OLDS — Olds Lions Club president Henry Czarnota has offered to work with town council to see if there’s a way to deal with declining memberships in some service clubs, saying that has an impact on desperately needed volunteerism.
Czarnota made that pitch during an appearance before town council during its policies and priorities meeting on Sept. 5.
Czarnota noted the Lions Club has existed in Olds since 1968.
“I think we’re going to celebrate 55 years this coming year,” he said.
Since the founding of the Olds club, many others in southern or central Alberta have folded, due to declining membership and income, Czarnota said, adding that the members who remain are aging.
“I stand before you as the president of the club with 36 members. I’m 75 years of age.
“I’m here to tell you there are more members that are older than I in my club than there are younger, and I think that’s typical of many clubs.”
“We’re just one of 83 Lions Clubs in southern Alberta. But in my larger responsibilities, only five years ago, we were 96, so we’ve lost 13 clubs in our region in the last five years,” Czarnota said.
“Unfortunately, a lot of other clubs in other communities don’t have the kind of support and partnerships that we’re pleased to have in our town.”
The dwindling number of club members and clubs is not limited to the Lions. Czarnota said it’s an issue for a number of service clubs.
“That brings a dilemma in volunteerism that bears some discussion, I think, at the community level,” he said.
“Now let me be clear that I’m in no way ever advocating that municipal council start funding a volunteer organization. I don’t think that’s the right way to go, even though that does happen in some communities.
“But perhaps there’s an opportunity for some dialogue at a larger level than municipal councils.”
Czarnota said he’d be happy to meet with councillors to discuss the issue and what could possibly be done to solve the problem.
He suggested town reps could raise the matter during future municipal conventions “because I fear, as time goes on, we’re going to lose more and more of these kinds of organizations in our communities.”
He said some have also not received the kind of support from their municipalities that the Olds one has.
Czarnota said the Olds Lions Club has “a very positive relationship” with the Town of Olds, which has been very supportive of its endeavours, including P.U.G. Day, the annual community clean-up day organized by the Lions.
“We really, really value that relationship,” he said.
Czarnota presented Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl with a plaque thanking the municipality for its help in creating the Lions of Southern Alberta Memorial Forest, officially dedicated in June.
He read out the inscription: “presented to the Town of Olds in appreciation for your support to the Olds Lions Club and volunteer organizations in our community, September, 2023.”
Czarnota indicated that in addition to the Memorial Forest, the Lions campground is another success. In fact, he said it may be expanded.
Community services director Doug Wagstaff thanked Czarnota for his words. He also thanked staff, past and present, who have worked with Lions Club members on several projects, including the Memorial Forest.
Council passed a motion advanced by Coun. Wanda Blatz thanking the Lions Club delegation that attended the meeting and making its presentation.
“Thank you again on behalf of all us for all your service and the good will that you do within our community, it’s muchly appreciated,” Blatz added.
