At the induction ceremony April 3 at the Washington Lions Club, new members Shari Bryson and Bobby West (center) are flanked by (left) Olin Newby and District Governor Eugene Carpenter, who was installing officer. On the right are Lion President Mary Hubbard and Region Chairman Bonnie Martin. A special program Monday evening, April 3, marked a significant milestone for the venerable Washington Lions Club in its bid to boost its membership and to strengthen its community involvement.

During his official visit, District Governor Eugene Carpenter of Conyers installed two new members of the club to help reverse a trend of recent general decline among traditional civic clubs. Lion Carpenter also provided motivation and inspiration to the members with his review of recent accomplishments of Lions International and the local club's contributions to worldwide humanitarian efforts.

After his remarks, Lion Carpenter called to the front inductees Shari Bryson and Bobby West, whom he challenged with the responsibilities of membership as he congratulated them on the occasion. Carpenter pinned the Lions membership emblem on West while Washington's Lion President Mary Hubbard pinned Bryson at the same time. Both members have returned to active service after a former stint some years ago. Both were sponsored by Hubbard.

Also present were Lions Region Chairman Bonnie Martin of Thomson and Zone Chairman Olin Newby, who introduced Carpenter as speaker and installing officer. Newby, a long-standing member of the Washington club, has served two terms as district governor and several state offices, as well as virtually all of the local club offices.

District Governor Carpenter is retired from a career with the U.S. Army, having served "all over the world," including two combat tours in the Vietnam War. An especially poignant moment came when Carpenter applied West's pin. West is also an honored veteran of Vietnam, where he suffered injuries which left him blinded.

West was accompanied by "Franklin," his faithful Seeing-Eye Dog, who was trained and supplied through a long-standing program of Lions International. Franklin was welcomed as an "honorary member" of the Washington club.

As a highlight of his remarks to the club, Carpenter reviewed the Lions' newest international program, known as "Sight First I" The worldwide sight conservation effort will be renewed annually as "Sight First II," "Sight First III," etc. It was initiated at last year's international convention in Hong Kong.

"This new program has already met with great success," Carpenter said. "From over the world, Lions like yourselves have contributed more than $37 million, and we look to increase that amount substantially from year to year.

"Thank you for your good work and congratulations on your achievements. In local clubs like the Washington Lions Club is where the strength of Lionism lies."