Just two months ago, Lion Rodolphe Robinel of the Lions Club Ile de Cayenne in French Guiana, was elected an International Director of the International Association of Lions Club, at the annual International Convention in Japan. He will serve for two years.
It had taken Lion Robinel five bites at the International apple, over a ten year period, before success came his way. He explained "I come from a small District. District 63 is made up of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana, with just about 700 lions and 120 leos, which makes it difficult to gain support for International office. We are French speaking among a lot of Spanish speaking countries so you have to wait. You also have to seek personal merit and support from your colleagues in your area. You have to supply information on what you did, how you did it and what you plan to do."
Having now been installed as one of three International Directors for the areas Mexico, Central and South America and the Islands of the Caribbean, the other two are from Chile and Brazil, Lion Robinel has hastened to Trinidad for a three week crash course "to improve my English, and Spanish which I also speak. French is my mother tongue. I must also know a few words in Portuguese as there are more than 40,000 lions from Brazil."
He has been a Charter member of his club for 25 years, and has served as secretary, president, Zone Chairman and District Governor. The retired Director of Social Security in French Guiana, is married to Ann-Marie and they are parents of three grown children. He is one of 33 lions appointed to the International Board of Directors just weeks ago by the new International President Kay Fukyshima, who in spite of his Japanese name comes from California. There are just two female directors, one from New Zealand and the other from the United States.
Of the eight International Committees, Lion Robinel has been assigned to the Leadership Committee. The main objective of this committee is to improve the quality of the lions leadership programme. But he will also represent the Association on the occasion of District and Multiple District Conventions, and other important meetings of the constitutional area; promote lionism and leadership in his constitutional area; and once there is a problem at the level of the District or Multiple District bring information to board level indicating that he has a good understanding of the problem so as to assist in finding a solution.
"The main interest must be that of the International Association. If there is conflict between the interest of the Association and a District, the most important factor is that of the Association" says this dedicated lion who has always grasped every opportunity "to speak about lionism, motivate individuals, businessmen, everyone for that matter, towards lionism. I have to do my job as International Director, understanding and motivating, and more."
In addition to business in his Constitutional Area which could include invitations to even those districts for which he may not be directly responsible, the International Director must attend four International Board Meetings, the first already held in Japan at the annual International Convention, a second and third in Chicago and Singapore and the final at next July's International Convention in Denver, Colorado.