will be recognized at our MD-24 State Convention. I challenge every club to continue focusing on membership because more members truly mean more service. Let’s finish this Lions year strong.

Speaking of convention, our MD-24 State Convention is this month in Bristol, Virginia, and I encourage each of you to consider attending. We have outstanding training sessions focused on service, leadership, membership, and technology; a hands-on service project supporting homeless veterans and domestic violence survivors; the State Bland Contest; and the opportunity to meet incoming International President Mark Lyons, our convention guest. Most importantly, it is a chance to support our incoming District Governor Chuck as he prepares to lead District 24-L forward. Registration is available on our website.

I would also encourage you to join us in Washington, DC, on Memorial Day to march in the parade alongside Lions from Virginia, DC, Maryland, and Delaware. Dorothy and I participated last year, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. To march in honor of our veterans while proudly representing Lions was incredibly meaningful. Following the parade, there will be a barbecue at PDG Woody’s home for fellowship with Lions from across multiple states. PCC Glen Logan is leading this effort, and more information is available on our website.

Through the dedication of Lions across our three Virginia districts, we also submitted an application for a $5,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation Disaster Preparedness Grant. If approved, these funds will help purchase Disaster Preparedness Kits for clubs to use in community education, engagement, and partnership-building. This effort represents a strong statewide collaboration and helps position Lions as leaders in preparing for and responding to disasters across Virginia.

Finally, please save the date for our upcoming officer training. Past Council Chair Wilma Murphy is coordinating training for incoming Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Membership Chairs, and Service Chairs on June 6th in a virtual format. Zone Chair training will follow on June 13th in person in Remington. Strong leadership is the foundation of strong clubs, and this training is an important step as we prepare for the new Lions year.

Thank you for all you do for Lionism, for your communities, and for each other. Together, by serving with heart and by embracing new ideas and opportunities, we continue to honor A.P. Singh’s challenge to be Lions who serve with purpose while we Navigate to the Future. Let us continue building stronger clubs, stronger communities, and a stronger tomorrow—because where there is a need, there is a Lion.

Yours in Lionism,
DG Dan

District Governor Dan Visone’s April 2026 Message

District Governor's Message
By / / District Governor's Message

April, 2026

Fellow Lions, Lioness-Lions, and Leos,

What a wonderful and incredibly active month of March it has been across District 24-L! As we enter the final quarter of our Lions year, I am inspired by the momentum we are building together through service, leadership, membership growth, and our commitment to developing the next generation of Lions leaders.

This past month truly reflected International President A.P. Singh’s theme, “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.” Every training attended, every new member invited, every Leo empowered, and every service project completed demonstrates that leadership in Lionism begins with service.

Chuck, Greg, and I had the privilege of attending the final day of the MD-24 Regional Lions Leadership Institute, where we watched our thirteen District 24-L participants deliver their final presentations. I could not be more proud of their efforts and grateful for their dedication to strengthening their leadership skills for the future of Lionism. Their commitment reminds us that strong clubs are built by strong leaders, and leadership development remains essential to our continued success.

Chuck and I also had the opportunity to visit the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. Our purpose was to learn more about this outstanding organization and explore ways we can partner in the future. The meeting was extremely successful, and I am excited about the strong partnership that is beginning to take shape between our organizations—one that will expand our ability to serve.

With the outstanding support of our District Leo Chair, Lion Pam Martinov, we held a Virtual Leo Forum, bringing together Leos from across the District to discuss their service projects, challenges, successes, and leadership journeys. It was inspiring to hear their passion for service and leadership, and this forum will be the first of many. Leo development is not just youth engagement—it is the future leadership pipeline of our District.

We also held a virtual training session on creating Leo-Lion Clubs, led by Past Council Chair Linda Zaneski, MD Leo Chair for Pennsylvania. Too often, we lose our Leos—our future Lions—when they graduate from school. Our goal is to create Cyber Leo-Lion Clubs in our District, giving these young leaders a pathway to continue their service and leadership journey. This initiative is a vital part of both membership growth and leadership development, and I am excited about its potential.

I also had the honor of helping train our incoming District Governors in Roanoke. I am proud to say that our District will be in excellent hands with District Governor-Elect Chuck. Leadership succession and development are critical to a strong future, and I know District 24-L is well positioned for continued success.

A special thank you goes to Past Council Chair Shirley Wilson and Past District Governor Jim Christiansen for doing an outstanding job leading our District Bland Contests. I look forward to seeing our gifted winners represent us at the State Bland Contest during our upcoming convention.

One of the major highlights of March was our March Madness Membership Contest. I challenged every club to bring in at least one new member—and at least two for special recognition at the State Convention. I am thrilled to share that 16 clubs brought in at least one new member, and one club, the McLean FilAm Lions Club, brought in an incredible 12 new members! Thank you to every club that participated.

Now, I want to personally challenge every remaining club: bring in at least one new member before June 30. More members mean more hands for service, more leaders for tomorrow, and more impact in your community.

To celebrate all new members brought in this Lions year, our District Global Membership Team Chair, Past Council Chair Glen Logan, will host a Virtual Worldwide Induction Day on April 25, where new Lions will have the opportunity to renew their commitment to Lionism alongside International President A.P. Singh. What a wonderful way to reinforce that membership growth fuels service.

Speaking of growth, with the outstanding leadership of Lion Cathy Cutright, we are very close to chartering a new club in Colonial Beach. I am excited to watch this club grow and begin making a meaningful difference in its community.

From April 18–26, Lions Clubs International will celebrate Environment Week of Service. Our Global Service Team Lead, Lion Evelyn Marr, has already shared project ideas with clubs. I encourage every club to join Lions around the world in serving through environmental projects and to share photos and videos of your impact. This is another meaningful way we live out Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.

Our MD-24 State Convention in Bristol this May is quickly approaching, and I strongly encourage you to attend. This is our opportunity to support incoming District Governor Chuck, incoming First Vice District Governor Greg, and our Second Vice District Governor candidate. You will also meet incredible Lions from across Virginia, hear from incoming International President Mark Lyons, learn through sessions on leadership, service, membership, and technology, and participate in a hands-on service project supporting homeless veterans and domestic violence survivors. Most importantly—you will get to see me 😊

Our MD-24 Lions Clubs International Foundation statewide fundraiser is also underway: a Virtual Duck Race. The winning duck purchaser will receive a $1,000 donation in their name—or their club’s name—to LCIF for a Melvin Jones Fellow. Ducks are only $5 each and can be purchased online through our website. I encourage everyone to participate because LCIF is our foundation, and every dollar extends our ability to serve around the world.

I encourage all members of District 24-L to join us in representing Lions in the Washington, DC Memorial Day Parade alongside our fellow Lions from MD24 and MD22. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a meaningful day of fellowship, increase visibility for Lions in a high-profile setting, and showcase our commitment to service as we work toward Mission 1.5. Marching together not only strengthens our bonds across districts, but also highlights the incredible impact Lions have in our communities. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something special!

As we enter these final three months, I want to reinforce the importance of a strong last-quarter finish. Our District goals are tied directly to:

  • LCIF donations
  • Club service reporting
  • Officer leadership training
  • Membership growth
  • Leo development and retention

I ask for your full support in helping us finish strong:

  • Make a club or personal donation to LCIF
  • Ensure your club’s service is reported in the portal
  • Confirm all current and incoming officers complete their training
  • Continue inviting new members
  • Support Leo growth and the Leo-Lion transition

Together, we can finish this Lions year with strength, momentum, and pride. By focusing on service, growth, and leadership, we are not only meeting goals—we are building a stronger future for District 24-L.

Thank you for all you do to lead through service and serve through leadership.

Yours in Lionism,
District Governor Dan

District Governor Dan Visone’s March 2026 Message

District Governor's Message
By / / District Governor's Message

March, 2026:

Fellow Lions, Lioness-Lions, and Leos,

What a wonderful February it has been, witnessing the incredible impact our clubs are making across District 24-L! Each visit reminds me of International President A.P. Singh’s powerful message to Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead—a philosophy that perfectly aligns with our district theme of Navigating to the Future. We move forward by serving others, and through service, we grow as leaders.

I had the privilege of visiting three Leo Clubs in February, and each experience showed me just how bright our future truly is. On February 10th, I joined the Stafford Middle School Leos as they delivered handmade Valentine’s cards (yes, I made a few too!) to residents at a retirement community—an act of kindness that touched every heart in the room. On February 11th, I visited the Sherando Leo Club, again helping create Valentine’s cards for the same purpose of spreading joy through service.

On February 25th, I visited the Colonial Forge Leos and had the honor of welcoming THIRTY new Leo members! What a powerful example of growth through service. On February 18th, First Vice District Governor Chuck visited the Justice Leos for officer installations and new member inductions. They are preparing “You Matter” bags for Ronald McDonald House in partnership with the Bailey’s Crossroads Lions and a Lions of Virginia Foundation grant—demonstrating how service and collaboration build stronger communities.

Looking ahead, on March 19th, District Leo Chair Pam Martinov will host a District-wide Virtual Leo Summit, connecting Leos across 24-L to share successes, challenges, best practices, and fellowship. Leos are not just our youth program—they are our future Lions. By investing in them today, we are truly navigating toward a stronger tomorrow while teaching them lifelong leadership and service skills.

I am also proud to announce that Multiple District 24 will be launching a March Madness Membership Contest across the state. Each club is challenged to bring in two new members during the month of March, so that together we can expand our ability to serve. Clubs that bring in at least two new members will be recognized at the State Convention. The club with the most new members in each district will receive special recognition, and the top club in the state will be crowned MD-24 Champion—all in the presence of incoming International President Mark Lyons!

Membership is the lifeblood of service. The more Lions we have, the more needs we can meet. I ask every club to embrace this challenge and show our International leaders that District 24-L is committed to our motto: We Serve—and we grow so we can serve even more.

On the leadership front, the first weekend of March brings the Regional Lions Leadership Institute in Charlottesville. I am humbled that thirteen Lions from our District will be attending to strengthen their leadership skills as they continue their Lions journey. Chuck, Greg, and I will attend Sunday morning to watch their final presentations.

I also encourage all clubs to begin preparing your slate of officers for the 2026–2027 Lions year. Sharing officer duties with your members helps educate and inspire future leaders. Succession planning is essential to navigating our future successfully. If you have not yet completed this year’s officer training, please visit our website to take the online course.

Lastly (and no, I still don’t get paid by the word), I strongly encourage you to attend the MD-24 Lions of Virginia State Convention in Bristol, Virginia, the last weekend in May. The convention will feature on-site officer training, sessions on leadership, membership, service, and leveraging technology, as well as a hands-on service project supporting homeless veterans and survivors of domestic violence—along with fellowship and fun with Lions from across the state. Registration is now available on our website.

Thank you for your selfless service and for allowing me the privilege of leading such an extraordinary group of volunteers. Together, by leading to serve and serving to lead, we are truly navigating toward a brighter future.

Yours in Lionism,
DG Dan

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