Message from President
Lion Rajesh Gurung (President)
Dear Fellow Lions,
Namaste!!!
Lets Grow Together…
Growing up in the community of people having good heart has helped shape towards who I am today. Blood of Highlanders with strong cooperative community who rely each other, help together, clean their surrounds together, just like lion. This spirit of unity, synergy results to activities, I am now ready to be a Lion.
It is my pleasure to have an opportunity to be a President of Lions club of Kathmandu Social Rapid. I would like to thank every lions for your support and trust. As we are at the beginning of L/Y 2018-19, we are ready to serve from the horizon.
Time flies: the day when I joined is like yesterday; we have experienced many huddles, happiness, fellowship and ups & downs. We are proud of our accomplishments from last years, we are heading towards the journey of serving people in community, around the world. The support and loyalty of our members and benefactors continue to be the foundation of our success and longevity. That’s why we are global.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Seniors Lions, Immediate past president for their guidance, encouragement and unlimited advices. I look forward to establishing more fruitful partnerships and working with all of you as we fulfill the Lions Spirit of “We Serve”.
My Journey to and as Club President...
Lion Anisha Sharma (Immediate Past President)
Yes indeed, all of the actions and reactions, incidents ending with accidents makes life complete and turns you out to be bit mature and takes toward the blissfulness via the activities we do for others, simply giving, having no expectations and trust me the satisfaction that you achieve when you see smile on others just coz of your small effort is worthless, incredible.
My journey towards the fact of knowing blissfulness under even extreme pressure started when I got an opportunity to be associated with largest volunteer numbered organization “Lions Club International”. As with all the journeys in life, there is always a beginning. My drive on the road to becoming the President of Kathmandu Social Rapid Lions Club began when I was in depth of my studies and career, mid 2015.
One chilled winter evening, I was in fact requested to have general table talk with one of the dedicated lion in the town. Till I met the person, I was not that aware in terms of the activities carried out by lions and the implication and effects that they have leftover on the people. However, I was already in development sector with keen interest of serving needy, in professional and personal level as far possible.
The dedicated Lion named Aadarsh Pradhan, Zone Chairperson 2018/19 was the one to meet me that the day. I should be thankful to him and entire family of LCK Nirvana for providing me platform to grow. The other stepping stone to develop my personality and shoulder the responsibilities was created by the District Advisor Lion Bhojraj Neupane, adorable brother of mine whose support and motivation is always commendable.
The first club meeting: at the meeting, I was pleasantly surprised. Here are a bunch of young people conducting themselves in an upright manner and discussing ways in which to make the society a better place. I decided this could be a group of people I could join and hopefully grow with as throughout my life it was very rare to see my generation come together without nudging from elders. Afterwards, I was given my pin which I wore with a sense of pride. My life as a regular member of the club was unexciting as it consisted much of observing what my leaders were doing and learning from them so that in the eventually I lead club, I would know what was expected of me and perhaps put into practice bigger and better things. Here the eagerness of being leader, being Lion was emerged intensely.
Now, perhaps reader has a question on head, she is talking about Nirvana and on the other hand she is sharing Presidentship journey of Social Rapid, how??
Yeah, my friends, this was the turning point and truly this is what lions is all about. My head had some sorts of confusion at this point. If I am in the right place? If my vision for volunteer organization was matching with mission set by club. My mind was saying perhaps not, a negative thought.
Meantime, the whirling environment for me to come forward and face the challenges to sharpen me as upgrowing leader was provided by the first vice district governor Lion Anup Kumari Pahari, a beautiful soul with positive vibes and a power pack personality having faith on self that he can bring a change. This was the time when I didn’t find quality of leader in me, but he could watch, that I possessed capacity to unite people, bring them together and guide them for good reason.
He convinced me and drew the faith that he would always support me and me-to-be team for all the good deeds. He added this organization not only helps and reaches to the needy but also provides you opportunity to develop a leader in you; offers you with icebreaking points from where you can enhance your capabilities, prove enthusiasm to serve people, bring positive changes, and have accountability toward the jobs. And keeping his oath, afterward I was provided with a club which had neither performed any activity nor had a single member. I with god grace and huge support and encouragement from Anup sir formed a team of young and energetic group of 8 peoples and started to run the activities. I believe and anticipate having his enormous support in days to come.
Things now started getting really interesting following lionistic (2017/2018) when I was elected the President of LCK Social Rapid. The first thing that came on my head was my club is unknown to people. Most of the people had ever heard about the club, no activity at all, no presence; I could see the hardship to be done. Then I expedite meetings with my group, sharing ideas, accomplishing those ideas, presenting at least a member in each of the activities conducted by area and district. The first focus was to make people mark that we do exist, and we are active. Now during club events, I began collecting digital pictures and posting them on our Facebook profile. It felt great that guys were finally taking notice of the club by commenting on the same and overall, more and more people were starting to take notice of Social Rapid in general. It was then I learned my first lesson in leadership: “Share your courage to others but limit fear within yourself.”
We participated in each area meetings, eye camps, blood donation program, material distributing, health camps, awareness programs, cabinet meetings but the giant event that completely highlighted us was One day 5A Futsal Tournament. This was the event which took us in the eyes of big fish in the ocean. Myself and event coordinator Rajesh Gurung (present president) was even labelled with DG … pin. We proudly wore it. My second lesson in new leadership: “Faith on your team – do not ask people to do the things according to your methodology, just convey the message what to do and calmly watch the result that would surprise you.”
Gradually time progressed, I came to notice that my tenure was to end. And I handed over my committee. I guess I am the first to admit that I have not always been a good leader to my club. There are times when I did not provide direction when needed. Simply the case when our previous meeting venue was packed, and I didn’t manage the other place. Sometimes not reaching the venue timely. My third lesson: “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.”
Well, with all these ups & downs I concluded my tenure. Still a lot to be carried for the suitability of club and retention of its member. We are here to serve people thus many more activities should be implemented to reach the needy. We are also here to support the vision of District Governor and his team. Commonly, elected leaders do not realize the time limitation. I believe I have done much as President within allocated one year of time and I tried to do events as possible. People says a person is defined by the era that they governed. What and how was my era – I cannot say neither proclaim that it was successful. It is my successor who will be able to enlighten me on activities during my tenure.
At the end, I am thankful to all the club of district 325 B2 Nepal. Special gratitude toward the clubs of area 1, the then second VDG Anup Kumar Pahari, Area Chief Lion Dinesh Kharel and my entire Social Rapid family, would like to take name: Amar Pokharel (first club member to stand beside me on club installation held on Anupam Foodland), Rajesh Gurung, Surendra Gautam, Roshan KC, Dr. Prahar Dahal, Manish Shakya, Bishal Pokharel and Sabin Adhikari (dropped in between). And I welcome to all new members in the club. We are family here.
I congratulate and wish huge success for your tenure. I am always backstopping you in need.
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