Guiding Lion Program

Designed for New, Existing and Clubs Rebuilding

The Guiding Lion Program is designed to assist clubs that are newly chartered, established or rebuilding.  Guiding Lions are assigned for a two-year term by the district governor in consultation with the sponsoring or established club president. Guiding Lions are limited to serving no more than two new clubs at any point in time.

Guiding Lions assist a club to: 

• Be successful in its first two years of operation 

• Orient and train club officers and members 

• Motivate and support club growth and development

• Locate resources available to assist the club

Guiding Lion Support for Established Clubs

Club Rebuilding: Support to help strengthen clubs and reactivate those that are experiencing difficulties.  The Club Rebuilding Program allows more flexibility for District Governors to focus efforts to support weak clubs by eliminating the limitations of visits.  Club Rebuilding focus on the areas of rebuilding, recruiting new members, training officers and providing meaningful community service. For clubs needing assistance, please fill out the Club Rebuilding Application and obtain the appropriate signatures. 

Plan for Your Club’s Success: Success starts with a vision!  Use this planning guide and PowerPoint to discover your clubs strengths, ways to improve and new opportunities that will help your club grow and thrive!  Planning forms help develop a vision, assess your club’s needs and organize your plan for a successful implementation.

Guiding Lion Assignment Form:  Complete this form to assign a Guiding Lion to a club and ensure they receive the monthly Club Health Assessment.

Certified Guiding Lion Rebuilding Assessment: This checklist tool designed to identify the club’s strengths and areas for improvement so that the Guiding Lion can develop training and support specific to the needs of the club.

Certified Guiding Lion Course 

Guiding Lions are encouraged to complete the Certified Guiding Lion Course to improve their skills in club support. The course is designed to be completed individually or facilitated by an instructor. All Certified Guiding Lions are required to take the Certified Guiding Lion (CGL) every three years.  Following is a list of course material to become a Certified Guiding Lion.

For more information: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resource-center/guiding-lion-program

Current Guiding Lion Assignments

PDG Michele Wyatt, Comstock Regional

SVDG Darla Pigeon, Eastern Connecticut Asian and American

ZC Michael Lukachie, Chaplin Veterans

PDG Mary Krogh, Forest City

ZC Allen Guiot, Comstock Regional

PDG Diana Grisé, UCONN

ZC Kirk Engel, Chaplin Veterans

Lion Bill Wilson, Vernon-Rockville

Lion Marisely Jimenez, Willimantic Latino

Unassigned Certified Guiding Lions, Certification Expiration Date

COLCHESTER 

Sandra Parsons, 3/11/2026

CROMWELL 

ZC Lisa Klein, 2/17/2027

EAST HAMPTON

Joseph Walters, 3/11/2026

KILLINGWORTH 

PCC Hilary Kumnick,  2/17/2027

LEDYARD 

PCC Frank Rowe, 3/11/2026

PDG Laura Rowe, 3/11/2026

MIDDLEFIELD

Melissa Kowal, 11/15/2027

MYSTIC
PCC Nanette Burdick, 3/11/2026

OLD SAYBROOK

Susan Esty, 3/11/2026

Janis Esty, 3/11/2026

PLAINFIELD

Thomas Sinkewicz, 11/15/2027

Portland

IPCC Theresa Schlosser, 11/15/2027

DG James Tripp, 3/11/2026

SALEM

William Martin, 3/11/2026

WILLIMANTIC

PDG Susan Fisher, 3/11/2026

Former Certified Guiding Lions, Certification Expiration Date

CANTERBURY

ZC Paula Roswell, 1/4/2023

COLCHESTER
PDG Julianne Shilosky, 10/23/2024

EAST HADDAM COMMUNITY

CT Maryjane Malavas, 1/4/2023

EAST HAMPTON 

Howard Geltman, 1/4/2023

HEBRON

ZC Lee Anderson, 1/4/2023

MONTVILLE 

Donald Grisé, 10/23/2024

WATERFORD REGIONAL

ZC Sheri Ann Colquhoun, 4/27/2025

Michael Snurkowski, 4/27/2025

WILLIMANTIC

Kit Eves, 1/4/2023