MD1 Lions of Illinois State e-Magazine for the Month of February, 2017

The Illinois Lion, Lioness, Leo MD1 e-Magazine (Lite) Vol. 4 - Issue 8, February 2017

Preserve this Historical Coin Give one to your Friend!

Phi

From MD1 Council Chair: Lions of Illinois,

So, let’s be “authors of our destinies”, let’s create that bright future of “better things” and Serve today for tomorrow. Then let’s get together and

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis Well, here we are fully one month into the New Year.

It is a new calendar year but is the “Summer Solstice” of the Lions Year!

Yes, we are now actually just over half of our Lions Year!! But that does not mean we cannot strive to act as if it is the new beginning often touted in prose and poetry, offering a renewal of spirit and offering us the ability to create and follow new dreams offered by the new calendar year.

“Every tomorrow is an outcome of what I do today, and the beauty of it all is that today is happening all the time.” – Craig D. Lounsbrough

celebrate not only the bright new future but our bright shining past as well, lets Celebrate LIONS!!!!!!!!!! And lets bring in some new people to share it all with!!!!!!

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,

That quote of Lounsbrough really does offer us the recognition of our service as Lions and the changes we can effect on our communities and the world around us by our daily efforts. Yes, we Lions can affect not only our own outcomes but those around us in a most positive way. In moving forward we are creating a future that can shine as much as the effort we expend. Conversely we can leave a shining past that is as bright as the potential future we are yet to create. This is ALL reflected in our abilities and desires to SERVE those around us.

Coupled with this all is our pending anniversary as an organization. Soon we will be Celebrating 100 years and having that big party in Chicago!!!

Lion Mark Williams Lions of Illinois “With You in Service”

“We are the authors of our destinies. No one can see the vision any clearer, believe in and work any harder to make it a reality more than the visionary.” – Nike Campbell-Fatoki

MD1 is the Mother State of Lionism with 10 Districts which have joined together to make our Centennial Celebration a memorable one. Host committee under the leadership of PDG Bob Block has been working hard since five years.

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md1lionsmark@gmail.com

Editorial: NEED CENTENNIAL CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS! Just 5 more months to start our Centennial Celebration in the Land of Lionism, Chicago where it started hundred years ago. The club Melvin Jones started with his friends still exists in Chicago as Central Lions Club.

Currently we have 74 Lions Clubs in Chicagoland with close to 2,000 members in good standing.

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We heard that already 21,000+ lions registered for this convention.

When we hosted 2007 Convention 10 years ago at this time we had only 6,000 registrations. This means we are expecting a huge Lions crowd to this convention.

Now, we need more volunteers to make this convention a memorable one. It will be a largest convention in the history of Lions 100 years. PCC Steve Anton has been requesting Illinois Lions to register to volunteer. We need almost 2,000

I'm sharing my January message to club leaders with you. I'm encouraging club leaders to begin their Centennial year by inviting their communities to share in a celebration of the history and impact of Lions Clubs International.

I'm also encouraging clubs to engage their communities in service activities throughout our Centennial year.

Thank you for your help making our Centennial a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Very truly yours, Chancellor Bob Corlew

volunteers and make this a successful event. Those who want to register as volunteer can contact your District Governor or you can visit convention web: http://www.lions2017chicago.org/volunteers/ and register to volunteer. Let us join our hands and welcome world lions to Chicago.

-Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG Your Magazine Editor ILStateEditor@gmail.com INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Dear Lion, It's 2017, and our 100th anniversary has finally arrived! For the past three years, Lions have celebrated our Centennial by serving more than 120 million people, inviting new Lions to serve with us, and by making lasting gifts to communities around the world. But

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Lions' true legacy of service was built in our communities. That's why it's important for clubs like yours to plan your own Centennial celebration.

The Centennial year is the perfect time to take your club's celebration to the next level. Planning your own celebration is not only a fun way to bring your club members and your community together, it's also a great opportunity to highlight your club's contributions and show your friends and family what being a Lion is all about. And remember, there's no better way to celebrate—or demonstrate the spirit of Lions—than by helping those in need.

Download the Centennial Club Planning Guide to create a celebration plan and take advantage of new opportunities for growth, service and success. Let's make 2017 a year to remember!

Very truly yours, Chancellor Bob Corlew Your International President

What is Your Club's Favorite Way to Celebrate?

Looking for a great way to celebrate? Visit the Ways to Celebrate webpage. With dozens of ideas to choose from, there's a Way to Celebrate that's perfect for your club. Start planning your club celebration today!

Own a Piece of Lions History Celebrate 100 years of humanitarian service by purchasing a Lions Clubs Centennial Commemorative Coin. This exquisitely crafted, limited-edition, silver dollar coin is produced by the United States Mint and features our founder Melvin Jones.

Purchase your Centennial Coin for US$47.95. $10 from each coin is authorized to be paid to Lions Clubs International Foundation to improve the lives of even more people in need.

Visit the Centennial Coin webpage for information and order your coin today!

For a limited time only, you can purchase this historic keepsake for the low, introductory price of US$47.95 only through the U.S. Mint! But hurry...offer expires at 3:00 pm EST on February 21, 2017.

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This year’s Forum is in Portland. Did you register? Google on website for more information.

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

Clubs, districts, and multiple districts function at a higher level when Lions have strong leadership skills.

Per information shared on the Lions Clubs International website www.lionsclubs.org “The Faculty Development Institute program is dedicated to the development and expansion of Lions faculty. The curriculum focuses on techniques and concepts that will enhance the quality of

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training and overall effectiveness of Lions leadership development programs.

Qualified candidates are those Lions who have some experience as faculty members at Lions training events, have demonstrated basic instructional skills, and have a keen interest in further developing those skills. Lions with extensive experience as Lions faculty or as professional trainers are not recommended for this institute, but are welcome to apply. Institutes are held in all constitutional areas on a regular basis as determined by the Lions Club International Board of Directors.

Lions participating in this four-day course will be required to conduct a training event within 6 (six) months of the institute, in order to be considered a graduate of the FDI program.

Lions who meet the qualifications may apply to the Faculty Development Institute. Applications will be available at least four months prior to the institute.

Applications can be downloaded from the LCI site or by contacting your GLT Coordinator. Because of the high number of applications received by the association, acceptance into the institute is not guaranteed.

Lions Clubs International will provide meals and lodging according to the dates and schedule of the institute. Please note that a non-refundable participation fee of US$150.00 will be required to offset a portion of these costs for all institutes. This fee will be due no less than six weeks prior to the institute start date.

Participants are also responsible to pay for their own transportation and related travel expenses to and from the institute site.”

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

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

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GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP CORNER: Ralph Zarada

The Q2 reporting cycle has been completed and is now moving forward to the next level. My thanks to all the District coordinators who submitted their reports to me.

I want to share my thoughts as I was filled out my portion of the report. As I began to compose the report, the first question was “How many districts have fewer than 1250 membe rs?”

The second question was “What is being done about districts with less than 1 250 members and who is responsible for the plan?”

Two tough questions that surprised me right out of the gate when I was composing my report. I tried to answer the questions as best as I could by saying in a positive way that there were no plans.

I could not be specific as to what the plans were to remove these districts from a transitional status.

For these questions to be answered, these districts must lay down their own long term strategic plans that must stretch over several years to get to 1250 members. Each strategic plan must be tailored and developed by them. The milestones for membership and new club growth and reduction of dropped membership must be laid out so each incoming governor knows what needs to be accomplished in his leadership year.

For the remaining six months left in this current year and as a multiple district we still have time to meet membership and other goals before the year is finished. Usually as we move into the second half of the leadership year the energy level drops. We have worked hard during the first half of the year doing our part for Lionism. We see that the warm weather months are coming and we may be slowing down our efforts to grow our clubs and make our districts stronger. As we move through the final months, I would ask that you keep on engaging more Lions into service by working on increasing your membership. Every time we add a 9

member we can change the lives of 50 more people in our communities.

I hope that Your Club will make plans to invite a new member and increase your numbers and achieve the goal of a +1 growth in membership Make plans to establish a new club in your district Your club is reporting all the services project that you have accomplished While engaging new members, we do everything we can to reduce the member drops within our clubs so that we support the service efforts within our communities.

All of us working together can reach our centennial goals through service, caring, and celebrating the fruits of our endeavors.

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.

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.

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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.

(See Form to be filled on Page 8)

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 10

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

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Chicago has to offer. Some of those changes include:  The hours of the Convention Services and Exhibit Hall have been extended for 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.

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 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.

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 Something else that is new, is that during the take the time to renew our commitment to the International Show the main exhibit hall will be motto “We Serve” and for the centennial 11 BE A PART OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

celebration remember that “Where there is a need, there is a LION”. This idea will help us 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

President's Message Dear District Governor, It's been 100 years in the making, and now our Centennial year is finally here. Lions have already served over 130 million people during the Centennial Service Challenge, invited new Lions to join us in service, and completed over 10,000 Legacy Projects in communities around the globe.

And we're just getting started.

reach new heights as an association, and position ourselves to achieve our LCI Forward goal of serving 200 million people per year by 2021.

District governors like you are essential to the success of Lions Clubs. Thank you for your commitment to service and achieving our Centennial goals!

Important Reminders  Remember, chartering a new club is the key

to earning recognition in the District Governor Centennial Membership Awards.  Encourage your clubs to support the Centennial Service Challenge and plan a Legacy Project during our Centennial year.  Share the Ways to Celebrate page with your clubs to help them plan their Centennial celebration.  Visit the LCI Forward webpage to watch a special video and learn more about Lions' strategic plan to serve 200 million people annually in the next five years.

It's a great honor and responsibility to lead Lions into our Centennial year. The hard work and dedication of our leaders makes our clubs and our association stronger. That's why I'm asking you to rededicate yourselves to making this year a tremendous success to honor the legacy of Melvin Jones, the work of your districts and the service of the Lions who came before us.

Please work with your clubs to continue to see how many more people we can serve, how many friends and neighbors we can invite, and how many communities we can impact. Together we can

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-Dr. Ausitn D’Souza, PDG LCI Forward: Moving Lions into the Future To reach our goal of serving 200 million people a year by 2021, we developed a strategic plan called LCI Forward. This roadmap embraces new ways to serve, new cutting-edge technologies and new ways to engage youth in Lions. See how LCI Forward moves us into our second century of successful service.

Watch the exciting video that brings this vision to life.

Come Celebrate With Us in Chicago!

This year's historic Lions International Convention, June 30-July 4, 2017, will commemorate 100 years of humanitarian service in the city where it all began: Chicago, Illinois, USA. Join Lion and Leo leaders from more than 100 countries as they gather in this extraordinary city to celebrate the Centennial in grand style. Register now!

100 Years of Service, 100 Ways to Celebrate Happy birthday, Lions Clubs International! We turn 100 in 2017 and Lions around the world are celebrating! Check out the Ways to Celebrate page for plenty of celebratory inspiration. You'll find even more great ideas in the Ways to Celebrate Flyer. So throw a party at your club, invite the whole community and make your event the talk of the town.

Centennial Reminders 

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by organizing a Worldwide Week of Service project from April 17-23, 2017. Visit the Worldwide Week of Service to Protect Our Planet page for more information and start planning your club project today!

Raise the visibility of your club and honor your legacy of service by planning a Centennial Legacy Project in your community. Keep in mind that a club activity can be both a Centennial Service Challenge project and a Legacy Project.

Don't forget to report your club's activities.

Regular reporting showcases your club's achievements and ensures that your club gets the recognition it deserves.

Invite your family and friends to be a part of this exciting time in Lions Clubs history by joining you in service. You'll earn Centennial recognition and benefit your community.

Your club can support the Centennial Service Challenge and improve the environment 17 BE A PART OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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You don't even have to pack your bags to take the Lions Journey. Experience 100 years of Lions service online by exploring each period of life-changing history.

Very truly yours, Chancellor Bob Corlew Your International Presiden

Dear Lion Leader, We are writing to inform you that we are consolidating new member and charter fees into a single category called entrance fees. As part of this consolidation, we will have one single entrance fee of $35 as of July 1, 2017.

This consolidation and fee increase, the first since 1993, will allow us to:  Increase member benefits  Improve the member experience  Simplify the new member enrollment

process by having a single entrance fee type Specifically, we are adding:  An enhanced new member kit with ongoing

new member communications and tools  Upgraded MyLCI 2.0 to provide members a destination to track their activities and engage with other members  New service programs to support the new global service framework rollout  A mobile app for members to serve on the go  Digital LION Magazine including mobile magazine app It's an exciting time to be a Lion. We look forward to working on your behalf to make sure Lions remain stronger than ever, and we thank you for everything you do to make Lions Clubs International a world-class service organization.

MD1 State Monthly e-Magazine Edited & Published by Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG for Lions, Lionesses Illinois. e-Mail Address: ILStateEditor@gmail.com 18and Leos BE A of PART OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Mail your articles, pictures and news items to above e-mail address.

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