Lions MD5 North-Dakota-DG's5

State of North Dakota

Welcome to the District Governors in MD5 from North Dakota. North Dakota has 111 clubs with 3154 members. 7 Leo Clubs and 1 Lioness Club.

District Governor 5NC 2009 - 2010

District Governor James Ruff

Lion James Ruff was born in Lehr, ND. He attended country school and Lehr Public School. He helped his father farm and also did off farm work. As a Sales Representative for a major seed company he attended numerous seminars with Dale Carnegie on how to become more motivated and later attended various classes on sales and marketing.

On June 5, 1960 James married Kathleen Boschee. They resided on the family farm. She joined the Lehr Lions Club immediately when it was opened to women in 1988. Three daughters were born to this union. They farmed together and James did heating and air conditioning to supplement the income.

In August of 1974 a tornado went through the farm and destroyed nine buildings. Fortunately the home was left untouched.

On January 13, 1996 Lion Kathleen passed away after a bout with cancer. James discontinued farming, renting out the land, but continued residing on the farm. He went full time doing service work in the heating and air conditioning profession.

James was involved in getting the Dakota Heartland Champion Community established in 2002 with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was elected president and still holds that office after seven years. The DHCC consists of seven surrounding towns: Ashley, Edgeley, Kulm, Lehr, Napoleon, Wishek, and Zeeland, North Dakota. These communities are all involved in economic development.

He is also a board member of the Logan County Job Development Authority (JDA). James also previously served on other boards.

James joined the Lehr Lions Club in 1978 four years after its charter. He has served as club secretary and president for numerous years. He has sponsored 25 new members in his club. He has also served his District 5NC as zone chairman, region chairman and cabinet secretary and treasurer. In the summer of 2008 he attended the Great Plains Lions Leadership Institut. In the fall of 2008 James also attended the USA Canada Forum. He was instrumental in organizing an extension workshop which resulted in the starting of two new North Dakota clubs. On February 28, 2009 his club celebrated its 35th anniversary. James was Master of Ceremonies for the event. 13 Lions club representatives from District 5 NC attended the event and a good time was had by all.

Late one wintry evening in January of 2003, James received a call from a 'damsel in distress' that her furnace was not working. Eleven months later that damsel named Donna became the bride of her "furnace man". To this day 'he has been able to keep her warm in the winter and cool in the summer.' After coming home from their honeymoon, Donna was invited by James to her first Lions meeting in January of 2004. That evening she became the Lehr Lions clubs newest member.

James's philosophy in life is to use his strengths & personal experience acquired from 30 years of serving in different Lions leadership roles. His goal is to be an example to other Lions so that they have the desire to be motivated because of his enthusiasm for volunteerism. (Lionism).

He has enjoyed the past year of training and getting acquainted with his 8 other fellow DGE's from Multiple District 5. He 'thanks' his mentors: PID Bruce Schwartz and PDG's Brach and Marion Johnson for encouraging him to take the position.

He is looking forward to this new challenge and will work in promoting the new motto : MOVE TO GROW as he will strive to continue to increase membership in the large and small cities of North Dakota.

District Governor 5NE 2009 - 2010

District Governor Wayne Westlund

I was born in Greenbush, MN on Aug. 9, 1936, the oldest of four sons born to Victor and Florence Westlund. I was raised on a farm and graduated from Greenbush High School in 1954. I served on active duty with the United States Navy from 1954 until 1957. After separating from the Navy I enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND from which I received my undergraduate degree from the College of Business and Public Administration in 1961 and my law degree from the Law School in 1964. I served as civilian legal counsel with the Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Air Force for over 31 years. I retired in October 1997. From 1998 until 2003 I delivered new buses which were built in Pembina, ND and Crookston, MN all over the United States and Canada. For the past four years I have been employed by Grand Forks County as the County Public Administrator.

I have been married to my wife Dorothy since June 1, 1963. We have been blessed with four children. David of Carrollton, TX. Brian of Grand Forks, ND. Kevin of Houston, TX and Kari of Bemidji, MN. We have four granddaughters, two grandsons and two step-grand sons. Much of my non-working hours were spent umpiring softball and baseball at both the amateur and college levels. I have been a scoreboard operator for the UND football team for twenty three years. I am currently the timer for both UND football and mens basketball. I also enjoy golfing.

I have been a Lion since 1998 and have served as director, vice president, president and zone chairman. I have been selected as Lion of the Year in 2004-2005 and 2007-2008. I have been fortunate enough to have attended the USA/Canada Form in Columbus, OH in 2006 and the 2008 one in Saskatoon. I also attended the recent Great Plains Lions Leadership Institute in Leavenworth,KS.

District Governor 5NW 2009 - 2010

District Governor Kevin Vannet

Lion Kevin Vannett is a Charter Lions member and currently a member of the Mandan Dacotah Lions Club. Kevin and his spouse, Lion Pat, have a joint family of 5 children. One son is currently serving as Vice President of his Leo club.

Kevin has served in Lion’s for 22 years. During that time he has served in all club officer positions and has chaired many club activities. While serving as District 5NW Membership Chair, he brought the district out of transition. Kevin served on the Lions Eye Bank where he helped with the negotiations with Tissue Banks International. Kevin also served as President of the old Lions Foundation and served as President of the new foundation bringing it forward to what it is today. Kevin and Lion Pat have been very involved with the youth exchange in hosting several foreign students and serving as camp counselors at the MD5 camp in Medora in 2008.

Kevin served as District Governor of 5NW in 2000-2001. During his year as District Governor, Kevin spearheaded the building of a Habitat for Humanity house with an LCIF grant and matching funds from the Lions Clubs of the State of North Dakota. In 2002 as IPDG, Kevin started the 5NW Spring Rally which recently held its eighth successful rally.

In his extra time, Kevin was elected to and served as MD5 Extension Chair for four years. In recognition of this lions service Lion Kevin is a Melvin Jones Fellow, has received several presidential certificates of appreciation and a leadership certificate for serving on the MD5 Merl Team. Several International Presidents have honored Kevin with their personal banner in recognition of his service to Lions.

In addition to his Lions activities, Kevin has served on the ambulance squad, been a firefighter, served on the local economic development board and job authority, as well as with the Make A Wish Foundation, granting the wishes of children.