District 1A Governor's Newsletter for May 2024. Edited & Published by Lion Dr. Austin DSouza

Introduction

District Governor News

By Tom Elsey

It is the time of year that all clubs start planning for the new officers for the 2024-2025 Lions Year. If you have not held your club elections, you need to do so as soon as possible. The reporting of your new officers is due by May 15, 2024 and can be entered by the current Club President, current Club Secretary or the current Club Administrator into the new Lions Portal. Here is a Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmAYoQWaaWY Or use the following graphic:

May 2024

4 – VOICES – Run for the Roses Fundraiser, 115 Bourbon Street, 2:30pm – 6:00pm

10 – Fil-USA Hawaiian Night, Allegra Banquet, Schiller Park 6:30 – Cocktails, 7:30 Dinner

17 – Council Meeting

17 – Council Meeting

17 – 19 State Convention

24– Zone Chairperson Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

Junel 2024

1 – New Officer Training, School, Chicago Ridge, IL

2 – 19th Annual Vision Walk, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Busse Woods, Ned Brown Meadow 9:00 am

9 – Installation of Officers, Alpin Banquet House, Westchester, IL

14-27 – Vacation in the Land Down Under – Australia

21 – 25 - International Convention, Melbourne Australia

State Convention Information

We just finished the District 1-A Convention and elected the new officers, and we need to look ahead and plan for the MD-1 State Convention. This year it will be held on May 16-19, at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield, IL

MD-1 State Convention

If you want to register online:

https://lionsofillinois.regfox.com/lions-of-illinois-md-1-103rd-state-convention

• (2024_Convention_Book_Ad_Form.pdf)

Please consider placing and ad in the MD-1 Convention Ad Book

• (Exhibitor_Show_Application_2024.pdf)

If you would like to be an Exhibitor at the Convention, see details in the above link

• (State_Convention_Flyer_for_Auction_Items_2024.pdf)

If you have any Lions items that you would like to donate to help the convention, please see details in the above link

• (2024_State_Convention_Registration.pdf)

Use the above link to print the registration form

Hotel Reservations: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/lionsofilmd1convention/

The MD-1 State Convention guest room rate is $104.00 per night (plus 14% tax) and includes overnight selfparking in the garage attached to the hotel. When making your reservation by phone, you must tell them you are with the Lions of Illinois to receive this discounted room rate.

Reserve your room by May 1, 2024 for special rates.

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.

1. Creating a greener, cleaner environment

2. Sharing our stories with the world

3. Reaching our full potential as Lions and leaders

4. 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, like 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.

Recognition Programs

The Club Excellence Award 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 Marketing.

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

Membership

As I am writing this newsletter article, our District for the year is a plus 101 members. For the month of April 2024, District 1-A added 16 members and dropped 1 member (no deaths) for a net increase in membership of fifteen Let’s continue working to improve our membership numbers for the remainder of the lion’s year

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 now have two more club applications submitted to international and are in the chartering process. But we are not going to stop, there might be a possibility of adding new clubs and/or rebuilding some others

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 46% of our clubs, an increase of 9 percent over last month Two reasons this is so important to Lions: Reporting it in 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 do not see everything, we do, it might limit the amount of money LCI can get from other partners

The second part of reporting service is making 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%. So far this year we have donated $31K of our $48k goal.

USA Canada Forum

Won’t you consider attending the forum this year, it is close and within driving distance from our area. It is a very worthwhile event, and you should try to make it!

Link for more information: https://lionsforum.org/

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

Yours in Service, Tom

Elsey

GMT Coordinator: PID Dan O’Reilly

May 1, 2024

Global Membership Approach

May begins the 35 consecutive months of positive membership for our District. Our District membership remains strong at a plus 101 as of May 1st. We are top in MD1 in terms of growth and third in CA-1.

We have 35 of our clubs’ adding members, This is up 50% from this time last year. 21 of those clubs have a plus in membership. Finish the year strong, let’s have a goal of adding a new to each club. If you’re having trouble getting into the new portal, please reach out to the GAT Team or Lions International. You only need to report adding or dropping members, the new system does not require a monthly report for no change!

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 strengthen our District. We are starting over with our build a vision.

New Club Development & Club Rebuilding

We are in talks with 4 areas of our District to open new clubs. One, the Chicago Edgebrook Lions should be Chartered soon. We have started the application for the Chicago Metropolitan Lions. Please look for the invitations for their Charter Nights to welcome them both 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 May 2024

As we enter into May, I hope that you have had an opportunity to start exploring the new Lion Portal. As we all know change can sometimes be challenging, but I would like to encourage you to continue to explore the Lions Portal and the changes that have been made. Each time that I have had the opportunity to be on the portal I discover or learn something new. The supports team has been helpful with navigating the changes.

As I review the service for our District, I am pleased to see that the number of clubs reporting is slowly increasing. I would like to encourage all clubs to report all their activities. What should be reported?, Meetings, service projects, attending other clubs or District events, fundraisers, donations and how many people were served. I see many clubs in our District share event flyers weekly, however these

activities are not being reported. When a club reports eyeglass recycling this should count as one event. When the eyeglasses are used during a mission,then they report the number of people being served.

I am happy to assist you with reporting your clubs service, please let me know.

“Celebrate Service”

Lion Maryanne

PID Dan O’Reilly - LCIF Coordinator

With our Multiple District 1 Convention fast approaching, remember to get your Melvin Jones Fellow request in to LCIF. The Melvin Jones recognitions will be presented at the State 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.

NewMembers in BELLWOOD Lions Club: 1

LESLIE RIOS

NewMembers in CHICAGO HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE Lions Club:3

JESSIE CACHO

ALMA PALONPON

LILIA REYES

NewMembers in CHICAGO MABUHAY CENTENNIAL Lions Club: 1

AIDA MITCHELL

NewMembers in CHICAGO WINDY CITY Lions Club: 2

ROBINCARROLL

SUSANKATHLEEN GAUGHAN

NewMembers in PALOS Lions Club:1

DAVIDBRETTKER

NewMembers in RIVERSIDETOWNSHIP Lions Club: 1

DEBBIEGENTILE

NewMembers in TINLEY PARK Lions Club: 1

PATRICIAH.KING

NewMembers in WILLOW SPRING Lions Club:1

PAULT FREYMANII

NewMembers in WILLOW SPRINGS LIONESS Lions Club: 1

PAULT FREYMANII

Total NewMembers in theMonthof EBRUARY: 12

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

Page 14 Governor Newsletter

DeKalb, IL 60115 LIFoffice@lifnd.org

Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club share food with the needy in Chicago.

At the recently held 1A District Convention, PCC Steve Anton was named as the Edgar Elbert Citizen of the year 2024.

Chicago Filipino Amrican Lions‘ Dancing with the Lions Fundraiser

Club, World’s first lions club, held their first ever Pan Cakes Breakfast at the Chicago Lighthouse. Lion Austin with lions costume:

Page 19 Governor Newsletter

TheForestKalaSampathLions celebrated Easter in Glenview.

Franklin ParkManilla LionsElvis Nite

EyeglassescollectionboxmadebyLionJacobNorristobedisplayed atWillowSpringsVillageHall.InthepictureLionKeithGrantlandJacob Norris. -

Thursday May 16

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Leadership Dinner Freeport

7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

District Governor Elect Meeting Governors Cabinet Room

2

nd VDGs meeting with PCC Darren Van Duyn Room to be announced

8:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Council Hospitality Freeport

Friday May 17

8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Council of Governors Meeting Ballroom Salons AB

9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Set up Registration Booth

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Council of Governors Lunch Ottawa Room

12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

LIF & LIEF Board Meeting Ballroom Salon C

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.

PIP Al Brandel with DGs & VDGs Ottawa Room

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.

Registration Training– DG Tom Elsey Registration Booth

1:45 – 5:15 p.m.

Council Chair and State Chair Interviews Governors Cabinet Room

2:00 -7:00 p.m.

Registration Opens Registration Booth

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Setup – Silent Auction Lincoln Room

Set up - Exhibitors & Pin Traders Ballroom Hallway

3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Silent Auction OPEN Lincoln Room

Exhibitors/Pin Traders OPEN Ballroom Hallway

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Sub Committee Meetings

Sergeant at Arms – DG Amy Hill Yates Room

Convention Rules – DG Terry Dooley Bond Room

Resolution – DG Mark Bryant Horner Room

Elections – DG Leroy Engelke Altgeld Room

Credentials/Certification– DG Larry McGuire Ottawa Room

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

LIF Ambassador Dinner Ballroom Salon D

7:30 – Midnight

Hospitality Rooms Ottawa / Freeport / Altgeld

Saturday May 18

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Registration Open Registration Booth

8:00 a.m.

Open – Silent Auction Lincoln Room

Pin Traders & Exhibitors Ballroom Hallway

8:00 – 8:15 a.m.

Moderators Meeting– Executive Boardroom

8:00 – 8:15 a.m.

DG Greeting Lions to meeting Ballroom Hallway

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Opening Plenary Session Presidential Ballroom

Call to Order– MC CC Lori Chassee

Pledge of Allegiance-

Song: National Anthem– Lion Brenda Block

Invocation – Council Chaplain DG Mark Bean

Welcoming Comments – CC Lori Chassee

Introductions -

Adaption of Convention Rules– DG Terry Dooley

Introduction of International Guest– PID Bob Block

International Guest remarks– PIP Al Brandel

Convention Sub-Committee Reports:

Election – DG Leroy Engelke

Sergeant at Arms – DG Amy Hill

Registration – DG Tom Elsey

Credentials- DG Larry McGuire

Resolutions – DG Mark Bryant

Announcements – CC Lori Chassee

50-50 Raffle drawing

Recess until 11:00 and the Second Plenary Session

10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Registration Open Registration Booth

10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Seminars - Session # 1

#1 Lions & LIF history trivia- PCC Gail Anton

#2 Just Ask LCI representative

#3 LIF Celebrating 50 years of service - PDG Ron Fruit, Exec

Director

#4 C &BL Resolution - PID Bud Wahl

#5 Unlimited Play - Natalie Mackay

#6 Lions Service Journey- Lion Jama Wahl

11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Second Plenary Session/Luncheon Presidential Ballroom

Call to Order MC

Pledge of Allegiance-

Song: America The Beautiful– Lion Brenda Block

Invocation – Council Chaplain DG Mark Bean

IntroductionsLunch

Speaker- PIP Al Brandel

Lions Remembrance Service – PDG John and Lion Bobbie Honiotes

Announcements -

50/50 Raffle

Recess until 6:00 p.m. Banquet

1:00 – 5:15 p.m.

Registration open Registration Booth

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Beep Baseball game

1:00 – 1:45 p.m.

Seminars – Session # 2

#1 UnlimitedPlay Natalie Mackay

#2 Just Ask To be Announced

#3 LIF Celebrating 50 years of Service PDG Ron Fruit, Exec Dir.

#4 C & BL Resolution PID Bud Wahl

#5 Eversight Lion Kara Kelly

# 6 Membership - 2nd VDG Vince Leone

2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

District Caucuses Rooms to be noted in convention book

3:00 p.m.

Silent Auction closes Lincoln Room

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Page 30 Governor Newsletter

Silent Auction Pick up Lincoln Room

4:00 p.m.

Pin Traders & Exhibitors close Ballroom Hallway

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

DG & DGE and Lions Portraits Mary Todd Room

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

State Banquet Presidential Ballroom

Procession

Introductions Pledge Invocation – Council Chaplain DG Mark Bean

Toast – CC Lori Chassee

Dinner

Welcome Comments

Speaker PIP Al Brandel– meaning of Awards to be presented.

Awards Presentations

Presentation of Speakers gifts

Announcements

Live Auction

50/50 Drawing

Recess until 11:00 a.m. tomorrowmorning.

8:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Award Pictures Mary Todd Room

8:30 – Midnight

Page 31 Governor Newsletter

Hospitality Rooms Ottawa/ Freeport/Altgeld

Sunday, May 19

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Registration Open Registration Booth

Delegate Certification Ballroom Hallway

Delegate Voting Lincoln Room

8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

LIF Breakfast & Meeting Presidential Ballroom

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Closing Plenary Session Presidential Ballroom

Call to Order– CC Lori Chassee

Pledge of Allegiance-

Invocation – Council Chaplain DG Mark Bean

Introductions – CC Lori Chassee

Sub-Committee Reports

Registration DG Tom Elsey

Voting Results DG Leroy Engelke

Acceptance of Reports

Announcement of 2024-2025 Council Chair –

State Committee Chairs

Benediction - Council Chaplain DG Mark Bean

Song: God Bless America– Lion Brenda Block

Closing of the 2024 State Convention

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

District Governor Elect Meeting Boardroom

2024 Lions of Illinois 103rd Annual

Convention and Lions of Illinois Foundation 50th Annual Membership Meeting

Dear MD1 Lions & Leos:

Attached you will find the following documents that provide all of the details, as of this date, for the upcoming 2024 Lions of Illinois 103rdAnnual Convention and Lions of Illinois Foundation

50thAnnualMembershipMeetingto be held in Springfield from May 16-19, 2024:

1. 2024 State Convention Registration form.

2. 2024 Silent Auction flyer

3. 2024 Exhibitor Application form.

4. 2024 Convention Book Ad form.

The 2024 State Convention will be held at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams Street, Springfield, IL. The deadline to arrangelodging is MAY 2,2024

Page 33 Governor Newsletter

Please note that all convention attendees MUST pay the $20 registration fee to attend the convention. You can print and complete the 2024 Convention Registration form, mail to the State office at the address below with your check OR you can register online, book your hotel reservations and choose your dining options using the link below.

There are various dining options to choose from including the 3Meal Plan that includes the State Luncheon, the State Banquet and the LIF Breakfastfor$100perperson. Ifyoucannotattendallthree,youhave many other choices, but they all include the $20 Convention Registration Fee.

Also, you can attend the BEEP BaseballGameonSaturday,May18, 2024. There is no charge to attend the game but we need to know howmanyareattendingaswearearrangingtransportationtotheUIS Recreational Park. Please indicate if you will attend.

Click here to register online: Lions of Illinois 2024 State Convention Registration. It's fast and easy and you can use a credit or debit card for payment.

You can find all of this information on the Lions of Illinois MD-1 website at Lions of Illinois.

More information will be coming in the following weeks. State ConventionChairLydiaEllisisworkingonspeakersandprogramsand is finalizing the Agenda for the Convention.

PleasesharethisinformationwithyourmembersandtheClubsin your district.

Page 34 Governor Newsletter

Finally, the 2024 State Convention Delegate form will be emailed separately to the District Governors and Cabinet Secretaries.

Thank you! Have a great day!!

SST Cecilia Wesselman

Lions of Illinois, Inc.

828 S. 2nd Street, Suite 101 Springfield, IL 62704

Phone: 217-299-9113

State Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM