Lions New District Governer Builds on Long Volunteer Background

Te Kauwhata resident Lynda Halverson has a mantra ‘Always ensure that whatever you do, have some fun.”  And it’s working for this busy multi-career woman who is about to be appointed (New Zealand) 202K  District Governor with Lions Clubs International.

She reflects on her early days with Lions, saying Lions Clubs has been an unimaginable experience.  “When I first joined, I was awarded the Quiet Lions award: for those who know me now, they can’t imagine it!!!           

 “Being part of a large organisation like Lions, working with other wonderful Lions, and having the opportunity to learn through the excellent training available within Lions Clubs NZ has opened up a new whole to me.

“I’ve had a Leadership role within Lions Clubs New Zealand and spent the last four years speaking on volunteering and holding workshops on Leadership and Facilitation around New Zealand – and some in Australia.”

Lynda says getting to the role of Lions Clubs 202K  District Governor has been an adventure full of hard work, learning, and –  most of all – fulfilment and fun. “It is so important to have an all-round approach with all of these elements. I’ve made mistakes, learned from them, and moved on to some wonderful experiences as well. 

“I feel privileged to have had the experiences I have had and continue to have. I have just returned from a trip to Chicago where I met with 650 other community leaders coming into their District Governor year. It was an amazing experience learning about how other countries work in community service and gleaning ideas for my year ahead.”

We have a great group of Lions within our own Te Kauwhata community that would welcome any one of you to come join in the experience that a Lions club member can give you.

But Lynda’s work in the volunteer space, nurtured by growing up in a ‘very community minded home’ , doesn’t stop there. She mentors with Volunteer NZ, and together with her husband spent over 25 years with NZ Community Patrol both in Papakura and Te Kauwhata.

She’s a reliever at the Te Kauwhata Community House and helps facilitate support groups there.  “I love reaching out to others and being part of my community; it makes me feel like I belong,” she says.

And her experiences would ring a familiar bell to many in the local volunteer space.  “I believe that we spend so much time looking for ready-made leaders and not looking for potential leaders, we don’t prepare volunteers enough for their roles and have a tendency to desperately push people into roles, ill-prepared. We live in such an instant world; people are not looking ahead and planning.”

Despite incredible demands on her time, Lynda insists she is firstly a mum and grandmother to a wonderful large family.” I went to Otahuhu College and then Massey University where I studied Psychology and Social Work. I worked as a Social Worker in the Far North of New Zealand then went on to train others in this area.

“In my mid-years, I retrained in Event Management and worked for Counties Manukau Badminton for some years in Sports Admin. My husband and I also worked with Clydesdale Horses working around the Auckland and Waikato area with these.

“My passion has been in supporting my local community, and I have been involved in many things within the community that we have lived in, including School boards, Blue Light, and Community Patrol.

“We moved to Te Kauwhata four years ago and although it was a tough COVID time we fell in love with the area and the people very quickly. I have an absolute passion for seeing others realise and reach their potential in life, and this community is amazing in doing this for its people. I personally have had a couple of tough years, and this community embraced me and cared for me, something that I will always be so grateful for.

“I’m not sure what will come after my year as a Lions District Governor, but I have an open mind as to what is next. It will no doubt be some type of volunteer work.” Seeing the light go on in someone’s eyes is a wonderful thing.

 And her over-arching message?  “Believe in yourself, keep an open mind, learn all you can, and be a servant leader.”

By Anna Bell