Monteceneri Lions Club: Responsibility First
What are the most important values and skills today for preparing those called to serve the community?
The training of an officer is not limited to the acquisition of technical and legal skills. Today, it is essential to prepare women and men capable of performing their roles with integrity, poise, and a spirit of service. We live in an increasingly complex society, in which police officers are required not only to enforce the law, but also to communicate, mediate, understand, and support people in times of difficulty. For this reason, alongside professional training, communication skills, conflict management, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are increasingly important. Our goal is to train competent professionals, but above all, reliable people, aware of the responsibility that comes with wearing a uniform and representing institutions. Citizens' trust is earned every day through competence, respect, and example.
Looking back on your career, what experiences have most influenced your path and what lessons still guide your work as a trainer today?
The experiences that have most impacted me have been those on the ground, in direct contact with the population, in times of difficulty, emergency, and sometimes suffering. These situations quickly teach you the importance of making decisions, taking responsibility, and maintaining a clear head even under pressure. Over the course of my career, I've been fortunate enough to hold very different positions, and each has taught me valuable lessons. I've learned that leadership requires adaptability: in ordinary management, it's important to listen, engage, and leverage people's skills; in urgent or dangerous situations, however, you need to be able to make quick decisions and establish a clear direction.
This principle still guides my work as a trainer today. Training means imparting knowledge, but also supporting professional and personal growth. I also believe that we never stop learning: curiosity, humility, and a willingness to question ourselves are essential qualities for anyone who wants to continue growing.
You've been active in the Monteceneri Lions Club for years. What does Lions service mean to you, and what led you to become president?
For me, the Lions Club represents a concrete opportunity to offer my experience, skills, and time to the community, alongside people who share the values of service, friendship, and solidarity. Over the years, I have found in the Lions not only a stimulating environment, but also a group of people from very different professional backgrounds, united by the desire to contribute to the common good. This diversity of experiences is a great asset and allows us to address local challenges with diverse yet complementary perspectives.
I accepted the presidency with gratitude and a sense of responsibility. It's a position I consider, first and foremost, a service to the Club and its members, to whom I wish to give back what I have received in terms of friendship, personal growth, and opportunities for commitment to the community.
Your appointment as President is a testament to your esteem and trust. What spirit do you bring to this role, and what direction do you hope to take during your mandate?
I approach this role with enthusiasm, humility, and great respect for the work accomplished by those who preceded me. I firmly believe in the power of teamwork and the ability to leverage the skills of each member.
The motto that will accompany my year as president is: "Ticino that unites. Our land, our commitment." A phrase that sums up my vision well. We live in a canton rich in expertise, associations, institutions, and committed people. I would like to help create opportunities for encounter, dialogue, and collaboration, fostering what unites rather than divides. I also want to promote a Lions Club capable of strengthening its role in the community, without ever losing sight of the values of friendship, service, and solidarity that are its essence.
What will be your priorities for your year as president, and what would you like to leave the Monteceneri Lions Club with at the end of this experience?
Our priorities will be to strengthen the sense of belonging and active participation of our members, further strengthening the bonds of friendship that are one of our Club's defining characteristics. A recent internal survey clearly revealed a desire to further enhance social gatherings and opportunities for members to meet, a recommendation I intend to consider carefully.
We will, of course, continue to offer conferences and in-depth discussions on current issues, which have always been a hallmark of the Monteceneri Lions Club, but without losing sight of the importance of the membership and the human relationships that form the foundation of our commitment. At the end of my term, I don't aim to leave a personal mark, but rather to strengthen a collective journey. If we have contributed to making the Club even more united, participatory, and aligned with its values, giving substance to the principle "Ticino that unites. Our land, our commitment ," I will consider my goal achieved.
