Sept.,

2015

Governors

Newsletter

It’s hard to believe that we are already finishing

the second month of our 2015-2016 leadership years. When I look around the district and talk to the membership, I am excited by the energy and commitment in moving this District forward in growth and visibility.

We are building the foundation for new clubs in three different areas of the District – Broadview, Chicago Ridge, and the Belmont Cragin area of Chicago.

(GMT Team who took part to promote Lionism in Cragin)

In Broadview and Chicago Ridge, the work is continuing from last year and moving toward the 20 member mark required to charter a new club. In the Belmont Cragin area, which is located on the city’s northwest side, the GMT team participated in "Back to School" events held at Foreman High School and Riis Park. During the events, which are being promoted by the Alderman in their respective wards, the team is setting up and manning information tables to promote the building of a club in that area of Chicago.

During August, Sue and I attended many club events throughout the District, including the FIL-

USA Picnic and Installation of Officers, Franklin Park Manila Presentation of Officers, Oak Park River Forest 95th Charter Anniversary, Rogers Park Charter Anniversary, Burbank 60th and Bridgeview 40th Celebration of Service, and The Mexica Installation of Officers. I want to thank all of the clubs for their hospitality and the welcome they extended to Sue and me.

The 68th Annual PDG Harry Barber Memorial Golf Outing took place on August 12th, at The Village Greens in Woodridge, IL. We were blessed with a beautiful day and a great turnout of golfers. Thanks to all who came out for the event. It is greatly appreciated.

Sue and I want to thank Lion Wahaj, District 1A Cultural and Ethnic Chair, for inviting us to a cultural event sponsored by the Association of Indians in America. Lions Ernie Lapid and Pat Duda, along with her husband Bob, were also at the event. The Association sponsors an annual dance competition where the best in the area dance to Bollywood music. The competition involves young people who are taught this cultural dance form. They dress in the traditional, brightly colored costumes and are judged on their performance. The precision of the dance movements and beauty of the costumes are amazing! It was good to see the cultural dance traditions being continued by the younger generation.

The second Council meeting of the year was held in Morton, IL on August 15th. The Council approved a budget for the state and took care of other business that was brought before the Council. One of the pieces of business that directly concerned our District was the election of PCC Lion Dennis McMillan as the State Centennial Challenge Chairperson. Lion Dennis will be coordinating the service challenge efforts statewide.

The District health is good. Even though we are losing members, we continue to add new members. The report for the end of July showed we had 22 new members and 15 drops. This gives us a net positive growth of seven members. The ratio of drops to incoming new members is 68%. Our current membership is at 1,825 Lions in District 1A. We are growing. The goal for this year is to have 100 new members, which calculates to 25 new members per quarter. Let's continue to grow our membership. But let's keep an eye on the members that are on the fence. Let's try to find out why they are leaving so we can develop strategies to increase our retention of members. My thanks to all the clubs that submitted their reports to MyLCI.

Let me close for today by reminding the Lions of District 1A to support all the entities that makeup our District and association.

2017 International Convention – We are moving towards an International Convention in Chicago. The planning committee will need support to meet logistical and financial needs. Please respond positively when the call is made.

District Convention – In addition to the International Convention we also have our own District Convention. The planning committee is already hard at work and from what I am hearing; it will be one for the history books. All District 1A Lions are invited, so please mark it on your calendar. The dates are April 1-3, 2016.

Centennial Service Challenge – The Centennial Service Challenge is to serve 100 million people by March 2018. So far, the Challenge tracker is at 42 million people

served. Here’s the breakdown for each category: Youth – 16 million, Vision: 7million, Environment: 11million, Hunger: 8million. Make our numbers count by logging your Club’s service hours on the LCI website and support this goal of our association. Our District Challenge Service Project—the collection of gently used books for children ages 1 through 8—falls under the Youth category. Lions Judy Toft, Sig Polanek, and Lourdes Mon are spearheading this challenge.

Mended Little Hearts – I have chosen the Mended Little Hearts organization as my charity to support. Mended Little Hearts is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that has been providing hope, help, and healing to children with congenital heart defects patients and their families—nationally and in local communities—since 1951.

Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the lions that has passed away this past month; particularly Lion Danny Jacinto and his family from the Maharlika Lions

Thank you for all you do.

Lion Ralph Zarada DG District 1A

Editorial:

. Candy Day Jamboree is right around the corner. It will be on September 2nd at the Willowbrook Ballroom. 5:30 p.m. photo session

starts and the dinner is at 7:00 p.m. Candy Day was started by leaders from District 1A. One amongst them – PDG Jerry Novak is still with us. This is the #1 fundraiser for Lions of Illinois Foundation to serve more than 20 thousand needy people in Illinois. If all clubs in our District take part in this event on October 8, 9 and 10, we

can help our foundation to become stronger and healthier.

We have two District Trustees – Lion Frank Kirar and Lion Dr. Rich Rucoba who are promoting LIF events in our District. Let us all lend them our helping hands and make especially Candy Day a successful fundraiser in our clubs.

We can make Candy Day fundraiser as our own club fundraiser as we can donate 60% collection to LIF and keep 40% for our own club

charitable events to promote sight and hearing activities. Best way to collect contributions is by requesting

local businesses. They will willingly donate some contributions towards this good cause. Come on Lions, let us do something now!

-PDG Austin D’Souza, Governors Newsletter Editor

(Volunteer Organization Involved in Charitable Expression of Service)

The official IRS 501(c)(3) Charitable Arm of District 1-A Lions Clubs District 1-A applied to the Lions Clubs International Foundation for a matching funds grant and LCIF approved its request. V.O.I.C.E.S. began its fund raising efforts and thanks to the generosity of many Lions, their Clubs and Corporate sponsors achieved the full matching goal. Fund raising efforts will

continue as V.O.I.C.E.S. evolves into a full blown charitable arm of the District 1A Lions for current and future projects. V.O.I.C.E.S. will soon be ordering the very specialized eye screening cameras and begins its “SAVING KIDS SIGHT” vision screening program for children ages 6 months to 6 years.

MEMBERSHIP CORNER:

Congratulations to the 31 clubs in District 1-A that finished the 2014-2015 Lions Year with a plus in membership. They contributed to the District having a plus 91 members for the year. As we enter the second month of a new year, it is very important to keep the momentum going. As part of Governor Ralph’s goals are a net plus of 100 members and the development of two (2) new clubs. We need the efforts of all the clubs in District 1-A to make this a success. Lion PID Dan O’Reilly is the GMT’s New Club Development Coordinator and has been working very hard with the team in several areas. We are within two members of chartering clubs in both Broadview and Chicago Ridge. Both clubs will be a reality within the next couple months. Lion Joe Corna made arrangements for the GMT to have a table at two “Back to School Fairs” in the Chicago Cragin area. They were both very promising as we start to develop a club in that area. The GMT is ready to assist any club Membership Chairperson who needs assistance with establishing a membership plan. The Team is also in need of a Lion who would like to head up our “Club Success Team”. Their responsibilities would include engaging Lions in community service projects, promoting service activity reporting and promoting member satisfaction. If you would be interested in assisting with this challenge, please contact me at (630) 290-6092 or harold.burkett@att.net. Please help increase your capacity to serve by increasing your membership. -Lion Harold E. Burkett, Jr., PDG

District 1-A, GMT Coordinator

We are going to celebrate 100 years of Lionism in this world in 2017. As hard working Lions as we are, it is our time to take a challenge to increase our membership so that in 2017 we will reach at least 2 million members worldwide. Yes, it is possible if we ask our friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, businessmen/women, politicians and even some Rotarians! Lions Clubs International is celebrating 100 years of service and we're getting ready for our next 100 years! The Centennial Celebration Membership Awards provides all Lions and Lions clubs the opportunity to earn special Limited Edition awards for inviting new members and helping to organize new clubs. Be recognized as a...Centennial Sponsor Sponsor a new member and be immediately recognized as a Centennial Sponsor to receive a Limited Edition pin and certificate. Be recognized as a...Centennial Club Organizer

Help organize a new club and be immediately recognized as a Centennial

Club Organizer to receive a Limited Edition pin and certificate.

-Austin D’Souza, PDG District Centennial Service

Challenge Chairperson

Did You Know?

National statistics show that the average middle income child has 30 books. In low income neighhoods, there is only one book on averagefor 300 kids

For more information contact RAP Committee members:

Lion Judy Toft – jetoft@comcast.net

Lion Sig Polanek – spolanek@comcast.net Lion Lourdes Mon –

Lourdesgm@aol.com Lion Terry Yauger – yaagoottj@im.com

BRING YOUR BOOKS TO: The Candy Day Jamboree—September 2, 2015

Willowbrook Ballroom

CANDY DAY

JAMBOREE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2015

THE WILLOWBROOK BALLROOM,

8900 ARCHER, WILLOW SPRINGS, IL

COCKTAIL & PHOTOS: 5:30 PM DINNER SERVED: 7:00PM This year’s program will be a tutorial from Lions and Guests who have successfully

participated in Candy day planning, including underwriting, street corner and store front collections. We wish to REVIVE the excitement and vigor

of Candy Day in District 1-A. Please be prepared to join in and express your tips on this

important fundraiser for the Foundation and our Lions Clubs. If you have any issues or questions

with this process please call and I will do my best to help you, Lion Frank Kirar, LIF Trustee

Pre-Ordered Candy Will Be Available For Pickup At The Jamboree

Please use the order forms that were sent to your club from the Foundation. Copies of your order will be sent

to us (District 1-A Trustees) by the Foundation. We have the same candy as last year. The candy is a small

packet of sweet-tart like product. The packets are nicely marked and should be effective in our fundraising

efforts. Each case has 300 packets in it (not the 600 as the past roll candy had). Each case is $40.

Remember that you are getting less in a case. Ordering more might be wise. However, order what you

will realistically use.

Club Name:______________________Contact Person:___________________Phone:______________

Number of Reservations:________________ Total Enclosed: $_________________

2015 Candy Day Jamboree Reservation

Reservations are needed before August 22nd,2015

Cost is $22 per person or table of ten $200.00. NO Dinner tickets sold at jamboree

Please mail dinner Reservation forms to: Lion Frank Kirar, 5129 Oak Center Dr.

Oak Lawn, IL. 60453 Questions? Call: Lion Frank Kirar at 708-636-2165 Or Lion Dr. Richard Rucoba at 708-474-7435

LIONS ALSO ON THE PROWL FOR “GENTLY USED BOOKS” – SEE NEXT PAGE OF THIS FLYER

“DISTRICT 1 A LIONS – CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE –

ENGAGING OUR YOUTH BOOK COLLECTION”

TARGET NUMBER OF GENTLY USED OR NEW BOOKS

“5000”

BE A PART OF THE FARRAGUT AVENUE FAMILIES

BOOK COLLECTION TEAM

“HOW MANY BOOKS CAN DISTRICT 1-A LIONS, FRIENDS, FAMILY

AND NEIGHBORS COLLECT TOGETHER AS A TEAM IN 2015-2016

TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO BOOKS?”

THIS BOOK COLLECTION FOR IS FOR AGES

“0 MONTHS THROUGH 8TH GRADE”

If you, your friends or family have new or gently used books to donate,

please contact or bring them to

Lions Georg or Judy Toft

7731 West Farragut Avenue

773-763-0662 or jetoft@comcast.net

NATIONAL STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE MIDDLE INCOME CHILD

HAS 30 BOOKS. IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE IS ONE BOOK ON

AVERAGE FOR 300 KIDS.

This is your chance to be a part of Farragut Avenue Families

joining together as a group to help people see better and kids to learn the

enjoyment of reading a book!

CENTENNIAL SERVICE CHALLENGE

Does Your Club Take Active Part?

-PDG Austin D’Souza, 1A Centennial Service Challenge Chairperson

Every club in our District is doing something all the time; however, very few clubs report their activities on MyLCI. It is very simple: when you report your monthly membership, you just go to club activities section and report your recent club activity. If you have you can attach 2 photographs for every activity. Remember, there is no limit on reporting activities in a month. You can report one or a dozen if your club had. Please do so that your club can get credit for your club activities and also our world supporters will know our actual work, volunteer hours, donations and collections for our humanitarian activities. This will play a major role while deciding to take partnership with major charity donations from other foundations. Make Lions stand tall and Lions Clubs International will be recognized more for its members’ service activities. For nearly 100 years, Lions have served their communities and impacted millions of people around the world. In celebration of our 100th anniversary, we are asking you to help reach our Centennial Service Challenge goal of serving 100 million people by June 30th, 2018. Your club can play a part in reaching our goal, and you can earn special Centennial recognition when you serve! Earn Special Centennial Recognition for Your Club and District Your club can earn a Centennial Banner Patch with a special gemstone design each year you sponsor a Centennial Service Challenge project impacting Youth, Vision, Hunger or the Environment. • Each gemstone represents the number of different Centennial Service Challenge Campaigns that your club participates in during the fiscal year. • The more campaigns you participate in, the more gemstones you can earn for your banner patch. • Earn a diamond-level Centennial Banner Patch by participating in all four Centennial Service Challenge Campaigns! • Districts can also earn a Centennial Banner Patch based on the participation of their clubs. Your club

can earn up to four Centennial Banner Patches by participating in each year of the Centennial Service Challenge. Join the Challenge and Make a Difference Your club can earn special Centennial recognition and make a difference in your community by participating in our Centennial Service Challenge Campaigns throughout the year. You decide when to serve and which projects are right for your club! Engaging Our Youth – Host service projects that help youth in your community, or inspire the next generation of volunteers by inviting Leos or local youth to serve on a project with you. Sharing the Vision – Give the gift of sight by planning projects that help children or neighbors who are blind or living with low vision. Relieving the Hunger – Build stronger families and communities by organizing a food drive or service projects to help feed the hungry. Protecting Our Environment – Plan projects that protect and improve the environment to make your community a better place for everyone. Start Planning Your Centennial Service Project Today! Visit the Centennial website at Lions100.org to learn how you can join the celebration. Then share the Centennial Service Challenge with your club and start planning your service projects today! lions100.org Did You Know? One unrestricted donation to LCIF each fiscal year also counts toward your Centennial Banner Patch. A single act of service can change a life. But when 1.4 million members come together to serve, we can change the world. IAD 465 EN 3/15 Lions Clubs International Service Activities Division 300 W. 22nd Street Oak Brook, Illinois, USA 60523-8842 E-mail: CSC@lionsclubs.org Phone: 630-468-6845 A single act of service can change a life. But when 1.4 million members come together to serve, we can change the world.

There's never been a better time to serve than now! For nearly 100 years, Lions have served their communities and impacted millions of people around the world. To celebrate our 100th anniversary, we are asking Lions to help reach our Centennial Service Challenge goal of serving 100 million people by June 2018. Every club can play a

part in reaching our goal, and your club can earn special Centennial recognition when you serve!

Get Recognized on the Centennial Service Ticker

We’ll feature your club on the LCI home page when you report your qualifying Centennial service projects through MyLCI's Service Activity Report. Each week, we’ll update the Centennial Service Ticker with the name and district of reporting clubs, along with an icon identifying the service performed:

Youth

Vision

Hunger

Environment

Earn a Centennial Banner Patch

Your club can earn a Centennial Banner Patch with a special gemstone design each year you support our Centennial Service Challenge campaigns to impact Youth, Vision, Hunger and the Environment.

Each gemstone represents the number of different Centennial Service Challenge campaigns your club participates in during the fiscal year.

The more Centennial Service Challenge campaigns your club participates in, the more gemstones you can earn for your banner patch.

Earn a diamond-level Centennial Banner Patch by participating in all four Centennial Service Challenge campaigns!

Earn Up to Four Centennial Banner Patches

Your club can earn up to four Centennial Banner Patches by participating in each year of the Centennial Service Challenge. Qualifying donations to Lions Clubs International Foundation will also count toward your Centennial Banner Patch.

All Centennial service activities must be reported through MyLCI's Service Activity Report to receive credit. Districts can also earn Centennial Banner Patches based on the participation of their clubs.

Start Planning Your Centennial Service Project Today!

To learn more about the Centennial Service Challenge, review the Centennial Service Challenge

FAQs or email us with questions at CSC@lionsclubs.org. Check out the Global Service Action home page for more information on our service campaigns. For help with reporting your activities, visit MyLCI and review frequently asked questions about service activity reporting. Centennial Service Challenge Resources

Centennial Service Challenge Brochure Engaging Our Youth Planning Guide Sharing the Vision Planning Guide Relieving the Hunger Planning Guide Protecting Our Environment Planning

Guide

1A Governors Monthly e-Magazine. Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for Lions, Lionesses and Leos District 1A

e-Mail Address: govaustin@gmail.com