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January 2008 (Click Here for Newsletter Archives) From the Desk of District Governor Jim Merritt Dear Fellow Lions: Can you believe it is actually 2008??? I hope this newsletter find every member and every club doing well! I want to thank our clubs for adding new members, for maintaining our current members, and I want to offer help to those who have lost membership. If each club in the district would add one new member, we would have 48 new members! There are fine people out there who have just not been asked if they would like to join us in making a DIFFERENCE in other people’s lives. Next on our agenda is our Camp Walk in Pittsburg, January 19th – Lion Linda and I are excited and we want to see you there! A lot of planning and hard work has gone into this event and as I’ve said, we owe it to the kids in Kerrville – they deserve our best! Many thanks to Lion Patricia Guy and the Pittsburg Lions - can you hear them ROAR? Thirdly on the list is our upcoming Cabinet meeting in Bogata, Texas on February 16th. The club members are already working on making this meeting a great success also. More details will follow next month. Last but not least our District Convention in April in Paris, Texas. Lions, we can promise you are going to have a good time in Paris! Don’t miss out – the Paris Club has been making preparations for months and we really appreciate their efforts for all of us. In April, we will also be needing a Vice District Governor candidate to help VDG elect John Samples. Please seriously consider stepping up and Serving. If you would like to serve, give me or Lion John a call. What a privilege and honor to serve the fine Lions of District 2X2! Our last but not least item is our District 2X2 Peace Poster winner! An independent panel of judges has selected Miss Carly Hendrick’s poster as the best. She is an 8th grader at Middle School in Longview. The club representing her is the Judson Lions. Way to go guys! Thanks to all participated, especially all our young artists. See you in Pittsburg with your tennis shoes on ready to GO! Governor Jim Nature Photos Time to get out and take those nature pictures! Anything in nature is acceptable, but NO people. Send your picture to Lion Nancy - nancyv43@yahoo.com - by January 15. Let's beat last year's entries of 12 photos. Quips and Quotes Taken from the Texas Turnabout Often we hear Lions speakers refer to ourselves as the "World's Largest and Greatest Humanitarian Organization".  This is, of course, true - Rotary makes the same claim; however the facts are with us.  They won't be for very long, however, at the present rate of our negative growth. We all know this very well and it has been a concern for about 20 years.  Numerous well intentioned and dedicated Lions have offered solutions and programs.  Sadly few, if any, have had lasting effect.  It is tragic to even think of an organization with such noble aims, endeavors, goals, and marvelous successes to just whither away a little at a time.  Our programs have begun to suffer and deterioration will continue exponentially unless a Bold and Dramatic new initiative is launched in the coming years. We were at 44,000 Lions in Texas just over 20 years ago - We all know these things well, and many wonder what is going to happen in 10 to 15 years if we don't act soon.  Think about our Local District, and State projects (The Camp, Foundation, eye banks, etc., etc.).  Will we be forced to give them all up and become a social group or even cease to exist?  It is no comfort to know that other groups have the same problem.  Lions of Texas must rise to the challenge with our own recovery initiative - When, not if, it is successful others in North America will follow our lead. Some believe that any plan that will work in Texas must be born in Texas - We can make it work and from MD to MD.  We must reconsecrate and re-dedicate ourselves to that which we hold ourselves out to be - The World's Largest Humanitarian Organization.  Emphasize our charities:  Our kindness is what made us great to start. Let us launch "The Texas Turnabout" - the name of this great initiative.  Also let us rename our newsletter also The "Texas Turnabout" to be discussed hereinafter and our slogan should be "Dare to Care" (You surely do or you wouldn't still be reading). We must not forget that we have a Covenant of Commitment".) Printed from the article "What we hold ourselves out to be."  Taken from the publication THE TEXAS TURNABOUT Volume 1, No. 2.... February 10, 2006. VDG 2 X 2     John Samples New Members The following is a list of new members for District 2X2 for the month of November: Don Harper - Atlanta Christina Caballero - Bogata Andy McCuistion - Canton Aaron Shinn - Canton Lana Niemann - Gladewater Angela Berry - Henderson Christopher Robinson - Henderson Mary Collins - Pittsburg Ronnie Stegman - Pittsburg Vena Harwell - Pittsburg The following Clubs are 100% to the Texas Eye Bank: Atlanta Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Longview Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork The following Clubs are 100% to the Texas Eye Glass Recycling Center: Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Longview Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork The following Clubs are 100% to the Lions World Services for the Blind: Atlanta Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Longview Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork The following Clubs are 100% to Leader Dog: Atlanta Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Longview Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork The following Clubs are 100% to Texas Lions Camp: Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Lindale Longview Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Spring Hill Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork The following Clubs are 100% to Texas Lions Foundation: Bogata Canton Chapel Hill Cypress Springs Daingerfield Dodd City Edgewood Gilmer Gladewater Hallsville Hawkins Henderson Jefferson (200%) Judson Kilgore Longview Marshall Mar-Tex Mineola Mt. Pleasant Nash New Boston Noon New Boston Evening Ore City Paris Pittsburg Sulphur Springs Tyler Wake Village White Oak Windom Yantis-Lake Fork District Calendar Of Events January 15 - Environmental Photo Essay deadline January 19 - Mid-Winter, Pittsburg January 19 - Camp Walk, Pittsburg January 26 - Chili Supper, 6:00, Judson February 16 - Cabinet meeting, Bogota April 18-19 - District Convention, Paris July 31 - Harry Wickersham Golf Tournament-, Fredericksburg Have your Club's events listed here: email Lion April McCright at aprilm128@aol.com Mid-Winter Conference January 19, 2008 Hosted by Pittsburg Lions Club @ Emmanuel Baptist Church 307 Elm St., Pittsburg, TX 75686 Grab your walking shoes and come join other Lions in your district for a very special Mid-Winter Conference in Pittsburg. This year’s meeting is dedicated to the Walk for Texas Lions Camp. Each club in the district is requested to send at least 2 people- one walker and one cheerleader. Let’s make this the biggest, most fun walk for our camp that District 2-X2 has seen in a long time. Special guests will include: Kara Hale, a 13 year old camper from Texarkana, Julie Barnes, a camp counselor from Waskom, and Stephen Mabry, Executive Director of the Texas Lions Camp. District 2X2 Obituary Lion Neal Brooks, Charter President - Edgewood Lion Leon Slaughter - Edgewood Lion Gordon Barlow - Edgewood Lion Phil Bird - Jefferson Lion H. R. Slack - Marshall PDG Jim Williams - Marshall Lion Martin Foye - Pittsburg Lion Howard Skelton - Tyler Lion Ronald Serber - Tyler Lion Wayne Ward - Paris Lion W. P. Hanson - Pittsburg Chaplain's Notes These notes will only go to the President and Secretary of each club. If I proclaim great statements that can enrich the reader only; how many lives to I actually contact? Will the President/Secretary take the initiative to make copies or promote the newsletter? What kind of impact can the write make on the clubs? After spending some time with fellow lions at the last cabinet meeting, I realized just how much I had missed them. As time continues, we find that our direction may change. “Even though we make our plans, God directs our steps.” The word that has been stirring me this week is “invest”. I approached the wisdom of Webster, Dictionary and found the following statements: “installed with an office or honor”; they are equipped to do the job of representing their organization; therefore they receive the authority or power to carry on from Lions International. Then, true quality or characteristic shows. It is an awesome opportunity to spend time with folks who exhibit qualities of excellence. The same scenario is in the Christian Life. We come from different backgrounds, presented an offer to “have eternal life”, decide to step into a Kingdom, into a family of Believer’s, become members attached to one another to carry on a work. Do we all like the same things? Do we have the same goals, the same lifestyles, and same positions? Absolutely not! But our focus is for the “good” of the purpose. The Direction is always forward, upward and onward. Stop and reverse are not options! Change may be difficult, but how many of us have been in the “lions de”, recently? What a great love- to set aside time, encourage one another, be there for each other, and give the best that can be given- self! Have a blessed month! Share with your others in your club. Above all- Be thankful! Chaplain Conley Keasler Email- conleykeasler@sbcglobal.net Phone- 903-935-8020 (Home) Phone- 903-923-9927 (Business) Fax- 903-923-9928 A Word From International President Mahendra Amarasuriya Change does not come easily to any large organization – especially an organization with a history as long and successful as Lions Clubs International.  But the challenge to change we have embraced during this, our leadership year, is nothing to fear.  It is simply our way of holding fast to our fundamental ideals while recognizing the reality of change in our world. I am asking our clubs and members to embrace this change by recognizing that the benefit of adding more women and young people to our clubs is exactly what Lions have sought for all 90 years of our association's existence – more and better service to our communities and the world. During this year I have stressed that to truly live up to our ideals, we must serve our communities as they really are, not as we imagine them to be.  To clearly understand where our energies and resources will do the most good, our membership must more accurately reflect the communities we wish to serve.  In addition to this vital insight, greater diversity in our membership will also give us greater access to the means and methods needed to fulfill our mission in today's world. I hope that you are also carrying this message to the clubs in your district.  As you know, this year we have put special emphasis on increasing the number of women and young people in our ranks.  There are a great many resources available to help your district successfully meet this challenge.  For information about inviting family groups, students and Leos into full Lions membership you may direct your clubs to: http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_student.shtml http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_family.shtml http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_leoconversion.shtml ...The "best practices" for membership growth and retention available at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_practices.shtml are also sure to provide ideas and inspiration. In addition, many of the actions needed to help "re -brand" Lions Clubs International can be encouraged through this year's Challenge to Change Awards.  Nominations are due by November 27. As you also know, as part of our efforts to grow and diversify, we have reemphasized the October Growth Awards.  Please remind your clubs that new members must be included on the current WMMR to receive proper credit for their advancement. As always, it has been a pleasure to see many of you on my travels and to hear of your successes.  You have my complete faith as Lions Clubs International's most important agents of change. Thank you for all you do for the Lions of your district and our entire association. CSFII Donationa The following is a list of clubs in 2X2 that has contributed to Campaign Sightfirst II: Paris - $1000.00 Canton - $1400.00 Hawkins - $1000.00 Tyler - $2000.00 Daingerfield - $100.00 Henderson - $125.00 Hughes Springs - $1000.00 Jefferson - $902.00 Judson - $14,000.00 Mar -Tex - $1000.00 Pittsburg - $2000.00 Wake Village - $100.00 Winnsboro - $200.00 Other - $500.00 Total - $26,227.00 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.