Bellville Lion becomes 2nd woman governor

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Bellville resident Carolyn Brook was elected this year to the position of governor of the Bellville Lions Club District, which encompasses 56 International Lions and two Lioness Clubs in Richland, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa, Crawford, Huron, Wyandot, Sandusky, Ashland and Seneca counties, the district currently has over 1900 members.

“I got my start in Lions because of Homer Walker and Don Scott’s harassment,” joked Brook. “I didn’t know if I wanted to get involved but they insisted.”

She has faithfully served the surrounding community ever since then, joining the Bellville Club in 1994. In her 21 years of duty, Brook has served as club president, first and second vice-president, director and as the club’s secretary for 19 years.

She has also headed many community service committees and led the 2011 Bellville flood relief effort, obtaining funds from the Ohio Lions Club to help disaster victims. “I was approached back in 2012 and asked if I would like to run for governor of our district,” she said. “After talking to several past governors, I made the decision to run.”

In order to run for Brook’s district leader position, members must have served as president of a club and as an individual zone president. Once elected governors must serve as a second vice-governor and then as a first vice-governor before officially running the district.

“When I was elected in March of 2015, I became the second woman governor and the first from the Bellville Lions Club,” said Brook.

In order to complete the installation process, Brook attended the Lions Club International convention in Honolulu.

She and 20,000 other international Lions from 210 countries underwent three days of classes and seminars to completely learn their role as governors.

“It was a very good experience,” said Brook of the trip. “I worked with Lions from Japan, Switzerland and other European countries.” During the event, Brook’s position was officially established by the newly elected 98th president of the International Lions Club.

“As governor I have to visit each club throughout the district at least once,” Brook explained. “I am in charge of holding our meetings, as well as zone advisory meetings, and must attend the Ohio Lion’s governor meetings.”

She is also set to oversee the district convention in Westlake in 2016.

As for the Bellville Lions Club, Brook wants to continue their mission of serving the area community and the community-at-large. Last year the district served over 660,000 people and the Bellville Lion’s Club served 39,000.

Anyone interested in the Lions Club can attend one of their monthly meetings held the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Township-Bellville Fire Station.

District Governor Carolyn Brook is awarded a 13-pound gavel after officially accepting the her newly elected position.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/08/web1_Convention-and-others-088-1-.jpgDistrict Governor Carolyn Brook is awarded a 13-pound gavel after officially accepting the her newly elected position.

By Zach Jones

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Reach Jones on Twitter @Bellville_Jones or via email at [email protected]

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