Multiple District 308 Twinning Anniversary Celebrations, Penang.

Club twinning presents an opportunity to learn about another club and its culture. It also creates and fosters a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world, which is essentially the gist of the third objective of Lions Clubs International. The clubs can collaborate together on mutual mission statements and organize joint service programmes. In addition, the club members could visit each other, attend meetings, and stay in the homes of Lions from their twin club. After all, the Lions’ fraternity is one very, very big international family.

On 19^th February 1994, our District 308-B had twinned with our sister District 310-B in Thailand. The historic event was sealed at the B.P. Grand Hotel in Hatyai with great fanfare. It was witnessed by Thailand’s Minister of Justice and the Provincial Governor of Songkhla. The Malaysian contingent was very touched by the fabulous Thai hospitality.

On 16 June 1996, the three districts of Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia met and passed a resolution to form an Alliance. The first tripartite alliance was signed by the three DGs in Medan. The following year, I decided to explore the possibility of taking our sisterhood alliance a step further. My PDGs and cabinet officers were all in agreement to organize the second tripartite alliance in Penang. This sisterhood alliance would pave the way for further international understanding, good relationships, and cultural exchange.

DG 307A Mia E. Tobing witnessed the presentation

Prior to the Twinning Celebration Night, we had an International Fellowship Night.

The following evening, District 308B hosted a Grand Banquet at the Bukit Jambul Golf Club, Penang.

The alliance of the three countries was formalized on 14th June 1997 with the symbolic cutting of a cake by all the three district governors. It was a night we could all rejoice as cooperation and solidarity amongst Districts in neighbouring countries was definitely a boon for Lionism.

From 22^nd to 24^th May 1998, our Thai counterparts responded with a third Tripartite Alliance Anniversary Celebration in Hatyai. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.