The next generation of Lions and a family legacy of service

Taken at a recent Lions Convention in St. Catherines, (from left) Lion Blair Oatman, Lion Kelly Oatman, Vera Pipher and Lion David Pipher. Oatman was voted in as Second-Vice District Governor at the event. (Contributed Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

Distinguished Lions Club member Blair Oatman shared his perspective on what it means to belong to the Lions, and how the club aligns with his family’s values.

Blair and his wife Kelly (club secretary) have been members for 11 years, joining the club together. Kelly’s father, the late Rick Schiedel, served as a Kinsmen. Blair's mother Terry Fleming has been a long-time Lion's Club member, and she was the first female president of the Tillsonburg Lions Club.

"My mom's a member and my dad was a member years ago," Oatman said. "Serving with my mom for the past 11 years has been great. It’s great to be able to share her passion and drive for serving the community. The club is for men and women. It's about 50/50. Women are our fastest-growing membership. We have a lot of husband-and-wife members."

Increasing their numbers is a current focus. As the Membership Chair, Blair helps to induct new members. He is the official representative and liaison, sharing information and answering questions.

"We want to entice younger people to come in," Oatman said. "We try to see what we can offer to that demographic. The friendships that grow are part of it. We have people from all walks of life, everyone's welcome."

Those relationships go well beyond the local club. When Blair and Kelly attended a recent convention in St. Catherines, they were welcomed by many familiar faces.

"We could go to a meeting anywhere and we know everyone," Oatman said. "It's one big family. We have a common purpose and camaraderie. Nobody joins to have personal gains or for the thank-yous."

His extended Lions family, a district of 43 clubs and 1,350 members, recently offered him their vote of confidence for the position of Second Vice District Governor. Running the District, overseeing, and helping as part of the committee are all things Blair feels comfortable with now, but it wasn't always that way.

"We had the misconception that we didn't have time, but we came to one meeting and said yes," Oatman said. "You find the time. You can be involved as much as you want. I enjoy the district level, learning and meeting new people is a great experience. I've gained a lot of leadership skills like public speaking. Before this, I couldn't stand in front of a group of people and talk, but my motivation is different and this is my community."

Blair described how all the different clubs support one another. Attending meetings at other Lions clubs is a common way to share ideas and get new inspiration. He explained that every club does something different, and it's helpful to see how some things work and some things don't.

He describes the Tillsonburg Lions Club as fairly laid back. There is a code of ethics and guidelines that need to be followed, mandated by Lions International. "It's all about having fun, but we follow those bylaws," Oatman added.

Blair is also the Bingo Chair, noting that it was the first thing that he and Kelly attended and continue to enjoy. It’s been a staple weekly event in Tillsonburg for decades, and the attendance rivals some bingo halls, but it was another Lions Club project that really got its claws into Blair and Kelly.

They first visited Lions Camp Dorset in 2017 for the spring clean-up. The camp is entirely funded by the Lions and provides a unique experience for people who require dialysis and their families, complete with a staffed Medical Centre.

“There are 14 cabins as well as two rows of efficient units,” Oatman said. “In all the cabins are note pads in which patients that visit can write about their experiences at the camp. In reading these, you realize how much this camp means to the patients and their families. That’s what got both Kelly and I hooked. Since that time, I became our district chair representative for the camp from 2018 till 2025 and joined the board in 2022.”

Kelly and Blair would love to see their children and grandchildren become Lions members in the future, although they already lend a hand occasionally. They would also like to form a Leo club, for children ages 12 – 18. It would represent four generations involved with the Lions organization at the same time, an admirable goal that indicates family values.

"It's humbling, the history in this room," Oatman said, looking around the Lion's Den as members gathered for their meeting. "There's so much knowledge in this room that I look up to, and I often ask them questions. After 40 or 50 years, they've done it all. It's time for other people to step up."