Multiple District 105 has been given a great honour by the decision of the International Board of Directors to hold its autumn 2010 meeting in Edinburgh, and I am proud to have been asked to head the Host Committee for the event.
The President of the day will be Lion Sid Scruggs III, from North Carolina. Lion Sid has Scottish ancestry, and approached me soon after his election as 2nd Vice President to look discuss coming to Edinburgh. After investigation of facilities by Claire and myself, Lion Sid and Judy met us in Edinburgh to view the options, and to talk with local Lion leaders. The Council of Governors was very pleased to pledge full support, and the decision was made.
A Wonderful PR Opportunity
This historic event will form part of our Multiple District 60th Anniversary celebrations, and provides a wonderful opportunity to promote the work of our Multiple District. Indeed we have been given $15,000 funding from Oak Brook, to be spent on PR: and to assist the PR effort, it is intended to hold a static display of many of our Lions activities in Festival Square, Edinburgh, during the day on Saturday 2nd October.
Our chance to be involved
The Board will be meeting at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Hotel from 28 September to 4 October, and the event will provide a great chance for all Lions of our MD to observe the International Board at work and to meet with them socially. We are all invited to the Board’s opening session on Friday 1st October, and to the Host Night (at reasonable cost) on Saturday 2nd October.
The regular meeting of our own Council of Governors will be also be held in Edinburgh, from 1st to 3rd October.
Host Night
The Host Night on the evening of Saturday 2nd October will be our main chance to “mix and mingle” with those who are running our International Association, and to show our hospitality to our visitors. We have use of the historic and prestigious Stewart's Melville College Performing Arts Centre. There will be first class entertainment, and a substantial buffet. This will be an event we can all enjoy and be proud of. We are investigating suitable hotel accommodation at reasonable price for those who need/wish to stay overnight.
Some volunteers are needed
As a ‘quid pro quo’ the Host Committee for the event is keen to recruit volunteers who will be needed for airport greeting, driving, the help desk and Host Night manning. Also any Lions or spouses with foreign language skills would be very welcome!Please contact Vice District Governor 105NE Lion Larry Collins if you are interested in helping out during the period of the Board Meeting. We are investigating suitable hotel accommodation at reasonable price for those who need/wish to stay overnight.
Event Schedule
We will have an involvement in:-
- Welcome at airport (landside) for both international and domestic arrivals.
- Transport from airport to hotel – Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th September
- Opening of Board Meeting – Afternoon of Friday 1st October (Open to all MD Lions)
- Arranging local VIP(s) for reception and dinner (at castle) – Evening of Friday 1st October.
- Static Display of MD105 Lions activities – Daytime on Saturday 2nd October
- Organise Host Night event – Evening of Saturday 2nd October. (Open to all MD Lions).
- Help and information desk at hotel all week.
- Help with interpreters for spouses etc., if possible.
- Have a vehicle & driver available at hotel.
Support Group Structure and Areas of Responsibility
The Host Committee members, and their responsibilities, are:-
PID Howard Lee, Chairman
IPDG Bill Fraser, Vice Chair/Gifts/Local VIPs, assisted by LP Lachlan MacKay
PDG Alan Ashburner, Secretary/Treasurer/Sponsorship, assisted by Scottish members
DG Tony Campbell, Airport Greeting/Transport, assisted by PDG Hugh Kershaw
1st VDG Larry Collins, Co-ordinator of Volunteers, assisted by IPDG Bill Fraser
2nd VDG Alan Deacon, PR/Communications, assisted by PDG Elaine Kitchen
PDG Jack Christie, Information Desk, assisted by LP Lachlan Mackay
LP Lachlan Mackay, Host Event, assisted by IPDG Bill Fraser
The Host Committee members, and their responsibilities, are:-we do meet as often as necessary. All members of the committee are working very hard for the good of the event and of MD105, and VP Sid and I thank them very much. Let's make this a great event for MD105
The Council of Governors and the Host Committee are working hard to make this event a great success for MD105. Most importantly, we will make it something to be enjoyed by all who participate, whether from our MD of from overseas. It will certainly be an experience not seen in the MD for many years, and which may well not be seen again here in our lifetime. Please do not miss this chance. Please be involved, as a volunteer and/or as a participant.
PID Howard Lee, Host Committee Chairman
