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July 2007
(Click Here for Newsletter Archives)
From the Desk of
District Governor Jim Merritt
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CHALLENGE TO CHANGE
Hello Fellow Lions! Isn’t it Great to be a Lion?
As we were returning from our exciting convention in Chicago, we could not help but stop & be thankful we live in the great USA and of course in Texas where we have the freedom to serve others! And also be thankful for all the Lions who helped to send us to this event. Without you it would not be possible.
Again, the International Convention was amazing in that people from all over our world were there to unite to help others and also to learn about the role Lions can play in making our world a better place. We made many new friends and visited with many old friends. The Texas Lions were always easy to find in Chicago.
Our theme this year has been set by our new International President Mahendra Amarsiyoura and it is Challenge to Change. Last year International President Jimmy Ross stated we would have a Paradigm Shift, and now we are challenged to continue with the change that was begun last year. The only constant thing in life is that things will CHANGE. We want Lions to change and grow or we will become stale and stagnant.
Our common goals for the upcoming year can be summarized briefly – We need at least 2 new District Clubs this year. Each Club needs to strengthen & grow- this can be done with self evaluation and I will be talking about that at a later date. Last but not least, I would ask you & your club to have a PURPOSE, find a NEED, begin to fill the NEED by serving with a PASSION.
I will be contacting your club shortly to set up my visitation schedule. If you have a specific date in mind, call me and let me know what is convenient. Also our first Cabinet meeting is set for August 18th, and we will be sending out more information shortly with the details. Please make plans to attend that Saturday so we can start the new year with renewed enthusiasm. Also, we send a great big THANK You to IPDG Becky Whitenack for the great job she did for our District 2X2 and of course to PDG Brian and Lion in Training Kasey!
Thank you again for all you do as Lions in your club, community, state, country, and our world. A special thank you also needs to go to PDG Vergne and PDG Penny Gregrich who conducted the officer training sessions at Chapel Hill ISD and also to PDG Gerald Townsend who made all the arrangements for our computers to be up and running. Thanks to you Lions who braved the rain and early morning hours to attend our classes.
Yours in Lionism,
Governor Jim
2007-2008 Directories
The 2007-2008 directories are almost ready for print. If you are a PDG, a Cabinet officer, a director, a chairman, or a club officer check your information in the 2006-2007 directory. If you have had a change in address, phone, or email please contact Lynn Marshall at Lynn’s Graphics.
Lynn is printing the directory and can make any necessary changes. To contact her call (903)926-9039 or (903)553-1601 or email her at graphicsbylynn@yahoo.com. Her mailing address is 814 Gilmer Rd Suite #5, Longview, TX 75604.
A Common Thread
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HOW DO CLUBS FIND OFFICERS OR LEADERS?
You grow them! Leaders are made, not born. They are made from people who care about their communities and their Lions Club, and are mentored by leaders that are now in office. Leaders take the time to show an interest in committed club members and introduce them to responsibility. All Lion Club members are potential leaders, or have been leaders in the past. The important part of this process is to insure that someone is talking with club members about when they will take a leadership role. When talking to a potential leader about accepting a position, you should include the following:
The responsibility of the position
A breakdown of the amount of time required to fulfill the responsibilities.
A candidate should be willing to make the office a continued learning process.
The quality of a club is the result of its leadership, its membership, and its services. Never consider a task that you are asked to perform a burden or a dreaded responsibility.
Congratulations to Lion District Governor Jim Merritt 2-X2 and his cabinet. We all wish you a successful year.
Vice District Governor 2-X2,
Lion John Samples
Dog Tails
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Ivy Green #7 was touring the "NASA Space Center, in Houston" while the Executive Committee was locked in a meeting concerning our Texas Lions Camp. On July 7, 1007, Ivy will be at the Leader Dog School to continue her education. With fond memories and the love of many Lions from Texas, we bid her "Farewell".
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Highlights From Texas Lions Camp
District 2X2 sent 29 children to Texas Lions Camp on the bus during the session of June 10-15th. One student attended the Day Camp. There are 14 campers signed up to go to Diabetic Camp during the sessions of July22-28 and July 29-August 4. One child is on the waiting list to attend Diabetic Camp this summer.
District Charities
This year all District Charity donations will be sent to District Governor Jim Merritt or Cabinet Secretary Lion Nancy VanAlstine instead of the individual Chairpersons. From there the donations will be sent to Cabinet Treasurer Drew Seidel.
A convenience for club treasurers is that one check can by made covering all charities. Include a record of each charity paid and the amount for each charity with the check. Clubs will receive recognition for being 100% to the charities paid.
Remember to send charity checks to DG Jim Merritt, P.O. Box 59, Nash, TX 75569 or Lion Nancy VanAlstine , 6645 U.S. Hwy 59 North, Marshall, TX 75670.
As a reminder the following is a list of charities and donation amounts to be considered 100%:
- Texas Lions Camp- $10.00 per member
- Lions Club International Foundation- $1.00 per member
- Leader Dog for the Blind- $2.00 per member
- East Texas Eye Bank- $1.00 per member
- Lions World Service for the Blind- $2.00 per member
- Texas Lions Foundation- $2.00 per member
- Texas Eye Glass Recycling Center- $2.00 per member.
Peace Poster Contest
The 2007-2008 Peace Poster Contest theme is "Peace Around the World". All clubs wishing to participate need to order a Peace Poster kit from Club Supplies Sales Department of Lions International by October 1, 2007. Students ages 11, 12, and 13 by November 15th are eligible to participate. All club entries are due by November 15th. Send entries to Lion April McCright, 1307 Rio Grande, Texarkana, TX 75503.
Wake Village Lions Inducted into District Hall of Fame
With the creation of the District 2X2 Hall of Fame, Wake Village was proud to have four members inducted at the District Convention in May. Lion A.W. Atkinson, PDGS Happy Jack Wakin and Smokey Stevens, and deceased Lion Paul Braswell were honored at the Wake Village and Nash meeting in May. Family and friends gathered to for an evening of fun and fellowship as the medals were handed out. Lion A.W. has had 49 years of perfect attendance. PDGS Happy Jack and Smokey are both members of the Texas State Lions Hall of Fame.
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PDGs Happy Jack Wakin and Smokey Stevens accept their medals.
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Lion A.W. Atkinson seated between his children accepts his medal.
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Polly Braswell and her son, Wayne, accept the Medal in memory of Paul Braswell.
Get your Pins!
District and State pins are now available. The cost is $4.00 a piece or $7.00 for the pair. See Gov. Jim to purchase them.
A Word From Immediate Past International President Jimmy Ross
Dear Fellow Lions,
I enjoyed visiting with many of you during the International Convention and I look forward to continuing our service together this year as LCIF Chairperson. We have much to accomplish this year in order achieve our Campaign SightFirst II goal as well as spread the word about LCIF. In this message, I would like to update you on LCIF items.
LCIF Ranked Best NGO Worldwide
In a special report released Thursday, July 5, 2007, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) ranked best among non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide. From 34 global organizations, LCIF came in first for its execution of programs, demonstrated accountability, communications internally and externally, program adaptability to the surrounding community, and understanding the goals of its corporate supporters. The assessment was published in the Financial Times' Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy special report. The full story can be read online at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lions_lcif_times.shtml.
Vote NOW to Help Eradicate Preventable Blindness
LCIF has been selected by American Express as one of the top 50 project ideas in The Members Project, an exciting initiative that brings American Express Card members together to do something good for our world. Join Card members across the country to vote for LCIF's incredible idea to eliminate preventable blindness, presented to American Express by the Diamondhead Lions Club in Mississippi, USA. For every vote LCIF receives, US$1 will be donated to LCIF by American Express up to US$5 million. Cast your vote NOW for LCIF at membersproject.com http://www.membersproject.com/Health_Fitness/723. LCIF is Project ID #723. You only have until July 15 to keep LCIF in the top 25! Please share this information with your friends, family and co-workers so they can vote for LCIF. To learn more visit the LCIF Web site at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lions_lcif_amex.shtml.
Grants Awarded at June Board Meeting
More than US$2.4 million in grants were approved at the June 2007 LCIF Board Meeting. Lions clubs from all over the world were granted funds to assist many humanitarian projects, such as partnering with Lions in Malaysia for a clean water project (Korea), equipping a rehabilitation center for the disabled (Italy), upgrading the kitchen and dining room at an Easter Seals camp (Canada) and constructing a clinic and vocational center for the disabled (Honduras). Read the complete story and view the entire list of approved grants at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lions_lcif_newgrants.shtml.
There are number of new materials, including a new DVD and CD of LCIF publications available to you to help promote LCIF in your club and district. A list of these materials can found at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lcif_pr_tools.shtml.
I look forward to this year and thank you for your continued support and dedication to LCIF. LCIF is able to fulfill its mission of helping Lions serve worldwide through your support.
District Calendar Of Events
July 22-28 and July 29- August 4- Diabetic Camp
August 18- Cabinet Meeting, Mt. Pleasant, 9:00-2:00
August 28- Region 1 Zone 1 Meeting, Wake Village, 6:30, Smokey Joe’s Restaurant in Nash
October 1- Deadline to purchase Peace Poster kit
November 15- Deadline to submit Peace Poster
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