1A Governor’s Newsletter
DG Brenda Stevens:
District 1A
LET US ALL CAREAND SHARE!
We just completed 2024 Thanksgiving Day sharing food for the needy people in our communities. It was nice to see and read some clubs distributed food baskets in their neighbourhoods. Sharing is a Lions Spirit, showing love during these festivities. Mysincere thanks
December 2024
to all those clubs who took part in Thanksgiving sharing. Now we must do some Christmas Sharing. Winter months are sharing months in many of our neighbourhoods. Food, clothes, winter coats, gloves, shoes, toys and food. We are going to have a Lions Service Project, where we collect all the above items toshare and make someone happy during this holiday season. Please ask your club members to donate some items andbring them toour District 1A Holiday Party on December 15, 2024, at Chateau Orleans at 8025 S Cass Avenue, Darien, Illinois. Admission is only $45 per person. Program will start atNoon. Please attendthis festive event andbring your donations.
I am so excited to announce our newest lions club – Chicago Asian American Lions Club. They are
going to celebrate their Charter Night on February 16, 2025, at Abbington Distinctive Banquets, ES002 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137. Admission will be $75 per person. Please come in big numbers to invite this new club to District 1A. Program will start at 5:00 p.m.
November was a busy month for me. I visited several clubs, Region Meetings, Cabinet Meeting,
FROM THE DESK OFI VDG RICH:
Greetings Lions!
Avery Happy Thanksgiving toall!I hope you had a great time celebrating with friends andfamily. I’m truly thankful this year for having this abundance oflife to be able to serve with you all. Your work in service never goes unnoticed and im certain the lives
Service Projects, governor’s nights, etc. The best any governor can receive is an induction of new members, inviting them to our District 1A. The more the members, the merrier the district is. Spread the lionism in your neighbourhoods, in your families. Iwish allDistrict1ALions,Leos and theirfamilymembers andfriends a Merry Holiday Season anda Bright & Prosperous NewYear 2025.
you touchareverythankful foryou every day!
We had some great events this month starting with Fill A Truck. This event in collaboration with VOICEShad Lions filling up trailers to deliver items needed for those affected by the hurricane. Lions partnered with a club in North Carolina to receive all the donated items. Lions Karl Shultz andDennis McMillan made the trip down to deliver the items.
Often my schedule of events are fullsoyoumayseeEdithstepinmy place for different events. On this occasion sheattended theChicago Ridge Lions Trim a Tree event
where the Chicago Ridge Lions went to Brookfield Zoo and were able to decorate their own tree for the upcoming days for their Christmas Lights. We had many Lions attend to decorate and scouts from a local troop helped outaswell. Greatsynergy amongst two organizations!
I also attended are Cabinet Meeting which was at Ditkas Restaurant in Oak Brook. Region Chairs discussed what their respective clubs have been doing and are planning to do. We took the time to vote on the Peace Posters in which one will be represented and voted on at the state level. All reports were given bythe respective officers.PCC Lion
Steve Anton gave an update on Governor Brendas Convention regarding the future of the venue and expectations. Cabinet Treasurer Lion Dawn Grogan gave the pricing for the hotel and meal packages. I also gave my finalized report for the Mid Year Forum, which is Saturday, January 11th at Gaelic Park. I hope to see many Lions both seasoned and new attending to get some great
information from the guest speakers.
The Chicago Ridge Lions heldtheir annual Bears/Packers fundraiser at Rosas Pizza which had a great turnout by Lions and friends of the Lions. They club was able to raise over $3,000 to help in support of needy families for Christmas time. Ajobwell done bythe cluboverall.
Next up I attended the Region 2 Meeting at Moretti’s Restaurant. Talk about a great turn out! There were so many banners from clubs represented that it was hard to move around in the space we were in which is such anincredible sight to see! A presentation on the reporting service and the Lions Portal was done by GLT (Global Leadership Team) Lion Carol Hallberg. PCC’s Steve and Gail Anton gave an update on the convention aswell aspromotion of ClubExcellence Awards. Thank you toourhosts SVDGBen Zoletta and his wife Lion Yoly.
-Richard Moy, First VDG, District 1A
GMT Coordinator: PID Dan O’Reilly
December 1, 2024
Global Membership Approach
As of December. 1st numbers, we sit at a plus 77 in membership for the Year.
MEMBERSHIP
GROWTH 2024-2025
We are top growth in MD-1 and 4th in CA-1. Our growth comes from twenty-five clubs who made the effort to strengthen your clubs by adding members and one new chartered club.
The easiest way to gain members is to have your club visible and provide service to those in need. Visibility will help your prospective person make an easy choice by accepting your invitation to join your club.
Governor Brenda is asking that each club do their best in adding members to your club this year. She would be honored to be sending in your applications for the club excellence award at the end of your successful year.
One of the items needed is a plus two in membership. We have twelve clubs right now that have that item checked off. They just need to keep their members satisfied. A happy Lion never leaves a club…
Learn more about the Club Excellence Award from your Region and Zone Chairs.
Member Satisfaction
Here are a few tips that will help you get started in defining member satisfaction in your club:
• Askyour members! Members feel involved when you askfor their opinions. Ask your members: Why is the club here? Do our activities demonstrate this? If a non-Lion looked at one year of our events, what would they think is essential to our club? o You can use the Member Questionnaire at the back of this guide to facilitate this conversation and modify it to fit your needs.
• Assess whyyour members have leftin the past. While there are some common themes worldwide, it will help if you contact former members to learn why they left. Along with the New Member Questionnaire in this guide, there is a Former Member Questionnaire that you can modify to fit your needs. o Consider devoting time during a club meeting or holding a special meeting to discuss member satisfaction.
• Carefullyconsider whether your club’s stated objectives, goals and mission statement reflect what your current members want your club to be.
New Club Development & Club Rebuilding
Congratulations to the Chicago Asian American Lions Club which chartered on November 13th. Please save
The date, February 16th, will be the charter party for them. Come out and welcome them to District 1-A.
As always, please contact our team if you have a group or area that you believe would continue to move the The district forward in positive membership growth and more service to the area underserved.
PID Dan O’Reilly, LCIF District Coordinator
November 1, 2024
Lions Presidents, if you haven’t already done so, please appoint a LCIF Club Coordinator. The position helps get information to the club faster to keep your club informed about your foundation.
HURRICANES HELENE & MILTON
• LCIF has awarded 13 grants across 5 states (FL, GA, NC, SC, TN) // $365,000 Total grant support to date
Governor Brenda received a goal from LCIF of $54,045.00. This is based on membership at the beginning of the year. We are sitting at just over $10,000.00, which is 19% of our goal.
LCIF helps our clubs do greater service. Support your Foundation and your Foundation will be there when you have a need. You might need an Emergency Disaster Grant, a Standard Grant, or a grant related to our Global Causes.
Pictured are members of the Orland Park Lions Club and members of the RE; ACT for RYAN organization at the recent check presentation from the Queen of Hearts Raffle. The Lions donate a night proceeds of their 40% share toalocalcharitable organization in support oftheircause.Thisquarter RE; ACT for RYAN was chosen for their work in support of our first responders
Some pictures from I VDG Rich:
Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club Governor’s Night, presentation of new Officers and induction ofNewMembers on Oct. 19, 2024, atDrake Oakbrook Hotel, Oakbrook, Illinois.
Chicago Filipino American Lions Club Activities; Monthly Meetings:
Rhoda’s Hope Dinner undraiser, proceeds of which were donated toMalawi, South Africa towards the building of a Medical Clinic:->
ChicagoHealthcareAllianceLions Clubhaving Jointprojectwith StickneyForestViewLionsClub
Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club
Event:→
Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions visited many homes singingChristmasCarrolsastheir fundraiser.
Turkey giving at Blessed World Christian Church- Chicago.
Chicago Nurses for Diabetes LionsClub donated 500lbs turkey. We would like to thank our young Lionsvolunteers forhelping togive those turkeys. Lion Ronald Amoin, Vice President Lion Rogie Amoin, 2nd VicePresident Isabella Chavez, Club Membership Chairperson Lion Mae Melgar, Lion Winston Melgar, Lion Carlo, Lion Jen, Lion Ruby, Lion Jem, Lion Alex, Lion
Marites Wynkoop, PDG
Marilyn McLean.
Chicago Bayanihan-Sampaguita Lions Club Charter Night at Allegra Banquet, Schiller Park.
----------------------------------------
Chicago Nurses for Diabetes
Lions Club privileged and honored to receive a CLUB EXCELLENCE AWARD:
At District 1A Region 1 Meeting at Great Escape Restaurant, SchillerPark:
Received this beautiful pin and letter of recognition from LCI Mission 1.5 for increasing 7 new members to our club. This honour goes to those new members.
Thank you!! -Lion Austin.
Chicago Healthcare Alliances
LionsClub’s Charter President, LionLeaAgaton,astheirGuiding Lion, attended the Chicago Metropolitan Lions Club’s meeting at the Lions Clubs International on November 19.
Hurricane Helene is currently impacting the southeastern coastline of the United States, particularly affecting Florida. Many homes have been damaged and numerous families are displaced. In the face of this humanitarian crisis, we, as Lions, are prepared to step in and help. Your generous donation to LCIF enables us to continue our vital work in these challenging times. Please consider donating to our Disaster Relief Fund: bit.ly/3XFfxrP #LCIFLions
When the Desplaines River flooded our community, the Village of Forest View back in 2013. LCIF was there for us,
