Governor‘s Comments...

Our wagon train is moving right along and has traveled some distance in the past thirty days. It seems the load has gotten heavier and the ole wagon master has had to add two more mules to our established team of four mules that we started out on our journey across the district. Before we get started let me explain how and why we needed to add two new mules. Let us look back along the trail that we just came down and look at some successes and slips that our “team” has accomplished in the first thirty days.

Our first mule is membership: As of the last report our district slip to a low of 1254, with a drop of 24 members. Over all the state added 752 members and dropped 870 from July 01 through May 02. My goal is for each club to increase its membership overall by two members. That would be a net gain of 100 members.

Second mule is extension: We loaded our wagon at this stop, due to the efforts of two great lions (Extension Chair Lion Danny Fries and Co-Chair, Council Chair Jack Kennedy) our district will charter the “Statesboro Noon Lions Club” on September 7^th. More details to follow. And as we circled the wagons at the last rest stop we were told there is another club in the “makin”.

Third mule is retention: International has provided us with a new “orientation manual” and our two orientation team members have received training on July 27 at the Camp For The Blind.

Fourth mule is leadership: The ole wagon master has just returned from Osaka, Japan where he received five days of extensive training before taking the leadership role from our outgoing governor. What a success story we can tell of the past year under the leadership of Jack Kennedy.

Now lets harness up!

The fifth mule is Club Tool Box Kits.

These toolbox kits are new and it is by far the best material I have ever reviewed since becoming a lion. I have ordered the club toolbox kits for each of the zone chairs to share with the clubs. It would beneficial to club presidents to attain a kit for their club. Look what’s in the kit: recruiting, membership, entrance fee assistance, club sponsor night, networking, target marketing, surviving spouse membership, planning and conducting retreats, building relationships, mentoring, motivating club members, transfer of power, orientation, membership ideas, fundraisers, improving club meetings, tail twisting, caring and sharing projects. Call club supplies if you wish to order.

The sixth mule is Certified Guiding Lion:

This program is designed to strengthen new clubs by assigning two experienced certified lions to help guide the new club through its first two years. The certified lions will have specific training to provide for new club development. The first three-hour certification training was conducted at the Camp For The Blind on July 27^th. My goal is to have two or more certified guiding lions per region.

As you know we have an exciting journey ahead of us. And with all our “mules” pulling (or uniting) together it should be a smooth and very productive one.

DG jerry

ALAMO: No reports received

ALMA: July activities reported, 54 hours for administration and 140 hours of community service. three new members.

BAXLEY: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International/District Dues. Worked 10 hours on administration. 64% average attendance monthly meeting.

BELLVILLE: Submitted July reports timely. Hosted District Governor and Region Chair for annual visit. Averaged 90% attendance for monthly meeting. Two members attended International Convention. Worked 145 hours on administration, turned in 10 pair glasses and 24 pair lens. Wrote one newspaper article. Copy of club newsletter sent to Governor.

BLACKSHEAR: No reports received

BLOOMINGDALE: No reports received

BRANTLEY COUNTY: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International and District Dues. 10 hours on club administration. Had one guest at last meeting.

BRUNSWICK-GATEWAY: No reports received

BULLOCH: Submitted July reports timely. 25 hours on administration and 45 hours on community projects, 85% attendance at meetings, 2 eye exam’s with expenditure of $70. 25 pair used eye glasses collected.

CLAXTON: Received MMR, no activities reported

CLINCH COUNTY: No reports received

COBBTOWN: MMR received, no activities reported.

COLLINS: MMR received, no activities reported

DARIEN: No reports received

DOUGLAS: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International Dues, 59 hours for administration, sent club newsletter to DG, 5 media articles written, purchased 39 pair eye glasses for $3510, $250 and 578 hours on community betterment, club newsletter first honorable mention from International contest.

FOLKSTON: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International dues, 121 hours on administration and 65 hours on community service, 7 lions and one guest attended Ga Lions Day at Camp for Blind. Displayed 136 flags on July 4th

GARDEN CITY: Submitted July reports timely. 8 hours on club administration and 64% average attendance monthly meetings. Paid International dues and appointed associated directors for Lighthouse and Camp For the Blind.

GLENNVILLE: Submitted July reports timely. 3 hours on club administration and 42% average attendance monthly meetings. Sent club newsletter to District Governor

GOLDEN ISLES: Submitted July reports timely. Placed article in Islander magazine, placed flags out on Flag Day and July 4^th, paid International Dues, appointed associate directors for Camp and Lighthouse.

HAZELHURST: No reports received

HINESVILLE: MMR received, no activities reported

JACKSONVILLE: No reports received

JEKYLL ISLAND: No reports received

JESUP: Submitted July reports timely. Two hours spent on administration, one media article, one new member, 90% attendance at meetings, $150 for eye glasses.

KINGSLAND: MMR received, no activities reported

LIBERTY COASTAL: No reports received

LYONS: Submitted July reports timely. Hosted DG, spent 40 hours on administration, one media item, $100 spent on community betterment, $59 on eye glasses, 2 lions attended Ga Lions Day at Camp

McRAE: MMR received, no activities reported

METTER: MMR received, no activities reported

MILAN: MMR received, no activities reported

ODUM: Submitted July reports timely. Installed officers, one media article, 238 hours of community service

PATTERSON: No reports received

PEMBROKE: Submitted July reports timely. Hosted DG and Region Chair, one eye glasses application approved, President Marie Smith awarded her Golden Chain award. One guest at meeting, Lens Crafter manager from Savannah who also gave a talk on Lens Crafters Gift for Site program.

PORT WENTWORTH: Submitted July reports timely. Hosted DG, average attendance 60% for meetings, President, Secretary, 13 club members and 2 guest went to GA Lions Day at Camp. Presented Camp with $500 check

REIDSVILLE: Submitted July reports timely. International dues paid, associated directors appointed, 32 hours on administration, 2 media articles, 2 pair eye glasses purchased for $130, $150 spent on community betterment.

RICHMOND HILL: MMR received, Hosted DG and zone chair with a “low county boil”.

RINCON: MMR received, no activities reported.

RINCON NOON: Submitted July reports timely. Installed officers

RINCON SAV RIVER: MMR received, no activities reported, Hosted DG

SAVANNAH: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International and District dues, 250 hours on administration and purchases 20 pairs of eyeglasses at a cost of $800.

SAVANNAH CHATHAM SOUTH: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International dues, 25 hours admin, to hours on community service, 80% attendance at meetings, $150 worth food donated to night shelter.

SAVANNAH HOSTESS CITY: Submitted July reports timely. 100% attendance at meetings, 18.5 hours for community service and 6.5 hours on lions service. International dues paid, associated directors for camp and lighthouse appointed. Club newsletter sent to DG

SAVANNAH PORT CITY: Submitted July reports timely. Paid International and District Dues, 26 hours on administration and 197 hours on community service. $100 donation to lighthouse.

STATESBORO: Club in-active

VIDALIA: Hosted DG, award 3 $500 scholarships to high school students. Purchased $814 worth eye glasses, $6500 on community betterment. (Spent $5,000 for a individual's eye surgery)

WAYCROSS: Submitted July reports timely. International dues paid, 45 hours on administration, 84% attendance at meetings and 2 media articles written.

WAYCROSS-OKEFENOKEE: Submitted July reports timely. Sixty hours on administration and 150 hours community service, 85% attendance at meetings, 8 media articles, 17 lions attended Ga Lions Day at Camp and 8 lions worked at Camp for scheduled work day. $100 sent to Leader Dog.

WILMINGTON ISLAND; Submitted July reports timely. Wrote one article for newsletter, community service hours 44, lions project hours 15. Held broom sale and net. $242.

WOODBINE: Submitted July reports timely. Average attendance in meetings 71%, 56 hours on community service and 27 hours on admin. $105 on eyeglasses and on Ga Lions Day at camp presented $1000 check. Seven members cooked low county boil for Governors visit to camp. Paid International dues.

Region 1 Zone 2 will hold its first meeting of the Lion’s year on Monday, August 26, 7:00 p.m. with a cookout at Faith Lutheran Church, 5995 Waters Avenue. All members of clubs in the zone and beyond are invited to attend. Club Presidents are reminded to prepare to report on their club plans and activities. Steak and Chicken will be served. Cost is $11.00 per person. RSVP to ZC Jennifer Eisenhart by August 19, (912) 826-6611 e-mail [email protected]. Please indicate a choice of Chicken or Steak. VDG Lil Shurtleff will present a short program on New Member Orientation.

Lions day at the Camp was once again informative and entertaining.

Various events, such as Fish-A-Thon at the Catfish Pond, Arts and Craft at the Azinger Art Barn, Sweeper Beeper in the Dining Hall and Canoe races at the lake, were conducted during the morning at the enjoyment and pleasure of all present.

An excellent Bar-b-que Chicken lunch was served with all the trimming including banana pudding for desert. After the fine lunch an outstanding program, with the theme "United We Stand at GLCB - 2002", was presented by the campers and staff. Thanks go to those who decorated the Activities Building in a patriotic décor.

The grounds were in picture perfect condition and the Building and Grounds Manager should be commended.

In the evening a Special Talent Show was presented by the campers and staff and those in attendance were thoroughly entertained.

There were a total of 175 campers attending and 21 who registered but were unable to attend.

Those Lions who were unable to participate missed an exciting weekend.

At the Executive Committee meeting on Sunday it was decided to interview and hire a full time Buildings and Grounds Manager and a Secretary to assist the Camp Director.

Procedures to ensure that telephone calls are answered in a timely manner are being examined for implementation.

A contract to transfer ownership of the Camp Horses to Jacob's Ladder in exchange for riding privileges for the Campers was discussed. This would be a win-win situation. The Camp will not have the expense of maintaining the horses and the Campers would still have a riding program. If anyone would like more details, please contact me and I will be glad to discuss it with you.

The Statesboro Lions Club has presented the GLCB with a double wide trailer that was formerly used by the Club. The property on which the building is located has already been deeded to the Camp. Disposition of this gift is being studied by the Executive Committee and the most advantageous decision will be made.

Yours in Lionism,

M. P. Jones

Vice-president 18B

On June 30, 2002 the cost of mailing a 1 oz letter increased to .37. Lions International District 18-B Newsletter is published each month to promote the activities of the district. The cost of this newsletter is partially covered by Lions International and by dues collected by District 18-B. In order to maintain costs of publishing and mailing the newsletters, delivery is limited to the following Lions; Club Presidents, Club Secretaries, Zone and Region Chairmen, Cabinet Officers, District Committee Chairs, Past District Governors, International Director (In State), Past International Directors (In State). It is not cost effective to mail to every member in the District.

This newsletter is also published on the internet at http://galions.org/18b/news.html and is available for download by anyone who has an internet connection. In order to control costs, those Lions who have an internet connection and on the mailing list will have a hard copy mailed to them only on written request. Any other Lions who requests a hard copy of the newsletter may subscribe at a rate of $10.00 per year. This will cover the cost of production and mailing. Questions and comments may be directed to DG Jerry Kaiser, or IT Chair Rick Mizell.

A Charter application for the Statesboro Noon Lions Club was filed June 25^th, 2002. The initial application shows 23 Lions, and there are several more planning on joining the new club. A Charter Night Banquet is planned for 6:30 p.m., Sept. 7^th, 2002 at the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church Social Hall in Statesboro. The keynote speaker will be ‘Our President’ Lion James E. “Jim” Ervin. PDG, Lighthouse President and Judge Haynes Townsend will provide his unique twist of ‘accountability and atonement’, otherwise know as Tail Twisting.

Plan now to join us in Statesboro to celebrate the birth of another Lions Club in MD18 and to enjoy the fun and fellowship of District 18B. Cost is $15.00 per person. Please RSVP to CC Jack Kennedy. Rooms are available at the Fairfield Inn (912) 871-2525. Room reservations should be made right away. Deadline for Room Reservations is August 27. Please note the opening Football Game for the Georgia Southern Eagles will be played that afternoon so rooms will be hard to come by if you wait.

Speaking of Communications, our District Newsletter is the means of communications in our district. Without your support by submitting your club activities on time, we would not be able to have a quality newsletter. Many people have commented on the Newsletter and the wealth of information it provides. But really the thanks belong to you the Lions of District 18-B. You really do deserve the credit.

Often I have been asked, when is the deadline for the newsletter? The answer is the 1^st of each month. By what means can I submit a newsletter article? By e-mail, by fax, or by letter, the article must be in written form. Just a reminder to Club Secretaries, the activities of your club that are printed in the newsletter are taken from the activities report you send to our District Governor. Lion Jerry complies and writes these articles. Please be sure to include enough information about your projects. Remember you are boasting about what your club is doing in service in your community. But, is it really boasting or simply sharing ideas? A project that your are doing might inspire some thought within another club. What if we could do this? It could be the beginning of a new service project that could benefit the community.

And speaking of club activities, there are some clubs that month after month simply send in a report with the number of members in the club and no activities to report. To those clubs I would ask, what are you doing to serve your fellow in your community? If you completed no activities during the month, what are your plans for the future? We are an association of service clubs, it is our nature to help others in need. If you find you need help to motivate membership, to build new membership, or new ideas for service, call on your zone or region chairman call on your Governor. That’s what we are here for. Every Lions Club at one time or another has found it necessary to call on others for help. We think of the old days when there were many more Lions than there are now. It is easy to fall into hopelessness as we see our friends and ourselves grow older. It seems that we cannot get things accomplished as well as we once did. What we need to remember is that when Lionism was young, we were doing the work of Lionism in one sense to prove who we are and what we can do to help others in need. By our actions we have attracted others to become Lions with us. When we plan our activities, we should think of what we can do and resist the temptation of we couldn’t. What I am asking you fellow Lions is to become bold with your plans and ideas. Think of more and better ways to serve others. Be excited about what you do. Your excitement can be contagious. And through your excitement you will be noticed by future Lions looking for a life of service. Come help me share in news of your success.

"To be a club leader is a great challenge, but focusing on the suggestions we've gotten during the Institute has helped me to get 'basic' knowledge and practical applications." ... "Excellent program" ... "The most important idea I learned was to listen to each other and to try to be involved with all the members (encouraging them) to take part in the activities of the club." Say graduates of Lions Leadership Institutes.

Join us for learning experience of a lifetime for a few days of fun and challenging educational activities that will expand your knowledge of Lions and the skills required to advance in the largest service organization in the world Lions Clubs International. Some of the topics discussed include Lions Fundamentals, Working in Teams, Public Speaking, Communications and Membership Programs. Faculty is composed of well-respected, experienced and knowledgeable Lions leaders.

Lions Clubs International Leadership Institutes are offered in two tracks: Emerging and Senior. The Emerging Leadership Institute is available to Lions who have been members for less than five years and have not yet served as a club president. The Senior Leadership Institute is open to Lions who have served as club president but not yet as vice district governor. Closer to home there is the Southeast Lions Leadership Institute that will offer an Emerging Leadership from April 24 to 26, 2003. The location is this Institute will be announced soon.

For more information and applications, please contact District Governor Jerry Kaiser.

Retina Week (International) will be Observed in September
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over 50 in the Western world, yet awareness remains low. AMD Alliance International has designated September 22 ­ 28, 2002 as Retina Week. Your club may wish to conduct a special activity to make the community aware of your programs for sight conservation and work with the blind. For information, please contact the Program Development Department [email protected].

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one child in four cannot see well enough to read without glasses. By age forty, 90% of adults need eyeglasses to read. The lives of nearly 500 million people (worldwide) would improve with a simple pair of eyeglasses.

Last fiscal year, nearly 5.3 million pairs of eyeglasses were collected in the United States alone, also approximately 148 million people wear some form of corrective eyewear. In general, a person will need to replace his/her eyeglasses every few years.

If Lions collected roughly five million pair worldwide last year, and if 148 million people in the United States have corrective eyewear, most likely there are many millions of pairs of glasses in the United States alone that are sitting unused in dresser drawers!

Promote your club's collection of eyeglasses (and sunglasses) and send them to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. For more information contact the Lighthouse at 800 718 SITE or 800 718-7483.

Leo clubs are open to young men and women of good character, ages 12 to 28, who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Each Leo club is sponsored by a Lions club. Leo club members elect their own officers, schedule their own meetings and select their own fundraisers and service projects.

Popular service initiatives among Leo clubs include protection of the environment; community improvement; drug abuse prevention; health education; educational assistance; social services; and citizenship promotion.

The social aspect of the Leo club program provides opportunities to meet other young people who share common interests, values and goals. The international scope of Leo clubs provides for interaction at regional Leo forums, the Lions International Convention, "club twinning" or pen pal exchanges. In addition, Leos can apply for participation in the Lions international youth exchange and youth camp programs.

The Leo club program motto is: Leadership; Experience; Opportunity . Additional Information is available at the LCI website www.lionsclubs.org

"Dream of Peace" is the theme of the 2002-03 Peace Poster Contest. Lions clubs can sponsor the contest in their community for children in local schools or organized, sponsored youth groups. Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November 15, 2002, are eligible to participate. Students select a medium as outlined in the contest rules to draw, paint or sketch their interpretation of the contest's theme.

Lions clubs may purchase a contest kit through the Clubs Supplies Sales Department. Cost is $7.95 per kit plus shipping and handling. A kit must be purchased for each school or youth group sponsored. (The contest must be sponsored by a Lions club.)

Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of theme.

Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international (semifinal and final judging). At the international level, a group of judges from the media, art, literary and youth community select 24 finalists. From those 24 posters a panel of judges select the grand prize winner. The remaining 23 posters are named merit award winners.

Entries not meeting deadlines will be disqualified.

October 1, 2002 Deadline to purchase kits from the Club Supplies Sales Department at International Headquarters.

November 15, 2002 Postmark deadline for a club to send one winning poster (per contest sponsored) to the district governor.

December 1, 2002 Postmark deadline for a governor to send one winning district poster to multiple district council chairman.

December 15, 2002 Postmark deadline for one multiple district winner to be sent to the Public Relations Department at International Headquarters.

February 1, 2003 International winners will be notified on or before this date.

Each kit contains:

Send a Kid to Camp Day

Its that time of year again when kids head back to school and vacations come to an end. But it is also time to think about a special project to help others such as Send a Kid to Camp Day. The funds that you raise will enable the Camp to provide opportunities for visually impaired youth to enjoy the enriching experience of Camp life next year.

When you complete your project be sure to mark your check “Send a Kid to Camp Day,” to receive proper credit.

Learning by experiencing is the foundation of the Lions International Youth Exchange Program.

Since the program's introduction in 1961, there have been thousands of:

The objectives of the Lions Youth Exchange Program are:

The Lions Youth Exchange Program fulfills the First Object of the Lions:

To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

The Lions Youth Exchange Program is not intended for tourism or academic studies. During the four to six-week exchange, program participants reside with two or three Lion-approved host families. Through this home stay opportunity, young people learn about life in another culture.

For more information about the Lions Youth Exchange program or to sign up for the program contact Lion Jennifer Eisenhart at (912) 826-6611 or by email [email protected]. Additional information is available at the LCI website www.lionsclubs.org

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