The man behind the new president

POLOKWANE – About 11 years ago, a young man named Paul Venter was introduced to The Lions Club Pietersburg and now he is the president of this club.

“I was introduced to the club by an old friend, David Nunes. He invited me to a meeting and said I could make a difference. When I first attended a meeting and saw what I can achieve and saw the smiles on the children’s faces, I was hooked. I see they need help and I help where I can,” says Paul.

Paul is a family man; husband to Dalize and father of two little ones. He says one of the most important things he learned in his time with the Lions was to stay humble and thankful as everything you have can be taken away from you.

“The best thing about the Lions is that you can do something without recognition. You do stuff that no one knows about. You know you helped someone without being recognised for it. There are bad parts as well. I do not like hardships and do not want to see it. I do not like to get emotionally involved with the cases.”

Paul says the project that he enjoys the most is the bikers day at Martha Hofmeyr Old Age Home where they get to visit with the elderly and have fun with them. He says he would like to erect something that his children can look at and say my parents did this.

“As I said in my induction speech, I do not plan new projects, but I do plan to get more members. I want to double the membership. With more members comes more ideas.”

According to Paul, the two most important characteristics a member of the Lions Club should have is empathy and patience. He or she should also be able willing to do things without compensation.

Paul works as a financial adviser and loves sport. He participated in the Iron man, Comrades Marathon and 5150 triathlon and loves to spend time with his family.

Lions Club of Pietersburg offers a warm welcome to their new club president, Paul Venter