Introduction
We are already starting the third month of this lionyear. It sure does move fast. The USA Canada Forum is being held in Reno, NV on September 21-23, 2023. Barb and I will be attending the forum. The forum is a great event every year and there are many learning opportunities, please consider going to the forum if you are able. The District 1-A Candy Day Jamboree will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 115 Bourbon Street in Marionette Park. Pleaseconsiderattendingthisevent that will help us all become more
District Governor News
September 2023
By Tom Elseyenergized to work hard on Candy Day in October to raise funds for those in need. I would love to see some new clubs consider participating this year. Even if you are no longer able to work the corners or raise funds in front of local businesses, perhaps consider raising funds virtually.
I would like to give a friendly reminder to all clubs to remember to pay their dues to Lions International, the District and State Dues and to report all of the great service projects that your clubs are doing in your communities. If you have already done this, I thank you.
Please reach out if you have not received a dues statement or if you do not know how to report service projects.
It is always good to be able to review goals and programs for the comingyear,soIamincludingsome of theinformationI sharedwith you in prior articles this year! As always, ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasedo 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.
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 manysmallchoicesandactsof 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
1. Creating a greener, cleaner environment
2. Sharing our stories with the
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’sactboldlyandlet 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 offlinemarketinggiveyounewways 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 believechangeis possible.
Here are some key steps that can help you face the challenges ahead.
Bebrave.
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 otherLions are here tosupport you. So, take that bold first step.
Invest in thefuture.
Weall havea reasontoinvestinthe future, and young people may be uniquely positioned to help us createchange.Wearebetterableto 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.
Leadthe way. LionsandLeosleadbyexample.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
AspartoftheBuildAVisionSession in February, 1 important request of the participants was the need to consider implementing a recognition program within our district. As of now, I am appointing acommitteetobegintheprocessof how that can happen. 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 isinadditionofthe Club Excellence Award (19 awarded in2021-2022,GailAnton’syear)and hopefully more in (2022-2023, Tony Zartler year). It is a great program, and we need to continue encouraging program involvement
byour clubs. If your clubwouldlike to consider trying to get the Club Excellence Award, please reach out to your club.
Membership
As I am writing this newsletter article, our District is +40 through August31. ForthemonthofAugust 2023, District 1-A added 27 new members and dropped 9 members for a net increase in our membership of 18.
We had three clubs added a net increase of new members in August 2023. Chicago Nurses for Diabetes added 15 new members, Chicago Healthcare Alliance added 11 new members, and KOPE Cyber Club of District 1-A added 1 new member.
Congratulation to those clubs!!!
Let’s see what District 1-A can accomplish for the coming year.
New Clubs
Over the last five years, our district has averaged two new clubs per yearandlostanaverageofoneclub
A goal of three clubs is possible.
GMA for Clubs
Ready to move your club in a dynamic new direction using the Global Membership Approach? Thenstartplanningforyoursuccess with the Global Membership Approach.Thisprocesscanhelpyou attract new members, overcome challenges, and develop new goals and strategies.
The process is built on four steps designed to not only to 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 numberofclubsreportingservicein MyLion or the new software once available to 75% of our clubs. Two reasonsthisissoimportanttoLions.
Reporting it on MyLion allows our International organization to create more accurate reports to share with our global partners that generously donatetoLCIFfundingandallowus 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.
Thesecondpartofreportingservice 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%.
Other News/Information
Barb and I had a great time on 07/31, 2023 attending the Installation of Club Officers.
BarbandIwereunabletoattendthe River Grove Steak and Lobster Fest on August 5, 2023, due to a family obligation of our twin grandchildren’s first birthday party. At the Steak and Lobster Fest, the club celebrated the Grand Opening of the Lions Park “Sensory Path”, Congratulations to the River Grove Lions Club on the improvement for the residents of River Grove.
The PDG Harry Barber Memorial Golf Outing was held at Silver Lakes Country Club on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. I would like to thank the golfers, hole sponsors, thosethatcameouttoenjoyagreat dinnerwithus. I’dalsolike tothank our company sponsors that provided gifts for the raffle and monetarydonations. Thanksalsoto our volunteers that make this event the success that is Barb and I had the pleasure of joining the Orland Park Lions Club for their 1st Pancake Breakfast on 08/13/2023. It was great seeing how our clubs and Lions support causes in our district. On August 24, Barb and I attended atouroftheChicagoLighthousefor
the Blind and a meeting of their ongoing and planned projects. Their impact is amazing, especially the progress they have made Afterword, we attended a picnic meeting of the Chicago Central Lions Club. After a delicious meal, I had the honor of inducting 7 new membersintotheclubandinstalled the new club officers for the year.
On August 28, 2023, the GAT team metwiththeZoneChairpersonsand gave an overview of the year and someofthenewinitiativesthisyear. The Zone Chairpersons learned much, and we will be meeting with them regularly. What a great group of Zone Chairpersons we have working for our great district.
Stay safe, I am looking forward to seeing everyone this year.
Yours in Service,
TomElsey 1-A District Governor Westchester Lions Club
Good morning .......... Aloha!! CC Lora has asked me to put together an appeal to help the Lions of Hawaii.
I have been in contact with ID Bob Lee to see how things are and to find out what ways we here in Illinois can help. First of all, ID Bob and Pam and PID Maurice and Lani are doing well. LCIF has been in contact with the Lions on the island and emergency funds have already been sent to them. With LCIF Grants there are conditions on the way those funds can be spent and there are times that there are other things needed that are supported by the local clubs through the Hawaiian Lions Foundation.
I am asking each district if they would send out the Appeal Letter that is attached. This appeal gives the Lions, clubs, and the district ways that they can help our fellow Lions in Hawaii. We have had a close relationship with Lions that are from Maui and now they can use our help.
So, I thank you for your help and kind consideration as well as showing our generosity and friendship to our friends in Hawaii. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Mahalo nui loa!! (thank you very much)
PID Bob Block Director (2019-22)
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of District 1-A PDG John Coleman (1995-1996). Belowarethefuneralarrangements that the family has shared. Please pass this information on to all who knew Lion John. As it is stated, therewillbeaLionsServiceat7:30 p.m at the Lawn Funeral Home. Lions that plan to attend should be there by 7:00 so the service can start on time. It would be nice to haveatremendousturnouttoshow Lion John's family how much he meanttoallofus.
John R. Coleman age 88, beloved husband of the late Patricia (nee Davis); loving father of John M. (Maria), Vince, Greg, Garyand
Chris (Judy) Coleman; dearest grandfather of Lindsey (Kaleb) Clifton; Mackenzie, Lucas and Jeremy Coleman; dear great grandfatherofSage.Proudmember of the Burbank Lions Club, Past District Governor of Dist. 1A Lions. (1995-1996), M.V.C.C. Board of Trustees and Foundation Board Member, Retired from Enterprise A/C&Heating,BoardofDirectorsat ChicagoLighthousefortheblind.
Visitation Friday 3-8 P.M. Lions Service @ 7:30 P.M. Funeral Saturday 9:00 A.M. from Lawn Funeral Home 7909 State Rd.
(5500W) Burbank to St. Albert the Great Church Mass 9:30 A.M. IntermentHolySepulchre.
NewMembers in CHICAGO HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE Lions Club:11
LEONARDO CASTISIMO
KRISHAZ MARIE CO
SEBASTIENJORDANENCINA
STEFANFRANCIS ENCINA
JEANVINCELUIS
CAROLINA PAEZ
SHERWINRAMOS
JULIA RAVIDA
NICOLE REYES
HONESTO RODRIGUEZ
NESTLE DWILCZAK
NewMembers in CHICAGO NURSES FOR DIABETES Lions Club:15
SUMMERABDULLAH
STACIATKINSON
JOYCE GARSIDE
MARIA HERMOSA
THERESA IBARRA
MARIA CRISTINA BKNOTT
PHEMY LIM
MARIALINLOMONGO
STELLA LORENS
GUSTAVO OCAMPO
KHUSBUSHETH
KHAREN TOLERO
PAOLOVALIAR MEYENVILLONA
NIKKIVILLONA
NewMembers in KOPECYBERLIONS OFDISTRICT1-A:1
JADA ENGLISH
TOTALNEW MEMBERS INTHE MONTHOFJUNE 2023:27
DROPPEDMEMBERS FROM BELLWOODLIONS CLUB: 2
DAVIDBEAUZILE, MICHAEL JURKASH
DROPPEDMEMBERS FROM CHICAGO CENTRAL LIONS CLUB: 1
NATASHA BROOMFIELD
DROPPEDMEMBERS FROM CHICAGO MONTCLARE ELMWOOD PARK
LIONS CLUB: 1
KENNETH A.HADDEN
DROPPEDMEMBERS FROM CHICAGO NURSES FOR DIABETES: 2
MARILYN MCLEAN, MARITES WYNKOOP
DROPPEDMEMBERS FROM CHICAGO PHILIPPINE LIONS CLUB: 1
VIOLETA MONTOYA
Total Deaths this month: 7
Death in CHICAGO HEGEWISCH Lions Club:1
PHILIPJSMITH
Death in ORLANDPARK Lions Club:1
LYNNJONES
Total Deaths this month: 2
24, 2024 MARK
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE FORTHCOMING GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTERS
-LionDr.AustinDsouza,ConventionChair
-LionLourdesMon,CoChair
Oak Lawn Lions attended Back to School Bash at Hometown Middle
School. Lion Steve Anton and Lion Dennis McMillan from V.O.I.C.E.S did health screening on several children.
---------------------------------------
Send your news items with pictures to: govaustin@gmail.com. Lion Dr. Austin Dsouza, PDG Editor & Publisher
