08/01/08

Profile – District Governor 2008-09  Mel Stokes

DG Mel was born in Vancouver and raised in Burnaby. BC.  He has one sibling, his brother.  During university days, he met Irene while working at a summer job.  Married for over 35 years, they have two sons, daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.  His son Ryan and wife September are both Lions members in the Burnaby-Lougheed Lions Club in District 19A.

Mel joined the Royal Bank in New Westminster in May 1970. Mel’s employment has taken him to nine communities throughout BC.  The banking and personal experience was excellent as it provided the opportunity to make many friends with people in various communities as well as enjoy “Beautiful BC”.  He was fortunate to have seven career changes within the same organization; from administration, audit, credit risk, branch manager and retiring as Sr. Commercial Account Manager in Abbotsford to name a few. He is now working part time as a Management Consultant.

Mel joined Lions in Prince Rupert in May 1976 and has been able to continue his membership throughout the various communities in BC that his work has taken him to.  He has been active at the Club, Zone, District and MD19 levels taking on various chair positions including 19H Spring Conference Chairman and MD19 Fall Forum Chairman.  He is a Certified Guiding Lion. Mel’s most recent position was the 19H Lions Foundation of Canada Chairman for 2006-07. Mel has been a presenter at numerous panels at the District and Multiple District level over the years. His family has hosted four Australian students through Lions YEP and a number of Japanese students through the local school programs. His currently a member of the Langley Lions Club.

He has been 100% President two times, 100% Secretary five times and 100% Zone Chairperson.  He has received the Lion of the Year six times, DG Appreciation Award four times, International President’s Certificate of Appreciation four times as well as being awarded the LCI Leadership medal, a Melvin Jones Fellowship and the Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship two times.  Mel has received a number of other Lions awards recognizing his ongoing accomplishments including the PID Larry Schrodt Memorial Fellowship.

Mel’s hobbies are traveling, reading and Lions.