DECEMBER 2014
Greetings!!!! I hope everyone has had a Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving. A woman was asked by a co-worker, “What is it like to believe in God?” The coworker replied, “It is like being a pumpkin.” God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for the entire world to see. Be a Light for all you meet. Make a Difference. We in district are starting the sixth month of this lionistic year of 2014-15. Thus far we have been awarded a Gold Lion’s paw pin along with “Lions Pride Award” for the first quarter i.e., July- October. This is your award lions. Congratulations!!!! Keep up the great work. We can receive up to 4 awards during the course of this year. This is given for positive growth in membership that is higher than our average of a 5 year term. October was a great month. We added 83 lions to our district but lost 53 lions. November we added 8 lions but lost 10 lions. Lions we have to try and keep up the work done in October, if we have to gain our old glory back again in our district. We are still 4 th in line in membership, tagging behind 1-D by just a few lions. At the beginning of the year, I had asked all the clubs to add just one new member to your roster of July 2014. This means if you had 20 members as of July 1, 2014, your club should have 21 members by the end of December 31, 2014. i.e to replace the lost lion and then add just ONE MORE. Please try lions. I have faith in you. You can do it. Just ASK ONE member. Another month and more visits to clubs. As of November 30th, I have visited 22 clubs and five Regions meetings in the district. Region 1-6 had their 1st Region meetings on time. Please schedule your 2nd Region meeting by February 15th. So far Region 4 has scheduled with me February 19 th, 2015. Please do not overlap your meetings with other regions. This makes it difficult for me to attend. Some of the fund raisers have been very interesting and I have asked some clubs to put the information on the district website so all can see what other clubs are doing. Also we have 71 clubs in our district and I have waiting for the other 49 clubs to schedule your Governor’s visit. I do want to come and meet your members.
At this time, I do want to wish everyone A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON 2014 TO YOU AND YOURS. GOD BLESSES YOU ALL IN THE UPCOMING NEW YEAR 2015. Club
# of New Members
New Member's Name
Sponsor's Name
# of Members Sponsored By this sponsor since July, 2014
Argo Summit
2
Michael C. Kirksy William Parker Chris Dimas Carlos Alejandro Proano Michael A.Petrouski Francesca P. Digiovanni YanHong Julie Song Rosita Sanchez
Robert Swanson Robert Swanson Neil Glynn Patrick Guzman
2 1 1
Chicago Beverly Ridge Chicago Ecuadorean
1 1
Chicago Heights Chicago Mayfair
1 2
Chicago Puerto
1
TOTAL FOR NOVEMBER
8
Terri Yauger Judith Toft Judith Toft Iris AlvaradoVelazquez
1 2 1
-Terry D’Souza, District Governor Editorial:-
PDG Austin D’Souza, Ph.D.
We are in the sixth month of current Lionistic Year. 5 months flown by the wind so fast it looks like I just started publishing this magazine last week. Now it is time to look back to see what we achieved thus far and to plan for the second half of the year with our realistic goals. Many clubs have shown membership growth by following our governor’s request to bring new members. Some clubs have lost members for various reasons. The funniest reason many clubs have is –“Resigned in Good Standing!”
Now there are some important questions to all clubs in District 1A – (1) Did we send our Candy Day collections to Lions of Illinois Foundation? (2) Did we set Governor’s Visit to our club? (3) Did we pay International and District/State dues? It’s the season to be jolly and to share greetings with one another joyfully. I wish all readers of Governor’s Newsletter a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year, 2015. May God Almighty bless us all and keep in good health, love, peace, harmony and friendship.
In the month of November, MD1 Lions witnessed a wonderful Leadership Forum in Normal, Illinois. With good fellowship lions learned new things to run their clubs and be #1 service organization in their local communities. Some lions may say that, “had been there and done that.” But for me, there is no end for learning new ideas, refreshing our thoughts and changing our leadership style to climb the ladder successfully.
The District 1A 2015 Mid-Year Forum will be held on Saturday, January 24 at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.
The MY Forum will provide meaningful workshops and seminars throughout the day with topics ranging from fundraising to membership to motivation. The committee has been working diligently to put together a forum that will provide current information that will benefit all Lions and help to inspire and reinforce why we are all part of this service organization. We hope everyone has a good time. No matter what position you hold in your club, this year’s forum offers programs to help all of us build and maintain stronger organizations. We hope our members have a good time networking and catching up with old and new Lions friends from around the District. Program Format We have changed the format this year! Attendees can build their own program, participating in sessions based on topics that interest them. The morning consists of 15 sessions scheduled in three different time slots. Each session will last 40 minutes and participants can choose to attend one session in each time slot. After the lunch break, Dr. Janet Szlyk, President and Executive Director of the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind will provide the keynote address. Dr. Szlyk will talk about the long and rich history the Lions of District 1A have with the Lighthouse. In the afternoon, we will have Roundtable discussions for Region and Zone Chairs and Club Presidents, as well as membership and social media workshops. The registration fee for the 2015 MY Forum, including breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and a commemorative pin, is $25. Please come and join us for a day of learning, discussion, and friendship. Contact IVDG Ralph Zarada, Lion Herb Zimmerman, or Lion Janice Wiggins for more information. MY Forum Agenda The following is a list of the programs being
presented. It is a tentative schedule and is subject to change as we finalize the itinerary. 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast Welcome, VDG Ralph Zarada Governor’s Welcome, DG Terry D’Souza Event overview, TBD Morning session one (Five options, choose one) 9:20 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Succession, Lion Ernie Lapid, Chicago Philipine American Lions Eye Bank, TBD Goal Setting, Lion Ron Schammert, River Grove Lions 2017 Convention, Lion Bob Block, Calumet City Lions Reading Action Program (RAP), Lion Judy Toft, MayFair Lions Morning session two (Five options, choose one) 10:10-10: 50 a.m. I’m New, I’m Leaving, and I’m Gone: Lion Ralph Zarada, River Grove Lions Leader Dog Puppy Raisers: TBD Fund Raising: Lion Todd Combs, LaGrange Lions V.O.I.C.E.S.: Lion John Torphy, Stickney-Forest View Lions Public Speaking: Jerilyn Willin, JWillin Consulting Morning session three (Five options, choose one) 11:00-11:40 a.m. LIERI: Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institiute TBD Lions of Illinois Foundation: PDG Mario Gumino, Executive Director Karen Putz Inspirational Speaker, TBD V.O.I.C.E.S.: Lion John Torphy, Stickney-Forest View Lions Public Speaking: Jerilyn Willin, JWillin Consulting 11:45 a.m. – 12: 10 p.m. Lunch 12:15-12:50 p.m. Keynote Address Dr. Janet Szlyk, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Afternoon session (Four options, choose one) 1:00-2:30 p.m. Social Media Workshop: Lion Gail Anton, Orland Park Lions and Lion Tom Drez, Lemont Lions Club Region Chair/Zone Chair Roundtable: Lion Herb Zimmerman, Orland Park Lions and Lion Janice Wiggins, Cook County Lions President’s Roundtable: Lion Dave Guerin, River Grove Lions and Lion Tracy Alder, River Grove Lions Membership: Lion Andreas Brandt, Westchester
Lions and Lion Tamara Ivetic, Cook County Lions -Lion Ralph Zarada, First VGD District 1A
DO YOU KNOW SUE?? Now that I have your attention I would like to spin a tale about working the Carson’s Community Sales Days at the Harlem, Irving Shopping Plaza. A BIT OF HISTORY – THE Mayfair Lions Club has been do- ing this event for 7-8 years now and each year it is always a bit different. I always wear my club vest as it is loaded with pins and it is always a conversation starter. From the male contingency – was I in the military/ WAS I A Major – where did I get all those pins and I simply tell them – these pins are a small part of 45 years of service on behalf of my Lions Club and Lionism. Over the years, I have always asked “do you know who the Lions are?” – I get a puzzled look, a bit if stammering and stuttering – and the standard reply is “something to do with glasses – right?? – I do my 16 second elevator speech and we go on from there. Often husbands come in with their wives and sort
of stand there not really offering any comments. The wife usu- ally buys the coupon book unless she talks him into opening his wallet. Anyway, the man and I talked about lions for a while during which time his wife did not say a word. His sweatshirt had the word River Grove emblazoned on it. He seemed to know some things about Lions and just looked at me and suddenly said “Do you know Sue?? She is a great person – I really like Sue. I looked at him and said do you mean Sue Zarada – as in Ralph and Sue Zarada? He looked at me and said YES - I have to buy a book for the Lions and he did – he never did talk about Ralph - his wife just smiled! This year was rather unique as far as I was concerned – on one of the presale days while I was doing my two hours a young lady came up and asked me about the books and how they work. We got to talking about the lions and what they do – and she asked how did one join a group like this. Well, needless to say, she too received at least a one minute elevator speech and an invitation to come to our next club meeting. I only sold one book that day but I got a prospective member for the club. Not bad for 2 hours work! She not only came to the meeting – she is now the newest member of the Mayfair Lions Club and volunteered to sell coupon books on Saturday – a couple came in and she immediately started talking to them in Spanish and they were so pleased they had someone they could converse with and they came back to ask her more questions. Francesca, I came to find out, speaks five languages and was very comfortable with the people she sold books to.
Last month we had a guest at our meeting in November who expressed an interest in join- ing our lions club. She had a background in Lionism as her dad, up until the time of his passing, was an active member of the Park Forest Lions Club. Nancy came to our Novem- ber meeting, bringing her daughter along and she and Francesca were both inducted into Lionism by Governor Terry. Nancy and her daughter Leigh also volunteered for the Carson event and they had a great time enjoying each other’s company while they sold their quota for the morning. It is really great being a Lion! While we were selling coupons a gentleman came buy and stopped to talk with us – Steve Byers – who worked for Carsons – he commented on the vest and pins and said thank you to both of us for being volunteers. I asked him if he would mind if he had his picture taken with Francesca and he indicated he would be A senior citizen came in who was using a walker to get around – I helped her up the stairs – picked up some things she had dropped and she looked at me and smiled and said “you are a nice lady – yes, we will buy a coupon book”. She and the other lady moved off slowly, smiling about what they were going to buy that morning. I stood there and realized again “why I am still a Lion”! There are people who really love to come and shop or just to look around and want to spend a few minutes with me talking about the vest and the pins and they are really amazed when I tell them I have being a Lion for over 40 years! Then there are people who speak another language and have limited English but as long as you smile and say “thank you”, they walk away with their coupon book and a smile of their face as they are going to do what they came for – SHOP! The funds sales of the coupon books stays with
delighted. He was getting my 16 second elevator speech while smiling the whole time. Later on I found out that he was the Executive Vice President for the whole Carsons Chain. I am sure he will remember the “crazy lady” in the vest with all the pins. It is still fun being a lion! One of my highlights of the morning was when a young lady came struggling in with a baby in a carrier. I asked her how old her son was and she said he was one year and one month and she called him her “Miracle Baby” be- cause he came into the world ten weeks early and weighed only 3 pounds – he was now up to a whopping 13 lbs. Baby and I smiled at each other and “played fingers” together while mom and I talked. People you meet while doing this event are really amazing when you take the time to talk – tell them a bit about Lionism – explain how the books work and send them on their way with a smile. the club so for as little or as many as you sell it is “found money”. Special thanks to the new members and in particular to Lion Dave Hansen who is always there for this event even during the time he was the Governor – this is always one of his priorities! The Mayfair Lions Club has been around for some 65 years now – down in membership from the original 106 members but the members stay in- volved to the best of their abilities and we do have a good time. We all know our elevator speeches and use them wherever we can and hopefully will do so for a long time to come. Carsons Community Days are now over and we want to extend our special thanks to Rose Norman at the Store who is always there and been more than kind to the members of the Chicago Mayfair Lions Club. We are looking forward to next year – to meet – to greet and share Lionism with those we come in contact
with! Respectfully submitted
Lion Judy Toft Lion Judy Toft Mayfair Lions Club Secretary District 1-A
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Governor’s Newsletter Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza, Phd., govaustin@gmail.com for District 1A Lions.
Governor Terry and First Gentleman Austin cordially invites the Lions of District 1-A to
The Annual Christmas Party Sunday, December 7, 2014 12:00 PM Cocktails (cash bar) 1:00 PM Lunch Four Points Sheraton Hotel Main Ballroom 10255 W. Irving Park Road Schiller Park, Illinois
This year the Governor and First Gentleman will be sponsoring Christmas Karaoke (Christmas Songs Only) Prizes will be awarded for BEST and WORST songs
Entertainment & Dancing $28.00 per person Tickets will not be available at the door All proceeds from the Christmas Party will be donated to First Gentleman Austin's favorite charity LCIF
Please make checks payable to: District 1-A Lions
Make My "Christmas Wish" come true PLEASE RSVP by Friday, December 5th. Call 708-479-4779 or anton173@comcast.net
Hello Santa, The invitation is out, it’s time to celebrate and find out who has been naughty or nice. It’s time for the always-fabulous District 1-A Christmas Party, hosted by Governor Terry and Austin D’Souza. Santa will be making a visit to us on Sunday December 7th at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel beginning at 12:00 p.m. with lunch at 1:00 p.m.
He will bring with him the Madrigal Singers from Carl Sandburg High School to entertain you and you will have a chance to also entertain Santa and his elves with Christmas Karaoke, of course with a chance to win a prize. The cost of the event is $28.00 each and there will be a cash bar available. All proceeds will be donated to LCIF.
Reservations can be made by contacting Zone Chairman Lion Gail Anton at anton173@comcast.net. No tickets will be sold at the door. Checks are to be written to
Thank You, ZC Lion Gail Anton Special Events Chairman
District 1-A Lions.
Greetings Fellow District 1-A Lions,
package including the 3 meals and registration is still a modest $85.00. The room rate is still a respectable $85.00 plus tax per night, again, NO INCREASE and must be reserved through the Westin Hotel. The Lion room rate is guaranteed through March 7, 2015. We are looking forward to another strong convention, one that each Lion in our District can be proud of. Governor Terry has chosen the theme of “Who’s Your Superhero”. Be sure to bring a camera, there will be plenty to see. (PDG Dennis McMillan in tights)?
The Convention Committee wishes all the Lions in District 1-A a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Give thanks for what you are able to do for those in need. Our work is not finished yet. The Committee presented to the District Cabinet its pricing schedule for the upcoming convention March 27 through March 29, 2015, with NO INCREASE in cost to the attendee. The District Cabinet approved our pricing schedule. The meal
If your club, zone or region would like to host a hospitality room be sure to contact PDG Mike Smigielski. Rooms are going fast this year. Also please keep in mind that the District is looking for qualified Lions to fill its’ District offices. If you are interested please contact CS Brenda Block at csblock1a@aol.com she will help file the necessary paperwork. If you should need further information feel free to contact any one of the chairman listed below: lionmikesmig@aol.com
PDG Steve Anton, Convention Chairman santonlions@comcast.net PDG Harold Burkett, Convention Co-Chairman
Thank you, PDG Steve Anton District 1-A Convention Chairman
harold.burkett@att.net PCST Dawn Grogan, Convention Co-Chairman dgrogan498@aol.com PDG Mike Smigielski, Convention Hospitality Room Chairman
“ Gover n or ’s Newsl ett er ” Edit ed an d Pu bli sh ed by: PDG Au s tin D ’Souza, Ph .D. for Distr i ct 1 A Li on s. E-mail: g ova ust in @gmail.com