Hugh J. Donagher, III

My name is Hugh J. Donagher, III. I’m a California Yankee, originally from Windsor Locks, Connecticut, but now living in Mountain View, California, after a long sojourn in San Diego.

As a small-town New England native, I grew up in a very participatory society. Small New England towns like Windsor Locks (pop ~12,000) often operate under a Town Meeting form of government. Watching both of my parents participate in various roles in the town’s governance, I grew up understanding that “government” is not an abstract concept, but the result of the input, participation and hard work of the residents of the community. As a result, I have been a very active and engaged citizen for all of my life. I believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to be involved, to do their share, and especially to vote. With great liberties such as we have in the US, comes the responsibility of participation.

Beyond civic engagement lies community service: giving back to the community from which we derive so much. This I learned most acutely during my advancement through youth leadership roles in Scouting. I earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1982, and went on to adult leaderhip at the troop and district levels, in order to serve those who came after me.

This ideal of service has also led me to follow my father’s footsteps into the Lions Club. I joined the Lions in 1986, and have served both local and district level organizations and projects. I am the Charter President of the Silicon Valley Lions Club in Mountain View. Both of my parents are members of the Windsor Locks Lions Club and both are recipients of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, a distinction awarded to acknowledge outstanding contributions to Lionism.

I find community service to be the antidote to the evening news. Broadcast and print news outlets sell their products by focusing on the problems and troubles of the world. Working on service projects in your community lets you see all the good that is being done, too.