Governors newsletter nov, 2015

Nov., 2015 Governors Newsletter My Fellow Lions, On Saturday, 24 October, Lion Sue and I traveled to Decatur to attend the inaugural convention for District 1M, which was formed by the merger of Districts 1E and 1L. The convention, hosted by Governor Kevin Mendenhall and his Partnerin-Service Lion PDG Jani Robinson, was an outstanding success. Lion Director Lewis Quin from Anchorage, AK served as keynote speaker. His remarks focused on episodic membership – a new approach to membership and volunteerism. LCI is developing these new strategies to work with the changing demographics of volunteers and their commitment to service. The concept uses partnerships and affiliations to grow our association. It also allows current members who are not as active as we would like to be given space and allowed to volunteer as they are needed at club activities and relaxing strict meeting attendance requirements.

I am very excited about all of the accomplishments we’ve made in the first quarter of the year—new clubs are being formed and chartered, new LEO clubs are also being formed, new members are being inducted on a regular basis, and the book collection initiative has reached, and surpassed, its goal! Here is a quick summary: On Sunday, November 22, the Chicago Ridge Lions Club will celebrate its Charter night and we will welcome 38

new members into the District. First Vice President Lion Bob Corlew  

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Broadview is close to being formed and will be chartered soon.

The Chicago Heights and Rogers Park Lions Clubs are each sponsoring a new LEO Club and the Beverly Ridge Lions are working to start a LEO Club at the Morgan Park Academy. The College of Optometry LEO Club is expanding and bringing in new members.

The Book Project has reached – and surpassed – its goal of collecting 5,000 books.

Congratulations – you achieved this goal before the deadline. Let’s keep this going and see how well we can do before the start of the District Convention in April. And, don’t forget to report this activity on your monthly LCI activity report!

I am glad to see that new members are being inducted across the District – let’s keep it going.

But at the same time, let’s pay attention to the members that we already. By paying attention to their needs and keeping them engaged, our retention rate will also improve.

November is going to be a busy month at the District level. Please make plans to attend one of the following gatherings:   

Saturday, November 7: Second Cabinet meeting Tuesday, November 10: Special Olympics Opening Eyes event Saturday, November 14: MD-1 Forum

Also, please keep in mind the upcoming Centennial Convention. Notices will be going out for volunteers, so please sign up and help make this milestone event for our association a resounding success.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I want to extend to all Lions of District 1A a very safe and happy

holiday, spending quality time with your families and friends. I also ask that we keep Lion Georg Toft in our thoughts and prayers as he moves through this illness.

Thanks for all you do – in your communities and for District 1A. Lion Ralph Zarada Governor, District 1A

Editorial: Candy Days are over. I am pretty sure that all of you had a great Candy Day 2015. Weather was wonderful. I was on the street for 10 hours nonstop going back and forth when vehicles stop at the red light. During my day to day driving I really like green lights; however, during candy days I like only red lights so that I can cover as many cars as I can and request for their contribution. I really like candy days – talking to all drivers and giving some information about lions world over.

Now it is time to send all collections after deducting 40% for your club humanitarian activities to Lions of Illinois Foundation. LIF is waiting to receive our money which we collected for candy day.

I am really thrilled to hear that we are going to charter this year’s first new lions club – Chicago Ridge on November 22, 2015. I request all clubs to participate in this wonderful event and support this brand new club. They need our support and encouragement.

I attached charter night flyer in this magazine.

Please read the same and reserve your tickets.

Chancellor Bob Corlew – our First Vice President, Lions Clubs International will be the chief guest for this event and all lions have an opportunity to meet him during Chicago Ridge Lions Charter Nite celebrations. What are you waiting for? Reserve your seats. Lion Bob will be Lions Clubs International President for 2016-2017.

Recently we had 17 new Certified Guiding Lions graduation ceremony conducted by MD1 State GMT chairperson Jama Wahl. We need more certified guiding lions to help in building new clubs and support weak clubs to grow in their communities.

Our GMT leader PDG Harold Burkette and GLT leader Janice Wiggins did a great job. Kudos!

-Austin D’Souza, Editor. govaustin@gmail.com

November already, time is just flying by. The V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee was to have had their cameras and training by now but that is not going to happen. We have had a scheduling conflict with our provider, plusoptix and we have to move our dates back by a month but the good news is that we are still going to meet our role out date of January 1, 2016. We will have more information on the process of reserving a date to sponsor a screening in next months’ newsletter.

It is never too early to ask but the V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee is searching for its next three (3) Board members to fill a three-year commitment to the committee. The only requirement is that you cannot hold a District Elected Office. For more information about this just ask any of the Board members. They are listed in the District Directory.

As always, the meetings of the committee are open to any Lion. Just contact me and I will give you the next meetings information.

On behalf of the V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee, we wish you and your families and Lions everywhere a bountiful Thanksgiving.

Thank you for your service, CC Steve Anton President, V.O.I.C.E.S., santonlions@comcast.net

TO ALL WHO HAVE NOT RESPONDED YET! I have heard from a number of Lions but there are still many that have not responded. If you have already responded, you don’t need to respond again.

This reminder is for those that haven’t.

This is a notice of the 2nd Cabinet Meeting to be held on Saturday, Nov. 7th. This meeting will be held at the Skylight Banquets, 7117 Ogden Ave. Berwyn, IL 60402. WAKE UP CALL is at 7:43 a.m. and the meeting will be called to order at 8:00 a.m. There will be a Breakfast buffet served that will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will cost everyone attending $10.00.

Please remember to respond either Yes or No to Brenda Block, CS at csblock1a@aol.com or call 219865-8939. If you say you will attend & don’t show, you will be billed $10.00. Since this is a breakfast buffet we need to be sure we have an accurate count.

Those that respond they will be there will go through the buffet line first. If you come to the meeting and did not notify us ahead of time, you will go through the line last and hopefully there will be enough food. You will also be charged an additional $5.00. Hopefully, this incentive will have everyone respond so that we are not guessing.

A detailed agenda is attached so that you will know if you are supposed to be prepared to present a 3 minute report. The minutes of the first cabinet meeting along with the financial report will be published in the Cabinet Newsletter for everyone to read ahead of time. All reports will be presented at the meeting, but will have a strict time limit on the length (3 minutes). Please remember to provide a copy of your report to the Cabinet Secretary for the District Files. Thank You. Lion Brenda Block Cabinet Secretary

District 1-A Lions 2015-2016 The Second Cabinet Meeting for the 2015-2016 year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2015 at the Skylight Banquets, 7117 Ogden Ave. Berwyn, IL 60402. WAKE UP CALL will be at 7:43 AM with call to order/breakfast at 8:00 AM. RSVP to Lion Brenda Block, CS, at csblock1a@aol.com or 219-865-8939 by Nov. 4th. Breakfast charges are $10 per person made payable to: District 1A Lions. Please remember if you indicate your attendance and do not attend, you will be billed for your meal. **See Cabinet meeting notice for more information regarding this** AGENDA Wake up Call – 7:43 a.m.

CALL TO ORDER at 8:00 a.m………..…………………………………….………………………………..… Governor Ralph Zarada PLEDGE.......................................................................................................................................................... 1st VDG Lion Ernie Lapid NATIONAL ANTHEM.................................................................................................... District Song Leader PDG Lion John Coleman INVOCATION......................................................................................................................................................... Lion Dave Herrmann WELCOME REMARKS...................................................................................................................................... Governor Ralph Zarada TAILTWISTER……………………...…………………………………………….….…………………….…......... Lion Linda Nilsson BREAKFAST – 8:15 a.m.

RECALL TO ORDER - 8:45 a.m. ..……............................................................................................................... Governor Ralph Zarada MINUTES OF LAST MEETING................................................................................................................................... CS Brenda Block FINANCIAL REPORT …………………………………………………………………………...……..…........ CT Lion Andy Liamaga AGENDA ITEMS BANNER EXCHANGE………………………………………………………………….………………...……. Governor Ralph Zarada SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………. PDG Austin D’Souza INTERNATIONAL UPDATE....................................................................................................................................... PID Dan O’Reilly FOUNDATION REPORTS...................................................................................................Trustees Lions Frank Kirar/ Richard Rucoba

GLT/GMT REPORT………………………….................................................................. Lion Janice Wiggins, PDG Harold Burkett, Jr. SRICKFADEN/CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION…………………………….……..….…………..….. PDG John Coleman LIONS OPEN AREA………………………………...………………………………………………………….…….. Lion Millie Koller GOLF (FINAL REPORT)……………………………………………………………………………………….……….Lion Frank Kirar HELEN KELLER WALK (FINAL REPORT)…………………….…………………………………….…….…… Lion Chris Coleman L.C.I.F. ………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………... PDG Wes Salsbury VISION FIRST …………………………………………………………………………………………………….PDG Mike Smigielski NITE AT THE RACES (Final Report)……………………………….………….…..….………………….………... Lion Linda Nilsson V.O.I.C.E.S……………………………………………………………………….…………………….……………… PDG Steve Anton LONG RANGE PLANNING……………………………..………………………………………………………….….PDG Jerry Novak LCI READING ACTION PROGRAM……………………..………………………………………..……...…….. PCST Lion Judy Toft DISTRICT CONVENTION…………………………………..……………………………………...………..…. PDG Lion Steve Anton DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY……………………………………………………………………………………..… Lion Gail Anton USA CANADA FORUM........................................................................................................................................... IPDG Terry D’Souza NEW BUSINESS MD-1 STATE FORUM…………………………………………...………………………………………………….Lion Janice Wiggins MID-YEAR FORUM………………………………………………...……………………………………………..…... Lion Ernie Lapid BOWLING ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Lion Leilanie Magana OLD BUSINESS TAIL TWISTER............................................................................................................................................................ Lion Linda Nilsson ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEXT CABINET MEETING............................................................................................ CS Lion Brenda Block REMARKS: …..……………………….PID Lion Dan O’Reilly, IPDG Terry D’Souza, 1st VDG Lion Ernie Lapid, 2nd VDG Pat Duda GOVERNOR’S REMARKS...................................................................................................................................Governor Ralph Zarada BENEDICTION..........................................................................................................................................................Lion Dave Herrmann GOD BLESS AMERICA...................................................................................................District Song Leader PDG Lion John Coleman All individuals giving a report are requested to provide a written copy for the records to CS Lion Brenda Block.

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LIONS OF ILLINOIS MD-1 FORUM NOVEMBER 14, 2015 EMBASSY SUITES EAST PEORIA 100 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, EAST PEORIA, IL Schedule of Events Morning Registration: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Seminars: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Afternoon Lunch: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Seminars: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Closing Session: 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Seminars & Activities This year’s MD1 Lions Leadership Forum promises a few new twists. A GUIDING LION training will be held for 30 interested Lions who register for this session. Also available will be the (CEP) CLUB EXCELLENCE PROCESS FACILITATOR Training for 30 Lions. Please note on your registration form if you wish to be involved in one or both of these sessions. These spaces will be filled on a first come first served basis. Please note: a Lion could participate in one, both, or neither of these sessions.

LIONS GONE WILD will be a double session that allows Lions to select from ten topics and attend four mini-sessions. Topics include communication, goal setting, effective meetings,

creativity, diversity, conflict resolution, managing change, recognition, time management, and presentation skills. We will also feature a panel on Engaging Younger Members as well as the latest on Membership Techniques, and MUCH MUCH MORE! There are no Friday Night Activities planned, but this might be a great time to have a reunion of your Council of Governors, RLLI group, or just a friendly dinner. Lions are a social group! Why not make some plans to renew friendships?

Reservations for lodging at the rate of $99.00/night (plus tax) - which includes breakfast - can be made by calling the Embassy Suites at: (800) 362-2779 by October 23, 2015. To receive the discounted Forum group rate, let them know you are with the Lions of Illinois.

REGISTRATION FORM  One Form Per Person Registration Fee is $25.00 per person and includes Seminars and Lunch Please Make Checks Payable to Lions of Illinois, Inc. and mail to: Lions of Illinois, Inc.  POB 127  Hopedale, IL 61747-0127 Completed Registration Form and Fee must be received by November 6, 2015

Total Enclosed in Cash Name: Club: 1Officer Position: Street Address: City:

Phone or E-Mail: District Lion

The following two sessions are limited to 30 participants. Please select your participation choice. to participate in the CEP or GUIDING LION training.        

Communication Goal setting Holding effective meetings Creativity Diversity Conflict resolution Managing change

or Check No. = $ 25.00

State:

Zip Code:

 Recognition  Time management, and  Presentation skills.

There will also be a panel on Engaging Younger Members, the latest on Membership Techniques, Guiding Lion and CEP Facilitator Training, and more!

Attending the Forum is a great opportunity to increase your knowledge base. The committee has

been working diligently to put together a Forum that will provide valuable information to all Lions who attend. It is also a great time to network, catch up with old Lion friends, and expand your Lions network.

Complete the registration form included in this newsletter and get ready for a valuable experience.

-Lion Janice Wiggins, District 1A GLT Chair

Chili’s give-back program earns LIF 15% of sales when you enjoy their tasty meals this November January

Anywhere in Illinois EnjoyadeliciousmealatChili'sattheirrestaurantsanywhereinIllinoisand earn Lions of Illinois Foundation 15% of your sale (excluding tax and gratuity) for funding our Low Vision Screenings for youth.

LIONS ALSO ON THE PROWL FOR “GENTLY USED BOOKS” – SEE

NEXT PAGE OF THIS FLYER

“DISTRICT 1 A LIONS CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE –

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ENGAGING OUR YOUTH BOOK COLLECTION”

TARGET NUMBER OF GENTLY USED OR NEW BOOKS

“5000” BE A PART OF THE FARRAGUT AVENUE FAMILIES BOOK COLLECTION TEAM “HOW MANY BOOKS CAN DISTRICT 1-A LIONS, FRIENDS, FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS COLLECT TOGETHER AS A TEAM IN 2015-2016 TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO BOOKS?” NATIONAL STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE MIDDLE INCOME CHILD HAS 30 BOOKS. IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE IS ONE BOOK ON AVERAGE FOR 300 KIDS.

THIS BOOK COLLECTION FOR IS FOR AGES “0 MONTHS THROUGH 8TH GRADE” If you, your friends or family have new or gently used books to donate, please contact or bring them to Lions Georg or Judy Toft 7731 West Farragut Avenue 773-763-0662 or jetoft@comcast.net

Eyeglass Collection Coordinators NORTH: Huma Ahmed, Mohammad Khokar, Rogers Park Lions , Pakistan Medical Center 6201 N. California, Chicago, IL Tuesday and Friday 11am to 3pm Saturday 11am to 6pm CENTRAL: Maryanne O’Reilly—SFV Lions O’Reilly’s Flowers 6730 Pershing Road, Berwyn, IL SOUTH: Walter W. Schultz Insurance Agency, Inc. 18119 Torrence Ave. Lansing, IL 60438

GENTLY USED BOOKS FINDING NEW HOMES AROUND DISTRICT 1A AND BEYOND! The District 1A Gently Used Book collection has been an extraordinary project by Lions all around District 1A to encourage them to go ut into their communities and find a “book need and fill it”. To date over 6,000 books have been collected, 1,000 over the 5,000 book target and the District has until March of 2016 to complete the project. Below is a short summary of some of the clubs who got involved.

FIRST: Special recognition has to be made to new Lion Sig Polanek of the Montclare Elmwood Park Lions Club. At the time this project started she was

not

a

lion

but

plans

were in the works for her to become one. Lion Sig did some very unusual things – organized a “bring your gently used books to church for one month at 2 different churches, had their village put an announcement on the local cable station, they have posted it on the Village's digital sign, it was put in with the water bill and placed posters around the village, including the community center, the local library and recreation center have made donations and lastly the Chamber of Commerce office has served as a drop-off point for their collection. Simply put, Lion Sig saw the potential and “ran with it”. Her book distribution covered fourteen (14) different groups including a church, hospital, day care centers, learning centers, nursery schools and Bernie Book Bank. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Lion Sig their club book collection

amounted to 3430 thanks to letting their community know what they were attempting to do. SECOND: One club collected books but had no idea what to do with them – when the suggestion was made to go out into their community to see if there were associations who worked on behalf of

the poor and under privileged – they did some checking and found 2 different organizations and donated all their books to these two groups.

THIRD: One club has donated to two (2)

different schools – one the Shafer School in Lombard, Illinois (400 books) – “yes outside of the district” -the books are being used for their Book Exchange, where students may trade-in or just take books off grade level carts, and to classroom teachers for their classroom libraries and the Pope John Paul II in Brighton Park (700 books). Pictures were taken and sent to LCI and are up on the LCI website. The club also has donated over 300 books to Advocate Childrens Hospital in Park Ridge. Their note said “thank you so much for your recent donation to the Children’s hospital. Your kindness and generosity make our hospitalized children

SMILE!” Books were also donated to the Albany Park Community Center where the motto of the kindergarteners who attend is “read to succeed”.

Some books were also re-donated as part of the refurbishing of the “Coal City Library” who had been hard hit in the recent storms. FOURTH: A lion from one club simply went out and started collecting books. He had 300 books that were

donated to a local Senior Citizens Center for the residents and over 200 books to a local middle school. He asked if the 300 books would be

counted as part of this collection – as the Chair, I said ABSOLUTELY! It is believed there are other stories, yet untold, as to how gently used books are finding new homes and small hands to hold them.

Thanks to all the District 1A Clubs who have already participated and to those clubs who are still working on the project. THE goal is now 10,000 books by the District 1A Convention in March of 2016. So, you do not have to stop collecting – JUST POSSIBLY CHANGE YOUR FOCUS! Although the focal point continues to be on books for 0 months to 12 years – don’t’ forget the senior citizen residents your local community. Many of these centers have listings of books that they would like to have for their seniors – earmark your collection in that direction! Contact them and see what they might want. As my mentor Dr. Seuss once said: “the more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go” -Lion Judy Toft District 1-A RAP Chair

CENTENNIAL SERVICE CHALLENGE

Does Your Club Take Active Part?

-PDG Austin D’Souza, 1A Centennial Service Challenge Chairperson How many clubs in our district are reporting their monthly activities on MyLCI? Very few and it is shame to us. We in District conduct so many activities in our communities and these activities are not reported on MyLCI. As a part centennial celebration, we promised to serve 100 million people worldwide. I am very positive that we can do this and all our activities adds up when we report our service activities on MyLCI. Club secretaries, it is your duty and responsibility to report these service activities when you report club membership reports every month. There is no limit to report any number of activities on MyLCI. When you report one activity, you can place two related photographs. These photographs will be shown on Lions Clubs International website and facebook page. Your club will be getting world wide recognition. Do not fail to report your club service activities and receive proper recognition.

Youth

Vision

Hunger

Environment

Earn a Centennial Banner Patch by taking part in above service activities.

COMING SOON

IN JANUARY DISTRICT 1A MY FORUM (Mid Year Forum) MORE DETAILS NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER

Please display this pass on the

Your vehicle.

Parking is secured for all volunteers/event staff in the United Center Parking Lot “K.” You should enter the lot from Adams (heading West).

P

L LOT “K” ONLY. E A S E P A R K Please display this pass on the dashboard of I your vehicle.

N Parking is secured for all volunteers/event staff in the United Center T Parking Lot “K.” H You should enter the lot from Adams E

Governor Ralph and First Lady Sue Cordially invites the Lions of District 1-A to

The 1-A Cowboy Christmas Party Sunday December 13, 2015 12:00 PM Cocktails (cash bar), 1: 00 PM Lunch Four Points Sheraton Hotel Main Ballroom 10255 W. Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, Illinois This year the Governor and First Lady will be sponsoring Most Festive Cowboy Hat Contest Prizes will be awarded for “BEST” and “NICE TRY” Hats

Entertainment and Dancing Special Guest: Lion Bob Duda For sing along Christmas Carols

$28.00 per person All proceeds from the Christmas party will be donated to First Lady Sue’s favorite charity “Duffels for Dignity” MD-1 Spouse’s Project supplying Foster children with Duffel bags Please make checks payable to District 1-A Lions Please be “considerate” and RSVP by Monday, December 7th to ensure a reserved seat.

No tickets will be available at the door. 708-479-4779 or anton173@comcast.net

Don’t forget to bring a new book for kids ages 4-12 to support Governor Ralph’s Christmas Cheer Project

1A Governors Monthly e-Magazine. Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for Lions, Lionesses and Leos District 1A e-Mail Address: govaustin@gmail.com