REFLECTIONS

Lion Brian Sheehan of Bird Island traveled a long, stressful road to become president of Lions Clubs International, but it was, indeed, a rewarding one.

Currently chairman of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Sheehan stepped into that role and handed Dr. Patti Hill the gavel, signifying her step up the ladder. She is the group’s first woman president.

Who is Lion Brian Sheehan? Where the hell is Bird Island?

Those two questions usually run in tandem. In fact, if you reach Bird Island, you will know that you are in a city located on U.S. Hwy. 212 in Renville County, Minnesota.

I have been a Lions club member, even longer than Lion Sheehan, who has logged 33 years in the world’s largest service club. Our motto is "We Serve.”

Oh yeah, I received my 50-year pin last year from the Blooming Prairie Lions Club. I started my Lions career in 1972. I transferred to Blooming Prairie in 2014. No, I don’t plan to run for Lions Clubs International president. In my long term as a Lion, I have tried to help people. That’s the goal of all Lions.

Our 1.3 million members in more than 47,000 clubs all over the world work to better their communities and fight for Lions Clubs International's global causes.

Foundation of Service

The Lions mission is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.

Lion Sheehan should be congratulated for a productive year as Lions Clubs International president. The State of Minnesota should be very proud of Lion Sheehan’s accomplishments during the 2022-23 year.

Current Lions Club president Hill’s theme is “Changing the World”: Change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens through many small choices. With every act of kindness, we change a life. With every Lions club and Leo club, we change a community. When we change our communities, we change the world.

“Together We Can” was the theme embraced by Sheehan. He is an active member of the Bird Island Lions Club. He was a worker bee on a project to build a baseball park.

When the club celebrated the project's completion, club members recited, “Together We Will.”

Sheehan was elected to serve as international president at the association’s 104th International Convention, June 22 through June 28, 2022. He will serve as Chairperson for Lions Clubs International Foundation through June 25, 2024.

Sheehan is the founder and CEO of Rural Computer Consultants, a software development company.

A member of the Bird Island Lions Club since 1991, he has held many offices within the association, including council chairperson, long range planning chairperson, membership chairperson, retention chairperson, women’s initiative chairperson, MD convention chairperson, GMT Liaison and GLT area leader. He has also served as the chairperson of the Headquarters Operation & Finance Committee, Lions University coordinator, DGE group leader, and board appointee to several committees including Constitutions and Bylaws, LCIF Executive, LCI Executive, USACanada Lions Leadership Forum and the Centennial Action committees.

He has been a presenter at numerous Lions events, including many of the Global Forums.

In recognition of his service to the association, he has received numerous awards including Club Lion of the Year; the District 5M 4 Diabetes Awareness Award; the MD 5M Web Site Appreciation Award; the MD 5M Al Jensen Leadership Award; the Founders Membership Growth Award; Numerous International President’s Certificates of Appreciation; International President’s Leadership Award; multiple International President’s Awards; and the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members.

He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow and Second Century Ambassador. In addition to his Lions activities, Sheehan is active in numerous professional and community organizations.

He has served as president of Bird Island Civic and Commerce Association, director of the Learning Funhouse, and a member of various school committees.

He also received the 2011 U.S. SBA Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year Award. Sheehan and his wife, Lori, also a Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, have two sons and two daughters.

And in their spare time, they enjoy raising many types of exotic animals.