About Lions of Manitoba
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Who We Are
Lions of Manitoba—officially known as Lions International District 5M13—is a community of dedicated volunteers serving towns and cities across western, southwestern, and northwestern Manitoba. From the Saskatchewan border to the U.S. border and north to Thompson, our district connects communities through a shared commitment to service.
Neighbours Helping Neighbours
At our core, we’re neighbours helping neighbours. Each local Lions club focuses on the needs of its own community—whether supporting vision and hearing programs, helping families in need, organizing youth activities, protecting the environment, responding to emergencies, or raising funds for important local services. Every project begins with a simple question: “How can we help right here at home?”
Part of a Larger Network
Being a Lion connects our district to something larger. Through Lions of Canada, we collaborate with clubs nationwide to strengthen programs, share resources, and support communities across the country. As part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest volunteer service organization, Manitoba Lions also contribute to global priorities such as vision care, diabetes awareness, childhood cancer support, hunger relief, and environmental protection.
A Shared Purpose
Together, Lions of Manitoba are part of a powerful network of people who believe in service, compassion, and community. Whether helping one family, one town, or supporting a global effort, we are united by the same purpose: to make life better for others.
How We Serve
Across Manitoba, Lions are hands-on community builders who step up wherever help is needed. Our work includes vision care, health programs, youth support, disaster relief, environmental initiatives, hunger programs, and community fundraising—always shaped by the needs of our towns and the passion of our volunteers.
Whether helping a neighbour down the street or contributing to global causes, Lions of Manitoba serve with kindness, purpose, and heart.
District Leadership Team
The District 5M13 Leadership Team is made up of volunteer Lions who support and guide clubs across the district. They help keep communication flowing, provide training and resources, and ensure clubs have what they need to serve their communities effectively.
The team also coordinates district initiatives, encourages collaboration between clubs, and helps develop new leaders. They represent District 5M13 within the wider Lions network across Canada and contribute to the global mission of Lions International.
2025- 2026 5M13 District Leadership Profiles:
Lion Kevin Stebeleski
District Governor
Oakburn & Area Lions Club
Kevin Stebeleski has been a proud Oakburn Lion since 2011, always ready to roll up his sleeves and support the people and places he cares about. He and his wife Crystal have been married since 1991, and together they’ve raised two wonderful kids—Kory, who lives in Swan River, and Shaylin, who lives in Souris with her husband Brendan and their son, Jayce, who keeps the whole family smiling.
Kevin and Crystal are second-generation owners of Happy Haven Charolais, carrying on a family ranching tradition that means a lot to them. Whether he’s working on the farm or serving in the community, Kevin believes in bringing out the best in others. His positive outlook, creative problem-solving, and genuine love of helping people have shaped his leadership and his long commitment to volunteer service.
Lion Lorna Hislop
1st Vice District Governor
Minnedosa Lions Club
Lorna Hislop joined the Minnedosa Lions Club in December 2013 and has been an enthusiastic, community-minded Lion ever since. Now retired, she pours her energy into helping others and strengthening the place she calls home.
When she’s not busy with Lions projects, Lorna loves spending time with her grandchildren, enjoying camping trips, tending to her garden, and settling in with her crocheting. Her mix of heart, dedication, and hands-on spirit shines through in everything she brings to District 5M13 as 1st Vice District Governor.
Lion Chris Heide
2nd Vice District Governor
Brandon Wheat City Lions Club
With more than 15 years of dedicated service, Chris Heide has become a steady and trusted leader within Lions District 5M13 and the Wheat City Lions Club. His commitment to community, collaboration, and hands-on service has shaped his long-standing involvement in Lions and in the wider Brandon community.
Chris currently serves as 2nd Vice District Governor, Zone 6 Chair, and Journey for Sight Club Liaison, where he plays a key role in organizing the annual Journey for Sight windup in Brandon. He is also the Bingo Chair for the Wheat City Lions, helping ensure this long-running community fundraiser continues to thrive.
Within his home club, Chris has held several leadership roles, including Wheat City Lions President and Club Secretary, contributing to strong membership engagement and successful service initiatives.
Beyond Lions, Chris has been active in a variety of Brandon organizations over the years, including Brandon First, Brandon Crime Stoppers, and other community-driven groups. His volunteer leadership reflects a deep belief in building stronger communities through partnership and service.
Professionally, Chris works with CAA Manitoba in Brandon, where he serves as Manager, bringing the same steady leadership and people-first approach to his workplace as he does to his volunteer commitments.
Chris continues to champion the values of Lions—service, integrity, and community impact—while supporting clubs and members across District 5M13.
Lion Art Brown
3rd Vice District Governor
Rapid City & Area Lions Club
Art Brown brings a lifetime of service and adventure to his role as 2nd Vice District Governor. A 39-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force and a dedicated Lion for three decades, Art is known for his steady leadership and love of the outdoors. He’s an avid touring cyclist who has taken on multi-week and even multi-month rides, including his longest journey across Australia in 2016.
When he’s not on his bike, you’ll often find him hiking, woodworking, or volunteering at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon. Art’s commitment to community continues to shape everything he does as a Lion.
Lion Julie Tutkaluk
Cabinet Secretary
Oakburn & Area Lions Club
I grew up on a farm a few miles from Oakburn, MB, where my play area had no boundaries. Following high school, my chosen career sent me to Winnipeg, where I became a Registered Nurse. After 30 years of caring for kids at the Children’s Hospital, my husband Rod & I came back home. I switched from pediatrics to geriatrics, and worked another 8 years in long term care.
We joined the Oakburn Lions Club in 2022, and I am currently in my second year as club secretary. I love being a member of a smallish size club, as it truly feels like being part of a family.
My hobbies include working with clay, glass, cement and metal. I describe myself as “an introvert who really likes people.” My dog, gardening, and a strong connection with nature keep me grounded.
PDG Bill McKitrick
Cabinet Treasurer
Crystal City Lions Club
Bill McKitrick has been a proud Lion since joining the Crystal City Lions Club back in 1968, and his commitment to service has only grown stronger over the decades. He’s a past District Governor (2005–2006), spent 13 years as District Treasurer, and continues to serve as Crystal City Lions Treasurer today.
Bill has also been a steady behind-the-scenes supporter of the Manitoba Lion Newspaper, helping gather club stories to keep members connected. Beyond Lions, Bill is deeply rooted in his community, having served on municipal council for more than 42 years. His dedication to helping others is simply part of who he is.
Our District Zones
Zone 1
Chair: Lion Terrance (Terry) McLennan, Flin Flon Lions Clubs
Clubs Represented: Flin Flon, Thompson
33 Lions
Zone 2
Chair: Lion Dwayne Holinaty, Swan River Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Bowsman & District, Ethelbert, Minitonas District, Swan River
86 Lions
Zone 3
Chair: Lion Charlene Gensorek, Rossburn Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Binscarth & District, Birtle, Russell & Area, Shoal Lake, Sandy Lake, Oakburn & Area, Strathclair, Rossburn, Elphinstone
172 Lions
Zone 4
Chair: Lion Art Brown, Rapid City & Area Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Dauphin, Erickson, Minnedosa, Rapid City & Area, Plumas, Gilbert Plains & District,
102 Lions
Zone 5
Chair: Lion Brian McVicar, Brandon Wheat City Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Virden, Oak Lake, Rivers, Hamiota, Kenton, Brandon Lions
127 Lions
Zone 6
Chair: Lion Chris Heide, Brandon Wheat City Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Pipestone, Sinclair & Area, Waskada, Brandon Wheat City Lions, Boissevain, Wawanesa
111 Lions
Zone 7
Chair: Lion Cheryl Martin, Portage la Prairie Lions Club
Clubs Represented: Austin & Area, MacGregor, Portage la Prairie, Stonewall & District, Teulon & Area
64 Lions
Zone 8
Chair: Vacant
Clubs represented: Crystal City, Holland & Area, Somerset & Area, Swan Lake & Area, Swan Lake Leos, Morden Roaring Lions, Roaring Morden Leo’s
79 Lions, 13 Leos