14-Announcer MARCH 2008 Page 1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR S MESSAGE This month s message is coming to you from the District 14-A Southern Command Post. Although there are 1200 miles separating us, through the marvels of wireless technology, it s almost the same as if I were home (if you disregard the 80º temperature, sand and sea I must put up with). As I look over the monthly membership records of our clubs, our number one problem and priority are obvious retaining our existing members. Almost half of our clubs have introduced Lionism to 100 new members (highest in the State as of December) so far this fiscal year. During the same period we have lost 127 for a net loss of 27. Retaining members does not need to be a complicated endeavor. It simply requires taking a look at your club to identify retention threats, creating a plan to address problem areas and implementing solutions. A club in Australia developed what they call the Ten Commandments of Retention that they consistently follow: 1) Meeting punctuality and control 2) Allocate tasks Lions will want to do 3) Show all members you care about them 4) Keep in touch with members and their families 5) Don t have an overkill on fines/jokes 6) Involve all members 7) Bond the club together with social activities 8) Be interested in people acknowledge any achievements 9) Give thanks and praise when due 10) Deal promptly with conflicts or disagreements. Addressing retention problems will help your club grow stronger and a thriving club will attract quality new members and retain them. Yours in Lionism, Jim Harrington SCOREBOARD CASH AND PLEDGES TO DATE Lions International $157,900,000 District 14-A $119,275 This is the first report of Lions worldwide exceeding the $150 million minimum goal. During the remaining four months of the Sightfirst II Campaign, Lions will be increasing their fundraising efforts in order to attain the $200 million challenge goal. Attaining this challenge goal will allow Lions to provide research, rehabilitation and the opportunity to reach out to vulnerable populations in the developed world. Governor Jim s District goals are 100% club participation and a minimum total of $125,000. Thus far our club participation is approximately 65%. s and individuals are reminded that pledging over a three or five-year period allows you to consider a larger campaign gift. For example setting aside 91 per day over a three-year period will provide a total gift of $1000 and earn a Melvin Jones Fellowship. A pledge of $5000 is equivalent to $2.80 per day if paid over a five-year period. Contact District Sightfirst II Chairman PDG Jim Cavallaro (610-604-4551) for more information and pledging options. Breaking News: new Campus Lions s at Neumann College & Delco Community College being formed.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 2 LIONS ROSE PARADE FLOAT WOW S THE CROWD The Lions in the Pasadena area have worked on placing a Lions Float in the Parade since 1992. At that time a nonprofit organization (Lions Float Inc.) was formed to fund, plan and contract for a Lions float every year since. For the past few years, the budget for the 35-foot long float has been about $60,000 with approximately half of the cost funded by LCI for public relations advertising and the other half coming from sales of float related merchandise, raffle tickets and other donations predominately from Lions s of the District. The 2009 float being planned will include animation and as a result will cost more. The process of putting the float in the parade each year is a yearlong activity that begins at the conclusion of the parade. Shortly after the Tournament of Roses announces the theme for the next year, the Lions and their contractor begin to review design ideas. The design is finalized in March and approved by the Tournament of Roses so that the float frame and shell can be designed and merchandising can begin. A logo is then established that will be used on the various polo shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts and pins for fund raising. In May, 20,000 raffle tickets are printed and distributed to all Lions s in California. In July, the Lions International President is officially invited to ride on the float with his spouse. From August to October the focus is placed on merchandise sales and public relations. The official decorating begins with dry decorating on each Saturday in December and the final floral decorating takes place December 26 th through the 31 st. The Lions committee also operates a merchandise sales booth at the Rose Palace during this final week. The pace during this period is fast and furious as the flowers and other perishable decorations are added to the float. The International President usually arrives around December 28 th and stays through January 2 nd. While in Pasadena, the President and his spouse help with decorating and pose with the float for formal judging by the Parade Committee and of course they ride on the float throughout the Parade representing all Lions. On January 1 st the parade kicks off and the completed Lions float rolls down Colorado Blvd to be seen by millions in person and on television. With the completion of the parade the work for next year s float will begin WITH SYMPATHY Our prayers and deepest sympathy to the families and friends of: Lion James Harry Solebury Lions Lion Morrell Solly Northampton Lions Lion William Gallagher Perkasie Lions Lioness Joanne Baldino Aston Lioness Lioness Theresa McKenna- Aston Lioness A ship sails away and we see it no more, but we know it is going to some other shore. Our dear ones pass on and we see them no more, but we know they are waiting on some other shore. By Helen Steiner Rice Candidates for District Office: DG - VDG - VDG George Bonadio, Northwest Lions Lion Charles Morton, Springfield Twp Lions
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 3 This is the fourth in a series of articles on Pennsylvania Lions projects PA LIONS SIGHT CONSERVATION & EYE RESEARCH FDN This Foundation was established at the Pa Lions State Convention in 1958. The Foundation is unique, in that it directly supports research grants at Pennsylvania medical colleges and eye hospitals and is not involved in dayto-day clinical activity. However, local major clinical projects have been funded, mainly for equipment at the Lions Eye Pavilion at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, the Center for Molecular Ophthalmology at the Univ. of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute and the Molecular and Regulatory Biology Research Lab at the Pa College of Optometry. All funds for the Foundation are raised by contributions from Lions, Lioness, and Leo s. The Foundation Board consists of six Lions, representing the Eastern, Central and Western Pennsylvania regions. They are appointed for three-year terms by the Penna. State Council of Lions s. Requests for research funds are directed to the Board, which then forwards the proposals to an Optometric, or Ophthalmic Advisory Board depending on the nature of the project. When all the recommendations have been received, the Foundation Board meets to vote on the final disposition. Last August three grants totaling $65,981 were awarded and discussed in the August issue of the Announcer. The Board meets quarterly, or at the request of the Chairman, and serve without pay in keeping with the motto of Lions, We Serve. Special recognition awards are presented each year to clubs and individuals who contribute above $500 to the Foundation. A Blue Award Certificate is presented for contributions between $500 and $999. A Gold Award Certificate is presented for contributions of $1000 or more. In District 14-A, our Eye Research Co-Chairs are VDG George Bonadio and Lion Carole Bunk. s are urged to call VDG George (610-543-2216) to arrange for a club presentation on Eye Research. District 14-A New Members We welcome all our new members and are happy to have you serve with us. Don t forget to ask your Sponsor about how to achieve the Proud Lion Award CLUB NEW MEMBER SPONSOR Bucks Assn BVI Lions Jason Bentley Samuel Leeper Bucks Assn BVI Lions Catherine Lyden Frank Kolanko Lindley-Olney Lions Edna Williams Geri Towson Lindley-Olney Lions Courtney Rice Margaret Waring Northampton Lions Edward Cotilla Larry Hauler South Phila Lions Marie Devlin Barbara Ricci South Phila Lions Catherine Brennan Lucille Magliocco South Phila Lions Kathleen O Leary Barbara Ricci Phila Korean Lions Kyu Cheal Cho Unknown Phila Korean Lions Young Il Lee Unknown Phila Korean Lions Sun Kil Park Unknown Phila Korean Lions Yong Sik Kim Unknown Phila Korean Lions Keun Mo Oh Unknown Wayne Lions Christopher Sheetz Raymond Albed Sr New District Website is under construction check it out www.lions14a.org
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 4 RETIRED LEADER DOG DIES We are sad to report that retired Leader Dog Melody passed away on January 17 th at the age of 14. She had a long and productive life, especially for Leader Dogs. She spent the last ten years of her life working for the Leader Dog School. She has attended more Lions meetings than most Lions and in addition other organizations such as the Rotary, Senior Citizens, schools, Boy Scouts, community fairs and carnivals, always making a good impression of what a Leader Dog should be. It was at a Roxborough-Manayunk Lioness Fair that Melody met Mrs Lee, which encouraged her to bequest $138,000 to the Leader Dog School via the Roxborough-Manayunk Lions. When Mrs Lee met Melody, her sight was poor and she wanted to know all about dog guides in case she needed a dog. Melody made a big impression on her, but unfortunately Mrs. Lee passed on before she needed a dog. Until Melody s legs began to falter several months ago, she was always ready and willing to work. She was a huge favorite not only in District 14-A, but also in New Jersey and Delaware. A ANNOUNCER BOOSTERS (to date) CLUBS Springfield Lions Springfield Lioness Torresdale-Tacony-Mayfield Lions INDIVIDUALS PDG Pat Fox PDG Paul & Nancy Norkas Lion Dick Burke DG Jim Harrington PCP Dr Donald Sprole Lioness Eleanor Burke Lioness Diane Harrington Lion Richard Hogg Lion Bob Park Lion Roger Shepherd Lion Linda Cunningham Lioness Betty Park PDG Kay Clyde PDG Dick Wilson CC Cliff Crose Lion Don Richardson Lioness Peggy Wilson Lion Anita Crose Lion Eileen DelViscio PDG Tom Walsh Lion Dot Walsh Lion Frank Kolanko PDG Ken Moore PDG Robert Elsner Lion George Edelmann PDG Greg Ehrenzeller PDG Santos Rivera Lion Michelle Cavallaro PDG Jim Cavallaro Lion Ellen Matus-Rivera Lion Nick Falcone PID Ted Fusco 3 rd CABINET MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Items discussed at the meeting which are included in this issue of the Announcer: Monthly Membership Report schedule changes Lions Day at the Phillies on May 31 st District Convention on April 25 th and 26th The State Council proposal to re-district the State and reduce the number of districts from 18 to 15 was discussed. Under this proposal, our District would be affected by the removal of Bucks Co (those clubs would become part of District 14-K to the north) and addition of Montgomery Co. There are a number of votes to be taken before something like this would take effect. Timewise the earliest would be 2010. See our District website for more details ( www.lions14a.org ). Gov Jim appointed the Nominating Committee consist ing of PDG s Moore, Dalstrom and Walsh. The establishment of District 14-A as a 501c3 charity is under way. The State Convention is May 15 th to 18 th in Washington, PA. See more details on our District website at (www.lions14a.org). The Cabinet approved adding District Policies to the Manual for Campus Committee and Emergency Response Committee.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 5 DISTRICT SCHEDULE MARCH 2008 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 GOVERNOR 6 VACATION 7 8 9 10 11 Gov visit to Korean 16 17 18 Gov visit to Overbrook 12 Gov visit to Torr-Tac-May & Rising Sun 13 14 UN Day 19 20 Gov visit to Northeast & Bustleton s 23 24 25 26 27 Gov visit to Springfield Lioness 30 31 15 21 22 28 29 APRIL 2008 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 Gov visit to 2 3 Gov visit to 4 5 Lindley Olney Upper Bucks Lioness 6 7 8 9 Gov visit to 10 Gov visit to 11 12 Gov visit to Lansdowne Springfield Twp Middletown 20 th Anniv. 13 14 15 Gov visit to Greek Amer. 20 21 22 Gov visit to Springfield 27 28 29 30 16 17 18 19 23 24 25 26 District Convention CLUB SECRETARY ALERT Change in Reporting Schedule Beginning April 2008, the Monthly Membership Report (MMR) must be submitted to LCI by the following dates: If you send by US Mail, the report must be mailed so that it will arrive at LCI Hdqs by the 20 th of the month. If you send via e-mail, it is due by the last day of the month. The reason for this change is that under the present reporting schedules, LCI membership data is always a month behind. The new schedule will provide up-to-date membership information. THE GOV SEZ: Why wait until April? Lets have District 14-A lead the way by beginning the new schedule in MARCH. The District form (M&A) should also follow the same schedule.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 6 DISTRICT CONVENTION NEWS By now all Presidents and Secretaries should have received Convention Packets concerning the April 25-26, 2008 District Convention which will be held at the Ramada Inn in Essington (just off I95 at the Rt 420 exit). If you are spending the night on Friday, be sure to reserve your room at the Ramada by calling them directly at 610-521-9600 and asking for the special Lions rates. On Friday evening, April 25 th we will have the Melvin Jones/PA Fdn Fellow Dinner which all Lions, Lionesses and Leos are invited to attend. Highlights of the evening will be our special guest for the weekend International Director Bill Hansen and Judy Grove of York, PA who will portray Helen Keller s Knights of the Blind speech. Deadline for reservations is April 1, 2008. Call Lion Maria Buonadonna at 215-463-5467 if you have any questions. On Saturday, we have breakfast, lunch and dinner meals available. These can be signed-up for on the Official Registration Form which has a deadline of April 10, 2008. After a sit-down breakfast will be the Necrology Service when Lions and Lionesses who have died during this Lions year will be remembered. During the Luncheon we will have the privilege of having ID William Hansen as our speaker. Lion Bill recently retired as President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind. He and his wife, Lion Carole still reside in Rochester, Michigan, home of Leader Dog. ALSO AT THE LUNCHEON, GOVERNOR JIM WILL BE HONORING ALL OUR CLUB PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES. All clubs should seriously consider placing an ad in the Convention Program Booklet. This information should be sent to Lion Joe Boyle by March 24, 2008. This will allow Lion Joe time to layout and print the booklet. We are also going to have a Basket Fundraiser and clubs are asked to supply a basket or send a check for $50 to Lion Estella Kristiniak and her Committee will make up a basket. DISTRICT 14-A NITE AT THE PHILLIES Saturday, May 31, 2008 PHILLIES vs. FLORIDA MARLINS Game Time: 7:05 pm The Lions s International Day Form from the Phillies must be used to order your tickets. These were recently mailed to each (additional copies can be reproduced locally). Send the form and your check (made payable to the Phillies) to: Phillies Group Sales, Lions s International Day, Citizens Bank Park, One Citizens Bank Way, Phila, PA 19148. Tickets can be purchased in any of four stadium locations. These are listed on the Form, with a layout view of the Park on the back to help you select your favorite location. Depending on the volume of tickets sold, this project will help to fund various District projects. Also, if we sell 500 tickets, Governor Jim will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch. LIONS, LIONESS, LEO CLUBS OF DISTRICT 14-A AND NEARBY DISTRICTS plus FAMILIES, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS and PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS are all encouraged to attend. Lets make this one of the biggest Lions events in recent years. Call Vice Governor George Bonadio for further information ELECTION OF CLUB OFFICERS It s time to start working on your s slate of officers for 2008-2009. elections should be held in April and the results reported as soon as possible after the elections, using form PU-101. If your club did not receive this form from LCI, you can download one from the LCI website. It is extremely important that the PU-101 goes in on a timely basis. This allows Lions International to have the current information for mailings to the officers and will assist Vice District Governor George Bonadio to prepare an accurate and timely District Directory for his year as Governor.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 7 CLUB ACTIVITIES ADELPHIA LIONS: collected items for soldiers in Iraq. ASTON LIONS: donated $2350 to 10 charities, Recycling project collected $292 during month. ASTON LIONESS: selling cheer tickets & crafts at Lions Pancake Breakfast and Avon Products in April. BENSALEM LIONS: sponsoring Gymnastics Meet. BENSALEM LIONESS: held major fundraiser the Sweetheart Brunch on Sunday February 24 th. Voted to support SightFirst II. BUCKS BVI LIONS: auction sale netted $525, purchased Beacon Lodge brick. FILIPINO AMERICAN LIONS: launched new member recruitment drive. HOLLAND LIONS: held lottery fundraiser. LAW ENFORCEMENT LIONS: donated $250 to St Lucy s School. LANGHORNE LIONS: 125 fundraiser in progress, holding Pancake Breakfast on March 21 st. LAW ENFORCEMENT LIONS: donated $250 to St Lucy s Day School for the blind. NEWTOWN LIONS: held last club meeting at the Delaware Valley Eye Bank. NORTHAMPTON LIONS: collected, cleaned and shipped 63 pairs of glasses, serviced soda machines for average return of $700 per month, conducted Movie Night in conjunction with Township Rec. Dept. PERKASIE LIONS: planning Annual Game Night for March 25 th, collected 68 pairs of used eyeglasses. PA COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY LIONS: two screenings scheduled March 9 and May 10. PLUMSTEAD LIONS: Planning Spring Fling fundraiser for March 29 th. RISING SUN LIONS: Night at Races made $2200 profit, collected eyeglasses. ROXBOROUGH MANAYUNK LIONESS: Chinese Auction fundraiser huge success. SO PHILA LIONS: held Valentine Dinner, donated $500 to Neumann/Goretti HS to help defray cost of water damage to band equipment, Five Week Lottery in progress. SO PHILA LIONESS LIONS: Make It, Bake It, Sew It, Grow It fundraiser netted $375, planning Fashion Show for March 30th. SOUTHAMPTON-WARMINSTER LIONS: fruit sale profit was $3492. SPRINGFIELD LIONS: Participating in St Patrick s Day Parade. SPRINGFIELD LIONESS CLUB: entering 2 nd month of two-month lottery fundraiser, planning Support-a- Family project, collecting monetary donations for Delco Pregnancy Center. SWARTHMORE LIONS: participated in the ongoing Community Volunteer Program, planning Annual Solicitation Drive and Egg Hunt on March 15 th. TRUMBAUERSVILLE LIONS: provided eye exam and glasses for two area youths, held successful Annual Game Dinner serving 350 patrons, donated $2000 to Quakertown Youth Ice Hockey, donated $350 to Sports for Special Children, renewed Boy Scout and Cub Pack charters. TORRES-TAC-MAY LIONS: held successful Monte Carlo Nite, selling tickets for St Patrick s 50-50 drawing. UPPER BUCKS LIONESS: planning Basket Bingo for February 17 or 23. WARRINGTON LIONS: spring cheesecake sale underway, Lion Russ Diamond created club web site - www.warringtonlions.org WESTERN DEL VALLEY LIONS: planning poker fundraiser and golf outing, membership drive under way. Presented Melvin Jones Fellow to Lion Frank Gormley.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 8 Basket Bingo Raffles Door Prizes Featuring Longaberger Baskets On Friday, April 4, 2008 7-10PM Sponsored by The Newtown Lions At the Masonic Lodge across from the McCaffreys at Edgewood & Heacock Roads For Tickets Call 215-675-7759 OR 215-493-5458 Advance Ticket Purchase $15 Tickets at the Door $20 WARRINGTON LIONS CLUB SPRING CHEESECAKE SALE ORDER DEADLINE: MARCH 11 TH DELIVERY/PICKUP : MARCH 19 TH All cakes are 11, 4 lbs 4 oz, frozen, 16 slices and Restaurant Quality (they re-freeze great!) Choose from: Plain Washington Cherry White Chocolate Peanut Butter Almond Amaretto Egg Nog Pumpkin Pineapple Price $18 each Call: 215-491-4180 UPCOMING CLUB/DISTRICT EVENTS MARCH 27 Region 2 Combined Zone A & B Mtg @ Keenan s, 6:30pm APRIL 12 - Quakertown Lions Spring Hoagie Sale APRIL 12 - Middletown Lions 20 th Anniv. APRIL 14 - Dublin Lions Annual Game Dinner APRIL 19 - Special Olympics @ Penn Charter APRIL 20 - Swarthmore Lions 5K Fun Fair APRIL 25-26-District Convention APRIL 26 - Special Olympics @ Council Rock HS APRIL 26 - Rox-Manayunk Lioness Spring Shopping Spree MAY 4 - Northampton Lions 50 th Anniv.
March 2008 District 14-Announcer Page 9 Gov Jim presents the Topaz Award to Wills Eye Hospital Lions President (and Cabinet Secretary) Linda Cunnigham for her s gift to the SightFirst II Campaign Gov Jim with some of the Filipino American members after a delicious home- Cooked meal Gov Jim with the Roxborough Manayunk Lioness President Marie Cunningham(center) and Suzi Wong at the s Chinese Auction Roxborough Manayunk Lionesses presenting items for Suzi to auction. Send or e-mail your pictures of club activities to Governor Harrington ( jimaharri@yahoo.com)
14-Announcer % DG Jim Harrington 1433 Country Dr Springfield, PA 19064 The March Newsletter of PA Lions District 14-A serving Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties INSIDE THIS ISSUE: District Governor Message & SightFirst II update Page 1 Rose Bowl Parade, Sympathy...... Page 2 New Members, Sight Conservation & Eye Research..Page 3 Leader Dog Melody, Boosters, Cabinet Meeting Highlights.....Page 4 District Schedule, Secretary Alert....Page 5 Convention News, Phillies Game, Elections... Page 6 Activities Page 7 Ads..... Page 8 District Photos.Page 9 Deadline for next issue is March 25, 2008