Lions head visits TT

However, says Nicolin Moore of the Arima Lions Club, “I think Chancellor Corlew was impressed with the US anthem being played on the pan, and even tried his hand on the instrument.” Moore is one of six international directors elected in June 2016 serving the US and the Caribbean on the international board.

During the one-day visit, the very pleasant visitor and his wife Lion Dianne Corlew, ended a very tight itinerary at a cocktail reception in the Queen’s Hall foyer, attended by visiting lions from Multiple District 60 which stretches from Cayman in the North to Suriname in the South. Six new Lions were inducted by Corlew who said, “they could be the newest Lions in the world” as he placed the pins on their lapels. This worldwide organisation, founded by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, 100 years ago, serves over 200 countries with 1.4 million Lions in over 47,000 clubs.

Corlew, retired Chancellor for the State of Tennessee, USA, and a law professor, was elected president at the 99th International Convention in Fukuoka, Japan, in June 2016. A member of the Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club since 1978, Corlew has held many offices within the association and has received numerous awards including the Ambassador of Goodwill Award, the highest honour bestowed on members. The Corlews have five children and five grandchildren.

What part does Moore, TT ’s second international director since Terry Inniss, 20 years ago, play in the world of Lionism? “As an international director, I have the responsibility of serving on sub-committees of the board and assisting in making policies to keep our association relevant and at the forefront of humanitarian service.

“I also represent the association at conventions of Lions districts all over the US, (including the Caribbean) and Canada. My spouse, Rudy, accompanies me on these speaker engagements.

So far, our travels have taken us to Nebraska, Tennessee and Minnesota. Over the next few months we will be visiting Wisconsin, Alabama, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, California and Washington in the US and Saskatchewan and Ontario in Canada. In June we will join thousands of lions as we celebrate our association’s centennial anniversary in Chicago.”