Polly Voon, PDG

Home Club: North Vancouver Host Lions Club (MD19 - A2)
Years in Lions:  Started as a Lioness in 1984 and became a Lion in 1988

Service Snapshot:
What is your single most memorable moment as a Lion?
When I was elected district governor in 1999.  It confirmed the confidence that the Lions have in me of my leadership abilities.

How do you feel knowing you've made a difference in the life of someone less fortunate?
Seeing the results of the service given to those less fortunate gives me a sense of satisfaction and self-fulfillment. Winston Churchill said "We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give" and I feel that I am making a positive and meaningful life for myself through the service work I do especially through Lions.

What would you say to someone who was considering Lions clubs membership?
Membership in Lions provides limitless opportunities to be involved within the association in any area that may be of interest to an individual.  It provides the opportunity to work with others within a worldwide network to provide assistance to those in need within the local and/or world community. At the same time, membership provides opportunities for developing personal skills, abilities and experiences, which benefit the individual, as well as providing opportunities to coach and mentor others to develop themselves.  It is a win-win situation for all.

Marking a Milestone
Past District Governor Polly Voon has been a member of the association for 22 years – first as a Lioness and then as a Lion when the association amended its constitution in 1987 to admit women as full members with all the rights and privileges formerly only available to its male members. Being involved from the very beginning, her Lions experience has grown along with the association and she has witnessed the dynamic changes that Lions clubs have made in the past two decades.

Voon has ably served the association in many capacities on the club, district, multiple district and international levels. In addition to serving as district governor in 1999-2000, she has been a presenter and group leader at the District Governors-elect Seminar and is currently serving as a mentor to 32 district governors during the 2006-07 year. An accomplished speaker and presenter, Voon has served on the faculty of seven Senior Lions Leadership Institutes and has been a presenter at three USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forums. 

Voon became a Lion after she attended a Lions club meeting and was impressed by the guest speaker. “Initially, it wasn’t by design. A Lion I knew through a cultural organization invited me to a Lions club meeting. It was a club officers installation dinner and a past international director was the speaker. He spoke about the history of Lions and what Lions do. His speaking ability, style and content so impressed me that I thought, ‘if the organization could give me the opportunity to develop my speaking and presentation skills, I’d be interested in joining.’”

Looking back on the past 20 years, being a Lion has helped her gain those skills, and so much more. “I don’t know what my life would be like without Lions. I enjoy being in Lions. It has enriched my life. Lions have given me the opportunity to stretch myself,” said Voon. “Lions clubs are a safe environment for people to get involved, to take little baby steps to learn and develop new skills and knowledge in a very supportive and encouraging environment. ”

Voon believes that the skills developed while being a Lion are relevant not only to growth within the organization but are transferable to work, business and personal situations.

Throughout the years, Voon has helped fellow Lions develop those valuable skills at the district, multiple district and international levels. She enjoys sharing what she has learned and nurturing other Lions through the growth process.

Voon is very active with the Lions of Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, currently serving as the chairperson of the board of directors. It is a project that has touched her heart. “The Lions Foundation of Canada provides Canadians with disabilities with quality and well trained dog guides. Meeting, listening and talking to clients who have received dog guides have had a tremendous impact on me,” said Voon. “The dog guides give them freedom, independence and companionship. ”

Voon shared the story of an elderly deaf woman who suddenly lost her husband. Her family was urging her to give up her apartment and move into an assisted senior living community. However, she was fortunate enough to receive a hearing ear dog and regained her independence.  It is experiences such as this that keep Voon actively engaged in this important foundation program.

Voon has seen many changes throughout her years as a Lion. She honed her own skills, helped others find confidence and build skills and help serve those in need. She has also watched as the international association has grown and changed along with society. “Lions Clubs International has embraced change. I think as long as the association continues to be responsive to the changes in the world around us it will be relevant, successful and continue to grow,” she said.

Voon believes the recent women’s initiative has been positive for the association because it has raised awareness for the need of cultivating women members as well as highlighting issues that are important to women worldwide.

“I think that 20 years is a good length of time for us to measure what women mean to the association. We have been given the same opportunities as men and Lions Clubs International has been very open to that. We’ve had women serve as international directors. It will only be a matter of time before a woman leads the association. They have stepped up to lead and shown that they deserve to be where they are,” she said.