June 15, 2003

Membership and growth are constantly on every ones mind these days. "Hands for service", reaching out to help others who are in need, that’s the bottom line. Quality members who are concerned for their fellowman's welfare not only in their communities but the world as a whole. This month I will add my last two mules to our team: The first, and this will be our fifteenth mule, is New Club Extension. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have offered people the opportunity to give back to their communities and help those in need. Lions Clubs International has built on a very simple philosophy, bring community minded people together, give them the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and great things can and will happen. Over the years, as community needs have increased, Lions have broadened their focus toward humanitarian needs wherever and whenever they exist. Developing new Lions clubs strengthens our association as a whole, enhances our ability to assist people in need, and offers volunteer opportunities to many individuals. There is no limit to the number of Lions Clubs that can be established, or where they can be organized. Your club can help meet needs by chartering new Lions Clubs in areas where none currently exists or an additional club would further assist the community?

The second mule and sixteenth on our team is Club Branch. First of all, some who are reading this are asking, "what is a Club Branch?" That in itself is a very important question and it is important to know exactly what a Club Branch is. A Club Branch is a small group of people who become members of an existing "parent" Lions Club, but who hold meetings and conduct service activities at a location that is separate from the parent club. Branch members are full members of the parent Lions Club, with all privileges and responsibilities. In many communities, it is difficult to reach the 20-member minimum necessary to charter a new club. Club Branches can solve that problem. Because branches may be formed with a smaller number of members, they can flourish were chartered clubs cannot be established: small towns, remote rural areas, ethnic neighborhoods, business parks and even medical complexes.

Any Lions Club may establish a branch in any area of its district not currently served by Lions. A club may form more than one branch; however, the District Governor must be notified that each branch is being formed. I encourage Clubs to explore the possibility of branches wherever quality members can be found, members who can introduce Lions Clubs to new frontiers of service.

If you have questions or know of new areas that can be explored with either of these two mules please let me know or call extension chair Danny Fries or membership development chair Chuck Shurtleff, PDG.

DG Jerry

CLUB NOTES!

ALAMO: Reports received timely. Club presented $500 scholarship to Wheeler County High School “valedictorian” (Jamie Peacock) at honors night.

ALMA: Reports received timely. 18 hours on admin and 40 hours on community service, 73% attendance at meetings, president and treasurer attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, 4 members attended State Convention, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting.

BAXLEY: Reports received timely. 12 hours on admin and 12 hours on community betterment, 58% attendance at mtg., president, secretary and treasurer attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, 2 club officers attended Officer Trng, and 6 club members attended State Convention.

BELLVILLE: Reports received timely. 281 hours on admin and 81 hours on community betterment, 90% attendance at mtg., displayed club banner twice at other than club meeting, president, secretary and 4 club members attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, sent DG copy of club newsletter, $1200 donation to White Cane, collected 5 pair used eyeglasses, 2 sets of lens and 5 cases, $50 donation to Send A Kid To Camp, and program off DG’s topic list.

BLACKSHEAR: Reports received timely. 80 hours community service, president and one member attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, displayed American Flags on Mothers Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, held a Boston Butt sale, donated $500 to Patterson Lions Club to help with 4^th of July Celebration.

BLOOMINGDALE: Reports received timely. INDUCTED 2 NEW MEMBERS (Norma Questie Johnson and Deborah Coleman), Wal-Mart presented a check for $500 to the club for work selling brooms at the local retailers store, one media article, collected 27 pair used eyeglasses

BRANTLEY COUNTY: No reports received.

BRUNSWICK-GATEWAY: Reports received timely. Purchased one pair eyeglasses for $55, donated $300 to send someone to Diabetic Camp, donated $500 to needy family in community, donated $140 to White Cane.

BULLOCH: No reports received.

CLAXTON: Received MMR, no activities reported. Submitted A-1 Activities report.

CLINCH COUNTY: Reports received timely. Held ladies night and recognized “valedictorian” from local high school.

COBBTOWN: Reports received timely. 60 hours on community service, made donation to Tattnall High School Play, INDUCTED ONE NEW MEMBER (Steve L Cook, Sr.), president, secretary attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and displayed club banner, flew American Flags on Memorial Day.

COLLINS: Received MMR. No activities reported.

DARIEN: Reports received timely. 15 hours on admin, 51% attendance at mtg., 1 media article, $100 donation to Camp, 2 club members qualify for 100% awards, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting.

DOUGLAS: Reports received timely. 41 hours on admin 461 hours on community betterment, 37% attendance at mtg., secretary attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and training, 2 members attended State Convention, 3 media articles, spent $3,240 purchasing 36 pair of eye exam’s and glasses.

FOLKSTON: Reports received timely. 20 hours on admin and 55 hours on community service, club secretary and 4 club members attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and displayed club banner, 75% attendance at club meetings, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting.

GARDEN CITY: No reports received.

GLENNVILLE: Reports received timely. 3 hours spent on admin, 65% attendance at meetings, $459.29 spent on eye exams and glasses, participated in White Cane Day,

GOLDEN ISLES: Reports received timely. 64 hours on admin and 130 hours on community betterment, 100% attendance at mtg., spent $170 on eyeglasses, $500 spent on community betterment,

HAZELHURST: No reports received.

HINESVILLE: Reports received timely. 300 hours on admin and 175 hours on community betterment, submitted PU101, president, secretary, treasurer and 3 club members attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and also displayed club banner, 55% attendance at mtg., 5 members and one guest attended State Convention, sent DG copy of club newsletter, 2 members qualified for Golden Chain Awards, DGE Lillian received International Certificate of Appreciation at state convention.

JACKSONVILLE: Reports received timely. 6 hours on admin and 45 hours on community service, 80% attendance at mtg., submitted PU101, displayed club banner at other than mtg., rented club house 3 times during May, members set out blooming scrubs to beautify local community center.

JEKYLL ISLAND: No reports received.

JESUP: Reports received timely. 15 hours on admin, submitted A1 Annual Activities Report, 50% attendance at meetings, one media article, $300 spent on eyeglasses

KINGSLAND: Reports received timely. 5 hours on admin, INDUCTED ONE NEW MEMBER one media article submitted, raised $450 on a yard sale for a local scholarship, collected 387 pair used eyeglasses, 168 cases and 39 sets of lens.

LIBERTY COASTAL: Reports received timely. INDUCTED 4 NEW MEMBERS (Larry & Selva Lanier, Pat Foster & her husband), club officers inducted.

LYONS: No reports received.

McRae: PDG James O. Ray, made a Life Member by Club.

METTER: Reports received timely. Average attendance at meetings 35%.

MILAN: Reports received timely. 60 hours on admin, 66% attendance at mtg., 2 club members working a scheduled Camp Work Day, club sponsored the 3^rd Annual Mothers Daughter Luncheon and 87 were in attendance, participated in Dodge County Relay for Life and donated $5033.88 which was raised by bake sales and road blocks. Club awarded trophy for 1^st place overall in money collected, another 1^st place trophy for Civic Club participation and a trophy for most luminaries sold total of 36.

ODUM: Reports received timely. 20 hours on admin and 294 hours of varies other volunteer hours.

PATTERSON: Reports received timely. 50 admin hours and 250 hours on community betterment, 75% attendance at meetings, INDUCTED 6 NEW MEMBERS AND REINSTATED 2 MEMBERS (Troy L. Stewart, Sheila M. Stewart, Raymond C. Cason, Karen E. Cason, Ricky A. Kicklighter, Trisha C. Kicklighter, Scott W. Wainwright, Etta M. Wainwright)

PEMBROKE: Reports received timely. DG inducted officers for next year, Lion Rex Smith was given a Melvin Jones Fellowship.

PORT WENTWORTH: Reports received timely. 25 hours on admin and 8 hours on community betterment, 96% attendance at mtg., displayed banner at Stand-Up for America Parade, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting. Submitted A1 Annual Activities Report, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting.

REIDSVILLE: No reports received.

RICHMOND HILL: MMR received. No activities reported.

RINCON: Reports received timely. Three members attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, collected 100 pair used eyeglasses, donated $200 to LCIF in memory of Betty Erwin.

RINCON NOON: No reports received.

RINCON SAV RIVER: No reports received.

SAVANNAH: Reports received timely. 260 hours on admin, 57% attendance at meetings, submitted PU101, 3 members attended State Convention, $860 spent on eye exams and glasses, $1,000 donation to leader dog.

SAVANNAH CHATHAM SOUTH: MMR received.

SAVANNAH HOSTESS CITY: Reports received timely. 9 hours on admin and 62 hours on community service, 100% attendance at meetings, $5 donation to local food bank, $51.80 spent on community betterment, sent DG copy of club newsletter.

SAVANNAH PORT CITY: Reports received timely. 35 hours on admin and 25 hours on community service, spent $350 on community betterment, 66% attendance at mtg., submitted PU101, president, secretary, treasurer and 8 club members displayed club banner at 4^th Cabinet Meeting, 7 club members attended State Convention, collected 162 pair of used eyeglasses, 9 sets of eye lens and 4 hearing aids, treasurer awarded 100% award, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting. VDGE Rick received International Certificate of Appreciation at recent state convention.

STATESBORO NOON: Reports received timely. 134 hours on admin and 226 hours on community betterment, PU101 submitted, treasurer attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and training plus displayed club banner, 2 members attended state convention, INDUCTED TWO NEW MEMBERS (Sherrie Hinson Darlene Harville), 2 eye exams & glasses, raised $250 toward Sending A Kid To Camp, sponsoring Send A Kid To Camp and will provide transportation to camp, 3 members qualified for Golden Chain Awards,

VIDALIA: Reports received timely. 4 hours on admin, 52% attendance at meetings.

WAYCROSS: Reports received timely. 40 hours on admin, 92% attendance at mtg., club president attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and also State Convention, donated $100 for Century Club Member, 3 media articles, sent DG copy of club newsletter.

WAYCROSS-OKEFENOKEE: Reports received timely. 50 hours on admin and 208 hours on community service, displayed club banner on 3 different occasions, 73% attendance at mtg., one club member attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting and one club member attended State Convention, sent DG copy of club newsletter, 2 media articles, spent $220 on eye exams and glasses, collected 726 pair used eyeglasses, 102 sets of lens, 32 frames and 275 cases, 29 hearing aids, 16 hearing aid batteries, one member qualified for Golden Chain Award. Conducted 1^st Annual Memorial Day Bass Rodeo and made $350 profit, purchased 100 tickets on Camp Truck, received 3^rd place in Salvation Army Bell Ringing and donated $600 to local charities.

WILMINGTON ISLAND: Reports received timely. 30 hours on admin and 40 hours on community betterment, 50% attendance at mtg., sent DG copy of club newsletter, published one media article, collected 135 pair used eye glasses, MMR postmarked within 3 days of last meeting.

WOODBINE: Reports received timely. 29 hours on admin and 77 hours on community service, 73% attendance at mtg., 2 members attended 4^th Cabinet Meeting, spent $160 on eye exams & glasses, on May 10^th two lions from club helped cook for Woodbine Elementary School-6 man-hours.

SENIOR LIONS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

The next Senior Lions Leadership Institute will be conducted in Portland, Oregon, USA. September 14-18, 2003. This institute will take place before the USA/Canada Forum, which is scheduled 18-20, 2003.

The institute in Portland is designated as a “SENIOR” Lions Leadership Institute and is targeted to Lions in good standing who are currently serving or have previously served successfully as club president, but have not yet attained the position of vice district governor. Lions who are region and zone chairmen are encouraged to apply. Candidates do not have to hold a position currently. To qualify for consideration, all applications must be complete and must be received by the Institute & Seminars Department of LCI no later than July 14, 2003.

Please contact District Governor Jerry Kaiser at (912) 964-4518 or [email protected] or District Governor Elect Lillian Shurtleff at (912) 876-8324 or [email protected] for applications.

A-1 Reports

A reminder to all club secretaries, the A-1 reports are due. If you have not submitted your report you need to get it in by the end of the month. The report can be submitted on line at lionsclubs.org. Forms are supplied as well in your secretaries’ packet you received from LCI before you began this term of service.

This form is not difficult to fill out. You simply check off the areas of service your club has participated in during the past Lions year. Enter the number of service hours and funds donated for each category. When you submit your report be sure to send a copy to DG Jerry and DGE Lil for their records. Points will be awarded to your club for submission of this report.

Club Presidents are also reminded to check with their Secretaries to make sure the A-1 report is submitted.

Submission of this report is very important as it shows LCI what we are doing as Lions in District 18-B. These reports will be tabulated by LCI. The results will be reported in this newsletter when they become available.

I want to thank you for the distinct privilege of having the opportunity to serve this great District this past year as your Governor. The relationships, friendships and fellowships that were gained and experienced by me are worth more to me than all the gold in Fort Knox. As I look back over these past two years I truly wonder where has the time gone! I tried to do my best and to do what was required to simply move our District forward from when I took over from past district governor Jack. And I think we accomplished that.

I started out as Vice District Governor over two years ago and at that time my goal was to visit each club in our District and to meet the lions and the leadership of your clubs. I accomplished that and that one single act made my year as Governor so much easier.When I needed something or a committee chair to be filled I could put a face to a name when I made my request. I thank you for that. As Governor, our district did move forward in so many ways and accomplish many things to help or assist in serving those in need around us.

I was sad to disband the old Statesboro Lions Club. However; when I look at the new Statesboro Noon Lions Club and see the growth that they have attained in 10 short months it makes me very proud.

I’m also very proud that International honored eight (8) lions of District 18-B with “Certificates of Appreciation” this past year. Camp for the Blind honor our district with a plaque at the recent state convention for the highest percentage of lions clubs making donations to the camp, in fact 98% of the clubs did just that.

But I said all this to say, it’s the service that we provide as a district overall that

makes me prouder than anything else. We seek nothing in return, and in most cases we really don’t know those who we serve. We just know there is a need and we take care of it.

Thanks for the service that you render. Thanks for the many courtesy you showed me and Brenda and may God always bless each and every one of you not only for this day but for generations to come.

DG Jerry

Girl Scouts and Lions Work Together

Waycross Girls from Junior Troop 400 and Daisy Troop 279 of the Savannah Council, enjoyed a family picnic as guests of the Okefenokee Lions Club on Columbus Street in Waycross, Saturday. The girls, led by Carol Cole and Lori Fanucci, enjoyed a picnic, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and other activities.

Lion’s District 18-B Environmental Chairman Dave Ellis accompanied the girls on a nature walk around the lake identifying various poisonous and edible plants while walking. The group picked up litter left behind by some unauthorized visitors to the area.

Ellis pointed out that access to the property is available with permission, but unauthorized visitors (Trespassers) are subject to prosecution.

TOP 20 CLUBS IN GOVERNOR’S POINT CONTEST

Several club presidents have called and desire to know how the point contest standings came out. So I have listed them: