District 1A Governor Tom Elsey's Newsletter

Introduction

District Governor News

March 2024

By Tom Elsey

It is hard to believe it is March already and the Convention is just around the corner. I am looking forward to seeing all lions from our great district at the convention this year, our 55th edition of the convention. We will be welcoming our International Guest Bob Lee and his wife Pam as our guests. Please come and meet our International guests from Hawaii. Registration is currently active for the convention through March 15, 2024 (Online https://district1alionsclubs.regfox.com/55th-annual-district-1-aconventionv1

or using the fillable form available on the district website) After the 15th of March, registration will be available only at the convention. Registration for a Hotel room is available using this Link: Lion’s District 1-A March 2024. Looking forward to “Celebrating the service” we provide to our communities and causes. There is still time if any club or group of clubs would like to reserve a hospitality suite to show off all those impressive service projects being done by the Lions in our district.

I would like to thank the clubs that have paid their membership dues. The 2nd half International dues and District/State dues have been sent to all clubs. The DUES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ISSUANCE. The treasurer of your club will be receiving the statements/bills in the mail (or Online if your club chose that option) All International Dues are available for review in MYLCI also. If you need help navigating MYLCI, please contact you zone chairperson for assistance.

Since our Convention is fast approaching, make sure you pay all dues owed prior to the due date or your club will not be able to vote in the election at the convention. Our Cabinet Secretary Brenda Block will be sending all clubs all the information you will need to enable all clubs to vote. I hope to see everyone at our convention helping to celebrate our service achievements.

There will be an opportunity for your club to showcase the service you provide to your community or cause. The Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club is sponsoring a Hospitality Suite at the convention. Your clubs can create a tri-fold presentation board displaying the service projects for all to see. Please consider

Thanks for all the great service projects that your clubs are doing in your communities. Please post the service projects into the MYLION application so others see the wonderful work we do. Let’s “ROAR” LIONS.

Raffle Tickets are available for purchase. Why not consider purchasing a ticket of two and have a chance at winning the top prize of $10,000. Do you feel lucky? If you need any tickets, please let us know and we will get them to you. Contact Reynel Espiritu 708-369-7525 or Mike Weber 708-2964439 for a ticket.

Travels of the Governor/District Events

I started the month off traveling down to East Peoria to attend the MD-1 Council meeting. IT is always good to meet with others across the state discussing Lions issue and concerns and enjoying a bit of hospitality too. Barb and I attended Governor’s nights with the Stickney Forest View and Thornton Lions clubs during the month and also attended a meeting with the Chicago Philippine Lions club.

During the Middle of the month the Westchester Lions Club held their annual Winterfest Celebration. Special thanks to the 19 Lions from throughout the district that attended or event and helped make our event a huge success. Barb and I also attended Bellwood’s Winter Celebration and had a great time.

We also ventured into District 1-J to attend a Pizza Party hosted by The Elmhurst Lions Club. This is the home Club of our friends District 1-J Governor Jim Worden and First Lady Patty. The month was rounded out with a training course entitled Just Ask – GMA for Clubs with approximately 27 attendees. A very successful month indeed.

March 2024

4 – Westchester Lions Club Meeting

8-9 – District 1-F Convention, Deerfield, IL

12 - Governor’s Night Hegewisch & East Side

14 – Governor’s Night – Multiple Clubs in Region 5

16 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration - River Grove

22–24 - District 1-A Convention, Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL

22-23 – District 1-D Convention, Rockford, IL

27 – Zone Chairperson Zoom Meeting

April 2024

5-6 – District 1-J Convention, Carol Stream(Wheaton), IL

12 – District 1-H Convention

12-13 – District 1-BK Convention, Bolingbrook IL

13 – District 1-CS, Sparta, IL

19-20 – District 1-G Convention, Alton, ILE

24– Zone Chairperson Zoom Meeting

District Goals

It is always good to be able to review goals and programs for the coming year, so I am including some of the information I shared with you in prior articles this year! As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Mission 1.5

Mission 1.5 is the drive to reach 1.5 million members world-wide, so we can better meet the growing needs of our communities and serve more people than ever before. We have committed the next four years to reaching this historic Lions Clubs membership goal.

Patti Hill’s Theme/Program

President Hill’s programs and initiatives will focus on four key priorities for Lions International that are critical to our mission of service.

Creating a greener, cleaner environment

Sharing our stories with the world

Reaching our full potential as Lions and leaders

Supporting our global foundation, LCIF

Changing the World

Changing the world is a journey. There is no middle and no end. There is only a beginning—and it starts with us. It happens through the many small choices and acts of kindness we make every day. Together, the sum of our efforts makes the world a better place, one life, one relationship and one community at a time.

President Hill’s programs and initiatives will focus on four key priorities for Lions International that are critical to our mission of service.

1 - Create a greener, cleaner environment

Protecting and improving our environment is a fantastic way to engage with our communities. By helping to protect and restore our natural resources, we can change the world. Let’s act boldly and let us act now.

2 - Share your story with the world

Developing great marketing skills can help you tell the world who you are and what you do. Social media and local media, and online and offline marketing give you new ways to tell your stories. Shine a light on your club and invite your community to be a part of the change as Lions and Leos.

3 - Reach your service potential

People want to be a part of something that matters. So set service goals that push your capacity and create opportunities for even more impact with new members. Find ways to ensure your club is inclusive and welcoming to all.

4 - Empower even greater good

Our foundation empowers us to do so much more than we can do alone. LCIF enables us to think big and undertake projects that can truly change the world. So, support LCIF, and let LCIF support you.

BE THE CHANGE…….Believe in Yourself

To change the world, we first must believe change is possible.

Here are some key steps that can help you face the challenges ahead.

Be brave.

In the causes you tackle and in the work that you do, don’t shy away from something that may seem too difficult. You’re up to the task and other Lions are here to support you. So, take that bold first step. Invest in the future.

We all have a reason to invest in the future, and young people may be uniquely positioned to help us create change. We are better able to deal with the issues facing our communities when they are at the table with us. Let’s invite the next generation of global leaders to serve with us as Lions. Collaborate.

We do our best work as a team. Work with community leaders, other service organizations, and each other to address the biggest problems facing your communities. Collaboration makes change happen faster.

Lead the way.

Lions and Leos lead by example. We show the world what is possible when people care about their communities and when kindness is the goal. Lead the way, and others will join you.

District Goals

Recognition Program

As part of the Build A Vision Session in February 2022, an important request of the participants was the need to consider implementing a recognition program within our district. It will include what types of achievements to consider for these awards, This will include such areas as individual and club, membership, service and leadership, and monthly, quarterly, yearly, etc. This is in addition of the Club Excellence Award (19 awarded in 2021-2022, Gail Anton’s year) and in (2022-2023, Tony Zartler year had twelve clubs earning the Club Excellence Award ). It is a great program, and we need to continue encouraging program involvement by our clubs. If your club would like to consider trying to get the Club Excellence

Award, please reach out to your Zone Chairperson. To qualify for the Club Excellence Award, clubs must meet specific requirements in four categories: Membership, Service, Leadership & Organizational Excellence, and Marketing.

More information is located on the LCI Website: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resources-for-members/resourcecenter/club-excellence-awards

Membership

As I am writing this newsletter article, our District is +89 members in the current year. For the month of February 2024, District 1-A added 14 new members and dropped 6 members for a net increase in membership of 12. Let’s continue improving our membership numbers into the future.

New Clubs

Over the last five years, our district has averaged two new clubs per year and lost an average of one club A goal of three clubs is possible. We have one newly chartered club and are in the process of chartering one more.

GMA for Clubs

Ready to move your club in a dynamic new direction using the Global Membership Approach? Then start planning for your success with the Global Membership Approach. This process can help you attract new members, overcome challenges, and develop new goals and strategies. The process is built on four steps designed to not only grow your club, but also to inspire new ideas, engage your members and improve retention and empower current and potential club leaders. You can start by taking the Global Membership Approach Course as well as the SWOT Analysis Course available in Lions Learning Center.

More information is available from the GAT Team and your Zone Chairpersons!

Service

This year’s goal is to increase the number of clubs reporting service in MyLion or the new software once available to 75% of our clubs. We are currently reporting service by 34% of our clubs. Two reasons this is so important to Lions. Reporting it on MyLion allows our International organization to create more accurate reports to share with our global

partners that generously donate to LCIF funding and allow us to serve more people in need. When those partners don’t see everything, we do, it might limit the amount of money we can get.

The second part of reporting service is to make sure we share it on social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, web pages and sharing our service projects with others in our communities hopefully will inspire others to join in our service endeavors.

LCIF

Our District has been generous to LCIF, and I am sure we will continue to do so. Now more than ever, the need for funding is necessary and will likely continue to increase.

This year’s goal is to increase individual donations to LCIF by 25% and Club donations by 20%.

Please consider attending the District 1-A Convention being held March 22, 2024 – March 24, 2024. The Convention Committee is working hard to give you a great convention experience. Make sure that you thank them for all the hard work done to put on a great convention. We Serve!

Stay safe, I am looking forward to seeing everyone during 2024.

Yours in Service,

Tom Elsey 1-A District Governor

GMA /GMT Coordinator: PID Dan O’Reilly March 1, 2024

Global Membership Approach

February Completed 32 consecutive months of positive membership for our District. Our District membership remains strong at a plus 89 as of February 29th. We are top in MD-1 in terms of growth and second in CA-1.

We have 33 of our clubs’ adding members, this is up 50% from this time last year. 18 of those clubs have a plus in membership. We ask that you continue strengthen your clubs, enabling more hands to help serve those in need in your community. Replace your loss members with fresh energetic members who want to help your communities and continue to grow. Let’s all except the Mission 1.5 Challenge.

We just completed our third GMA series seminars, Building Club Success. Thank you to the Lions who came out to help their clubs grow and in turn strengthening our District.

New Club Development & Club Rebuilding

We are in talks with 3 areas of our District to open new clubs. One, the Chicago Edgebrook Lions should be Chartered in March. Please watch for the invitation for their Charter Night to welcome them to District 1-A.

As always, please contact out team if you have a group or area that you believe would continue to move our District forward in positive membership growth and more service to area underserved.

Join me and except the challenge of Mission 1.5

MISSION 1.5

• A growing membership is vital to our clubs, our service and our communities. Because the more we grow, the more we can give.

• That’s why we’re launching MISSION 1.5.

• MISSION 1.5 is our drive to reach 1.5 million members by 2027, so we can better meet the growing needs of our communities and serve more people than ever before.

• It will require the commitment of every Lion to reach our MISSION 1.5 goal.

• We need to grow our clubs. And start new ones.

• So I ask you to invite a new member. And ask the Lions in your club to invite a new member.

• Help your club and district leaders implement their plans to grow.

• Our communities are depending on us, so we need to make a real commitment to growing our membership. MISSION

GST Coordinator: Lion Maryanne O’Reilly

February 2024

I would like to thank the clubs who reported their service preformed during Random Acts of Kindness week February 11 -17. Your Random Act of Kindness touched lives on the day your club provided service and or raised funds for continued service in your community and District 1A.

Chicago Filipino American Lions – Dance for Love & Diabetes Awareness & Screening

Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions -CPR Training

Chicago Mabuhay Centennial – Hygiene Kits and Snack Giveaway

Thornton Lions – Community Betterment Raffle

VOICES – Multi Day Presidents Raffle

Westchester Lions – Winterfest

I would like to encourage you to please continue to report your service in MYLION. Thank you also for using MYLION to report your clubs upcoming service projects and fundraisers. Just a reminder to go back into MYLION to complete your reports, as well as change the reporting status from Report Now to Reported.

Celebrate your club’s service with a tri – fold or similar display at our District 1A Convention. This is an opportunity to share your Lion’s club service display in the special hospitality room. Your club activities or seeing other activities might inspire you or other Lions clubs.

I would like to encourage all of our Lions clubs to consider collaborating on their next service project or fundraising event. Collaborating with another community group, service organization or Lions club has benefits. A few benefits are increased visibility at the event and on social media, more hands make light work, increased resources, sharing ideas, and potential members.

On behalf of Governor Tom and First Lady Lion Barb I would like to invite you to our District 1A Service Project on Saturday morning at the convention. Lions and guests will create hand sewn heart shaped pillows for Stuffed Love. Plan to join us as we create a little bit of Hope for those in need. Please see the convention registration form and flyer for more details. Stuffed Love accepts monetary donations as well as donations of supplies. Stuffed Love supply wish list includes Snuggle flannel fabric (sold at JoAnn’s), fabric scissors, sharpies, and poly-fil fiberfill (stuffing). We hope that you plan to join us for this service project.

“Celebrate Service”

Lion Maryanne

GST --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PID Dan O’Reilly - LCIF Coordinator

With our District 1-A Convention fast approaching, remember to get your Melvin Jones Fellow request into LCIF. The Melvin Jones recognitions will be presented at the Governor’s Banquet as usual. Please drop me a note that you have someone receiving one this year.

New this year as shown below, the Presidential LCIF supporter pins. These will be repeated with the change of our International President each year. I have these available just let me know if you would like to get one.

✓ New and exciting replacement program of the Lions Share Pin Program

✓ New design of the Leo Share Supporter Pin

✓ Design of each program pin will change annually, with incoming IP

✓ Qualifying donation amounts are the same as the Lions Share Pin Program and Leo Share Supporter Program, outlined above.

✓ All-at-once qualifying donations must equal each pin level. To receive the entire set, minimum donation of $350 is needed.

✓ These beautiful pins must be requested at time of donation or thereafter. They will not be automatically fulfilled.

✓ Applicable forms (MJF Application, Single Donor Form, Multiple Donor Form) are currently being updated to reflect the new Program name and levels

I’m available if you would like me to come talk at one of your club or zone meetings about Lions Club International Foundation.

We have extended last date to register for Hotel Rooms! REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING DISTRICT 1-A CONVENTION!!

3 more days to save money on Hotel Rooms! Only $119. Then the rate will go up to Hotel’s regular rate of $204.

That is a savings of $85 per night until 3-7-2024.

After this date, there is no guarantee for hotel rooms!!

ALSO,

Send your convention registration and food package:

Before 3-7-2024 Registration and Meal Package is:

ONLY $140

This rate will be 3-1-24 to 3-15-24 $145. Meals are NOT guaranteed after 3-15-2024!!

Register Early and Save Your Money!

Register online hassle-free now.

International Bob Lee from Honolulu, Hawaii

A very down to earth Lion!

Come to the convention, meet him, greet him and his wife Lion Pam, and have a good time!

Let us how them District 1-A’s world class hospitality as a fellow Lion!!

District 1A Convention ‘s International Guest:

Governor Tom Elsey and First Lady Lion Barb welcomes you all to District 1-A’s SUPER CONVENTION TO PROMOTE OUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES!

Theme Baskets Auction, Toast of Club Anniversaries, Stuffed Love Service Project, Costume Contest & Several Hospitality Rooms!

NewMembers in ARGO SUMMITLions Club: 6

MILDRED B DAVIS

WENDY ESPOSITO

TERRIGOODMAN

QUYNH NGAN HO

FERNANDO MANRIQUEZ

JOSE MRODRIGUEZ

ADRIANA VALLADOLID

NewMembers in BERWYN CENTENNIAL Lions Club: 1

DANIELLE HORMILLOSA

NewMembers in CHICAGO HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE Lions Club:3

JOSELITOMEDINA

ABDUL MUSHEER

MARIAMQAWI

NewMembers in CHICAGO THAIMIDWEST Lions Club: 1

SUKANYA BEUTELSPACHER

NewMembers in FRANKLINPARKMANILA Lions Club:1

BARTFREIHAUT

NewMembers in CHICAGO NURSES FOR DIABETES Lions Club:1

SHERI LBIANCHIN

NewMembers in CALUMET CITY Lions Club: 1

JAMES C PATTON JR

Total NewMembers in theMonthof EBRUARY: 14

MD1 DistrictConventions(as

of9/30/23)

1-A March22-24,2024

Westin ChicagoNorthwest, Itasca IL

1-BKApril 12-14

HolidayInn,Bolingbrook,IL

1-CNOctober 27 – 28,2023

St.JacobCommunity/ActivityCenter, St.Jacob,Il.

1-CS April13Sparta Lions Club,Sparta IL

1-DMarch22-23

Radison Hotel RockfordIL

1-FMarch8-9,2024

EmbassySuites,Deerfield,IL

1-GApril 19-20,2024

Best Western Premier,Alton, IL

1-HApril12-13,2024

HolidayInn RockIslandIL

1-JApril 5-6,2024

HolidayInn CarolStreamIL

1-MNovember 3-4, 2023, Holiday Inn,Champaign IL

Below is a link to our Spring Events Mailer that recently went out.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SPRING EVENTS MAILER

Here is some quick information included in the link above:

• The Mobile Unit: RegistrationisOpen!TheMobileUnitruns from

March1sttoOctober31st.Pleasereadtheinformationenclosed tosetupasuccessfulscreeningevent.

• Camp Lions: RegistrationopensFebruarysoon! Treat Night RegistrationisopenNOW.Registertobringtreatsonline.

• Sight and Sound Sweepstakes: FirstEarlyBirdDrawingis March 6th. Pleasehelpusreachourgoalof8,500bookssold.

• Bingo Bonanza event to Support Camp Lions. Thiseventwillbe hostedbytheSt.JacobLionsClubon Friday, March 15th. Doors openat5pm.Pleaseconsidersponsoringthisevent.

• Diabetes Awareness begins in March. Pleaseseetheenclosed order form.Diabeticretinopathy,themostcommonformofdiabeticeye disease,istheleadingcauseofblindnessinadultsage20–74.

Thank you, and please share this information with your fellow lions!

Lions of Illinois Foundation

700 N Peace RD Ste B DeKalb, IL 60115

LIFoffice@lifnd.org

(815) 756-5633

Fax: (815) 748-9087

Greetings Lions of District 1A:

We're thrilled to announce the annual Lions of Illinois

Foundation Sight and Sound Sweepstakes!

Get ready for an adventure that combines the power of giving with the thrill of winning. This sweepstakes is not just an opportunity to win fantastic prizes; it's a chance to contribute to the Lions of Illinois Foundation's impactful work. Before we dive into the details of the sweepstakes, let's take a moment to reflect on the Lions of Illinois Foundation's noble mission. As proud Lions, our