She Serves with PASSION!

A petite lady with a big heart.. that's what she is proudly known as amongst most Lions and Leos in our District! Lion Shirley Koh, has Lionistic hours that date back 37 years ago when she joined the Leo Club in her school. Even in her daily professional working life, she works for the largest NGO in Malaysia, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of Malaysia. as the Fundraising Director. Her duties are to raise funds amounting to no less than RM5 million a year for the needy to continue leaving. 

Happily married to Lion David, Lion Shirley Koh is a highly reputable Lions member as she has received numerous awards and pins (picture on the right) that included three time International President Certificate; Top awards for her roles as Region Chairman, District Chairperson for a few portfolios and not forgetting a Top President too! Lion Shirley has attended 15 OSEAL Forums, 3 International Conventions, 22 Multiple District 308 Conventions and safely say, all Leo Forums to date! She has also been a District Trainer since 1998 for Multiple District 308. B2 Passion Online Blog managed to get hold of her amidst her busy and hectic schedule for an exclusive interview.

How long have you been with NKF?

Since 1998 -  12 years and 5 months!

What kept you going all these years?

I believe its the passion to serve. Sicne 1973, the Leo Club and then the Lions Club later... I knew I was part of the world's largest Service Organization! This made me realize that many people need help and if we can make a difference in our lives by providing the service to make the community a better place to live in.. why not?

What is the most satisfying thing that you have achieved throughout that 12 years?

This is when we are able to achieve the collection of funds on a yearly basis! In NKF, we need no less than RM 5 million per year to maintain our operations. This will help us help those in need. Achieving our target means we get to give hope to the kidney patients.

As a member of the Lions Club, would you find it a conflict of interest when it comes to fundraising for other NGOs by your Lions Club, as well as your work, of which both are also charity based.

I don't find this an issue at all. Lions Clubs are service clubs which are meant to help the needy ones, and NKF does the same thing. In my Lions Club, we also organize projects for other purposes and at the same time, contribute in terms of financial and support to NKF too. There is no conflict of interest as long as we are professional in dealing with both parties. 

What is your formula in making all these happen? i.e. Work, Lions, Training.. etc etc

I believe you have to have the passion for this. Not forgetting also time management! If you believe you can, YOU CAN! We need to care in order to share and we need to share in order to care! This was the theme that I adopted when I was the President of my Lions Club in 1994/1995.

As a District Trainer, what are the common challenges you face?

The typical late confirmation by participants and the last minute requests!

As an experienced Lions Club member, what do you think are the Top 5 most challenging tasks of any District Governor when it comes to the management of the Cabinet.

I would have to say its getting the right and knowledgeable person for the right job to begin with! Next would be the chaing of the MMR reports and dues! The third would be to urge the support of Lions for District Projects or conventions. In addition to that, let's not forget that it is important to make the Cabinet Officers understand their role properly and to ensure the attendance of the Cabinet Officers at retreats or training schools as some or most might not turn up, just like this year. Lastly, I would say it is a challenging task to conduct effective membership growth and install a good retention programme!