The 30th Annual District 27-C2 Zone 3 Dinner Meeting

hosted by the Hurley Lions Club was held at Joany’s Sidekicks in Iron Belt on Tuesday, February 21. Hurley Lions President, Gary Pelkola, welcomed District Governor Bob Bertch, 1st Vice President Don Meeder and Lions Clubs from Boulder Junction, Manitowish Waters, Mercer, Hurley, Presque Isle, and the Mercer Leo Club - which is the only Leo Club in the district at this time. Each club’s representative shared their club’s projects and highlights. Zone chair, Laura Bertch, talked about the Food for Kidz project that will be held again at the Lakeland Union High School on October 21, 2023. The basket raffles were held with money being donated to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. The upcoming zone dinner meetings will be hosted by the Winchester Lions in 2024, Manitowish Waters Lions in 2025, Mercer Lions in 2026, Presque Isle Lions in 2027, and Boulder Junction in 2028.

Robert Traczyk, Hurley Lions Club Secretary; Gerald Pisani, Hurley Lions Club Vice President; Don Meeder, First Vice District Governor; Phil Lewandowski, Boulder Junction Lions Club Vice-President; Bob Bertch, District Governor; Gary Pelkola, Hurley Lions Club President; and Dave Sorgel, Three Lakes Lions Club.

DEERFIELD LIONS CLUB – The first free community dinner was held since 2020. Over 200 guests were served. Lions enjoyed bringing the community together over food and offer a sincere ‘thank you’ for the community support received through club fundraisers.

MOUNT HOREB LIONS CLUB – Club

President a

MAZOMANIE LIONS CLUB – The Club held it’s first Bunco Fund Raiser on Saturday, March 4th with about 50 people playing a game that the majority did not know how to play. Very easy learn and a great fun evening.

DODGEVILLE LIONS CLUB

– The Club celebrated it’s 50th anniversary with a celebration and the presentation of their limited edition 50th anniversary pin. Pictured are three current and charter Lions Club of Dodgeville members, Lion Mike Reilly, Lion Bob McNeill, and Lion Jerry Whitford

RESTORING HOPE

TRANSPLANT HOUSE – Left: The Council of Governors donated this beautiful planter to Council Chair Tammy Rockenbach to be displayed at Restoring Hope Transplant House. Right: DG Al Johnson repairing the screen door at Restoring Hope Transplant House

CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – Lion Diane Langmeier receiving a certificate of appreciation from District Governor Al Johnson at this year's district convention.

LION OF THE YEAR –

Brenda Steele was selected as our “Lion of the Year” at the District 27-D1 Lions with District Governor Elect Jeff Winkler.

FROM THE 27-D1 DISTRICT GOVERNOR

Alan Johnson

aj542012@gmail.com

608-513-4984

District

Governor

Greetings District Lions of 27-D1! Thank you for helping make the District Convention fun and exciting. The election results for 2023-2024 are complete. Congratulations to District Governor Elect Jeff Winkler, First Vice District Governor Elect Ron Wright, Second Vice District Governor Elect Jim Klubertanz. The Wisconsin Lions Foundation Director will be John Elvekrog and the Lion Eye Bank of Wisconsin Representative will be Erica Singley. The District Bowling went to Cuba City Lions and Cuba City Lioness Lions.

The 2023 Lions Convention opening message was presented by the Badger Honor Flight Chairman, Brian Ziegler. Next was the Necrology service as we honored 23 Lions who passed. This year there were six breakout sessions: Fraud and Scams, Charitable Gaming / Bingo Do’s and Don’ts, GMA/Happy Lions: Plans and Successes, LeaderDog: What’s New, Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Handling, Pros and Cons of 501(c)(3) Foundation.

Our special guest was Past International Director Justin Faber from Michigan and his message was well received. Service by Lions though Membership, Service Project Reporting, Leadership Participation and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) giving and Grant Program. PID Justin, as always, Fired up those attending with humor and engaged the members with, FIRE UP… Lions.

The Awards and Recognition followed. The afternoon was filled with multiple service projects for Health Care Thank You Bags, Mail Call for Badger Honor Flight, and Birthday Kits for the Food Pantry, Blessing Backpacks for Homeless Teens, T-shirts for Pediatric Cancer Patients, and Supplies for Restoring Hope Transplant House. The business meeting was held with WLF President Larry Testa giving a presentation for the Wisconsin Lions Foundation. The evening Banquet was well attended and those in attendance were treated to a murder mystery show.

The planning for next year has started, so please hold your officer elections and enter them into the LCI Data base by June 01, 2023. The LCI website (MYLCI) will not be available between June 15 and July 15, 2023. This will be an up grade and a user friendly reporting system will be in place. (Salesforce). This will be an improvement of the current information gathering and should be easier to navigate for all Lions members. Please review the your current information in MYLCI and provide updates to your Club Secretary, such as your email address, mailing address and your birthday so they can be corrected into the site. Your email address will be your identification for the Lions website. District Governor Elect Jeff Winkler is currently seeking Lions to fill his cabinet. Please consider volunteering to lead a cabinet position in the coming year.

LAKE WISCONSIN LIONS CLUB – The Club presented checks to Lodi and Poynette Blessings in a Backpack projects. Lions Jean , Tami and Steve presented. This program anonymously provides students in need with food for the weekend when they leave school on a Friday.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of the Lions from District 27-D1 who made my year as your District Governor memorable. It was an honor to serve as your District Governor.

“Sharing the service”. “Together We Can”