John E. Rabideau, of Churchville, was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of The International Association of Lions Clubs at the association's 85th International Convention, held in Osaka, Japan, July 8-12. As a member of the Lions Clubs International Board, Rabideau will help govern the world's largest service club organization with approximately 1.4 million members in 189 countries and geographical areas. Worldwide, Lions aid the blind and visually impaired, sponsor the world's largest drug abuse prevention curriculum and support diabetes education and research. Rabideau will help oversee the Lions' SightFirst program, a US $143.5 million effort to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness. This unprecedented initiative joins Lions volunteers, leading blindness prevention experts and blindness organizations in an effort to establish long-term solutions to eye health care problems through training eye care professionals, treatment and public education. A member of the Churchville Lions Club since 1974, Rabideau has held many offices within the association, including club bulletin editor, club president, zone chairman, region chairman, district governor and council chairman. He also served on the multiple district Policy Manual Committee, the Long-Range Planning Committee as chairman, the Nomination Committee and the Election Committee. In addition, he has served as chairman of the Finance Committee, president of the NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation and in different capacities at training seminars and Lions Leadership forums. In recognition of his service to the association, Rabideau has received numerous awards, including the 100% Club Secretary Award, the 100% Club President Award, the Club Career Lion Award, the Club Lion of the Year Award, the Past District Governor Organization Leadership Award, the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, the 100% District Governor Award, the International Extension Award, the International Membership Key Award, three International President's Certificates of Appreciation, the International President's Leadership Award and three International President's Awards. He is also a life member of the Churchville Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his Lion activities, Rabideau is active in numerous professional and community organizations. He is a member of the New York State Independent Insurance Agents Association and a member, director and past president of the Churchville Chamber of Commerce. In the past, Rabideau served as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Planned Giving Committee and as a chairman of the Churchville-Chili Central School District Redistricting Committee. Rabideau and his wife, Bernadette, also a Lion, have a daughter who is a Lion, a son and two granddaughters. |
