Governor‘s Comments...

The article you are now reading is the last that I will write for this newsletter as District Governor. It certainly has been a tremendous year for the District. It would be difficult to cover all of the events of the past year in these comments. We just completed a very successful State Convention in Hapeville. I am thankful for each of you who took of your time to be present at this convention. There were many awards that were presented to clubs and members alike. We honored the hard work and dedication of many clubs and Lions.

In a few weeks, I along with PDG Lil Shurtleff and DGE Lew Waldrop and Cindy will be making our way to Hong Kong for a week of celebrating Lionism and working hard to elect PCC Beverly Roberts, International Director. She was selected as Georgia Candidate on the first ballot in Hapeville.

Even though I write this last article for this newsletter in this column, I am continuing to serve as its editor for DGE Lew. We will continue to have timely information that is available for all Lions to see by the Internet.

I have been told by several people that I will have plenty of time on my hands when my year as Governor is over. Right now I really do not see that happening. In July, I will assume the role of LCIF Chairperson for the District. There will be a lot of information on LCIF that will be released in Hong Kong. Many old timer Lions remember Campaign Sight First that was conducted in 1990-1993. This ambitious program’s goal was to raise $150 million to help eradicate Preventable and Reversible Blindness in the world. The result of this Campaign was to provide millions of treatments to prevent River Blindness. It allowed the installation of water purification plants in areas where there was no clean water available. This fund paid for millions of Cataract Surgeries around the world.  The list of accomplishments that Campaign Sight First has achieved is impressive. Of course you can find out more by going to http://lcif.org on the web.

In Hong Kong, LCIF will kick off Campaign Sight First II. This program will pick up where the original program left off. The goal is to reach even more people in the world who are in danger of becoming blind. This program is important enough for each one of us to support in the coming year and beyond. This is the work of Lions. Of course I will be available to talk about LCIF and Campaign Sight First II. Please consider writing in your budget, support for Campaign Sight First II. The goal for District 18-B in 2005-2006 is $20 per member. This is an obtainable goal if you set your hearts and minds to reach. More information will appear in this newsletter and on the web.

Another important program of LCIF is the development of an affordable Hearing Aid. More information about this program is coming as well.

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to each Lion in District 18-B for your support during this Lions year. I am looking forward to serving with you in the coming year.

DG Rick.

Bellville– Reports filed by mail. Club worked 36 hours on club administration and 104 hours on Community activities. Average attendance is 25. Club collected used eyeglasses and hearing aids. Club sent DG copy of newsletter.

Bloomingdale– Reports received by mail. Club worked 113 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 11.

Brantley County– MMR reported by mail. 1 new member.

Brunswick Gateway– MMR filed on time. Club donated $250 for White Cane, Lighthouse and Camp for the Blind, plus $25 local contribution and paid $1,144.95 for local eyeglasses.

Claxton– Reports filed timely by email. Club worked 10 hours on club administration and 5 hours on community projects. Average Club attendance is 9. Spent $75 on local eyeglasses. Club reports sponsoring a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Clinch County– Reports filed by mail. Held Chicken Dinner Sale to fund local eyeglasses.

Cobbtown– Reports received timely by mail. Dropped 2 members. They honored the Citizen of the Year.

Collins– Reports filed by mail. Average attendance is 12.  Contributed $15 to LCIF

Folkston– Reports filed online. Club worked 20 hours on club administration and 600 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 12. Contributed $50 to GA Lions All State Band and $320 to Lighthouse.

Garden City– MMR filed on time. Average attendance is 11. They contributed $407 for purchase of software for a Blind Person. They contributed $831 to White Cane and worked 28 hours on community projects.

Golden Isles– Reports filed online. 2 members attended State Convention. Club worked 18 hours on community projects.

Hinesville– MMR filed on time, dropped 3 members. Sent DG copy of newsletter with most of the news dedicated to the State Convention. The newsletter reports that 9 people from the Hinesville area attended the convention.

Jacksonville–  Reports filed timely online. Club worked 6 hours on club administration and 160 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 11. They conducted a Bake sale and 2 yard sales in May. They sent $25 to the Camp as a Memorial.

Jekyll Island– MMR filed on time.

Jesup– Reports filed timely online. Club worked 5 hours on club administration Club had 1 article published in local newspaper.

Lyons– Reports received by mail. 1 member attended State Convention. Club worked 28 hours on club administration and 48 hours on community service. Average attendance is 19. Club spent $80 on local eyeglasses plus $175 on Community Projects. 1 member received Golden Chain Award. Club sponsored Soap Box Derby for the Merchants Association.

McRae– Reports filed on time by email. Club worked 4 hours on club administration. Averaged attendance is 8. Club placed 140+ flags for Memorial Day

Metter– MMR filed online , activities by mail. Club worked 5 hours on Club Administration and 5 hours on community projects. Club spent $115 on local eyeglasses, they collected 123 pairs of eyeglasses.

Milan– MMR filed on time. Average attendance is 17. Held annual Mother-Daughter Luncheon with 100 in attendance. Club worked 15 hours on administration.

Odum–  Reports submitted by mail. Club collected used eyeglasses and worked 322 hours on community projects.

Port Wentworth– MMR filed on time

Reidsville– MMR filed on time A1 report also filed.

Rincon–  MMR filed on time, activities reported by email. Club had 4 visiting Lions at meeting. Club collected used eyeglasses.

Savannah– Reports filed by fax. Club worked 250 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 30. 3 members attended State Convention. Club spent $1,200 on local eyeglasses. Contributed $500 to Leader Dog and RFB&D and $1,000 to the Lighthouse. They sponsored a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Savannah Chatham South– MMR filed on time

Savannah Hostess City– MMR Filed on time

Savannah Port City– Reports filed timely online. Club worked 7 hours on club administration and 20 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 12. 6 members and 1 spouse attended State Convention. Club spent $150 on community projects and $300 to support a camper at the Camp.

Statesboro Noon– Reports filed online. Club worked 39 hours on club administration and 152 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 14. 7 attended State Convention.. Club spent $75 on local eyeglasses and $125 on the community. They sponsored 1 Melvin Jones Fellow.

Waycross– MMR filed on time by email. Average attendance is 18. Published 3 articles in local newspaper. Displayed flags on Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Had a program on the Lighthouse. 2 members attended the state convention.

Wilmington Island–  Reports filed timely. Sent DG copy of newsletter. They had a grand 30 year Celebration in May with timely words from PDG Jerry Kaiser. Club worked 38 hours on club administration and 22 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 15

Woodbine– Reports filed online. Club worked 33 hours on Club Administration and 67 hours on Community Betterment. Average attendance is 25. Club spent $320 on local eyeglasses and $100 Community Betterment. Contributed $250 to All State Band and $75 to the Camp. Club hosted zone meeting. PDG Jerry Kaiser gave program on Camp.

The reports for May start a new points contest. These reports will be evaluated by DGE Lew and count towards his contest. Please continue to send May and June’s reports to DG Rick for the newsletter.

Reminder to All Club Secretaries

July 15, 2005 is the deadline for receipt of the 2004-05 Annual Lions Club Activities Report (Form A-1) at International Headquarters. Form A-1 provides information about the amount of funds donated by Lions clubs and the number of hours donated to community service.

The 2003-04 form A-1 revealed that Lions on average donated the following:

$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).

Club secretaries are encouraged to submit the 2004-05 Activities Report online. For more information, e-mail [email protected]

The Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project: is based on the idea of a continuum of care, which includes cooperating with hearing care professionals, serving the low-income individual and combining resources. Local Lions clubs and hearing programs can become involved in several ways including the recruitment of hearing care professionals, identification of eligible recipients and sharing expenses. Through the Lions AHAP, LCIF is distributing the hearing aid at a cost of $90-$120 (depending on volume ordered). The hearing aids, software and manuals are shipped directly to audiologists or board certified hearing instrument specialists. The price does not include fees for hearing tests, ear molds, batteries and hearing aid fittings.

Lions, hearing care professionals, and individuals interested in the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project will find valuable information in this section. A

project overview, technical specification brochure, user’s manual and PowerPoint presentations are just a few of the resources that will increase understanding of the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project.

You can also contact Lions AHAP at LCIF:

Deborah Stamm

LCIF Humanitarian Programs

300 West 22nd Street

Oak Brook, Illinois 60523

Tel. 1-877-243-2823, then dial 630-571-5466 ext 615

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.lionsclubs.org/

Lions History

It has been said by many that we write our history each day of our journey through life. We often forget to write it down to share with others. We often think of our experiences as being not important enough to remember. As Lions we tend to forget or maybe put off the recording of our history. Whether it is a club history or the District history. It is very important that we remember.

At every Council of Governors Meeting I was reminded by the State Historian Olin Newby to make a record of this year in Lionism. At the State Convention in Hapeville, I was presented with a scrapbook of the District by District Librarian Annette Hamner. She has done an incredible job of collecting various District printings, newsletters and other stuff of the District. I will be adding to this scrapbook and will return it to Lion Annette at a later date.

Since the State Convention I have put together some thoughts about the district for this Lions year. These thoughts however cannot fit into this newsletter. Therefore I have published them on the website for your review.

Click on this address http://galions.org/18b/history18b2004-05.htm to view the History.

Top Clubs Honored by District

The following clubs won top honors at the Lions of Georgia State Convention in Hapeville. The services these clubs performed served to help many in the community.

Did You Know?

Did You know that the Lions Programs are categorized into 7 categories?

· Community Services

· Diabetes Awareness

· Environmental Services

· Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf

· International Relations

· Lions Opportunities for Youth

· Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind

Lions Adapted Service Programs fulfill the following criteria: Exemplify the “We Serve” motto and are relevant to Lions Clubs Internationally.

· Meet an important community or humanitarian need

· Achieve measurable outcomes which benefit  service recipients

· Provide "hands-on" involvement by Lions

· Include leadership roles for Lions

· Promote public awareness of Lions service

· Are sustainable

Club Anniversaries for June

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 May 2005 +2

Membership Loss for May 2005 -6

Net Change in Membership 18-B -4

Lions Youth Exchange

For many young people, participating in the Lions Youth Exchange Program is a life-changing experience. Traveling to another country, living with a host family, and experiencing another culture are milestone events.

Every year since 1961, young people have participated in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. The goal of the program is:

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

Unlike other exchange programs, the Lions International Youth Exchange Program is not conducted for tourism, education, or employment. Instead, it is a unique cultural learning opportunity.

Participants of the Lions International Youth Exchange Program must:

· be between the ages of 15 and 21;

· be sponsored by a Lions club;

· have a basic knowledge of the language of the host country;

· be suitable to represent their community, Lions club, and country;

· be willing to accept the customs of another culture.

Potential youth exchangees can request local Lions club sponsorship. When multiple requests are received or in the absence of requests, Lions clubs often conduct speech contests, essay writing contests or personal interviews to select youth exchangees.

Exchanges can occur in any of the more than 190 countries in which Lions clubs exist. Most exchanges last between four and six weeks. Often, exchangees also participate in the Lions International Youth Camp Program.

Travel arrangements for exchangees are made between the Lions youth exchange chairpersons in the sponsoring and hosting regions.

The costs of transportation (including actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties, and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions club. These costs may be paid by the club from district funds (if available), by the youth, his or her family, are by some combination of these sources.

Food and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the hosting Lions club.

Exchangees are responsible for personal expenses (approximately US$75 per week) such as phone calls home, souvenirs, etc.

Exchangees with physical disabilities have successfully participated in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program.

If you are interested in becoming a Lions youth exchangee, begin by contacting your local Lions club or district youth exchange chairperson.

CAMP FOR THE BLIND:

This month I personally wanted to thank those clubs within the district that responded to the camp’s immediate needs list.  I drove down to the camp with a complete pick-up full of sheets, pillows, latex gloves, towels, medical needles and so much more.

While at the camp on that early Saturday morning, I was in complete awe of the total beauty of this wonderful setting.  The sun was just coming up over the tree line, the grass was wet with dew, the lake appeared to be like a mirror, and the quietness was breath taking.  And while standing there taking all this in it hit me that in less than a couple of weeks this place would be so full of excitement and laughter.  No wonder those who went before us realized what this place called the camp for the blind would mean to so many throughout the years. 

Special thanks to Jerry Ney and his efforts, when the Riverfront Marriott here in Savannah replaces all their towels in the hotel, they are donating all the worn towels to the camp.

Mark your calendars for the Georgia Lions Day at the Camp to be held this year on Saturday July 23^rd.  I can tell you now we are in the planning stages to make this years visit a very special one for each of you.   Our theme this year is “Sailing the Seven Seas”!  I’ll have more on this next month.

Jerry Kaiser, PDG, Vice President, Camp for the Blind

LCIF

Dear Lions of District 18-B,

You will be proud to learn that Lions in South Asia are quickly moving ahead with rebuilding after the tsunami. Lions in Indonesia have built 100 homes, believed to be the first built by a non-governmental organization in Indonesia after the disaster. Lions in Sri Lanka have 500 homes under construction with occupancy expected in two to three months.

This is just the beginning of a large rebuilding effort by Lions. These initial homes have been paid for through the resources of Lions in South Asia. LCIF also will support the building of thousands of homes by Lions in South Asia. The foundation is currently reviewing comprehensive rebuilding plans proposed by committees of leading Lions in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. In many instances Lions plan to aid tsunami victims in remote or underserved regions that other aid organizations will bypass.

LCIF has mobilized up to $12 million for reconstruction and recovery in South Asia. Lions worldwide donated up to $9 million to LCIF, which committed an additional $2.5 million from its reserves as well as the $470,000 in aid it disbursed within weeks of the tragedy. The funds will enable Lions to build homes, schools and orphanages as well as to provide psychological treatment and physical rehabilitation for children and adults.

Other charitable groups in South Asia have been stifled by bureaucratic red tape. according to news reports. But Lions’ ties to their community leaders and government officials have enabled Lions to move ahead with rebuilding. For example, Sri Lankan Lions met with the country’s president personally and she authorized government officials to allocate to Lions the land on which the new homes were built.

Lions in South Asia also continue to provide relief camps with vital supplies. Their efforts are supported by their own funds, by Lions from elsewhere and by LCIF. Lions in Medan, Indonesia, for example, are giving rice and powdered milk to tsunami orphans, thanks to a $41,400 grant from LCIF

The unprecedented number of donations to LCIF for tsunami relief has slowed our processing of Melvin Jones Fellowship applications. We sincerely apologize for this. To return to our normal turnaround time, we have hired additional staff and current staff are working extra hours.

The response of Lions to the tsunami once again has shown our ability to serve is second to none. It’s a good time to be a Lion! Our communities need us as never before and we meet the challenges before us.

Yours in Service,

Dr. Tae-Sup Lee,

LCIF Chairperson 2004-2005

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