Governor‘s Comments...

As we come close to the end of another year, it is a good time to reflection on our past year and draw inspiration from what we have learned from the experience.  2005 has been a challenging and often troubled year for our world.  We have seen war, sickness and several natural disasters, the economic impact of which may be felt for many years to come.

With adversity comes opportunity.  2005 has truly presented itself as a challenging opportunity for Lions around the world.  We can truly be proud of the accomplishments of our organization.  LCIF has been heavily involved in the Tsunami effort in Asia and the Katrina effort here in this country.   More importantly we have helped the people in our own communities through our service projects and our caring ways. We have helped and supported each other, both on club and individual levels. Our motto "We Serve" is the very core of what we are as an organization.

Thank you for all you have done to insure that this has been a successful Lions year.  May you all have a Very Merry Christmas, and a safe and prosperous new year filled with good health.

DG Lew Waldrop

DG Lew’s Schedule

Baxley– Reports received by mail. Club worked 58 hours on club administration and 93 hours on community projects. 2 participants in the Peace Poster Contest.  Average attendance is 8.

Bellville– Reports received by mail. Sent DG Newsletter announcing Annual Christmas Party on Dec 19 at Fordham’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Statesboro.  Contributed 250 to Leader Dog, $250 to RFB&D, $1000 to LCIF, $250 Lighthouse and $259 Children’s Eye Care Center.

Bloomingdale– Reports received by mail Club worked 126 hours on club administration and 28 hours on community projects.

Brantley County– MMR received by mail. No activity reported.

Claxton– Reports submitted timely by email. Club worked 10 hours on club administration and 7 hours on Community Projects. Average attendance is 9. Club spent $75 on local eyeglasses and collected used eyeglasses and hearing aids for the Lighthouse

Clinch County– Received MMR by mail, no activities reported.

Cobbtown– MMR received by mail. Presented Cobbtown’s Fireman of the Year with a Plaque..

Collins– Reports received by mail.  Club worked 10 hours on club administration and 146 hours on community service.  Contributed $57 to RFB&D and $200 to Ga. Lions Camp for the Blind.  Published 2 articles in the local paper.

Douglas– Reports filed timely on-line. Club worked 75 hours on club administration and 2122 hours on community projects. Club spent $3,520 on local eye services.  Sent Charter application for Leo Club with 28 Charter Members.  Letter of charter acceptance has been received and Banquet will be set after the first of the year.  Big Buck was a huge success, raising the most funds in 6 years.

Folkston– Reports filed online. Club worked 10 hours on club administration and 400 hours on community betterment. Club gave the lighthouse 5 cell phones and 60 shafts for glasses. They had 4 articles published in the local paper.  Club started the Folkston Lions Club news which will be published once a month.  Club bought items for a family that was burned out.

Garden City– MMR received by mail. No activities reported.

Golden Isles– Reports received timely on-line. Club worked 36 hours on community projects.

Hazlehurst– Filed MMR report online. No activities reported.

Hinesville -  Reports filed online. Average attendance is 31. Club worked 185 hours on community betterment.   Hosted 12 Boy Scouts from St. Petersburg Russia.  Submitted entry in Peace Poster Contest.  Three Lions attended Warriors Walk Tree Dedication on Fort Stewart.  Trees dedicated for fallen soldiers from Fort Stewart.  Club recycling used laser printer and inkjet cartridges.  Collected 24 cell phones for the Lighthouse.

Jacksonville– Reports filed online. Average attendance is 15. Club worked 5 hours on club administration.  New Officers took office, Paid Dues to Lions International, Sent donations to RFB & D, Ga. Lions Lighthouse Foundation Inc., L.C.I.F., and Leader Dog for the Blind.

Jekyll Island– MMR filed with LCI, no activities.

Jesup– Reports filed online. Club worked 10 hours on club administration and spent $140 on local sight services. Average attendance is 14.

Liberty Coastal – Reports received by mail.  Contributed $100 to Camp for the Blind, $100 to the Light House, and $100 to Leader Dog.

Lyons– Reports received by mail. Club worked 20 hours on club administration and 32 hours on community projects . Club spent $100 on community projects. Club displayed flags on Veterans day Day. Club received $1000 grant from Wal Mart Corp.

McRae– MMR filed with LCI, no activities.

Metter– Reports filed online.  Club worked 5 hours on club administration and 8 hours on community projects. Completed ongoing flag project on Veteran’s Day.

Milan– Reports received by mail.  Collected $4500 for Relay for Life which was the largest amount for any organization in Dodge County.

Odum–  Reports received by mail. Club worked 190 hours on community projects.

Okefenokee – Report received by mail.  Club spent 480 on club administration.  Published 2 articles in the local paper.  Contributed $100 to Ga Lions Band.  Sent 63 pairs of glasses, 73 Lenses and 26 cases to the Lighthouse.

Pembroke- Reports received by e-mail.  Sent 82 Frames and 162 lenses to the Light House.  Dr. Boland contributed over $600 worrth of medical exams and eyeglasses to a patient on the clubs behalf.  Contributed !125 to hurricand Katrina relief.  Sent $850 to the Lions Camp for the Blind for the “Send a kid to camp fund”  Contributed $150 to Pembroke Community Thanksgiving outreach dinner.  Two lions have contributed 80 hours community service for putting up Christmas decorations for Pembroke Annual tree lighting ceremony

Port Wentworth– MMR received by mail.  Club worked 125 hours for community service and 50 hours on a fundraiser project.  Provided softball park for community & churches.  Sent $200 to Camp for the Blind.

Richmond Hill –  MMR received by mail.  The Richmond Hill Lions Club welcomed Diane Stallings, Director of the Savannah Art Academy SKYLARKS.  The young ladies performed several memorable songs.  Next year the SKYLARKS will travel to Italy to perform.  Club president Billy Albritton presented the SKYLARKS with a donation.  Lion Club members were presented with year pins by Albritton and vice president Scott Yakel.  The Christmas meeting will be at Carey Hilliards on Wednesday, Dec. 21.  The Band of Brad Barnard will play Christmas sing-along songs and an auction will be held.

Reidsville– MMR filed with LCI, no activities.

Rincon– MMR filed with LCI .  Club worked 18 hours on club administration.  Purchased 10 pair of glasses.  Sent 90+ pair of glasses to the Light House.  Sent $50.00 to Recording for the blind and Dyslexic.  Presented adopted family with two $500.00 gift cards to Wal-Mart.  Opened their building to a Church Congregation that meets twice weekly.  Support Boy Scout Troop 664 which meets in their building weekly.  Average attendance is 10.

Rincon Noon– Reports filed online. Club worked 15 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 10.

Savannah– Reports submitted timely by mail. Club worked 310 hours on club administration. Club spent $750 on local eyeglasses.  Club is doing the Annual Christmas Tree sale with 575 trees for sale.  Average Attendance 28.

Statesboro Noon-   Reports submitted timely by mail.  Club worked 56 hours on Club Administration and 182 hours on community betterment.  Supported the GSU campus club with Bingo night.  9 members attended the MERL Region/Zone meeting.  Sorted glasses, cellphones & hearing aids collected on Sight Night.  Membership worked in a wellness fair and did 80 Vision Screenings.  Worked at a diabetes Screening and did 58 screenings.  Gave out 150 turkeys and 70 turkey breasts to local needy families.  Delivered 366 turkey meals to needy families.  Published 2 articles in the local paper.

Savannah Hostess City– MMR filed with LCI, club reported working 120

service hours for the community and spent $160 on the community.

Vidalia -   Report submitted by mail.  12 hours spent on club administration.  Inducted one new member.  Spent $1803 on local eyeglass and $200 on community activities.

Waycross– Reports submitted by mail. Submitted 1 newspaper article, they produced a Patriotic Flag Display and their average attendance is 16.

Waycross Okefenokee– Reports received by mail. Club worked 475 hours on club administration had 2 articles published in local newspaper. Club sent $1,000 to LCIF for sponsoring a Melvin Jones Fellow.. Report also included copies of the club’s newsletter.

Wilmington Island– Reports filed online. Club worked 37 hours on club administration. Average attendance is 13.

Woodbine– Reports filed online. Club worked 37 hours on club administration and 86 hours on community projects. Average attendance is 23. Club spent $300 on the community.

Club Anniversaries

The following clubs have anniversaries for November or December. The November listing was omitted from the last newsletter. These dates are according to LCI records.

Editorial Comment…

So often we hear of sad news of someone has an illness or has past on. We pause and reflect on that person, particularly if we know that person very well. It is customary to think of the good times and the positive moments. To praise the accomplishments and the service of this person. At this time of the year it becomes more difficult to express those thoughts as we concentrate on the Holiday Season, as we celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah.

But this time it is not a person of whom I am writing about. It is a Lions club, this club was started in 1977 with the same kind of high hopes and expectations that make the Lions a well respected and known name in the world. This club was a hard working dedicated club that consistently was ranked in the top clubs of District 18-B. Its members were active in the community and the district. Some of the members served at cabinet level positions. Other members took the meaning of “We Serve” to a higher level with service that crossed international boundaries with sight services to Africa and South America. This is a world class Lions club.

Last year this club helped sponsor the Knight Riders Leo Club in Savannah. A club that continues to serve and grow in the community. But even with all of its accomplishments, this club was in need. The need at first was not at all noticeable but later to serve as its demise. The first symptom was probably in leadership. Too few of the Lions were willing to take a leadership role in the club. Year after year the same Lions served as President and Secretary/Treasurer. Soon the attendance levels were dropping and the participation in the projects suffered as well. Members left or simply became inactive. The enthusiasm left with the decline in activity. Finally the question was asked of the membership, do we continue as Lions? Only 3 responded positively. The vote was cast to surrender the charter. As of December LCI will place this club on Status Quo pending a final decision by District Governor Lew. This is the kind of decision that no likes to make but it has to be made.

Invitations to transfer to nearby clubs has and will be offered to these members. To encourage them to remain as Lions and serve the community. The club I am referring to is the Savannah Chatham South Lions Club. It is time for the Lions of District 18-B to say thank you for the service of 28 years to the community of Savannah, District 18-B, MD 18 Georgia and the world.

The following are the members of Chatham South: Steve Bellmoff, Raymond C. Borzaga, Rev. Luther Burton, Frankie M. Daniels, Paul Ganem, Judy Ganem, David E. Giachette, R. Leann Grefski, Charles E. Grefski, Charles L. Harris, Jack Heery, Allen Herren, Theresa V. Hickey, Samantha M. Kelly, Dr. Mark K. Manocha, Theodore Mauldin, Grady M. Nickles, James S. Perks, Dorothy J. Perks, Nancy C. Tutor, Thomas E. Vogler.

CSFII

Dear Fellow Lions,

The end of a calendar year is a fitting time to reflect on what Lions accomplished over the past 12 months. In 2005, Lions responded to global needs as never before. Lions provided critical emergency relief following the tsunami in South Asia, Hurricane Katrina in the United States and the earthquake that devastated parts of Pakistan and India. Lions also are providing or will provide long-term rebuilding to help people resume their normal lives. Lions around the world joined forces to help disaster victims in desperate need.

There is another “disaster” waiting to happen. Experts predict the blind population will double by 2020 if nothing is done. Lions will not let that happen. We’ve launched Campaign SightFirst II to prevent millions of children and adults from losing their precious vision.

SightFirst has achieved tremendous success. Through SightFirst Lions have prevented vision loss or restored sight for 24 million people. Campaign SightFirst II will build on that remarkable success. As we look forward to 2006 and beyond, we realize there is much more work for us to accomplish. 

Over the next three years, all clubs will be asked to participate in Campaign SightFirst II.  It will take all of us working together to reach our goal of raising US$150 million. Clubs eager to take a leadership role in the campaign have the opportunity to become a Model Club Candidate. The deadline for a club to submit their candidacy is December 31, 2005.

Model Club Candidates will receive additional recognition opportunities while doing a great service in the fight against preventable blindness.  More information about the requirements of a Model Club Candidate can be provided by your local Lion leaders or by contacting the campaign office at [email protected].  Please consider your club for this important role in Campaign SightFirst II. Now is the time to take your club’s commitment to service to a new level by helping preserve vision in your community and around the world.

Dr. Clement F. Kusiak

2005-2006 LCIF Chairperson

p.s. You can contact us at:  [email protected]

District Convention

The 18-B Convention is scheduled for February 24, 25, and 26 in Hinesville.  All club presidents were sent a packet.  Activities include a Hospitality Room both Friday and Saturday nights, Golf or a historical tour Saturday morning, cabinet meeting Saturday afternoon, and banquet Saturday evening.  Our guests are International Director Terry Graham and his wife, Jean, from New Castle, Ontario, Canada.

The host hotel for the convention is the Country Inn and Suites which is located at 742 Stewart Way, Hinesville  (near intersection with Oglethorpe Hwy/US 84).  Phone 912-877-7777 for your reservation.  The special rate for room is just $70.00 per night (total $78.40 per night including taxes) and includes a complimentary buffet breakfast.  Mention Lions Club Convention when you make your reservations to get the rate.  Due to the possible return of the 3^rd Infantry Division, the block of rooms will only be held until DECEMBER 30.  YOU MUST MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BY THIS DATE TO RECEIVE THIS RATE.

Banquet tickets are only $20 a person for a delicious buffet meal.  For tickets, please send your reservation form and check to PDG Lil Shurtleff, 1107 Kelly Drive, Hinesville, GA  31313, by February 18, 2006

To make it easier for all to attend the banquet at Club Stewart, we are arranging for gate passes.  If you do not have military decals on your vehicle, you will be required to enter through a separate gate and obtain a one-day pass.  For this pass, you will need your vehicle registration, insurance card and your drivers license.  In addition, each person in the vehicle must have a photo ID.  We can arrange for a one-time pass for the evening.  To do so, please complete the form attached.  A pass will be in your registration packet.

See your club president for more information or contact PDG Lil at [email protected] or 912 876-8324 for more information.

New Members

Deceased Members

Dropped Members

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 September-November 2005 35

Membership Loss for September –November 2005 -25

Net Change in Membership 18-B 10

Camp for the Blind

I just received a message from our camp treasurer and I’m saddened to say for the second month in a row he has requested additional funds be transferred out of our trust fund to pay our monthly bills.  (payroll, taxes, insurance, sanitation, electricity, postage and telephone)

I once again ask all club board members to see if there is some way that you could make any donation to the camp.  I have distributed over 18,000 truck raffle tickets within our District.  I say this because not many ticket sales money has been returned to me.  Please, by all means, if you have completed your truck raffle ticket sales, forward your ticket stubs and monies to me.  I will even come to your club and pick them up, if you want me to.  And even if you have not completed your sales, please send me what you have sold.

On a happier note, I would like to thank the lions’ members from Bellville, Garden City and Savannah Port City Clubs for their efforts on selling truck raffle ticket at the Wal-Mart in Pooler.  This hardy group of lions sold 855 tickets over a half a day Friday and Saturday.

Are you at a stand still on what kind of Christmas gift to give to one of your lion friends?  How about a donation to the Camp in their honor!  Do you really need another tie or blouse?  How about asking for a donation to the camp in your honor?

Thank you to all the lions who are working for the camp. I’m always available for a program, give me a call.

Merry Christmas

Jerry

District 18-B Elections

At the District Convention in February, we will be electing our officers for the coming Lions year. These candidates must be nominated by the home club of the candidate, not less than 30 days before the convention. These nominations must be received by District Governor Lew Waldrop and District Nominations and Elections Chairperson Jerry Ney by the deadline of 30 days prior to the convention.

This year we will be electing a District Governor, Vice District Governor, and Vice President of the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. Our district is in need of qualified Lions to serve in its leadership positions. Qualifications to serve as Vice District Governor or Vice President of the Camp are as follows. Serve as President of a Lions club, serve as a Director of a Lions Club for 2 years and serve on the District Cabinet as Zone Chairperson, Region Chairperson or Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer.

Qualifications to serve as District Governor are the same as Vice District Governor plus having served as Vice District Governor. If you meet these qualifications please consider serving the district.

At this time there are no candidates for Vice District Governor or Vice President of the Camp.

Georgia Lions Lighthouse

As we reach the mid point in the Lions year, we need to consider the type of support we are providing for our Georgia Lions charities. So far this year our support for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation lags far behind of that of last years. Without your support, the Lighthouse has to fall back to the trust fund to continue to provide those needed surgeries and other services. Also we have been forced to cut back qualification to 100% of the Federal Poverty Guideline from 150%.

As we return to normal club activities in 2006, please consider your Georgia Lions Charities and make your contributions.

Get ready for Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Eye disease is a major public health problem in the United States and causes significant suffering, disability, loss of productivity and diminished quality of life for millions of people. With early detection and timely treatment, most vision loss can be avoided. Through the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP), clubs and communities can help to save sight through early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma.  For information on organizing activities around glaucoma awareness in your community visit www.lehp.org.

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