MANILA, Philippines – Lions International President Dr. Patti Hill speaks before foreign and local media on Thursday during the press conference at the 60th Orient and South East Asia Lions (OSEAL) Forum from November 2 to 5, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Dr. Hill was accompanied by Immediate Past International President Brian Sheenan of the United States, LCIF Chairperson; International First Vice President Fabriio Oiveira, International Second Vice President A. P. Singh and PID Michael S. So, forum chairperson, in said conference.
According to Dr. Hill, almost all lions from different parts of the world continue to serve those who are in need and they have this foundation to deliver every humanitarian need.
On his part, PIP Sheenan said, whenever natural disasters strike, emergency situations arise, including wars, lions are always there. We know that it is a long term situation that takes long years but, lions and leos are there with local communities helping to rebuild structures and provide things that are needed.
Lions International District 301-A2 First Vice District Governor Sol Wilfredo Flores, 30PMJF, served as moderator of said conference and was assisted by OSEAL Forum Tri-Media Committee Chairperson Past Cabinet Secretary Lydia B. Bueno, PMJF.
The Presidential Theme for this Lion Year is “Changing the World.”
Lions explains, “Changing the World is a journey with no middle and no end. There is only a beginning — and it starts with every Lion member. It happens through the many small choices and acts of kindness we make every day.
Together, the sum of our efforts makes the world a better place, one life, one relationship, and one community at a time.”
Dr. Hill of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was elected as international president of Lions International at the Association’s 105th International Convention in Boston,
Massachusetts, USA, from July 7 through July 11, 2023. As international president, she heads the largest service club organization in the world, with more than 1.3 million members in 49,000 clubs, serving 200 countries and geographic areas worldwide.
Since their founding in 1917, Lions worldwide have been rallying for the five global causes of vision, hunger, the environment, childhood cancer, and diabetes. She oversees the activities of all member countries grouped into eight ( 8 constitutional areas worldwide, including OSEAL, to which the Philippines belongs.
International President Hill is the president of a consulting firm. With 30 years of experience as an educator and psychologist, she has mentored graduate students and psychologists in training. She has also championed the rights of children and youth who are deaf and/or blind.
A member of the Edmonton Host Lions Club since 1990, International President Hill has held many offices within the association, including the district chairperson for Membership, Environment, Convention, and International Cooperation and Understanding. Additionally, she has served as a committee member for the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum, multinational coordinator for Campaign Sight First II, Secretary for the Lions Eye Bank (Alberta) Society, Vice President of the Lions Eye Research Institute of Northern Alberta, and presenter at many forums and conventions. Dr Hill is a founding member of the Lions of Canada Consultative Committee.
In recognition of her service to the association, International President Hill has received numerous awards, including several International President’s Awards. She has been honored with the Ambassador of Goodwill Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. She is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and recipient of numerous other fellowships.
