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April 2006 (Click Here for Newsletter Archives) Governor Leon's Log Hello, Team I am dedicating this newsletter to the District Convention April 28-29 at the East Texas Convention Center in Marshall. I hope to give you all the information you will need to encourage you to come and attend to District business while having a very enjoyable time. I will attempt to give you an event by event description of what many people have worked so hard to prepare for you. Then all you have to do is send in your registration and show up. It will be fun. First, Friday morning at 9:00 we will tee off for our golf tournament at Cypress Valley Golf Course. For only $40.00, you will get a bucket of ball, green fees, golf cart, and lunch. That is a great deal. Our guest speaker and his wife from Canada are coming in early just for the tournament. If you are a golfer, don’t miss this event. Next, Friday night will be ultra casual with a pool party and a FREE cook out provided by the Marshall Noon Lions Club. We will have a parade of banners around the pool and then we will have a great entertainer. She is bringing here karaoke machine so come and be a part of this great fun. We do need a head count. Saturday morning will bring the breakfast hosted by the Henderson Lions Club. There will be great entertainment and a warm welcome to get the events of the day started. Business will follow breakfast. You will want the wishes of your club heard. You will have a chance to vote on new officers and new policies for the district and the state. One reminder -- your club must be a member in good standing (meaning all dues paid) in order to be eligible to vote. Remember the old saying, “if you don’t go to the trouble to vote, then you don’t have the right to complain”. Be there!!! Lunch will be hosted by the Judson Lions Club. Again, good entertainment will be provided, good food will be available, and a good speaker will inspire us. You won’t want to miss that. After lunch, we have a lot of things going on to entertain you. There will be dominoes and 42 for any who feel the challenge. There will be bridge available for the “thinkers”. There will be a style show for those interested in spring fashion and a flower arrangement demonstration for nature lovers. There will even be a time for you learn “country swing dancing” so you will be ready for Saturday night’s dance. The camp walk will be during this time directed by Lion Barbara Duncan. Don’t forget, if you want child care during any of the events, let’s us know. We will provide that service if you can give us the times you want it. We will also have our Queen’s Contest during the afternoon so be sure to get your application in soon. Any girl from 9th - 12th grade is eligible. When we get your application, more Information will be sent to you. Flyers have already been sent to every club president. If you have a teenager interested, ask your president for the application. Saturday evening, we will have a reception. There will be hors d’oeurves and entertainment. You will have a chance to visit with friends and get to know new Lions. Saturday night we will have the Governor’s Banquet. It will be formal so please dress appropriately. April 29 also in World Wide Induction Day so if you have any new members that have not been inducted, please try to get them to come. International Director Terry Graham from Canada will perform that service for us. It isn’t often that this special induction ceremony is available for our district so try to take advantage of it. Of course the food will be great, the speaker will be wonderful (and one I can guarantee that you have never heard before), & the awards unique. After the banquet, there will be a dance so plan to “kick off your shoes” and show what you learned that afternoon. The music will last as long as you want so plan to “dance the night away”. Sunday morning there will be a dutch treat Governor’s breakfast at IHOP to discuss any topics you may want to discuss. All in all, it is a great week-end. So many have worked so hard to plan all this for you. Don’t miss it. Send in your registration early & save some money. I would like to thank the clubs that have sent in ads for the convention directory. Your support is very much appreciated. If your club has not done this, please make an effort to do so. Please help make this convention the best possible by supporting all activities and by being present. Governor Leon Special Points of Interest This Issue Queen’s Contest is on! Plus One Membership. Will your club make it? Read from Dr. Mehta. District Convention Program Ads deadline extended. 100% Clubs are growing in number. Is your club one? Becky's Bits Dear Fellow Lions, It’s that time of the year when you need to be electing new officers for your club. If you have not started the process, you need to do it soon. International asks that you provide new officers information to them and the Vice District Governor by April 15. We need this information for two main reasons: (1) International needs to know where to send the President and Secretaries packet for new year and (2) the Vice District Governor needs new officers information so the district directory can be put together in May and printed in June so we can pass them out in July at our first cabinet meeting. Your help in making this happen is very important to all of us. If you do not have your PU101’s from International by the time you elect your officers, you can go online and fill out the forms and send them to International. I ask that you send me a note letting me know you have filled out your PU101 online and I will take it from there. Remember April 15th is the deadline for filing your PU101. Since you will be electing new officers, I encourage you to have a special meeting to install your officers. I have heard that many clubs have gotten away from this ceremony but every new officer should be installed properly with an outline of their job duties and responsibilities. If you are in need of someone to install them, all the officers of the District should be able to help you. They would include the Governor, Vice Governor, Past District Governors, Cabinet Secretary and Treasurer and all Zone and Region Chairpersons. I would also encourage you to honor your outgoing officers with awards that would help our charities, such as a life membership to the Camp, a brick or a Jack Weich, a Texas Lions Fellow or plate award, an award from Leader Dog or Lions World Service for the Blind, or, of course, the big one - a Melvin Jones Fellow. All of these would be a great way to honor someone for their work and dedication to Lionism and their community. Last, I ask that you inform your new officers that there will be training classes for them and for the ones that have been in those positions for years. So much has changed and it’s always good to get a re-fresher course. Plus, if you are one who’s been in your position for several years, you can help us by providing information that would help the new guys. Dates, time and locations are still being worked out for club officers training so I ask that you watch your mail and this newsletter as that information becomes available. Thanks for all you do in you community and keep spreading the word of Lionism. VDG Becky Whitenack “WE SERVE” For All The World To See Thanks to the Marshall Noon Lions Club, Friday night dinner at the District Convention will be "free of charge". The dinner will be casual and pool side, weather permitting. Get your reservations in early! International Induction Day April 29 This fits nicely with our District Convention, AND we have an International Director from Canada ready to induct those new members. Does your club have new members that need to be inducted? This is an opportunity of a lifetime to be inducted by someone like this. Have your new members here at the District Banquet. If you don’t have a new member, go out and find one. This is one of the most exciting opportunities we can offer new members. Let’s finish out this year with a PLUS ONE in membership and induct them on April 29. News Around the State The State of Texas now has it Campaign SightFirst II program well underway. Training meetings have been going on almost every week-end. With the dedicated efforts of all the committee people over the next two and a half years, lives of millions who suffer from avoidable and treatable blindness will change. Each district will be receiving materials with which to work. District Coordinators and Group Coordinators will be meeting and delivering the materials to the clubs in their district. This is a historical undertaking and is critical to the success of the program. The District 2-X2 committee is made up of the following: District Coordinator Lion Leon VanAlstine, Lion Rhita Koches, Lion Jackie Childers, Lion Bill Hogan, Lion Lynn Nacol, and Lion Kathy McCullough. Great news from Council Chairman C. Lee Smith. District 2-X2’s own Lion April McCright won 2nd in the state environmental photo contest. You go girl!!! ANNOUNCEMENT - Kilgore Lions Club 75th Anniversary Will be held at Devall Center at the Kilgore College May 20, 2006 Reception - 6:30 p.m. Program - 7:00 p.m. Cost $20.00 OFFICIAL NOTICE - DISTRICT 2-X2 CONVENTION CALL The annual District 2-X2 Convention will be held in Marshall, TX, on April 28-29 at the East Texas Convention Center. Each chartered club in good standing with International, the State of Texas and District 2-X2 are hereby notified that they are entitled to one (1) voting delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members of said club, or major fraction thereof, as shows by the records of Lions International on the first day of the month last preceding the month during which the convention is held. The major fraction referred to shall be five (5) or more members. Only registered delegates with certified credentials, present in person at any meeting of the convention, shall be entitled to vote. Eligible delegates are members who have been enrolled for at least one (1) year and a day in the club as shown by the records of the International office, as counted for purposes of calculating delegate entitlement. Each such delegate may cast only one vote on each question. Leon VanAlstine, District Governor Spotlighting Club Membership Chapel Hill - 10 Detroit - 20 Emory - 20 Grand Saline - 14 Welcome Ore City Lions Club Charter night for our new Lions Club will be March 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Catfish Village on Hwy. 155 in Ore City. Reservations can be made with Lion Florine Morris of the Ore City Lions Club. The dinner is $12.50 (all you can eat). Support this new club. Call 903-968-4142, News From International Tackling the unknown, stepping outside ones comfort zone, small steps can take you far, these are all sayings that ask us to do something outside of our normal routine. We all know a Lion who fits one of these phrases. It is hard to imagine how we can change the world, but we all know Lions who do. We marvel at their commitment to giving back to the community. We appreciate the sacrifices that they make. Sometimes these Lions use their vacations to volunteer their time and energy to helping others. Sometimes it is their dedication to regularly visiting the elderly at the local retirement home, making lunches for the homeless, volunteering to teach, going on medical missions, and there are many more examples. These Lions don't ask for recognition, they prefer to just perform their service, to make a difference in their own way. I want to know more about their story. Please write to me with the story of a Lion who inspires you. Plus One membership growth is the association's focus for this fiscal year. Many clubs have embraced this goal: membership adds to existing clubs are up compared to the last three years and drops are decreasing. Are the clubs in your district part of this trend? Please help the association to achieve its goal of providing more services to each of our communities by adding more hands to serve. As it is often said: Joining a health club isn't going to keep you healthy... just as talking about inviting one new member will make it happen... you need to get out and do it. With thanks and gratitude, yours truly, Dr. Ashok Mahta International President Did you know? The association became international in 1920 with the formation of a club in Canada. Then chartered the first club in Latin America in 1931, Australia in 1947, in Europe in 1948, and in Asia and Africa in 1953 Chaplain's Corner by Lion Conley Keasler District Chaplain A Time Of Preparation Spring is right around the corner. Signs of change surround us: the weather, time changes, Easter, the budding of trees, early flowers, brightest of green hues in leaves and grass, also renewed vigor in our strides and greater energy. Usually, projects are in the "planning stages" and time frames are structured. Similar preparation is going on in our Lions Clubs all around the world. Spring is here for Lions, and names are being considered for next year's leadership. Isn't it overwhelming while considering that in every State of our Nation, in addition to several countries, the peroration process is working? While business is as usual for the next few months within the present administration, excitement and other "signs of change" are making ready for the next new vision of future leadership. It is important to stay steady within "the now" and continue the basic, solid support which is needed for the current leadership, while being supportive to the next. Transition may be a slight struggle, but, I have found that Lions are terrific in moving on. The honor of serving others is the greatest blessing one can ever receive. The term "Step Up to the Plate" is a phrase of an awesome opportunity and may occur only once in a lifetime. Don't let is pass you by! Be Blessed! Chaplain Conley Keasler Obituary Ilene Penick of Gladewater, widow of PDG Chester Penick (1976-77) Father Ben Comisky of Marshall June W. Johnson, partner in service of Lion Jack Johnson of White Oak. Lion John Dilworth, President of Longview Lions Club Glen Wallace, Canton Lions Club Terry Stephens, Linden Lions Club L.W.Bassett, Jr, Paris Lions Club Thomas Hunt, Jr., Paris Lions Club James Walker, Paris Lions Club W.D. Milner, Tyler Lions Club Jimmie Janeway Jr., Windom Lions Club Ronny Ables, Winnsboro Lions Club PDG Garvis Gilbert, Cypress Springs Lions Club Ralph Taylor, Yantis-Lake Fork Lions Club Jake Jacobsen, Quitman Lions Club J. E. Humphries, Edgewood Lions Club Kudos to Clubs with 100% Charities Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs - 200% Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gladewater Grand Saline Henderson Jefferson - 200% Linden Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Evening New Boston Noon Pittsburg Quitman Sulphur Springs Tatum Tyler Wake Village White Oak Yantis-Lake Fork Birthday Greetings Across the District April 3 - Jimmy Nell Coker April 5 - Marvin G. Stephens, Jr. April 10 - Shirley Chadwick April 12 - Celia Cotton April 12 - Marcelyn Norrell April 12 - Tina Clements April 13 - Michael Thrash April 14 - Mark Bryant April 16 - Patricia Abla April 18 - Judy Jackson April 18 - Pat Hilliard April 18 - Vince Hicks April 18 - Worth Holmes April 22 - Mike Ferguson April 24 - Rollie Sininger April 25 - David King April 26 - Betty Stribley April 28 - Frank Coker April 28 - Jim Chewning April 29 - Roxie Cluck Lion Facts: Lions association was founded by Melvin Jones The First president of Lions Clubs was Dr. W. P. Woods Lions Club motto is "We Serve" Lions Roar - 2-X2 Club Activities Windom Lions Club has worked with the city of Windom to have an animal Vaccination Clinic. It was a great success. Wake Village Lions Club hosted the Mid-Winter Conference and has been busy collecting eye glasses. Judson Lions Club had their annual Chili Supper and it was a great success. They have decided to sponsor a hole in the August Camp Golf tournament in memory of PDG Gilbert. Marshall Noon Lions Club has been busy making donations to Harrison Co. HICKS, the Smile Train, and TX Lions Camp in Memory of PDG Gilbert. Quitman Lions Club enjoyed a program by Chaplain Conley Keasler and have give eye exams and provided eye glasses for elementary children. Cypress Springs Lions Club has made donations to Meals on Wheels, assisted in medical needs for a child, has contributed $750. to TX Lions Camp in memory of PDG Gilbert, and plan to sponsor a hole in the August Golf Tournament in his memory. Dodd City Lions has made a donation to the Volunteer Fire Department and has voted to sponsor a hole in the August Golf tournament in memory of PDG Gilbert. Kilgore had a very successful chili dinner and will sponsor a hole in the golf tournament in memory of PDG Gilbert. At present time, the Lions Clubs of District 2-X2 have been working hard to meet the challenge issued by PDG Jack Wakin to sponsor holes in the August Golf Tournament in memory of PDG Garvis Gilbert. He is the only Lion from District 2-X2 that has been President of TX Lions Camp. There are 18 holes but more than one club can sponsor a hole. Can you help? See the application in this newsletter and please add your name to Lion Nancy’s list. Let’s be 100% in sponsoring this year’s golf tournament. Hello, I am Lion Barbara Duncan and I was born in Galveston, TX. I have held many positions outside the home including newspaper advertising for the Mt. Pleasant Daily Tribune and the Longview News. I served 2 years as secretary of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. Currently, my husband, Lion Jim, and I own and operate Lil Abner’s Cleaners & Laundry in Mr. Pleasant. My title now is homemaker and "full time volunteer". I served 3 years as the first woman to be elected to the Board of Trustees of the Mt. Pleasant Independent School District.. I have been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club since 1997. I was the first female member and have served as Lion Tamer, 1st VP and President. I was the first woman president of the Club and the only person to have served 2 consecutive terms as president. I currently serve on the Board of Directors and as chairman of the Lions Club Talk-a-thon, which is our largest fun raiser. My club has honored me with a Life Membership to the TX Lions Camp and a Melvin Jones Fellowship. I am also a member of the Century Club of the TX Lions Camp. In 2001 I was awarded the International President’s Certificate of Appreciation. I am currently serving my 2nd term as a member of the Board of Directors of the TX Lions Camp and District Chairman of the PDG Garvis Gilbert Memorial Walk for the Camp. I would love to come present a program to your club or any other group or organization that you feel would be interested and benefit from knowing about our camp. I am a Charter Member of the Mt. Pleasant Lioness Club and serve as its president. We concentrated mainly on providing Christmas gifts for children and families that otherwise would not have a Merry Christmas. On Jan. 18 at the Annual Banquet & Awards Night of the Chamber of Commerce of Mt. Pleasant & Titus County, Jim and I were shocked, honored, and humbled to be presented with the "Lifetime Achievement Award". Youth Events and Happenings Do you have a Queen’s Contestant Age - 9th grade - 12th grade Application - ask your President Date - Saturday, April 29 Dress - Interview - Church attire; Banquet - “Dressy” attire Mail your application to Lion Nancy at 6645 Hwy. 59 North, Marshall, TX 75670 Upon receiving application, you will be sent an information sheet explaining times, procedures, etc. Be sure to invite the family of your Queen to the banquet to watch the introductions. Welcome New Members Atlanta - William Taylor, Corey Graf, Bill Tyson Bogata - B.G. Bowden, Danny Efaw Bonham - Carla McKelva-Antrich Canton - Carol Franks, Kathy Baugh, Jerry Robbins, Corley Ragle Cooper - Herbert Brookshire, Chad Barnes Detroit - Misty Looney. Arthur & Sherry Castleman, Darrel Adkison, Samual Looney Emory - Jerry King Gilmer - Danny Weems, Jeremiah Tharp, Barbara Fluellen, Gloria McLuckie Grand Saline - Lew Cohn Henderson - Thomas Crawford, Rachel Hale, Mike Smith, William Ackerman Hughes Springs - Thomas Nance Kilgore - Dixon Morton, Brandon Stone, Nell Bell Linden - Gene Bobo, Bart Wilson, Barbara Weems, Marion Richardson, R. Lane Marshall - John Taylor, John Ready, Karla Strachan, Patrick O'Day, Patrick Smith Mar-Tex - Dee Farmer, Cathy Ditmore Mineola - Joyce Ferguson, Mark Hooton, Gaynell Clowers Mt. Pleasant - Lana Downs, Joe Minissale New Boston Evening - Zulema & Paul Schorr Pittsburg - Brenda Brabaw, E. Definger Sulphur Springs - Silvestre Murillo, Katie Colburn Tyler - Randy Wells, Quincy Beavers, Harvey Collen Wake Village - Adrian Andrews, Elvin Nothey, Spencer Roberts, Amanda Yarborough Windom - Roger Skipper, Neal Wray, Michael Hicks Winnsboro - Judy Snider Yantis - Lake Fork - Teresa Weeks ANNOUNCING CONVENTION COMMITTEES Nominating PDG Lion Gerald Townsend - Chairman Committee: Lion Mike Wood, Lion John Denison, Lion Johnny Williams, Lion Lester Godwin, and Lion John Keesler Credentials PDG Lion Jack Wakin - Chairman Committee: DG Lion Leon VanAlstine, Lion Nancy VanAlstine, Lion Rhita Koches, Lion Alonzo Ellis, and Lion Reggie Roark Resolutions IPDG Lion Don Francis - Chairman Committee: PDG Lion Bill Hurst, PDG Lion Smokey Stevens, Lion Paul Martin, Lion Basil Hill, and Lion George Kezerle, Election PDG Lion Carol French - Chairman Committee: PDG Lion Ernie Barbee, PDG Lion Joan Houser, PDG Lion Jim Williams, Lion Paul Ellinger, and Lion Jim Duncan International Convention PDG Lion Bill Hurst Sergeant-at-Arms Lion John Samples Tail Twister Lion Bill Hogan District Convention Lion Bill Hogan Constitution and By-Laws PDG Lion Brian Whitenack - Chairman Committee: Lion Wanda Mitchell, Lion Mitchel Whittington, Lion Robert Owens, Lion Lynn Nacol, and Lion Mike Ferguson Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendar! Mar 28 - Wake Village Lions Club’s Award Banquet at 7:00 p.m. at the Wake Village Elementary School Cafeteria. Cost is $8.00 with entertainment by Don Rankin. Awards will be given out for firefighter, police officer, cityworker, and teacher of the year. Wake Village Lions Peace Poster winner will be recognized. RSVP by March 7 to PDG Lion Happy Jack Wakin. April 1 - Deadline for all resolutions for candidacy to be printed in the newletter to be eligible for election. April 1 - Wake Village and Nash will host a bucket shake on corner of Hwy. 82 & Kings from 10:00-2:00 April 10- Deadline for District Convention Ads for program. April 15 - PU 101 REPORTS DUE TO VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR AND LIONS INTERNATIONAL April 15 - Early registration for District Convention ends. Price increase begins April 16. April 28 - District 2-X2 Convention in Marshall beginning with golf tournament and pool party Friday night. April 29 - Queen’s Contest. April 29 - Lions Worldwide Induction Day. May 25 - State Convention in Abilene (pre-registration required). June 30 - International Convention in Boston. Lions Club Charters Emory - 1941 Gilmer - 1953 Hawkins - 1953 Ore City - 2006 Congratulations to our new club! Now - let’s go get another!!! A big THANKS to all the Lions who attended the Mid-Winter Conference. Due to your generosity, District 2-X2 is able to sponsor a hole in the August Camp Golf Tournament in memory of PDG Garvis Gilbert. Your support in sponsoring all 18 hole in memory of District 2-X2’s only Texas Lions Camp President is greatly appreciated!!! The following clubs and individuals have pledged to sponsor a hole in the August Golf Tournament in Kerrville in memory of PDG Garvis Gilbert. Can your club help make it 100%? District 2-X2 Canton Dodd-City Governor Leon Yantis-Lake Fork Jefferson Judson PDG Jack Wakin Longview Cypress Springs Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash Wake Village Kilgore Winnsboro The District 2-X2 Newsletter Sincerely Appreciates Our Sponsors: To submit stories and photos or place an ad, please contact the Newsletter Editor Nancy VanAlstine. The newsletter goes to print on the 15th of each month. All news needs to be submitted by the 10th of each month. Contact: Nancy VanAlstine email nancyv43@yahoo.com District Governor Leon VanAlstine email martexlion_leon@yahoo.com