New Council Chairman of New Zealand Lions from Taranaki
Basil Dodunski from Toko was elected Council Chairman of Lions Clubs New Zealand at the Annual Convention of Lions
Multiple District 202, which covers New Zealand and the South Pacific, in Queenstown at the weekend.
Basil begins his 12 month appointment on 1 July, replacing current Council Chairman Terry Hemmingsen. Basil’s role will
include chairing the 10 member Lions Council and representing New Zealand at the July International Convention in
Detroit, USA. His tenure also coincides with the 50 years of service celebrations next year.
“The 50th anniversary is an ideal time to celebrate, as well as reflect on the past to develop new and innovative
directions for the way forward. We’re a ‘people’ organisation that needs passion and pride,” says Basil.
Basil believes Lions have turned a corner with membership recruitment. “Service organisations throughout the world have
been faced with falling memberships and Lions is no exception. Our focus now is on the recruitment of keen and
enthusiastic younger members aged from 20 – 35 years in New Century Clubs and we’re succeeding. These clubs, which
include some University based groups, are fairly independent and are bringing fantastic new ideas to the table. An
example is the way in which they run their meetings; some are over the internet or over breakfast.”
Basil, a Senior Lion member of Toko & Districts Lions Club, and his wife Sue, have been dairy farmers in Toko area for over ten years and says being a Lion
has been very rewarding.
“Recently our district has started up a Kids & Us programme, taking groups of needy children out on character and confidence building activities. I get great
satisfaction from helping turn their lives around.”
For his service to Lions, Basil has received the 100% President’s Awards and four district Governor’s Appreciation
Awards. Since joining the Toko & Districts Lions Club in 1993 Basil has held positions of Tail Twister, The Bulletin Editor, Director for 3 years and
served as President in 1999-2000. That year saw the club induct many new members, and for the first time, women were
invited to join the club.
For the Lions District Basil has been Leadership and District Trainer for two years, Region Chairman and Membership
Chairman as well as MERL Chairman. Basil has also assisted at the Lions Leadership Institute in Wellington and at the
Institute in Adelaide Australia.
Lions is New Zealand’s– and the world’s - largest service club with over 1.3 million members internationally and more
than 12,500 members nationally.