MD1 Lions of Illinois State Monthly January 2017 e-Magazine

The Illinois Lion, Lioness, Leo MD1 e-Magazine (Lite) Vol. 4 - Issue 7, Januart 2017

Honoring a Veteran During Christmas

&

Remembering His Service!

Bringing 9 New Members To Serve Community

From MD1 Council Chair: Lions of Illinois, When this is read we will have officially entered the Winter season as well as passed the shortest daylight time of the year with minutes of daylight being added to each and every day!

So as we have ended the Holiday Season and embark on a New Year, attempt to hibernate a little with the coming cold weather, let’s not forget that we can still make plans for the coming Spring!!

“It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away. The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.” Ray Bradbury Lets plan on finishing our Lions year (we do have half our year left) with a bit “Hurrah” and a “job well done” for all we have done in our communities!! As we work on the finishing touches of our never ending fundraisers and community projects, let’s see if we cannot think of a new project or two that will show our “change” on the world we live in for our lifetimes.

new members that our clubs can carry on and create that true legacy of being. Let’s create that legacy of membership!

Thank you for your time! Thank you for your Service! Thank you for being an Illinois Lion! And remember “1917-It All Started Here,” in Illinois.

Best Regards, Lion Mark Williams Lions of Illinois “With You in Service” md1lionsmark@gmail.com

Editorial: 2017 BELONGS TO LIONS! We are starting a New Year – 2017.

For us Lions, this year will be a memorable one! Hundred years ago a 38 years old businessman expanded his views to fulfill his vision as a great visionary and spread all over the world his mission as a powerful missionary.

Today he will be looking down from heaven and smiling by himself to see the growth of Lionism throughout the world, spreading in more than 200 countries and reaching 1,402,754 members as of December 27, 2016 and growing. Our service activities in the world are greater than any service organization in the world!

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Shannon L. Alder This is true, so while we rest this winter, lets consider our friends and relations, consider even people we know only a little, those who have the potential of being our friends, lets ask someone to become a new member to our club! By this means we can leave behind a new LION, a person we invited to join our Lions Club who CAN pass along stories not only what WE and our Club have done, but what THEY have done with us! It is through 2

2017 will be Lions Centennial Year to celebrate our glorious past and the brightest future. It all started here in Chicago and this place will be watched by world Lions how we celebrate Centenary Celebrations with rainbow colors. As a Multiple District 1 Lion, you have a responsibility to make

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 TO OUR READERS!

this centennial celebration most successful out of all 99 International Conventions in the past.

Lions Clubs Internatioanl officials negotiated with City of Chicago and now we are going to exhibit our showcase of “Parade of the Nations” on State Street on July 1, 2017. About 20,000 Lions will be participating in this historic parade. There will be two famous bands – “Chicago” and “Beach Boys” at the International Show which will be on the same July 1st evening at the McCormik place. It was estimated that there will be more than 50,000 lions attending this historic convention. To show off your club, you can buy a Street Banner which costs only $275 and if you want to order 2 banners, it will be $500 for two.

A huge facelift is going on at our International Headquarters at Oak Brook. Our Founder Melvin Jones statue will be erected at the front of headquarters building behind flag posts. There will be building tours available to visitors during this 100th convention.

Registration to this memorable convention is only $130.00 if you register prior to January 13, 2017.

After this date it will be more. Register early and save some money. Lions are procrastinators who wait for the last minute. Lions, it is time to hurry up now. Visit LCI website and register online before time runs out.

Lions recent slogan is, “Where There Is A Need, There Is A Lion.” Lions of MD1, we have a great need of volunteers for all festivities and parade during our Centennial Convention. If you hanve not volunteered as a volunteer for this convention, now it is time to do so.

As we lions all over the world, show our successes through our community services, let us make our own International Convention a most successful and most memorable one in the history of Lionism!

-Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG Your Magazine Editor ILStateEditor@gmail.com

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Dear Lion: I would like to share my December message to club leaders with you.

I'm thanking club leaders for their hard work during the past year and reminding them that there's still time to plan their own Centennial celebration in 2017. I'm also inviting club leaders to look to LCI's future with a renewed commitment to service by joining the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger. Thank you for your hard work and dedication over the past year.

Very truly yours, Chancellor Bob Corlew

Dear Lion, 2016 has been a year of life-changing service, new initiatives and a celebration of our legacy of bringing hope to underserved populations around the globe. I want to thank you for everything that you have done to help make this year a success.

Thanks to your hard work, Lions have helped more than 120 million people during the Centennial Service Challenge, far surpassing our initial goal of 100 million people—and we're still going! Lions have completed nearly 8,500 Legacy Projects, providing lasting gifts and reminding their communities just how important Lions are. And more than 325,000 Lions have already received membership awards for increasing our service impact by starting new clubs and inviting new Lions to join us in service.

We have accomplished so much this year. But there's so much more Lions can do during the holidays to help our friends and neighbors who need us most. Take the opportunity to finish 2016 strong and serve your community during the holiday season. And remember, when Lions come together for the good of mankind, there's nothing we can't accomplish.

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Relieve Hunger Over the Holidays So many families are struggling to put food on the table. This holiday season, encourage your club to plan a service project impacting hunger in your community. It's a great opportunity to help make the holidays brighter for children, families or elderly neighbors in need. And be sure to join Lions around the world for the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger this January 9-15. Your club can make a difference and earn special Centennial recognition when you report your service on the MyLCI Service Activity Report.

Looking Forward to 2017 We have a lot to look forward to in our Centennial year. Our exciting new initiative, LCI Forward, will guide Lions into the future of service. Together, we can face some of the biggest humanitarian challenges of our time by pledging to serve 200 million people per year by 2021. Visit the LCI Forward webpage today to learn more and to watch a special LCI Forward plan video.

-Chancellor Bob Corlew, International President -------------------------------------------------------------------

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CORNER: Jama Wahl This is the third in a series of articles about Leadership Institutes offered by Lions Clubs International. All Lions are eligible to apply to participate in an institute.

Lions with strong leadership skills enhance the leadership, membership, and service opportunities for clubs as well as districts.

Per information shared on the ions Clubs International website www.lionsclubs.org “the 4

Advanced Lions Leadership Institute (ALLI) focuses on building the skills of Lion leaders to prepare them for leadership responsibilities at the zone, region, and district levels. Qualified candidates are Lions who have completed a successful term as club president, but have not yet attained the position of First Vice District Governor. Candidates must be willing to commit to all days of the institute.”

LCI staff reviews all applications and makes the invitation to participants. Since the Advanced Lions Leadership Institutes for Constitutional Areas 1 and 2 have been completed for this Lions’ year, there is no application currently available on the site.

Applications are typically posted four months prior to an event.

A non-refundable participation fee of US $125.00 is required to offset the cost of the institute. LCI covers the cost of lodging and meals during the institute.

Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the institute. Many clubs or districts will assist the participant with these fees.

The curriculum for ALLI includes: Leadership Fundamentals, Developing Extraordinary Teams, Promoting Lionism, Project Management, Conflict Resolution, Delegation, LCI Programs and Resources, Presentation Preparation, LCIF, Developing Lions Leaders of Tomorrow, and Focused Discussion.

Questions can be directed to the Institute Division at LCI headquarters, 630-571-8890.

-Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Coordinator jamawahl@yahoo.com

GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP CORNER: Ralph Zarada

Happy Holidays MD-1 Lions We are halfway through our 2016-2017 leadership year and quickly approaching our Centennial convention.

This convention promises to be a great one. One filled with fanfare and meeting lions from across the world. Joining together in celebration of our 100 th year of service, with plans to continue the mission of our association for another 100 years of Lions service.

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We are coming up to the next billing cycle of our club membership. Usually at his time of the year we have clubs cleaning up their rosters. Some of the clubs will update their rosters with new members that have not been added to their rosters. This simplifies the dues payment of the new members and eases the dues billing of the clubs and the apportionment to the various areas that are supported by the dues. At the same time members will be dropped for non-payment of dues and for other reasons dues so they are not billed for them. For me as the GMT State chair and for the district coordinators this will be a time that we will be looking at the numbers to see how much of an impact this housekeeping has on our membership in the districts as well as the state.

The 2nd quarter GMT report is coming up. Our numbers have been steady through the first 6 months of the year with a slight loss in our total membership. I hope that his trend will continue and we will show a gain in membership when the leadership year ends in June 2017.

The parade will be Saturday, July 1st stepping off at 9:00 am at the corner of State Street and Wacker Drive. The parade will proceed south down State Street to Van Buren Street. Buses will be there to help the participants to return to McCormick Place.

The marching order of the parade will be led by the delegations from the International Officers, followed by more than 150 delegations from around the world. Being the Host for the convention, we will be the last unit to march.

Throughout the parade there will be marching bands and floats that will depicting the history of Lionism throughout the world.

The Lions of Illinois are being asked to wear a similar dress that includes dark trouser, white polo shirt with a blue vest. We are looking for the dress to be similar in order to show the World how proud we are to host this Centennial Convention. Please refer to the attached forms for both the polo shirt and MD1 Vest.

Your GMT district coordinators and I are standing by to help your clubs achieve your membership goals. Please reach out to them for help and guidance. They are listed in your District’s officer roster. They are all Lions that have a wealth of knowledge and energy to help you and are willing to lend a helping hand.

In service, Ralph S. Zarada PDG MD-1 GMT Coordinator -------------------------------------------------------------------International Lions Parade One of the highlights of the Lions Clubs International Convention is the “Parade of Nations”. For those who have never attended the convention, this parade is like no others that you have seen. There will be about 20,000 Lions that will participate. The individual delegations will march in their native dress. Along with the marchers, there will be about 20 marching bands and a few floats.

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The committee will be looking for about 200 to 300 volunteers to help in the organizing of the units, getting the parade down the route and assisting the participants to the shuttle bus to return them back to McCormick Place. Those volunteers will need to assemble around 7:00 am to get your assignments for the parade. So, please think about it and go to our web site to volunteer. It will be a fun time as well as you will be able to say that you marched down State Street. Everyone will be able to march as the day goes on.

I would like to challenge each District to have a minimum of 100 Lions marching. With the Multiple having 10 Districts that would give us

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1,000 marchers plus all the parade marshals that will be helping out. So let’s show the World how strong and proud the Lions of Illinois are about our heritage.

Lion Robert Block, PDG MD1 Host Committee, Chair

Are you coming to Chicago for the Lions Centennial Convention in June, 2017?

Lions Clubs International is planning to celebrate their 100th Anniversary Celebration, the Lions of MD1, Illinois are planning to host the party. We have been in the process of preparing to host the Lions of the World as they arrive in Chicago to be part of this Centennial Celebration. We are looking forward to demonstrate our Midwest welcome and hospitality to all convention attendees and their families.

The Centennial Convention is June 30 - July 4, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The main venue will be Chicago McCormick Place. At this time, the anticipated attendance is about 35,000 to 40,000 people from around the World. The different delegations will be housed in more than 18 hotels that are located along the “Magnificent Mile” - Michigan Avenue.

The International Parade will be Saturday, July 1, 2017. The parade will step off at 9:00 am and proceed down State Street. We are anticipating about 20,000 marchers, 18 marching bands along with cars, trolley buses and floats. This parade will be one of the convention highlights and demonstrate to the City who the Lions are.

Lions Clubs International has made some changes that will allow all those who attend time to visit the Centennial Exhibit in the main exhibit hall as well as to enjoy the sights and sound that the City of Chicago has to offer. Some of those changes include:  The hours of the Convention Services and Exhibit Hall have been extended for 6

additional hours per day. This change is to accommodate the high number of attendees.  The Delegate Certification and Voting Procedures have changed. Instead of getting certified as a delegate any time during the convention and then coming to vote on the last day of the convention, you will now be able to get certified and vote starting on Sunday, July 2 at 1:00 pm through Tuesday, July 4 until 10:30 am.  LCI has added a Business Session on Saturday, July 1 following the parade.

This session will be for the nomination of the candidates for International Directors. The third Vice President’s nomination will take place at the Sunday morning session.

On Saturday, July 1, 2017 not only do we have the Parade of Nations and a newly added Business Session, along with the International Show in the evening. The performance at the show will include the “Beach Boys” and “Chicago”. Both these bands are internationally known and will be performing individually at the show.

Something else that is new, is that during the International Show the main exhibit hall will be open to the attendees. The idea is to allow those that would like to take a break to go to the hall and walk around. There will be food and drinks available in the hall during the show. The International Show will be starting at 5:30 pm which is earlier than years past. This may be a long day for those who participate in the parade as well as attend the Saturday afternoon business section, but I feel that it would give those the full experience of the convention.

I hope that you planning to come and celebrate this milestone in our Association’s History. Chicago has a lot to offer in the areas of site seeing, various food experiences, recreational areas and plenty of shopping opportunities. With Chicago being the Birth Place of Lions, this will be a great time to step back into the History of our Association. There will

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be a number of sites that you can visit during your convention experience.

Along with the traditional activities of the International Convention, Chicago will offer you an opportunity to walk up the steps of the Chicago Art Museum where the photo of Melvin Jones and the founding members had their picture taken with the Lion. There will be time for you to be able to visit the grave site of Melvin Jones on the west side of Chicago. And, an opportunity to visit our international headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois for a tour of the facility along with viewing more of the historical items that are on display throughout the building.

achieve our goals for our Centennial Celebration and at the same time renew our dedication to the service we offer to those less fortunate for our second hundred years of Lionism.

So plan to COME and CELEBRATE this milestone in the history of LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL …….

We will see you soon in Chicago.

Lion Robert C. Block, PDG MD1 Host Committee, Chair Visit us at: www.lions2017chicago.org

As chairman of the MD1 Host committee, I want to assure you that the Committee Members are prepared to make this convention one of the best in our Association’s history. Our goal is to make all the attendees feel welcome in Chicago and feel as if they are enjoying a family reunion away from home.

So, as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary, let’s also take the time to renew our commitment to the motto “We Serve” and for the centennial celebration remember that “Where there is a need, there is a LION”. This idea will help us 7

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MD1 State Monthly e-Magazine Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for Lions, Lionesses and Leos of Illinois. e-Mail Address: ILStateEditor@gmail.com Mail your articles, pictures and news items to above e-mail address.

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