The Illinois Lion Lioness Leo MD1 e-Magazine
Vol. 2 - Issue 7
January 2015
Lite Edition f Edition
Chicago Filipino American Lions Club Inducted 13 New Members in December During their 10 th Charter Nite Celebrations Held at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling on December 5, 2014
Council Chair Speaks: HAPPY
NEW
I anticipate the first half of 2015 to be the same, with the District Governors continuing “To Do The Right Thing’’ and I am proud to be a part of them!
YEAR!
Looking forward to the second half, CC Fred Peska diamondp@mchsi.com
Editorial:
Looking into the future of MD 1, I see great things happening. I see our leadership and membership increasingly getting stronger. With the Council of Governors approving funding for another RLLI, another leadership summit at the Jan. 31st Council meeting, and another MD 1 Forum, we will only improve.
Christmas Day came and gone. All that preparation since September in business world of shopping disappeared. All those huge sales vanished as shoppers lost money from their wallets and filled business bank accounts. Now we are waiting for New Year’s Eve to celebrate another big day of savoring alcohol and watching fire crackers all over the world.
“Do The Right Thing” is not just their motto; it is what they are Doing! The best thing Lions can invest in is our future leaders and providing the training that will make them the best possible leaders they can be. Good, trained, and informed leaders will attract more members. With the Governor’s goal of having all the clubs in MD 1 complete the CEP, it will make our membership stronger and more involved in their club and district. Although we may not see the benefits of this right away in MD 1, I think we are already seeing some success in a few Districts. As time allows for the training to be realized by others we will see more and more success. The ground work is being laid for future Councils to build upon!
In a lionistic world we completed two quarters and we are at half time; two more quarters remaining to complete our year 2014-2015. Many governors exceeded their committed goals and looking forward to receive couple more Golden Thaws from International President Joe Preston. I wish nothing but best to these governors to shine in their districts by leaving a golden legacy for future lionistic work. Now we are looking forward for our upcoming lionistic year – 2015-2016. State Secretary Lion Michelle already sent me notices to be published in this magazine to apply for Council Chair and rest of chairpersonships in MD1. If you are interested in serving MD1, look at this notice and place your name in the ring. If your club has any resolution to be presented at forthcoming MD1 State Convention, this is the time to do so.
The 2014/2015 Council has accomplished many things in the last half of 2014, in their own Districts and also for the Lions of Illinois. At their cabinet meetings they take care of business for their district. At the MD1 Council meetings each Governor makes decisions based on the good of all Lions in MD1.
I know most Lions are procrastinators – waiting for the last minute; however, come on forward and show your leadership to our State of Illinois Lions. -Austin D’Souza, Ph.D., Editor, ILStateEditor@mail.com 2
Action: Motion Passed
COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS MEETINGS:
Motion: To accept the Minutes of the electronic vote of May 21-22, 2014 appointing Lion Jama Wahl as the 2014 MD-1 Forum Chairperson.
JULY 5, 2014
Action: Motion Passed
SHERATON HOTEL, TORONTO, CANADA:
Motion: To re-affirm the Athens State Bank as the 2014-2015 depository banks and to establish the signatories.
Motion: To allow 1st Vice District Governor Ralph Zarada (1-A) to represent District Governor Terry D’Souza (1-A) during the July 5, 2014 Council of Governors meeting.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To table the matter of funding the Residual Fund until the August 16, 2014 Council meeting. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To re-affirm the 2014-2015 Council’s selections of State Standing Committee Chairpersons.
Motion: To approve reimbursement as per LCI’s Rules of Audit.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To re-affirm the 2014-2015 Council of Governors Executive Committee and selection of other Council Officers.
Motion: To adopt the Policy Manual as adopted by the 2012-2013 Council of Governors.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To re-affirm the 2014-2015 Council’s appointments of Liaison Governors to State Standing Committees.
Motion: To uphold the provisions of Article III, Section 1 of the MD-1 By-Laws and Section 3.7, subsection “Long Range Planning Committee” of the February 9, 2013 edition of the Policy Manual.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To hold the February 2015 Council meeting on January 31, 2015 at the Parke Regency hotel in Bloomington, Illinois.
Motion: To retain Lion Steve Frankenstein, IPDG as head of the Building Sale Committee and to appoint Vice Council Chairperson Governor Chris Halsey (1-J) and Governor Steve Willett (1-F) to serve on the committee.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To hold the 2014 MD-1 Forum at the Parke Regency hotel in Bloomington, Illinois.
Motion: To table the matter of establishing an A/V Committee until the August 16, 2014 Council meeting.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To hold the 2015 MD-1 State Convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Illinois contingent upon the State Convention Committee succeeding in negotiating better pricing for the hospitality rooms.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
AUGUST 16, 2014
Motion: To adjourn the July 5, 2014 Council of Governors meeting. Action: Motion Passed
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PARKE REGENCY HOTEL, BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS
Motion: To initially fund the Residual Fund in the amount of $30,000. Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the Minutes of 2013-2014 Fifth Council of Governors Meeting.
Motion: To direct the PR/Publicity Committee to pursue the ICE kit program. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To accept as presented the Minutes of the 2014 State Convention First Plenary Session.
Motion: To accept as presented the 2014 Regional Lions Leadership Institute proposed agenda and budget.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the Minutes of the 2014 State Convention Closing Plenary Session.
Motion: To accept as presented the 2014 MD-1 Forum proposed agenda and budget.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the Minutes of the 2014-2015 First Council of Governors Meeting.
Motion: To approve a registration fee of $25 per person for the 2014 MD-1 Forum.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the Minutes of the July 27-30, 2014 Electronic Council of Governors Meeting allowing Governor Mark Williams (1-BK) to wear a black bowtie during all 2014-2015 Council meetings as part of his “official” uniform and allowing Governor Buzz Melton (1-H) to wear black dress shorts during all 2014-2015 Council meetings as part of his “official uniform.
Motion: To approve holding a live auction at the 2014 MD-1 Forum.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the 2013-2014 Draft Audit Report.
Motion: To re-affirm the 2015 State Convention dates of May 14-17, 2015.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To accept as presented the Financial Statements for the period ending July 31, 2014.
Motion: To approve the Bloomington-Normal Marriott as the site of the 2015 State Convention.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To re-affirm the establishment of the Residual Fund.
Motion: To accept as presented the 2015 State Convention registration fee structure of $10.00 per person for those who pre-register and purchase at least one meal, $15.00 per person for those who pre-register but do not purchase a meal, and $20.00 per person for those who do not preregister.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To allow the 1st and 2nd Vice District Governors to have a voice during the August 16, 2014 Council meeting.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To accept as presented the 2014-2015 Proposed Budget. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed 4
Motion: To accept as presented the 2015 State Convention proposed agenda and budget.
Motion: To accept as presented the 2015 State Convention book ad prices of $30 for a ½ page ad and $50 for a full page ad.
Motion: To re-allocate $5,000 from the 2015 International Convention Fund budget that would otherwise have been used to hold an MD-1 reception at the 2015 International Convention to the 2017 International Convention Fund to help the 2017 International Convention Fund reach its financial goal.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To authorize the State Office to invoice each Sub-District a pro rata share of the actual Dram Shop insurance cost for the 2015 State Convention.
Motion: To accept as presented all State Standing Committee Chairperson reports.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To authorize and direct Lion Steve Frankenstein, IPDG (Building Sale Committee Chairperson) to submit a counter-offer of $200,000 with no contingencies to the prospective buyer.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To authorize Council Chairperson Fred Peska to contact International Director Karla Harris (WI) regarding her availability to be the guest speaker for the MD-1 2015 State Convention.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To amend the Policy Manual to include the proposed Electronic Meeting section.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To form an ad hoc committee to research and propose an MD-1 International Parade Uniform for Council years 2015 through 2017.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To establish a virtual Lions of Illinois State Office on a trial basis.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To approve hot “safety” pink hats for the Sergeant-at-Arms uniforms for 2015 State Convention.
Council informally agreed to prepare and provide a list of A/V equipment to the State Office.
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To approve the President Abraham Lincoln hotel in Springfield, Illinois as the 2014-2015 Council’s first choice for the site of the 2016 and 2017 State Conventions.
Motion: To authorize the State Office to invoice each District $54.00 for the cost of the 2015 State Convention hospitality room rental fees.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To approve the Bloomington-Normal Marriott hotel in Normal, Illinois as the 2014-2015 Council’s second choice for the site of the 2016 and 2017 State Conventions.
Motion: To hold a “Leader Dog for the Blind” seminar at the 2015 State Convention. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To hold “What Is LCI Up To?” and “Lions Clubs Having Fun” seminars at the 2015 State Convention. Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To authorize Council Chairperson Fred Peska and State Secretary-Treasurer Michele Faires to negotiate contract terms with the President 5
Action: Motion Passed
Abraham Lincoln hotel and, if necessary, the Bloomington- Normal Marriott hotel for the 2016 and 2017 State Conventions.
Motion: To donate the August 16, 2014 Council of Governors meeting Tail Twisting fines to Leader Dog for the Blind.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To direct the Constitution and By-Laws Committee to review the Constitution and By-Laws and Policy Manual and propose revisions with respect to the State Convention site selection process and the State Secretary-Treasurer’s duties regarding State Convention.
Motion: To adjourn the August 16, 2014 Council of Governors meeting. Action: Motion Passed AUGUST 18-28, 2014 Meeting
Action: Motion Passed
Via Electronic Mail:
Motion: To endorse Lion Naresh Aggarwal, PID (India) for the position of 2015 2nd International Vice
Motion: To authorize Council Chairperson Fred Peska and State Secretary-Treasurer Michele Faires to execute contracts with the President Abraham Lincoln hotel in Springfield, Illinois for the 2016 and 2017 State Conventions.
President. Action: Motion Passed Motion: To endorse Lion Walter “Bud” Wahl, PID (MD-1) for the position of 2016 2nd International
Action: Motion Passed
Vice President.
Motion: To authorize 1st and 2nd Vice District Governors to be reimbursed mileage costs up to a maximum of $50 when they attend 2014-2015 Council of Governors meetings.
Action: Motion Passed Council Directives: MD-1 to work more as a unit instead of individual sub-districts; zone chairs to look for the red flags of weak clubs and/or leaders and act immediately when the flags are noted; State Standing Committee Chairpersons are to notify the Governors of any committee members who are not performing; and the Long Range Planning and Finance committees are to work together to prepare a plan for using the Residual Fund monies for education.
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To authorize the Lions of Illinois State Office to invoice the Sub-Districts $1.75 for each 2014-2015 State pin and $1.25 for each stick pin and charm ordered by the Sub-Districts and up to 25 complimentary State pins for the District Governors, and a pro-rata share of the cost to provide up to 25 complimentary State pins to the International Director and Past International Directors who wish to receive them.
Motion: To establish the State Secretary-Treasurer as the Lions of Illinois Registered Agent with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
Action: Motion Passe d
Action: Motion Passed
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN 2014-2015 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS
Motion: To direct the Constitution and By-Laws committee to draft a Resolution to remove the phrase “All regulatory reports shall also be performed by a third party accounting…” from the MD-1 Constitution Article IX, Section 6.
AUGUST 21 – September 7, 2014 Meeting Via Electronic Mail:
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Motion: To authorize Lions of Illinois, Inc. to pay the cost to purchase 200 vests for the 2017 International Convention Host Committee to sell and reimburse the Lions of Illinois, Inc. from the vest sale proceeds.
District Governors for their 1st Vice District Governors to hand out at the 2015 International Convention parade.
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To adjourn the October 26, 2014 Council of Governors teleconference meeting. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN 2014-2015 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS: OCTOBER 12-14, 2014 Meeting
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN 2014-2015 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS
Via Electronic Mail
OCTOBER 28-30, 2014 Meeting:
Motion: To authorize and direct Lion Steve Frankenstein, IPDG (Building Sale Committee Chairperson) to submit a counter-offer with a purchase price of $185,000 for the Lions of Illinois real property and the terms of no inspections and for the closing to be held in 30 days.
Via Electronic Mail Motion: To hire a temporary assistant to help with filing and saving records at the Lions of Illinois State Office. Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed OCTOBER 26, 2014 Meeting
2014-2015 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 2014:
Via Conference Call
PARKE REGENCY HOTEL, BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS
Motion: To sell the Lions of Illinois State Office’s furniture, tables, and chairs via a “garage sale.”
Motion: To rent a storage unit in Athens, Illinois for storage of the Lions of Illinois State Office items.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To auction the Lions of Illinois State Office’s decorative wall art and State Pin collections at the 2015 State Convention.
Motion: To re-affirm the 2014-2015 Council of Governors’ decision to hire a temporary assistant to help with filing and saving records at the Lions of Illinois State Office.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To return the paving bricks and other SubDistrict specific items to their respective Sub- Districts.
Motion: To establish a Building Sale Fund at Athens State Bank to deposit the proceeds from the sale of the Lions of Illinois State Office land and building.
Action: Motion Passed
Action: Motion Passed
Motion: To place into storage or destroy, as appropriate or necessary, the remainder of the items in the Lions of Illinois State Office.
Motion: To appoint Lion Lydia Ellis, IPCC to the position of MD-1 Midwest Breakfast Chairperson for the 2014-2015 Council year and to direct Lion Bud Wahl, PID, Constitution and By-Laws Committee Chairperson to develop the policy for the Midwest
Action: Motion Passed Motion: To divide the old State Pins in the Lions of Illinois State Office and give them to the 2014- 2015
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Breakfast Chairperson position to be incorporated into the Policy Manual.
hance the quality of training and overall effectiveness of Lions leadership development programs.
Action: Motion Passed
Qualified candidates are those Lions who have some experience as faculty members at Lions training events, have demonstrated basic instructional skills, and have a keen interest in further developing those skills. Lions with extensive experience as Lions faculty or as professional trainers are not recommended for this institute, but are welcome to apply.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN 2014-2015 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS NOVEMBER 30, 2014 Meeting: Via Conference Call Motion: To request the Finance Committee to provide the 2014-2015 Council of Governors with the committee’s recommendations regarding the disposition of the Lions of Illinois State Office building sale proceeds by December 6, 2014.
Lions participating in this four-day course will be required to conduct a training event within 6 (six) months of the institute, in order to be considered a graduate of the FDI program.”
Action: Motion Passed
Applications will be made available in the near future on the LCI website. Lions Clubs International will provide meals and lodging according to the schedule of the institute. Please note that a nonrefundable participation fee of US$95.00 will be required to offset these costs for all institutes. Participants are also responsible to pay for their own transportation and related travel expenses to and from the institute site.”
Motion: To request the Constitution and By-Laws Committee to draft the 2014-2015 Council of Governors’ proposed resolution and present it to the Council with the Committee’s recommendation by the December 6, 2014 Council meeting. Action: Motion Passed Motion: To adjourn the November 30, 2014 Council of Governors teleconference meeting. Action: Motion Passed
Questions can be directed to the Leadership Division of LCI.
LEADERSHIP CORNER:
-Lion Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Chairperson
Lions Clubs International has recently announced that a Faculty Development Institute has been approved by the International Board for Constitutional Areas 1 and 2, which includes the Unites States and Canada. The institute will take place in the Oak Brook area, May 31-June 3, 2015. There will be a total of forty Englishspeaking applicants accepted.
jamawahl@yahoo.com
MEMBERSHIP CORNER: Are You Thankful? We have passed a number of milestones within the past few weeks: Thanksgiving Day, the pre-Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday and Cyber Monday. Phew! I hope you all survived. That means that Christmas can’t be too far away. By the time you read this article, it may well have already come. After Christmas the stores will begin displaying the new
As noted on the LCI website, “The Faculty Development Institute is dedicated to the development and expansion of Lions faculty. The curriculum focuses on techniques and concepts that will en8
FROM MD1 ALERT CHAIR:
Spring Fashions, or at least we expect that kind of pre-seasonal “rush” by the stores.
Greetings Winter Readers, There is something that some people do this time of year: New Year’s Resolutions. Do you get involved in making such “promises” for yourself? Some resolve to lose weight (after all of those Holiday Meals and treats), spend more time with aging parents, volunteer to do something good (Lions know about this), be a better person and many other options.
I hope you all have survived the many parties and activities that just occurred. I bet they were a success if you hosted them because you planned them well. Even though we have not been hit with the big snow or some nasty cold yet, we are planning on it to come anyway. So what do we do about it? We dig our winter coats out, boots and so on. We are ready for when it comes. This all plays the same with Lions Alert. We know it may happen one day, when is the question. How many of us are prepared for it. If we do anything at all and that is put a good plan down on paper, we have started something.
Is your Club going to make any resolutions? It can. Maybe it should. What could a Lions Club resolve to do in 2015? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Help at least one more person in 2015 than we did in 2014, even more if possible. 2. Raise at least one more dollar, through fundraisers, next year than we did this year. 3. Do a better job of publicizing what our Club does or is doing in our community.
My New Year’s challenge to you, get a plan on a piece of paper. You have started something and it will be more than what you had in 2014.
These all make sense. They are what we as Lions should be doing. But there is another resolution your Club could make: Get at least one new member so we finish the 2014-2015 year with a net gain in membership. Think about it. With one additional member it would be easier for your Club to help at least one more person in 2015 and raise at least one more dollar than last year. With those results you will want to do a better job on the publicity front. You will want your community to know what you are doing.
-Lion Jim Kiser, State Alert Chairman LIonJimKiser@gmail.com 630-660-7944 to change it, shovel, jumper cables and a bag of salt or kitty litter. This list is much longer and if you want to see the rest of it, go to the Lions of Illinois website http://www.illinoislionsmd1.org/ click on the round button “Bulletin Alerts” and then on the left click on the ALERT folder. So when you are out shopping for Christmas gifts, don’t forget to pick up some new flashlights with fresh batteries. One last thought, do you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your place of residence. If you don’t, consider getting a couple for different locations. If you do have them, check them out to see how old they are. They have a life expectancy just like milk.
Go ahead and make your personal resolutions. While you’re at it, get your Club to make a few resolutions as well. You have a total of four suggestions above. Use them all. Be sure to include the fourth. It will really help your Club. -Lion Paul Gergolla, PDG, MD-1 GMT Coordinator Phone: 630-858-8073 Email: lionpg1@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------
Have a great Christmas, Happy New Year and be safe traveling. -Lion Jim Kiser, MD1 Alert Chair LionJimKiser@gmail.com 9
1. Re-establishing contact with those Lions that are on the current membership roster 2. Keeping the Lions of the State aware of the progress as well as inviting new members 3. Hopefully being able to schedule a General Membership Meeting sometime during the Lions of Illinois State Convention in 2015.
LIONS OF ILLINOIS PIN TRADERS: The Lions of Illinois Pin Traders’ Association will be starting the process of re-organization this coming Spring. Over the years, the association offered a media for the Lions that like to learn more about trading the friendship pins as well as meeting others that have a similar interest throughout the State and within our global association. For a number of reasons, the association has become inactive and now, work will begin with the current association’s officers and members in getting the association active once again.
The process will be slow, but the re-establishment of the association will offer another means for the Lions of the State to be an active member of this great Multiple District. If there is any interest in getting involved or learning more, please feel free to contact PDG Robert Block at gov8990@aol.com.
As the process begins, the following steps will be taken:
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If you would like to order a vest and have it sent to you. Please fill out this form and mail it along with your check to: Lion Robert Block, PDG
615 205th Place Dyer, IN 46311 Makes check payable to: 2017 Lions Host Committee Name __________________________________________ size __________ Mailing Address _______________________________________________ Number of Vest __________ each per vest $32.00 including shipping
IMPORTANT NOTICE Persons interested in the position of Chairperson of the Council of Goverthe 2015-2016 Lions year are being sought.
nors for
To be eligible, a candidate must be a Past District Governor, having served as an MD-1 Governor within the previous five Council years (2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015) or be a sitting Governor on the 2015-2016 Council. The Council Chairperson for 2015-2016 also must be from a District other than the current Chairperson’s District (District 1-D). More information regarding eligibility is available at www.LionsClubs.org. The duties and responsibilities of the Council Chairperson are detailed in the Lions of Illinois Constitution and By-Laws and the Policy Manual, both of which are posted on the MD-1 website, www.illinoislionsMD1.org. Candidates must send a letter of intent and a resume to the State Office to be received no later than March 31, 2015 in order to be considered for the position. The mailing and e-mail address for the State Office is listed below. Applicants will be advised by mail or e-mail of the time of their interview.
LIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC. POB 107 CANTRALL, IL 62625-0107 lionsofillinois@yahoo.com
Post Office Box 107
Cantrall, IL 62625-0107
11
ph 217-632-7775
lionsofillinois@yahoo.com
IMPORTANT NOTICE Applications for State Committee Chairperson for the 2015-2016 Lions year are being accepted. To be eligible, a candidate shall have served at least one year as a district appointee to the State Committee s/he seeks. This requirement may be waived by the District Governors Elect if no application is received with the appropriate requirements or if they are not in favor of any applicant. Positions are for a one year term. A brief description of the duties and responsibilities of each State Committee Chairperson may be found in the Lions of Illinois Policy Manual, which is posted on the MD-1 website, www.illinoislionsMD1.org, along with a list of the current State Committee Chairpersons. Candidates must send a letter of intent specifying the State Committee Chairperson position being sought and a resume to the State Office, which is to be received no later than March 31, 2015 in order to be considered for the position. The mailing and e-mail address for the State Office is listed below. Applicants will be advised by mail or e-mail of the time of their interview. Applications are being accepted for the following State Committee Chairperson positions:
Alert
Lioness Campaign & Liaison
Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP)
Constitution & By-Laws
Midwest Breakfast
Information Technology
Publicity & Public Relations
International Convention
State Convention
Leo & Youth Activities/Quest State Magazine Applications also are being accepted for a Finance Committee member. Please submit letters of intent and resumes to:
LIONS OF ILLINOIS, INC. POB 107 CANTRALL, IL 62625-0107 lionsofillinois@yahoo.com
Post Office Box 107
Cantrall, IL 62625-0107
12
ph 217-632-7775
lionsofillinois@yahoo.com
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Please make a year-end, tax-deductible donation to help train more Leader Dogs for people who are blind in 2015.
Dear Lion, Lioness & Leo, Leader Dogs for the Blind just launched ourHoliday Fund Drive. Now, we hope to raise $175,595 by December 31. And I’m counting onyour support.
There are hundreds of people hoping to receive their own Leader Dog in 2015. Your gift will help ensure their dreams come true.
During 2014, we provided 180 Leader Dogs to people who are blind. But we didn’t charge a dime — not for the dog, the training, or any other part of our program (and we receive no government money either!). Instead, Leader Dogs are available to all people — regardless of their ability to pay — thanks to kindhearted friends like you. Now I hope you’ll rise to the occasion again. Please help us reach our Holiday Fund Drive goal of $175,595. Make your generous gift now. Gratefully,
Susan M. Daniels 15
President and CEO P.S.
When you support our Holiday Fund Drive, your name will be displayed on a Holiday Gift Tag in our Leader Dog lobby — right where our staff, volunteers and friends will see it. Thank you!
Holiday Fund Drive Support Leader Dog’s Holiday Fund Drive. Your name will be displayed on a Gift Tag in our lobby. And you will help make the dreams of someone who is blind come true. Q: What are the greatest challenges of losing your vision? A: “I’ve run into doors, tables, windows, trees and other things in my path. I have walked off curbs and fallen down stairs, and sustained a variety of injuries, including cuts and bruises to my legs and face, broken ankles and a dislocated shoulder . . . As my vision receded, so did my confidence, my outgoing spirit, my freedom and my independence.” Q: How did your Leader Dog, Sophie, change your life? A: “Sophie is amazing. I adore her, she adores me. She leads me, I follow her. I feed and brush her and she repays me with warm snuggles and wet kisses . . . She’s given me back a sense of confidence, freedom and safety which I had gradually lost. Now I can walk with my head up and enjoy the surrounding environment. The world does not seem as dangerous.”
When you support Leader Dogs for the Blind, your support transforms lives. Please support our Holiday Fund Drive today.
1039 S. Rochester Rd. | Rochester Hills, MI 48307 | leaderdog.org
Lions of Illinois MD1 Monthly e-Magazine Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza, Ph.D. Email your articles, photographs with captions or news item to: ILStateEditor@gmail.com before 20th of every month. 16