DISTRICT 11-E2 OFFICERS

DISTRICT GOVERNOR Barb Durflinger (Duane) 989-742-2790 / lionbarb@comdac.com

VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR Bob Gingerich (CarlaJean) 989-348-5355 / bob@danishlanding.com

GLT DISTRICT COORDINATOR PDG Al Kelpinski (Florence) 989-728-4664 / afkelpinski@gmail.com

GMT DISTRICT COORDINATOR PDG Lewis Moeller (Cheryl) 989-739-4962 / lmoeller70@hotmail.com

CABINET SECRETARY Jill Drury (John) 231-920-9645 / jdrury@cctransit.org

CABINET TREASURER Tommy Otto (Cathy) 989-732-7840 / toottom@gmail.com

IMMED PAST DISTRICT GOVERNOR Gus Malmberg (Mary) 586-913-6487 / gajmalmberg@aol.com

REGION 1 CHAIR Beverly Bodem (Dennis) 989-354-4656 / bodembd@charter.net

REGION 1, ZONE 1 CHAIR

Dennis Downie (Cherie) 989-734-4315 / dennis311@yahoo.com

REGION 1, ZONE 2 CHAIR ZC Wayne McWilliams (Karen) 989-354-8044 wayne@mcwilliamsfuneralhome.biz

REGION 2, ZONE 1 ZC Bill Chase (Linda) 231-499-9619 / no email-windyridge@torchlake.com

REGION 2, ZONE 2 ZC Justin Weisler 231-350-0224 / jsweisler@hotmail.com

REGION 3 REGION CHAIR RC Craig Clarke (Peggy) 989-739-8702pegcraig2000@yahoo.com

REGION 3, ZONE 1 CHAIR ZC Craig Denise (Diane) 989-390-4160 / cdporky@gmail.com

REGION 3, ZONE 2 — Vacabt RC Craig Clark is handling this zone

REGION 4, REGION CHAIR RC Brian Chace (Elizabeth) 989-344-1102 / brian@chace.net

REGION 4, ZONE 1 ZC Bill Fitch (Janet) 989-275-4968 / no email

REGION 4, ZONE 2 ZC Pam Stewart (Dave) 989-646-2020 lionesspstewart@charter.net

MESSAGE FROM OUR GOVERNOR

One of my goals for this year was to try to have a break-even in membership. Doesn’t sound like much of a goal, does it? But we have had declining membership in our district now since 2003. This year so far we are at a -38.

This number is made up of 48 new members, and 86 dropped members. Of the dropped members,

10 were from deaths, which leaves 76 members that we did not retain. But why aren’t we retaining them? Think about what you do when a new member is brought in. Does your club have a process prior to accepting a new member to be sure that they know what being a Lion is, and more specifically, what being a mem-ber of your club entails? Do you have them visit the club a couple times first? Do you have a process to explain to them what will be expected of them, both their time and their financial obligations? Do they know what your ongoing projects are? Are they familiar with your fundraisers? Do they know what dues, meals, and other miscellaneous things will cost them? GMT Lewis has a great booklet which is on the District website that you can tailor to your club to help with new member orientation. Or, if you are beginning to think about what your club should do for orientation, please contact PDG Lewis (or me!) and we will see that you get the help you need. The important part is “Do they want to be Lions?”

And now that you have this new, well-informed member in your club, what do you do next? PUT THEM TO WORK! Find out what they are interested in, and put them on a committee, have them work on a project or fundraiser, talk to them to see if they have any interest in being on the board, or being a club officer in the future. If they are interested, see that they get the training they will need when

...continued on Page 2

DISTRICT 11-E2 NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2015

Governor’s Message ..................... 1,2 Governor’s Travels........................... 2 Sympathy & Get Well ...................... 2 VDG’s Message ................................ 3 White Cane Supplies ........................ 3 The Power of Service ....................... 3 Member Page .................................. 4

Club Activities ................................... 5 Club Pix .......................................... 6,7 Odds ‘N Ends ..................................... 7 Lions of MI Forum Registration ........ 8 Eye-Bank Bowling Fundraiser ........... 9 Social Media ............................... 10,11 Convention Info .............................. 12

Happy Valentine’s Day !

WHAT’S INSIDE . . .

2

Governor’s Travels…

2/2 Rogers City Club Meeting 2/10 RC Awards Committee Meeting 2/12 Ellsworth Lions/Lioness Visit 2/16 Hale Lions Club Visit 2/17 District Executive Committee Meeting 2/18 District Convention Committee Meeting 2/21 R3,Z1 Zone Meeting 2/22 Assist at Fundraiser for Hillman ASB Students 2/23 Rogers City CEP 2/24 Cheboygan Lioness Visit 2/27 Michigan Forum 2/28- Council of Governor's Meeting 3/1

the time comes. There are so many resources availa-ble on the International website, and if you aren’t fa-miliar with what is available, contact GLT Al Kelpinski (or me!), and we will help you. We can’t keep our clubs going without encouraging and training our fu-ture leaders. Talk to new members about their ideas. Encourage dialogue about how they think projects/fundraisers can be improved. And when someone asks why things are done a certain way DO NOT say be-cause we’ve always done it that way. That’s an ex-cuse, not a reason! There may be a good reason, and if so, explain it to the new member. But always re-member they may have an idea that hasn’t yet been tried or considered.

Every new member should have a mentor for at least their first year. It might be their sponsor, or it

might be someone who is currently doing a job in the club that interests the new member. This mentor should encourage their participation, answer their questions, and be sure that every current member gets to know the new member. Make them feel welcome and that they are valuable to the club, and they won’t turn out to be a dropped member next year.

Keep up the recruiting, though! This year 22 of our 36 clubs brought in at least one new member, so if your club is not one of those, let’s get busy! If you are, great job! Keep it up. Remember, without members, we can’t serve our communities in the way we wish. “WE SERVE” works only when we have the resources to serve, and our most important resource is our mem-bers. There are many potentially good new members who just have not been invited.

MESSAGE FROM OUR GOVERNOR (continued)

DG Barb

With Sympathy...

Scott Weir, son of PID and Past LMF Executive Direc-tor Chuck and Fran Weir died January 7th. Memorials can be made to Rainbow House or Friendship Manor in memory of Scott. Condolences can be made at: www.palmerbush.com.

PDG Wayne Kreitner passed away January 31 from health complications. PDG Wayne served our state as District Governor of 11-E1 in 2009-2010. View his obi-tuary at: hurstfuneralhome.com. Send condolence cards may be sent to the family in care of: Lion Deb Kreitner, 514 W. High St., Greenville 48838.

PDG Dick Daniel passed away January 31st. He served as District Governor of 11-E1 in 2003-04. Visit-ation will be held on Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 at the United Methodist Church in Empire. The memori-al service will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Maple Grove Cemetery. View his obituary on the Reynolds Jonkoff website: reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Please keep the Weir, Kreitner and Daniel families in your thoughts and prayers.

Get Well Wishes...

Dennis Bodem (Alpena Lions and Bear Lake Camp Chair) fell this past weekend and broke his ankle. He had surgery on his ankle, and has to stay off his feet for a few weeks. Send cards and get well wishes to: Dennis Bodem, 121 E. White St., Alpena, MI 49707.

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MESSAGE FROM OUR VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR

You may have seen a Lion

wearing a gold or purple ribbon

under their membership pin. This

explains what that is.

The Council of Governors and

GMT’s have decided to use gold

and purple awareness ribbons this

year as a way to talk about membership without actu-

ally having to talk about membership. What I mean by

this is that every time you see a ribbon you should

think about membership and since everyone will be

wearing one you should be thinking membership all

the time.

Every Lion in the state will start out with a purple

awareness ribbon and they are asked to display it by

using their Lions membership pin to secure it through

the center of the ribbon. It is a Tail Twister fineable

offense for a Lion to not be wearing a Lions pin with a

ribbon at a meeting or project.

Each Lion will wear that purple ribbon until he/she

sponsors a new member. At the induction of the new

member, the purple ribbon is passed to the new mem-

ber, and the sponsor now receives a gold ribbon. The

benefit of wearing the gold ribbon is that you are im-

mune from Tail Twister fines for the remainder of the

Lion Year as long as you are displaying the gold ribbon.

If your Club doesn’t have the ribbons, contact your

Zone Chair, Region Chair, DG Barb or me and we will

make sure that you receive your ribbons.

Once again I ask you to please send me your infor-

mation to be included on the district website: mil-

ions11e2.org. The value of the website is enormous!

It is there 24 hours a day telling the world what we

Lions here in Northeast Michigan are doing. I look for-

ward to posting your news and all of your photos and

newsletters. Please email these to Bob at:

bob@danishlanding.com.

I’m going to leave you this month with a personal

thought — I don’t do this for a living, I do this to live!

SAVE $$$ ON CLUB WHITE CANE SUPPLIES

Your club can save the cost of shipping on White Cane supplies IF you order your supplies now through the Lions of Michigan Foundation. VDG Bob Gingerich will gladly pick them up for you at the Michigan Forum. If you won’t be holding your White Cane event until after the District Convention in Mackinaw City on May 1, 2 & 3, you can pick them up there, otherwise he will make arrangements for delivery to your club.

Simply advise the Foundation that VDG Bob will pick up your supplies. Then call him at 989-348-5355 or email him at bob@danishlanding.com.

THE POWER OF SERVICE

We became Lions to serve our communities, and it's service that keeps us com-ing back year after year. Consider that:

Service as a way to keep your club active and your members happy.

Your club would be wise to promote their projects through local social media — it may attract new members.

Your club can earn recognition in the Centennial Service Challenge by re-porting activities on the LCI website.

“SERVICE IS THE HEART OF LIONISM”

PDG Mitch Smith 2008-2009

VDG Bob

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This Month This Year

Opening Balance

This Month

1,090

This Year

1,118 Added Members 2 48 Dropped Members -4 -86

Closing Balance 1,088 1,088

Net Gain/Loss -2 -38

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE—JANUARY 31, 2014

NEW MEMBERS—JANUARY

LEWISTON LS LIONS

Debra Larner — Berta Reinhardt, Sponsor

MIO LIONS Michael J. Lefler — Douglas Graham, Sponsor

WELCOME!

MEMBER PAGE

CLUB CHARTERS

DIRECTORY CHANGES

CHEVRONS—FEBRUARY

LINCOLN — February 15, 1945 — 70 Years

GAYLORD — February 17, 1966 — 49 Years

EAST JORDAN — February 21, 1968 — 47 Years

DECEASED MEMBERS — JANUARY

ALPENA LIONS — Patricia Hentkowski — prh0502@yahoo.com GAYLORD LIONS — Tom Otto — toottom@gmail.com GAYLORD LIONS — Cathy Otto — Caeotto@gmail.com

LEWISTON LS LIONS — Carole Lownds

ROSE CITY LIONS — Steven G. Leonard

Beaverton — Olan Yager — 50 Years

Beaverton — Thomas Johnson — 10 Years

Cheboygan — Irving Ace De Young — 40 Years

East Jordan — Christopher Anderson —10 Years

Grayling — Tom Olszewski — 15 Years

Harrisville — Don Krejcarek — 35 Years

Mackinaw City — Edgar Jaffi — 40 Years

Oscoda — Cheryl Moeller — 15 Years

Petoskey — James Rummer — 15 Years

Petoskey — Ray Johnson — 45 Years

Roscommon/Higgins Lk — Paul Sopscak — 40 Years

INCREASE YOUR MEMBERSHIP

This is the key to getting new mem-

bers in your club. Ask family mem-

bers, friends, or neighbors to attend a

meeting — or better yet — help with

a service project or fundraiser. You will be surprised

what “JUST ASK” will do for your club!

Just as asking someone to join your

club, it is equally important to keep

the members you have! Members

stay interested by keeping them in-

volved with a project or activity. Ask

for their ideas. Make them truly feel

like a vital part of your club.

5

AU GRES LIONS — Four people were given eye exams and eyeglasses, one person is still in the process, and an-other request was just received. Approved budget, and donated to all State Projects and most District Projects.

BELLAIRE — King Lion Al Becker presented Lion Lee Somers with the Silver Membership Growth Award for spon-soring two members — Shirley Hoppe and Lorri McArthur. Sponsored Bellaire Cub Scout Pack 15, and will be attending their Blue and Gold Banquet in March.

CENTRAL LAKE LIONESS — Thanks to everyone who helped with 2014 Window Night; net profit was $739. Will start planning for 2015 Window Night. Formulated plans for the March 5th joint meeting with Ellsworth Lioness-es to be held at the Central Lake Governmental Center starting at 6:30 pm.

FAIRVIEW-COMINS LIONS — Distributed books to third and fifth grade students for the “Reading is Fundamental” program. Sponsored two classes from Fairview School to attend the Shrine Circus. Held a belated Christmas party and open house at the Lions Den to welcome new members and encourage new membership. The raffle held at the party was donated to a local family who had a home fire.

GAYLORD LIONS — Provided an eye exam and eyeglasses to one individual and a hearing aid to another individu-al. Donated to Leader Dog Kennel Renovation. Collected $247 from Lions mint sales. Received $555 from selling Lewiston Lions Raffle Calendar sales. Paid one-half of student’s college scholarship after receiving first semester grades.

GRAYLING LIONS — Donated $50 each for two All State Band students from Hillman going to the International Convention. Recycled 163 pair of prescription eyeglasses and 44 pair of reading glasses. Collected and recycled 13 hearing aids.

HALE LIONS—Assisted a recent amputee going to physical therapy and doctors appointments.

INDIAN RIVER — Held a blood drive.

LEWISTON LS LIONS — Held Project KidSight vision screening for three- and 4-year old Head Start kids at the Lewiston School. All 12 kids “passed” the screening. Sold Quilt Raffle Tickets at local grocery store. Held a Com-munity Tree Lighting, with visit from Santa and refreshments for the community in December.

MIO LIONS — Donated $1,500 to Steiner Museum, $200 to Montmorency/Oscoda Child Protection Council, $100 for eye exam and glasses for one individual. Received $31 from inkjet cartridge recycling and $315 from Lewiston Raffle Calendar sales.

OSCODA LIONS — Built ramp for disabled person, then donated $495 for materials. Pledged $5000 over the next five years for the Leader Dogs Kennel Project. Renewed Lions banner advertising at the community center for two years, paid from admin fund. Donated to All State Band in honor of two high school students from Hillman.

PRESCOTT/SKIDWAY LAKE LIONS — Visited a local shut-in. Several members attended local meetings (Chamber of Commerce, Township and Hospital board), and volunteered at the food pantry and recycling center. Donated $150 to Bear Lake Camp, $250 to Michigan Eye-Bank, $250 to Leader Dogs and $500 to Lions of Michigan Founda-tion. Helped the American Legion with their 50/50 raffle. Collected $54 from Lions mints sales.

ROSCOMMON/HIGGINS LAKE LIONS — Sold tickets at high school sporting events. This is the 30th year the Lions have helped the Ski for Light Committee provide a skiing opportunity for visually impaired people at the North Higgins Lake State Park.

ROSE CITY LIONS — Collected Lions mint money from local businesses. Preparing for the next Lucky 13 Raffle.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

6

CLUB PIX

EAST JORDAN LIONS — Held their first annual Dog Gone Fun Dog Show at the EJ Civic Center to honor the anniversary of Lions Club Founder Melvin Jones, and to raise awareness of the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. CAHS Executive Director, Scott MacKenzie, announced and awarded winners as 30 dogs competed in humorous, fun dog events such as scruffiest, least obedient, longest tail, best trick, etc. Over one hundred spectators watched with amusement as the dogs and owners competed for prizes. $500.00 was raised for the Charlevoix Area Humane Society.

BELLAIRE LIONS — King Lion Al Becker presenting the Silver Membership Growth Award to Lion Lee Somers for spon-soring new members Shirley Hoppe and Lorri McArthur.

OSCODA LIONS — Build the first ramp of the year complet-ed on January 14. The temperature was minus 9 when we started, but it warmed up to a balmy 21 by time we had finished. Rick Ferrebee, Tony Priebe and Chuck Andrina worked on it. Brrrrr!

OSCODA LIONS — We are getting ready for our Souper Bowl Supper & Empty Bowl Art Show on February 20th! (L) Students are working hard making the bowls and getting them glazed, and (R) Lions Dustin Clare and Julie Burrell work on painting ceramic bowls which will be sold at the Souper event. Come on out and purchase a bowl made by the students, enjoy a bowl of soup made by Lions members — and support this fantastic fundraiser!

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MORE CLUB PIX

LEWISTON LS LIONS — (L) Lonnie Crampton examines Richard Easton’s eyes. All twelve children “passed” the screening. (R) Lonnie Crampton from the Lincoln Lions Club holding the camera with Lions Corky Roberts, Presi-dent Carol Athan, Berta Reinhardt, Jodie Newsome, seated Deb Larner.

ODDS ‘N ENDS

You can still register for the Michigan Forum on February 28, BUT lunch tickets and Forum Book may not be

available (form included in newsletter).

Region 3, Zone 1 Chairperson, Craig DeNise will hold a zone meeting on Saturday, February 21, hosted by the

Lewiston Ls. Lions. The meeting will be held at the Albert Township Hall Meeting Room, 4360 Hansen Avenue,

Lewiston, at 11:00 AM with a break for lunch between 12:00-12:30. A lunch of pizza and/or subs, dessert,

coffee and pop will be served for a donation of $5 per person. The guest speaker will be Alison Wright from

Michigan Eye-Bank. (If you know Lewiston, you would come into town on CR 612, turn south on Kneeland

Street (blinking yellow light/Talley's Log Cabin Bar is on the corner), then turn north on Hansen Ave., and it's

the building on the right, last door. Please RSVP to Berta Reinhardt at 989-786-5202 or pbrein71@gmail.com

how many from your club will attend the meeting — no later than Monday, February 16.

Register to participate in the Michigan Eye-Bank’s Bowling Fundraiser Saturday, March 14, in Ann Arbor. Pro-

ceeds to benefit their Gift of Sight Program.

Region 1, Zone 1 Chair Mary Weitzel submitted her resignation for medical reasons, and Lion Dennis Downie

has agreed to fill this position. Thank you Lion Mary for your service, and thank you Lion Dennis for filling this

position for the remainder of the year.

MD 11 Patch for 2015 — PDG Wayne Schultz will have patches at the District Convention in Mackinaw City or contact him directly at 989-739-9649 or pearacrescw@charter.net.

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LIONS OF MICHIGAN FORUM

BEST WESTERN PLUS, LANSING MI

Friday, February 27, 7:00pm—Registration

8:00pm—Lions Fun Night for Early Arrivals

Saturday, February 28, 7:00am—Registration

8:00am—Exhibit Tables

8:15am—Opening Remarks

8:30-11:30am—Educational Sessions

12:30-2:45pm—Lunch, White Cane Scholarships,

Keynote Speaker, Closing Remarks

and Door Prize

SESSION #1—8:30am

Mentoring—Cheryl Anderson

New Club Development—Barbara Toosley/Dick Silveira

Tax Filing—State Treasurer Paul Hemeryck

Conducting Effective Meetings—Frank Cunningham

SESSION #2—9:30am

Club Orientation—Fred Sullivan/Wm. VanWinkle

Jr. Diabetes Foundation Research—Roger Blackwell

End Of Membership As We Know It—Tom Doyle

Running a Successful White Cane Drive—Bill Stevens

SESSION #3—10:30am

Club Excellence Process—Karen Routson

Protocol—PID Bill Hansen

Roberts Rules of Order—Fred Sullivan/Wm. VanWinkle

Project KidSight Intro/Training—Chad McCann

SESSION #4—11:30am

Involvement is Retention—PID Gary Anderson

Special Needs Vision Clinic—Frank Rivette

GPS Technology for the Visually Impaired—Charis Austin

Marketing Your Club—Laura Hunt

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CLUB NAME________________________________________________________________________________________________

NAME OF REGISTRANTS______________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NUMBER OF REGISTRANTS @ $35/PERSON ______________$_______________________________________________________ CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: VISA, MasterCard or Discover

Card No_____________________________________________Exp Date_______________3-Digit Security Code_______________

Signature__________________________________________________________________________________________________

**Must be registered by 1/30/15 to guarantee Lunch & Forum Materials

KT was crowned Miss Michigan 2014 on June 14, 2014. Her personal platform is “LISTEN UP: Advo-

cating for those with Hearing Disabilities.” KT was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss at the age

of nine. In 2012, she founded The KT Maviglia Fund for Hearing. KT holds events to raise money for

children who need assistance paying for hearing devices and has developed a strategic plan to raise

awareness on issues that impact children with hearing difficulties. While continuing the KT Maviglia

Fund efforts, she has been working with our Michigan legislators to address undertreated hearing issues

and improve the coverage of hearing aid equipment for children. KT is a 2014 graduate of the Universi-

ty of Michigan and will be pursuing a graduate degree in Communications/Broadcasting. KT has been

recently appointed to the University of Michigan Wolverine Human Services Young Professionals Board.

KT will continue traveling the great state of Michigan during her reign promoting her platform and

working with children to focus on their ABILITIES!

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MICHIGAN EYE-BANK BOWLING FUNDRAISER

10

5 Ways to Use Social Media to Drive Your Fundraising Efforts

By Suzan Czajkowski, MA, PCC, Feb 1, 2015

When raising money for a charity or nonprofit organization, do you use social media to support your fundraising

goals? If you do, are you getting the most out of how you use it? Social media is a powerful way to connect with

potential donors, engage others so they feel involved with what you are doing, and promote your fundraising

efforts to greater success.

Over the last 5 years, I participated in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), raising an average of $5,456 per year and a

grand total of $27,280. Every single year that I participated in this ride, at least 85% of my fundraising came

through Social Media – specifically, Facebook. Though the type of fundraising I have in mind is through a sports-

oriented event, the following list can be applied to any fundraising work.

Here are 5 ways that you can use Social Media to drive your fundraising efforts:

1. Launch your fundraising challenge. Announce the challenge to let potential donors know what the challenge

is and that it has begun. Make the launch of your fundraising challenge a big deal and leverage it to start your

online campaign. (In other words, start as soon as you sign up — even if the culminating event is months

away.) Some donors like to get in on the ground floor; give them that opportunity by letting them know that

you are launching your challenge.

2. Thank your donors. Write a brief social media post thanking individuals who donated to your cause. Be sure

to "tag" the people you thank so that they get notified about your post! Different people donated all at once?

Don’t think everyone all at the same time! Rather, space them out over hours or even days.

3. Post updates about your fundraising progress. This helps keep you and your readers focused on your goal.

It’s an opportunity to do a general thank you, or to express concern that time is ticking down and there’s still

so much more to go.

4. Educate your readers about your cause. Who does it serve? What does it support or enable? What has the

organization accomplished in the past? What, specifically, will the money you are raising go towards? Tell

your potential donors about the impact that their donation can have!

5. Post pictures. Are you hosting (or attending) a fundraiser? Do you spend lots of time training for the event?

Did you get a t-shirt? Are you hanging out with other people who are also involved? These are all opportuni-

ties for posting pictures!! (Be sure to "tag" anyone else who is in the photo with you!) Seeing what you are

up to gives your readers a more tangible impression of what you are doing and what they are donating to-

wards. Be sure to tag anyone you’re training or working with to share the love and expand your reach!

Examples:

22.5 miles cycling into the wind. Welcome to spring in New England!

9% climb – done. 39 miles to go.

42+ miles. Ice cream earned!!

Today for lunch: 25 beautiful miles on the bike. What’d you have?

6. Educate your readers about your cause. Who does it serve? What does it support or enable? What has the

organization accomplished in the past? What, specifically, will the money you are raising go towards?

11

7. Post about the donation program itself. What percentage of donations will actually go to the charity? How

many people are registered for the event? Who else is on your team? Sharing the impact of the program can

be very powerful!

Example from the PMC:

100% of all donations raised for the PMC go directly to Dana Farber.

8. Post pictures. Are you attending (or hosting) a fundraiser? Do you spend lots of time training for the event?

Did you get a t-shirt? Are you hanging out with other people who are also involved? These are all opportuni-

ties for posting pictures!! Seeing what you are up to gives your readers a more tangible impression of what

you are doing and what they are donating towards.Want to take it one step further? Use some of these imag-

es for your profile and cover photos!

9. Provide the donation link! Obvious? Perhaps. But instrumental for collecting donations and easy to forget!

If it’s a long link, consider shortening it using bitly, where you can customize the link – and then use the same

shortened, customized link for the duration of your fundraising efforts!

10. Ask for donations. Don’t imply it. Don’t assume it. Don’t do it only once. Put your request out there clearly

and often.

Examples: Please donate now

Click on the link to donate

Please support this cause by donating now

Please help me get closer to my goal by donating now

A great place to post this request for donations is at the end of a post where you have thanked someone for a

donation, or provided an update on your fundraising progress. Follow-it up with the donation link, and you’ve got

yourself a powerful post!!

I think it should be noted that you should not tie your entire fundraising effort to social media. Nothing beats reaching out personally by email or phone, and thank you cards are always better than thank you emails. That be-ing said… engaging social media fully throughout the duration of your fundraising window can give you better reach, a louder voice, and also help you feel supported by those who respond back online in addition to the dona-tions they send you.

(Shared on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, 2/1/15)

Social Media — continued from Page 11

12

13

MD 11

CONVENTION

MAY 15-17, 2015

DOUBLETREE HO-

TEL

Lion Lynne Jauss, PDG PO Box 1093 Lewiston, MI 49756

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 1-3, 2015 in Mackinaw City.

All convention rooms at the Baymont Hotel (completely remodeled in 2014).

Information packets to club presidents and secretaries will be mailed mid-February.

Picnic, Thursday May 14; Convention begins Friday, May 15 and ends May 16.

Information packets mailed to club presidents and secretaries mailed soon.

Visit lionsofmi.com/calendar of events or the January/February Lion Pride for registration forms.

Registration: January 10 to March 31, 2015 ($150). April 1 to June 26, 2015 ($170).

All registrations are online at lionsclubs.org/convention. Visit the website for more infor-mation on the convention.

CONVENTIONS AT A GLANCE

15

ALOHA! The 98th International Convention will be held this year in Honolulu. Many have traveled to Hawaii before and have seen first-hand the beauty, the beaches and the breathtaking views the island offers.

The LCI convention website is up and running. As I write this, there are 6 months, 21 days until the con-vention begins. Again, from the website: “LCI’s con-vention offers a once a year opportunity to meet to-gether to discuss the important matters of the day that will form the future of our association, and to create new friendships along the way.” Tasks of International Convention Committee include:

APPROVE 2015-16 STATE PIN Approved design at right Order thru State Office, $2.

APPROVE 2015-16 STATE PATCH Approved design at right. Order thru State Office

DETERMINE PARADE ATTIRE Again, navy pants, capris or skirt (NO hot pants!); Michigan parade shirt, black footwear.

PARADE BANNERS Will purchase “feather” banners

PARADE GIVE-AWAYS Will pass out Michigan flags again, and any of our own excess trading pins.

MICHIGAN NIGHT A fun evening is planned at Germaine’s on the west side of the island for a luau buffet dinner, 3 adult bev-erages, show, tax, tip and transportation for approx. $80 per person.

MICHIGAN HOTELS DG-E Hotel — is the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Ex-

pense covered by LCI while you are in school and attending the convention. You cover any additional time.

Michigan Headquarters Hotel — is the Waikiki Beach Marriott, $265 per night. Tax is included but there is an additional $30 resort fee per day to use their amenities. A shuttle is available for the 2.2 mile distance to the Convention Center.

FLIGHTS TO HONOLULU Flights are currently running approximately $1,200 from Detroit; DG-E travel is paid by LCI.

WHEN: June 26—June 30, 2015

REGISTRATION: Convention Registration and Hotel Reservations are now available.

The early bird registration fee is $110 through Jan-uary 9, 2015.

From January 10 through March 31, 2015 the regu-lar registration fee is $150.

April 1, 2015 through onsite registration, the fee is $170.

HOTELS: The Waikiki Beach Marriott is the hotel assigned to

MD 11 Lions at $232 per night. Price does not in-clude tax or resort fee. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis through January 9, 2015. Guests at LCI’s delegation hotels free shuttles to all official convention events.

In addition to at least one adult registration fee , a hotel deposit in the amount of $225 per room is required to secure your room reservation.

If you are making group reservations for 10 or more, contact: registration@lionsclubs.org.

The deadline for group refunds of hotel deposits is May 1, 2015, while May 15, 2015 is the deadline for individual deposits.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

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Dear Lions,

I recently returned from the Philippines, where I witnessed joy from those we are serving. I met with villagers in Tacloban and visited their new homes. I also saw smiles in the eyes of children, as they are nourished through a Lions feeding program.

As many of you celebrate the holidays and prepare for the new year, I ask that you keep these images in your heart. But I also ask you to think of the children we have not yet reached and who are still hungry. With your donations, Lions and LCIF will continue to fight blindness, support youth, provide disaster relief and meet humanitarian needs all around the world. We are addressing global health issues, such as measles, diabetes and Ebola. We are reducing poverty through microenterprise. We are addressing needs of people everywhere. We are changing lives and providing hope to millions. Thank you for proving that where there is a need, there is a Lion.

Sincerely,

Barry J. Palmer — Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation Photo credit Dan Morris 2013

LCIF Rated a 4-Star Charity

LCIF has recently earned its third consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective fiscal management, and its commitment to accountability and transparen-cy. Charity Navigator examines the financial health, accountability and transparency of charities to determine its ratings. LCIF's 4-star rating indicates that it consistently exe-cutes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 12 percent of the charities evaluat-ed earned a third consecutive 4-star rating. This exceptional distinction means that LCIF outperforms most other charitable organizations in the United States. You can be confi-dent your donations are being used in support of the programs for which they are in-tended.

Donating

Did you know that one-hundred percent of every dollar donated to LCIF goes to someone in need?

LCIF receives no funding from club dues, and all administrative costs are paid through inter-est earned on investments. LCIF relies solely on donations from our partners and Lions like you for the grants we award. Approved grants have exceeded our grant budget for several years, which means that your unrestricted donations are more important than ever before. When you make your donation to LCIF, please consider selecting "Area of Greatest Need." This unrestricted dona-tion gives LCIF the flexibility to support initiatives where the need is most urgent.

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