Lions History District 18-B Lions Year 2004-2005

Richard S. Mizell, Past District Governor

Foreword

It is difficult to imagine 15 years ago, the role I would play in the history of Lionism in District 18-B. I was not certain just how I was to fit into Lionism, I was uncertain of how my services would be perceived by others. I soon found out the there was a wealth of knowledge available within by club and within the District and State. I soon discovered that the more experienced Lions were always available to direct and educate on better ways to perform even the simplest service project. Over the years I took their leadership to heart and in turn built it in to the basis of the leadership style I use today.

It would not be fair to write about this year in Lionism without mentioning the names of those Lions who have had a presence on this District Governor. When I joined the Savannah Port City Lions Club in November 1989, I was a reserved 34 year old person who was not comfortable with meeting new people, speaking in public or even working on any sort of community project. I first realized the blessings of being a member of the Port City Club when I found out that the club had 4 Past District Governors and a soon to be Governor. My earliest Lionistic experience was due to the efforts of Lions Chris Barbieri, Jerry Ney and Larry Winters. (Lion Jack Durrence was also a Past District Governor who I only met one occasion but still seemed to lend a sense of encouragement.) I watched and learned as Lion Bob Bovee completed his term as District Governor in 1990-91. Learning from them enabled me to build confidence.

Now the decision to become a Lion was not taken lightly. I was invited by my Pastor to attend a Lions Meeting when I had taken the time to help him pour some concrete at his home one day. Soon I was being asked by several members at church who were also Lions to consider joining. I was concerned that I was not capable to serving as expected within the club. It was only when I attended a zone meeting that I had decided to accept the invitation. The speaker that evening was the then current District Governor, Inman Davis. There must have been something in his message that caused me to change my mind about serving.

Early in my Lionistic experience, I learned that involvement was very important in achieving success. Early in 1990, the Port City Club faced a very important decision, whether or not to permit Women members. There was a very passionate discussion both for and against the proposal. The debate eventually led a vote by ballot. I felt that Women in the club would be a positive as it would lend to more members and more diverse ideas and positive leadership. I remember ever so clearly that when the vote was being counted, the member who was seated next to me turned to me and said that he was so glad that I voted with them to defeat this notion. I did not have the heart to tell him that I had indeed voted yes. As a result of the vote, the proposal passed with the slimmest of margins. Within the next year, several women were inducted into the club. It was ironic that the same Lion who was against this idea of Women members was now praising their efforts and was glad that they had joined.

Almost immediately, I was encouraged to serve in a leadership role. In 1990, I became Lion Tamer of the club. This was the ideal first job that enabled me to learn more about the members. I soon was confident to be around the seasoned Lions as they discussed their daily life. I learned the importance of greeting visitors and making sure of proper seating. I also learned that Lions are creatures of habit. They did not like sitting in a different location.

It was during this year when several Lions of the Savannah Club came to visit one evening. One of those members, Lion Hoyt Jordan, seemed to notice my name badge. I later introduced myself to him as the son of one of his former employees of whom he had convinced to move to Savannah in 1966. It was ironic that a Lion was the reason that I was living in Savannah.

It was during this time, I was encouraged to attend District Events. I watched carefully PDG Chris Barbieri as he performed as District Tailtwister. I remember too well the District Convention in Brunswick where the visiting International Dignitary addressing the district with his grand message of Lionism in the world.

My leadership skills got a hard kick start in 1991, when I was asked to serve as 1^st Vice President. It had seemed that several Lions were not in the position to move up as was planned and they promised to support me as needed. It was in 1991 that I attended my first Lions of Georgia State Convention in Gainesville. I was amazed how Lions from across the state had the same goals as those of my club. It was there that I had the first of many Lions ask, when I would be serving as District Governor. I told him that this was not my plan.

In 1992, I decided that I would accept the challenge of serving as Club President. I soon discovered how much a challenge this was. There were meetings to conduct. Committees to appoint, club projects to manage, the PDGs were very helpful with ideas for projects. I quickly learned that leadership did not mean directing members; it means leading by example of service. Much later I learned that this type of leadership involves something Lion PIP Jim Ervin called a “Vision for Service.” I also learned that the most important member of the club was the Secretary Treasurer who was Lion Jon Lichner. He was always available to point me in the right direction. A few years later, our roles were reversed when he served as President and I was his Secretary Treasurer.

Serving as Club President also enabled me for the first time to speak in a public setting. I became confident that this was something I could perform with practice.

It was not long before Lion Jerry Ney was encouraging me to become active in the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. I was appointed the Club Director. I had remembered the speech that Past President Tom Williams had given during the first State Convention I had attended. He spoke of the services that the Lighthouse had rendered. I was impressed when I went to my first Lighthouse meeting on how the Lighthouse President, Don Hardigree took time to explain the activities of the Lighthouse.

Over the next few years, I had learned about other positions within the club, in 1993-94, I served as Club Tailtwister. I tried some new ideas and I figured out how to get those crusty old Lions to move to a new seat. I would place cards under several of the chairs. Under those chairs that the old Lions sat were placed a fine, under chairs where few or no Lions sat would contain a prize.

A few years later I began to feel the need to become more active in the district. I became aware that Governor Elect Phil Hurd was looking for a Cabinet Secretary. After attending a zone meeting, I had the job. I made sure that the minutes were properly kept. A few years later that experience became handy when DG Jim Ward asked me to fill out a partial term for him as Cabinet Secretary. It was during that year that I became more aware of the District when Lion Jim asked me to become District Newsletter Editor. A position I continue to hold today. It was Lion Jim’s idea that we should publish the activities of the clubs as it was reported on the MMRs each month. This idea has since spread to many districts in Georgia and around the world.

Each year, certain Lions would ask, when was I going to serve as District Governor? I was concerned that serving in this position would require a level of knowledge that I simply did not possess. I had traveled to my first USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Kentucky. I was very impressed by the seminars they presented. I remember the grand entrance that PID John Pierce had when he was introduced as the General Chairman of the Forum, riding in on a horse. It was there I was introduced to a new program that LCI had started called the Lions Leadership Institute which provided leadership skills to Lions with less than 5 years of service and had not reached Club President. Oh how I could have used this training. The presenter asked if I was interested. I told them that I had been a Lion too long and had already served as Club President. I told them they needed to expand the program if they wanted more Lions to reach District Leadership. Later in May 2000, then District Governor Elect Chuck Shurtleff asked for me to publish a new LCI program in the District Newsletter on the Senior Lions Leadership Institute that was being held in Tucson, just before the USA/Canada Leadership Forum. I responded that not only I would publish it; I wanted to go to it as well. This is how I became a Graduate of the #1 Class of the Senior Leadership Institute. Two other Lion Leaders were a part of this class as well, PDG Jerry Kaiser of 18-B and PCC Earl Culberson of 18-A.

After the training I became excited with the knowledge and experience gained from the Institute. I wondered how to put it to good use before the excitement wore off. Even then I was not quite ready to move up to District Governor and Lion Jerry Kaiser was ready to serve. I decided to consult with then Lighthouse Vice President Bob Bovee who advised that I could serve as Vice President of the Lighthouse to gain further knowledge.

With the training complete and the term as Vice President complete it was time to get involved and use what was learned. This is the History of Lionism in District 18-B as reported by Past District Governor Rick Mizell.

The History of Lionism

District 18-B Georgia 2004-05

The history of Lionism in District 18-B is certainly a long list of events that trace back to the earliest days of Lionism in the state of Georgia in 1920. District 18-B had its beginning when District 18 after Alabama and Florida left to form their own districts. District 18 then became too large for a single district and was divided into three districts. 18-A, 18-B and 18-C. Over the years since, 18-D was formed, then in 1955, Districts 18-E and 18-F.

The Lions of District 18-B has always been proud of being Lions. Over the decades, the clubs within District 18-B have served to help many people with Vision and Hearing Difficulties whether it is in the communities of 18-B or the state of Georgia or even overseas.

The Lions year 2004-2005 is really no different than most years. Support of the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind remains strong, there is pride of having a major state supported project within the district.

Like many previous administrations, I decided to establish a District theme for the year. Reaching back to my personal experience I decided on the following theme, “Growing in Service through Dedication and Commitment.” Each year that I have served as a Lion was a year that I grew in knowledge of what Lionism is accomplishing in the world. One of our greatest weaknesses is that we fail to make the world aware of the work that we do. We fail to tell the world of the millions of people who have had their sight saved or restored. It is our efforts resulting from Campaign Sight First during the early 1990’s that made this possible and beginning in the Summer of 2005, Campaign Sight First II to continue that important work.

Growing in Service also means that a Lion should be dedicated to the principles of Lionism. It means wearing the lapel pin when in public. It means being active in the community even when it does not seem to be a popular thing to do. It also means commitment to the cause of helping others, whether it is with a pair of eyeglasses, a hearing aid, or help to recover from any form of disaster.

During the first four months of the Lions Year, our neighbors to the south in Florida experienced the misfortune of nature never before recorded. With the landfall of four major Hurricanes, one after the other, many areas of Florida was devastated. District 18-B fortunately escaped serious damage other than some heavy rain and two minor tornadoes. Other Districts in Georgia faced more serious flooding and tornadoes. The Lions of District 18-B opened their hearts and checkbooks to support the relief efforts in Florida, Alabama, and West Virginia by donating to LCIF Disaster Relief.

Then on the morning of December 26^th it happened. I tuned on the news that morning before going to church. It was my turn to deliver the message as the Pastor always takes that Sunday off for vacation. There was a brief report of an earthquake in Southeast Asia, the early estimates of 10,000 casualties which may go higher was reported. I left for church thinking that this may be a major disaster in the making. The latest figures now state that over 200,000 people lost their lives that day.

Within the next several days, I had exchanged e-mail messages with several District Governors in the area and had passed these messages on to the clubs, asking for funds for Tsunami Relief. Within a week over $1,000 was sent to LCIF. Overall clubs contributed over $10,000 for this cause.

Overall the support of District 18-B Lions to our State supported charities seemed to wane this year as it had since 9/11. Many clubs continued their support as their projects would permit. This Governor was amazed to see the enthusiasm of each club during the annual visit. Each club would boast about the plans they are making for their fund raisers. These activities include; the annual Motor Bike Ride in Bellville, the Oyster Roast in Woodbine, the display of Flags in many communities across the district, the Steak Raffle at Golden Isles, the Annual Golf Tournament at Jekyll Island. Then there were the many clubs who hosted “Send a Kid to Camp” days and “White Cane Days” to support the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation.

Early in the Lion’s year, I received a phone call from the President of the Douglas Lions Club, Lion Barry Bloom. He told me about the eyeglass program that his club was participating in and how three of the members were optometrists. He wondered how his club was performing as compared with other clubs in the District. I took a quick look at the club reports and replied that there was no comparison with any club in the state. Only the Georgia Lions Lighthouse provides that level of support. Later I was indeed honored when I paid my visit to the Douglas Club when the meeting was to a filled room with over 85 in attendance with the room filled as well with enthusiasm and the Lion’s Spirit. 

Another surprise during my visits was the night I visited the Okefenokee Lions Club. They had completely decorated the club house in honor of my visit. They even had the District Theme printed on tent cards that was displayed everywhere.

From time to time I was honored to install new members. At each occasion I would think back to that Christmas Party in 1989 when I was formally inducted into Lionism. During the year I was honored to present two Melvin Jones Fellow Awards, the first was made during my official visit to the Jacksonville Lions Club. They wanted to honor a long time Lion of that club, Charles Jones and this was to be a surprise presentation. Invitations were sent out to neighboring clubs and friends. For a club with 17 members, there were over 85 in attendance that night. PDG Chris Barbieri told stories about the days of Lionism in the 1970’s when he was District Governor and Charles was a Deputy District Governor. It did not turn out to be a surprise for Lion Charles as he figured out something was fixing to happen.

The second Melvin Jones Presentation took place during my visit with the Hinesville Lions Club. Club President Frank Jones had asked that I would make this presentation and that it was a surprise for the recipient, PDG Lillian Shurtleff. When I began the presentation, I started with the resume being careful not to mention Lion Lil’s name. It quickly became apparent when she realized that I was talking about her. Lion Lil was again surprised at the State Convention in Hapeville when she was named to receive the Lions International President’s Leadership Medal.

One of the best success stories of the year began as a phone early in August 2004, when Lion Steve Bellmoff asked me to attend a meeting with him and Zone Chairperson David Bovee. They were talking to the ROTC Counselor at Windsor Forest High School in Savannah about starting a Leo Club. We met with the counselor and then the Assistant Principal of the School and got permission to begin work right away. Lion Steve had already contacted Lions International for materials and information. He not only had the information on Leo Clubs but also on the Lions Quest Program as well. The organization of the Leo club was a joint effort of three Lions Clubs in Partnership. They were Savannah Chatham South, Savannah, and Savannah Port City. The Knight Riders Leo Club chartered late in 2004 with enthusiastic support of the club members, family, and staff of Windsor Forrest High School. By the time they had planned their charter night they had already completed a food drive to help the needy. They also worked a Camp Work weekend in March at the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. They worked so fast and hard that Vice President Jerry Kaiser was hard pressed to find more things for them to do. They left with the promise to return with more members next year and to do more.

Another dream of success became reality during this year when the Statesboro Noon Lions Club, chartered the first Club Branch in MD 18 with the formation of the University Club Branch of the Statesboro Noon Lions Club. This was part of a part to charter a Campus club at Georgia Southern University. The club had several members who were on the faculty at the University and they had the dream of organizing the club. It was felt that a Club Branch would spur more students to join. The hard part however was getting the University system to recognize the Lions and the work they do for the community. To showcase the efforts of this club they also hosted the District Convention in February. This fine convention was chaired by PCC Jack Kennedy. The visiting International Director was Lion Walter R. “Bud” Wahl of Illinois along with spouse, Lion Jama. It was during the convention when it was announced that the Lions had indeed received official recognition by the University System. Members were recruited and the paperwork was filled out and mailed to Lions International in Late April. LCI later confirmed that the Georgia Southern Campus Club is indeed the first Campus Club in MD18. Limited activities are being performed with the official charter night being scheduled in late August to allow the students time for Summer Vacation.

As a result of these efforts, the Statesboro Noon Lions Club started the year with 18 members and ended the year with 49. This club had the largest percent growth in the district during this Lions year.

Remembering this Lion’s year would not be complete without our District Convention. International Director Bud Wahl and Lion Jama were given a private tour of Historic Savannah with a fine luncheon at the Pirates’ House. The convention began on Friday Evening with an informal dinner with the unusual theme, “Party Gras in the ‘Boro.” Many participants were chosen to wear various hats that would be associated with Marti Gras. Perhaps the most unusual hats that night were the Southern Bell Hats worn by PIP Jim Ervin and PID John Pierce. DG Rick Mizell was selected as the Jester. Those hats were soon sent around the room by the wearer who paid for the privilege. At this dinner we heard from Lion Senator Jack Hill of Reidsville Lions Club who is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He spoke about the current budget process. Saturday morning began early with an informal breakfast with the ID and the Lions Leaders of Georgia. Afterwards there was a guided tour of Meinhardt Vineyards where we learned that there is indeed a vineyard in South Georgia. The PDG’s Association held their annual luncheon meeting where they elected PDG Lillian Shurtleff, President and PCC Jack Kennedy as Vice President. PCC Stan Bazemore is Secretary/Treasurer.

The Cabinet Meeting was very well attended with the business of the District was discussed in an orderly and timed meeting. There was in attendance, three candidates for International Director who each spoke about their qualifications for holding the office. Elections were to be held at the State Convention in Hapeville. ID Bud Wahl spoke to the District, indicating the need to rebuild membership as this District is now below 1,250 members and will be in the process of being named as a Transitional District. During the meeting DG Mizell presented Year Round Growth Certificates to those Lions who sponsored new members during the last quarter. ID Wahl then presented DG Mizell with a Melvin Jones Fellowship.

The Convention Banquet was opened by the posting of the Colors by the ROTC Honor Guard of the Windsor Forest High School of Savannah. Members of the Knight Riders Leo Club were recognized as guests of the Banquet. ID Bud gave a much needed motivational speech on Lionism. ID Bud also presented International Certificates of Appreciation. PCC Jack Kennedy received a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship and the honor of chairing a very successful District Convention. PDG Jerry Kaiser, President of the Past District Governors Association inducted the following Lions into the District Hall of Fame; Lion Jon Allan Lichner of Savannah Port City, Lion Lillian Shurtleff, PDG, Hinesville, and Lion Jack L. Kennedy, PCC of Statesboro Noon Lions Club.

At the Lions of Georgia State Convention in Hapeville, Amanda Zeitlin of Pembroke was named the Anne Sullivan Award Recipient of the year for outstanding service for the aid to the handicapped.

So far this history of Lionism in District 18-B has been all positive. Now we turn to the negatives for the District. This District like most Districts in North America has been in a near constant decline for several decades. At the time when I joined Lionism, the District had an estimated 1,600 members. At the beginning of the Lion’s year, District 18-B had 1,271 members which placed it as the 2^nd largest district in the state. We began the year with 2 districts above 1,250 and 4 districts below 1,250. During the year, we added 82 members and lost 157 along with 1 club. Our membership as of April 2005 is at 1,211 which is the 3^rd largest district in Georgia. This also places this District in the beginning criteria of becoming a transitional district as defined by the International Constitution and By-Laws. Much work was conducted to determine why there was such a membership drop. 20 of the drops were due to death including two Past District Governors, R. C. Cunningham of Patterson and Lawrence R. Winters, Sr. of Savannah Port City. An effort was made to contact many of the former Lions to determine why they had left the club. About half had moved from the community and was not listed as transfers. Some of the others had lost interest. A few stated personal issues. During the year much work and concern was given to saving two inactive clubs. Of these clubs one is still inactive and the other (Rincon Savannah River) had its charter canceled in April. Rincon Savannah River was a young club having been chartered less than 5 years ago. Its membership had dwindled to 8 members in 2003 when the International Board openly discussed a plan to cancel the charter of any club with less than 10 members at the end of the Lions year 2003-2004. Because of this the membership felt that the goal of 10 members was too much to obtain. They were mostly young members with growing families. They could not support a family and Lions at the same time. So they all dropped out of Lionism at the same time before the start of this Lions Year. A major effort was made to recruit these Lions into nearby clubs. The effort seemed to be too little too late.

During the year, two additional clubs have been identified as weak clubs; both clubs have had years of success because of the leadership of one or two central Lions. Most club troubles have resulted from the loss of those leader Lions either through age or death. These clubs will once more receive help in the future until they are renewed or they exist no more.

Overall the Lions Year 2004-2005 has been good to District 18-B. There has been a lot of innovation in this District this year. It is important to recognize those Lions who served with Distinction this year.

Vice District Governor Lew Waldrop
Cabinet Advisor, District Retention Chairperson PDG Lillian Shurtleff
District Membership Chairperson, District Tailtwister Emeritus PDG Chris Barbieri
District Extension Chairperson, District Convention Chairperson PCC Jack Kennedy
District Leadership Chairperson PDG Jerry Kaiser
District Women’s Development and Activities Chairperson Brenda Nease
District Secretary Mary Ann Barbieri
District Treasurer Jon Lichner

International Awards

International President’s Leadership Medal                   PDG Lillian Shurtleff
This award is based on the leadership abilities and achievements of this Lion within District 18-B, awarded at the State Convention in Hapeville, GA May 28, 2005

International President’s Certificate of Appreciation     PCC Jack Kennedy
This award is based on the dedication and service in presenting the successful District Convention in 2005 at Statesboro, Georgia. Presented February 2005.

International President’s Certificate of Appreciation     Zone Chairperson William Alexander
This award is presented for the tireless dedication of this Lion in service to his zone during 2004-2005. Presented in April 2005.

International President’s Certificate of Appreciation     Lion Steve Bellmoff
This award is presented because of all he has done for the District during 2004-2005. Lion Steve served as chairperson for Youth Activities, Youth Outreach and Lions Services for Children. He saw an opportunity to start a Leo Club and he got the job done. Presented June 2005.

International President’s Certificate of Appreciation     Lion Edwina McDonald
This Lion was also instrumental in the charter of the Knight Riders Leo Club. She was there to help select Officers of the club. She kept precise minutes of all meetings. She is the glue that made this club come together. Presented June 2005.

District Awards

District Lion of the Year                                                Lion Joe Bill Brannon
For outstanding service as President of the Statesboro Noon Lions Club and for his leadership.

Each year the District Governor conducts a contest called the District Governors Points Contest. This contest is based on the activity and Monthly Membership Reports that each club is required to submit each month. Highlights of the activities are published in the monthly newsletter. Points are accumulated for hours worked on club projects, dollars spent on club projects and donated to Lions causes, new members, average attendance of club membership, and programs on District Governor topics. Awards were given for the top twenty clubs in District 18-B.