Governor‘s Comments...

Planning for Success

As we complete our club’s election of officers it is now time to make plans for our future. As outgoing officers it is our duty to encourage and embolden our newly elected officers to make plans for their successes in the next Lions year. Even when our current plans have failed to meet our litmus test of success, it is always important to set your goals for success. Whether it is a profitable fundraiser, a successful membership drive or maybe a simple service project to serve the community. All of these are the kinds of successes that we should boast about.

The important message is this, even if you have not had a seemingly successful project all year or maybe longer. Now is not the time to simply give up. We need to remind ourselves that we are Lions for a reason. We are called to community service for the purpose of helping others. It seems that in our perfect world of today, a lot of our fellow citizens have become complacent. They are often wrapped up in their work schedules. They fail to see the need in the community or they simply say I am too busy to be involved. Involvement in a Lions club does not have to be a full time commitment. Too often, I see new members who join a club being told that they must attend every meeting in order to remain a member. PDG Lil Shurtleff completed a detailed study on the members who left Lionism this Lions year. She has reported that a great number of these drops could have been avoided.

One of the worst things a club could do to a member is to drop them because they could not attend meetings. If they pay dues, they should be a member. If they help with projects they are members. Communications with all members are important. If a member stops attending, call that member and talk with them. Maybe the meeting time is no longer convenient with their other obligations. Has your club thought about having flexible meeting times and days. Maybe a Luncheon one week and a supper on another week. Talk about it with your club.

Last month we experienced a minor gain in membership, we need to keep the effort going and continue to grow our membership. We also need to practice good retention principles as well. If we do not practice this, then the doors of our clubs will become revolving doors. We will continue through our efforts to attract new members only to see them go back through the door as we fail to inspire them to service as Lions.

As Lions Leaders it is very important how we present the image of our clubs. If you are a part of a club that celebrates everything, that can bring joy to a family through new eyeglasses. Yours is a successful club, this is what you need to share with your club. Also, remember to always have fun in your club at all meetings and events. Share a laugh or too at every opportunity.

Remember if you are not having fun at your meetings or projects. If all you think about is raising a few dollars to keep the club going, then your club is in serious trouble. And it does not take long for the community to realize this and stop supporting you. Your district leadership is available to you for help, but the real effort has to be made by each individual Lion who has heeded the call of community service. Who has fun doing that service and in attending the club meetings.

DG Rick.

Alamo– No Reports

Alma– No Reports

Baxley– Reports received by mail on time. Club worked 20 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 14. Club submitted 3 media articles. Club nominated a blind person for the outstanding Blind Award.

Bellville– Reports received by mail. Club Worked 199 hours on club administration and 130 hours on community projects. 6 members attended zone meeting. 1 new member.

Blackshear– Reports received by mail. Average attendance is 10. Spent $40 on local eyeglasses.

Bloomingdale– Reports received by mail. 1 new member. Club worked 93 hours on club administration and 21 hours on community projects. Club collected eyeglasses.

Brantley County– MMR received by mail on time. No activities reported.

Brunswick Gateway– Report received by email.$200 for community projects, $1,210 for local eyeglasses.

Bulloch– No Reports

Claxton– Club reports received by email. Club worked 10 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 8. Club spent $75 on local eyeglasses and $50 on community projects. Sent $200 each to Camp, Lighthouse, Leader Dog and RFBD. Club is sponsoring a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Clinch County– No Reports

Cobbtown– Reports received by mail. They held a Pancake Supper and are planning a Senior Citizen Fish Fry.

Collins– Reports received by mail. Club worked 12 hours on administration and 300 hours on community service. Sent $15 to the Lighthouse

Darien– Activities report mailed to PDG Lil. Club worked 12 hours on club administration. Spent $75 on local eyeglasses. MMR report not submitted.

Douglas– Reports filed online. Club worked 45 hours on club administration and 451 hours on community projects. Club spent $6,248 on local eyeglasses. They received 94 applications for eyeglasses during month, approving 71. 23 applications were for children.

Folkston– No Reports

Garden City– Reports received by mail on time. Lost 1 member to death. Average attendance is 11.

Golden Isles– Reports filed on-line. Average attendance is 15. Spent $1,528 on local eyeglasses, $800 on community betterment. Contributed $1,000 to LCIF for Melvin Jones Fellow.

Hazlehurst–  No Reports

Hinesville– Reports filed by email. Club worked 259 hours on community projects. 7 members attended zone meeting. Held program on Lighthouse.

Jacksonville–  No Reports

Jekyll Island– MMR received by mail on time. 1 new member. No other activities reported.

Jesup– Reports file online late. Club worked 10 hours on club administration and had an average attendance is 13

Kingsland– No Reports

Liberty Coastal– No Reports

Lyons– Reports received by mail. Club worked 72 hours on club administration and 60 hours on community projects. Spent $100 on the community. Lub placed flags in community.

McRae– Reports received by email. Dropped 1 member. Club worked 3 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 6.

Metter– No Reports

Milan– Club reports received by mail on time. Average attendance is 19. Co-hosted blood drive with Masons, held annual Pancake Breakfast.

Odum–  Reports received by mail on time. Club worked 150 hours on community service. Spent $225 on local projects, $1,000 to the Camp, $100 each to Leader Dogs, RFBD and Lighthouse.

Patterson–  MMR received by mail, no activities reported.

Pembroke– No Reports

Port Wentworth– MMR received by mail, no activities reported. They sponsored a zone meeting on April 7.

Reidsville– No Reports

Richmond Hill–  No Reports

Rincon–  No Reports

Rincon Noon– Reports filed on-line. Club worked 10 hours on club administration, spent $308 on community betterment. Average attendance is 9.

Savannah– Clubs reports faxed on time. Club worked 100 hours on club administration and 200 hours on community projects. Club spent $1000 on local eyeglasses.

Savannah Chatham South– No Reports

Savannah Hostess City– Reports received by mail on time. Club worked 65 hours on community projects, spent $50. Collected eyeglasses.

Savannah Port City– Reports filed online. Club worked 5 hours on club administration and 39 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 8. 2 members qualify for Golden Chain Award. Club is conducting a membership orientation meeting.

Springfield– No Reports

Statesboro Noon– Reports filed online. Club worked 74 hours club administration and 182 hours on community projects. Club spent $125 on local eyeglasses. They held a broom sale and held a State Chess Meet. Club partnered with local girl scout troop to collect eyeglasses. They submitted 3 members for leadership training to the Southeast Leadership Institute. They are conducting a membership drive for the GSU Campus Club, currently have 14 commitments with a goal of 30. 11 members attended zone meeting.

Vidalia– Reports received by mail, postmark 4/6 (late). Club worked 3 hours

club administration, spent $383 on local eyeglasses.

Waycross– Reports received by mail and email on time. Dropped 1 member, submitted 5 newspaper articles. Average attendance is 17. Held 47th Annual Hog Show with 46 FFA and 4-H members participating.

Waycross Okefenokee– Reports received by mail. 1 new member. Average attendance is 35. Club had 3 articles in newspaper. Collected eyeglasses, spent $500 on community projects.

Wilmington Island– Activities reports filed online. Club worked 48 hours on club administration and 17 hours on community projects. Club sent $200 to Leader Dog, $300 to RFBD, $26 to Camp, $100 to Southeast Guide Dogs, $100 to Emory. Delivered RFB&D pamphlets to Chatham County Department of Special Education. Published notices in local newspapers and TV of events

Woodbine– Reports filed online. Club worked 26 hours on club administration and 47 hours on community projects. Club spent $240 on local eyeglasses and $50 on the community. Sent $250  to RFBD and $120 to LCIF. Club held Steak Supper in March. Zone Chairperson, Bill Alexander was presented with an International President’s Certificate of Appreciation in Kingsland at the Zone Meeting. This is in recognition of many years of tireless work and dedication to the Lions of 18-B.

Club Secretaries are reminded to send in the Membership and Activities reports on time. It is important that we recognize the accomplishments of each club in this newsletter. Club Presidents please encourage your members to report their community activities to the club secretary. March is the 11th month of this year’s points contest. Clubs are reminded that the contest ends on April 30. There is still time to report your club’s activities.

Monthly MMRs

Clubs are reminded to file their Monthly Membership Reports to LCI and DG Rick each month. According to LCI records the following clubs have not filed in the past 30 days. Club Presidents are urged to work with their club Secretaries to see that these reports are filed on time. The date following the club is the last report received.

Brunswick Gateway 1/05, Bulloch, 8/04, Darien, 1/05, Glennville, 6/04, Golden Isles, 10/04, Hazlehurst, 4/04, Kingsland, 1/05, Richmond Hill, 7/04,  Savannah Chatham South, 12/04, Springfield, 11/04, Vidalia, 1/05.

100% Awards

Each year, club and district officers are eligible to apply for 100% recognition. These awards will be recognized at the Cabinet Meeting in May. Information about the requirements for 100% recognition can be found in the state directory and on the web at http://galions.org. Deadline for entry is April 30, 2005. Entry can be made to the DG by letter, email or fax.

State Awards Program

The Lions of Georgia each year conducts a State wide Contest that is open to all clubs for 45 awards in various categories. Deadline for entry is 3 days before the state convention. Applications need to be in Lion Welby Stayton’s hands at that time. These are prestigious awards that often go to the same club, year in and year out simply because they are the only club applying for it. Please review the guidelines and apply if your club qualifies.

April 30

April 30 is the deadline for donations to be postmarked to the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation and the Georgia Lions Youth Activities and Band. Recognition and awards will be made for only those contributions that are mailed before April 30. Late contributions will count for next year.

A-1 Reports

2003-04 Report of Club Activities, Donations
The 2003-04 Annual Lions Club Activities Report (Form A-1) revealed that the average Lions club donated: 

$10,950 to charitable causes. This represents estimated worldwide contributions of $512,087,700 (based on 46,766 clubs as of 6/30/04).

1387 hours of volunteer service to the community. This represents an estimated 64 million volunteer service hours (based on 46,766 clubs as of 6/30/04).

The most often implemented service projects were: aid to the elderly (48% of clubs); collecting eyeglasses (40% of clubs participated; each club collected an average of 559 pairs of eyeglasses; worldwide, Lions collected approximately 26 million pairs of eyeglasses in 2003-04); youth recreation/sports (37% of clubs); scholarships (37% of clubs); and community clean-up projects (34% of clubs).

The breakdown of District 18-B’s activities is included in this newsletter.

Club Anniversaries for April

The following clubs have anniversaries this month according to LCI records.

Welcome New Members

In Memoriam

Members Dropped

Code Explanation

1 Resigned in Good Standing

2 Dropped for non-payment of dues

3 Dropped for non-attendance

4 Dropped for non-attendance and non-payment of dues

5 Transferred in good standing

6 Moved (Dues unpaid)

8 Other

Membership Gain for March 2005 +8

Membership Loss for March 2005 -7

Net Change in Membership 18-B +1

CAMP FOR THE BLIND:

The past month has kept me busy with speaking engagements and talking about my favorite part of the camp for the blind, the “kids”.  It takes a tremendous amount of work on a whole lot of people to keep our camp up in repairs, maintenance and just paying the bills on a year round basis for the sessions of camping by the children.  But, it’s all worth while when you see the fun, joy and laughter that they get when they attend camp.

Your camp is in full swing in the preparation stages of preparing for this years arrival of the campers.  Our first work weekend (April 1^st-4^th) was completed with inventories of food products and equipment, repairs, painting, cleaning of walkways, grass cutting & trimming of trees.

Brenda and I was so proud to work with and to get to know the eighteen (18) LEO’s from our district who spent 2 ½ days doing whatever they were asked to do.  Talk about “energy”, they never slowed down.  Some of the LEO’s even brought their parents who worked just as hard as they did.  And they are already talking about coming back next year and bringing a bigger group.

Our donations from the clubs are down and we need your help.  If your club has not made a donation as of yet please do so.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!  You all should have tickets on the “Gator Ramp Ultimate Loader”, with a little effort on every ones part the camp could easily raise another $2,000 from our district from this fund raiser.  If you need more tickets or additional information, please call me.

As always I’m here, I’m able and I’m ready to put a program on anywhere at anytime.

Just call me.  (912) 964-4518.

Jerry

Vice President

Did You Know?

The Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind was chartered as a non-profit organization in 1975 for the purpose of providing recreation opportunities for the over 12,500 blind children in the state of Georgia.

Did you Know that the land that the Camp is located, was transferred to the Lions of Georgia under the direction of Governor Jimmy Carter who is a member of the Plains Lions Club and is a Past Council Chairman.

Did you Know the motto of the Camp is “Vision for a Brighter Tomorrow.”

State Convention

Time is rapidly approaching for the Lions of Georgia State Convention. It will be held at the Atlanta Airport Marriott in Hapeville on May 27-28-29. Registration packets have been mailed to each club. One of the important decisions the Lions of Georgia will make is the election of one Lion who will represent the Lions of Georgia as Candidate for International Director. We have three qualified Lions who are running for this honor. All three have spoken at all District Cabinet Meetings this year. Also they have visited many clubs in District 18-B.

In order to conduct a fair and above board election, the elections procedure as specified in the International Association of Lions Clubs Constitution have been thoroughly studied. As a result of this, the elections procedure is as follows. Each club is allowed 1 delegate for every ten members or major portion there of. That means if your club has 21 members, you are allowed 2 delegates. If your club has 25 to 34 members, you are allowed 3 delegates. Past district Governors have automatic voting privileges and do not count in the club delegate total. According to the IAOLC Constitution a voting delegate must be registered to attend the Convention where the voting is to take place. Also the club must report to the district governor the names of the delegates no later than 30 days prior to the convention. Blank Delegate cards will not be issued at the convention.

If you have members who wish to attend the Convention and would like to vote, the club must vote to elect them as delegates (up to the number allowed by the membership of the club). The names need to be submitted by e-mail, fax or letter to DG Rick by April 28. Also those Lions listed as delegates must have been registered at the Convention in order to be certified.

Registered delegates will receive delegate cards at the convention along with instructions as to how to vote.

International Convention

This year the International Convention is in Hong Kong from June 27 to July 1. There is still time to register and attend if you act now. You will need a valid passport to attend Hong Kong. If you wish to visit China, you will need a visa as well. The official delegate hotel for Georgia is the Marco Polo Hong Kong. Room rates are about $115 per night. Other hotels rates are between $85 and $230 per night. Air fare from Savannah starts at $1,272 per person.

The Georgia delegate will meet at the Georgia Breakfast. We will also greet the world at our annual Georgia Jamboree. Information on the convention is online at http://lionsclubs.org.

Developing a Plan for Retention

Each club should develop a plan for retention. You should tailor your programs and volunteer structure to the demands of your members at each level. The Chart below can provide a quick reference to the type of strategies that appeal to members with varying levels of experience.

Characteristics of a Weak/Struggling Club

This list is not intended to be a full and complete list of symptoms and/or characteristics that would constitute a club as a weak or struggling club. There are certainly others. And it is important to note that just because a club may have one of the symptoms listed, that does not automatically constitute that club to be a weak or struggling club. It does mean that the leadership and the membership of the club should take time to address the issues before they become a serious issue.

· Continual decreasing membership

· repeat presidents

· lack of new members

· PU101 forms and monthly membership activity reports not turned in on time, or not at all

· no regular meeting schedule

· late payment or non-payment of dues or other financial obligations

· lack of community involvement or activity

· lack of fund-raising projects

· lack of service projects

· membership under 20 members

· no membership committee

· lack of an active membership growth program

· lack of proper orientation or induction of new members

· lack of self-pride in the association

· high average age of members

To help with the issues listed above, LCI has developed the Healthy Club Toolbox. This toolbox is the largest membership package ever assembled by Lions. It covers more than just membership. It covers the entire topic of building and running a healthy club. The toolbox is divided into 5 sections. Club Management, Member Recruiting, Member Retention, Service Activities, and Special Incentives.

Those clubs who wishes to take advantage of using a Healthy Toolbox should contact DG Rick or DGE Lou.

LCIF Update

I have good news to share about our tsunami relief efforts. LCIF is quickly moving ahead with rebuilding plans. The LCIF Executive Committee in April approved spending $1.25 million for each of the four main countries affected by the disaster—Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. LCIF staff and myself are currently reviewing the specific rebuilding plans proposed by committees of leading Lions in these countries. The Lions are working in coordination with government agencies and other relief groups.

Lions in South and Southeast Asia propose to construct inexpensive but sturdy and comfortable homes as well as primary schools and high schools, health clinics, hospitals, water wells and child welfare centers. Lions also will provide psychological treatment and physical rehabilitation both for children and adults. We will inform you of the exact details of these plans as they are developed.

The board will allocate additional funds in the near future. Lions have donated $6 million to LCIF for tsunami relief so far. LCIF has committed an additional $2.5 million from its reserves. Lions’ districts also have pledged large sums not yet received. So LCIF anticipates eventually allocating at least $10 million for tsunami relief and reconstruction.

The donations have come from Lions from all over the world, from individuals, clubs and districts, from members new to Lionism and from longstanding Lions. Lions from District 380 (China) donated $54,284. Lions from Multiple District 108 (Italy) contributed $592,000. The Lions Club of Bankstown in Australia, despite having only 14 members, were so moved by the tragedy that they donated nearly $39,000 for tsunami relief. Space does not permit me to list all of the larger donors but please visit our Web site for a more complete listing.   http://www.lions-tsunami.org/special_contributions.shtm

Donations to tsunami relief made prior to April 1 were eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition. The donation had to fully provide for an MJF through a $1,000 donation. The Melvin Jones Fellow did not have to be named prior to April 1.

Lions have responded to the tsunami with amazing generosity. Once again, as Lions we have realized how the desire to serve binds us together and how much we can accomplish when we unite worldwide behind a common cause. You have my heartfelt appreciation and respect for your generosity and selfless dedication to service.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tae-Sup Lee,
LCIF Chairperson

Upcoming District Events

Each year the District at its last Cabinet Meeting conducts Incoming Officers Training for the Clubs. Each year the attendance at these training sessions have declined while the complaints from the same officers about the lack of training increase. For the past year, new ideas have been tried to limited success. The people who need the training the most are not attending. This year will be different, the District will be coming to you. This year we are starting the Georgia Lions University program in District 18-B. It will be held in four cities starting in May. Tentative cities are McRae, Jesup, Savannah, and Woodbine. Dates are being confirmed soon with the first date of Saturday May 21.

These University Days are open to all Lions however attendance for incoming club officers is a must. We will have available at the University the Healthy Club Tool Box. This will be a full day event with 4 modules from the Healthy Club Tool Box along with sessions on the duties of Club Presidents, Club Secretaries, Club Treasurers, and Zone Chairpersons. A box lunch will be served.

Cabinet Meeting

I have received several emails recently about when and where the next Cabinet Meeting will be held. Because of the push to get the PU101 from the clubs and other issues such as work. It was decided to reschedule the Cabinet Meeting to Saturday, May 14 at 2:00pm. The location is Holton’s Seafood Restaurant. Holton’s is located on I-95, Exit 76 at Midway, GA. We will gather before the meeting and share in a moment of fellowship at about 1:00 for a Seafood Lunch. Other menu items are also available for those who do not prefer Seafood.

This Cabinet Meeting will not be traditional. That is, there will not be any boring reports. We will not talk about the need for this or that. Membership will not be discussed unless you are not in attendance (that means we will talk about you and DGE Lou might need to fill a few spots on his cabinet). Clubs and Individual Lions will be recognized for the Success they have brought to Lionism and the Community. Participants are reminded to bring fun door prizes with them to this meeting. (Fun Door Prizes are not Gag Gifts, Please). Please mark this date on your calendar and attend this important meeting of the district.

Did You Know?

That the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation was established to help Georgians with vision or hearing issues to complex for a single Lions Club to handle.

Did you Know, that the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation turns no one away. That those who do not qualify for Lighthouse Services are referred an agency who can help.

Did you Know that the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation accepts used eyeglasses, hearing aids and cell phones.

A-1 Report Statistics 2003-04 District 18-B

 Each Lions year, clubs are urged to report their service activities on a new report called the A-1 report. This report is due in June of each year. This report is of the activities reported by 46 of 50 clubs in this district. Total Donations $285,966, Hours worked 39,234. Average per club donation $6,216. Total Eyeglasses Collected 39,234, Hearing Aids 34.

Listed below are some of the activities, clubs reported involvement in.

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