Diabetes Awareness Board of Directors 2006-2007. In the center is Lino de la Hera, the past District Governor that carried out the Installation with Maribel Spiropoulos, Diabetes Awareness President 2006-2007.

As new president of Diabetes Awareness, this wonderful project of District 35-A, I plan to use my skills in Public Relations and Leadership to further enhance this beautiful and much needed program in our community.

We all as Lions must inform the general public what must be done, and what is being done, to reduce new cases of blindness caused by Diabetic Retinopathy.

All this can be accomplished by informing the public with our Public Relations Campaign and enhancing the success by good leadership skills.

A president is a LEADER. Therefore:

* She or he must be creative and resourceful and see beyond the current state of affairs

* Explore innovative solutions and sometimes unique approaches to problems

* A leader must possess discipline and credibility by demonstrating ethical standards that exemplify the mission

* A leader needs to understand the political environment as she/he must work in a way that is mindful of the political dynamics of the state/local/ and the community

* A leader recognizes and develops staff potential and understands the values of diversity by developing professional relationship with staff, organizations and the community and ensure leadership succession

*A leader takes risks by knowing when to question the status Quo, learning by success and failure and accepts the deals with the outcome

* A leader must demonstrate system thinking by using knowledge and experience in problem solving and planning

* A leader navigates with the organization to accomplish goals and identified support and resistance

PUBLIC RELATIONS: By promoting our service to the community we will increase awareness and educate others and enable Lions to better meet the needs of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens.

Public relations also plays a critical role in funding, which has always assisted the score of non-profit agency budgets.

It is crucial now more than ever that our Public Relation Program be effective if we want to be perceived as the first class institution that we are. We will be working with a wonderful dedicated and committed team in Diabetes Awareness and we would love to have the support and cooperation of our fellow Lions.

“We are and Institution with a Vision and a Mission”

Diabetes Awareness President 2006-2007 and Past President of Buena Vista Lions 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.