International Director(s) , Past International Directors, New England Council Chair, Council Secretary, District Governors, Past District Governors, Lions and guests.
In the six weeks since our last meeting here in Boxborough I have started a round of club, Zone, Council, Foundation and Cabinetmeetings that have me out and on the go most every night of the week.
USA/Canada:
Vice District Governor Linda Maggs and I along with District Governors, VDG’s and other from MD23 and the New England Council attended the 35th annual USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Anchorage, Alaska on September 22-24 .The program with more than sixty workshops and four outstanding luncheon and dinner speakers was attended by more than 2700 Lions. The programs covered a broad range of topics from developing websites and facebook pages to building youth community and fundraising.As a bonus LCI President Tam recruited and installed two of the motivational speakers as Lions at the event.
Cabinet Meeting:
We held our second Cabinet meeting on October 3rd. Try as I may I could not duplicate the dramatic and thunderous opening of our 1st meeting.I did however, show the music video “Rockin’ the Vest”as an intro to the concept of promoting club service activities through the various forms of media including the use of websites, Facebook, Twitter, and local newsletters.
Club and ZoneVisits:
Club and Zone visits started in earnest in September and have picked up in October. I’m enjoying the occasions and meeting some terrific and dedicated Lions.A few Clubs in our District are having problems with membership, attendance and community services.To deal with their problems the 23A Vice District Governors have started a task force to meet with them and identify their particular needs.Because we are short on available Certified Guiding Lions I have contacted Past District Governors and asked them to volunteer as mentors for those clubs.
District Membership:
As reported to date 23A posted a net membership loss of 16.Although I am expecting a 20 member Club going “status quo” in this month, several Clubs in the District have started new member champagnes.We should be seeing the fruits of those efforts starting this month.
Vision Screenings and Health Fair events:
There have been several vision screenings to date with more planned throughout the district from October through December; some in conjunction with local health and wellness events.We were happy to participate in the Multiple District NBC Health Fair in early October and were pleased with the number of referrals of those interested in becoming Lions that came from the event.The Clubs are following up and will be report the results.
Leos Clubs:
I’m pleased to announce that there are four new Leos Clubs being developed in the District that will be chartered in next two months, with a couple more being explored.
Reception:
This past weekend aDistrict 23A reception for ID Carolyn Messier and partner Norm was hosted by the Meriden Lions Club.It was a nice affair in a beautiful 19th Century setting.
Council Chairman Sia, my brother governors, CST Julie, ID Carolyn, fellow Lions:
Today is another great day to be a Lion.The days and weeks are going by at an alarmingly rapid pace.The health of District 23C is good, bordering on excellent.Clubs are meeting and conducting service projects and fundraisers; cabinet chairpersons are promoting the charities and projects assigned to them; and the zone, region and vice district governors are working diligently to ensure that all are successful.I have started club visitations and have been met with a great deal of enthusiasm.Our membership this year started at 1944 members and as of today we are down 35.Compared to last year at this time our membership is a plus 35 so I am optimistic that our by the end of this Lions year, we will end up with a plus in membership.I have heard from at least three clubs that have asked me to conduct new member inductions when I visit them.
Since my last report, our district has participated in many activities, most notably the Stand Down at the Veterans Home in Rocky Hill, GMT/GLT training at the New England Lions Council, the Connecticut Health & Wellness Festival in Hartford, and the USA/Canada forum in Anchorage..
This last weekend was an amazing weekend.Our district hosted an “Amazing Race” Rally on Saturday that was modeled after the “Amazing Race” television show.While our Lions were energized by speakers representing our District’s Lion Quest program, Guiding Eyes For The Blind guide dog project, Scouting endeavor, Hearing Aid Recycling program and our Tree Planting campaign, our Leos were knocking on doors in their own communities collecting eyeglasses, hearing aids, cell phones, non-perishable food, canes, pet food, and potting soil.They also had a few other activities to perform.To honor White Cane Safety Day which is remembered every October 15th, residents that donated received a white cane pin with an information card explaining the significance of the day.The Leos then met up with the Lions at our rally where they participated in a few additional challenges, and raced across the finish line where they were enthusiastically greeted, received awards, and fellowshipped with us.
On Sunday, the Tri-Town Leo Club was charted with 23 new Leos.The Leos were inducted, officers installed and a tremendous time was had by the 70 or so attendees that made this event a great success.
There is already 3 ½ months gone by this Lions year.There is much work to be done and the Lions of District 23C are daily changing lives, one person at a time.
Since the last meeting of the New England Lions Council on September 10, 2011, the members, clubs and committees of District 33K have been very active.
The clubs have eagerly begun their fall activities and have embraced the district and international programs.This has included a number of new projects and joint-club activities.
The district convened at the First Advisory Meeting with tremendous participation from every club in the district and overwhelming attendance on September 12, 2011.Several clubs were recognized for their past performance with best club awards. Two members were presented life membership recognitions.There was a special presentation of the stories from Massachusetts Lions Eye Research to highlight the benefits of our support and how lives are changed.
The district GMT has created membership resources and begun presenting them to the clubs through visitations, meeting presentations and other outreach.The team has also initiated a plan for developing the rebuilding Lions available to assist club success.The GMT has also begun a process for encouraging the club excellence on a broad basis throughout the district.There have been a number of membership and orientation events planned.
The district GLT developed and hosted a club officer roundtable session to support officer training and introduce prospective officers to the development process on September 17, 2011.In conjunction with the GMT, the GLT is working on a rebuilding Lion program to be delivered soon.
The district governor and cabinet secretary-treasurer have continued visitations to the clubs and members of 33K.These visits have been both formal visitations to club meetings and supplemental visits to club events.
The district governor represented the district at the USA/Canada Forum in Anchorage, Alaska.
Membership has assumed a positive trend and is expected to continue under the support of the GMT, GLT and Governor’s Team in conjunction with the club officers.
NELC MeetingOctober 23, 2011 District Governor Report
Good Afternoon ID Carolyn, PIDs, PDG’s fellow Governors, Lions and guests.
I am glad to be here today and personally tell you about the status of District 41.I apologize for missing the last meeting but we were in Alaska at the US/Canada Forum having a great time.Alaska was awesome!I can’t say that I missed you because it was a wonderful time all the way around.I did introduce the Lobster wave to members on the cruise ship, on the trains and at the forum.Maine will be long remembered in Alaska.
Our first Cabinet conference was held on Oct 2nd at the Massabesic Lions clubhouse.Due to the demographics of our state we try to move the meetings around the state.Next meeting will be Dec. 3nd in the Northern area, Bangor, Maine.I was pleased with the turn out for this conferenceas we had 8 First timers and a representative from close to 50% of our clubs in attendance.
As to our state of the district for month end in October, wecurrently have 83 clubs. We may have to surrender the Lewiston / Auburn Club’s charter .We are currently reviewing this to see if it is probable to keep this club but it doesn’t look favorable. On a brighter note we are reviving a club that had lost several members and was about to surrender their charter.With the help and efforts of devoted lions the Waterville club should survive.They are making great progress.I look forward to announcing more of their successes soon.
We are down 5 members so far this year unfortunatly.We have had several deaths this month and we are sad to announce the passing of 2 PDG’s...Linda Buckinger and Thomas Bakker both passed in the same week 2 weeks ago.They will certainly missed.
We are proud to announce the approval of the membership grant from LCI.We will be using this grant to help start 2 new clubs in the Northern areathat are part of our projected growth plans. The first club to be chartered by the end of the calendar year and second to be chartered before end ofthe fiscal year.
We are also looking for 2 new Leo Clubs this year.Camden and Presque Isle have shown interest .This would give us enough clubs to form a LEO District.You know this makes LEO Chair Marge very happy!.
There are so many service projects and fundraisers planned for the fall months; it is hard to keep up with them all. The VDGs and myself are starting are visitations and trying to attend functions as well to show our support.I am very proud of all the clubs for serving their communities and spreading the Lions name.We are trulyRockin the Vest!
Oakland Club will be celebrating their 65 Anniversary this week and I will be there to induct4 new members which shows they are still going strong.
Our GMT / GLT coordinators have been working and developing their plans.Our District is supporting the new concept.
We will be holding our 2nd teleconference call on Nov. 6th with all the District Officers, GMT, GLT, Regions and Zones chairs.Again due to the demographics we found that teleconferencing is the best way to accomplish a lot without a lot of drive time .
This year we are continuing our effort to put hands on service at the forefront of all that we do.Service is the bedrock on which our clubs will thrive or perish.I am very happy to say that this perception is not just my own but is becoming more apparent as I visit clubs.More and more clubs are doing hands-on projects that directly serve their community, rather than just being third party funders.From filling backpacks with food for weekend consumption for disadvantaged students to building wheelchair ramps, doing clothing and food drives, cleaning up cemeteries and streets and doing eye screenings our members are doing active good in their communities and becoming more visible in the process.
With this visibility comes the drive to become better clubs.This is apparent in the way clubs have embraced the CEP initiative and in the support that we are seeing between clubs.Some of our newer clubs are hitting the sophomore slump, however, and need some extra attention.Our newest club, Central Falls, celebrated its Charter Night on October 14th with representatives from many other clubs in attendance.We have lost members in the past month but I have been honored to induct members at my club visitations.On October 18th I was privileged to celebrate the 74th anniversary, in Lionism, of Joe Celona, a member of the North Providence Lions club.Joe is a sprightly 103, who continues to attend monthly meetings and functions of his club,and we are in the process of determining whether he is the oldest active Lion world -wide.
Public Relations efforts continue to expand.The Newport club was featured in the September issue of the Lion magazine in an article on family involvement in Lions.Both Lions and cubs were interviewed as well as the club president.Other clubs have gotten good press in local papers and more are reaching out to local news outlets.Some of the more unusual promotionsinclude having a Division Marshall in the Annual Woonsocket Autumnfest Parade (seen by tens of thousands), a disbursement breakfast that brings recipients of aid and club members together to meet and learn from each other,and a roadside sign on a main thoroughfare in Johnston celebrating the Lions achievements.
Tree planting continues and some clubs are partnering with schools and city or town governments to beautify or expand existing programs.Others are planting trees in their own back yards.On the district level we continue working with the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences and the Rhode Island Tree Coalition.
This past week our VIP fishing tournament team traveled to North Carolina to once again attend the annual VIP Tournament.Under the able guidance of VIP veteran organizer Ken Barthelemy the team had a wonderful time and made memories to last a lifetime.Although we have to pass on the New England trophy this year, we are very aware of the true value of this event in terms of camaraderie, good fellowship and personal esteem.
Club visitations continue weekly and we will hold our second Advisory meeting on November 14.At our State Night event we will be celebratingnon-Lionswho have the “Heart of a Lion” – those individuals who, through volunteerism or monetary aid, have been special benefactors to Lionism.Each club will choose one individual to honor and there will be a district award based on the nominating information from the clubs.In addition to celebrating these individuals we hope to encourage them and their families to become members of their nominating club.
In all, it is proving to be a busy Autumn.The individuals who comprise District 42 continue to work hard, encourage each other and serve their communities, their district and their world.I am honored to be counted among them.
New England Lions Council - October 22, 2011 - DISTRICT REPORT
Tropical Storm Irene: Upon receiving a $10,000 grant from LCIF, I set up an emergency relief team. The team included CST Celeste Ricupero, 1st VDG Wayne Auger, PDG Stanley Brothers, two members from the Wolfeboro Lions, 2 members of the Whittier Lions and me. On Sept 17 a distribution center was set up by the team at the Conway Village Fire Station from 10AM to 2PM to offer assistance to residents of Carroll and Stratford Counties who suffered the effects of Tropical Storm Irene. The event was publicized in the Conway Sun and other area newspapers. Following the guidelines of LCIF we distributed cases of bottle water, cleaning supplies and blankets, with the Lions Logo on them. We also distributed gifts cards for food and clothing from Shaw's and Hannaford supermarkets and Walmart. We continued the event the following and the entire grant was given out. In addition, the Whittier Lions Club donated $5,000 and the Hudson Lions club donated $1,000 to continue to assist. It was a great team effort.
On September 24, our district held a secretary's class at Delta Dental in Concord, NH. The course included instruction on the new MMR website, essential paperwork, who receives which reports and when, deadlines, PU101 filing, and more. 25 Lions from the Multiple District attended.
Our Multiple District through Lions Youth Services will partner once again with "Warmth from the Millyard" which is a collaborative initiative coordinated by UNH and UNH Manchester Student Leadership program. The mission of Warmth from the Millyard project is to mobilize NH communities in clothing drives and other projects to demonstrate our collective power to address the needs of our neighbors with warm winter clothing. Items collected are new hats, mittens, scarves and socks. Blankets jackets, ski pants may be used but must be clean.
This year we have challenged the districts to exceed last year's total of 7, 536 items collected.
Page 2/ NH District 44-H - Sept 10 - report
On Sunday Oct 16, 23 and 30 the Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation will be holding a kid friendly, lights on haunted house at Spooky World in Litchfield, NH from noon to 4:00PM. Chairman for this event is 1st VDG Wayne Auger. Lions from both districts have volunteered to work at this event and proceeds will benefit the Sight & Hearing Foundation.
Peace Poster information has been distributed to the schools and information on the environmental photo contest.
Our 2nd VDG Jim Robinson has been accepted and will attend the Senior Lions Leadership Institute in Oak Brook, Illinois on November 17-20, 2011.
IPDG Bill Brown who is the GLM has succeeded in forming a new club in Pittsfield, NH and will be called the Suncook Valley Lions Club. Currently 20 members have been inducted and are working within their community.The paperwork has been sent to International and a charter night is being planned.
The city of Nashua observed the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony at the Crown Hill Fire Station. In keeping with IP Tam's request to plant trees during his year, the Nashua Lions Club planted the first of six trees as part of the city's ceremony. The club plans to plant trees at each of the 4 fire stations and one at the Nashua Police Department. The Litchfield Lions have planted 3 trees and both of these events were publicized in our local newspapers. The reports of plans from other clubs in the district are being presented.
The next cabinet meeting will be held on November 13 at the Moultonboro Lion's club.
Our mid-winter multiple district convention will be held January 27, 28, 29, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. Our guest will be ID Douglas Alexander from Brooklyn, NY.
"I Believe" our Lions membership will grow in 2012. On that note I extend my wishes to everyone for a healthy, happy and productive new year.
ID Carolyn, IPID Ron, PID’s Doug & Ed, President Bill, NELC Board, fellow District Governors and Lions.
Lions Julie and I have been very busy with our travels around Vermont and with representing Vermont at Lions both Regional and International functions. We were 2 of 14 members of the Vermont delegation that made their way to the great State of Alaska for the USA/Canada Lion Forum. While there we met many friends and enjoyed a great time with them. I would also like to thank PDG Duke and his committee for a wonderful breakfast meeting where we got to hear candidate for 2nd International Vice President Joe Preston. Upon returning we attended the homecoming for IPID Ron at Camp Sunshine with a delegation of 12 members. Again enjoying the day with our NELC Friends and family at such a lovely place.
Since my last report D45 has been very busy with recuperating from Tropical Storm Irene. We have had several of our clubs lose property to Irene or have damage to their local parks and beaches. Several clubs have offered help either financially or with labor and we are making a successful approach to make dreams come true. With the LCIF Grant we have brought food, clothing and warm meals. In the Whitingham-Halifax are we have helped 50 people replace clothing. In the Heartland Lions area we are helping 90 people obtain food. In the Barre Lions area we helped 55 people with food boxes and in several other area we are help about 20 people with food and clothing. On Oct 16th the Lions of Essex Jct., Georgia, Heartland and Strafford along with CST Ken and myself cooked food for the Victims and volunteers of Irene in South Royalton and served well over 200 people. The one thing that we have learned from this is that Vermonters are a proud group and really didn’t want to take the assistance.
I have to date made 23 visitations out of 40 clubs and visited 3 of the 4 Leo’s clubs. I have inducted 4 new Lions members and 5 Leo’s members since the last NELC meeting. I have 17 more to do and they have all been scheduled throughoutthe next few months. Our membership has stayed stable and we are at a -6 for the year. For the most part we have been able to bring in new members as we lose others. I must also report that we will be dropping one club which is South Burlington at the beginning of Nov. We have spent 1 ½ years trying to rebuild this club only to be unsuccessful. We have found that the need of the community is being taking care of by the churches and other organizations. But we didn’t lose any members at the remaining 3 members have transferred to other clubs.
I also want to report that D45 has exceeded our pledge of 100 trees to International President Tam. So far we have planted 122 trees as of the September M&A reports. Our Fall Conference will be taking place next Saturday Oct 29th at the Capital Plaza in Montpelier where we will be holding a Halloween party at our Supper meal.
