Governor‘s Comments...

 It is hard to believe that a month has already passed since the International Convention. My visits with the clubs of District 18-B have been inspiring to say the least. This past month has also been the most busiest I have ever experienced.

On August 1st, District 18-B held its organizational meeting with 78 Lions representing 26 clubs in attendance. Every one had an opportunity to meet new friends and discuss Lions activities with old friends. In the coming weeks the Zone Chairpersons will be in contact with the clubs and begin plans for Zone Meetings. This will again be an opportunity for Lions to meet and share ideas for Success in our Communities.

Sharing Success through Community Service is an important part of our Lionistic service. For all of the services we perform, we must remain visible to our community. One important way to become visible is by regular press releases. There are several clubs in the district that have at least several articles published in the local newspaper. One club I recently visited, even had a newspaper reporter at the meeting.

Another means of visibility in the community is through the broadcast of Radio announcements. Golden Isles Lions Club as an example, has a local AM radio station broadcast several times a day a Lions Club Eyeglass Recycle Message.

Some of you might ask, how do I get something printed in the newspaper? First, you will need to submit your article in typewritten form. Include many pictures if possible. The pictures should show Lions at work with their Lions vests. Pictures of posing Lions will not be printed and may cause your article not to be published as well. The article should tell a story of action. A simple story about a fundraiser will not score enough points to be published. But a story about a Broom Sale that will help local residents obtain eyeglasses might be printed. Or what about a community health fair. Several years ago a club sponsored a Community Health Fair that featured; Blood Pressure Checks, Diabetes Awareness, Blood Donations, Vision and Hearing Screening. This event not only got in the paper, but was also featured on the Television News.

Additional information about publicizing club events can be found at the Lions Clubs International Website http://www.lionsclubs.org

Another area of awareness, we need to attend to is our club signs. Each community should have a Lions Club sign on every major road entering the community. When was the last time you looked at your signs? Do they look faded or are they even visible? Do they accurately announce your meeting place and time? Now is the time to check your signs and repair them if needed. If you do not have signs or you need to replace your signs, they are available from club supplies.

The single most important way we can share our success is by disproving the myth that “the Lions are the Best Kept Secret!”

DG Rick

August 13-15                       LCI/Leader Dog Visit

Monday August 16              Alamo Lions Club                                                 7:00 pm

Tuesday August 17              Savannah Hostess City Lions Club                       6:30 pm

Thursday August 19            Odum Lions Club                                                  7:00 pm

Monday August 23              Woodbine                                                             7:30 pm

Tuesday August 24              Kingsland                                                             7:00 pm

Thursday August 26             Bloomingdale                                                      7:30 pm

Saturday August 28              Council of Governors, Hapeville                         9:00 am

Monday August 30               Waycross                                                             1:00 pm

                                             Waycross Okefenokee                                         7:30 pm

Thursday Sept. 2                  Golden Isles                                                         7:00 pm

Tuesday Sept. 7                    Pembroke                                                             7:30 pm

Sept. 9-11                             USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum-Reno NV

Tuesday Sept. 14                  Garden City                                                          7:00 pm

Wednesday Sept. 15              Statesboro Noon                                                   12:00 pm

Alamo- MMR filed on time, no activities reported.

Alma- (19) Club hosted the DG in July. Filed Reports on time. Spent 25 hours on club administration. Average 23 at meetings. 2 attended District meeting. 36 hours spent on Community Betterment.

Baxley– (15) Filed MMR and Activities Reports on time. Club hosted Cabinet meeting with Officer training on August 1st. Club worked 30 hours on community projects. Club hosted District Organization Meeting on August 1. 9 members in attendance along with club banner.

Bellville– (2) Filed MMR and Activities on time. Club took month off in July but still published 2 articles in local newspaper honoring 2 Melvin Jones Fellows and 2 students selected for the All State Band. 2 members attended District Organization meeting along with club banner.

Blackshear– MMR and Activities report received on time. Purchased three pairs of glasses, paid International dues and displayed flags on 4th of July.

Bloomingdale– MMR and Activities report submitted on time. Spent $55.00 on local eyeglasses, $100 to Leader Dog, $100 to RFB&D, $100 to LCIF and $100 to the Lighthouse. Also spent $100 on Diabetes Awareness and $100 for the Homeless Shelter. Club worked 27 hours on a Broom Sale project at Wal-Mart. 2 members attended District Organization Meeting.

Brantley County-

Brunswick Gateway-

Bulloch- No reports received. President and Secretary attended District Organization Meeting.

Claxton– MMR received on time, no activities reported.

Clinch County-

Cobbtown– Hosted DG who presented a 2 Member Key to Lion Shewmaker. Club is working on ideas for projects. 2 members and club banner attended District Organization Meeting.

Collins– MMR and activities reports submitted on time. 5 members attended District Organization Meeting along with club banner. DG visited club and found they are hard at work helping their community.

Darien– Club was 1st stop for DG visits. Had 1 media item submitted. 2 members attended District Organization Meeting.

Douglas– (1) President and Secretary attended Cabinet Organization Meeting. Reports filed on time. Added 1 new member. Club worked 562 hours on Community Betterment. Through partnerships with local eyeglass providers they provide a huge benefit to the community in providing eyeglasses. They are planning for their “Big Buck” Fundraiser in October. Two media items submitted along with club newsletter.

Folkston– (5) Held their installation of Officers on July 21. Officers were installed by PRC Anne Kasbohm. Message by DG Rick. 6 members along with club banner attended District Organization Meeting. Club worked 405 hours on Community Betterment Projects. Collected used eyeglasses. 7 at Lions Day at the Camp. Club also submitted 2 media items.

Garden City– Reports filed on time. Paid International Dues, worked 25 hours on club administration. Purchased 2 pairs of eyeglasses.

Golden Isles– (10) Reports filed on time. Spent 68 hours on Club Administration 89 hours on Community Betterment.

Hazlehurst-

Hinesville– Sent DG club newsletter. 2 attended Lions Day at the Camp. 7 members attended District Organization Meeting.

Jacksonville– (12) Reports filed on time. Worked 6 hours on Club Administration. 120 hours on Community Betterment. Club helped a family who lost everything to a fire. Collected used eyeglasses.

Jekyll Island– MMR received on time, no activities reported.

Jesup– (16) 2 members attended District Organization Meeting in Baxley. Sent DG copy of Club Newsletter. Reports submitted on time.

Kingsland– Club President attended District Organization Meeting.

Liberty Coastal-

Lyons– (18) Club President was in attendance at the District Organization Meeting serving as District Tailtwister. MMR and activities reports filed on time. Club worked 20 hours for the betterment of the community. Flags were displayed on the 4th of July.

McRae-

Metter- Filed MMR on time, no activities reported.

Milan- (11) Filed MMR and Activities reports on time. Averaging 13 of 20 members at their meetings. No other activities reported.

Odum– (6) MMR and activities filed on time. Club worked 142 hours in various community projects.

Patterson– Club President attended the District Organization Meeting in Baxley.

Pembroke– 4 members was in attendance at the District Organization Meeting. Activities report on time. Placed flags on 4th of July. Held Grilled Chicken Supper for community. Presented PDG R. C. Cunningham with a Melvin Jones Fellowship.

Port Wentworth– MMR received on time. No activities reported. Lion President Wade Herrington resigned as President of the club due to health concerns. Lion Tim Holbrook was elected to fill term. His address is 407 Turnberry St, Port Wentworth, GA 31407, Phone 912 965-9639

Reidsville-

Richmond Hill– The club hosted the DG with a very fine Low Country Boil in July.

Rincon-

Rincon Noon– Club President and Secretary attended District Organization Meeting.

Rincon Savannah River-

Savannah– (7) 2 members attended District Organization Meeting in Baxley.

Savannah Chatham South– (14) Club hosted the DG in July.

Savannah Hostess City– (17) Club President attended District Organization Meeting. Worked 26 hours on Club Administration. Worked 33 hours on community Betterment projects including Inner City Night Shelter, Union Mission and the Community Center.

Savannah Port City– (4) 6 members attended District Organization Meeting in Baxley along with club banner. 15 hours spent on Club Administration. Reports received on time. 1 attended International Convention and Lions Day at the Camp. Worked 28 hours on Community Betterment.

Springfield– This club has started an ambitious project and a partnership with Habitat for Humanities of Effingham County. They have applied for a LCIF grant with the goal of building a home for a handicapped person.

Statesboro Noon– (3) 6 members attended District Organization Meeting in Baxley along with club banner. Worked 169 hours on Club Administration and 426 hours on Community Betterment. Collected used eyeglasses. Club participated in a Community Health Fair. Club presented the Camp with “Wish List” supplies donated by local Girl Scout troop. Club made contributions to Lighthouse, Camp, Leader Dog and LCIF

Vidalia-

Waycross– Submitted MMR and Activities reports on time. Held program on membership growth, spent 43 hours on community projects. Club President and Secretary attended District Organization Meeting.

Waycross Okefenokee– (8) MMR and Activities received on time. They average 35 members per meeting, worked 290 hours on community betterment projects. Had 4 newspaper articles plus sent DG a copy of club newsletter. 4 members attended District Organization Meeting in Baxley.

Wilmington Island- (13) Filed reports on time, Paid International dues. 24 hours on Club Administration. 6 attended State Convention. They are planning new activities. 4 members attended District Organization Meeting.

Woodbine– (9) Reports filed on time, spent $ 85 for local eyeglasses, 76 hours for community service. The club hosted a fine Low Country Boil for the Council of Governors during the Camp weekend. Two members attended the Lions Day at the Camp. 1 member attended District Organization Meeting.

Give Peace a Chance
2004-05 Lions International Peace Poster Contest

"Give Peace a Chance" is the theme of the 2004-05 Peace Poster Contest. Lions clubs can sponsor the program in their community for children in local schools or organized, sponsored youth groups. Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 on November 15, 2004, 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.

There are opportunities for service in our District. Did you know there are Lions who are eager to share knowledge they have about Lionism. They are available to present programs on Lionistic service to your club or zone. All you need to do is invite them to your meetings. Also programs given on Lions projects score points in the District Governor’s Contest.

Here are a few Lions you can call on for a program:

Campus Clubs                                    ZC Darrell Parker
Certified Guiding Lions                     VDG Lew Waldrop
Children’s Eye Care Center               Martha Bovee
Club Branch                                       PCC Jack Kennedy
Cultural and Community Activities    Jack Streicher
Diabetes Awareness                          Trot Hurd
Extension Ideas                                  PCC Jack Kennedy
Leadership Skills                               PDG Jerry Kaiser
Membership                                       PDG Chris Barbieri
Retention Techniques                         PDG Lil Shurtleff
Healthy Club Initiative                       VDG Lew Waldrop
LCIF                                                   PDG Lil Shurtleff
Camp for the Blind                             PDG Jerry Kaiser
Lighthouse                                          PDG Jim Ward
Send a Kid to Camp                           PCC Stan Bazemore
Woman’s Membership                       Brenda Nease
Leader Dog                                        Evelyn Kennedy
RFB&D                                             PDG Billy Marshall

(by Monday, November 10)
Enter your results online at http://www.sightnight.org/get_involved.html. Also download your official certificate of recognition.

Dear Lions and Ladies:

I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and grab 'em.

I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn't say what you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities for service.

The American Foundation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and in importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far. Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity.

Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn't you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, "Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when you could see"? That is just the kind of friend the American Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it must have.

You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness.

The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?

I thank you.

Clubs are urged to copy and distribute this speech and give some thought to its meaning. In this speech is our call to service. This is the speech that Helen Keller presented to the Lions of the world in 1925 when she challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind!”

Millions of children in the world suffer from poverty, homelessness, abuse, neglect, disease, and disabilities.

The Lions Services for Children Program (adopted in 2003) aims to:

improve the lives of children and young adolescents in adverse circumstances through health and education services, locally and internationally.

Lions' participation in the program can begin by assessing the needs of children in the community. Possible Lions Services for Children projects include:

Lions clubs can appoint a Lions Services for Children chairperson.

Additional information is available at http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lsfc_chairpersons.shtml

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