The annual Mid-Winter Rally of Kansas Lions will take on an international flavor on Jan. 27-29, as Kansas Lions play host to Lions International President Bob and Dianne Corlew at the Four Points by Sheraton Convention Center in Manhattan.
The Kansas Lions Council of Governors is the controlling authority of Kansas Lions Clubs. They are: District Governor (DG) Rev. Kerry Hookstra of 17-K (West); DG Linda Leander of 17-A (North-East); and DG Marge Zakoura-Vaughan of 17-N (South-East). The Governors are led by Council Chair Fran Smith of Ulysses.
The Council of Governors conducts four meetings each year to assess progress towards goals for community service by the 5,126 Kansas Lions and Leos (school students) who serve in the 254 clubs from all parts of the state. In addition, most State Committees and Lions Foundations meet to evaluate annual progress toward service goals to hometown communities.
Lions International President Bob Corlew from Milton, Tenn., was elected to serve as President of Lions Clubs International Association at the 99th International Convention held in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 24-28, 2016. President Corlew is retired as chancellor (Court Judge) for the State of Tennessee and is a professor of law.
A member of the Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club since 1978, he has held many offices within the association. In recognition of his service to the Lions Association, he has received numerous awards, including a Leadership Award, three International President’s Awards, and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. President Corlew and wife Lion Dianne have five children and five grandchildren.
The International Association of Lions Clubs is the world’s largest community service organization with 1.4 Million members in 46,506 clubs, serving in 206 countries of the world. In Kansas there are 5,226 Lion and Leo Club members serving in 254 clubs, all dedicated to serving their hometown communities.