Governor‘s Comments...

I hope that all who attended the State Convention in Columbus this past week enjoyed it as much as I did.  The programs were excellent and the outpouring of friendship was nothing short of spectacular.  From the opening gavel to the closing celebration ceremony, I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

             The time has finally arrived.  It is hard to believe how swiftly the year has passed.  I want to thank you all for the support you have given me during this year.  It has been a pleasure serving you as your governor.  You honored me with your support and kind expressions as I visited each club.  I want you all to know that I am always available if you should ever want me to return.  I also want say that you are always welcome to attend the Hinesville Club any time you are in town the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of the month.   

Congratulations to PDG Jerry Kaiser on being selected as next years Council Chair.  18B will be well represented on the council next year with Jerry and DGE Joe Bill Brannon.  Lets all get behind them and continue to make Lions the “Knights for the Blind”.

Many of you have noticed in the phone books that there is a beautiful ad for our Lions Club.  Many thanks to “The Real Yellow Pages” for partnering with us to support our cause.  We will continue to look for ways to get the word out there.  Please help your club and community by seeking out those worthy candidates and asking them to be Lions with you.  Together we can make our strength grow and with the renewed vitality we can provide the much needed services to our community.

DG Lew

Editor Note– In select cities in District 18-B, PDG Chris Barbieri has worked out a barter agreement with the Bellsouth Yellow Pages to publish information about the Lions Clubs. As a part of this agreement the official logo of the Real Yellow Pages has been placed in this newsletter.

Alma– MMR filed timely online.

Baxley – Reports received timely by mail.  Club spent 20 hours on Club Administration and 80 hours on community betterment.  Club has started a club newsletter and has provided the DG with a copy.  Keep up the good work. 

Bloomingdale-MMR filed on time by mail.  Club spent 82 hours on club administration and 60 hours on community betterment.  Club also spent $60 on the eyeglass program.

Brantley County- MMR filed timely by mail.  No activity report.

Bellville– Reports received by mail. Sent DG Newsletter.  Club spent 46 hours on club administration and 137 hours on community betterment.  Spent $50 to Send-a-kit-to-camp.  Made contribution to Campaign Sight first II.

Cobbtown– MMR received by mail. Club held their annual Citizen of the Year Banquet with a terrific crowd on May 27, 2006.

Collins – Monthly reports received by mail on time.  Club spent 100 hours on community service and made a donation to LCIF for $150.  Made initial donation of $150 to Campaign Sight First II. And Pledged $1800 by May 2008.

Darien – MMR received by mail on time.  Inducted 1 new member and dropped 12 members.

Folkston –  Monthly reports filed online.  Club donated 400 hours towards community betterment and $80.00 on the eyeglass program.  Inducted 2 new members.  Welcome to Mrs. Gracie Gooch and Loye (buddy Loyd.

Garden City– MMR received by mail. Spent $60.00 on the eyeglass program.

Golden Isles– Reports received timely on-line. Club worked 34 hours on community betterment.  Club donated $1000 to White Cane.

Hinesville - Reports filed online. Average attendance is 28. Club worked 59 hours on club administration and 245 hours for community betterment.  Donated 300 pair of eyeglasses and 45 lenses to the Lighthouse for recycling.

Jacksonville – Reports received timely online.  Club spend 5 hours on club administration and 100 hours on community betterment.  Rented clubhouse out 3 times in May for Family Reunions.  Sponsored a full page add in the local paper for Memorial Day.

Jesup – Reports received timely by mail.  Club spent 20 hours on Club administration and 25 hours on community betterment.  Club spent $70.00 on the eyeglass program. Hosted a cookout for the nursing home residents as part of National Nursing Home Week in May   

Lyons – Reports received timely by mail.  Club spent 48 hours on club administration and 100 hours on community betterment.  Club spent $80 on the eyeglass program.  Club put out flags for Memorial Day and provided volunteers for Tale from the Altamaha Play.

Metter– MMR received by mail. Club spent $245 for Eyeglass exams and $200 on Community Betterment.

Okefenokee – Reports received timely by mail.  Club spent 485 hours on club administration.  Club donated 4 cell phones to the Lighthouse for recycling.  Club held their 4^th annual memorial day Bass Rodeo at the club lake.  Published 4 articles in the local paper.

Pembroke –  Reports received timely online.  Club spent 6 hours on Club administration and $425 on the eyeglass exam program.    Honored star student, teacher, and parents with certificates and plaques and a meal at Cowarts and presented a plaque to a surprised Lion of the Year - - Judy Cook.  Her hours of community service are far too numerous to keep up with and her support and co-operation with the Pembroke Lions Club is greatly appreciated.

Reidsville –PCC Stan Bazemore inducted officers and Board of Directors.  Gave PCC Bazemore a check for $600 for Campaign Sight First II.  Gave $100 each to two local Libraries for Large Print books.  Gave $100 to Local Library for Summer Reading program.  Lion of the year for Reidsville, Lion Linda Curl.  Inducted Jeff Kaiser as a new member.  Gave $75 to help Fire Department with fireworks.  Collected $1500 for White Cane.

Rincon - MMR filed with LCI .  Club worked 25 hours on club administration.  Average attendance is 12.

Rincon Evening– Club is small in number but BIG in accomplishments.  Club has sent more than 350 pair of glasses to the Lighthouse for recycling.  Congratulations to Larry Steese for a job well done as Secretary this year.

Savannah- Reports filed online.  Club spent 550 hours on club administration and 750 hours on Community betterment.  Club sent 2570 glasses and 1050 cases to the Lighthouse for recycling.  Spent $1000 on Sight Services.  Contributed $500 to Leader Dog, $500 to RFB&D and $1000 to LCIF.  Club raised $854 during the broom sale during the month.

Savannah Hostess –Report filed on time online.  3 members attended State Convention.  Please keep Dot Henderson in your thoughts and prayers during her recovery from back surgery.

Statesboro Noon-   Report filed online. Club spent 67 hours on Club administration and 525 hours on Community Betterment.  Statesboro Noon Lions joined with Bulloch Lions to work White Cane Day at Wal-Mart.  Statesboro Noon Lions also assisted in the Relay for Life Breakfast.  The club had 1 new member added to the role.  Continued to have 2 Public Service Announcements daily at 2 local radio stations.  PU 101 submitted to LCI with upcoming officers for Lions year 2006-2007.

Waycross – Report received timely online.  Club spent 88 hours on Club administration and 35 hours on Community betterment.  Donated $125 to Leader Dog and $125 to RFB&D.  Donated 1110 eyeglasses and 47 hearing aids to the Lighthouse for Recycling.

Wilmington Island – Reports filed timely online.  Club spent 76 hours on Club Administration and 100 on Community betterment.  Club contributed $205 to Leader Dog, $100 to the Lighthouse, and $250 to RFB&D.  Jerry Kaiser to install new officers.  Received $276.91 as donation from Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf event.  Planning Broom Fair/Hot Dog Sale event July 8^th.  Organizing program placing copies of “The Lion” magazine in area business waiting rooms.

Woodbine – Reports received by mail.  Club spent 28 hours on Club Administration and 63 hours on Community betterment.  Club spent $300 on community betterment.  Club gave $500 scholarship to C.C.H.S. Student.  Club donated $100 to NJROTC student at C.C.H.S.

Form A-1

 Reminder for All Club Secretaries
July 15, 2006 is the deadline for receipt of the 2005-06 Annual Lions Club Activities Report (Form A-1) at International Headquarters. Club secretaries can easily submit their 2005-06 Activities Report online.

Form A-1 provides information about the amount of funds donated by Lions clubs and the number of hours donated to community service. The 2004-05 form A-1 revealed that:

The average Lions club donated $9,900 to charitable causes. This represents an estimated worldwide total of $449 million (based on 45,358 clubs as of 6/30/05) in contributions.

The average Lions club donated 1,694 volunteer service hours to the community. This represents an estimated 76 million volunteer service hours (based on 45,358 clubs as of 6/30/05).

Lions of Georgia State Convention News

Lion Jerry Kaiser, PDG was elected Council of Governors Chairperson for Lions Year 2006-2007. Lion Jerry was also presented with the International President’s Medal. Lion Rick Mizell, PDG was elected MD18 Lion Tamer and was also presented with the International Presidents Leadership Medal. Lion Lil Shurtleff, PDG was honored with one of the first Ervin-Crumbley Medals for dedicated service to MD 18.

Other news, Lion Joyce Culberson was elected MD 18 State Historian.

District Governor Lew Waldrop presented the following Lions with Certificates of Appreciation:

       Darrell Parker               Joe Bill Brannon                       Teddi Stevens

        Steve Stevens               Richard Mizell                          David Beatie

        Brenda Nease               Dewey Hayes                            Lonnie Roberts

        Stan Bazemore             Bill Alexander                           Dave Ellis

        Trot Hurd                     Jack Streidcher                          Jack Kennedy

        Jerome Ney                  Mary Cason                               Evelyn Kennedy

        John Butler                   Lilian Shurtleff                           Charles Smith

        Steve Belfoff                 Cliff Watson                             Marjorie Nesmith

        Christopher Barbieri     Mary Ann Barbieri                    Janet Ward

        M.P. Jones                    T. Vance McSwain

International President's Certificates of Appreciation were presented during the year to the following Lions; Jerry Kaiser, PDG, Jim Ward, PDG and Bill Alexander.

Club Anniversaries

The following clubs have anniversaries for June. These dates are according to LCI records. Georgia Southern University Campus Club was omitted from last months newsletter. It has been 1 year since the charter was granted. They held their charter night in August of last year.

Camp for the Blind

This past two years and been most enjoyable for me serving our District as Vice President to the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind.  Together we have accomplished many things just in the past year.

· Our camping season was a fantastic success with a total of 174 campers.

· Brenda and I sponsored for the 2^nd year a 25 year old special needs man. Camp received a $75,000 matching grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation for our new office and nursing complex building.

· Ground breaking for our new office/nursing building was held on February 24^th .

· District truck raffle was a success with our district selling over $14,000 in ticket sales, which by the way was $6,500 over the closes district to us.  Great job!

· Camp received 2 grants from International Paper; one for a library of large print games, audio books, and large print books to have at the camp.  The other was for 4 to 6 pedestals with Braille and large print descriptions to go along the nature trail.

· Our camp president recently found out that there are 57 3-5 year olds in Georgia who are visually impaired.  We at the camp are attempting to make contact with these families and if any of them live in our district to introduce them to our camp.

· Camp just hosted its first ever state wide “LEO” Weekend.  We had 30 LEO’s from across the state.

· The donations from clubs in our district to the camp from May 1^st last year till the present time is just under $45,000.

Yes, in summary I have been very proud to serve as your vice president to the camp for the blind.  This has taken a great deal of effort by everyone within in our district and for the last time as your vice president, “Thank You”!

Mark your calendars for July 22^nd, that is our Georgia Lions Day at the camp and this year we are celebrating our 30^th anniversary.

Jerry Kaiser, CCE

Campaign SightFirst II

Where has the year gone?  2005-2006 is coming to a close!  From across the world, Lions have come together to accomplish much towards our goal.  Just one year ago, Campaign SightFirst II had raised little more than $4 million of its goal.  As of April 30th, more than $40 million has been raised by Lions to fight preventable blindness around the globe.

I have been asked many times this past year, why Campaign SightFirst II? We all know about (Onchocerciasis), (river blindness) haven’t we?  It is an infection caused by a parasite called onchocerca volvulus (worm), spread by the bite of a black fly.  River Blindness is most intense in remote, rural villages, near rapidly flowing streams where these flies breed and pester workers in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Yemen and 30 countries of Africa.  These flies are more than just a nuisance.  Their bites infect these region’s people with a parasitic worm whose offspring swarm through the body. Causing intense itching, and skin discoloration.  When an adult or child sustains a large number of infectious bites, blindness almost always occurs.  Thankfully, an oral drug called Ivermectin (Mectizan R) protects people from the pain, disfigurement, and resulting blindness of these bites.

“Now what can we do?”  Designate a fundraiser to Campaign SightFirst II each year for the next 3 years.  Mark your contributions for the campaign.  Example; through personal gifts and club campaigns for as little as $5,000 we can provide sight-saving immunization treatments for a village of 1,000 people.

Also if your club desires a program on Campaign SightFirst II please call me

(912) 964-4518 or [email protected].

Jerry Kaiser CCE

Worldwide Report Day

Wednesday, June 14 marked another milestone in the success of Campaign SightFirst II. The cumulative efforts of more than 7,000 CSFII leaders spanning the globe made our first reporting day an unequivocal success.

Throughout the day, each of our 46 National/Multi-National Coordinators provided reports to PIP Dr. Lee and PIP Moore.

By the final call, 20,430 clubs had declared their intention to begin campaigning this coming Lions’ year. This astounding number of our most ready clubs will be announced to the world at International Convention and will inspire all Lions to support this critical program.

Coming July 2: LQ on the Lions News Network

LQ--Lions Quarterly, a new online video magazine, will be launched on Lions Web site on July 2 and debut the same day during the First Plenary session at international convention. While at the convention, stop by the PR Booth to learn more and to watch LQ.

The first edition of LQ looks at the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast through the eyes of a Mississippi Lions family; learns how an early intervention program in Shenzhen China has brought hope to children with autism and their families; and demonstrates the recycling efforts of the Prescott Noon Lions Club and how they give back to the environment, economy and the community.

Watch for LQ in a new section on Lions Web site in July: Lions News Network (LNN). LNN will be home to LQ, Lions videos and public service announcements. You will be able to watch and order programs in LNN.

Prevent Eye Injuries from Fireworks

Each year, thousands of people across the United States suffer serious eye injuries because of fireworks, and nearly three-quarters of those injuries occur around the July 4th holiday.

Lions Clubs International, Lions of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary offer these sight-saving tips:

· Leave it to the professionals: Pack a picnic and attend a professional fireworks display.

· Leave it to the adults: Don’t let children ignite fireworks or stand near others who do.

· Keep your distance: View fireworks displays from at least 500 feet away, and keep away from lighted fireworks. Many injuries occur when checking on fireworks that have failed to ignite.

· Wear eye protection: Eyeglasses or sunglasses can help protect the eyes from smoke, falling ash and stray sparks.

NEW: Lions Diabetes Awareness Program

Lions clubs and districts all over the world can play an important role in building awareness of diabetes in their communities by organizing STRIDES: Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness. Through the STRIDES walk, Lions, their family and their friends can increase awareness of diabetes and its serious complications, thereby creating an informed and healthy community.

A seminar about STRIDES: Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2006, during the international convention. Seminar attendees can participate in the inaugural STRIDES Walk to the convention exhibit hall. Seminar participants will receive a complimentary STRIDES organizer’s information packet and a WE STRIDE pin.

Visit the Lions Learning Center

Online courses are available on the Lions Web site www.lionsclubs.org  to assist you in developing your leadership skills: Leadership, Coaching, Goal Setting, Delegation, Management and Public Relations. The interactive courses offer activities for you to complete while learning more about these subjects.

Top 10 Clubs in District 18-B

At the 85th Lions of Georgia State Convention, the following clubs have received Bragging Rights for the next Lions Year. These clubs have shown their “Passion to Soar to New Heights” of Service in their communities and the District. Congratulations to these clubs for their hard work and dedication.

1. Douglas

2. Statesboro Noon

3. Savannah

4. Folkston

5. Bellville

6. Hinesville

7. Savannah Port City

8. Okefenokee

9. Odum

10. Lyons

 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 May 2006 3

Membership Loss for May 2006 -4

Net Change in Membership 18-B   -1

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