Council Secretary Portfolio
Council Secretary's Report to Convention - PCC Peter Burnett
Over the course of the year, work at National Headquarters has continued to run effectively and efficiently, supported by a highly capable and committed staff team. I remain extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Brigitte, Jan, Stephanie, and Martina, whose professionalism, knowledge, and dedication are invaluable to both Council and the wider organisation. Their willingness to provide guidance and resolve issues—often before they arise—continues to be a significant strength.
Throughout the year, Brigitte and I have maintained close and regular communication, frequently discussing Council matters by telephone. This collaborative approach has ensured Council meetings are well prepared and run smoothly. I also continue my practice of attending National Headquarters on the Friday morning prior to face-to-face Council meetings to address any matters best handled in person. This excludes the October Council meeting, which is held via Zoom, and the May Council meeting held at the MD Convention venue. Outside of these occasions, additional visits are kept to an absolute minimum in the interests of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The HQ team has once again produced outstanding work, particularly in the development of media packs, posters, and the new JUST ASK recruitment guide. The consistently high standard of their output, including work completed alongside Council and Council Chair Lion Stu continues to attract very positive feedback from members and Officers alike. Members also frequently comment on the value of being able to speak directly to a member of staff when contacting HQ, rather than using an automated system—something that remains a real strength of our organisation.
During the year, staffing changes at HQ required flexibility and adaptation. Mandy left employment on 31 December, following which Brigitte assumed responsibility for much of the marketing function and has been working closely with Dave Allen to progress this area. In conjunction with the SDC, consideration has been given to increasing Martina's hours to enable Brigitte to focus more fully on marketing and communications. A clear plan for taking this work forward is expected to be in place and presented to Council.
From a governance and succession perspective, significant progress has been made. Earlier in the year, interviews took place for the position of Council Chair 2026–27, following which DG Lion Richard Allen of District SW was appointed. In addition, PCC Kavaljit Dev of District 105A has been appointed as Council Secretary from July 2026. Since January, Lion Kav has been actively shadowing me and is now well embedded in the role. This transition period is progressing extremely well and will ensure continuity and stability when she formally assumes the position. I wish her every success as she prepares to take on this important responsibility.
I will continue to serve as Council Secretary until June 2026 and remain fully committed to supporting Council and ensuring the effective running of National Headquarters during this period. I once again place on record my sincere thanks to Brigitte, Jan, Stephanie, and Martina for their continued support, professionalism, and dedication throughout the year.
National HQ - Lion Brigitte Green
Progress Since Our Last Convention
There continues to be much happening at your National HQ, and we're pleased to share the key highlights with you.
We continue to support all Multiple District Officers and Council Officers, ensuring they have a dependable support system in place to carry out their duties efficiently.
We have expanded our support for the members when trying to access the online Members' Portal, helping to make digital access and reporting easier for all.
We have worked closely with the Health & Safety MD Officer and our Safety Champions to further develop and update training materials. Our thanks go again to Lion Andrew Wilcox, who continues to carry out thorough office inspections to keep HQ safe and compliant.
The spectacle recycling project continues at scale — with over 1.3 million spectacles sorted this past year and multiple shipments coordinated with Medico France and other charitable partners.
We continue to manage Message in a Bottle (MIAB) stock and enquiries, maintaining same-day responses to all requests.
We have continued to build on the strong relationship we have with our Insurance brokers at Bartletts maintaining our role as the central hub for insurance advice and queries.
The new media packs and the new JUST ASK booklets have proved successful and from the numbers of requests for further items shows how necessary such resources were to Clubs.
The HQ team has produced a wide range of club and district certificates in recognition of service and achievement.
Digital Transformation and Communications
Following Council's request for HQ to take on Marketing and PR responsibilities, our digital presence has continued to grow:
Members' Website (bookcase) – now serving over 1,000 active users
Public-Facing Website – attracting increasing visitor engagement
Online Shop – expanded product range and improved user experience
Spectacle Recycling and MIAB microsites – fully operational and regularly updated
We have just realised the fourth digital edition of The Lion Magazine, which has received excellent feedback from members.
3.Marketing Communication PR Report updated.pdf
Further developments include:
Ongoing work with the SDC team to refine a long-term, sustainable communications strategy.
Ongoing Projects
Message in a Bottle (MIAB)
Interest in MIAB remains strong. We're proud to be working with an increasing number of emergency services — including a second police force now exploring the use of MIAB information to assist in missing-person searches — another innovative application of this enduring initiative.
Spectacle Recycling
The project has achieved record volumes again this year thanks to continued public engagement and strong partnerships with Amazon UK, British Airways, Specsavers, Vision Express, Boots Opticians, Costco, and the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Association, among many others. Nationwide enthusiasm for supporting Lions' efforts to help those in need continues to grow.
Future Plans and Objectives
Continue attending trade and training events to maintain skills and knowledge.
Collaborate closely with Lion Dave Allen on video production and member resources, building on recent successes.
Publish the third digital edition of The Lion Magazine.
Complete updates to membership communications and promotional materials.
Headquarters Modernisation
Refurbishment and accessibility upgrades
Creation of a dedicated spectacle sorting area
Improved reception area and interior design enhancements
Progress remains dependent on Council approval following cost assessments and feasibility studies from our external consultants. Preparatory work is ongoing to bring a full proposal to Council later this year.
Conclusion
The past year has seen continued growth, modernisation, and collaboration across all areas of HQ. We remain firmly committed to supporting our members and strengthening the organisation's infrastructure while honouring our Lions traditions.
