MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook

Transcription

1 MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook You can t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else. Melvin Jones

2 Lions Prayer Where Lions meet, be present Lord. Weld our hearts in one accord. To do Thy will, Lord Make us strong, And aid the weak And right the wrong. Lions Pledge I pledge allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world. I believe in the principles of Lionism as contained in the Lion Code of Ethics. I am proud to be a Lion dedicated to the services of others.

3 MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook You can t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else. Melvin Jones

4 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook The MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook is dedicated to the memory of PDG Bob Callender who provided the inspiration for this effort. Lion Bob strongly felt that a knowledgeable Lion will be an effective and productive Lion. Lion Bryson McCool 311 E. Redwood Ruidoso, NM Phone nd Printing July 2009 Please check for updates.

5 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 LIONS CLUBS INT L 1 Historical Overview 1 Melvin Jones A Profile 2 Helen Keller s Speech 3 The Lions Emblem, Colors, Motto, Vision & Mission 4 The Lions Clubs Objects 5 The Lions Code of Ethics 6 LCI Organization 6 LCI Organizational Structure 6 LCI Headquarters 8 THE LION Magazine 8 LCI Website 9 LCI Vision Initiatives 9 SightFirst 9 Eyeglasses Recycling 14 Sight Services 16 Sight Awareness Events 20 LCI Diabetes Initiatives 21 Diabetes Awareness 21 Diabetes Screening 22 Recreation Camps 23 World Diabetes Day 24 LCI Youth Initiatives 24 Peace Poster Contest 24 Youth Camps 25 Youth Exchange 26 Leo Clubs 27 Lions Services For Children Program 28 Lions Quest 32 LCI Hearing Initiatives 33 Hearing Awareness 33 Hearing Screenings 34 Communication Services 35 Support for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 36 Recreational Camps 37 Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project 37 LCI Int l Relations Programs 38 International Relations Month 38 Lions Day at the UN 39 World Peace day 39 Club Twinning 39 Peace Poster Contest 40 International Cultural Exchange 40 Stamp Collecting & Exchanging 40 LCI Int l Assistance Programs 41 LCIF 41 Lions ALERT Program 47 Lions Emergency/Non Emergency 48 LCI Cultural & Environmental Programs 48 Cultural Programs 48 Environmental Programs 51 LCI Membership Growth Initiatives 52 Overview 52 Recruitment 53 Retention 59 Extension 61 CHAPTER 2 MD40/D40N & D40N 67 Historical Overview 67 MD40 Overview 74 District Organizational Overview 75 District Officers 75 District Committees 79 MD40 Website & Monthly Publication 88 MD40 Foundations 89 NM Lions Eye Bank 89 NM Lions Eye Foundation 91 NM Lions Band Foundation 92 NM Lions reading Foundation 93 MD40 Signature Projects 95 NM Lions KidSight 95 NM Special Olympics/Opening Eyes 97 CHAPTER 3 LIONS CLUBS 99 Lions Clubs Administration 99 Club Officers 99 Club Membership 104 Club Management 107 Management Insights 107 Club Elections 110 Attendance Requirements 111 Club Reporting Responsibilities 112 Club Finances 115 Club Budgets & Accounts 115 Club Members Dues 115 Family Membership Program 116 Club Taxation Requirements 117 LCI Liability Insurance Program 118 Financial Suspension of Clubs 118 Awards 119 District Awards 119 International President s Awards 120 Award Presentations 120 APPENDIX I MD40 Constitution I-1 APPENDIX II MD40 Information II-1 APPENDIX III NMLEF Screening APPENDIX IV Lions Forms Handbook III-1 IV-1 APPENDIX V LCI WMMR Guide V-1

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7 I N T R O D U C T I O N Introduction T he purpose of this Handbook is to provide Lions in Multiple District 40 with comprehensive information on what Lionism is all about at the International, State (Multiple District 40), District 40N and 40S, and Club levels. While the information presented here is intended primarily to benefit new members, it is hoped that it will also be a valuable information source for all Lions, regardless of tenure. Much of this handbook has been extracted from the LCI website ( and the following LCI publications: Club Officers Manual Guide to Club Project Development, LCI Publication TK-10 Lions Club Constitution & By-laws, LCI Publication LA-2 23M Orientation Guide, LCI Publication ME-13 EN The Certified Guiding Lion Program, LCI Publication CGL-1 Please refer any errors or suggested improvements to Lion Bryson McCool, Ruidoso Valley Noon Lions Club, 311 E. Redwood St., Ruidoso, NM address: brymccool@valornet.com

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9 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Chapter 1 Lions Clubs International Historical Overview I n 1917, a Chicago insurance agent named Melvin Jones convinced his luncheon club, the Business Circle of Chicago, that it should ally itself with other independent clubs to form a national organization that would be dedicated not only to networking for business and social purposes, but to the improvement of the community as a whole. Among the groups invited was the Association of Lions Clubs, which was headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, and led by Dr. W. P. Woods. At the time of the meeting on June 7, there were several Lions Clubs already in existence, some of which had been organized in These Lions Clubs were an outgrowth of a now-defunct fraternal organization called the Royal Order of Lions. The Business Circle of Chicago and other Clubs agreed to rally under Melvin Jones the Lions name and a convention was scheduled for October 1917 in Dallas, Texas. Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from nine states heeded the call and approved the Lions Clubs designation. Dr. Woods was elected as the first President. Guiding force and founder Melvin Jones was named acting Secretary, thus beginning an association with Lions that ended only with his death in During the first convention, the members began to define what the Association was to become. A Constitution and By-laws were adopted, the colors of purple and gold approved, and a start made on developing the Lions Clubs Objects and Code of Ethics. Remarkably, considering the materialism of the era, both the Objects and Ethics encouraged Lions to put service ahead of profit and to uphold the highest standards of conduct in business and other professions. 1

10 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Community leaders soon began to organize Clubs throughout the United States. The Association went International with the formation of a club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in Clubs were later organized in Mexico, China, and Cuba. By 1927, membership stood at 60,000 in 1,183 Clubs. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged Lions to become knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness. From this time, Lions Clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired. In 1935, Panama became home to the first Central American Lions Club with the first Club in South America being organized in Hellen Keller Columbia the following year. Sweden, then France, brought Europe into the Association in Japan had clubs by 1952, and the Eastern Bloc was unblocked in 1989 with the formation of clubs in Hungary, Poland, and Estonia. In 1990, a Club was chartered in Moscow and today hundreds of Lions Clubs are demonstrating the value of service to one s community in countries once closed to voluntary action. In 1987, Lions Clubs International became the first major service organization to admit women as members. Lions Clubs International has grown to more than 1.3 million men and women in over 45,000 clubs located in 205 countries and geographic areas. Today, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts, as well as through their international SightFirst Program and Lions World Sight Day, a global partnership of United Nations agencies, eye care and philanthropic organizations and health professionals, held the second Thursday of each October to increase awareness of the need to eradicate blindness. Lions also collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries year-round and especially during May, which is Lions Recycle for Sight Month. In addition, Lions make a strong commitment to young people through youth outreach programs. Lions also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world. Based on a recent report of Lions Clubs worldwide, it is estimated that each year Lions clubs donate approximately $449 million and 76 million hours, which is equivalent to 36,500 people working full time for a year! Melvin Jones - A Profile Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879, in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was 2

11 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm, and in 1913 formed his own agency. He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen s luncheon group, and was shortly elected Secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. What if these men, he asked, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities? Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men s clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born. It was stipulated that clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests. Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full time to Lions at International Headquarters in Chicago. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded members. The Association s founder was also recognized as a leader outside the Association. One of his greatest honors was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Francisco, California, at the organization of the United Nations. Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code, You can t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else, became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over, died June 1, 1961, at 82 years of age. The Lions International Melvin Jones Memorial is located in Fort Thomas, Arizona. Helen Keller s Speech at the 1925 Lions International Convention I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn t opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won t wait. You have to go out and grab em. I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn t say what you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities for service. 3

12 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The American Foundation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and in importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far. Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity. Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn t you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when you could see? That is just the kind of friend the American Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it must have. You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness. The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness? I thank you. The Lions Emblem, Colors, Motto, Vision, & Mission The Lion emblem (Figure 1) was adopted at the 1919 International Convention. Lions throughout the world have always been recognized by it. It consists of a gold letter L on a circular purple field. Bordering this is a circular gold area with two Lions profiles facing in opposite directions from the center. The word Lions appears at the top and International at the bottom. The Lions face both past and future showing both pride of heritage and confidence in the future. At the 2008 International Convention, it was approved that the Lions logo would go to a two color emblem (Figure 2). The official motto of the Association is simply We Serve. The official slogan is Liberty, Intelligence, and Our Nations Safety. The Association s colors are purple and gold, which 4

13 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L were chosen when LCI was founded in Purple, which represents loyalty to country, friends, one s self, and the integrity of mind and heart, is the color of strength, courage, and dedication to a cause. Gold symbolizes sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgment, purity in life, generosity in mind and heart, and commitment to mankind. Figure 1. Original Lions logo Figure 2. Two color Lions logo approved in 2008 The Lions vision is To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service. The Lions mission is To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs The Lions Clubs Objects TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among peoples of the world. TO PROMOTE the principles of good government and good citizenship. TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community. TO UNITE the Clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship, and mutual understanding. TO PROVIDE a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by Club members. TO ENCOURAGE service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works, and private endeavors. 5

14 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The Lions Code of Ethics TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service. TO SEEK success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantages taken or because of questionable acts on my part. TO REMEMBER that in building up my business, it is not necessary to tear down another s; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself. WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself. TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor, and means. TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy. TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy. LCI Organization LCI Organizational Structure The individual Lions Club is the most important unit of Lions Clubs International (LCI). As an individual, each Lion belongs to his or her Club. It is the Club that belongs to the Association. This means that when it comes time to elect International officers and directors, or to amend the International Constitution and By-laws, it is the Club that casts the necessary votes through its authorized delegates. Every Lions Club in good standing is entitled to send at least one delegate and one alternate to vote at the International Convention, regardless of the number of members it has. Most Clubs are entitled to more than one vote, since the rule provides for one 6

15 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L delegate or alternate for each 25 members or major fraction thereof. Delegates can be appointed by the Club s Board of Directors or elected by the membership. At the International Convention held in late June or early July, the delegates elect the International officers and directors who will act for them during the coming fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Officers elected include the International President and 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents. Constitutionally, a contest exists only for the office of 2nd Vice- President with the other officers advancing one step each year until elected International President. Figure 3 illustrates the LCI organization. Figure 3. Lions Clubs International Organizational Structure Overview 7

16 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The immediate Past International President is also an officer of the Association and serves as Chairman of the LCIF Board of Trustees. Since the 1998 Convention, the officers of the International Association of Lions Clubs include the President, Immediate Past President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and 32 Directors representing various areas of the world. International Directors serve two-year terms, with approximately one-half being elected each year. LCI Headquarters The headquarters of Lions Clubs International, with a staff of 300 fulltime employees, is located in Oak Brook, IL. Although branch offices exist worldwide, the International Headquarters serves as the Association s central administrative and informative source. Many services are provided to Lions through this office, including issuing charters to new Clubs, providing brochures, activity guides and newsletters to members, and maintaining all Association records. The staff is led by an Executive Administrator, who oversees all Headquarters operations and works to carry out the policy decisions made by the International Board of Directors. Assisting the Executive Administrator the Association s Secretary and Treasurer. Eleven operating Divisions divide the Administrative responsibilities of International Headquarters: Club Supplies and Distribution; Convention; Information Technology; District and Club Administration; Executive Service; Extension and Membership; Finance; International Activities and Program Development; Leadership; Legal; and Public Relations and Production. THE LION Magazine The official magazine of LCI, THE LION, was established in November It is sent regularly to every member of the Association with the annual subscription price included in the International dues. THE LION Magazine has four major functions. First, it informs members of official notices. Second, it serves as a central reference point for service and fund raising ideas and the best methods to employ in order to ensure their success. Third, it supplies information about countries and areas where Lions are active, enabling all members to better understand and support International program objectives, and to promote worldwide peace and understanding. Last, it presents the story of LCI in the best 8

17 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L possible manner so that not only Lions, but the casual reader as well, will receive a favorable impression of the Association. LCI Website The official LCI Website, located at contains a wealth of information about the Association and its programs. There are downloadable materials, online Club Supply sales, a Club Directory, and online Club membership and activity report filing. Additionally, the site has various newsletters, an online version of the THE LION Magazine, message boards, and online training courses. LCI Vision Initiatives SightFirst SightFirst is Lions most ambitious and most successful initiative ever. Thanks to SightFirst, Lions have restored sight to 7.3 million people through cataract surgeries, prevented serious vision loss for 20 million people and improved eye care services for hundreds of millions. SightFirst was launched by Lions in 1989 to battle preventable blindness. Sadly, 80 percent of the world s blind were needlessly without sight. Through SightFirst, Lions have prevented blindness by supporting cataract surgeries, helping to build or expand eye hospitals and clinics, distributing sight-saving medication and training eye care professionals. SightFirst has not only been stunningly effective but also startlingly efficient. On average, about every $6 in donations has resulted in a person with vision restored or saved from blindness. (Campaign SightFirst raised $143 million from Lions.) SightFirst is especially helping children. In partnership with the World Health Organization, SightFirst has launched the world s first-ever global initiative to combat childhood blindness. The project has created centers for pediatric eye care around the world. Campaign SightFirst II (CSF II) is enabling Lions to expand the extraordinary work of SightFirst. Campaign SightFirst II was a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to raise at least $150 million for the SightFirst program. It was conducted by Lions Clubs International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs. In a comprehensive, worldwide feasibility study in 2004, an overwhelming number of Lions said that they wanted SightFirst to continue and would participate in a fund 9

18 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L raising effort to make that a reality. Eighty-four percent of Lions questioned responded positively to the proposed campaign. CSFII was endorsed by the Board of Directors in July 2004 and was launched at the 2005 International Convention in Hong Kong. The campaign was conducted on a three-year timetable with intensive fund raising at the local level scheduled for Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Lions around the world exceeded their campaign challenge goal of $200 million for their flagship, global blindnessprevention program, SightFirst. Funds raised during Campaign SightFirst II will save or restore the vision of more than 37 million people around the world. As of June 26, 2008, Lions had raised $200,329,000. Led by 7,000 CSFII Lion volunteers, Lions surpassed their initial $150 million goal in February 2008, four months in advance of CSFII s conclusion. During the final month of the campaign alone, Lions raised more than $20 million to surpass the $200 million challenge goal. Lions Clubs International Foundation funds a number of sight-related initiatives through the SightFirst Program. These programs target a number of eye diseases and groups of people. Project for Elimination of Avoidable Childhood Blindness More than $4.5 million in SightFirst grant funding has been provided to establish 30 needbased Lions eye care centers in countries all over the globe, aimed especially at delivering preventative, therapeutic, and rehabilitative eye care services for 100 million children. The program is being done in concert with the World Health Organization. The program represents a broad counterattack against preventable childhood blindness. In 2001, LCIF and the World Health Organization began collaborating to address childhood blindness throughout the world. Through a partnership on the "Project for Elimination of Avoidable Childhood Blindness," 30 need-based Lions eye care centers in countries all over the globe have been established, aimed especially at delivering preventative, therapeutic, and rehabilitative eye care services for 100 million children. To help fund this project, LCIF distributed a grant totaling $3.75 million between the six WHO regions where the eye centers are located. During recent evaluations, each country showed that it was significantly closer to achieving the goal of fighting avoidable blindness. In January 2008, an LCIF SightFirst grant for $879,000 was awarded for additional equipment and facility upgrades. Examples of some of the accomplishments are as follows: Pediatric eye care teams have been trained in all six evaluated countries. A low vision care room at the project hospital in Lithuania was opened in

19 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L A program was developed and implemented for identifying and treating low vision children in schools for the blind in Indonesia 246 school teachers were trained in vision screening in Hanoi, Vietnam Nurses underwent training for pediatric ophthalmologic surgery in Egypt Over the years that the project has been in place, Lions have been an active part of the planning process, attending meetings, evaluations, and other planning activities. Also, Lions were present at the Hong Kong Society for the Blind low vision training inauguration. Since the very beginnings of the project, the help of local Lions was part of the basic foundation of support that LCIF has been able to provide. Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) LEHP (pronounced leap ) is the main SightFirstfunded initiative for industrialized nations. LEHP is a community-based public awareness initiative that encourages the early detection and timely treatment of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease and the appropriate treatment for low vision. LEHP has been active in the United States, Japan, the British Isles and Ireland, Canada, Australia and Turkey. LEHP has been revamped and improved in the United States. The new LEHP for the United States includes a new CD-ROM format, a new logo and design, a new LEHP Web site and development of new print materials. Perhaps most importantly, everyone interested in eye health can now participate in LEHP, not just Lions clubs. This will help increase eye health awareness. Preschool Vision Screening Program Amblyopia, known as "lazy eye," is a leading cause of blindness in children. LCIF's preschool vision screening program enables Lions to conduct screenings for children in order to prevent childhood blindness through early detection and treatment for the most common vision disorders that can lead to amblyopia. Few children are screened before entering school. It is important that vision screenings be done at an early age when treatment is most effective. Since 1999, the preschool vision screening program has been one of the Foundation's most popular Core 4 initiatives. Eighteen single and multiple districts in the USA and Taiwan have received multi-year Core 4 Preschool Vision Screening grants, totaling approximately $2.7 million. In October 2008, the LCIF Board of Trustees approved renewing funding for this program. Through the program, Lions are able to establish partnerships with medical centers and state health departments to make preschool vision screening successful long-term. Well-trained Lions volunteers screen children ages one through five years old. All results are tracked through state-wide databases, making follow-up of referrals 11

20 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L possible. Referred children see eye care professionals in their community and followup results are then returned to the administrative office. Lions volunteers have screened one million children since the program's inception in The overall referral rate is 6.0 percent. Complete eye care professional followup for referred children (50 percent as a whole) demonstrates a 65 percent predictive value positive, meaning 65 percent (11,203 children) of the children referred truly had a factor that could cause amblyopia. These results demonstrate the true success of the program. River Blindness Onchocerciasis, or also known as river blindness, is caused by infections that occur after being bitten by a black fly, which is found near swiftly flowing rivers (hence the nickname of the disease). Villagers have abandoned fertile land near the rivers to avoid being bitten. The treatments are not only preventing blindness but also enabling people to return to rich land and revive their local economy. Approximately 100 million people in Africa and Latin America are at risk of contracting the disease and, despite major advances in control, 18 million people remain heavily infected. LCIF has awarded nearly $30 million to support the distribution of Mectizan, the drug used to treat and control the disease to 114 million people in 15 countries. In Latin America, experts foresee eradicating river blindness once and for all by Trachoma Trachoma is one of the oldest known infectious diseases and the leading cause of preventable blindness, affecting 6 million people, with another 500 million at risk from the disease. It is a bacterial disease, spread easily through close contact. It does not immediately blind those infected with the disease, instead it is a slow and painful robber of sight. Children and women are most susceptible to infection, and the repeated scratching of the cornea from inturned eyelashes can lead to complete blindness. In addition, trachoma is often generational, as it is easily transmitted by a mother's unknowing touch to wipe her child's eye. Lions are very active in the fight against trachoma. Through SightFirst, LCIF has provided $10 million in funding for eight ongoing projects and funding assistance to The Carter Center. Ethiopia alone has received more than $7 million in funding due to the high prevalence of the disease. Funds are supporting tens of thousands of cataract operations, training ophthalmic nurses and surgeons, providing medicines, and strengthening eye care centers in rural and underserved areas. Working with other NGOs, Lions have developed a comprehensive long-term plan for eliminating trachoma by Since 1999, LCIF has awarded trachoma control 12

21 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L project funding to nine countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan. In January 2008, the 10 millionth dose of azithromycin (Zithromax), the drug to control and prevent trachoma, was distributed in Ethiopia. LCIF has also funded the construction of more than 300,000 latrines to help improve sanitary conditions and eye health. SightFirst China Action SightFirst has been preventing and reversing blindness in China, the world's most populous nation, since the program was launched in Completed in 2002, Phase I of LCIF's SightFirst China Action (SFCA) supported 2.1 million cataract surgeries in China and established surgical eye units in 104 rural counties that previously had none. Phase II of SightFirst China Action continued on the success of the first initiative, preventing blindness on a large scale. A SightFirst grant of $15.5 million was matched with about $200 million from the Chinese government. During Phase II, nearly 3 million cataract surgeries were performed, and eye care infrastructure was strengthened by creating secondary eye care units at hospitals in 200 underdeveloped counties, provinces and Tibet. To assure sustainable eye care services for the vast populations of rural poor, training courses for paramedics were conducted in the western and northern provinces. Sight For Kids One child goes blind every minute and half-a-million will have lost their sight by the end of the year. To combat this problem, LCIF and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care have collaborated to develop Sight for Kids, a program that provides vision screenings, eyeglasses and other treatments, and eye health education for children. More than 10 million children in Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the Philippines have been screened through the program. Of those children screened, 245,498 have been referred to physicians for further evaluation, 64,669 have received glasses and 47,476 have been treated for various eye conditions. Sight for Kids screens children for refractive error and other vision problems. Myopia (nearsightedness) causes significant vision loss in more than 15 percent of children under the age of 15 in some Asian countries, according to a U.S. National Eye Institute study. Half of all cases of refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) remain undetected and untreated. The consequences of uncorrected refractive error can be devastating. The leading cause of blindness in children and 13

22 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L adolescents is uncorrected refractive error. Also, since learning is often visually based, uncorrected vision severely harms a child's development. Johnson & Johnson has committed $1.55 million to fund Sight for Kids. The screenings are coordinated by local Lions, Johnson & Johnson staff and local medical personnel. Opening Eyes The Lions Clubs International-Special Olympics Opening Eyes program is an ambitious initiative funded by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) through a Core 4 grant. The partnership program began in 2001, and to date LCIF has awarded $10 million in grant funding for the partnership. Together the two organizations are dedicated to serving those in need; the combined efforts helps a population whose needs are so often overlooked. Special Olympics is an international sports program offering yearround competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. LCIF has been at the forefront of protecting sight and preventing blindness worldwide for over three decades. Opening Eyes vision screenings take place at select Special Olympics sporting events worldwide. Volunteer Lions play an integral part in the success of the program, helping with registration, color vision testing, visual acuity tests and distribution of glasses and protective sports goggles for athletes. A prime goal of Opening Eyes is to teach and prepare vision specialists, including professors and students, how to better care for this underserved population. Research has shown that among Special Olympics athletes, 68 percent have not had an eye examination in three years, 37 percent are in need of eyeglasses and 18 percent wear clinically incorrect eyeglasses. Corrective and protective eyewear is provided free of charge, and athletes receive a certificate detailing their vision needs and follow-up referrals for health care providers in their home areas, if needed. Athletes are also taught how to take better care of their eyes. More than 100,000 athletes have been screened through the Opening Eyes partnership, with prescription eyewear provided to more than 44,000 athletes. More than 8,000 Lions Clubs volunteers worldwide have offered their time and talents in a team effort, demonstrating the motto, "We Serve." Eyeglasses Recycling Lions, Leos, and other volunteers collect used eyeglasses for donation to Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers that are located throughout the world. The used 14

23 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and classified by prescription. The eyeglasses are then distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries. Individuals may donate used eyeglasses to Lions clubs via: Lions collection boxes (available for purchase through Lions Club Supplies) located at various community offices and businesses; Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers; offices of American Optometric Association or the Canadian Association of Optometrists members; Goodwill Industries stores; and LensCrafters stores. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism). Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses. Unfortunately for many, a pair of glasses is both unaffordable and inaccessible. In developing countries, an eye exam costs as much as one month s wages, and a single doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people. Donated eyeglasses can help millions to experience corrected vision for the first time, enabling them to read, attend school, gain employment and take care of their families. It is estimated that Lions clubs collect more than 20 million glasses each year, and eyeglass recycling is one of Lions clubs most popular activities. Although the program was officially adopted by the association in 1994, Lions have collected glasses for more than 80 years. Starting an eyeglass collection in your community can be an easy and rewarding activity that will raise your club s visibility and provide your fellow Lions with a great deal of satisfaction in serving others. The new Lions Recycle For Sight Information Kit contains everything needed to begin and maintain a successful eyeglass collection campaign in your community. The kit is helpful for novice clubs and clubs that have collected for many years. Purchase the Kit from the Health and Children s Services Department at content/vision_eyeglass _sight.shtml. Sight Night is an annual eyeglasses collection project organized around Halloween or trick-or-treat in your community. Sight Night is a national event sponsored by LensCrafters and Lions Clubs International. Volunteers from Lions, LensCrafters and other organizations across North America will canvass their neighborhoods and collect used eyeglasses during trick-or-treat. This is a great opportunity to partner with a Leo Club, a local LensCrafters store, Scouts or other community youth organizations. All colors, shapes and sizes of children s and adult s prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses are needed, as well as nonprescription sunglasses. Eyeglass cases are not collected; you may want to find another group that accepts the cases. Collected eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and hand-delivered during optical missions 15

24 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L to developing countries. These missions are sponsored by Lions and LensCrafters. More information on Sight Night can be found at vision_sight_snight.shtml. Sight Services Leader Dogs For The Blind Leader Dogs for the Blind is dedicated to helping the visually impaired enhance their quality of life by providing the means for safe and independent travel. It was 1938 when Don Schurr, along with fellow Lions from the Uptown Detroit Club, broached the idea of assisting their friend, Doc Glenn Wheeler, in obtaining a dog guide. Unfortunately, the only existing school at the time was unable to provide one to Doc. Although the reasons were not quite clear, in general, the wait to receive such a service was several years. So the Lions began their own quest. With the objective of helping their friend, this journey culminated in 1939 with the founding of the Lions Leader Dog Foundation. The first class graduated four students, including Doc Wheeler. Through the years of trials and triumph, the founders who are recognized as Schurr, Charles Nutting and S.A. Dodge, began to establish a world class organization. Little did they know that eventually Lions Leader Dog Foundation would not only change names, but also become an internationally recognized school for serving the blind community. In 1952, upon absorbing another dog guide school, Path-Finder, the school in Rochester, Michigan became known as Leader Dogs for the Blind. By this time, the trainers who had used many different breeds of dogs, including Doberman Pinchers and Boxers, had narrowed the scope of breed down to primarily German Shepherd Dogs. They were found to fare better health wise and seemed to enjoy the work. Thus, the birth of the Leader Dog logo. Each year, over 270 students attend our 26-day residential training program to be paired with a dog guide. This is a life-changing event that opens the doors to independence, safety and self-worth for many of our students. In addition to their dog guide program, Leaders Dogs For The Blind offer programs that enhance a person s independence and quality of life in other ways, including orientation and mobility training, Trekker training, and seminars for Orientation and Mobility professionals. Currently, Leader Dog is the only facility in the Western Hemisphere to teach deaf-blind students to work with a dog guide. 16

25 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Thanks to generous donations from supporters, the dog guide services are provided free of charge, including room and board and travel to and from our campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for students living in North America. As a non-profit organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind s mission to enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired relies on generous contributions from donors. Leader Dogs for the Blind is a 501(c)3 organization, and a donation is 100% tax deductible to the extent provided by law. There is a campaign underway called Leading Into The Future in which Leader Dog is asking its many generous supporters to continue supporting the improvements at the facility. The Buy a Brick portion of the campaign has been a real success. For a $250 gift, someone is able to pay tribute to an individual, a Club, a beloved pet or any other honorarium they would like on a brick to be placed in the Welcome Circle of the New Residence and Training Facility. Students coming to Leader Dog to receive a dog guide Dog Guide Program complete a 26-day training program that includes country, city and nighttime travel, how to incorporate a Leader Dog into a daily routine, and dog care knowledge. Upon arrival to Leader Dog, students learn how to work with a dog guide, including commands, making corrections, proper praise and physically caring for a dog. On day three, students are matched with a trained dog with consideration made to life style, travel pace, physical size and stamina. Leader Dog recognizes the needs associated with diversity and the demands of balanced life styles and careers. We strive to meet the special needs of our students with accommodations such as Spanish-speaking instructors, late evening diabetic snacks and one of only two existing programs for individuals who are both deaf and blind. Leader Dogs for the Blind currently graduates 8 to 10 Deaf-blind students from its dog guide program each year. Students in this program are trained by instructors who communicate with students in tactile American Sign Language (ASL). Dogs trained for the Deaf-blind recognize and respond to hand signals and ASL with or without vocal support. It is important to note that these dogs are trained solely to guide not to be hearing dogs. The Accelerated Mobility Program (AMP) is a 7- Accelerated Mobility Program day residential course designed to accelerate the learning process of cane travel with one-on-one instruction. Taught by certified orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors, AMP assists students in obtaining the basic O&M skills needed to receive a dog guide. 17

26 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L AMP covers the basic skills of orienting one s self to an environment and learning to utilize a cane to navigate. Some of the techniques taught include using a cane in a sweeping or tapping motion, proper curb alignment and numerous safety skills. Leader Dogs for the Blind provides a free Trekker Breeze Trekker Program GPS unit to current students in our dog guide program that live in the United States and Canada. The Breeze is a simple-to-use, handheld GPS that enhances dog guide travel by verbally announcing the names of streets, intersections and other clues. Students participating in the Breeze program will receive: a Trekker Breeze configured with a pre-loaded map of their home state; instruction and practice while training with their Leader Dog; and the opportunity to participate in two teleconference workshops. Students electing to take part in the free Trekker Breeze program are required to participate in pre-class and post-class surveys. Other eligibility requirements include: participating in training, as well as question and answer sessions, during class actively using Breeze during outdoor training; demonstrated knowledge of basic Breeze functions; and safe and independent use of the Breeze while working with their dog guide. Recipients of the Breeze also participate in a voluntary contract. The contract asks recipients to return the device if it is not being used so that it may benefit future Leader Dog users. Portions of the Leader Dog article were taken from their website. Hadley School for the Blind The Hadley School for the Blind is the largest worldwide distance educator of blind and visually impaired people, their families and blindness service professionals. Founded in 1920 by William Hadley and Dr. E.V.L. Brown, Hadley offers courses free of charge to its blind and visually impaired students and their families and affordable tuition courses to blindness professionals. Today, the school serves more than 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and 100 countries. Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to fund its programs. When he lost his sight at age 55, William A. Hadley faced many challenges. A former high school teacher, Mr. Hadley taught himself Braille so that he could continue to enjoy reading, but was frustrated to find that there were few educational opportunities for blind individuals. Mr. Hadley's dream was to help others acquire communication skills that foster independence. Together with Dr. E.V.L. Brown, an ophthalmologist and neighbor, Mr. Hadley conceived the idea of teaching Braille by mail. In 1920, the school opened to its first student. When Mr. Hadley mailed the Braille course to this Kansas woman desperate to continue reading, one wonders if he ever imagined the eventual result: a school that would become the single largest worldwide educator of blind people. When Mr. Hadley died in 1941, the school had 800 students enrolled. 18

27 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Today, the Hadley school has an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students from all 50 states and 100 countries. Camps for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired Lions support recreational camp programs that are customized to meet the special needs of persons who are blind or visually impaired. With input from experts, e.g., physicians, departments or ministries of health, or local foundations for persons who are blind or visually impaired, some Lions have organized recreational camps for blind or visually impaired youth and adults. Rehabilitation, Vocational and Recreational Services Lions Clubs around the world donate their time and financial resources to rehabilitation and vocational training centers for the blind and visually impaired. These facilities provide training in basic living skills such as: dressing, bathing, cooking, eating, exchanging money, telling time, etc. Many new products have been recently developed to aid the blind and visually impaired. Many of these products are computerized. A sample list of products is available in the Braille and the Support Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired pages of the LCI Web site. To improve independent mobility, many blind and visually impaired people use a white cane. Schools for the blind provide training in the use of white canes. Both basic white canes and folding white canes are available from the Official Lions Club Supplies Catalog. Other types of white canes including telescoping canes, laser canes, and sensor canes are also available. Computers can aid the blind and visually impaired as well as provide opportunities for employment. With modifications to a standard computer, blind and visually impaired people can find employment in computerrelated careers. In 1990, the Lions Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, created an Assistive Technology Center for use by the blind and visually impaired. Installed in a local library, the center is used at least 20 hours per week by the community s 65 to 70 visually impaired residents. Features of the Assistive Technology Center include: Braille software, voice recognition software, and special laser printers for the blind or visually impaired. As an additional service to the community, the Lions have used the center s scanners to convert documents into large print and Braille. Included in this process have been legal documents from area lawyers, voting ballots from the county clerk s office, and restaurant menus. Adaptive devices enable blind and visually impaired people to participate in a variety of activities including: baseball, bowling, basketball, surfboarding, ice skating, 19

28 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L golfing, bicycling, hiking, and track and field. In other instances, such as swimming, proper coaching can enable a blind or visually impaired person to enjoy the sport. Skiing is another example. Every year since 1982, the Lions of Illinois District 1-J have organized a Ski for Sight weekend. The Lions invite all of the residents of the rehabilitation centers in Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin to attend. In 2000, 94 blind and visually impaired skiers joined the Lions. Sight Awareness Events World Sight Day Each October, Lions Clubs around the world mark Lions World Sight Day with special sight-related activities. While the official Lions World Sight Day is Thursday, October 14, many Clubs conduct community sight-related activities throughout the entire month of October. Lions World Sight Day was created to spotlight the importance of eradicating preventable blindness and improving sight. An increasing number of Lions Clubs are using this occasion to collect eyeglasses, conduct vision and diabetes screenings, and plan educational programs to inform their communities about the importance of sight and diseases such as diabetes that can impact sight. Activities that local clubs can do include: partnering with local eye care professionals or organizations to conduct vision, glaucoma and cataract screenings; offering to work with local schools or preschools on vision screenings or providing information about eye health to students; conducting a diabetes screening and awareness program in conjunction with a local health organization; distributing Lions Eye Health Program material at a health fair, library or community center; and launching or expanding a community-wide eyeglass recycling program. White Cane Day The familiar white cane with a red band at the bottom is used by blind and visually impaired persons in many countries. This simple device was invented in 1930 by Lion George A. Bonham of the Peoria, Illinois, Lions Club. Today, blind and visually impaired people throughout the world use Bonham s invention. Instruction in the use of white canes is taught by schools for the blind. This includes explanations of White Cane Laws which state that motorists must yield the right of way to the blind and visually impaired. In their efforts to advocate for the blind and visually impaired, Lions Clubs often: purchase white canes; promote white cane laws in their communities; educate the public about white cane laws; and advocate for beep traffic lights and other aids for the blind and visually impaired. White Cane Safety Day is celebrated in the United States on October 15. On this day, Lions Clubs publicize the needs of the blind and visually impaired. 20

29 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L LCI Diabetes Initiatives Diabetes Awareness The UN General Assembly recently passed a landmark resolution recognizing the diabetes epidemic as a global threat. It is estimated that more than 230 million people have diabetes. This number is expected to rise to a staggering 350 million by People with diabetes are at risk of losing sight due to diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that transmits visual messages via the optic nerve to the brain. When this delicate tissue is damaged by diabetic retinopathy, the result may be visual impairment or blindness. Diabetes awareness was adopted as a long-term commitment of the association in March The primary objective of the Lions program is to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy through diabetes education, early detection and treatment, and support of research. Lions are especially encouraged to conduct awareness activities in their communities throughout the year. Lions Diabetes Education month is celebrated in November. The Strides Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness program can help Lions to educate the public about diabetes and its prevention. If you have diabetes or if someone close to you has this disease you should know that diabetes can affect the eyes and cause visual impairment. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or lessen damage to the eyes caused by diabetes. That is why it is so important for people with this disease to have a professional eye examination as soon as their diabetes is diagnosed, and at least once a year thereafter. Annual eye examinations are especially important for people who have a high risk of developing eye complications from diabetes. These include persons with diabetes who have had their disease five years or longer, and those who have difficulty controlling glucose levels in their blood. In addition, pregnancy is known to be a factor in the development or worsening of diabetic eye disease. There is evidence to suggest that high blood pressure and smoking may cause diabetic eye disease to worsen. LCI maintains official partnerships with: * National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). This program encourages people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels through proper food selection and regular exercise. ( 21

30 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * American Diabetes Association (ADA). Administers the Lions SightFirst Diabetes Research Program. Since 1982, $3.6 million in LCIF grants have been awarded to diabetic retinopathy researchers. ( * Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) is a public awareness program that empowers communities to save sight. LEHP raises awareness of the causes of preventable vision loss, such as diabetic eye diseases, glaucoma and low vision. More on LEHP can be found on page 11. Possible diabetes project suggestions are: donate medical equipment for diabetes or diabetic retinopathy to a local healthcare facility; purchase glucose testing machines and test strips for persons with diabetes; volunteer at a local diabetes clinic; present a diabetes program at a Lions district or multiple district convention; and contact the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP). Some diabetes awareness project ideas are: * Organize a Strides Walk to promote diabetes awareness. * Show the outstanding new film presentation, Protect Your Vision: The Dilated Eye Exam at Lions club meetings and community events. To purchase this DVD, submit the order form to the Health and Children s Services Department. * Contact local healthcare professionals to organize vision and blood glucose screenings in accordance with local health laws. * Distribute diabetes brochures at local health fairs. * Provide funding or medical equipment to a local healthcare facility for diabetes diagnosis or treatment. * Purchase glucose testing machines and test strips for persons with diabetes. * Volunteer at a local diabetes clinic. * Present a diabetes program at a Lions district or multiple district convention. * Distribute diabetes information to physicians and eye doctors in the area. * Support or organize a recreational and educational diabetes camping program for adults and children. * Organize a fundraiser to support diabetes research. * Sponsor a mobile unit for diabetes screenings. * Implement the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP). Diabetes Screening A screening test can detect diabetes. Lions Clubs often arrange for free diabetes screenings to be performed in their communities. Lions can organize free diabetes screenings for the public and perform the following: 22

31 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Select a date for the screening. This date should not conflict with other community events. * Secure a location for the screening. Schools, libraries, houses of worship, community centers or homes for the elderly are among the possible locations. Obtain legal clearance/permits from local authorities. * Arrange for medical equipment and medical personnel. Government health departments, universities, hospitals, or private physicians often agree to perform free public screenings. * Provide advance publicity to local news outlets. Post flyers throughout the community informing the public about the date and location of the screening. On the day of the screening, Lions can organize the screening room, provide free transportation for persons who lack access, and assist with record-keeping functions. After the screening, Lions can: * Send letters of appreciation to persons involved in the screening. This includes healthcare professionals who donated time, community centers that provided a venue, and medical companies that donated equipment or supplies. * Send a press release to local media. Include details such as the number of persons who benefited from the free public screening. * Contact persons in the community who discovered that they have diabetes. Provide them with information about local treatment facilities. Recreational Camps Lions often support recreational camps for people with diabetes. Sometimes, Lions arrange these camps. In other instances, Lions volunteer their time or provide funding for camps that are organized by other groups. Recreational camps for people with diabetes require: special emphasis on diet; plenty of exercise time; and healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, dieticians, social workers) at the camp location. Attending camp enables people with diabetes to meet others and share physical as well as emotional experiences. World Diabetes Day World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign for diabetes. It is celebrated each year on 14 November. The campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation. In 2007, World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations world day, following the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution in December World Diabetes Day is a campaign that each year features a theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation to address issues facing the global diabetes 23

32 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L community. In 2008, the World Diabetes Day theme is diabetes in children and adolescents. LCI Youth Initiatives Peace Poster Contest The Lions International Annual Peace Poster Contest is an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of 11 to 13 year olds from around the world to artistically create their hope for peace. Through an art medium, using only pictures and no words, children render their vision for world peace Peace Poster Contest 1 st Place The Power of Peace is the theme of the Peace Poster Contest. Lions Clubs can sponsor the program in their community for children in local schools or organized, sponsored youth groups. Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 by November 15 are eligible to participate. Students select a medium as outlined in the contest rules to draw, paint or sketch their interpretation of the contest s theme. Lions Clubs may purchase a contest kit through the Club Supplies Sales Department. A kit must be purchased for each school or youth group sponsored. (The contest must be sponsored by a Lions Club.) Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme. Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international. At the international level, a group of judges from the art, peace, youth, education and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners. The international grand prize winner will receive a trip to a special award ceremony with the sponsoring club president and two family members on Lions Day with the United Nations in New York City (subject to change). During the ceremony, the winning artist will receive an engraved plaque and a cash prize of $2,500. Each of the 23 merit award winners will receive a cash award of $500 and a certificate of achievement. Entries not meeting deadlines will be disqualified. Important dates are as follows: 15 Jan 2009 Kits go on sale from the Club Supplies Sales Dept. at LCI. 1 Oct 2009 Deadline to purchase kits from the Club Supplies Sales Dept. at LCI. 24

33 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L 15 Nov 2009 Postmark deadline for a Club to send one winning poster (per contest sponsored) to the DG. 1 Dec 2009 Postmark deadline for a Governor to send one winning District poster to MD 40 Council Chairman. 15 Dec 2009 Postmark deadline for the MD40 Council Chairman to send one winning poster to the Public Relations Department at LCI. 1 Feb 2010 LCI winners will be notified on or before this date. Youth Camps Officially adopted by The International Association of Lions Clubs in 1974, the Lions International Youth Camp Program fulfills the First Object of the Lions: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. The objectives of the program are: * To bring young people of different countries into meaningful contact with each other. * To permit the sharing of ideals and cultural viewpoints. * To promote international understanding and goodwill, and to work toward the goals of world peace and human understanding. * To develop leadership potential in outstanding youth. * To encourage respect in young people for the thinking of others. The first international camp was organized, supervised and financed by the Lions of Sweden in Since that first camp, Lions Clubs all over the world have continued to invite young people to their countries to attend Lions youth camps as a means of fostering international understanding. All Lions international youth camps include: the word Lions in their official titles; a minimum one-week program; the participation of young people from different countries; and activities consistent with the program s objectives. These activities include visits to places of historic, industrial, educational, scientific, religious or natural interest; visits to the homes of representative families (if applicable); structured group activities such as folk dancing or flag presentations; nonpolitical, non-nationalistic discussions concerning world issues; and physical activities such as team sports, rafting, or singing; and quiet, relaxing activities such as writing entries in a camp journal. All Lions youth camp participants (between the ages of 16 and 22) have a Lions Club sponsor. Lions Clubs, Districts or Multiple Districts around the world have hosted 25

34 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L international youth camps. Some camps have been held in rural settings while others have occurred in urban settings, college dormitories and on sailboats! Travel arrangements and the cost of international travel (actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions club. Sources of income include the Club (after implementing special fundraisers or using district funds), the youth and/or his family, or a combination. The cost of arranging a Lions international youth camp is the responsibility of the host Lions Club. If a Lions-approved home stay is added before or after a camp program, the host Club is responsible for financing. The host family agrees to provide lodging and meals for the young person. Lions youth camp participants are expected to provide their own spending money during both the youth camp and youth exchange experiences. In some cases, campers or their parents may be required to provide some financing. Youth Exchange Every year since 1961, young people have participated in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. For many young people, participating in the Lions Youth Exchange Program is a life-changing experience. Traveling to another country, living with a host family, and experiencing another culture are milestone events. The goal of the program is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. Unlike other exchange programs, the Lions International Youth Exchange Program is not conducted for tourism, education, or employment. Instead, it is a unique cultural learning opportunity. Participants of the Lions International Youth Exchange Program must: * Be between the ages of 15 and 21; * Be sponsored by a Lions Club; * Have a basic knowledge of the language of the host country; * Be suitable to represent their community, Lions Club, and country; * Be willing to accept the customs of another culture. Potential youth exchangees can request local Lions Club sponsorship. When multiple requests are received or in the absence of requests, Lions Clubs often conduct speech contests, essay writing contests, or personal interviews to select youth exchangees. Exchanges can occur in any of the more than 180 countries in which Lions Clubs exist. Most exchanges last between four and six weeks. Often, exchangees also participate in the Lions International Youth Camp Program. 26

35 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Travel arrangements for exchangees are made between the Lions youth exchange chairpersons in the sponsoring and hosting regions. The costs of transportation (including actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties, and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions Club. These costs may be paid by the club from district funds (if available), by the youth, his or her family, are by some combination of these sources. Food and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the hosting Lions Club. Exchangees with physical disabilities have successfully participated in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. Leo Clubs The Leo Club Program objective is to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national, and international community. The Leo Club Motto is Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity. Leadership - Leos develop skills as organizers, time managers, and motivators of their peers. Experience - Leos learn the importance of cooperation through the performance of community service. Opportunity - Membership in a Leo Club provides young people with a chance to excel, to develop character traits, and to receive recognition for their contributions to the community. For the past 51 years, thousands of young people have benefited from membership in the Leo Club Program. Some of these benefits are tangible; others are intangible. Making new friends and viewing the world through another s perspective are two of the benefits of Leo service. As community volunteers, Leos often develop confidence and organization skills through this hands-on experience. Another benefit of Leo Club membership is experiencing teamwork. The Bandirma (Balikesir) Leos, Turkey, organized a fundraising dinner. Proceeds from the dinner benefited children in need. In Cyprus, members of the Famagusta Leo Club worked together to create a successful car wash fundraiser. Membership in a Leo Club also develops fellowship and camaraderie. One of the many activities enjoyed by the Tokai Leo Club, Republic of South Africa, is bowling. The Leos have also enjoyed attending theater events together, playing active cricket, taking hikes, and playing the Trivial Pursuit board game. 27

36 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L As members of a worldwide organization, Leos have international benefits as well. Leos often participate in the Lions international youth camp and youth exchange programs. Leo Clubs also participate in the Leo Club twinning program. Every new Leo receives a Leo New Member Kit. This kit includes: a lapel button; a membership card; and a membership certificate. Each New Member Kit costs $5. Lions Services For Children Program Millions of children suffer with poverty and hunger, abandonment, poor water and sanitation, poor health care, chronic illness, disabilities, lack of education, lack of immunization and many more life-threatening conditions. The Lions Services for Children Program (adopted in 2003) aims to improve the lives of children and young adolescents in adverse circumstances through health and education services, locally and internationally. Youth issues include: AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). An estimated 11.7 million children and young people are living with HIV/AIDS. In sub-saharan Africa, 70% of young people have HIV/AIDS. This region also has 90% of the AIDS orphans in the world 12 million children. Alcohol is a factor in the deaths of one fourth of 15 to 29-year-old males in Europe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Alcohol is the world s most widely used mind-altering drug. A central nervous system depressant, alcohol creates a state of euphoria. It reduces mental alertness and impairs body coordination when consumed in large amounts. Alcohol is associated with brain deterioration, liver cirrhosis, heart damage, traffic accidents, violent crimes, lost work productivity, and adverse family relations. Changing Family Demographics affects both society in general and children in particular. In some cultures, it is common for generations of extended family members to live together. In other cultures, children move out of the family home upon attaining adulthood. Changes in these social patterns affect the family unit. Factors which influence the family unit include: economics, war, natural disasters, disease, substance abuse, physical abuse, changes in socially acceptable behavior (e.g., single parenting) and divorce. Child Abuse includes (according to the US National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse): neglect (54% of US cases in 1997), physical abuse (22% of US cases in 1997), sexual abuse (8% of US cases in 1997), emotional maltreatment (4% of US cases in 1997) and all other forms of maltreatment (12% of US cases in 1997) of a child under age 18 by any person responsible for the child s care. UNICEF (United Nations Children s Fund) reports that child abuse is prevalent all over the world 28

37 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L although they are rarely acknowledged in developing countries. Emotional abuse usually coexists with other forms of child abuse. Drug Abuse is a youth issue in most cultures. Children between the ages of eight and 20 often inhale volatile solvents. Young adults, between the ages of 16 and 35, are the main users of marijuana and psychotropic substances. Users of cocaine and heroin are usually between the ages of 20 and 35. These age groups are consistent throughout out the world. The most widely abused drug in the world is cannabis (marijuana), according to a 2001 report by the United Nations Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNDCP). The average age for first marijuana use is 12. UNDCP also reports a global increase in the use of synthetic drugs, especially speed and Ecstasy, which are amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). Introduced in the 1980s, ATS are the recreational drug of choice among young people in the industrialized world. ATS are often taken in combination with cannabis. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) occurs as a result of significant, direct alcohol intake by a mother to her fetus. Babies born with FAS tend to weigh less and to be shorter in length than other babies. Additional FAS indicators include: smaller heads, deformed facial features, abnormal joints and limbs, poor coordination, learning problems, and short memories. FAS causes permanent mental impairments and hyperactivity. FAS is a leading cause of mental retardation. Gangs create a sense of family for youth from dysfunctional homes. Reasons for joining street gangs include: gaining a sense of identity, recognition, discipline, love, belonging, and money. Previously, gangs were formed to serve as protectors of a particular region of a neighborhood. In the 1990s, gangs changed to become sellers of illegal drugs, car thieves, and robbers. Gang membership today usually includes violence, gunfire, graffiti, and drug use. Illiteracy affects millions of people all over the world. Statistics from the World Bank reveal that in 2001, the country of Niger had a 92% illiteracy rate, Burkina Faso had an 87% illiteracy rate, Guinea-Bissau had an 82% illiteracy rate, and Afghanistan had an 80% illiteracy rate. Defined as someone who lacks a fourth grade education, women in developing countries are the largest group of illiterates. About 20% of people age 15 and over who live in developed countries are also functionally illiterate. Malnutrition and Eating Disorders affect millions of young people worldwide. The UN estimates that there are 790 million chronically hungry people in the world. Micro-nutrient deficiency, such as Vitamin A deficiency, affects 100 million children in the world. More than two billion people in the world (mostly women and children) are iron deficient. In Canada, eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescent females. Eating disorders (including anorexia and bulimia), are voluntary methods of attempting to maintain a minimal body weight. 29

38 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Poverty affects the health, nutrition, employment, literacy, housing, sanitation, and safety of children. It is the outstanding economic and social problem in the world today. In 2000, 220 million people in Africa lived in extreme poverty. Defined as living on less that one US dollar per day, there are more than 1.3 billion people in the world who live in extreme poverty, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Psychological Disorders affecting young adults include depression and teen suicide. Common symptoms of teen depression include: unhappiness, feelings of isolation, loss of appetite, hopelessness, apathy, withdrawal, tears, and sleeplessness. Risk factors for adolescent depression include: a family history of depression, stress, cigarette smoking, the loss of a parent or loved one, the dissolution of a romantic relationship, an attentional, conduct or learning disorder, a chronic illness, abuse or neglect, or other trauma such as surviving a natural disaster. Underlying causes of teen suicide include: economic depression, social isolation, hopelessness, alcohol, drug use, stress, life crises, and the breakdown of the family unit, including divorce. Sexual Activity, which can cause teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS, are issues that affect youth worldwide. Tobacco users are usually addicted to smoking or chewing tobacco by age 20. Sixteen is an average age for first tobacco use. Worldwide, four million people die every year due to tobacco use, according to WHO. About 80,000 to 100,000 young people become regular long-term smokers every day. Most of these young people live in developing countries. Non-smokers are at-risk of developing lung cancer from inhaling tobacco smoke. Violence, including the use of weapons, frequently coincides with drug abuse and gang activity. Poverty and a lack of employment opportunities are often the impetus for violent behavior. Focus on Street Children Whether they live alone by fate or by choice, the United Nations estimates that 100 million children sleep in the streets every night. Some are toddlers whose parents have died from disease or in war; others are runaways who have escaped domestic violence. In 1996, Lions made a commitment to aid the street children of the world. Children at Risk: Focus on Street Children (IAD-301) is an activity guide for Lions Clubs. Its suggested activities include distributing food and clothing to street children; helping to build shelter for street children; and working with social service agencies. By forming local partnerships, Lions can identify some of the problems that affect street children. Acting as coordinators, Lions can seek solutions such as arranging for healthcare 30

39 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L needs; helping street children complete their education; arranging for vocational training; and helping street children obtain employment. School In A Box In 1994, UNICEF (United Nations Children s Fund) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) assembled school supplies in a large box for use by teachers in Rwandan refugee camps. Since then, UNICEF s School-in-a-Box program has provided educational supplies to teachers in areas affected by civil unrest, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Each UNICEF School-in-a-Box includes teacher supplies and materials for up to 80 students when classes are taught twice each day to 40 students each. Teachers can use the inside cover of the box as a chalkboard. In 1996, Lions Clubs International signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF to support the School-in-a-Box program. In 2005, Lions helped to distribute UNICEF School-in-a-Box kits to victims of Hurricane Katrina in the US Gulf Coast states. Each UNICEF School-in-a-Box costs approximately $ Donations can be sent to Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF); 300 W. 22nd Street; Oak Brook, Illinois ; USA Lions Clubs that donate $500 to LCIF for the UNICEF School-in-a-Box program will receive a banner patch award. Lions clubs will receive a chevron patch award for additional donations of $500. Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) In October 2002, the association signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). Since its inception in 1958, the nonprofit organization has invited 285,000 young people from around the world to participate in its leadership training programs. Lions can support HOBY programs in their community. In addition, Lions can assist HOBY Ambassadors as they attempt to complete 100 hours of volunteer community service. Lions can also invite HOBY Ambassadors to become Leo club members. For more information about HOBY, visit Scouts The Association maintains a cooperative relationship with both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts. The relationship between Lions Clubs International and Scouts dates back to the early 1900s. In the United States today, Lions Clubs sponsor 31

40 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L more Scout troops than any other non-religious organization. As of January 2004, U.S. Lions sponsored more than 2,913 Boy Scout units which included 86,314 Scouts. Youth Service America (YSA) The cooperation that exists between Scouts and Lions benefits both organizations. Young people (such as Scouts) need the guidance and mentoring of quality adult role models (Lions). When Lions Clubs charter a Scouts unit, they provide Scouts with adult role models. In addition, the chartering of a Scout unit provides a quality program for the youth of the community. Lions Clubs can present the Lions Clubs- Boys Scouts of America Community Service Award to Scouts who participate in joint Lions/Scouts service projects. Suggested joint Lions/Scouting service projects include: food or clothing collections for the needy; roadway or beach clean-up campaigns; hospital or nursing home visits; playground equipment repairs or installation; and working together on SightNight (a door-to-door used eyeglass collection campaign undertaken by Leos and Scouts in the USA). More than three million volunteers in 26 countries participated in the first YSA Global Youth Service Day which was held on April 15, YSA is a national service movement providing leadership development, technical assistance, training and programs for national and community service organizations. As a national affiliate, the Association has agreed to promote (US) National Youth Service Day and Global Youth Service Day among Lions. Visit for more information. Lions Quest Lions Quest K-12 programs are among the most highly acclaimed positive prevention programs in the world. Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence has received the CSAP/SAMHSA MODEL Program award, which identifies it as a best practice, evidence-based program that focuses on the elements that are critical to reducing adolescent drug use and promoting healthy behaviors. Lions Quest s K-12 programs: * Reduce risk factors that encourage drug use (alienation, aggression toward peers, friends who use drugs, etc.) * Engage the home, school and community in developing assets for young people within a unified school-community initiative * Promote the protective factors that discourage drug use (knowledge of harm of drugs, friends who don t use drugs, resistance and goal-setting skills, etc.) * Establish normative beliefs that drug use is not the norm among young people, and provides a clear no use message 32

41 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Address internal and external pressures to use drugs and teaches positive peer pressure strategies * Teach resistance and other social skills, as well as emotional competencies * Provide accurate, age-appropriate information about the short- and long-term impact of drug use on a young person s health, friendships, interests and future goals * Foster bonding with pro-social peers and caring adults in the home, school and community * Encourage students to be healthy role models through service-learning projects in the school and community * Provide evaluation instruments to measure the effectiveness of the program Lions Quest believes the most effective way to implement positive youth development programs and bring about lasting improvements in school climates, is to equip educators with current research, materials, and strategies for addressing critical issues facing youth. Educators joy of teaching is renewed through the high quality, effective classroom tools that are provided. The three Lions Quest programs - Skills for Growing, Skills for Adolescence, and Skills for Action - help students gain positive attitudes and important life skills through easy-to-use classroom materials, solid teacher in-service experiences, and important community links. Our workshops are conducted by Lions Quest certifiedtrained teachers, who represent the highest standards of professionalism in training and education, and in their commitment to youth. Lions Quest addresses the fundamental issues facing schools today, by helping young people develop strong character; healthy, positive relationships with parents and peers; and productive problem-solving skills. Lions Quest programs link local schools with the largest service organizations in the world Lions Clubs. LCI Hearing Initiatives In 1925, Lions accepted the challenge posed by Helen Keller (who became blind and deaf in childhood) to help persons who are deaf as well as those who are blind. In , Lions donated more than $4.3 million and volunteered more than 292,000 hours to hearing-related service projects. Lions are invited to share any news with LCI of their successful service projects for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing Awareness Lions Clubs should appoint one member to serve as their Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf chairperson. On the District level, a Lion is appointed as District Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf chairperson. 33

42 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Both Club and District-level chairpersons develop service projects which aid persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Before implementing a service project, it is suggested that Lions contact local government and private agencies (including Lions hearing foundations) for the deaf or hard of hearing. This can eliminate the duplication of services. In addition, local agencies that have ongoing projects may be in need of additional assistance. Lions can do many things to improve hearing awareness. They can participate in health fairs and distribute information about deafness and hardness of hearing. This includes Lions brochures Understanding hearing impairments (IAD-08) and Technological Devices for People Who Are Hearing Impaired (IAD-09). Appropriate for public distribution, these brochures are available in the Publications Library. They can be ordered in large quantities through the Program Development Department at Lions Clubs International at executiveservices@ lionsclubs.org. Lions can compile a list of local resources including the names of healthcare professionals for diagnosing hearing loss, the names of vendors for the purchase of new or used hearing devices, and vocational training programs. Lions can also create public awareness of noise levels and support noise abatement efforts as well as donating books and other educational materials about deafness and hardness of hearing to the local library. Hearing Screenings To provide individuals with knowledge about possible hearing loss, Lions clubs often arrange hearing screenings in their communities. To organize a free hearing screening for the public: * Select a date that does not conflict with other community events. * Secure a location for the screening. Schools, libraries, houses of worship, community centers or homes for the elderly are among the possible locations. Obtain legal clearance/permits from local authorities. * Arrange for medical equipment and medical personnel. Government health departments, universities, hospitals, or private physicians often agree to perform free public screenings. * Provide advance publicity to local news outlets. Post flyers throughout the community informing the public about the date and location of the free screening. On the day of the screening, Lions can: organize the screening room; provide free transportation for persons who lack access; and assist with record-keeping functions. After the screening, Lions should: 34

43 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Send letters of appreciation to persons involved in the screening. This includes healthcare professionals who donated time, community centers that provided a venue, and medical companies that donated equipment or supplies. * Send a press release to local media. Include details such as the number of persons who benefited from the free public screening. * Contact persons in the community who discovered that they have a hearing loss. Provide them with information about local treatment facilities. The program objectives are: * To establish an international hearing aid recycling program to promote the collection, refurbishing and distribution of donated hearing aids. * To provide clubs with a means of providing hearing aid assistance at an affordable cost. * To promote communication among Lions who collect used hearing aids. * To closely identify Lions with hearing aid recycling and distribution. * To facilitate the international expansion of the Lions Clubs International Hearing Aid Recycling Program. Communication Services Lions Clubs often provide communications aids for deaf and hard of hearing persons in the community. These aids include: sign language, hearing devices, and hearing dogs. Various sign language formats are used throughout the world. In the United States and parts of Canada, American Sign Language (ASL) is used among persons who are deaf. The grammatical structure of ASL is different from the grammatical structure of English. British Sign Language (BSL) is used in England. International sign language (previously known as Gestuno) is used by participants of the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf. This language features elements from various sign languages around the world. Lions can serve those who use sign language by: * Sponsoring community-based sign language classes; * Providing scholarships for deaf persons who want to attend sign-language classes; * Providing scholarships for persons studying to become teachers of sign-language; * Arranging for the participation of deaf persons in vocational training programs; * Providing sign-language interpreters for deaf persons who require assistance during meetings with lawyers or doctors. Lions Clubs often collect used hearing aids. These devices are then reconditioned and redistributed. Lions Clubs provide support to schools that raise and train service dogs 35

44 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L for the deaf. Lions Clubs International does not endorse any particular assistance dog facility. Information about assistance dog facilities is compiled and shared with Lions and the general public. For information, contact the Program Development Department at programs@lionsclubs.org. These specialized service dogs are trained to alert their owners to everyday sounds such as: the cry of a baby; an alarm clock; a doorbell; a telephone; and a smoke detector alarm. Upon hearing the sound, the dog leads the owner to the source of the sound. Support For The Deaf and Hard of Hearing There are many ways in which Lions support people who are deaf and hard of hearing. In Illinois, the Deerfield Lions sponsor a support group for the visually and hearing impaired. The Wheaton Lions Club presented two $1500 college scholarships to local students who were visually or hearing impaired. In Minnesota, USA, the Lions of District 5M donated $5 million to the Lions Hearing Foundation at the University of Minnesota. The Foundation includes: a temporal bone library, a temporal bone lab for university students, a voice lab for photographing patients larynxes and a cochlear implant program for children as young as one year of age. Lions from New York s District 20-Y2 created the Lions Loan-out Program featuring devices for the deaf or hard of hearing. Local residents can borrow devices such as: smoke detectors with strobe lights, amplified telephones, and doorbell alerts. The Indiana Lions Speech & Hearing, Inc. sponsors two $1000 scholarships for college students studying audiology or speech pathology. In Wisconsin, USA, the South Beloit Lions made a $5,000 donation to the Center for Sight and Hearing in Rockford, Illinois, in memory of deceased Club members. The Lions of District 27-A purchased and installed a public address system at two local churches. In West Virginia, USA, the Craigsville Lions donated a TTY (telecommunications device for the deaf) for a hard of hearing person in the community. The Clarksburg Lions donated four videocassette recorders (VCRs) to a local school for the deaf. The Waldport, Newport, and North Lincoln Lions Clubs Oregon, USA, used the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation s Mobile Screening Unit to screen the vision of 2500 students in the county. The Lions of District LC-7 (Brazil) provided support for a local theater school for the deaf. In Turkey, the Lions of District 118 remodeled a five-story school for the deaf and hard of hearing. The Krsko Lions, Slovenia, donated $9,000 to an association for the deaf. The funds were used for educational programs. In addition, Lions can: * Donate temporal bones for research at a temporal bone bank. 36

45 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Provide sign-language interpreters for persons who are deaf and need assistance during meetings with lawyers or doctors. * Volunteer at the Deaf Olympics. * Provide closed-captioning equipment for television viewing. * Help finance medications and medical treatments for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Recreational Camps Lions support recreational camp programs that are customized to meet the special needs of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. With input from experts physicians, departments or ministries of health, or local foundations for the deaf some Lions have organized recreational camps for deaf or hard of hearing youth and adults. For a list of recreational camps for youth or adults who are deaf or hearing impaired, contact: programs@lionsclubs.org. Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project The World Health Organization estimates that 278 million people worldwide suffer from severe hearing loss or worse. Those with hearing impairment are a severely underserved population. The problem of hearing impairment is much worse now than in Thirty million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Nearly seven million Americans who need hearing aids cannot afford them. In 2005, the average price of one hearing aid in the United States was $1,900. Most insurance companies do not cover hearing aids, and the low-priced hearing aids advertised often are poor in quality and provide poor user satisfaction. For 87 years, Lions have addressed the most pressing needs of their communities. Providing assistance to the hearing impaired has long been one of these commitments. Urged by Helen Keller in 1925 to help hearing-impaired individuals, Lions in 2005 averaged US$1.8 million in donations, collected 25,335 hearing aids and volunteered 91,200 hours to hearing-related service projects. Using the Lions volunteer infrastructure of over 12,000 clubs in 48 districts, Lions are reaching hearing-impaired people of limited income in almost every community in the United States. Lions are providing high-quality, low-cost hearing aids through the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project (AHAP), a project of LCIF. Lions AHAP is dedicated to helping provide aids to people who could not otherwise afford them. In addition to using refurbished hearing aids, Lions now can use a state-of-the-art hearing aid that compares favorably to models that cost thousands of dollars. The money that Lions save in using the Lions hearing aid allows them to expand the availability of hearing aids. 37

46 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project (Lions AHAP) is rooted in a continuum of care model involving hearing care professionals and focuses on low-income beneficiaries. The hearing aid is one part of the solution to hearing impairment. Also needed are the services of hearing care professionals to conduct tests, order ear molds, program the hearing aids and do follow-up care. Currently Lions AHAP is distributing two hearing aids through a partnership with Rexton, Inc. in cooperation with participating Lions foundations, districts and clubs, and hearing care professionals. Lions clubs, districts and hearing programs are able to order one or both aids from Lions AHAP. The aids are available to both existing and new Lions hearing programs. Existing programs are defined as those already providing hearing aids in partnership with hearing care professionals and have the process in place for identifying eligible recipients. New Lions hearing programs are those interested in distributing the two Rexton aids, but do not have an existing structure in place. Lions AHAP will assist Lions clubs and districts wishing to begin distributing the aid. LCI International Relations Initiatives All individuals are citizens of their community and their nation. A Lion is something more - a citizen of the world. The First Object of Lions Clubs International, To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world, recognizes the fundamental reality of our age that community or national interest can no longer be attained in isolation from world interest. Lions international relations programs include International Friendship Programs: * International Relations Month. * Lions Day with the United Nations. * World Peace Day. * Club Twinning. * International Peace Poster Contest. * International Cultural Exchanges. * Stamp Collecting and Exchanging. International Relations Month Lions Clubs International recognizes October as International Relations Month. This is an ideal time to initiate an international relations project. On the second Thursday of October, Lions celebrate World Sight Day. On October 14, Lions celebrate United Nations Day. This commemorates the day in 1945 when the United Nations Charter came into effect. 38

47 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Clubs of any size can easily implement an international night project. With a little initiative, imagination and enthusiasm, international night can become a valuable project and an excellent means of gaining local publicity. Guests of honor can include official government representatives, such as ambassadors or consuls. Visiting exchange and overseas students and recently settled emigrants should also be invited. The local news media may enjoy reporting on this colorful event. Likewise, international night can be a district function. The district can select specific countries or ethnic groups to honor. Organizers serve a traditional meal and decorate the meeting place with flags and travel posters. Local talent can perform traditional dances and sing folk songs. The wearing of traditional garb adds pageantry and beauty. If a specific country is not designated, the organizer can feature foods, apparel, folk and cultural history from various countries, creating a truly international night. Lions Day with the UN For more than 20 years, Lions have celebrated their historical relationship with the United Nations (UN) with the annual Lions Day with the UN event held at UN headquarters in New York City. The day-long program is held on a Friday in March. Attendance is limited to the first 600 paid registrants. Lions, Leos, and their guests can attend. World Peace Day Lions around the world celebrate World Peace Day on January 24. World Peace Day provides an opportunity for Lions to promote world peace according to local customs. A peace rally may be an acceptable method of celebrating in one country or participating in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest may be the preferred celebration method in another country. While it is recognized that the striving towards the goal of peace be respected by Lions Clubs throughout the world on a regular basis, it is felt that the identification of a specific day will help motivate individuals to renew their dedication to peace within the world. Club Twinning The International Club Twinning Program is a voluntary and mutual agreement between Clubs in different countries. Lions and Leos can participate; however, twinning should occur between like Clubs (i.e. Lions with Lions, Leos with Leos). The purpose of twinning is to give Clubs from various cultures an opportunity to learn about one another. Through correspondence, the twinning partners actively illustrate the first object of the association, To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. 39

48 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Although some clubs hold a special ceremony to commemorate a twinning relationship, Lions Clubs International does not require a formal ceremony to be eligible for twinning recognition. If twinning is a new activity for your Club, be advised that no single program is in effect for the entire association. Selection of a twin, contents of correspondence, and the extent of communication or cooperation between Clubs varies according to personalities and desires of those involved. Twinning is not to be initiated to persuade others to adopt your ways, or entered into with the expectation of financial or material assistance. Twinning should provide its participants with an opportunity to learn from one another, realizing that in exchanging information and opinions, it is not always necessary to reach agreement in order to learn from the experience. Peace Poster Contest The Lions International Annual Peace Poster Contest is an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of 11 to 13 year olds from around the world to artistically create their hope for peace. Through an art medium, using only pictures and no words, children render their vision for world peace. See pages for more information on the Peace Poster Contest. International Cultural Exchanges After the public display of artwork, essays, handicrafts, poetry, or musical compositions in its country of origin, other Lions clubs often arrange for the public display of these cultural works in other locations around the world. These are Lion-to-Lion international cultural exchanges. Stamp Collecting and Exchanging Six winners of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest have been selected to appear as United Nations' International Day of Peace stamps. The stamps were made available for purchase in September 2004 through the United Nations Postal Administration at UN post offices in Geneva, New York, and Vienna. Lions can join the Lions International Stamp Club (LISC). The group formed during the 34th Lions International Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, in Melvin Jones was an avid stamp collector and a charter member of LISC. The purpose of LISC is to foster and develop the avocation of stamp collecting among Lions, Leos, Lionesses, and their families and to increase international goodwill among Lions. It is an affiliate organization of Lions Clubs International and holds an annual meeting during the Lions international convention. More than 100 countries have issued Lions logo postage stamps in recognition of Lions Club activities. The first Lions stamp was issued by Cuba during the 24th Lions Clubs 40

49 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L International Convention in Havana in Members can participate in activities such as stamp exchanges and used stamp collection programs for charitable and community service. LCI International Assistance Programs Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Overview Lions Clubs International Foundation, or LCIF, is Lions helping Lions serve the world. Donations provide funding in the form of grants to financially assist Lions districts with large-scale humanitarian projects that are too extensive for Lions to finance on their own. The Foundation aids Lions in making a greater impact in their local communities, as well as around the world. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide. Grants provide both immediate assistance following natural disasters and long-term disaster relief for reconstruction efforts. Grants help preserve sight, combat disability, promote health or serve youth. Every dollar donated to LCIF goes toward a grant. Lions support is crucial as donations from Lions provide the majority of LCIF s revenue. LCIF receives a small amount of funding from foundations and corporations. It receives no club dues. LCIF is truly Lions helping Lions. Since LCIF began in 1968, it has awarded 9,000 grants totaling $640 million. Donations LCIF is Lions helping Lions serve others. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide. Contributions to LCIF are a great way to make a difference in people s lives. Every dollar donated to LCIF goes toward a grant. (The foundation s administrative costs are paid for by interest on investments.) Every donation helps someone lead a healthier or more productive life. The support of Lions is crucial to LCIF. Donations from Lions provide most of the revenue received by LCIF. (LCIF receives a small amount of funding from foundations and corporations. It receives no part of club dues.) In other words, Lions provide the funding for LCIF s grants. Grants Standard grants provide matching funds of up to $75,000 to expand or initiate Lions humanitarian projects such as schools, camps and homes for the disabled or 41

50 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L disadvantaged youth. Lions have built countless schools and playgrounds, constructed Lions youth camps and shelters, and purchased mobile screening units. SightFirst grants target preventable and reversible blindness worldwide but particularly in developing countries. Lions have built or upgraded hundreds of Lions eye hospitals, trained eye health care workers and provided sight-saving surgeries. All funds raised through Campaign SightFirst II will go toward future SightFirst grants. Core 4 grants provide up to $200,000 for large-scale projects that preserve sight, combat disability, promote health or serve youth. In addition to grants for diabetes, low-vision and other sight initiatives, Core-4 grants include funding to assist districts in expanding or implementing Lions Quest, a schools-based life-skills program. Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Lions have built countless homes for those in need. International Assistance Grants (IAG) provide between $5,000 and $30,000 for projects between Lions clubs in a developed country and Lions clubs in an undeveloped country. Funds assist Lions in crossing borders for humanitarian service. The Lions of Japan hold an annual medical clinic in the Philippines, Lions in California have held eyeglass missions in Latin America and Lions of France have built numerous latrines and water wells in Mali. Emergency grants provide up to $10,000 for districts affected by a natural disaster that affects at least 100 people, including tornados, hurricanes, floods and typhoons. LCIF typically awards over $2 million in emergency grant funding each year for immediate disaster relief. Designated grants represent restricted funds that LCIF handles for donors supporting a particular cause. Money is spent solely as directed; funds are not applied to the general humanitarian grant fund. Recent designated funds include the tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Campaign SightFirst II. Collaborative Partners Through collaborations with not-for-profits, LCIF leverages its resources and accomplishes much more than it could on its own. Major collaborative partners are: The Carter Center. LCIF has awarded the Carter Center more than $38 million (and other non-profits $5.5 million) to prevent river blindness in Latin America and Africa. So far, 114 million treatments of Mectizan have been delivered. The eradication of the disease in Latin America is possible by LCIF also is partnering with the Carter Center to battle trachoma in three nations. The Global Health and Education Foundation (GHEF). In May 2008, GHEF gave LCIF the largest donation in its 40-year history. Through Operation Global Vision, GHEF s US$7.5 million gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by LCIF to total $15 42

51 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L million for cataract surgeries and access to eye care in developing countries. Operation Global Vision will provide the gift of sight to 270,000 people over five years. Habitat for Humanity International. In 1999, LCIF began a partnership with Habitat and committed $12 million to build homes for people with disabilities. A total of 1,000 homes have been built or approved for construction so far. The program is currently operating on an extension and will last until all of the funding is fully expended. Countries (where Lions-Habitat home constructions have taken place: Canada, Korea, Poland, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Philippines, Hungary, United States and Romania, to name a few. Special Olympics. The Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program began with the approval of a $3.28 million grant to Special Olympics in September A second grant, in the amount of $2 million, was awarded in April 2003 to extend the partnership. At the October 2004 Board of Trustees meeting, a $3.85 million grant was approved to extend the partnership for 30 additional months. The grant funds 270 Opening Eyes screening events worldwide with volunteer support from several thousand Lions clubs. At the October 2007 Board of Trustees meeting, an additional grant for $1 million was approved to extend the partnership one-year to December Since the program s inception, more than 100,000 athletes have been screened with prescription eyewear provided to more than 44,000 athletes. To date, LCIF has awarded $10.13 million to Special Olympics for the Opening Eyes program. Corporate Partners LCIF is grateful for the generosity of its corporate partners. They share not just funds but a spirit of humanitarianism and a dedication to improve the lives of the needy. Thanks to these partners, LCIF has been able to expand programs, establish new initiatives and extend its service to others. Major corporate partners are: Allergan. Allergan has been collaborating with LCIF for a number of years, with particular interest in glaucoma. Allergan provided $50,000 to LCIF for the update of the Lions Eye Health Program materials in Recently, they awarded $75,000 to carry out 10 glaucoma screenings in high-risk populations in the United States to develop the All Eyes on the Family program with LCIF. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. $150,000 for the Lions health education activities in Mali and Niger as part of the West African Water Initiative. The five-year grant helps Lions mobilize political will, increase the effectiveness of health education and enhance trachoma control activities. 43

52 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Eli Lilly and Co. Eli Lilly donated $225,000 for the Lions Eye Health program to update program materials, support eye screenings and promote eye health public awareness initiatives. Essilor of America. Essilor is assisting the Lions with equipment and training for the establishment of Lions lens finishing labs. Essilor will supply lenses and lab equipment at cost, assist in training Lions volunteers on how to make new glasses, help secure frame vendors, and find customers to purchase recycled materials from Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers. Johnson and Johnson. Asia and Corporate Johnson & Johnson has committed $1.3 million to help fund Sight for Kids screenings in Korea, MD 300 Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Latin America. Sight for Kids involves eye health awareness, education and children s eye screening. The screenings are coordinated by local Lions, Johnson & Johnson staff and local medical personnel. LensCrafters. $334,550 of in-kind services to Lions to provide eyeglasses to those in need. Merck & Co., Inc. More than $1 million of donated Mectizan to prevent river blindness in Latin America and Africa. Merrill Lynch. $10,000 to help sponsor the 91st Annual Lions Clubs International Convention in June 2008 Rexton, Inc. In-kind services and hearing aid contributions for the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project Russell Investments. $10,000 to help sponsor the 91st Annual Lions Clubs International Convention in June 2008 School Health Co. $13,000 and in-kind equipment and services to develop a public relations campaign for the preschool vision screening program and increase public awareness of amblyopia. Welch Allyn, Inc. $25,000 and in-kind services to develop a public relations campaign for the preschool vision screening program and increase public awareness of amblyopia. Women s Eye Health.org. In-kind services to develop eye health educational materials aimed at women, children and seniors. Government Partners National Eye Institute. The National Eye Institute contributed $300,000 to collaborate and together with LCIF co-sponsor a survey in 1991 and again in 2005 to benchmark 44

53 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L the American public s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards eye health and disease. Organization of American States s Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD). In April 2005, LCIF and CICAD signed a partnership agreement to collaborate for five years to promote Lions Quest pilot programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. To date, funds have been invested in Belize, Colombia, Peru and Paraguay and tentative commitments have been reached to support new activity in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and several island nations of the Caribbean. CICAD s financial support generally runs approximately $100,000 per country to be disbursed over a three-year period. CICAD expects to invest about $1.5 million in Lions Quest programs in the region between 2005 and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). $100,000 for Lionsled vocational training programs in Brazil and Sri Lanka. $50,000 for Lions Quest in South Africa and Malawi. $150,000 for Lions-led youth vocational programs in South Africa (in cooperation with the International Youth Foundation). U.S. State Department. $575,680 allocated over five years to support Lions Quest pilot programs in the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Lebanon and Hungary. Lions Quest recently received a commitment for over $1 million as a subcontract with the State Department for work in Eastern Europe. Contributing To LCIF Contributions to LCIF are a wonderful way to make a difference in people s lives. Every dollar donated goes toward a grant as the foundation s administrative costs are paid for by earnings from investments. Every dollar donated is leveraged. LCIF grants are commonly matched with local funding, meaning a contribution is worth substantially more than its face value. Contributing Member. What do nearly 100,000 Lions have in common each year? They become Contributing Members by donating at least $20 to LCIF. The Contributing Membership program is an annual program that recognizes three levels of support: $20, $50 and $100. For $20, donors receive a Contributing Member lapel pin identifying the fiscal year in which the donation is made. For $50, donors receive a pin and a silver wreath. For $100, donors receive a pin and a gold wreath. The pin design changes every year. Contributing membership donations are used to support LCIF grant programs. Contributing Memberships are a great vehicle for making a difference in the lives of others: $20 can provide cataract surgery in Africa and South Asia. $50 can support a diabetic retinopathy eye exam in developing countries. $100 can make possible a low vision eye exam and glasses in the industrialized world. $1,000 can provide a vital surgical tool. 45

54 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Contributions can be made by completing the Contribution Form/MJF form (LCIF- 42) and mailing it to LCIF. Your club will be awarded a 100% Member Support banner patch and chevron for the first year of 100% Contributing Membership. For each subsequent year of 100% Contributing Membership, your club will receive a chevron. The most efficient way for clubs to handle Contributing Member donations is to accumulate all contributions and send them at one time to LCIF Donor Services. Please remember to include a list of donor names for appropriate recognition. Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the backbone of LCIF, providing 70 percent of the foundation s revenue. A recognition of humanitarian work, an MJF is an honor presented to those who donate $1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others. Melvin Jones Fellows receive an attractive lapel pin, a plaque and a congratulatory letter. Melvin Jones Fellows who make additional $1,000 donations to LCIF, or in whose name $1,000 donations are made, become part of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Progressive program. Progressive Melvin Jones Fellows receive a new lapel pin and congratulatory letter for each subsequent $1,000 donation. (The first lapel pin is a onediamond yellow gold pin. For each $1,000 donation thereafter another diamond is added to the pin.) To apply for a fellowship, complete the MJF Application form (LCIF-42M). For the recognitions available, download the LCIF Recognition Programs form (LCIF-42R). Contributions can be made by individuals (including non-lions), clubs or districts. Contributions can be made in one sum, or in installments of a minimum of $100 over a five-year period. It is possible to make a donation and choose the MJF recipient later. Write Melvin Jones Fellow to be named later on the check or bank draft. When an individual s or group of individuals personal donation(s) are accumulated for a club s use to select a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient, LCIF needs the signed consent of the donors. When a club s donation(s) are accumulated for a fellowship recipient to be selected by the district, LCIF needs the signed consent of the club. Please include such documentation with the completed MJF application that is sent to LCIF Donor Services. Melvin Jones Fellows are honored each year at the Melvin Jones Fellow Luncheon on Thursday during the International Convention. The luncheon also typically includes a presentation to 100 percent Melvin Jones clubs and to individuals who have supported LCIF and the showing of a LCIF video. 46

55 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Melvin Jones Fellows frequently asked questions: * The Fellowship was established in 1973 and the Progressive program began in 1986 in response to Lions request for a way to extend their commitment to LCIF. * Donations through MJFs provide 70 percent of the Foundation s annual revenue. * There are 100 levels in the Progressive program. * Most of the funds raised during the first Campaign SightFirst were through MJF donations. * There are 281,850 MJFs worldwide and 50,582 PMJFs * The MJF luncheon began in 1984 and has been held at each convention since * All MJFs are invited to the annual luncheon and their names are on a rotating computer list of donors in the MJF room at International Headquarters * The MJF is LCIF s highest honor Lions Legacy Program. The Lions Legacy Program permits LCIF to offer gift annuities with attractive rates of return and tax savings (where applicable). An annuity offers peace of mind through lifetime payments while providing a valuable charitable contribution to LCIF. A gift annuity offers outstanding tax benefits. In the United States, you get a federal (and perhaps) state income tax deduction in the year you make the gift. Additionally, part of each payment is tax free for a number of years as well. Gift annuities enable you to provide for your own financial needs while supporting a cause you believe in and can trust. Lions ALERT Program The objective of the Lions ALERT Program is to develop a plan of action in case of a Level One (affecting a few people), Level Two (affecting a community) or Level Three emergency (affecting hundreds or thousands of people in a region). The emergency may be a natural disaster, a man-made disaster or a public healthcare crisis such as a large-scale (pandemic) influenza (flu) outbreak. In March 2009, The International Association of Lions Clubs signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This partnership encourages Lions to participate in IFRC disaster preparedness training. Lions are also encouraged to help the US Department of Health and Human Services disseminate information about preparing for pandemic flu. takethelead/. Learn how to prepare your community, your club, and your family. To 47

56 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L learn about pandemic flu, log onto To develop a Lions ALERT plan, appoint a Lions ALERT chairperson who will assemble a team of volunteers and emergency service professionals. Lions Emergency/Non-Emergency Assistance Lions projects exist in 205 countries or geographical areas. You can: Volunteer to help re-build a home destroyed by a natural disaster; Donate supplies for a Lions vision screening project; or Request assistance for a Lions medical mission project. Every offer is appreciated. Every request is sincere. In , 44,997 Lions clubs donated an estimated 33 million hours of service to the community and $601 million to charitable causes. With your help, Lions can accomplish even more. LCI Cultural & Environmental Programs Based on the Third Object of Lions, the new Lions Cultural Program was officially approved in October The purpose of this program is to take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community. This new program is an opportunity to encourage Lions Clubs to organize activities that celebrate culture and improve the community. Cultural Programs Culture is defined as "behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions and all other products of human work and thought; characteristic of a community. "Lions can promote their individual cultures by sponsoring an arts festival, a talent show, a music concert, a sponsored race or a sports event. All of these projects provide methods of connecting Lions with their communities. Lions often implement cultural programs for children, the blind, the elderly, and the physically or mentally challenged. The position of Cultural and Community Activities District Chairperson was formally approved in October The role of the chairperson is to encourage club members to develop successful cultural and community projects. Following are some ideas for Cultural Projects that your Club might consider. Art Project Suggestions: * Arranging a public art exhibit. The artists can be members of a local art league, an art school, an art class from a local school, or the general public. Publicize the event * Sponsoring a photography contest. Offer a prize, e.g., a camera, for the winner. * Providing financial support for a local artist or art league. 48

57 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Inviting an art class for a trip to a local art museum. Include physically or mentally challenged students as well. * Donating art books to the local library. * Commissioning new public art for the community. * Arranging an art auction as a club fundraiser. Civic Outreach Project Suggestions: * Arrange for students or the elderly to attend a museum exhibit. * Sponsor an outstanding citizen award. * Offer a computer workshop for the elderly. * Provide cultural opportunities for physically or mentally challenged persons. Clothing and Craft Project Suggestions: * Sponsor a fashion show as a fundraiser. * Feature current fashions for women, men and children * Arrange a historical fashion show featuring fashions through the ages * Support a clothing contest such as a fancy dress competition * Provide financial backing for a local dress designer or tailor * Organize a craft fair featuring local artisans Dance Projects Suggestions: * Organize a local dance recital. The dancers could be students or local professionals. * Invite recognized dance troupes to your community. * Sponsor a trip to a professional dance event for student dancers. * Arrange a dance contest for dancers of all ages. Present prizes to the best dancers in different age categories. * Sponsor a formal dance for the elderly. Food Project Suggestions: * Arrange a food festival featuring local fare. * Publish a cookbook of local cuisine. * Provide financial assistance for a student of food science. * Create a fundraising meal; for example, a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner. History/Restoration Project Suggestions: * Support restoration efforts of local architecture and historic landmarks. * Volunteer to help restore local works of art such as public statues or fountains. 49

58 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Exhibit a historical perspective of your community. * Work with local historic societies to preserve important artifacts including public documents and the personal effects of prominent residents. * Sponsor an outing for students to a local historical society. Language Projects Suggestions: * Work with the language departments of local schools to organize an international event. * Encourage young people to develop an appreciation for their own language and other languages. * Provide scholarships for students of language. * Sponsor a public speaking contest for local youth. * Organize a public lecture series. Literature Project Suggestions: * Arrange for a public reading of a book or poetry by a local author. * Sponsor a short story or poetry writing contest. Arrange for the winning entries to be published in the local newspaper. * Purchase new books for the local library or school. * To encourage literacy in young children, establish a public storybook hour. * Organize a reading club for children. Offer prizes for avid readers. * Sponsor a used book sale. * Donate $500 to LCIF for the UNICEF School-in-a-Box Program and receive a Lions/UNICEF School-in-a-Box banner patch award. Music Project Suggestions: * Arrange a concert of modern or classical music. * Provide encouragement and financial support for local music groups, including bands, orchestras, choirs, vocalists, etc. * Work with local schools to provide musical instruments for student use. Help the school maintain the instruments. * Purchase new sheet music for school music programs. Recreation Project Suggestions: * Support a local sports team. * Volunteer to help with Special Olympics events. * Provide sports equipment to a local sports league. * Sponsor an outing to a local sports event. 50

59 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L * Build or maintain a local park, nature trail, sensory park, etc. * Volunteer to build or repair playground equipment for public parks. * Organize a sports tournament as a fundraiser. Theater Project Suggestions: * Support community theater. * Organize a drama festival among local theater troupes or schools. * Organize a talent show. * Arrange public theater performances for children, for example mimes, puppet shows, etc. * Donate time and talents to aid local theater troupes build scenery, props, costumes, lighting, sound systems, etc. * Volunteer to serve as ushers for local theater events. Environmental Programs In 1972, Lions made a commitment to preserve the environment. Since then, thousands of club members have donated their time and talent toward organizing local environment projects. Additional projects are included in these publications: Caring for the Environment - Environment Service Projects for Lions Clubs (IAD 219); and Our Environment, Our Future: The International Service Project of the Leo Club Program (LEO 302). Many Lions clubs implement environment projects on the following days: * June 5 is World Environment Day as designated by the United Nations Environment Program. * April 22 is Earth Day designated by Earth Day International. * In the United States, the last Friday in April is Arbor Day. The planting of trees is a tradition on this day. Special days for the planting of trees are also designated in the countries of Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the Virgin Islands. Some suggested ways to purify the air are: * Plant trees - to reduce the depletion of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. * When driving, share a ride with others. * Avoid using polystyrene plastics. When polystyrene breaks or melts, it releases a chemical (CFC) into the atmosphere which destroys the ozone layer. 51

60 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Some suggested ways to clean the waterways: * Organize a community clean-up day to remove debris from oceans, rivers or lakes. * Donate potable water tanks to remote villages to provide residents with fresh drinking water. * Use detergents low in phosphates. To protect the land for plants and animals: * Create a community compost heap. * Recycle paper, glass, aluminum, plastic and other materials. * Avoid purchasing products made from endangered species such as ivory, coral or animal pelts. Environmental Photo Contest Every Lion (from a club in good standing) can enter a photograph of his or her immediate surroundings into the club-level Lions Environmental Photo Contest. The purpose of the photo contest is to showcase the beauty of nature. Lions can enter photographs of their environment (without people) in one of the following five categories: * animal life * plant life * urban or natural landscape * weather phenomenon * a special annual theme Winning club-level photographs will advance to the district, multiple district, and international competitions. Registered attendees of the Lions international convention will vote for the six (includes Best of Show) international photo contest winners. LCI Membership Growth Initiatives Overview Membership is the foundation for the work and services performed by the members of Lions Clubs. This foundation is comprised of three segments: recruitment of new members; retention of existing members; and the development of new Clubs (Extension). Each is equally important to maintaining the health of a Club and growth of the Association. Recruitment Programs include: Year Round Growth, Student Member Program, Family Membership, and the Leo to Lion Program. Building a strong membership 52

61 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L involves the successful recruitment, timely induction, and proper orientation of new members. Retention, which is keeping club members interested and engaged, is important to the health of your club. Retention Programs include: Lions Mentoring Program; President s Retention Program; and Member Orientation. New Clubs or Extension is the reaching out to new populations by creating additional clubs and is an excellent way to bring the services of Lions to underserved communities. New Clubs (Extension) include: New Century Lions Clubs, Campus Clubs, and Club Branches. MEMBERSHIP Recruitment - Year Round Growth - Student Member Program - Family Membership - Leo to Lion Program - World Wide Induction Day Extension - New Century Lions Clubs - Campus Clubs - Club Branches Retention - Lions Mentoring Program - President s Retention Program - Member Orientation Recruitment Year Round Growth Program A strong, active membership is the foundation of the association and its mission to serve communities around the world. As membership in the association grows, the resources necessary to make a difference increase as well. Therefore, the focus on membership growth needs to be a continual 365-day-a-year activity. Clubs that are growing have a strategy for membership development and follow a well thought out and organized action plan. 53

62 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The Year-Round Growth Program provides tools, resources and strategies to aid members and clubs with their respective membership growth initiatives, awarding those who take the extra step and sponsor new members into membership. To ensure that growing the membership isn t put off until tomorrow, the Year-Round Growth Program has been retooled to provide clubs with a variety of membership growth strategies and ideas. Below is an overview of the new and exciting awards and recognition associated with the Year-Round Growth Program, specifically designed to provide immediate thanks to sponsors and also recognizes sponsors and clubs at the year end. Every Lion who sponsors a new member will Letter from the International President receive a personalized letter from the international president within a month of the new member being reported to headquarters. Letters will be sent to club secretaries for distribution. Lions who sponsor three (3) or more members Membership Excellence Lapel Pin during a given fiscal year will receive the Year- Round Growth Membership Excellence lapel pin. Pins will automatically be sent to club secretaries for distribution to qualifying members following the close of the fiscal year. Clubs that bring in the required number of Membership Excellence Banner Patch members in their category will receive a Year-Round Growth Membership Excellence banner patch acknowledging their efforts in strengthening their membership during a given fiscal year. Banner patches will automatically be sent to club secretaries following the close of the fiscal year. The club categories, and required number of new members for the category, are: Clubs with 21 or fewer members bring in 3 or more new members; Clubs with members bring in 5 or more new members; and Clubs with 41 or more members bring in 8 or more new members. The top three clubs (one from each of the three size categories) from Flag Set each constitutional area that add the greatest number of new members and exhibit positive net growth during the fiscal year will be presented with a Lions Clubs International flag set. Flag sets will automatically be mailed to club secretaries following the close of the fiscal year. The club categories are: Clubs with 21 or fewer members; Clubs with members; and Clubs with 41 or more members. Membership Key Program As Lions sponsor new members, they become eligible to earn Membership Key Awards, the association s 54

63 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L highest awards acknowledging the achievements of sponsoring Lions. Membership Key Awards acknowledge the importance of effective recruitment in membership growth by recognizing the number of new members a Lion has sponsored. Each of the 17 Membership Keys is designed to reflect the number of new members sponsored. Keys are automatically issued by International Headquarters, based on the Monthly Membership Report statistics submitted by club secretaries. Membership Key 2 Membership Advancement Key 5 Builder Key 10 Senior Builder Key 15 Master Key 20 Senior Master Key 25 Grand Master Key 50 Key of State 75 Key of Nations 100 Ambassador Key 150 International Key 200 Global Key 250 Universal Key 300 Emissary Key 350 Monarch Key 400 Imperial Key 450 Supreme Key 500 A new member must remain a Lion for a year and a day before the name may be used as credit toward a key, to be issued the 13th month; except where the sponsored member dies, transfers or moves from the community before the expiration of a year and a day. The name of the new member, with the sponsor s name, member number, and club number, must be reported on the club s Monthly Membership Report. (For existing clubs only). Charter, transfer, and reinstated members cannot be used as credit for a key. Only one sponsor per new member can receive credit for a key. No sponsor shall receive more than one key of the same type. Each Key is a lapel pin with a clutch backing. For the Key of Nations (recognizing 100 members) and above, the lapel pins are complemented by a distinctive medallion and presentation ribbon. 55

64 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Student Member Program To position Lions as a leading humanitarian force with key future leaders, Lions Clubs International is aggressively targeting more than 58 million college students in the United States alone and millions more around the world. The Student Member Program is designed to encourage student participation and ensure the dynamism of student involvement in Lions. This program expands our recruiting efforts and gives more students the opportunity to join the association. The program components are: Active Membership: Qualifying students are Active Members and entitled to all rights and privileges, including full voting rights, and subject to all obligations which membership in a Lions club confers or implies. Student Member Dues Rate: Students receive a special student dues concession, paying only half dues ($19.50) and are exempt of any entrance fees. It is further recommended that districts and multiple districts consider exempting or lowering their dues for student members as deemed appropriate. Extended Campus Club Billing Adjustment Period: Campus Lions clubs with student members have through April 15 for the January per capita billing and through October 15 for the July per capita billing to amend the club roster to accommodate the typical school schedule. All students enrolled in an educational institution between the age of legal majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside and through the age of 30 are eligible. Student members are required to provide documentation verifying enrollment and age. Campus club students qualify for both the reduced dues rateand the extended billing adjustment period. Students not involved ina campus Lions club do not receive the extended billing adjustment period. All current and future students involved in traditional clubs are eligible to receive the student member reduced dues rate. The Student Member Program gives every Lions club the opportunity to include and welcome these valuable young leaders. When students join Lions, they bring new energy, inspire fresh ideas for service and provide increased support for local and international projects. This program encourages clubs to expand their membership, recruit young leaders and involve them in relevant projects. Family Membership Family Membership is an exciting opportunity for Lions to welcome and expand services to their community. With family members as the main focus, Lions Clubs International offers a reduced dues rate to its members and presents special programs, activities and opportunities for families. 56

65 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L This program applies to existing or new Lions in and/or joining the same club and living in the same household related by birth, marriage and other legal means - such as parents, children, spouses, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents and in-laws of spouses. The Family Membership dues rate began on January 1, This is a permanent program that was ratified as part of the Lions Clubs International Constitution. The first family member (Head of Household HH) is required to pay the full International Dues ($39.00) and any applicable entrance fee. Up to four more subsequent qualifying family members over the age of majority in the same household and the same club shall pay one-half of the standard annual dues ($19.50) and no association entrance fees. When completing the Family Unit Certification Form, the Life Member should be listed as the head of household. Subsequent qualifying family members shall pay one half of the standard annual dues. Per the associations constitution, formal membership is limited to individuals who are above the age of majority. Therefore, adolescents and minor children are not entitled to formal membership and should not to be added to the membership roster. However, in such cases, clubs are encouraged to allow children to volunteer in age appropriate activities and/or to sponsor a Leo Club for these younger family members as desired. Dues paying family members who are above the age of majority each have a vote on club matters and are counted as individual active Lions toward delegate voting formulas for district and international convention votes. Lions that are a member of a Family unit are Active Lions with all rights and privileges of an Active Lion. Active Lions are eligible to seek a position as a club, district or international officer. Leo To Lion Program To position Lions as a leading humanitarian force with key future leaders, Lions Clubs International expanded the Leo Lion Program by offering an added dues concession to graduating Leos and qualifying young adults. The Leo to Lion Program encourages graduating Leos to join Lions clubs and recruit other like-minded young adults, thus advancing young adult participation in Lions and paving the way for future Lion leadership. This program expands our recruiting efforts and gives more young adults the opportunity to join the association. To provide an extended transitional period for graduated Leos (age traditionally deemed appropriate is 28), graduating Leos between the age of legal majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside and through the age of 30 qualify for the Leo to Lion Program. Additionally, in the event that a group of graduating Leos apply to charter a new club with other like-minded young adults, all new club members between the age 57

66 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L of legal majority in jurisdiction in which they reside and through the age of 30 qualify for the Leo to Lion Program under the provision that at least 10 new club members meet the qualifications previously stated. Qualifying individuals remain Active Members entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations which membership in a Lions club confers or implies. Former Leos and qualifying young adults receive a special dues concession, paying only half International Dues of $19.50 and are exempt of any entrance fees. The Leo to Lion Program began July 1, This is a permanent program that was ratified as part of the Lions Clubs International Constitution. Former Leos between the age of legal majority in the jurisdiction in which they reside and through the age of 30. Any current Leo between the age of legal majority and 30 is eligible for the dues concession upon submittal of the Student Member and Leo to Lion Certification Form. These documents must be received by Lions Clubs International by November 30 for the January semi-annual per capita billing and by May 31 for the July semiannual per capita billing. The Leo to Lion Program gives every Lions club the opportunity to include and welcome these valuable young leaders. When young adults join Lions, they bring new energy, inspire fresh ideas for service and provide increased support for local and international projects. This program encourages clubs to expand their membership, recruit young leaders and involve them in relevant projects. Worldwide Induction Day Lions Worldwide Induction Day began with a vision of a worldwide event that celebrates our past, present and our future...an event that welcomes talented new people into our Association and reaffirms our commitment to the service of others. Lions around the world have turned this vision into action by launching membership drives, initiating public relations campaigns and designing meaningful events to honor the people who will lead us into a new century of service. Lions Worldwide Induction Day is a tribute to the strength and importance of Lions Clubs all over the world. Thousands of new members simultaneously inducted into Clubs to strengthen Lions programs around the world. Press releases and media coverage advertise the event, increasing public knowledge of Lions clubs and demonstrating the importance these clubs have in helping and serving the less fortunate of the world. Lions Worldwide Induction Day is centered upon recruiting members. Use this opportunity to launch a membership drive, encourage Clubs and districts to challenge each other in recruiting contests, and furnish practical ideas that are easy to use. Participants receive fill-in-the-blank press releases and instructions for approaching the media so that the event will gain attention and increase the awareness of Lion activities locally. International public relations efforts will be coordinated with the 58

67 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L event to intensify local efforts. New members will have the opportunity to see the importance of their role as a Lion and the importance of our service to others increasing their knowledge and strengthening their dedication. New members have an added incentive to become involved in district events when they are held in conjunction with Lions Worldwide Induction Day. The ceremony reinforces the importance of existing members by recognizing their service and commitment. Few things are more inspiring than seeing new Lions join our organization. In an era when many believe that recruiting new members may be difficult, Lions Worldwide Induction Day proves that people are willing to step forward and commit themselves to helping others. If Lions Worldwide Induction Day falls during your district or multiple district convention, add the event to your program schedule. If your convention is scheduled for another time, contact the Club Presidents within your district to organize a special event. Clubs should continue their current induction ceremonies so that membership growth is not adversely affected. This program provides an additional event to underscore the importance of new members and complement Club ceremonies. Retention Lions Mentoring Program Because knowledgeable, active Lions are necessary for continuing club strength and retention, the association s new Lions Mentoring Program is crucial for maintaining a healthy, vibrant Lions Club. This approach is designed to form a bond between an experienced, knowledgeable Lion (Mentor Lion) and a member (Protégé Lion) who desires to enhance his/her abilities to become more active in their clubs and in service to their communities. The Mentor Lion shares knowledge and experience and is able to communicate effectively with the Protégé Lion. Four levels have been designed to enable mentors to help new Lions develop leadership skills. Each level is supported by its own instructional Mentoring Planner. LEVEL ONE: Responsibility. The Protégé Lion will receive basic orientation knowledge and learn all that is expected of membership in a Lions club. LEVEL TWO: Relationships. The emphasis is on teamwork and the new Lion is expected to achieve a number of specific objectives. LEVEL THREE: Results. It concentrates on community projects and programs with the Protégé Lion expected to take a greater role in club, district, multiple district and international activities. This level concentrates on concentrates on community projects and programs. LEVEL FOUR: Replication. The Protégé Lion has the opportunity to mentor in other Lions who will continue to provide ongoing growth for the association. 59

68 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L The primary objective for the Mentor Lion is to create a relationship of trust, openness, honesty, sensitivity, confidentiality and mutual respect with the Protégé Lion in order to enable that person to advance in skills and confidence and to put these newly honed abilities into action as a dedicated Lions Club member. President s Retention Program This Lions year marks a renewed emphasis on member retention with the International President s Retention Campaign, spearheaded by the current International President. It s a strong campaign built for the Club President. It faces the four most common threats to good retention, provides field-proven answers, and includes recognition for club presidents who face the membership retention challenge. We ve all seen lists of reasons given by members who leave their Clubs. Club evidence spotlights these four as the most serious. All of them are influenced greatly by you, the Club s President and leader. Member feedback often points to the same four reasons for a membership drop including not working together, poor meeting quality, the formation of harmful club dynamics, and lack of involvement. The following topics address each of the four most common reasons for a membership drop. Working Together Dwelling on differences can lead to poor communication and unsatisfied members. Resolving differences quickly and concentrating on positive goals will result in a productive, cohesive group. Is always one of the chief reasons given for leaving a Lengthy/Boring Meetings club. Interesting and productive meetings are very important to the efficient functioning of your club. They are also important to your members. Planning and running effective meetings that follow a well prepared agenda will help accomplish this. Are politics getting in the way of club business? Member Club Politics/Cliques feedback indicates that too often club politics do get in the way. Do cliques within the club snub new members, making it difficult for them to feel a part of the group? Breaking down the cliques and politics will make your club environment welcoming and productive. All members will feel more interested and involved. Once your club inducts new members, be sure to engage Lack of Involvement them in activities that interest them and allow them to take on leadership roles. Members who see they play an active, important part in the club are far less likely to drop out. 60

69 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Retention is an ongoing team effort, led by the club president. Keeping your club efficient, productive, and meaningful to your members will result in many benefits: * A club that is a vital, respected part of your community. * The ability to help people in need locally, and globally. * A club that offers personal and professional growth opportunities for members. Member Orientation New Lions have joined your Club, men and women eager to become involved in community service and to enjoy the fellowship as members of the world s largest service club organization. Their sponsors have explained the basics of the Association, the activities of the Club they are joining and what their responsibilities will be. Still, although this information is valuable, these individuals still are not aware of the magnitude of the structure and programs of their Club and the Association and the true extent of their participation. For this reason, an effective orientation is necessary, provided by members totally familiar with the objectives and workings of their own clubs and of Lions Clubs International. This orientation should be conducted as soon as possible after induction. It doesn t matter if this orientation is provided for one or more new members as the format can be structured appropriately. What is crucial is that every new Lion becomes totally familiar with this opportunity to assume a leadership role in the community, and it is the responsibility of the club s leadership to ensure that this orientation is factual and inspiring. A prescribed strategy is for each District to organize a two-member Orientation Team, the goal of which is to meet with every Club in the district to help prepare and implement a quality program of orientation. A second element of the strategy to enhance membership and Club strength is for each district governor to establish a Certified Guiding Lion Team for newly-organized clubs. Also consisting of two members, this team should be developed to assist each newly-established Lions Club by providing guidance and training, thereby helping to ensure its success and viability as a force for voluntary service in the community. Extension Lions Clubs International has been built on a simple philosophy - bring communityminded people together, give them the opportunity to make a difference and great things can happen. For nearly 90 years, local Lions Clubs have applied this philosophy to meet humanitarian needs wherever and whenever they exist. While nearly 1.35 million Lions representing approximately 45,000 clubs worldwide strive to improve their communities, there are still people to reach and new challenges to be met. 61

70 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L Your club can help meet these needs by chartering new Lions clubs in areas where none currently exist or by chartering an additional club to further assist the community. What better way to honor our proud past than by sharing our tradition of service with a new community? In addition to securing the continued health and vitality of our association, chartering a new Lions club has benefits for your club as well. Building a new club will instill a sense of pride and accomplishment in your club members. Just imagine the impact a new club will have to those in need... and to your club, your district and the international association. It will be a positive growth experience for all. There are no limits to the number of Lions clubs that can be established in an area, or where they can be organized. Wherever a community need exists, a new Lions club can help. While traditional communities may top the list of new locations for Lions clubs, think beyond municipalities to consider business parks, major corporations, medical complexes and shopping centers as well. New Century Lions Clubs New Century Lions clubs, a flexible club format, give adults (age of majority through age 35) the ability to create a Lions club that fits their lifestyle and need for flexibility. Providing hands-on projects and more extensive use of technology to ease club administration, the New Century Lions Club is an exciting new endeavor that offers members: * the same rights, privileges and responsibilities common to all Lions clubs members in good standing. * empowerment to choose service activities based on individual interests and community needs. * the knowledge and strength of over 44,000 Lions clubs worldwide. What kinds of activities might a New Century Lions club choose to pursue? Anything from building housing for disadvantaged people to environmental projects or working with young people - projects that will help their communities and ignite their volunteer spirit. Choice and flexibility are important elements of a New Century Lions club. Quality individuals in your community (e.g., young professionals, emerging community leaders, current and former Leos, young parents and children of Lions) are looking for ways to give back to their community. You can share the benefits of Lions with the young adults in your community by sponsoring a New Century Lions club. New Century Lions clubs have a special emblem on their club charter, member pins, member certificates and other materials relating to the new club. For seven years 62

71 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L following the club s charter date, only men and women through age 35 may be invited to join. There is no requirement for members to leave the club when their age exceeds 35. Members have all rights, privileges and responsibilities common to all Lions members in good standing. The New Century Lions Club must have: enrollment of 20 members; endorsement of a sponsoring club, zone, region, district cabinet or district committee; approval of the district governor; and other requirements applicable to the chartering of a Lions club. A New Century Lions Club Branch may be formed with fewer members to meet humanitarian needs, environmental or cultural needs in underserved areas or to focus on specific projects and activities. New Century members pay annual international dues plus appropriate club, district and multiple district dues, if any. The Student Member Program and Leo to Lion Program offers dues discounts to qualifying students, graduating Leos and young adults. Current and former Leos receive an entrance fee waiver. New Century Clubs are encouraged to use the Internet to submit membership reports every three months. Seven years from the club s charter date the club may recruit adult members of any age. The club may continue to use the name New Century Lions Club. Campus Clubs Like every community, college and university campuses have their own unique challenges, such as helping disabled students, developing programs to eliminate drug abuse, caring for the environment and caring for under privileged youth and the elderly. Lions clubs bring the campus community together to address these issues and make the campus and surrounding community a better place to live. A Lions club on a campus near you would provide the opportunity for students to address these challenges, develop valuable leadership and project management skills, and pursue service learning. Through club participation, students learn how to identify the needs of their community and apply problem solving techniques to address real world issues. Each club is managed by its members. The members determine the club s activities and create programs that benefit the local community and fulfill the student s learning requirements. Students can serve the community in a way that relates to their field of study, such as public relations, political science, or medicine while they develop management skills and gain practical experience. Members have access to extensive leadership training 63

72 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L and volunteer support to help them manage projects, conduct business meetings and identify opportunities for community development. Clubs can include students, administrator staff, alumni and faculty members. This structure builds a strong bond between students and faculty. Each club receives support from Lions Clubs International s professional staff and an extensive network of volunteers. Few resources are required by the college to support the club. Club Branches An innovative way to help Lions expand service beyond the boundaries of their current club, the Club Branch Program gives Lions Clubs the tools they need to reach into new communities and locations. A Club branch is a small group of people who become members of an existing parent Lions Club, but who hold meetings and conduct service activities at a location that is separate from the parent club. Branch members are full members of the parent Lions Club, with all privileges and responsibilities. In many communities, it is difficult to reach the 20-member minimum necessary to charter a new Club. Club branches can solve this problem. Because Branches may be formed with a smaller number of members, they can flourish where chartered Clubs cannot be established: small towns, remote rural areas, ethnic neighborhoods, business parks and medical complexes. Any Lions Club may establish a Branch in any area of its district not currently served by Lions. A Club may form more than one Branch; however, the district governor must be notified that each Branch is being formed The parent Club is an existing Lions Club that recruits branch members and provides support and guidance as needed. All Club Branch members are considered members of the parent club. The Branch Coordinator is an officer elected from the Branch membership and serves as the leader of the Club Branch. In addition, he or she serves on the parent Club s board of directors. The Branch Vice Coordinator is also elected from the Branch membership. He or she serves as administrator, recording minutes for the branch meetings and preparing monthly financial reports for the parent club, among other duties. The Branch Liaison is a member of the parent club who acts as the go-between for the parent and branch, the branch liaison serves on the branch s executive committee. A Branch member is a members of a Club Branch, is a Lions who is an active participant in meetings, service activities and fundraising projects. They vote on Branch activities and, in some cases, may vote on parent club activities. The following steps are incorporated to start a Branch: 1. Host an informational meeting in the proposed branch s service area, after notifying the district governor that a branch is being formed. Invite community 64

73 L I O N S C L U B S I N T E R N A T I O N A L leaders, business professionals, educators and anyone else who is interested in joining the club branch. The branch liaison should also attend. This informal gathering can introduce Lions service and discuss possible projects, among other topics. Afterwards, thank participants for their time and invite them to take the next step: attending the organizational meeting. 2. Conduct an organizational meeting where potential branch members learn more about the details of Lions membership, club and branch structure, duties of branch officers, dues and any other relevant issues. 3. Invite them into membership and officially establish the new club branch. 4. Elect officers within the branch. Branch members should elect their own coordinator and vice coordinator. Duties for these officers are described above. Once established, the Club Branch is now ready to conduct service activities in its own community. The Club Branch reports its service activities and membership changes to the parent Club, which provides guidance and support for the Branch. As the Branch and parent Club settle into these new roles, they are encouraged to hold occasional joint meetings to share information and further promote the spirit of fellowship. 65

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75 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Chapter 2 NM Lions MD40/D40N & D40S Historical Overview - Early Lionism in NM The following account was written by Lion Life Member C. B. Hap Beyer in 1973 and reflects his recollections of the early days of Lionism in New Mexico. Lion C. B. 'Hap' Beyer was born 14 September He was a member of the Albuquerque Host Lions Club from 5 June 1926 until his death. He served as District Governor of New Mexico Lions from 1929 through New Mexico s 1st Lions Club Who were these men who, by affixing their signatures to the application for membership previously presented for their consideration, and, further, by their very presence at that memorable meeting, were to be listed at a future day as the Founding Fathers of Lionism, not only in their own City, but in New Mexico as well? Let us answer that question by recording not only who they were, but what they were, that those who have followed, and will follow, may honor them for their role, and that the few of that original group, who still survive, may know of such honor. And as we list their names and occupations, we do not contemplate the office that any one member thereof may have held in that 1st Lions Club in our state and city, but, rather the thought that the honors accorded them as Founding Fathers be shared equally by each. We extend Honors to: Mr. V. S. Bentley, Commercial Traveler Mr. Earl J. Brown, Retail Grocer Mr. A. E. Bruce, Insurance Mr. M. R. Buchanan, Ice Company Mr. A. J. Coates, U.S. Veterans Bureau Mr. W. A. Disque, Wholesale Grocer Mr. Philip Hubbell, County Official Mr. E. E. Harbert, Automobile Sales 67

76 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Mr. John F. Linn, Transfer Company Mr. H. E. Livingston, Office Supplies Mr. Oscar M. Love, YMCA Dr. E. C. Matthews, Oculist Mr. Mayer Osoff, Ladies Wear Mr. Price C. Pincham, Typewriters Mr. George Roddy, Justice of the Peace Dr. C. A. Schumaker, Dentist Mr. Claude H. Spitzmesser, Retail Clothing Mr. D. A. Watner, Attorney Mr. H. V. Watson, Banker Mr. Bernard Wiles, Gas & Electric Co. Mr. Don T. Wilson, Auto Garage Mr. S. T. Vann, Jeweler These, then are the men whose names we inscribe upon the Honor Roll of Lionism in our state. That we may further be reminded of our beginning, let us recall that, on April 9, of that same year of 1923, six weeks prior to that initial meeting of the Albuquerque Lions Club, a similar meeting for like purpose, and, doubtless, with the same District Governor officiating, was held in the city of Phoenix, in our neighboring state of Arizona. With the two cities of Albuquerque and Phoenix serving as a nucleus, there was established an entirely new District with the numerical designation of District 21, Lions International, which was composed of the states of New Mexico and Arizona, and a portion of the state of California. It is interesting to note that up to and including the year 1928, five District Governors presided over the affairs of the newly created District: one from Los Angeles, two from Phoenix, and one each from Tucson and Albuquerque. Isolated, with its nearest Lions Club neighbor on the North located in Colorado, on the East and South in Texas, and on the West in Arizona, the fledgling Albuquerque Club was compelled to maintain its identity and existence pretty much on its own until the year 1928, when a drastic change in the makeup and conduct of the affairs of our Association occurred in New Mexico. It may be well to state here that I was not a Charter Member of the Albuquerque Lions Club, my membership dating from June 5, 1926, as attested by my certificate of membership carrying the original signature of our founder, the late Melvin Jones, 68

77 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S whom I came to know quite well through the years, and who was, on several occasions, a guest in my home. Through service as an officer of my Club and three terms as District Governor of original District 40, followed by a year on the Executive Council of the International Board of Governors, it was my privilege to live through, and actually see made, a portion of the early history of Lionism, in New Mexico. I make the statement factually and not for the purpose of extracting kudos from the reader. From One, Many But time marched on and the word was passed. In 1927, a 2nd Club was organized in the city of Santa Fe, and by early 1928 a total of seventeen Clubs had been established in the state, listed here, but not necessarily in the order given: Alamogordo Albuquerque Artesia Carlsbad Clovis Deming Farmington Gallup Hot Springs Las Cruces Los Lunas Portales Roswell Santa Fe Tucumcari Taos Texico-Farwell These would be the Charter Clubs of a new District soon to be formed. The Birth of District 40 District 21 covered a large and diverse area, difficult to administer, both because of its size and localized interests of the three states it embraced. The affairs that commanded the interest of the Clubs of one member state were generally of small moment to the Clubs of the other two, as can readily be understood by those who know the extent of the area involved. Because of this fact, coupled with the realization of the growing numerical strength, both in Clubs and membership, of the other two states that formed the triumvirate, a feeling that New Mexico should seek independent status, free and clear of District 21, began to shape up in the minds of a number of our state s members. That led to action and in early 1928 a petition, of unknown origin, was presented to the International headquarters of our Association requesting autonomous and independent status for New Mexico as a member District within the framework of the International structure. What happened to such petition, and what action, if any, was taken thereon, is an unsolved mystery. We have no definite knowledge regarding the process by which we became separated from District 21, nor do we know the source of the designation District 40. But whatever the process, formalization by the Clubs involved had to be undertaken if we were to assume the status we sought. 69

78 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S As a result, a call, also of unknown origin, went out some time in the latter part of 1928, for a meeting to be held in the city of Roswell. It suggested the representatives at such meeting be confined to Club Presidents and Secretaries, which meant that, at best, the total representation would not exceed thirty-four, a workable number. Here begins a blank in the history of our State Organization that would extend well into June of 1929, in which month and year the 1st legally initiated and convened general meeting of Lions of New Mexico would occur, a meeting that would be remembered as the 1st annual Convention of Lions of District 40. District 40S 1st Convention It is unfortunate that no record was made of that 1928 call, who or what Club called it, nor do we know any definite dates connected with the affair. Nor could diligent search at the 1st convention uncover any minutes of that important organizational meeting, from which it can only be surmised that no minutes were made, or, if they were made, they had not been transcribed. As a result, the information, if such is the proper term, that follows is from sources considered reliable, which means that it must be accepted as hearsay. Instead of representation from the seventeen Clubs officially indicated as existing in the State, response was had from only five, from which we may deduce that the action taken at the session, or sessions, was the work of a maximum ten delegates, hardly to be considered a quorum. They debated this latter point and decided that since they were there, it would be wise to proceed with the business at hand, hoping for general acceptance at a later date. Since only five Clubs were represented at the meeting (the names of which are unknown today), it can be assumed that only five Clubs learned, through reports of their respective representative, what transpired at that meeting and were in position to make a reasonable assessment of its various transactions and act thereon. But no general action by the Clubs of the District was called for by the District s officers and, it would appear that the entire procedure was pretty much a lesson in futility. Three measures were undertaken by the assembled delegates: 1) a District Governor and District Secretary were chosen to serve until such time as a general District Convention could be convened; 2) such Convention was determined to be in the City of Carlsbad, in the month of June 1929; and 3) the new District Governor was instructed to have prepared and ready, a constitution and accompanying set of by-laws to be presented to, and acted upon, by the delegates assembled in such Convention. There may have been other matters considered, but these were the three items of recognized importance which eventually would have had a marked effect on the affairs of the District had they been carried out in full. 70

79 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S From this time then, the vacuum was to continue until Wednesday, June 5, At nine o clock that morning, the 1st general Convention of Lions of the State of New Mexico (recently given the numerical designation of District 40, Lions International) was called to order by E. K. Neumann, a lawyer and member of the Carlsbad Lions Club. Following the opening ceremonies, it was announced that the District Governor was not present, for which absence no reason could be established at the time. The District Secretary s absence was also noted, he having left the State. We were also lacking in representation from the International organization, an absence which was to make itself felt, due to the inexperience of the delegates present. A roll call revealed the following Clubs represented: Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Artesia, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Roswell and Tucumcari, resulting in a total delegate representation of twenty, considered to be a quorum. E. K. Neumann was selected as permanent Convention Chairman and A. J. Exter of Albuquerque was selected as Secretary. There was no order of business which brought to light the fact that neither the District Governor nor District Secretary had been involved in, nor assisted with, the planning and setting up of the meeting. Discussion brought out that the anticipated constitution with accompanying by-laws were not present, nor was any member present aware of any action having been taken thereon. So there we were, right back where we started in Roswell the year previous. Without these basic operational items, there was no ground upon which to act as a District. We could elect District officers in a manner following procedure of the year before but we were not empowered to set up a financial program for operation of the District. We suddenly found ourselves confronted with the task that, presumably, had been accomplished the year before, which was, organize a new District. Despite the lack of experience in such matters, the assembled delegates went at the task seriously and, before the meeting recessed that evening, a solid plan which was to endure had been set up and we were on our way. A point which came to light was that insofar as the several delegates could recall, none of the Clubs represented had been visited or contacted by the previously selected District officials. This failure, which later events were to prove, applied generally to the majority of Clubs in the District. No great earth-shaking events came out of that meeting but as adjournment was had, a sense of accomplishment and determination that augured well for the future seemed to prevail. Approximately one hundred (according to the official minutes) Lions and their ladies, together with guests, attended a banquet that evening. On Thursday, July 9, a short session was held in the King s Room of Carlsbad Caverns for the purpose of selecting District officers to serve for fiscal year 71

80 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Selected were: C. B. Beyer, Albuquerque Club, President; Fred Cole, Artesia Club, Vice-President; James Bujac, Carlsbad Club, Secretary. Tucumcari was selected as the site for the 1930 meeting and, with that action, the 1st District Convention of District 40, Lions International, came to an end. A word about the foregoing statement regarding lack of constitution and bylaws. The standard forms of these items, as we know them today, had not come into being by Each District or Club devised its own within the framework of the International structure. As a result, the numbers of these important documents were myriad and varied, eventually bringing into being the necessity for standardization. Melvin Jones Aids NM Lionism The minutes of the Carlsbad meeting were transcribed and copies sent to the several parties of interest, including the home office of Lions International, in Chicago. Shortly after such action, a letter was received from our Founder-International Secretary, Melvin Jones, stating that his office had been without contact from the immediate past District Governor. The letter also requested me to forward the information to the latter individual that, due service in office, he was entitled to an all expense paid trip to the 1929 International Convention to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, in the forthcoming month of July. The offer was forwarded as requested resulting in rejection thereof. The letter of rejection was forwarded intact to Secretary Jones, bringing a 2nd letter tendering me a like offer, the result being my participation in the District Governors session, held as a part of the general convention in Louisville. A meeting with founder Melvin Jones at this session brought on a close friendship that was to endure until his death some thirty-two years later. Up to this period I have tried to make this brief narrative impersonal, but events that were to follow necessitates use of the personal pronoun, principally, to paraphrase a popular TV program of a few years back, I was there. At the invitation of Secretary Jones, I detoured from the Louisville meeting to our Chicago headquarters to look over the records of District 40 and to learn something about how our International organization operated. A check of the various Club files revealed a general lack of information. This resulted in a proposal from Secretary Jones that he would send Assistant Secretary Henry Hill to New Mexico to visit the various Clubs in the District, if I would agree to accompany him and take care of transportation on a mileage basis with Headquarters taking care of all other expenses. This plan was carried out, Assistant Secretary Hill arriving in Albuquerque about the third week in July. A visit was made to each of the cities wherein the official directory listed a Lions Club. We found that, of the seventeen Clubs in existence in 1928, as 72

81 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S listed in the directory of that date, five (i.e., Portales, Los Lunas, Texico-Farwell, Gallup and Farmington) had given up the ghost and had not held meetings, in most cases, for months. The present trip was based on a tight schedule, the sole purpose of which was to learn, at 1st hand, the condition of each Club for determination of a general District-wide program for future operation, and time did not permit rehabilitation efforts at the moment, such action to come later. It is interesting to note that the Farmington Club was reorganized within a matter of weeks, the remaining four Clubs not being back into the fold until a period of ten or more years had passed. Rebuilding District 40 Following the trip with Assistant Secretary Hill, the International office began to push for a campaign to organize additional Clubs to replace those lost. My thought, however, was that we were not justified in asking any group of men to associate as a Club and affiliate with a District that was being held together with string and baling wire. Instead we undertook a District-wide campaign to add new members to our remaining Clubs which could give us the stability we needed to endure, an effort in which we were to succeed beyond our most optimistic expectations. During that 1st period of our actual operation as a District, our nation was skidding with all speed-into the terrible depression of the early nineteen thirties, a period in which millions were out of work and actual suffering and deprivation were common stories in the newspapers. Despite this period, which was to adversely affect so many businesses, our effort toward new membership was successful to the point that District 40 was awarded 1st place in the International membership contest for fiscal This momentum was to be carried forward for the next two years I was permitted to serve as District Governor, placing us within the top ten Clubs, Internationally, in the membership contest held in each of those two years. Additionally, we added several new Clubs to the District in those latter years. The matter of District Constitution and by-laws was taken care of in a quick and simple manner. Realizing that any committee appointed to prepare these items would involve members from different Clubs, no doubt involving debate and delay, I wrote them, personally, with the plan in mind that the 1st draft would be sent to the various Clubs for study and return comment to me by mail. The idea went according to plan and the new Constitution and by-laws were presented to the 2nd annual convention in Tucumcari, in June of 1930, there to be a approved and accepted. We were on our way! 73

82 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S In Conclusion This brief history would not be complete without a word about travel in that period of late 1920s and early 1930s. Owing to time element and schedules railway travel from Albuquerque, my home, to almost all of the cities wherein Lions Clubs were located, was out of the question. Travel by automobile was the most feasible, and least time consuming way of getting from here to there any place in the state. A single five mile stretch of concrete paving leading south from Albuquerque was the sum total of hard surfaced rural thoroughfare in the state. The balance of roads and highways, if they could be so termed, were from the natural soil, with a limited number of miles of gravel surfacing scattered shotgun over the state. Maintenance was at a minimum due to lack of equipment and funds, and, of course, there was dust. The car of the day was the touring car, as it was called, an open job with cloth top held in place by bows, with side curtains to be attached in inclement weather. The sedan, as we know it today, was expensive and just coming into general use. The average tire was of three to three and one-half inches diameter carrying pressures of sixty to sixty-five pounds (the wide tire, or balloon as it was originally called, was some time away). The only difference between riding on a steel shod wheel at that time and one mounted with a rubber tire, was that the latter made no noise. The motel, or tourist court, as they were originally termed, had not become common in New Mexico, adding to the discomforts of travel, not forgetting the often encountered bedbug. Because the combination of car and road, the average speed was in the area of twenty miles per hour. This brief history is intended, as its title indicates, to cover the formative years of Lionism in New Mexico, which period came to an end with the convening of the 2nd District Convention in the city of Tucumcari in June The period thereafter may rightfully be termed the growth years, for such as it was, thanks to that determined group of men who found something in the new organization termed Lions International to which they could lend their support and efforts. To be an officer of the Association in those formative days involved such work and patience, as well as time away from the business that brought in the bread and butter. My own reaction today? Somebody forgot to tell us it couldn t be done! Multiple District 40 Overview When a District becomes too large, it can be sub-divided along geographical lines to form two or more sub-districts. Each sub-district is identified by its own letter and/or number (e.g., 40S). When there is more than one sub-district in a defined area, such Districts form a Multiple District (e.g., 40N + 40S MD 40). 74

83 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Each Multiple District (MD) has its own Constitution and By-Laws based upon a standard form provided by LCI (MD40 Constitution & By-Laws can be found in Appendix I). These Constitutions and By-Laws may be amended by a vote of the delegates to the MD Convention, provided that such amendments do not run counter to the provisions of the LCI Constitution or policies of the LCI Board of Directors. Subject to LCI provisions, each MD supervises the administration of its own affairs and may choose officers, hold meetings, administer funds, authorize expenditures, and exercise other administrative powers as provided in its respective MD Constitution and By-laws. According to the Multiple District 40 (MD40) Constitution and By-Laws, the MD40 Council is composed of the Council Chairperson and the District Governors from Districts 40N and 40S, each having the right to vote on matters brought before the MD40 Council. The MD40 Council Chairperson s primary qualification is that he or she must have previously served as a District Governor. The MD40 Council appoints a MD40 Council Secretary/Treasurer, who also must have served as District Governor or as a District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer. Normally, the MD40 Council meets four times per year, i.e., once each in July/August, October/November, February/March, and during the State Convention. District Organizational Overview Most Lions Clubs are part of a District, which is comprised of at least 35 Clubs that have a combined total of at least 1250 members. Normally, a District is divided into regions (comprised of no more than 16 and no less than 10 Clubs), each headed by a Region Chairperson. In turn, each Region is broken down into zones (with no more than eight Clubs and no less than four), presided over by a Zone Chairperson. Region and Zone Chairpersons work under the leadership of the District Governor. Figure 1 provides an organizational chart of a District. Appendix II provides charts that show the Clubs in each District as well MD40 and District officers who have or are currently serving. District Officers District Governor The District Governor serves as the chief administrative officer for the District. He/she is elected to serve a one-year term at the annual District Convention. The new DG takes office at the close of the International Convention. The DG s responsibilities include representing LCI in the District, supervising District officers, furthering the objects and ethics of Lionism, promoting the goals of the International Program, 75

84 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S supervising the organization of new Lions Clubs, and presiding over District meetings. District Governor 1 st Vice District Governor 2nd Vice District Governor Immediate Past District Governor Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer Region Chair Region Chair Region Chair Region Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair Zone Chair District Committees Campus Club District Convention Cultural & Community Activities Diabetes Awareness Environment Family & Women s Membership Dev t Extension Hearing & Speech Honorary Information Technology International Relations LCIF Leadership Dev t Leo Club Lions Quest Membership Peace Poster Contest Lions Services For Children Retention Sight Conservation Youth Youth Camp & Exchange Public Relations & Lions Information Figure 1. District Organizational Chart. Vice District Governors The Governor and the 1st and 2nd Vice District Governors are a team working together to provide effective district leadership. As the team leader, the District Governor, in addition to supervising overall District operations, is responsible for developing teamwork strategies, coaching and motivating the Vice District Governors, and monitoring overall performance of the team. The 1st Vice District Governor is primarily responsible for assisting with membership development, assisting with the chartering of new clubs, and promoting district events. The 2nd Vice District Governor is primarily responsible for focusing on retention issues affecting the district and for increasing the awareness among Lions about various association programs. 76

85 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S This collaborative team approach not only can improve District administration but it also helps prepare Vice District Governors to become more confident and effective District Governors over a two-year period. As 2nd Vice District Governor, they are able to learn how the District operates, they become more familiar with LCI programs and they assess the needs of local clubs. Then, as 1st Vice District Governors, they assume more responsibility for growing clubs and membership, for taking on special assignments, and for representing the District Governor at meetings and events as requested. Districts currently utilizing the 2nd vice governor position have clearly found that this learning by doing approach has been very valuable to leadership development. Only a 2nd Vice District Governor is eligible to be 1st Vice District Governor the 1st Vice District Governor unless the 2nd Vice District Governor does not stand for election as 1st Vice District Governor, or if the office is vacant at the time of the District Convention. In this circumstance, any club member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of 2nd Vice District Governor may be elected as 1st Vice District Governor. Additional qualifications are outlined in the International By-Laws, Article IX, Section 6.b. The duties of the 1st Vice District Governor are: (1) Further the purposes of the association; (2) Perform administrative duties as assigned by the District Governor and accept and complete other duties as required by the International Board of Directors; (3) Attend Cabinet meetings; (4) Preside at cabinet meetings and other meetings in the absence of the Governor and participate in council meetings as appropriate; (5) Assist the Governor in identifying opportunities and challenges facing the District and in developing long-term strategies to strengthen and grow the district; (6) Conduct club visitations when requested by the District Governor; (7) Work with the District Membership, Extension, Leadership Development and Convention Committees and assist them in reaching their goals for the year; (8) Supervise other District committees at the request of the District Governor; (9) Participate in the planning of the following year including the District budget; and (10) Become familiar with the responsibilities of the District Governor. To be eligible for the office of 2 nd Vice District 2nd Vice District Governor Governor, a Lion must: (1) Be an active member in good standing in a club that is in good standing; (2) Endorsed by his/her club or the majority of the clubs in the District; (3) Have served as club President and a member of the board of directors of the club for two years and as Zone or Region chairperson or cabinet secretary or cabinet 77

86 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S treasurer, with none of these offices being accomplished concurrently. A Lion must hold these offices for a full term or major portion thereof. The duties of the 2nd Vice District Governor are: Further the purposes of the association; (2) Work with other district officers to promote membership growth, new club organization, and member retention; (3) Attend cabinet meetings; (4) Preside at cabinet meetings and other meetings in the absence of the governor and the 1st vice district governor; (5) Monitor the health of clubs by regularly reviewing LCI recap and membership reports; develop action steps to assist declining clubs in coordination with MERL teams and zone/region chairs; (6) Assist in preparation of the budget and other matters to be continued in the following year; (7) Supervise appropriate district committees as requested by the district governor; (8) Accept and complete other duties as required by the association s policy or as assigned by the district governor. For example, conduct club visitations, offer assistance to declining clubs, work with the District Convention, LCIF and Information Technology Committees; (9) Become familiar with the responsibilities of the district governor and 1st vice district governor. Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer The success of the District during the coming year will depend much on whether it has a competent Secretary/Treasurer. The District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer (DCS/T) can meet this challenge by being adequately prepared. The DCS/T should discuss his/her duties and plans with their District Governor, talk at length with their outgoing DCS/T, and attend orientation and leadership development sessions whenever possible. The SCS/T is part of the district leadership team. The DCS/T is a representative of the District Governor. Responding properly and promptly to all correspondence is vital to the success of the District and District Governor team. Official actions of the DCS/T are under the supervision of the District Governor. The specific duties are to: (1) Keep an accurate and complete record of the proceedings of all meetings of the District Governor s Cabinet; (2) Forward copies of minutes promptly after each meeting to all members of the Cabinet and to Lions Clubs International; (3) Collect the Monthly Membership Report from the clubs in the District each month and make copies for distribution to other district officers, if requested by the Governor; (4) Collect the stipulated per capita dues from the clubs in the district; (5) Deposit funds in such bank or banks as are designated by the cabinet; (6) Disburse those funds only on authorization of the cabinet; (7) Obtain bond for the faithful discharge of the duties in an amount set by the Cabinet; (8) Submit a semiannual financial report and such other special reports to the cabinet; (9) Submit all the books and accounts for audit whenever required by the cabinet; (10) Place in the 78

87 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S hands of the successor all monies and records, financial and otherwise, that pertain to the office of DCS/T, immediately following the end of the fiscal year; and (11) Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of DCS/T, and as are delegated from time to time by the District Governor and the Cabinet. District Committees District committees assist District officers in accomplishing District goals. Lions Clubs International officially recognizes 23 committees. The most qualified individuals should be appointed as District committee chairpersons. District committees are activated that cover specific goals the District Governor wishes to achieve for the year and if District resources permit. Following are the official committees: Campus Club Today s college students are tomorrow s leaders. The Campus Lions Club program provides a strategy for reaching these important potential members with the message of Lions. During the three-year term, the chairperson teams up with the District and Multiple District extension chairpersons to build and strengthen this important program. District Convention International convention and Multiple District conventions require coordination and promotion throughout the District. The chairperson should: educate and motivate club members to participate in conventions at all levels of Lionism; urge the clubs to appoint an active club convention chairperson; communicate with the clubs using all the available sources such as District Governor s newsletter, visitations to clubs, Zone and District meetings, and special mailings; inform clubs of the arrangements, programs and costs of each Lions convention; manage and coordinate District conventions and conferences; and manage and coordinate delegation events at the International convention. Cultural and Community Activities The District cultural and community activities chairperson encourages clubs in the District to develop Lions Crew at Work and Lions Culture projects. Introduced in 2008, the Lions Crew at Work Program encourages clubs to undertake projects that physically enhance local facilities such as a food pantry, shelter for the homeless, shelter for domestic abuse victims, a community center, a playground, or a recreational camp for disabled children. Introduced in 2000, the Lions Culture Program encourages clubs to undertake cultural 79

88 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S projects that foster local customs such as concerts, theater productions, art exhibits, and handcrafts. Lions can participate in the annual Lions Performance Festival that occurs during the Lions international convention. Community and Culture Program projects fulfill the Fifth Purpose of Lions Clubs International: To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. Community projects can also include recreation, disaster relief efforts, environmental projects, aid to elderly, computer instruction and citizenship classes. Diabetes Awareness In March 1984, the Diabetes Awareness Program became a major commitment of the association. The main objective of the program is to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy through education, detection and research. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of adult blindness. There is an emerging global epidemic of diabetes that can be traced back to rapid increases in overweight, obesity and physical inactivity. Diabetes is a silent killer; every 10 seconds a person dies of a diabetes-related cause. More than 246 million people worldwide live with diabetes. Diabetes Awareness chairperson duties include: encourage organization of club-level or a district-level Strides: Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness to help educate the public about diabetes; utilize current resources from official diabetes associations to become knowledgeable about diabetes and diabetic retinopathy: visit clubs and encourage them to appoint a club diabetes awareness chairperson; partner with local diabetes associations and health care professionals: lead in planning and facilitating diabetes awareness presentations for forums, zone meetings, district and multiple district conventions; stress to clubs the importance of helping educate the public about diabetic retinopathy and action steps needed to reduce the new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy. Environment The District Environment chairperson encourages clubs in the District to develop Lions Green Team projects such as: cleaning the environment, planting trees, recycling and environmental education. The chairperson is also responsible for encouraging clubs to participate in the Lions Environmental Photo Contest. Extension Extension is the development of new clubs within the District. The District Extension chairperson s position is a three-year term. The Extension chairperson s duties are: Serve as a member of the District MERL Team; Lead the extension effort to charter 80

89 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S new clubs in the district Develop an extension program; Know the geographical layout of your district; Review communities for potential new clubs; Select areas of concentration and plan the organization of Lions clubs in those areas; Promote extension at zone and cabinet meetings; Contact possible sponsoring clubs for assistance; Cooperate with multiple district membership chairperson; Report your progress at the district governor s cabinet meetings; Arrange meetings of key personnel in the communities to develop new clubs; Locate the Lion who knows a key Lion in the new area; and Inform Lions of their opportunity to start a new club Family & Women s Membership Development The District Family and Women s Membership Development Chairperson position is one of the key components of the association s initiative to bring more families and women into Lions clubs. The chairperson is responsible for overseeing the recruitment and participation of family and women within his/her District and will serve as the cornerstone of the District s involvement in the family and women s initiatives. Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf Hearing Conservation and Work with the Deaf became a major Lions activity in In 1977, the title was amended to Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf to take into account people with all types of communication difficulties, thereby broadening the Lion s base of service. The chairperson s duties are: Utilize current resources and information gathered from official associations for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Implement a district plan of action for a public education and awareness program to understand the needs of persons with hearing and/or speech impairments with the goal of improving their quality of life; Encourage support of schools, rehabilitation centers, hearing ear dogs and support services for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired; Encourage support of recreational camps for the deaf and hard of hearing persons; Participate in the Lions Hearing Aid Recycling Program (HARP) Cooperate with schools, professional organizations and agencies in organizing and conducting hearing screenings for children and adults; Consult with people in the community who are deaf or hard of hearing and convey information concerning their needs to clubs in the District; Visit clubs and suggest appropriate activities such as organizing group screenings to detect hearing loss, supporting research on ear diseases, encouraging the collection of used hearing aids; supporting Lions Hearing Aid Banks, providing volunteer assistance or financial support to a hearing ear dog school; and Keep the Governor and the International office informed of District activities. 81

90 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Honorary The District Governor may appoint a District Governor's Honorary Committee composed of past International officers who are members in good standing of clubs within the District. This committee meets when and as called upon by the District Governor. It acts under the direction of the district governor in the promotion of harmony throughout the District. The chairperson of this committee attends meetings of the Cabinet when requested by the District Governor. Information Technology As the fast advancement of new technology is affecting every aspect of our daily lives in every corner of the earth, each district is encouraged to stay in the main stream of the digital world by appointing an Information Technology Chairperson, whose duties are: Create and maintain the District's home page; Establish communication system through between members and other clubs; Assist clubs to submit Monthly Membership Report, Monthly/Yearly Activity Report, Club Officers Reporting Form, and others through the association s Website; Show clubs how to obtain the association s official publications, newsletters, directories, and many other Lions information materials through the Internet; Develop the District's record-keeping system on the computer; Work on other innovative projects; Monitor club Web sites and publications for use of official logos only; Remind clubs with Web sites that only members should have access to member information. Due to privacy policies, the general public should not have access to membership names and/or addresses. Club officer information is the only exception. International Relations The third Purpose of the Lions is, to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world, The Purpose emphasizes the importance of Lions international understanding and cooperation (commonly known as international relations). The chairpersons duties are: Identify appropriate projects for your district such as Lions ALERT emergency preparedness program, International club twinnings, stamp exchanges, Lions Day with the United Nations, International Relations Month (October), and World Peace Day; Meet with Lion leaders to develop a coordinated plan for the year. Work with LCIF and the youth and camp exchange chairpersons, whenever possible; Visit Clubs and explain the importance of international programs; and Keep the governor and the international office informed of district activities. LCIF The LCIF District Coordinator (LCIF DC) serves as an ambassador for Lions Clubs International Foundation for the District. The LCIF DC is chosen for this position 82

91 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S because of his/her demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to the philanthropic and humanitarian-service ideals of LCIF. Above all, the LCIF DC helps create a stronger LCIF, enabling the Foundation to advance its humanitarian work around the world. As a volunteer coordinator for LCIF, the LCIF DC has the following critical responsibilities: Oversee the implementation of the new LCIF Development Plan within the District; Educate Lions about the mission and success of LCIF and its importance to Lions Clubs International; and Encourage the support of LCIF through all aspects of fund-raising in your district. The LCIF DC is appointed by the LCIF Multiple District Coordinator (MDC), in consultation with the District Governor, and will serve for a four-year term, although the duration of this term may vary in some parts of the Lions world. LCIF DCs report directly to LCIF MDCs and are encouraged to work closely with local District leadership, including the District Governor. This position is newly created, and it is anticipated that LCIF DCs responsibilities will vary and/or expand as new aspects of the LCIF Development Plan are implemented. Leadership Development The District Leadership Development chairperson, as a key member of the District MERL Team, assumes an active role in the enhancement of the leadership skills of current, new and emerging Lions leaders in the District. The District Leadership Development chairperson position is a three-year term. The District Leadership Development chairperson receives material and orientation from the Multiple District Leadership development chairperson and works closely with him/her. It is important for Governors to know that, in Multiple Districts, the Multiple District Leadership Development chairperson is appointed by the council of governors for a three-year term and endorsed by a resolution. In single Districts, the Leadership Development chairperson is appointed by the District Governor also for a three-year term and endorsed by a resolution. The Council of Governors or the District Governor is notified when it is time to make these appointments. Leo Club The Leo Club Program provides young people with the opportunity to develop leadership skills by conducting civic and service activities in their communities. The Leo Club chairperson s duties are: Promote and publicize the Leo Club Program within the district. Encourage Lions clubs to sponsor Leo clubs; Know what Leo program resources/materials are available from International Headquarters and provide current information to Lions clubs that request it; Contact advisors of new Leo clubs to offer encouragement and maintain communication with advisors of existing clubs; Conduct two leadership development seminars at the beginning of the 83

92 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S fiscal year one for Leo advisors, the other for Leo club officers; Serve as non-voting member of the Leo district council (if one has been established) and keep the district governor and international office informed of the progress of the Leo Club Program in the District, and report to the District Cabinet all resolutions of the annual Leo district conference. Lions Quest Lions Quest is a comprehensive, positive, youth development program, sponsored by Lions Clubs International and Lions Clubs International Foundation. It involves the home, school, and community to cultivate capable, healthy young people of strong character through life skills, character education, civic values, service-learning, tolerance, and substance abuse prevention. The chairperson s duties are: Become familiar with the Lions Quest programs (Skills for Growing, Skills for Adolescence, and Skills for Action) as described on the Lions Quest Web site and the Lions Quest program informational CD and DVD; Speak at Lions Club meetings, district cabinet meetings and other Lions gatherings and conferences about the Lions Quest programs and know what resources are available from LCIF and provide information to lions clubs that request it; Network with educational institutions and other organizations involved in education in the District; Learn about the scope of Lions Quest activity currently occurring in the District/Multiple District including the clubs that have sponsored the program in recent years and schools that utilize the program; Encourage clubs in the district to promote the program to school officials in their communities; Encourage clubs in the District to sponsor Lions Quest training or material purchases for local schools; Assist clubs involved with Lions Quest to identify local sources of funding to support and sustain the program; Generate publicity about Lions Quest activity in the District; Keep the District Governor and the LCIF Lions Quest Department informed of the progress of Lions Quest activity in the District; and Assist with coordination of Lions Quest training workshops in the District and the drafting of Lions Quest Core 4 grant proposals as appropriate. Lions Services For Children Adopted in 2003, the mission of the Lions Services for Children Program is to improve the lives of children and young adolescents in adverse circumstances through health and education services, locally and internationally. The District committee chairperson assists clubs to provide aid to children. Specific duties are: Become familiar with the Lions Services for Children Symposium Program and the procedure to apply for children s symposium expense assistance from Lions Clubs International; Learn the nature and scope of the health and education needs of children within the District; Network with educators, government agencies, health care organizations and 84

93 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S other individuals involved with serving children in need; Encourage clubs to conduct community assessments to identify children s health and education needs and partner with professional organizations and agencies to develop programs; Encourage clubs to invite health and education specialists and community leaders as Lions meeting speakers; Encourage clubs to involve community leaders in projects for children; and Work with the District Public Relations Chair, Sight Chair, Hearing Chair and Diabetes Awareness Chair to generate publicity about Lions Services for Children projects. Membership Membership growth and development is vital to all clubs. The success of any club is dependent on continually obtaining and retaining quality members to carry on the principles of the Lions club. The District Membership chairperson position is a threeyear term. The chairperson duties are: Become familiar with the District Membership Chairperson Guide; Know the clubs in the district, their strength, weak points and potential; Serve as a member of the District MERL Team; Develop a membership plan for the clubs in the District; Work with the Region and Zone chairpersons to carry out the program; Encourage clubs to select qualified men and women as new members; Provide a membership stabilization program by developing present members into participating members; Hold several meetings of the club membership chairpersons; Ask Cabinet officers to assist with weak clubs; Promote the international membership programs; and Assist the District Governor in the implementation of the District Membership Growth and Development programs Peace Poster Contest The District Peace Poster Contest Chairperson is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the District for this annual contest that challenges young people to think about peace and express what it means to them. The chairperson s duties are: Become familiar with the rules for participation in the Peace Poster Contest; Prepare a presentation about the contest for clubs in the District to encourage them to participate; Serve as a resource person for clubs that have questions about the contest; Promote participation in the contest at District conventions; Work with the District Governor to conduct the District judging; Follow up with the Council Chairperson to make sure the District s entry was received in time; Work with participating club chairpersons to properly publicize their winning entry on the local level; and Serve as a liaison between the District and headquarters for different aspects of the contest. 85

94 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Public Relations and Lions Information This chairperson is responsible for providing guidance and support to club public relations chairpersons, publicizing district activities to the community and informing Lions of District activities. It is suggested that a Past District Governor serve in this position. The chairperson s duties are: As the District s chief advisor for public relations and publicity, conduct a basic training course for all club public relations chairpersons; Handle the public relations for the district, including news releases to all media, and edit or assist in the preparation of the District bulletin; Motivate clubs to promote continuous public relations programs in each community; Advise clubs about printed public relations material available from Lions Clubs International and promote its use for both internal and external communication; Encourage representation at district and international conventions; Assist club public relations chairpersons with presenting relevant information about association programs; Provide advance notice to clubs of the governor s visit with biographical information and photographs; Arrange publicity for visits of international officers, directors and other dignitaries within the district; Store and account for district-owned property such as publications, audio/visual materials, etc.; and Inform club public relations chairpersons that they are responsible for erecting and maintaining Lion highway signs at entrances to communities Retention The International Board of Directors initially approved this position in June 2001, with the specific mission of minimizing the member drops within the District. The District Retention chairperson s position is a three-year term. The chairperson s duties are: Become familiar with various materials and publications on retention; Serve as a member of the District MERL Team; Motivate club membership committees to set goals and develop programs that retain members; Conduct educational seminars about retention for members of the districts; Develop articles on retention for district or club publications; and Submit a quarterly report to the Membership Operations Department at International Headquarters on the status of retention in the district. Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind Sight conservation and work with the blind have been synonymous with Lions Clubs International. All activities are aimed at the integration into society of people who are blind or visually impaired while respecting their human dignity, rights and potential. The chairperson s duties are: Become familiar with the Information for Chairpersons section on the association s Web site and LCI s sight partnerships with professional Organizations; Collaborate with local health care and blindness professionals to help develop and implement training and educational programs for presentation at club 86

95 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S meetings. Utilize expertise and advice of people who are blind or visually impaired; Encourage work with the blind, such as support for and participation in mobility training, rehabilitation programs, education, social and recreational services, and Lions recreational camps for the blind and visually impaired; Conduct public awareness campaigns, which can involve community organizations, local businesses and schools; Stimulate club activities in preservation of eyesight including vision, glaucoma, cataract and Diabetic Retinopathy screenings by helping to organize a community screening event and provide assistance to local health care professionals and/or organizations, as needed, on the screening day, collection and distribution of used eyeglasses for the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program, support Lions Eye Banks, public awareness campaigns for eye health and safety, and courage clubs to partner with professional organizations and agencies in developing programs to aid blind and visually impaired persons; Encourage club and district participation in annual Lions sight events, such as Lions World Sight Day, International White Cane Day, Lions Eye Bank Week, Sight Night, Helen Keller Day and World Diabetes Day; Develop district goals and report your plans and accomplishments to the District Cabinet; and Encourage sight conservation activities through the SightFirst program. Lions Opportunities For Youth This chairperson is responsible for overseeing the Lions Opportunities for Youth Committee that coordinates all youth-related activities in the district. Members of the committee include: Leo club, youth camp and exchange, and Peace Poster Contest chairpersons. The committee may also include chairpersons of other youth activities sponsored at the District level. It is suggested that the 1 st Vice District Governor and, if applicable, the Leo district president serve on the Lions Opportunities for Youth Committee. Youth Camp & Exchange The Youth Camp and Exchange Program is conducted by Lions who have an interest in promoting international relations and sponsoring a youth activity. The chairperson s duties are: Become familiar with the Chairpersons and Camp Leaders section on the association s Web site; Review past district youth camp and exchange activities and formulate and implement a plan to accomplish camp and exchange goals; Establish an exchange program with a Lions district in another country; Encourage clubs in the District to participate in youth camp and exchange; Screen host families and youth applicants; Help organize camp accommodations and activities with camp leaders; Help provide cultural and program orientation to sponsored participants and host Families; Ascertain that all youth traveling abroad have the necessary travel documents and are adequately insured; Consider district sponsorship of a Lions 87

96 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S International youth camp; and Keep the district governor and the international office informed of District camp and exchange activity MD40 Website & Monthly Publication MD40 maintains a Website that can be accessed at (Figure 2). The intent of the site is to provide up-to-date information about what is going on in New Mexico Lionism as well as articles on MD40 administration, MD40 Foundations, orientation issues, and Club and District training issues. Links to various items of interest on the Lions International Website ( are also provided for convenience. MD40 publishes a monthly newsletter, The Lions Roar, which contains articles from Clubs about their activities as well as upcoming Lions events in MD40. Figure 2. Home page of the NM Lions Website. 88

97 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S MD40 Foundations NM Lions Eye Bank Overview The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank (NMLEB) was founded in 1962 to meet area surgeons needs for corneal tissue. Originally, it was based at the Lovelace Clinic (now Lovelace Medical Center). Later as the Eye Bank grew, it was relocated to Presbyterian Hospital. The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank affiliated with the non-profit eye and tissue banking network TBI (Tissue Banks International) in 1995, which enabled the eye bank to expand to provide services to not only the citizens of New Mexico but all over the country and overseas as well. Two years later, the NMLEB moved to its present facility. The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank has been a member of the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) for nearly forty years. Through the generous contributions of the Lions, NMLEB has a state of the art laboratory in Albuquerque. In their lab, they have digital imaging systems that enable them to obtain high quality images of corneas allowing surgeons to select the cornea best suited for their patient. Function The Eye Bank concentrates on the recovery of transplantable corneas and sclera tissue for surgery. It may also recover tissue for research, when appropriate. The cornea is the clear tissue covering the eye. About the size of a dime, this precious piece of tissue is the window to the world. Like the face of a watch, if the cornea is damaged, vision is impaired and blindness can result. Corneal damage can be a consequence of inherited conditions, disease or trauma. The sclera is the white part of the eye, which is used in a variety of ocular surgeries that restore or improve sight. Last year, more than 30,000 corneal transplant procedures were performed in the US. In a corneal transplant, the surgeon removes the damaged tissue and replaces it with healthy tissue donated to an eye bank at the time of the donor s death. Under optimum conditions, this transplant has a higher than 90 per cent success rate. 89

98 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S Cornea Evaluation Currently, NMLEB uses two types of specialized microscopes in the evaluation process. One, the specular microscope, allows them to obtain a detailed image of a single layer of cells on the inside of the cornea. The condition of this layer and the density of the iris is crucial to the success of the transplanted cornea. A digital image of this layer of cells is retained for the surgeon and can be used for educational purposes. The other device is a slit-lamp microscope which allows them to examine the different layers of the cornea so they can give the surgeon a picture of the cornea before it leaves our premises. They are currently participating the development of a more sophisticated imaging device that will allow them to report some of the optical properties of the cornea to a surgeon. The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank continues its long standing cooperation with New Mexico Donor Services to promote eye, organ, and tissue donation around the state. NMLEB s agencies provide donation education to healthcare professionals in hospitals. In addition, they work to educate the community regarding eye, organ and tissue donation. Grants from the PNM Foundation and the Albuquerque Community Foundation have allowed NMLEB to develop written materials for nursing education about eye donation. They also have printed materials to give to families after the loss of a loved one. Recently the Albuquerque Community Foundation granted them funds to purchase brochures in Spanish to distribute. There are many ways that folks can help NMLEB to continue to serve the people of New Mexico. NMLEB encourages folks to make a monetary contribution to the Eye Bank to help them advance their sight-restoring programs. A donation to the New Mexico Lions Eye Bank (an IRS 501c3 nonprofit organization) is tax deductible to the extent the law allows. And NMLEB can be remembered in wills and bequests. The legacy of sight is one of the most precious legacies one can leave. Cornea Diagnosing Technology The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank is one of three in the country serving as a test site for a new technology designed to determine whether a donor cornea has undergone laser surgery. Donor corneas which have been treated with lasers are altered by it and can disintegrate during the transplant procedure, but until now it has been impossible to sort out the lasered corneas from those not treated. Now, Kestrel, Corp., an Albuquerque based science and technology company, has developed a device that can see evidence of laser surgery, abnormalities, and even small natural bumps that occur inside the cornea. 90

99 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank is one of three eye banks selected by Kestrel to test its new diagnostic machine which uses a wavefront sensing method. This method senses the timing of light waves as they travel through the eye. Light waves traveling through the eye encounter defects which it can define as to shape and scope. Previous laser surgery can be diagnosed quickly and precisely. Until now, eye banks had to rely on family history interviews to reveal laser surgery on their relative s eyes. If the tests conducted at the New Mexico Lions Eye Bank and the two other banks prove successful, it will save eye banks, patients and surgeons time and energy. National Donor Month The gift of sight through corneal transplantation is celebrated all across the US with the March observance of National Eye Donor Month. Locally, the New Mexico Lions Eye Bank takes this time to encourage the decision to be an eye donor. Sharing your decision with your loved ones will ensure that your wish to donate will be followed when the time comes. In this state, an indication on your driver s license that you wish to be a donor is legal consent. However, it can be a comfort to your family to know of your decision beforehand. So it is encouraged that you have a conversation with your family now to inform them of your decision. They will still be contacted to obtain certain medical information required by Federal law. Since 1983, National Eye Donor Month has acknowledged the generosity of eye donors and their families, the gratitude of transplant recipients, and the work of eye banks. NM Lions Eye Foundation The New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation (NMLEF) was formed in In 1996, a matching grant of $40,000 from LCIF permitted them to purchase a 34' motor home specifically designed and compartmented for use as a screening vehicle. Delivery was taken of the vehicle on November 2, 1996, and thereafter equipment was installed to permit eye screenings. The 1st screening was conducted in Albuquerque January 25, Under the NMLEF constitution, each screening must be sponsored by a Lions Club in Multiple District 40. In fiscal year , a contract was entered into between NMLEF and the New Mexico Department of Health to provide certain services for diabetics and in return receive reimbursement of expenses. It must be remembered that diabetes is the leading cause 91

100 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S of blindness in this country and the American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with diabetes have a dilated retinal eye screening every year. Scheduling and Conducting a Screening When a club elects to sponsor an eye screening, it is 1st required to secure the services of a qualified professional (Ophthalmologist or Optometrist) to perform the actual eye examinations. Other services may be required, but this one is essential. A mutually acceptable date and alternate date must be decided upon. In scheduling a screening, it is important to avoid holidays or popular events that compete for people s time. The state coordinator must be contacted to see if the agreed date, or alternate date, is open for scheduling. If the date is open, the state coordinator will enter the screening in his calendar. The state coordinator will mail out forms to be filled out by the club identifying the location, date, time, and identity of the professional(s) who will be conducting the eye screening. Qualified personnel to conduct blood pressure, pulse, and glucose levels should be arranged for if diabetes screening is to be done. The van is completely equipped to perform visual acuity, inter-ocular pressure, and dilated or undilated, internal eye examinations. No Lions or individuals should set up medical equipment unless they have been properly trained (certified). Lions and volunteers should help with set-up for screenings (tables, chairs, forms, etc) as well as tear down after screening. Plans should be made and carried out for publicity about the screening so as to maximize the effectiveness and completeness of the Club s efforts. It is very helpful in this process to select a health care facility as a site to do the screening. Appendix 3 provides a handbook that explains the screening process in detail. NM Lions Band Foundation The New Mexico Lions Band Foundation's mission is to coordinate and direct the efforts to sponsor an Honor Band composed of the most talented NM high school band students. The sponsorship includes raising funds for traveling expenses by the Band to attend the NM Lions State Convention and the Lions Clubs International Convention (when feasible), to perform at NM Lions State Conventions, and to make tours across the state. 92

101 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S The 2007 New Mexico Lions Honor Band posing with the truck that helped secure their trip to Chicago. In June 2003, the NM Lions Honor Band performed several times at the State Convention in Gallup. The following month in Denver, the Band performed twice in the International Parade - once for the Korean Delegation and once with the NM Lions. Other performances at the Convention were: for the breakfast Caucus (composed of 8 Multiple Districts); at the Convention Center in concert with the Michigan and Pennsylvania Bands; and at the Inauguration of Lions President, Dr. Tae-Sup Lee. For their efforts in the Parade, they received 2nd Place in the Band Category 2, a great honor for them and MD40 Lions. During , the Band Foundation, under the leadership of President Lion Lee Boyd Montgomery, raised over $45,000 on a truck raffle that allowed the Band to attend the Lions International Convention in Chicago in June NM Lions Crane Reading Foundation One of the State s very exciting Lions projects is the Lions Crane Reading Program, which seeks to improve NM students reading proficiency. In the past, NM has ranked 48th out of 50 with respect to children s reading achievement. It is a NM Lions Foundation. Many students report symptoms of headaches, seeing double, getting dizzy, eyes burning, and/or blurry vision during and after reading which in the past has thought to be normal. Research has now shown that these symptoms are really a sign of some underlying problem, which if not remedied, will adversely impact the student s reading and hence learning, ability. The Crane Reading Program has shown that if the problem is identified, most symptoms can be remedied at the school by the teacher assisted by a vision specialist. Many times, glasses will correct the problem. If they do not, then vision skill development may be needed. 93

102 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S The screening process is primarily a thirty-minute group of tests. The Lion Functional Vision Checklist identifies the visual problems as well as their severity. The Lion Copy Forms (four perception drawings) reveal those students who need visual perception training, which applies primarily for students in the early grades. The Lion Spelling Words help identify students with not only possible visual problems but auditory and processing problems. The standard eye screening chart identifies only about 17% of the children who require help. However, if a retinoscopy test is also performed by an optometrist, it has been shown that 41% of the students are identified with astigmatism. The American Optometric Association performed a test with 10,000 children that showed that seldom is a child s chair and desk at the correct height (should be as high as the child s waist). The test revealed that 5% of five year olds suffered from nearsightedness (myopia). By the time the students reached 2nd grade, 17% had developed myopia, much of which is caused by the incorrect desk height. Children spend many hours in front of a television, which is normally six to ten feet away. During this time, their eyes do not move or change focus. However, when they start school, they are expected to look at small details at arm s length for prolonged periods of time and this is when the sight and resulting reading problems may occur. The Crane Reading Program has been introduced into schools in Las Cruces, NM, and the results are phenomenal. As the Program matures, it is expected 70% of the students with reading disorders will be helped by alleviating, if not eliminating, those problems at a minimal cost. Lions Allen and Virginia Crane ( ) of the Las Cruces Lions Club are the developers of this great Program and can be contacted if a Club is interested in more information. Overview of Program Students in the United States rank 16th out of the 19 industrialized nations in the world in reading proficiency (i.e., to be able to understand, apply, and analyze challenging subject matter in a timely manner). Similarly, New Mexico ranks near the bottom of all states in reading proficiency according to a report published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Lions Crane Reading Program (LCRP) addresses this alarming trend in the State by assessing whether a child is having a reading problem and if there is one, by determining what can be done to reduce it, if not eliminate it. If a child is having reading problems, the Program 1st provides an examination of a child s eyes, which will reveal if eye glasses are needed. Once it has been determined the child s eyes are functioning optimally (either uncorrected or corrected), the child s reading proficiency 94

103 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S is enhanced through the use of templates and computer assisted phonics and reading speed enhancement programs. The Program also addresses other more subtle contributors to the degradation of reading proficiency such as the height of the child s desk. The success of the LCRP, which was incorporated 9 January 2004, has been noted by dramatic improvement in reading skills (to a student s current grade proficiency level and higher) and behavior in students considered problem children. NM Governor Bill Richardson recently issued an executive proclamation that specifies 5-11 September is Lions Vision Awareness Week in the State of New Mexico. The Proclamation specifies the Lions Crane Reading Program as an essential tool to be used to enhance the reading proficiency of children in New Mexico. MD40 Signature Service Projects NM Lions Operation KidSight (NMLOKS) Introduction In 1998, the Ruidoso Noon Lions Club saw an article in The Lion magazine about a new project that Lions had started in Tennessee. The project was the photo eye screening of young children (ages 1-6 years), which is a process to identify children whose eyes may have some type of defect. If the vision defect is left untreated, it may lead to a lifetime of vision problems or blindness. The Ruidoso Noon Lions made some inquiries and found out the Club could buy a PhotoScreener Polaroid camera for $5,000 which the Club promptly did. The Club in turn coordinated with the Region IX Child Find and the eye screening by the Lions became part of the annual children s health fairs in Lincoln County which the Club still does today. The Alamogordo Breakfast Lions began their eye screening program in 2000 and now cover all of Otero County. NMLOKS is now also operational in the Albuquerque area, Los Alamos, Espanola, Taos County, Portales, Las Vegas, Deming, Silver City, Carlsbad, and Artesia. Programs are in the process of starting in Lea County, Farmington, Window Rock, and Las Cruces. NM Lions are now using two types of digital cameras to conduct their screenings the iscreen and the PediaVision. Children s Eye Disorders The eye, muscles that control the eye, optic nerve, and the area of the brain that gives us vision are completely developed, no matter how perfectly or imperfectly, by the age of six. Vision deficiencies that may have occurred during development will be very difficult or impossible to treat after the age of 6 when vision development is completed. Many of these problems when caught early enough can be completely 95

104 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S corrected, and the earlier they are diagnosed, the better the chance of correction and the easier and less expensive the treatment. Children s vision disorders include near sightedness, far sightedness, astigmatism, and other eye problems that can cause amblyopia. The iscreen Digital Camera System The PediaVision Digital Camera System Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia. Both eyes must receive clear images during the critical eye development period. Anything that interferes with clear vision in either eye during the critical period (birth to 6 years of age) can result in amblyopia. The most common causes of amblyopia are constant strabismus (constant turn of one eye), anisometropia (different vision/prescriptions in each eye), and/or blockage of an eye due to trauma, lid droop, etc. If one eye sees clearly and the other sees a blur, the good eye and brain will inhibit (block, suppress, ignore) the eye with the blur. Thus, amblyopia is a neurologically active process. The inhibition process (suppression) can result in a permanent decrease in the vision in that eye that cannot be corrected with glasses, 96

105 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S lenses, or lasik surgery. Since amblyopia usually occurs in one eye only, many parents and children may be unaware of the condition. Far too many parents fail to take their infants and toddlers in for an early comprehensive vision examination and many children go undiagnosed until they have their eyes examined at the eye doctor s office at a later age. Early treatment of amblyopia is usually simple, employing glasses, drops, vision therapy, and/or eye patching. While detection and correction before the age of two is considered to offer the best outcomes, recent scientific research has disproven the long held belief that children over seven years old cannot be successfully treated. In conclusion, improvements are possible at any age, but early detection and treatment of amblyopia offer the best outcome. If not detected and treated early in life, amblyopia can cause a permanent loss of vision with associated loss of stereopsis (two eyed depth perception). Vision screenings such as those conducted by the Lions are needed for all young children. The 20/20 eye chart screening is not adequate. Note that amblyopia causes more visual loss in the under 40 group than all the injuries and diseases combined in this age group. (Taken from an article by Dr. Jeffrey Cooper and Rachel Cooper). NMLOKS Executive Committee An NMLOKS Executive Committee has been formed to help bring the KidSight project to every community in NM. Members of the committee are representatives from NM Lions Clubs which currently have an active screening program. The committee will help Clubs raise money to buy camera systems, provide training, and collect technical and financial data which in turn will be used for grant application purposes and annual reports. NMLOKS is currently applying for a $150,000 LCIF Core 4 grant that will be used to establish a NMLOKS Coordinator with a central office in Albuquerque. The Coordinator will be primarily responsible for handling the follow-up of referred children (i.e., children who do not pass the screening conducted by Lions). NM Special Olympics - LCI Opening Eyes Program The Lions Clubs International Special Olympics Opening Eyes program began in 2001 with an ambitious initiative funded by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) through a Core 4 grant. Total funding is now 9.3 million dollars and extends through Together, the two organizations are dedicated to serving those in need; the combined efforts help a population whose needs are so often overlooked. Special Olympics is 97

106 N M L I O N S M D 4 0 / D 4 0 N & D 4 0 S an international sports program offering year-round competitions for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Opening Eyes vision screenings take place at select Special Olympics sporting events worldwide. In New Mexico, screenings have been held in Albuquerque since 2001, Las Cruces since 2003 and Farmington since Volunteer Lions help with the registration, color vision testing, depth perception testing, near and far acuity testing and the distribution of prescription eyeglasses, protective sports goggles and sunglasses for athletes. Through the screenings of 2008, over 2500 Special Olympics athletes have been screened by New Mexico Lions. Worldwide screenings were over 150,000. Research has shown that among Special Olympics athletes, 68 percent have not had an eye examination in three years, 37 percent are in need of eyeglasses and 18 percent wear clinically incorrect eyeglasses. More than eight thousand Lions Clubs volunteers, worldwide, have offered their time and talents in a team effort, demonstrating the motto "We Serve." New Mexico Lions can be proud of our participation in this effort to serve the disadvantaged. PID Gordon Post is the MD-40 Special Olympics Chairman of the Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program. 98

107 L I O N S C L U B S Chapter 3 Lions Clubs L ions have more volunteers in more places than any other service organization in the world. And since 1917, Lions Clubs have offered people the opportunity to give back to their communities and help those in need. Whenever a Lions Club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That s because we help where help is needed in our own communities and around the world with unmatched integrity and energy. Organizing a new Lions Club gives more people the chance to make a difference, assist those in need and introduce new projects to local communities. There is no limit to where or how many community-based Clubs can be formed. Where there is need, a Lions Club can help. Over the years, as community needs have increased, Lions have broadened their focus toward humanitarian efforts. Each Lions Club is autonomous, and therefore may choose projects and activities that fit the lifestyle of its members and impacts the community the greatest. Lions Club Administration Club Officers A Lions Club is governed by a Board of Directors, normally consisting of a President as Chief Executive Officer, the immediate Past-President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Lion Tamer, a Tail Twister, four or more Directors, a Membership Director, and a Branch Coordinator (if applicable). Officers are elected annually for a term coinciding with LCI s fiscal year (1 July - 30 June). Directors are elected for two-year terms. Meetings of the Board of Directors should be held once a month. President The President serves as the Club s Chief Executive Officer and presides at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors. The President issues the call for 99

108 L I O N S C L U B S regular and special meetings in accordance with the Club s by-laws or procedures, plans the agenda and ensures that the status of each committee activity is reported. It is also the responsibility of the President to see that the regular elections are duly called, noticed, and held. The President cooperates with, and is an active member of, the DG s Advisory Committee of the Zone in which the Club is located. Immediate Past-President The Immediate Past-President, along with other Past-Presidents, serves as an official greeter of members and their guests at Club meetings and represents the Club in welcoming new people in to the community served by the Club. Vice-Presidents In the event that the President should be unable to perform the duties of office for any reason, the Vice-President next in rank occupies the position and performs the duties with the same authority as the President. Each Vice-President, under the direction of the President, oversees the functions of various Club committees, as specified below: 1st Vice-President ADMINSTRATION Leadership Development Membership Growth & Retention Constitution & By-Laws Finance & Budget Public Relations & Newsletter Attendance/Meeting Notification Lions Information/Orientation/Training Awards Nominating 2nd Vice-President ACTIVITIES Diabetes Awareness Sight Conservation/SightFirst Hearing & Speech Environmental Services Youth Outreach/Quest Convention Planning Programs Extension 100

109 L I O N S C L U B S Branch Club Development 3rd Vice-President SERVICES Inter District Relations Club Visitations Public Service Educational Service Health Service Social Service Recreational Service Citizenship Service International Relations Secretary The Club Secretary is under the supervision and direction of the President and the Board of Directors, and is the liaison officer between the Club and the District in which the Club is located, and the association. The Club Secretary s duties are: submits regular monthly membership reports and other reports specified by the association; submits upon request reports to the District Governor's Cabinet including copies of monthly membership and annual activities reports cooperates with and serves as an active member of the District Governor's advisory committee of the Zone in which the Club is located; has custody of and maintains general records of the Club, including minutes of Club and Board meetings, attendance, committee appointments, elections, and member information (addresses and telephone numbers of members; members Club accounts); arranges for issuance, in cooperation with the Treasurer, of quarterly or semi-annual statements to each member for dues and other financial obligations owed to the Club, collects and turns dues over to the Club Treasurer and obtains a receipt; and gives bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in the sum and with surety as determined by the Board of Directors. Treasurer The Treasurer shall: receive all monies from the secretary and deposit the currency in a bank or banks recommended by the finance committee and approved by the Board of Directors; pay the Club s obligations authorized by the Board of Directors with all checks and vouchers being signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by one other officer, determined by the Board of Directors; have custody of and maintain general records of Club receipts and disbursements; prepare and submit monthly and semiannual financial reports to the Board of Directors; and give bond for the faithful 101

110 L I O N S C L U B S discharge of his/her office in the sum and with surety as determined by the Board of Directors. Lion Tamer The Lion Tamer has charge of and is responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the Club, including flags, banners, gong, gavel, song books, etc. He/she puts each item in its proper place before every meeting and returns the items to the proper storage area after each meeting. The Lion Tamer acts as sergeant-at-arms at meetings, seeing that those present are properly seated, and distributes bulletins, favors and literature as required at Club and board meetings. He/she ensures that new members are welcomed to the Club and sit with a different group at each meeting so that the new members become better acquainted. Tail Twister The Tail Twister promotes harmony, good fellowship, and enthusiasm in the meetings through appropriate stunts, games and the judicious imposition of fines on Club members. There shall be no ruling from his/her decision in imposing a fine, provided, however, that no fine shall exceed an amount fixed by the board of directors of the Club, and no member shall be fined more than twice at any one meeting. The Tail Twister may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present. All monies collected by the Tail Twister shall be immediately turned over to the Treasurer and a receipt shall be given. Membership Director The Membership Director is the chairperson of the Membership Committee. His/her responsibilities include: developing a Club membership growth program and presenting the program to the Board of Directors for approval; encouraging the recruitment of new qualified members at Club meetings; ensuring implementation of recruitment and retention procedures; preparing and implementing member orientation sessions; reporting to the Board of Directors ways to reduce the loss of members; coordinating with other Club committees in fulfilling these responsibilities; and serving as a member of the Zone level membership committee. Board of Directors The members of the Board of Directors are the President, Immediate Past President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister, Membership Director, Branch Coordinator, if designated, and all other elected Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the following duties and powers: 102

111 L I O N S C L U B S (1) It is the executive board of the Club and is responsible for the execution, through the Club officers, of the policies approved by the Club. All new business and policy of the Club shall be considered and shaped, first, by the Board of Directors for presentation to and approval by the Club members at a regular or special Club meeting. (2) It authorizes all expenditures and shall not create any indebtedness beyond the current income of this Club, nor authorize disbursal of Club funds for purposes inconsistent with the business and policy authorized by the Club membership. (3) It has the power to modify, override or rescind the action of any officer of the Club. (4) It ensures that the books, accounts and operations of the Club are audited annually or, at its discretion, more frequently and may require an accounting or have an audit made of the handling of any Club funds by any officer, committee or member of the Club. Any member of the Club in good standing may inspect the audit or accounting upon request at a reasonable time and place. (5) It appoints, on recommendation of the finance committee, a bank or banks for the deposit of the funds of the Club. (6) It appoints the surety for the bonding of any officer of the Club. (7) It does not authorize, nor permit, the expenditure, for any administrative purpose, of the net income of projects or activities of the Club by which funds are raised from the public. It shall submit all matters of new business and policy to the respective standing or special Club committee for study and recommendation to the Board. (8) It appoints, subject to approval of the Club membership, the delegates and alternates of the Club to district and international conventions. (9) It maintains at least two (2) separate funds governed by generally accepted accounting practices. The first fund to record administrative monies such as dues, tail twisting fines and other internally raised Club funds. A second fund is to be established to record activity or public welfare monies raised by asking support from the public. Disbursement from such funds is to be in strict compliance with item (7) above. Committee Chairs Committees contribute to the success of a Club by concentrating on a specific area and making sure that the Club s goals in that area are met. Typically, committees are 103

112 L I O N S C L U B S formed to focus on areas such as Club meeting programs, community service, fundraising projects, club finances, membership development, public relations and constitution and by-laws. Clubs are encouraged to appoint an Information Technology Chairperson to coordinate the Club s use of technology. Clubs may form additional committees as deemed necessary. Club Membership Lions Club Organization Structure Applying For Membership Membership in a Lions Club is acquired by invitation only. Nominations are made on brochure form ME-6B 5/04 EN provided by LCI (can also be downloaded off of LCI Website). The Club Secretary or Membership Committee Chairperson ensures the 104

113 L I O N S C L U B S form is completely filled out and it is signed by the prospective Lion and his/her sponsor. The Secretary signs the application and submits it to the Board of Directors for approval. Once approved, the new member is reported to District and International. Dues and initiation fee are collected from the new Lion and he/she is provided a membership card. The new Lion is given a New Member Kit at his/her induction ceremony. The Secretary should ensure that the new Lion is included in the Club directory/roster and mailing list. Club records should also be updated accordingly and the completed form should be retained in Club files. The Lions Club Member Application is provided in Appendix IV, page IV-2. Member Sponsor Responsibilities The sponsor of a new Lion has a responsibility to mentor him/her to ensure that he/she becomes an effective member of the Club (For more information, see the Lions Mentoring Program on Page 59). The form in Appendix IV, page IV-3 outlines those responsibilities and also includes a record of what the new Lion accomplished the 1st year. If a new Lion begins missing meetings or not participating in Club activities, his/her sponsor is responsible for finding out why and reporting back accordingly to the Club. Member Categories and Privileges Active Member: A member entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations that membership in a Lions Club confers or implies. Member-at-Large: A member of the Club who has moved from the community, or because of health or other legitimate reason, is unable to regularly attend Club meetings and desires to retain membership in the Club, and upon when the Board of Directors of the Club desires to confer this status. The status shall be reviewed each six months by the Board of Directors. Honorary Member: An individual who is not a member of the conferring Lions Club but who has performed outstanding service for the community or Lions Club and upon whom the Club desires to confer special distinction. Privileged Member: A member of the Club who has been a Lion fifteen or more years and who, because of illness, infirmities, advanced age, or other legitimate reason as determined by the Board of Directors, must relinquish active status. Life Member: Any member of a Club may be granted life membership who: (1) has maintained active membership as a Lion for 20 or more years and has rendered outstanding service to the Club, community, and/or International; (2) any member of a Club who has maintained active membership for 15 or more years and is at least

114 L I O N S C L U B S years of age; or (3) any Club member who is critically ill. Granting a life membership is dependent on recommendation by the Club, payment to International of $300 by the Club in lieu of all future International dues and approval by the Board of Directors. Member Category Regular Attendance Payment of Club, District, & Int'l Dues Participation In Club Activities Active Yes Yes Yes Affiliate No Yes Yes, when possible Associate Yes, Primary No, Secondary Yes, Club only Yes, when possible Honorary No No, Club pays all dues No Life No No Int'l dues owed; does have to pay District & Club dues Yes, when possible Member-at-Large No Yes Yes, when possible Privileged No Yes Yes, when possible Member Category Eligibility to Seek Club, District, or Int'l Office Voting Privileges Delegate at District or Int'l Convention Active Yes Yes Yes Affiliate No Yes, Club matters only No Associate No District Convention if representing primary Club; Club matters, both Clubs No Honorary No No No Life Yes if obligations of active member are fulfilled Yes if obligations of active member are fulfilled Yes if obligations of active member are fulfilled Member-at-Large No Yes, Club matters only No Privileged No Yes Yes Associate Member: A member who holds primary membership in another Lions Club but maintains residence or is employed in the conferring Club s community. This status is conferred by invitation of the Board of Directors and is reviewed by them annually. An associate member is not reported by the conferring Club on its Monthly Membership Report. Affiliate Member: A quality individual of the community who currently is not able to fully participate as an active member of the Club but desires to support the Club and 106

115 L I O N S C L U B S its community service functions and be affiliated with the Club. Status is conferred by invitation of the Club s Board of Directors. Club Directory A Club Directory is indispensable to each member. Without a current annual directory of correctly spelled names, phone numbers, and accurate home and addresses, communication between members in between meetings can be drastically handicapped. Suggested components of a Club Directory are: * Basic information about the Club meeting place and time. * List of Club officers. * The name of the International President, address of International Headquarters, and the name and address of the Multi-District Council Chair and the District Governor. * A schedule of Club fees and dues. * A brief history of the Club. * The community service projects and fundraisers the Club conducts. * A list of past Club Presidents and Secretaries and the years they served. * A list of Club members, with their home and business addresses, phone numbers, FAX numbers, and addresses, along with names of spouses and other pertinent personal information. * A picture of each member in the Club Directory will help new members quickly learn the names of the current members. Club Management Teamwork is one of the keys to successful Club management. Club officers can collectively shape the way in which they work together that will be best for all concerned. There are, however, specific responsibilities and areas of authority for each Club officer. Using these as a guide, your leadership team can determine the most effective way to manage your Club throughout the year. Management Insights Many officers find it helpful to begin preparation for their year before taking office, using many available resources to learn more about their Club and the international association. The outgoing officers can be most helpful during this time; however, incoming officers should make sure that they do not interfere with the current officer s leadership until they officially take office. 107

116 L I O N S C L U B S Most people will agree that setting goals and developing a plan to achieve those goals is one of the keys to success. Working with the Club s leadership team, the Club officers should consider creating a strategic plan outlining your Club s goals for the year and how it is intended to reach them. One of the most important responsibilities of a Club President is making committee chairperson assignments. Experience worldwide shows that a member who is actively engaged in Club activities will continue to be a Club member. Presidents should confer with their Vice President(s) before assigning chairpersons since the Vice President(s) may work closely with committees throughout the year. Consider matching committee assignments to your members skills and knowledge when choosing chairpersons. If the current Club President agrees, the chairperson appointments may be announced before the new officers officially take office. Throughout the year, the Club s Leadership Team should work closely with the committee chairpersons to keep them informed, encouraged and motivated. The Club President presides at all meetings of the club. Preparing and following an agenda as well as using a recognized system of parliamentary procedure (such as Robert s Rules of Order) will ensure the meetings run smoothly and productively. Parliamentary procedure will also help you assert yourself when necessary and handle disharmonious behavior. Handling problems that occur during meetings is not always easy. Your members expect, and have confidence in the club President to lead during these times. Agenda formats vary from club to club and may be tailored to meet your club s individual needs. A typical club meeting or board of directors meeting format: Call to order by president Introduction of guests Program (guest speaker, entertainment, etc.) may either precede or follow the business portion Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting Treasurer s report Old or unfinished business New business Adjournment The Club Secretary typically has numerous duties for these meetings: creating an agenda in conjunction with the President; notifying participants of the time and location of the meeting; recording minutes during the meeting; and recording attendance, makeup meetings and awards presented. 108

117 L I O N S C L U B S For a Club officer, it is vital that the lines of communication remain open among members of the leadership team as well as between the leadership team and the Board of Directors, Club members, District officers and the community. Keeping these people up to date on club news, issues, etc. and helping them work through challenges will be an important part of your year. If disputes arise between any member or members and the Club, consult the dispute resolution provision in the Standard Form Lions Club Constitution and By-Laws (LA-2). How a Club is perceived in the community is essential to its success. Developing and implementing a comprehensive public relations program will help ensure that community members support your Club. This program will encompass both ongoing Club publicity, and promoting special events, such as fundraising and service activities. Equally important is internal communication. Many Clubs worldwide find that preparing a club directory and publishing their own newsletter help keep their members informed. Another communications tool that is becoming essential is a Club Web site. The site can reach your audiences both internal and external. Zone meetings are often very helpful for Club officers. These local gatherings allow Clubs to exchange ideas regarding programs, projects, fundraising, and membership issues, and offer a forum for establishing cooperative relationships between Clubs. Zone meetings are also an opportunity to meet other Lions from your area. District Governors or his/her designee visit Clubs in the District to evaluate the operations of the clubs and discuss Lions business matters. Clubs are encouraged to use this visit to strengthen their relationship with district officers. After setting a date for the visitation, Clubs should give him/her time on the agenda to address members. Throughout the year, Clubs are encouraged to inform the District Governor about major activities. A Governor or his/her designee may visit Clubs in the districts individually or jointly at the Zone level. Attendance at conventions including District/Multiple district and International is a wonderful way to learn more about the association, get motivated and meet fellow Lions. Recognizing club members, community residents and those who have been helpful to a Club is a wonderful way to end your year in office. Recognition is an excellent way to maintain morale in the Club. Clubs may determine guidelines for honoring the service of its members. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining accurate awards records and ordering awards. Suitable awards honoring outstanding service are available from the Club Supplies Catalog. Awards should be ordered as early as possible to ensure timely delivery. 109

118 L I O N S C L U B S Many clubs choose to hold an appreciation dinner for all community residents who have helped their club through the year. It is a good opportunity to say thanks to everyone. Club Elections During the Club President s term, he/she will need to form the Nominating Committee, which submits the names of candidates for various Club offices to the Club membership at the nomination meeting. (Std. Form Club By-Laws, Article IV, Section 2.). Please note that, according to the Standard Form Lions Club Constitution and By-Laws, the Committee should be functional by March, and Club elections must take place by April 15. Nominations may be made from the floor of the nomination meeting. Once nominations have been closed, no more nominations may be made. If the nominee/s are unable to serve, and there is no other nominee, the Nominating Committee may submit, at the election meeting, names of additional nominees for that office. (Std. Form Club By-Laws, Article IV, Section 2 and 3.) To be eligible for Club office, the Lion must be an active member in good standing. (Std. Form Club By- Laws, Article II, Section 2.) Information about elected officers is to be reported on the Officer Reporting Form (PU-101) or through the membership reporting area of the association s Web site. The Club Secretary is required, either by mail or by personal delivery, to give notice to each member of the Club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the date of election. (Std. Form Club By-Laws, Article IV, Section 1.) All elections should be guided by the provisions contained in the respective Club, district and International Constitution and By-Laws, or by any rules of procedure adopted by the respective Club or district for elections or by local statute or common law. Otherwise, all questions of order or procedure should be determined in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, as revised from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in the respective Club constitution and bylaws, the election shall be by ballot by those present and eligible to vote. A plurality vote is necessary to elect. - Quorum: The presence in person of a majority of the members in good standing. (Std. Form Club By-Laws, Article III, Section 5.) - Eligibility to vote: Voting privileges are granted to members present who are in good standing and fall into one of the following membership categories: Active, Affiliate, Associate, Life, Member at Large and Privileged. The president is entitled to one vote, so long as he or she is in good standing. 110

119 L I O N S C L U B S - Plurality vote: The candidate receiving the largest number of votes has a plurality. - Form of Ballot: Unless otherwise provided in the respective Club constitution and by-laws, or other adopted rules, in elections, for and against spaces or boxes should not be used. They are applicable only with respect to votes on motions. An election, in effect, is a vote on filling a blank, and a voter can vote against one candidate only by voting for another who has been nominated or by writing in the name of another candidate. Attendance Requirements & Make-Up Rules Attendance by members at weekly (or bi-weekly) meetings is very important to the health and effectiveness of a Lions Club. Lions who achieve 100% attendance receive an attractive pin at the end of the year to commemorate that achievement. It is realized that often it is impossible to make every meeting during the year. To compensate, there are ways to make up for missed meetings. The rules for attendance make-up are as follows: 1. Absence from a regular meeting of a Lions Club may be made up in any one of the following ways: * Attendance at a meeting of any other Lions Club, regular or special. * Attendance at a meeting of the member s home Club Board of Directors. * Attendance at a duly constituted meeting of a standing committee of the member s home Club. * Attendance at any meeting scheduled or sponsored by the member s own Club, including Club fundraising and service activities. * Attendance at a Region or Zone meeting. * Attendance at an International, State or District Convention, or any other recognized Lions meeting. * A visit to the office of Lions Clubs International or the office of any district or state outside the country of which the visiting Lion is a member. Cards evidencing such visits shall be made available to Lions. * Participation in any Club fundraiser or community service project. 2. A member who is forced to miss a meeting(s) by reason of illness shall automatically be granted attendance credit for the meeting(s) missed upon. 3. A member who is forced to miss a meeting(s) as a result of military service, jury duty, elected government position or other statutory requirements shall be given attendance credit for the meeting(s) missed. In each case, the Club s Board of Directors shall decide if credit should be given for the missed meeting(s). 111

120 L I O N S C L U B S 4. Any Lion who finds it necessary or is assigned to perform occupational duties for an extended period in a place from which he or she cannot readily attend a Lions Club meeting may, at the discretion of his/her Club, be granted credit for meetings missed thereby. 5. Responsibility should be placed on the Club Secretary to verify that the member has fulfilled attendance requirements. 6. A member who is forced to miss meeting(s) by reason of pregnancy or childbirth shall be granted attendance credit for meeting(s) missed for appropriate period of time to be mutually agreed upon by the Club s Board of Directors and the member. Club Reporting Responsibilities Proper record keeping and reporting are critical if a Club is to operate efficiently and effectively. The diagram on the following page provides a roadmap of how various information, which is collected for specific functions, feed into the Club reports required by the District and Lions Clubs International. Timely and accurate reporting means the District Governor and Lions Clubs International will always have up-to-date status information about a Club. It is preferred that all Club reporting be conducted electronically via the Web Monthly Membership Reporting (WMMR) part of the Lions Club International Website. However, it is realized that there will be some Clubs who s Secretaries, for whatever reason, do not use a computer. To address that situation, hardcopy filing of reports will also be addressed. The following sections provide a description of the required reports. Club Monthly Membership Report All Lions Clubs are required to submit their Monthly Club Membership Report each month even if there is no change in membership. The current report must be filed with Lions Clubs International by the 1st of the following month. If filed electronically, the directions to do so are found in Appendix V. If the Monthly Membership Report is not filed electronically, the report form is completed as shown on page IV-4 of Appendix IV. A copy of the Report should be sent to the Club s Zone Chair, either electronically or by mail. The District Cabinet Secretary will have access to the Report via the International WMMR site. The Club Secretary will retain one copy for the Club s records. 112

121 L I O N S C L U B S Meeting Sign-In Sheets Board Meeting Minutes Weekly Meeting Minutes Community Service Project/ Fundraiser Report Visitation Report Member Attendance Record Committee Meeting Report Member Awards & Service Record Record of Committee Appointments New Member Application Form Zone Chairman Monthly Activity Report Monthly Membership Status Report District Governor/ Cabinet Sec. Annual Club Activity Report Annual PU-101A Form International HQ Club Monthly Activity Report (District) Member Transfer Form Audit Trail of Club Reporting The Club Monthly Activity Report should be completed and submitted by the Club Secretary to the District Governor by the end of every month. The information in this report conveys to the District Governor what the Club is doing and provides the required input to the District Governor s Contest, if it is being conducted. The Club Secretary should also submit a copy to the Club s Zone Chairman. An example of a Club Monthly Activity Report is provided in Appendix IV on pages IV-4 and IV-5. Information in this report can be compiled and used as input for the annual Club Activity Report (Form A-1) that is required by Lions Clubs International as discussed in the following section. Notes, as well as pictures, describing particular aspects of entries in the report can be included on additional pages. 113

122 L I O N S C L U B S The Club Monthly/Annual Activity Report must be filed with Lions Club Monthly/Annual Clubs International either on a monthly basis in which the monthly Activity Report numbers are cumulated for a to-date total or an end of the year total. (Lions Clubs This report can only be filed electronically on the Web Monthly International) Membership Reporting (WMMR) part of the Lions Club International Website. Directions can be found starting on page V-21 of Appendix V. The intent of the report is to determine information about the types of projects the Club participated during the past year. For each major activity category, the total amounts ($) donated and the total volunteer hours worked are designated. The monthly submission automatically generates an electronic, cumulative annual report which eliminates the need to submit a year-end Activity Report. There are a "View" and "Print" capabilities on the report screen. Club Secretaries will also be able to include information about outstanding service projects or fundraisers in their reports. Club officers, DG's, and MD officers will be able to view and print reports from all Clubs in their area. Club New Officers Report New Club officers for the upcoming year should be duly elected no later than 15 April of the current year. The information about the new officers should be submitted to Lions Clubs International no later than 15 May. This report can only be filed electronically on the Web Monthly Membership Reporting (WMMR) part of the Lions Club International Website. Directions can be found starting on page V-27 of Appendix V. Status Quo and Club Cancellation Status quo is a temporary suspension of a Club s charter, rights and privileges, as well as obligations. Status quo clubs should not submit a Monthly Membership Report or submit changes in membership. A club can remain on status quo for only 90 days. Within 90 days, a status quo Club must be released from status quo or its charter may be canceled. Justifiable conditions for placing a club on status quo include: failure to comply with the objectives of the association or conduct unbecoming to a Lions Club; failure to fulfill any other obligations of a chartered club, failure to submit Monthly Membership Reports for three or more consecutive months, or failure to hold regular Club meetings; failure to pay District/Multiple District dues; verification of nonexisting club; decision of Club to disband; and decision of Club to merge with another Club. Clubs are encouraged to consult their Zone chairperson, 1st Vice District Governor, 2nd Vice District Governor and District Governor if any of these conditions exist in the Club to prevent being placed on status quo. If a Lions Club decides to disband, the 114

123 L I O N S C L U B S Club is strongly encouraged to first contact its District Governor, who will begin procedures to cancel its charter. Club Finances Club Budgets and Accounts Most Clubs use the budget system of financing. This is a practice of anticipating in advance as accurately as possible the income and expenses of your Club for a specific period and then preparing a budget on that basis. Budgets should be used as guidelines for spending. Clubs should have two budgets for their fiscal year: (1) an administrative budget and (2) an activities budget. The administrative budget is what finances Club operations. Its income comes mostly from Club dues. The activities budget finances the Club s activities and projects. Its income should come from special fundraising projects held by the club in the community. Income from the Club s fundraising projects cannot be used to defray the Club s administrative costs, even if the Club advertises that funds raised will be used for the Club s own purposes. The Club can, however, deduct the direct operating expenses of the fundraising project from the funds raised. Developing the Club s administrative and activities budgets is one of the most important responsibilities of the Treasurer. He/she works with the Finance Committee and Club President to prepare them. It is important to anticipate revenue and income carefully and prioritize spending needs when developing the budgets. Monitoring them throughout the year will help ensure your club remains solvent. The Treasurer and Finance Committee will recommend a banking institution to the Board of Directors, as well as suggest officers for signing and co-signing checks. It is also recommended that a signature card be on file with the bank, limits set regarding the amount of petty cash the club will handle and a system for reimbursement established. Club Member Dues The Treasurer, in cooperation with the Finance Committee and upon approval of the Board of Directors and club members, establishes the amount for the annual Club members dues. When determining this amount, consider how much money will be needed to maintain the financial health of the Club. The Club dues should also include District,/Multiple district and International dues. Club dues are typically collected in advance, semiannually or annually. Invoices are usually sent to club members 115

124 L I O N S C L U B S approximately 10 days before the start of the dues-paying period. Following are the International and District/Multiple District dues. District/MD40 MD40 Council Admin $3.00 MD40 Website/Lions Roar $3.00 MERL/WI $2.50 State Convention Fund Tax $1.00 District Administrative $9.00 International Total $18.50 Per Capita Tax $33.75 LCI Convention Fund Tax $0.50 THE LION Subscription $4.75 Total $39.00 Family Membership Program The Family Membership Program provides families with the opportunity to join a Lions Club, upon invitation, under a special family dues concession. The program is designed for either existing members who wish to invite other family members to join their Club and for Clubs that wish to expand their community service by involving more families from the community they serve, subject to the provisions and regulations as determined by the International Board of Directors. This program is open to family members who are above the age of majority, living in the same household, belonging to the same club, or wishing to join the same club as an existing family member. New family members must be invited and approved by the club s board of directors. In case of young adult family members between the legal age of majority and under age 26, the same household residency requirement is not required if attending an institution of higher education or serving in the country s military. For the purpose of the Family Membership program, the eligibility definition for families shall be as follows: A family includes all members living in the same household related by birth, marriage, adoption, and other legal dependents, including such common family relations as parents, children, spouses, aunts/uncles, cousins and 116

125 L I O N S C L U B S grandparents, and in-laws and other legal dependents. The first member of the family shall pay the normal entrance fees (i.e., $39.00) and full International dues (as well as any applicable Club, District/Multiple District dues). Subsequent family members, up to a limit of four more, who meet the qualifications, pay one half of the normal international dues (i.e., $19.50) and are exempt of any entrance fees. All qualifying family members shall be active members with all rights and privileges. To qualify for the family membership dues rate in the semi-annual per capita billing cycle for Lions Clubs International dues, existing qualifying family members shall need to be certified and reported as family members by May 31st and November 30th in order to be billed at the discounted family rate for that upcoming respective per capita billing cycle. Club Taxation Requirements Lions Clubs have a new filing requirement. It s short, easy and electronic - it s the new E-Postcard. Don t throw away your tax-exempt status -- be sure to file your e- Postcard. How do you know if your Lions Club has a filing requirement? If you are a small tax-exempt organization that normally has annual gross receipts of $25,000 or less and does not have to file Form 990 or 990-EZ, you must file the e-postcard (also known as 990-N). When is the e-postcard due? It s due by the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of your tax year. Lions Clubs operate on a fiscal year, July 1 - June 30, and the e-postcard will be due by November 15, What information does your club need to provide on the e-postcard? * A legal name and mailing address and any other names used, * A Web address if one exists, * An employer identification number (EIN), * An organization s annual tax period, * The name and address of a principal officer, and * A statement confirming the organization s annual gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less. What happens if you don t file? You risk losing your tax-exempt status! Any Lions Club that fails to meet its annual reporting requirement for three consecutive years automatically loses its tax-exempt status under the new law. Why is the IRS calling it an e-postcard? Because it s as simple as sending a postcard and it s electronic. Need more information? Go to for complete details and while you re there 117

126 L I O N S C L U B S sign up for Exempt Organization s free newsletter, EO Update, to receive up-todate information posted on the charity pages of irs.gov. LCI Liability Insurance Program The International Association of Lions Clubs has a program of Commercial General Liability Insurance that covers Lions on a worldwide basis. The policy is issued by ACE American Insurance. All Clubs and Districts are automatically insured. No action on your part is necessary. The provisions of the policy apply to most normal liability exposures of Lions Clubs and Districts, including their functions and activities. Claims arising out of liability for the operation, use, or maintenance of aircraft, automobiles owned by Lions organizations and certain water- craft are not covered. Bear in mind that this is a legal liability policy only, and does not provide accident insurance that will pay for injuries regardless of fault. Limited Medical Payments coverage is provided, but it does not apply to a person injured while taking part in athletics. The Liquor Liability exclusion applies. Liability arising out of the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages is NOT covered. When Clubs or Districts sell or serve alcoholic beverages or distribute alcoholic beverages at a fund raising activity or event, separate Liquor Liability insurance should be arranged locally if available in your jurisdiction. The Association s experience in liquor liability situations is such that it cannot recommend, and in fact discourages, clubs from participating in events involving the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages. If unusual situations arise which require further explanation, inquiry should be directed to: WILLIS HRH 333 E. BUTTERFIELD ROAD, Fifth floor LOMBARD, ILLINOIS Phone (630) or (800) Fax (630) lionsclubs@willis.com Coverage afforded by the program is automatic. If you are required to provide evidence of coverage, a certificate of insurance may be immediately printed online 24 hours a day 365 days a year at: You can also request a Certificate of Insurance by calling (800) , faxing your request to (630) or sending an to lionsclubs@willis.com. Financial Suspension of Clubs A Lions Club can be suspended automatically if it has an outstanding balance of more than $1,000 or $20 per member, whichever is less, over 150 days old. A suspended 118

127 L I O N S C L U B S Club can be reactivated within 90 days by paying the outstanding balance in full, or committing to a payment plan and making monthly installment payments. If not, the charter of the club can be canceled automatically after the suspension period of 90 days. Suspended clubs can hold meetings to discuss the future of the Club and to identify actions to take to regain an active status. Awards Lions Club members do not serve others in order to receive financial rewards. The rewards they seek are less tangible, but no less real. Their rewards lie in the satisfaction of helping people in need; improving numerous communities; acquiring leadership skills; associating with professional, business and government leaders; and in making loyal and lifelong friends. There is perhaps no greater reward for a Lion s service than a simple thank you, sincerely expressed. As a leader, displaying this small gesture of gratitude will be appreciated by the Lions who have helped make activities and projects a success. At every level of the association, awards are available to provide a more permanent form of appreciation. All Lions who have served as international president began as new members. Had they not been properly motivated, it is unlikely that they would have persevered as they did. It is important as a club leader that you recognize the efforts of your members to encourage the prosperity of the club. By being aware of the many awards that may be offered to Lions, presenting awards in a proper manner and simply saying Thank you, you are giving the positive push needed to help your club move into the future. District Awards Many of the awards available to Clubs are also available to Districts and their leaders. As at the Club level, the Governor and Cabinet Secretary should review awards prior to the beginning of the Lions year, so that proper plans can be made. One of the most coveted awards of the association is the 100% District Governor Award, which recognizes district governor achievements during their term. An application form must be submitted. Districts should also consider ways to recognize Clubs and individual members. Both can have a Lion of the Year Award. Many also have a Club of the Year program to encourage administrative excellence, service and fundraising accomplishments. The 119

128 L I O N S C L U B S Citizen of the Year program covers a larger geographical area and often has clubs nominate potential honorees. The association recognizes accomplishments of Club presidents each year by presenting the Club President Excellence Award to qualifying Club presidents. An application form must be submitted. International President s Awards The highest awards presented by the association to its members are given at the discretion of the International President. The most important and prestigious award is the Ambassador of Good Will Award. This is followed by the International President s Award, the Leadership Award and the International President s Certificate of Appreciation. While each International President may have slightly different criteria for these awards, the awards are generally presented to Lions who have distinguished themselves by particularly noteworthy service. If you know of a Lion who may be deserving of a special recognition, you should communicate detailed information on the candidate and his or her accomplishments to your Council Chairman (or your district governor if you are in a single district). These Lions, along with present and past officers, will make recommendations to the international president. Award Presentations Awards should be presented in public and with due ceremony. Imagine the difference between a club president handing a longevity award to a member while he or she is eating and a club president presenting the award from a podium after saying, Fellow Lions, I am pleased today to honor our fellow member who has given many years of dedicated service to our club. An item called Awards Presentations should be part of your regular meeting agenda. If you do not have a specific award to present, find a way to recognize one or more members for their hard work. Simply thanking a Lion for his or her contributions goes a long way toward keeping morale and achievement at a high level. It is also important to recognize newer members. If the club immediately involves them in committees and activities, as it should, then there should be many opportunities to recognize them. Awards should never be mailed to recipients. All Lions who have served as international president began as new members. Had they not been properly motivated, it is unlikely that they would have persevered as they did. It is important as a club leader that you recognize the efforts of your members to encourage the prosperity of the club. By being aware of the many awards 120

129 L I O N S C L U B S that may be offered to Lions, presenting awards in a proper manner and simply saying Thank you, you are giving the positive push needed to help your club move into the future. 121

130 L I O N S C L U B S 122

131 I N D E X Accelerated Mobility Program, 19 Active Member, 106 Affiliate Member, 108 AHAP, 40 Alcohol, 30, 31 Allergan, 46 Amblyopia, 12, 97 American Diabetes Association, 23, 92 American Optometric Association, 16, 95 American Sign Language, 19, 37 Assistive Technology Center, 21 Associate Member, 108 Astigmatism, 15, 16, 95, 97 Attendance Requirements & Make-Up Rules, 113 Awards, 58, 101, 111, 121, 122 Azithromycin, 14 Board of Directors, 7, 9, 10, 75, 77, 87, 100, 102, 103, 104, 106, 107, 108, 110, 113, 114, 117, 118 Boy Scouts, 34 Braille, 20, 21 Business Circle of Chicago, 1 Buy a Brick, 18 C. B. Hap Beyer, 67 Campus Clubs, 56, 67 Canadian Association of Optometrists, 16 Cataract, 10, 14, 21, 45, 48, 88 Charles Nutting, 17 Club Branch Program, 67 Club Budgets and Accounts, 117 Club Elections, 111 Club Member Dues, 117 Club Monthly Activity Report, 115 Club Monthly/Annual Activity Report, 116 Club New Officers Report, 116 Club Secretary, 102, 106, 110, 112, 114, 115 Club Supplies, 9, 16, 20, 26, 111 Club Taxation Requirements, 119 Club Twinning, 41, 42 Code of Ethics, 1, 6 Contributing Member, 48, 49 Core 4, 12, 15, 44, 85, 98, 99 Core-4 grants, 44 Designated grants, 45 diabetes, 2, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 44, 80, 92, 93 Diabetes awareness, 22 Diabetes Awareness, 22, 23, 80, 85, 101 Diabetic retinopathy, 22, 23, 48, 80 District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer, 75, 78 District Governor, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88, 102, 108, 111, 114, 115, 117, 121 Doc Glenn Wheeler, 17 Don Schurr, 17 Eli Lilly and Co., 46 Eligibility to vote, 112 Emergency grants, 45 Environmental Photo Contest, 55, 81 Environmental Programs, 51, 54 Essilor of America, 46 Extension, 9, 56, 65, 77, 81, 102 Eyeglass Recycling, 16, 47, 88 Family and Women s Membership Development, 81 Family Membership, 56, 60, 118 Farsightedness, 15 Financial Suspension of Clubs, 120 Focus on Street Children, 33 Form of Ballot, 112 Girl Scouts, 34 Habitat for Humanity, 44, 45 Hadley School for the Blind, 19 Hearing Aid Recycling Program, 37, 82 Hearing and Speech Action, 36, 81 hearing screenings, 36, 82 Helen Keller, 2, 3, 36, 40, 88 HIV/AIDS, 30 Honorary Member, 107 Hugh O Brian Youth Leadership, 34 International Assistance Grants, 45 International Cultural Exchanges, 41, 43 International Relations Month, 41,

132 I N D E X iscreen, 96, 97 Johnson & Johnson, 14, 15, 47 LCI Liability Insurance Program, 120 LCIF, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 33, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 78, 83, 85, 92, 98, 99 Leader Dogs for the Blind, 17, 18, 19 Leadership Development, 77, 84, 101 Leading Into The Future, 18 LEHP, 12, 23, 24 LensCrafters, 16, 17, 47 Leo Club, 17, 29, 30, 54, 60, 84 Leo New Member Kit, 30 Leo to Lion Program, 56, 61, 66 Leo To Lion Program, 61 Life Member, 60, 67, 107 Lion Tamer, 100, 103, 104 Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project, 39, 40, 47 Lions ALERT Program, 50 Lions Clubs Objects, 1, 5 Lions Day with the United Nations, 26, 41, 83 Lions Emergency/Non-Emergency Assistance, 51 Lions Eye Banks, 88 Lions Eye Health Program, 12, 22, 23, 24, 46 Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP), 12 Lions Hearing Aid Banks, 82 Lions Leader Dog Foundation, 17 Lions Legacy Program, 50 Lions Mentoring Program, 56, 62, 106 Lions Opportunities for Youth, 88 Lions Quest, 34, 35, 44, 47, 48, 84, 85 Lions Recycle For Sight, 16 Lions Recycle for Sight Month, 2 Lions Services for Children Program, 30, 85 Lions Worldwide Induction Day, 61, 62 MD40, 27, 67, 75, 89, 94, 96 Melvin Jones, 1, 3, 43, 49, 50, 68, 72 Melvin Jones Fellowship, 49 Melvin Jones Memorial, 3 Member Orientation, 56, 64 Member Sponsor Responsibilities, 106 Member-at-Large, 106 Membership, 9, 29, 30, 48, 49, 55, 57, 58, 59, 77, 79, 81, 82, 86, 87, 100, 101, 103, 104, 106, 108, 114, 116, 118 Membership Key Awards, 58 Merck & Co., Inc., 47 Merrill Lynch, 47 Monthly Membership Report, 58, 59, 79, 82, 108, 114, 116 Myopia, 15 National Diabetes Education Program, 23 National Eye Donor Month, 92 National Eye Institute, 15, 47 New Century Lions clubs, 65, 66 New Mexico Lions Band Foundation, 93 New Mexico Lions Eye Bank, 89, 91, 92 New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation, 92 NM Lions Crane Reading Foundation, 94 NM Lions Operation KidSight, 96 NMLOKS Executive Committee, 98 Onchocerciasis, 13 Opening Eyes, 15, 16, 46, 99 orientation and mobility (O&M), 19 Path-Finder, 17 Peace Poster Contest, 25, 26, 41, 42, 43, 86, 88 PediaVision, 96, 97 Plurality vote, 112 Preschool Vision Screening, 12 President, 1, 7, 8, 56, 57, 63, 71, 78, 94, 100, 101, 102, 104, 108, 109, 110, 111, 117, 122 President s Retention Campaign, 63 Privileged Member, 107 Public Relations and Lions Information, 86 Quorum, 112 recreational camps, 20, 25, 39, 82, 87 Retention, 56, 62, 63, 64, 87, 101 Rexton, Inc, 40, 47 river blindness, 13 Robert s Rules of Order, 110 Royal Order of Lions, 1 Russell Investments, 47 S.A. Dodge, 17 School Health Co.,

133 I N D E X School-in-a-Box, 33, 53 Sight for Kids, 14, 15, 47 Sight Night, 17, 88 SightFirst, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 44, 45, 50, 88, 101 SightFirst China Action, 14 Special Olympics, 15, 46, 53, 99 Stamp Collecting and Exchanging, 41, 43 Standard grants, 44 Strides, 22, 24, 80 Student Member Program, 56, 59, 66 Support Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 20 The Carter Center, 13, 45 The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, 46 The Global Health and Education Foundation, 45 THE LION, 9, 10 trachoma, 13, 14, 45, 46 Trachoma, 13 Treasurer, 9, 75, 78, 100, 102, 103, 104, 110, 117 Trekker Breeze GPS, 19 UN General Assembly, 22 UNICEF, 31, 33, 53 United Nations, 2 United Nations Development Program, 32 United Nations Office of Drug Control and Crime Prevention, 31 US National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, 31 Vice District Governor, 76, 77, 117 Welch Allyn, Inc., 47 White Cane Day, 22, 88 William A. Hadley, 20 Women s Eye Health.org, 47 Work with the Deaf, 36, 81 World Diabetes Day, 25, 88 World Health Organization, 10, 11, 16, 30, 39 World Peace Day, 41, 42, 83 World Sight Day, 2, 21, 41, 88 Year Round Growth, 56 Youth Camp Program, 27, 29 Youth Exchange Program, 28, 29 Youth Service America, 34 Zone meetings,

134 I N D E X 126

135 Appendix I LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL STATE OF NEW MEXICO MULTIPLE DISTRICT 40 CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS REVISED 30 May 2009

136 CONSTITUTION ARTICLE I NAME SECTION 1. This organization shall be known as MULTIPLE DISTRICT 40, State of New Mexico, Lions Clubs International, hereafter referred to as State. ARTICLE II OBJECTS SECTION 1. To provide this State with an efficient organization, headed by International's Representatives (i.e., the District Governors in the State) for the express purpose of advancing Lionism and providing proper administration throughout the State. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. The membership of this organization shall consist of all Lions Clubs in the State duly chartered by Lions Clubs International and in good standing. SECTION 2. This State shall consist of two Districts, the boundary lines of which are set by the vote of certified delegates at a State Convention. The Districts, as of the date of adoption of this constitution, are: DISTRICT 40 NORTH All the territory of the State of New Mexico north of Highway US 60, but including Highway US 60, and also including Portales and Floyd, New Mexico, Window Rock-Fort Defiance, Arizona, and Farwell, Texas. DISTRICT 40 SOUTH All the territory of the State of New Mexico south of Highway US 60, except Portales and Floyd, New Mexico. ARTICLE IV STATE COUNCIL SECTION 1. There shall be a State Council composed of the District Governors and the Council Chairperson, each having the right to vote on matters brought before the Council. SECTION 2. The Council Chairperson shall be the Presiding Officer of the State Council. The Council Chairperson shall be a Past District Governor and an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in New Mexico that is in good standing in his/her District. In the event that the Council Chairperson cannot continue or complete his/her term in office for any reason, a new chairperson shall be elected by the current State Council. The chairperson shall be elected from the ranks of the Past District Governors residing in the State. SECTION 3. The Council Chairperson shall appoint the Council Secretary/Treasurer who shall be a past District Governor or a past District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer and is in good standing in his/her chartered Lions Club in New Mexico that is in good standing with the District. In the event the State Council Chairperson is replaced, for any reason, the current Council Secretary-Treasurer will continue in office. Should the Council Secretary Treasurer not complete his/her term for any reason, the State Council Chairperson shall appoint a replacement. SECTION 4. If sufficient funds are available, the State Council may authorize payment to its members, who are not otherwise reimbursed, to cover all or part of the expense of attending Council meetings. The Extension, Leadership, Retention, and Membership Multiple District Committee Chairmen may be reimbursed for carrying out their assigned responsibilities if funds are available and the Council of Governors approves. SECTION 5. A majority of the members of the State Council shall constitute a quorum providing each District is represented. SECTION 6. The Council Chairperson shall call the first meeting of the State Council within thirty (30) days after the date on which the District Governors take office. The main purpose of this meeting shall be to make plans for the effective operation of the Council during the year to the end that Lionism shall be promoted throughout the State. Subsequent meetings of the Council shall be held at such times and places as are deemed advisable. At the first meeting of the Council, there shall be presented the recommendation by the Convention Host Club(s) as to the dates of the next State Convention. Such recommendations shall be in accordance with Article V, Section 6 District, (Single, Sub, and Multiple) Conventions of the Constitution and By Laws of the International Association of Lions Clubs. SECTION 7. Except where inconsistent with and contrary to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Lions Clubs, the powers granted therein to the Board of Directors of said Association, and policies and acts of said Board of Directors, the State Council shall:

137 a. Have jurisdiction and control over all officers and agents, when acting as such, of the State Council and all committees of the State and the State Convention; b. Have management and control over the property, business, and funds of the State. No officer, agent, or committee shall obligate funds without prior approval of the State Council for the amount to be incurred; c. Have jurisdiction, control and supervision over all phases of the State Convention and all other meetings of the State; d. Have original jurisdiction, when authorized under policy of said International Board and under rules of procedure prescribed by said Board, to hear and rule upon any complaint of a Constitutional nature raised by any District or Districts. All such rulings of the State Council shall be subject to review and decision by said International Board; e. Have control and management of all budgetary matters of the State and Committees of the State and State Convention. Have control and management of all matters pertaining to the New Mexico Lions Roar Newspaper. No obligation may be approved or made which shall effect an unbalanced budget or deficit in any fiscal year. SECTION 8. The State Council Secretary-Treasurer shall be adequately bonded, the size of the bond to be fixed by the Council. SECTION 9. The State Council shall provide for an audit of all books and accounts of the Council Secretary- Treasurer annually or at more frequent intervals when deemed necessary. The report of such audit shall be sent to all Club Presidents. ARTICLE V STATE CONVENTION SECTION 1. An annual Convention of this State shall be held in each year prior to the International Convention at a place selected by a previous annual convention of this State and at a date and time fixed by the State Council, as provided in ARTICLE IV, Section 6 STATE COUNCIL. SECTION 2. All invitations from towns and cities desiring to entertain the Convention the second following year shall be presented in writing to the Chairperson of the State Council not later then thirty (30) days before the date of the first intervening Convention. Each invitation shall be supported by a statement of the number of hotel, motel and private rooms available and the price of same, and whether adequate police protection, parking facilities and a suitable convention meeting place can be furnished without charge; and whether suitable street decorations will be furnished without charge. It shall be the duty of the State Council Chairperson to investigate thoroughly the facilities available in each town or city which extends an invitation, and to certify to the intervening convention the names of all towns and cities which are ready, able, and willing to entertain the next succeeding State Convention. In the event that no invitations have been received by the time the convention is in session, any town or city which is ready, able and willing to entertain the convention may present its invitation to the Nominating Committee or present it on the floor of the Convention. SECTION 3. The State Council shall have supervision over all phases of the State Convention, and the members, of the Council shall be the Officers of the annual State Convention. SECTION 4. The State Council shall have complete charge of the State Convention Administrative Fund and shall disburse same in payment of State Convention administrative expenses as approved by the Council under ARTICLE VI, STATE CONVENTION FUND. SECTION 5. Each chartered Club in the State in good standing (with no debts to LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL or to the District for the past thirty (30) days) shall be entitled to one (1) voting delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members of said Club, or major fraction thereof, who have been members for at least one year and a day as shown by the records of the International Office on the first day of the month preceding that month during which the convention is held. The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more members. Each delegate must be a member in good standing. Each such vote based on membership shall be cast only by a delegate present in person at the Convention and no delegate shall cast more than one (1) vote on each question. In addition, each registered Past District Governor shall be entitled to vote on questions brought before the convention, except that a Past District Governor shall not vote as such, if he/she is voting as a Club delegate. Each delegate and Past District Governor shall be registered before the close of the registration on Saturday by Noon. SECTION 6. A majority of the delegates in attendance shall constitute a quorum of the Convention. SECTION 7. The State Council shall retain, and have, absolute power to change at any time, for good and sufficient reason, the Convention site chosen by a State Convention, and neither the Council nor the State nor any District or Districts shall incur any liability what-so-ever thereby to any Club or District. ARTICLE VI STATE CONVENTION FUND SECTION 1. A State Convention Registration Fee, the amount of which shall be fixed by the Convention Host Club(s) and approved by the State Council ninety (90) days prior to the State Convention, shall be collected from each Lion, Leo or guest attending the convention or any part thereof. SECTION 2. In addition to the State Convention Registration Fee, there shall be an annual per capita State

138 Convention Administrative Fund Tax of one dollar ($1.00) levied upon each member in the District. This tax shall be paid in advance by the Clubs, except new and reorganized Clubs, in two (2) semi-annual payments of fifty cents ($0.50) for each member on April 10 and October 10. Billings will be based on the Club membership as of March 1 and September 1, respectively, and as shown on the records of Lions Clubs International. This tax shall be collected by the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer of each District and forwarded to the State Council Secretary- Treasurer. SECTION 3. The State Council Secretary-Treasurer will forward thirty cents ($0.30) per capita of the State Convention Administrative Fund Tax to the Convention Host Club(s) Committee prior to the date of the Convention to be used to defray expenses that must be paid prior to the Convention. The remaining seventy cents ($0.70) per capita shall be placed in a special State Convention Administrative Fund which shall be used to defray the convention expenses related to International guests, the State Council Chairman, transportation, gifts, etc. and for such other purposes as are approved by the State Council. Payments out of said fund shall be by check drawn and signed by the Council Secretary-Treasurer and countersigned by the Council Chairperson or an authorized Past District Governor. SECTION 4. New and reorganized Clubs shall be billed for the State Convention Administrative Fund Tax except that any new or reorganized Club organized after January 1, of any fiscal year shall pay only the March 10, semiannual billing for that fiscal year. Such Clubs shall be entitled to full delegate privileges at the State Convention. SECTION 5. In the event there is a balance left in the State Convention Administrative Fund after payment of all State Convention administrative expenses, the balance shall remain in the State Convention Administrative Fund and shall be under the control of the Council of Governors. SECTION 6. The Host Club(s) expenses shall be borne wholly by the State Convention Host Club(s) and shall include such expenses as are incurred by the Host Club(s) Committees in arranging for the various entertainment features, convention hall, committee rooms, liability insurance, decorations and miscellaneous expenses incidental to the running of a convention. The Registration Fee should be sufficient to cover the cost of the barbecue or similar entertainment such as breakfasts and luncheons and the cost of the District Governor's banquet and ball. The money from this fee shall be under the supervision of the District Governor of the District where the convention is to be held. All Clubs shall be notified of the amount fixed for said Registration Fee sixty (60) days before the State Convention. SECTION 7. Within sixty (60) days after the close of the State Convention, an official report thereof shall be mailed to Lions Clubs International and each Club in the State by the Council, or, at its direction by the State Council Secretary-Treasurer. ARTICLE VII STATE REVENUE SECTION 1. To provide revenue to defray the administrative expenses of the State organization and to provide funds for the use of the International Convention Committee under ARTICLE VIII INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE, an annual per capita tax of seventeen dollars and fifty cents ($17.50) shall be levied upon each member and shall be paid in advance by each Club in the State in two (2) semi-annual payments as follows: eight dollars and seventy-five cents ($8.75) per member billed on September 10, due and payable by October 10, and eight dollars and seventy-five cents ($8.75) per member billed on March 10, due and payable by April 10, of each fiscal year, billings to be based on the membership of each Club as of the first day of September and March respectively. This is in addition to the State Convention Administrative Fund Tax of one dollar ($1.00) per member listed in ARTICLE VI, Section 2, STATE CONVENTION FUND. SECTION 2. The $17.50 per capita tax shall be collected from each Club by the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer in each District except that new and reorganized Clubs shall pay only the prorated per capita tax as of the first day of the second month following the date of their organization. Three dollars ($3.00) of this per capita tax shall be forwarded upon collection to the State Council Secretary- Treasurer, the money to be used for such purposes as may be approved by the State Council. Nine dollars ($9.00) shall be retained in a District Fund and shall be disbursed only for administrative expenses of the District organization as are approved by the District Cabinet. Two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) of this per capita tax shall be forwarded upon collection to the State Council Secretary- Treasurer, the money to be used for traveling (i.e., to visit Lions Clubs in the State) expenses by the State Committee Chairpersons for Membership Development, Extension Development, Retention Development, Leadership Development, and Women s Initiative Development. The remaining three dollars ($3.00) shall be used to defray the cost of publishing the electronic state newsletter, the Lions Roar, and maintaining a state website. The District Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer shall collect the dues from the Clubs and forward the MD40 portion to the State Council Secretary-Treasurer. ARTICLE VIII INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION COMMITTEE SECTION 1. There shall be an International Convention Committee consisting of the two District Governors and two Past District Governors, one representing each of the two Districts, and the Secretary-Treasurer of the State

139 Council as an exofficio member and Secretary-Treasurer of the committee. Each Past District Governor shall be appointed by the Governor of the District which he represents. The committee shall elect one of the Past District Governors as Chairman. The committee shall administer any funds made available for its use by the Council. The money shall be used for the operation of the New Mexico booth and/or hospitality room at the International Convention and to provide for the distribution, at the convention of materials suitable for giving favorable publicity to the State of New Mexico. ARTICLE IX DISTRICT OFFICERS SECTION 1. The Officers of the District shall be the District Governors who shall be the presiding officers, the Vice District Governors, the Region Chairperson, if used, the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurers, the Zone Chairpersons, and the Presidents and Secretaries of the Clubs. SECTION 2. The District Governors may be elected at such District Conventions as provided in ARTICLE VII, Section 9 (a) (1) DISTRICT ORGANIZATION of the Constitution and By-Laws, International Association of Lions Clubs, or at the annual State Convention. The District Governors shall take office immediately upon the adjournment of the International Convention next succeeding their elections serving until the next following International Convention. SECTION 3. A candidate for the office of District Governor shall: a. Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/her District. b. Secure the endorsement of his/her Club or a majority of the Clubs in his/her District. c. Currently be serving as the Vice District Governor within the District from which he/she is to be elected. d. Only in the event the current Vice District Governor does not stand for election as District Governor or if a vacancy in the position of Vice District Governor exists at the time of the District Convention, any Club member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of Vice District Governor and who is currently serving or who has served one (1) additional year as a member of the District Cabinet, shall fulfill the requirements of Subsection (c) of this Section. SECTION 4. A candidate for the office of Vice District Governor shall: a. Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/her District. b. Secure the endorsement of his/her Club or a majority of the Clubs in his/her District. c. Have served or will have served at the time he/she takes office as Vice District Governor: 1) As President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no less than two (2) additional years; and 2) As Zone Chairperson or Region Chairperson or Cabinet Secretary and/or Treasurer for a full term or major portion thereof. 3) With none of the above being accomplished concurrently. SECTION 5. Regional Chairpersons, if used, shall be appointed by the District Governor and meet the requirements as listed below: a. Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/her District. b. Secure the endorsement of his/her Club or a majority of the Clubs in his/her District. c. Have served or will have served by the time he/she takes office: (1) As President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no less than two (2) additional years; and (2) As Zone Chairperson or Cabinet Secretary and/or Treasurer for a full term or major portion thereof. (3) With none of the above being accomplished concurrently. SECTION 6. Each District Governor shall appoint, by the time he/she officially takes office, one Zone chairperson in each Zone of his/her District. Each officer appointed by the District Governor shall be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/her District. The appointed Zone Chairperson shall have served or will have served at the time of taking office as President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion thereof and a member of the board of directors for no less than two additional years. SECTION 7. No District officer shall be paid a salary. ARTICLE X DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND REVENUE SECTION 1. Each District shall be divided by the District Governor into Regions of sixteen (16) or fewer Lions Clubs each, due regard having been given to the geographical locations of the Clubs, and shall be subject to change by the District Governor as is deemed necessary for the best interests of Lionism and the individual Lions Clubs.

140 SECTION 2. Each Region shall be divided by the District Governor into Zones, which Zones shall be composed of eight (8) or fewer Lions Clubs each, due regard having been given to the geographical location of the Clubs, and shall be subject to change by the District Governor as is deemed necessary for the best interests of Lionism and the individual Lions Clubs. SECTION 3. Meetings of all member Clubs in a Region shall be designated and known as Region Meetings, and Region Meetings shall be held throughout the State during the year at times and places fixed by the Region Chairperson in active charge provided that the position of Region Chairman is utilized by the District Governor. Region Meetings shall be so arranged and of such number as will make it possible and convenient for the members of each Club in the State to attend at least one (1) such meeting each year. SECTION 4. Meetings of all member Clubs in a Zone shall be designated and known as Zone Meetings and Zone Meetings shall be held throughout the State during the year at times and places to be fixed by the Zone chairperson of each individual Zone, who shall be in active charge. Zone Meetings shall be so arranged and of such number as will make it possible and convenient for the members of each Club in each Zone to attend at least three (3) such meetings each year. SECTION 5. Revenue to finance the operations of each District may be provided by a per capita tax in addition to the nine dollars ($9.00) provided in ARTICLE VII, Section 2, STATE REVENUE. The amount of the tax shall be fixed by two thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates representing the District and properly assembled at any District or State Convention. Advance notice shall have been provided as specified in Article XIV, SECTION 2 of this constitution. ARTICLE XI DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S CABINET SECTION 1. There shall be a District Governor's Cabinet in each District composed of the District Governor as its presiding officer, the Immediate Past District Governor, the Vice District Governor, the Region Chairpersons if used, the Secretary-Treasurer, and the Zone Chairpersons. In all meetings of the cabinet the voting privileges shall be extended to each of the aforementioned officers. SECTION 2. In the event that any Region Chairperson, if used, shall move into a Region other than the one from which appointed, the term of office of such Region Chairperson shall terminate immediately and his/her successor shall immediately be appointed by the District Governor to serve until the next State Convention. SECTION 3. The District Governor shall appoint a Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer who shall be a member of the same Lions Club to which the District Governor is a member, or of a Lions Club in close proximity thereto. SECTION 4. A majority of the District Governors Cabinet shall constitute a quorum. SECTION 5. The District Governor shall call at least three (3) regular meetings of the District Governors Cabinet during his year. A minimum of ten (10) days written notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the Cabinet by the Cabinet Secretary- Treasurer. Special meetings of the District Governors Cabinet may be called by the District Governor at his/her discretion, or shall be called upon written request made either to the District Governor or the Cabinet-Secretary- Treasurer by a majority of the members of the Cabinet. Not less than five (5) days written or telegraphic notice of special meetings of the District Governors Cabinet shall be given to each member by the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer. SECTION 6. In the event of a vacancy in a District Governors Cabinet, or in any office except that of District Governor, the vacancy shall be filled by the District Governor with the approval of the District Governor's Cabinet. The officer appointed shall serve until the next annual State Convention. SECTION 7. The District Governor and his/her Cabinet shall not incur obligations in any fiscal year which will effect an unbalanced budget or deficit in said fiscal year. SECTION 8. Each Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer shall be adequately bonded, the size of the bond to be fixed by the District Governors Cabinet. SECTION 9. The District Governor's Cabinet shall provide for an audit of all books and accounts of the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer annually, or at more frequent intervals if deemed necessary, by a competent auditor. The report of such audit shall be sent to all Clubs in the District. ARTICLE XII DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE SECTION 1. There shall be a District Governor's Advisory Committee in each Zone, composed of the Zone Chairperson and the Presidents and the Secretaries of the Clubs in the Zone. The duties of the committee shall be those outlined in the current Manual of Information for District Governors published by Lions Clubs International. SECTION 2. In the event any Zone Chairperson shall move into a Zone other than the one from which appointed, the term of office of such Zone Chairperson shall terminate immediately, and his successor for the remaining term shall be appointed by the District Governor. SECTION 3. The Zone Chairperson in each Zone shall call no fewer than three (3) meetings of the District Governor's

141 Advisory Committee during the year. The first of these meeting shall be held within sixty (60) days after the adjournment of the preceding International Convention; the second in the month of November; and the third in the month of February. ARTICLE XIII DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S HONORARY COMMITTEE SECTION 1. There may be in each District, a District Governor's Honorary Committee. The membership of this committee shall consist chiefly of Past International Officers, Past International Directors and Past District Governors within the District; and said members of the committee shall be appointed by the District Governor. The Immediate Past District Governor may be the chairman of this committee. SECTION 2. This District Governor's Honorary Committee shall meet when and as called upon by the District Governor to do so. SECTION 3. The duties of this committee shall be those outlined in the current Manual of Information for District Governors published by Lions Clubs International. ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS SECTION 1. This Constitution may be amended only at a State Convention, by resolution reported by the Convention Committee on Constitution and By-Laws and adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of votes cast. SECTION 2. No amendment shall be so reported or voted upon unless the same shall have been furnished in writing to each Club no less than thirty (30) days prior to the convening date of the annual State Convention with notice that the same will be voted upon at said Convention. A proposed amendment shall be submitted by a Lions Club in good standing in the Multiple District and Lions Clubs International. The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Multiple District Constitution and Bylaws Chairperson ninety (90) days in advance of the State Convention that it is to be voted upon. The Chairperson will review for accuracy and submit to all Lions Clubs Presidents in the Multiple District no less than thirty (30) days prior to the opening date of the State Convention with notice that it will be voted upon. The submitting Lions Club and the Constitution and By-Laws Chairperson must have proof that the above dates were complied with for the proposed amendment to be considered at the convention. Published in the Lions Roar or any other Multiple District 40 Lions document will be considered advance notice only if it meets the thirty (30) advance notice. The Multiple District Constitution and By-Laws Chairperson is responsible to verify and maintain proof that the publications are mailed in a timely manner to meet the thirty (30) day advance notice. If these communications cannot meet this advance notice then a separate notice shall be sent to each Lions Club President that does meet the advance notice requirement. SECTION 3. Each amendment shall take effect at the close of the Convention at which adopted unless otherwise specified in the amendment. SECTION 4. This constitution will become effective upon the adjournment of the 2004 State Convention or July 1, 2004, whichever date comes first. ARTICLE XV CONFLICT RESOLUTION SECTION 1. If any article or section of this Constitution and By-Laws is in conflict with the International Association of Lions Clubs Constitution and By-laws, the provisions of the International Association of Lions Clubs shall prevail. BY-LAWS ARTICLE I DISTRICT NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS SECTION 1. Any member of a Club in a District seeking the office of District Governor or Vice District Governor, shall file his/her intention to run in writing with his/her District Governor sixty (60) days prior to the State Convention, and furnish therewith evidence of his/her compliance with the qualifications for said office as set forth in the International Constitution and By- Laws. The candidate may, for the District Governor and the Vice District Governor, file said information with the State Council thirty (30) days prior to the State Convention. The State Council shall place in nomination at the State Convention the names of all candidates so qualified. If none are so received, and/or qualified, then, but only then, nominations for the office may be made from the floor. Each candidate shall be allowed one seconding speech of no more than three (3) minutes duration. SECTION 2. Elections shall be by secret written ballot. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast shall be declared elected. In case of a tie on any ballot, balloting shall continue on the tied candidates until one is elected. SECTION 3. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice District Governor or any Region Chairperson, the same shall be filled immediately by appointment by the District Governor to serve until the next State Convention.

142 SECTION 4. In the event of a vacancy in the office of District Governor, the same shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution. The remaining Cabinet Officers and District Governor Honorary Committee shall convene at a date, time and place called and determined by the Immediate Past District Governor to pick a replacement for recommendation to the International Board of Directors. ARTICLE II ELECTION OF STATE COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON SECTION 1. A candidate for the State Council Chairperson must be a Past District Governor and an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in New Mexico and in good standing in Multiple District 40. SECTION 2. All eligible Past District Governors that desire to be a candidate for Council Chairperson shall file their intent with the Council Chairperson sixty (60) days in advance. The Council will review for compliance and submit the names to all Lions Clubs Presidents in Multiple District 40 a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the NM State Convention with notice that the delegates will elect. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast at the NM State Convention shall be declared elected. If no qualified candidates have filed an intent, then and only then, nominations from the floor would be accepted. Any candidate nominated from the floor shall meet the office requirements and agreed to be nominated. SECTION 3. The candidates for State Council Chairperson each year will alternate between the two Districts. SECTION 4. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Council Chairperson, the same shall be filled by election by the State Council from the ranks of the Past District Governors residing in the same District as the Council Chairperson who vacated the office. ARTICLE III DUTIES SECTION 1. STATE COUNCIL CHAIR- PERSON. Under the general supervision of the International Board of Directors, he/she shall be the administrative officer of the State. His/Her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of the Association; b. Provide leadership, direction, and initiative for International and State programs, goals, and long range planning; c. Create and foster harmony and unity among Districts, and assist District Governors to solve issues; d. Preside over the State Convention and all Council Meetings; e. Submit reports and perform such duties as may be required by the State Constitution and By Laws; f. Perform such other administrative duties as may be assigned by the Multiple District Council; g. Facilitate, at the close of his/her term of office, timely presentation of all State accounts, funds, and records to his/her successor in office. SECTION 2. STATE COUNCIL SECRETARY- TREASURER. Under the supervision and direction of the State Council, he/she shall: a. Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Council, and within ten (10) days after each meeting forward copies thereof to all members of the Council and the office of Lions Clubs International; b. Assist the State Council in conducting the business of the Districts, and perform such other duties as are specified or implied in the Constitution and By Laws, or as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Council; c. Receive and give proper receipts for all per capita taxes required to be paid over to him/her by the District Cabinet Secretary-Treasurers, deposit the same in a bank or banks designated by the Council, and disburse the same under the supervision and control of the Council by checks drawn against said deposits signed by himself/ herself and countersigned by the Council Chairman or other duly authorized Past District Governor; d. Keep accurate books and records of accounts and minutes of all State Council meetings, and permit inspection of the same by any member of the Council or any Club in the State (or any duly authorized agent of either) at any reasonable time for any proper purpose; and e. Secure bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties in such sum and with such sureties as may be required by the Council. SECTION 3. STATE COUNCIL. It shall: a. Make all contracts and approve all bills relating to State Convention administrative expenses; b. Designate a depository for State funds; c. Determine the amount of surety bond for the Council Secretary Treasurer, and approve the surety company issuing said bond; d. Receive financial reports, semi annually or more frequently, from the Council Secretary-Treasurer, if necessary, and provide for an audit at the end of the fiscal year of the books and accounts of the Council Secretary Treasurer; and

143 e. Give prior approval to any officer, agent or committee to obligate funds before such amount is incurred. SECTION 4. DISTRICT GOVERNOR. Under the general supervision of the International Board of Directors, he/she shall represent the Association in his/her District. In addition, he/she shall be the chief administrative officer in his/her District and shall have direct supervision over the Region Chairpersons, the Zone Chairpersons, the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer and such other Cabinet members as may be provided for in the State Constitution and By-Laws. His/Her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of this Association; b. Supervise the organization of new Lions Clubs; c. Promote the Lions Clubs International Foundation and all service activities of the Association; d. Preside, when present, over Cabinet, Convention and other District Meetings. During any period he/she is unable to preside, the Vice District Governor, if present shall preside. If neither the District Governor nor the Vice District Governor is able to preside, a Region Chairperson chosen by the attending members shall preside; e. Perform such other functions and acts as shall be required of him/her by the International Board of Directors through the District Governor s Manual and other directives; f. Exercise such supervision and authority over Cabinet Officers and appointed District Committee Chairmen; g. Submit a current itemized statement of total District receipts and expenditures to his/her Cabinet meetings and District Convention for approval by the voting members of the respective meeting; and h. Deliver at the termination of his/her term of office, all Sub-District financial accounts and records to his/her successor at the first Cabinet Meeting of his/her successor. SECTION 5. VICE DISTRICT GOVERNOR. Subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor he/she shall be chief administrative assistant to the District Governor. His/Her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of this Association; b. Familiarize himself/herself with the duties of the District Governor so in the event of a vacancy in the office of District Governor he/she will be better prepared to assume the duties and responsibilities of said office; c. Perform such administrative duties as may be assigned to him/her by the District Governor; d. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of him/her by the International Board of Directors through the Vice District Governor's Manual and other directives; e. Actively participate in all Cabinet meetings and conduct all meetings in the absence of the District Governor; f. Participate in the preparation of the District budget; g. Be actively engaged in all matters to be continued during the next year; h. Participate in the review of the strengths and weaknesses of the Clubs of the District; and i. At the request of the District Governor supervise appropriate District Committees. SECTION 6. CABINET SECRETARY-TREASURER. Under the supervision of the District Governor, his/her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of this Association; b. Perform such duties as are implied by the title of said office, including the following: 1) Keep accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Cabinet and, within five (5) days after each meeting, forward copies of the same to all members of the Cabinet and the office of Lions Clubs International; 2) Take and keep minutes of the District Convention and furnish copies of the same to Lions Clubs International, the District Governor, and the Secretary of each Club in the District; 3) Make reports to the Cabinet as the District Governor or Cabinet may require; 4) Collect and receipt for all per capita taxes levied hereunder on members and Clubs in the District, deposit the same in such bank or banks as the District Governor shall determine, and disburse the same by order of the District Governor; 5) Remit and pay over to the State Council Secretary- Treasurer the State per capita tax, if any, collected by the District and secure a proper receipt therefor; 6) Keep accurate books and records of accounts, and minutes of all Cabinet and District meetings, and permit inspection of the same by the District Governor, any Cabinet member, and any Club (or any authorized agent of any of them) at any reasonable time for any proper purpose. Upon direction of the District Governor or the Cabinet, he/she shall furnish any such books and records as requested to any auditor appointed by the District Governor; 7) Secure bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties in such sum and with such sureties as may be required by the District Governor; and 8) Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of each by the International Board of Directors through the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer Manual and other directives.

144 SECTION 7. REGION CHAIRPERSON. Subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor, he/she shall be the chief administrative officer in his/her Region. His/Her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of this Association; b. Supervise the activities of the Zone Chairpersons in his/her Region and such District Committee Chairpersons as may be assigned to him/her by the District Governor; c. Play an active role in organizing new Clubs and in strengthening weak Clubs; d. Visit a regular meeting of each Club in his/her Region at least once during his/her term of office, reporting his findings to the District Governor; e. Visit a regular Board of Directors Meeting of each Club in his/her Region at least once during his term of office, reporting his/her findings to the District Governor; f. Endeavor to have every Club in his/her Region operating under a duly adopted Club Constitution and By-Laws; g. Promote representation at International, State and District Conventions by at least the full quota of delegates to which Clubs in his/her Region are entitled; h. Carry out such official visitations to Club meetings and charter nights as shall be assigned to his/her by the District Governor; i. Perform such additional assignments as shall be given to him/her from time to time by the District Governor; j. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of him/her by the International Board of Directors through the Region Chairperson Manual and other directives. In the event a Region Chairperson for any reason can not or does not, in the judgment of the District Governor, perform the duties of his/her office, or in the event the office is for any reason vacated, the District Governor shall appoint a successor to serve until the next State Convention. SECTION 8. ZONE CHAIRPERSON. Subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor and/or Region Chairperson, he/she shall be the chief administrative officer in his/her Zone. His/Her specific responsibilities shall be to: a. Further the Purpose and Objects of the Association; b. Serve as chairperson of the District Governor's Advisor Committee in his/her Zone and as such Chairperson to call regular meetings of said committee; c. Make a report of each District Governor's Advisory Meeting and send copies within five (5) days thereafter to Lions Clubs International and to the District Governor and Region Chairperson; d. Play an active role in organizing new Clubs and keep informed on the activities and well being of all Clubs his/her Zone; e. Represent each Club in his/her Zone in any problems with the District, State or Lions Clubs International; f. Supervise the progress of District, State, and Lions Clubs International projects in his/her Zone; g. Endeavor to have every Club within his/her Zone operating under a duly adopted Club Constitution and By- Laws; h. Promote representation at International, State and District Conventions by at least the full quota of delegates to which Clubs in his/her Zone are entitled; i. Visit a regular meeting of each Club in his/her Zone once or more during his/her term of office, reporting the findings to the Region Chairperson, particularly with respect to weaknesses he/she may have discovered. (Copy to District Governor); and j. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of him/her by the International Board of Directors through the Zone Chairperson Manual and other directives. In the event the Zone Chairperson for any reason can not or, in the judgment of the District Governor, does not perform the duties of his/her office, or in the event the office is for any reason vacated, the District Governor shall appoint a successor to serve for the unexpired term. SECTION 9. It shall: DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S CABINET. a. Assist the District Governor in the performance of his/her duties and in the formulation of administrative plans and policies affecting the welfare of Lionism within the District; b. Receive from the Region Chairperson, reports and recommendations which concerns the Clubs and Zones; c. Supervise the collection of all per capita taxes by the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, designate a depository (s) for said funds, and authorize the payment there from of all legitimate expenses pertaining to the administration of the affairs of the District; d. Secure, set the amount of and approve the surety company issuing, the surety bond for the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer; e. Secure semi-annually, or more frequently, District financial reports from the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer and; f. Provide for an audit of the books and accounts of the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, and with the District Governor's approval, set up definite schedule of dates, times and places of Cabinet meetings to be held during the fiscal year.

145 SECTION 10. DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE. It shall assist the Zone Chairperson in an advisory capacity, procure recommendations affecting the welfare of Lionism and the Clubs in the Zone and relay the same through the Zone Chairperson to the District Governor and his/her Cabinet. SECTION 11. DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S HONORARY COMMITTEE. It shall assist under the direction of the District Governor in the promotion of harmony throughout the District. The Chairperson of this committee shall attend meetings of the Cabinet when requested by the District Governor. ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES SECTION 1. The Credentials Committee of the State Convention shall be composed of the current District Governors and Cabinet Secretary-Treasurers. The Chairperson of this committee shall be the State Council Chairperson. At District Conventions, the District Governor, as Chair-person, his/her Cabinet Secretary- Treasurer and-two (2) other non-officers of the District shall serve as the Credentials Committee. Each such Credentials Committee shall have the powers and perform the duties set forth in ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED. SECTION 2. The State Council shall appoint, designate the Chairperson of, and fill any vacancies occurring in the following State Convention Committees: Resolutions, Nominations, Elections, Constitution and By Laws, Rules and International Convention. Each District shall have at least one representative on each such committee. These committees shall perform such duties as the Council shall designate. ARTICLE V. RULES FOR CONVENTION PROCEDURE SECTION 1. The State Council shall arrange the order of Business for the State Convention, and the same shall be the order of the day for all sessions. SECTION 2. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution and By-Laws, or in the Rules or Procedure adopted for a meeting all questions of Order and Procedure in any State or District meeting or convention, any meeting of the State Council, District Cabinet, Region, Zone or member Club or of any group or committee of any one of them shall be determined by ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER NEWLY REVISED. ARTICLE VI NOMINATION & ENDORSEMENT: INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR & 2ND VICE PRESIDENT NOMINEES SECTION 1. Subject to the provisions of the International Constitution and By- Laws, any member of a Lions Club in the State seeking endorsement of conventions of his/her District and State as a candidate for the office of International Director or Second Vice- President shall: a. Deliver (by mail or in person) written Notice of Intention to seek such endorsement to the District Governor of his/her District, and the State Council Secretary-Treasurer no less than sixty (60) days prior to the convening date of the convention (District or State) at which such question of endorsement is to be voted upon; and b. Deliver with said Notice of Intention evidence of fulfillment of the qualifications for such office set forth in the International Constitution and By-Laws. SECTION 2. Each Notice of Intention so delivered shall be transmitted forthwith by the District Governor and/or the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, as the case may be, to the State Council which shall review and perfect the same by obtaining from each prospective candidate any additional evidence of such intention and qualifications as may be necessary under the International Constitution and By- Laws, and shall place in nomination at the respective Convention the name of each such prospective candidate who has fulfilled said procedural and constitutional requirements. SECTION 3. Each such nominee for endorsement shall be entitled to one seconding speech of no more than three (3) minutes duration. SECTION 4. The vote on the question of endorsement shall be by secret ballot. To be elected a candidate shall receive fifty (50) per cent plus one vote of the registered and certified delegates at the convention. This means that a registered and certified delegate who does not vote is counted in determining the number of votes required to be elected. In the event of a tie vote, or failure of one nominee to receive the required majority on any ballot, balloting shall continue with respect to the two nominees only who received the largest number of votes on the previous ballot until one receives the required majority of the votes. SECTION 5. Certification of endorsement by the State Convention shall be made in writing to the International Office by the State officials designated, and in accordance with the requirements therefor set forth, in the International Constitution and By-Laws. SECTION 6. No endorsement of any candidacy of any member of a Lions Club in the State shall be valid unless and until the provisions of this ARTICLE VI have been met. ARTICLE VII FISCAL YEAR SECTION 1. The fiscal year of this State and each District shall be from July lst through June 3Oth.

146 ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENTS SECTION 1. These By-Laws may be amended only at a State Convention, by resolution reported by the Convention Committee on Constitution and By-Laws and adopted by a majority of the votes cast. SECTION 2. No amendment shall be so reported or voted upon unless the same shall have been furnished in writing to each Club no less than thirty (30) days prior to the convening date of the annual convention with notice that the same will be voted upon at said convention. A proposed amendment shall be submitted by a Lions Club in good standing in the Multiple District and Lions Club International. The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Multiple District Constitution and By- Laws Chairperson ninety (90) days in advance of the opening date of the State Convention that it is to be voted upon. The Chairperson will review for accuracy and submit to all Lions Clubs Presidents in the Multiple District no less than thirty (30) days prior to the opening date of the State Convention with notice that it will be voted upon. The submitting Lions Club and the Constitution and By-Laws Chairperson must have proof that the above dates were complied with for the proposed amendment to be considered at the convention. Published in the Lions Roar or any other Multiple District 40 Lions document will be considered advance notice only if it meets the thirty (30) day advance notice. The Multiple District Constitution and By-Laws Chairperson is responsible to verify and maintain proof that the publications are mailed in a timely manner to meet the thirty (30) day advance notice. If these communications cannot meet this advance notice then a separate notice shall be sent to each Lions Club President that does meet the advance notice requirement. SECTION 3. Each amendment shall take effect at the close of the convention at which adopted unless otherwise specified in the amendment. ARTICLE IX. EFFECTIVE DATE These By-Laws will become effective upon the adjournment of the 2004 State Convention or July 1, 2004, whichever date comes first. CHANGES TO THIS CONSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE DELEGATES AT THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF MD40 AT LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO, 3 JUNE PROPOSITION 1: Article VII, Section 1. CHANGE where appearing, per capita tax of sixteen dollars and fifty cents ($16.50) and eight dollars and twenty-five cents ($8.25) TO READ seventeen dollars and fifty cents ($17.50) and eight dollars and seventy-five cents ($8.75), respectively. PROPOSITION 2: Article VII, Section 2, CHANGE $16.50 TO READ $17.50 PROPOSITION 3: Article II, Section 2. CHANGE The remaining four dollars ($4.00) shall be used to defray the cost of an annual subscription to the State s monthly newspaper, the Lions Roar TO READ The remaining five dollars ($5.00) shall be used to defray the cost of an annual subscription to the State s monthly newspaper, the Lions Roar. PROPOSITION 4: Article IV, Section 6. CHANGE such recommendations shall be in accordance with Article VII, Section 5 District Organization of the Constitution and By- Laws of the International Association of Lions Clubs TO READ such recommendations shall be in accordance with Article V, Section 6 District, (Single, Sub, and Multiple) Conventions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the International Association of Lions Clubs CHANGES TO THIS CONSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE DELEGATES AT THE SEVENTY-NINTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF MD40 AT POJOAQUE, NEW MEXICO, 3 JUNE ARTICLE IV STATE COUNCIL SECTION 3. The Council Chairperson shall appoint the Council Secretary/Treasurer who shall be a past District Governor or a past District Cabinet Secretary /Treasurer and is in good standing in his/her chartered Lions Club in New Mexico that is in good standing with the District. In the event the State Council Chairperson is replaced, for any reason, the current Council Secretary-Treasurer will continue in office. Should the Council Secretary/Treasurer not complete his/her term for any reason, the State Council Chairperson shall appoint a replacement. ARTICLE II ELECTION OF STATE COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON SECTION 2. All eligible Past District Governors that desire to be a candidate for Council Chairperson shall file their intent with the Council Chairperson sixty (60) days in advance. The Council will review for compliance and submit the names to all Lions Clubs Presidents in Multiple District 40 a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the opening of the NM State Convention with notice that the delegates will elect. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes cast at the NM State Convention shall be declared elected. If no qualified candidates have filed an intent, then and only then, nominations from the floor would be accepted. Any candidate nominated from the floor shall meet the office requirements and agreed to be nominated. CHANGES TO THIS CONSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE DELEGATES AT THE EIGHTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF MD40 AT HOBBS, NEW MEXICO, 4 MAY 2008.

147 ARTICLE V. STATE CONVENTION SECTION 5. CHANGE Each chartered Club in the State..Each delegate and Past District Governor shall be registered before the close of the registration on Saturday by 5:00 p.m. (No delegates or Past District Governor will be registered on the day of voting.) TO READ Each chartered Club in the State..Each delegate and Past District Governor shall be registered before the close of the registration on Saturday by 12:00 noon (No delegates or Past District Governor will be registered on the day of voting). CHANGES TO THIS CONSTITUTION APPROVED BY THE DELEGATES AT THE EIGHTY-FIRST ANNUAL CONVENTION OF MD40 AT FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO, 30 MAY ARTICLE VII STATE REVENUE SECTION 2. The $17.50 per capita tax shall be collected from each Club by the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer in each District except that new and reorganized Clubs shall pay only the prorated per capita tax as of the first day of the second month following the date of their organization. Three dollars ($3.00) of this per capita tax shall be forwarded upon collection to the State Council Secretary-Treasurer, the money to be used for such purposes as may be approved by the State Council. Nine dollars ($9.00) shall be retained in a District Fund and shall be disbursed only for administrative expenses of the District organization as are approved by the District Cabinet. Two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) of this per capita tax shall be forwarded upon collection to the State Council Secretary-Treasurer, the money to be used for traveling (i.e., to visit Lions Clubs in the State) expenses by the State Committee Chairpersons for Membership Development, Extension Development, Retention Development, Leadership Development, and Women s Initiative Development. The remaining three dollars ($3.00) shall be used to defray the cost of publishing the electronic state newsletter, the Lions Roar, and maintaining a state website. The District Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer shall collect the dues from the Clubs and forward the MD40 portion to the State Council Secretary-Treasurer. ARTICLE X DISTRICT ORGANIZATION AND REVENUE SECTION 5. Revenue to finance the operations of each District may be provided by a per capita tax in addition to the nine dollars ($9.00) provided in ARTICLE VII, Section 2, STATE REVENUE.

148 M D 4 0 I N F O R M A T I O N Appendix II MD40 Information Multiple District 40 Lions Clubs District 40N Clubs REGION 1 Greater Las Vegas (Zone 1) Raton (Zone 1) Espanola (Zone 2) Los Alamos (Zone 2) Santa Fe Capital City (Zone 2) Eldorado Basin (Zone 2) Santa Fe Host (Zone 2) Taos (Zone 2) REGION 2 Gallup (Zone 1) Thoreau (Zone 1) Window Rock (Zone 1) Farmington Evening (Zone 2) Aztec (Zone 2) Lower Valley (Zone 2) REGION 3 Clovis Evening (Zone 1) Portales (Zone 1) Floyd (Zone 1) Melrose (Zone 1) REGION 4 Albuquerque Breakfast (Zone 1) Albuquerque Four Hills (Zone 1) Albuquerque Northeast (Zone 1) Albuquerque Rio Grande (Zone 1) Albuquerque Alameda (Zone 2) Albuquerque West Mesa (Zone 2) Albuquerque Uptown (Zone 2) Rio Rancho Amigos (one Z2) Rio Rancho Host (Zone 2) Corrales Sandoval (Zone 2) Edgewood (Zone 3) Moriarty (Zone 3) Sandia Mountain (Zone 3) Socorro (Zone 4) II-1

149 District 40S Clubs ZONE 1 Bayard Deming Deming Wildcats Silver City Lordsburg ZONE 2 Hatch Truth or Consequences ZONE 5 Capitan Smokey Bear Ruidoso Evening Ruidoso Valley Noon ZONE 6 Artesia Downtown Carlsbad Downtown Carlsbad Heights ZONE 3 Las Cruces de Noche La Mesa Las Cruces Sunrise Los Leones de Mesilla Las Cruces Anthony ZONE 4 Alamogordo Breakfast Alamogordo Downtown Alamogordo Noon Alamogordo Evening Tularosa Cloudcroft High Rolls/Mtn.Park ZONE 7 Roswell Downtown Roswell Midday Roswell Mariachi Roswell New Visions Hagerman ZONE 8 Eunice Hobbs Downtown Hobbs Evening Lovington Tatum II-2

150 MD40 Council Chairpersons D. D. Archer Artesia X Lewis Elliot Mesilla Park M William Ravenscroft Albuquerque N Carl Rodolph Clovis X Alex Kahan T or C M Jack Pope Albuquerque N Art Green Ruidoso X Harold Dermody Las Cruces M John T. Notman Las Cruces N Bernard Love Lovington X Thomas Graham Las Cruces M L. J. Hunley Albuquerque N Arvin Eady Hobbs X Lionel D. Haight Las Cruces M Walter Nation Albuquerque N Bert Jones Artesia X George Stoy La Mesa M William C. Patton N Sidney Bernard Carlsbad X Ray G. Abbott La Mesa M Tony Bandoni Albuquerque N Tom Embree Lovington X Raymond Van Pelt Las Cruces M Ted T. Meyers Los Lunas N Bill Cunningham Carlsbad X Morris Finkner Las Cruces M Erwin Davis Albuquerque N Joseph Smith Carlsbad X Harold Hefner Roswell X John Chandler Albuquerque N C. O. Drenan Albuquerque X Laverne Lincoln Farmington N Jay Miller Santa Fe N William Schum Albuquerque N Bill Fugate Albuquerque M Stan Bode Carlsbad X Ed Lafferty Las Cruces M Roy Chamblis Clovis X Cecil Lee May Alaomogordo M Richard Knodle Las Cruces M Milton Houston Artesia X Jimmy Cooksey Tularosa M Lou Zamora Rociada N Rick Kocab Deming S Wesley Brown Raton N Freddie Baker Alamogordo S II-3

151 96-97 Olen Chambers Los Lunas N Ernest London Hobbs S Merle Terry Clovis N Richard Dutchover Las Cruces S George Kitchen Rio Rancho N Terry Reed Alamogordo S Mary Jane Shannon Santa Fe N Don Reese Eunice S Harry Kovaschetz Albuquerque N Bill Davis Silver City S LeeRoy Milton Albuquerque N Bob Callender Capitan S Jeff Kriz Albuquerque N Rick Jensen High Rolls S MD40 District Governors District Jaffa Miller D. R. E. Watts C.B. "Hap" Beyer Roy H. Carey N.B. Phillips Postelle Copper Leon Bower Edd Amonett Donovan Hoover Carroll Gunderson Fitzhugh Gofurther James Neleigh T. H. Russell Charles Mills Gaylord A. Burt A. J. Exter Homer Lawrence C. C. Conover G. L. Gunthrie Ivan Johnson John A. Frost District 40X D. D. Archer Tom Embree Howard Babcock Dr. L.D. Bardbour Clyde Anderson James Craig Carl Rudolph Wilburn Cunningham Cleo Ainsworth Vernon Gillmore John J. Kelt Dave Williams Art Green Joseph Smith Brad Hays Harold Hefner Eugene Mann Merle Terry Bernard L. Love C. O. Drennan Bill Reves William Onda Lloyd Franklin Ralph Belfanz Arvin D. Eady Stan W. Bode O. K. Neal Garland Kelly II-4

152 66-67 Arthur Sander Roy Chambliss Bert Jones Ernest London L.J. Frauendorfer Byron Hodgson Joe Helton Milton Houston Sidney Bernard Andy Deshotel Clyde Allenworth Hal Helton Gerald Dorough Gordon Tatro District 40M Dan King Herb Altum Lewis Elliot Ramond Van Pelt Raymond J. Reed Orval Oldham Harold O'Dell James Livingston Alex Kahm Morris Finkner Thomas Foy Fred Herrera Dale Dodd Lowell Stephens Harold Dermody Bill King Bert Newland Myron Woolsey John Tillotson Bill Mills Thomas Graham Bernie Litsenberger Haskell Smith Kenneth Havens William E. Marr Bill Fugate Lionel Haight Ed Lafferty David L. Walker Doc O'Connell E. Ross Shain Cecil Lee May George Stoy Richard Knodle Ernest Burleson Gene Jasso Ray Dean Jimmy Cooksey Ray G. Abbott Norm Weatherly Frank Cain Rick Kocab District 40N Frank Huffstetler Ross Green Tony Heinmann John Mullins William Ravenscroft Walter Nations Bradley Kidder Wallace Leach J. V. Buchanen Michael Fidel Jack Pope William C. Patton Smitty Eoff Jesse A. May Glenn Carlin Herbert H. Bute John Nolman Tony Bandoni, Jr Fred C. Humphreys Charles Rink Cap Parkinson Delfin Sanchez L. J. Hunley Ted T. Meyers II-5

153 75-76 Bill Lewis Olen Chambers Joe Halpin Dennis Taylor Erwin Davis Victor Lyon Carl Sigman Harry Kovaschetz Clem Meyer Wally Chesebro John Chandler George Kitchen Laverne Lincoln Mary Jane Shannon Jay Miller Ralph Richards William Schum Lee Roy Milton J. G. Thomson Jay Hofecker Doc Weaver Adolph Gallegos Duane Broshious Bill Whatley Manuel Rodriguez Frank Laskey Wesley Brown Ruben Vigil Harry Kovaschetz John Sakasitz Jim Bruce Tom Himrod Lou Zamora Chuck Easton Miriam Stucker District 40S Freddie Baker Jim Jones Arnold Papurt Bill Davis Richard Dutchover Bob Callender Jack Harmon Rick Jensen Veta London Jeff Kriz Terry Reed Jim Brannon Don Reese Kitty Callender Charlie Abbott Rosa Doporto Joe Gascoigne Past International Directors in NM Don Reese, PDG Ray Marley, PDG Gordon Post, PDG II-6

154 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K Appendix III NEW MEXICO LIONS EYE FOUNDATI0N EYE SCREENING PROGRAM HANDBOOK Originally Developed and Compiled By Lion PID Gordon Post Lion Ruth E. Gange Revised by Lion Rita Lucero Lion Bryson McCool September 2008 III-1

155 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K NEW MEXICO LIONS EYE FOUNDATION EYE SCREENING PROGRAM INTRODUCTION. The New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation (NMLEF) was formed in In 1996, a matching grant of $40,000 from LCIF permitted the Foundation to purchase a 34' motor home specifically designed and compartmented for use as an eye screening vehicle. Delivery was taken of the vehicle on November 2, 1996, and thereafter equipment was installed to permit eye screenings. The first screening was conducted in Albuquerque on January 25, Under the NMLEF Constitution, each screening must be sponsored by a Lions Club in Multiple District 40. In fiscal year , a contract was entered into between the Foundation and the NM Department of Health (NMDOH) to provide certain services for diabetics and in return receive reimbursement of expenses. Lions should remember the van was purchased and is maintained by NM Lions Clubs. While it gets about six miles to the gallon and is expensive to maintain, the greatest waste is to leave the Van sitting unused. A screening event, while being a valuable community service effort, provides great exposure for your club and Lionism in NM. Please ask your Club to remember the NM Lions Eye Foundation in your Club's budget. SCREENING PROCESS OVERVIEW. There are several things a Lions Club can do to ensure a successful eye screening session. The following items are listed in no particular order as each is equally important and can determine the success or failure of the screening. The most successful screenings are in coordination with and held at a medical center or health clinic. Sometimes these medical facilities will secure the doctor(s) required for the screenings. However, it is the responsibility of the club requesting the screening to follow up to ensure those doctor(s) will indeed be there. Nearly all clinics/centers will set up appointments on a ten minute schedule. Since this is not a full eye examination but rather a screening to determine if a more thorough examination is required by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, the ten minute time per patient should be adequate. In most cases, the people to be screened are patients of the center/clinic. Clinic/center personnel will want to make a copy of the Lions screening forms for their records. The importance of conducting a screening in conjunction with a center/clinic is they will provide the patient follow-up (which Lions cannot do) by ensuring the referred patient receives a full eye examination and that they follow the doctor s instructions. This advantage is extremely important when dealing with diabetic patients and the elderly. Since diabetes is extensive in New Mexico, the center/clinic follow-up for a diabetic patient is extremely important. Coordination with the clinic/center well ahead of the screening is critical. If not working with a health clinic or medical center, the greatest challenge is finding an eye doctor who is willing to donate his/her medical expertise and time. Once a club has solicited and verified a screening date with the MD40 Screening Coordinator (which III-2

156 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K should be done several months out from the date of the screening), coordination with the doctor should take place immediately to establish that indeed he/she will be available. Make sure the doctor has the information regarding the screening location and the beginning and end times of the screening. Often, Clubs use one doctor for the morning shift and another for the afternoon shift. If the doctor is to provide an optimum screening, the patient will need to have their eyes dilated prior to seeing the doctor. Please note the dilation process should begin immediately after registration to ensure the eyes are fully dilated by the time the patient sees the doctor (normally minutes). The screening van has several types and strengths of dilation solution. It is wise to ask the doctor(s) before the screening what type and strength of drops they prefer and then contact the eye van driver and find out what types are carried in the van so a compromise can be reached. The New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation receives a monetary compensation from the New Mexico Department of Health for each day of dilated screening. At least one diabetic patient must be dilated each day for the NMLEF to qualify for the monetary compensation. The amount of the monetary compensation varies from year to year. There are over 200 medical centers/clinics in New Mexico. NMDOH publishes a resource directory titled, NM Community-Based and Rural Health Clinics. They are often very willing to cooperate with local Lions Clubs to collaborate on a community eye screening. They are very interested in having this type of eye care for their patients and will allow Lions Clubs to include other members of the community in the screening. The MD40 Eye Screening Coordinator will have a copy of the NMDOH Health Clinic Directory which can also be accessed on the NM Lions Website ( under NM Foundations. SUGGESTED SCREENING PROCEDURE 1. No less than two months before a club wishes to conduct a screening, they should contact the MD40 Eye Screening Coordinator to obtain open primary and alternate dates for their screening at which time they should also request a Screening Club Information Packet. The current eye screening schedule can be found on the NM Lions Website which indicates open and taken dates. The screening schedule is updated as changes are made so it should always be current. If your Club does screenings every year and is not on the distribution list, please notify the screening coordinator accordingly to ensure the current updates are promptly provided. 2. Once the screening date is established, the Club needs to begin preparation. The Screening Application (Enclosure 1) must be obtained from the screening coordinator. There are three (3) copies of this form. Please return the WHITE and III-3

157 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K YELLOW copies to the screening coordinator. The screening coordinator will submit the YELLOW copy to the van driver. The PINK copy is for the Club s records. On the screening schedule provided on the NM Lions Website, each screening event will be designated by the following: NPW Screening date has been requested but no paperwork has been provided to the screening coordinator; NI New information; MC Screening held at a medical center or clinic; OK paper work has been provided to the screening coordinator and the screening date confirmed; or COMPLETED screening completed and all paper work provided to the MD40 Screening Coordinator. Newspaper and radio/television releases should be developed and coordinated to inform the public of the upcoming screening. The Club should contact the Van driver well in advance of the scheduled screening to establish the arrival date and time of the Van. The driver s contact information can be obtained from the MD40 Eye Screening Coordinator. The Club should plan to meet the Van and direct the driver to the selected screening site. The Club conducting the screening is responsible for the driver s lodging, meals, and transportation to and from the van. If the screening is more than a day, a location must be established to place the van overnight. Any other courtesies extended to the Van driver are greatly appreciated 3. The optometrist/ophthalmologist and health clinic/medical center (or other location) should be contacted before requesting a screening date from the screening coordinator. A good practice is to take the latest screening schedule with you when coordinating a date. After coordination with the screening doctor(s) has been done and a date(s) confirmed by the screening coordinator, a letter (Enclosure 2) should be sent that thanks them for their upcoming participation and specifies any pertinent information such as dates and times of the screening. Once the screening is completed, it is also a great gesture to provide the doctor with a framed Certificate of Appreciation from the Club to acknowledge their services. Keep in mind, WITHOUT THE DOCTOR S DONATED SERVICES, MD40 HAS NO SCREENING PROGRAM. The NM Lions Eye Foundation Eye Screening Program Patient Registration and Exam Results form is provided at Enclosure 3. The first part of this form includes the patient s registration information, visual acuity, blood pressure, pulse rate, blood sugar, and intraocular pressure (Applanation Tonopen). The second part of the form is the results from the screening conducted by the doctor. All information on both pages needs to be completely and correctly completed. The doctor s signature on the second part is required. Blank copies of this form are carried in the van and are available at the screening site. 4. At the conclusion of the screening, a copy of all completed Patient Registration and Exam Results forms will be turned into the driver. The driver gives the completed forms to the screening coordinator or other designated person to tally the results. Copies of the tally results will be sent by the screening coordinator to the NM Lions III-4

158 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K Eye Foundation President, Zone Chairperson, District Governor, the club that sponsored the screening (Enclosure 4), and anyone else who needs one. The sponsoring club will provide a copy to the attending doctor with a cover letter as provided at Enclosure Information available from the MD40 Eye Screening Coordinator includes: * Dates available to schedule a screening * Club Screening Request forms * Screening Club Information Packet * Colored posters to advertise a club s community screening * NM Community Based and Rural Health Clinics information 6. Screening Club Information Packet contents: * Letter to the Doctor Who Will Conduct the Screening (Enclosure 2) * NMLEF Eye Screening Program Patient Registration and Exam Results Form (Enclosure 3) * Letter to the Club That Conducted the Screening With the Screening Results (Enclosure 4) * Letter to the Doctor Who Conducted the Screening With the Screening Results (Enclosure 5) * NM Lions Eye Foundation Eye Screening Program Handbook OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW & LAYOUT Station 1: Registration and Check-Out Area One to two (1 to 2) Lions Station 2: Dilation Area One (1) Medical Personnel Station 3: Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Test Area One (1) Medical Personnel Station 4: Visual Acuity Area (Inside Van) One (1) Scribe and 1 Stick Man Station 5: Doctor Screening Area (Inside Van) Doctor and One (1) Scribe if Doctor requests. The need for a Scribe should be discussed with the Doctor before the screening. The holding area, if needed, is outside the Van. Station 6: Screening Evaluation Area (Medical Personnel) There should be at least one Lion to escort patients from the Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Test Area to the Screening Van. Lions must ensure that patients proceed orderly through each of the steps. Lions at the Registration Area must closely examine the paper work for completeness and correctness. The Van driver will review the screening process to ensure all steps in the screening process are being followed and the required information is being properly collected and recorded. III-5

159 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 1: NMLEF Club Screening Application Which Is Available only from Screening Coordinator III-6

160 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 1: NMLEF Club Screening Application Which Is Available only from Screening Coordinator (Continued) III-7

161 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 2: Letter to the Doctor Who Will Conduct the Screening September 10, 2008 Dr. Ben Smith 333 Aspen Way Las Cruces, NM Dear Dr. Smith: Thank you volunteering to be in charge of the eye screening for the Las Cruces Evening Lions Club. The screening site will be Ben Archer Health Clinic located at 5664 Portillo St. in Las Cruces on 30 October We have a rather complete eye exam lane for you to use in the mobile screening unit (some of the equipment may not be needed). The lane includes: a Marco VG slit lamp with Goldman applanation tonometer; a tonopen; a 90 diopter lens; a 20 diopter lens; a 2.2 retinal lens; a Keeler all-pupil indirect ophthalmoscope; a direct ophthalmoscope; a retinascope; a muscle light; a phopter; a lensometer; and a Sussman 4 mirror lens. The screening is scheduled to start at 9AM and continue through 4PM. Lions will be at the site at 8AM to begin setup. We appreciate your cooperation with the NM Lions Eye Foundation and participation with the Lions Eye Screening Program. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. Enclosed is a copy of the Screening Application Form. Lions will fill out the patient information part of the form and will be conducting the visual acuity testing. Again, thank you very much for your assistance in this important community service project. Respectfully, Lion Joe Johnson 3209 Fairway Las Cruces, NM joej@aol.com III-8

162 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 3: NM Lions Eye Foundation Eye Screening Program Patient Registration and Exam Results Form III-9

163 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 3: NM Lions Eye Foundation Eye Screening Program Patient Registration and Exam Results Form (Continued) III-10

164 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 4: Letter to the Club That Conducted the Screening With the Results August 11, 2001 Lion Leo Smith 1604 Claremont Terrace Las Cruces, NM Dear Lion Leo: On behalf of the Lions of New Mexico and their eye screening program, we thank you for the many efforts you made to make the eye screening held July 29 at the Border Town Days successful. The driver appreciated the help and the fine hospitality shown by your club. You really did a fantastic job of promotion and publicity. Please convey our thanks to the members of your club for their efforts at the screening. The screening programs offer a valuable service to the community not only by disclosing undetected eye diseases in some residents, but also by creating an awareness of the whole field of sight conservation and the fine job the New Mexico Lions are doing in this area. These programs will continue only because you and other dedicated Lions make them possible. Listed below is a report of the results of the screening. Please share this letter and the screening results with your fellow club members. We hope we may have the privilege of working with you again in the future. Yours in Lionism, Lion Rita Lucero, MD40 Eye Screening Coordinator 87 W. Iceplant Rd. Estancia, NM jrl87nm@usa.com Total screened: 32 NT = not tested NR = not reported Number dilated: 0 Visual Acuity 20/40 and higher: 7 High Blood Pressure: NT High Blood Sugar: NT Borderline Eye Pressure: 0 High Eye Pressure: 1 Diabetic Retinopathy: 0 (see below) Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration: 0 Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration: 0 Cataract: 3 Other Referrals: Hypertensive retinopathy, grade one- 1; Suspicious optic nerve- 2; Glasses need updating - 13 III-11

165 S C R E E N I N G H A N D B O O K ENCLOSURE 5: Letter With the Results to the Doctor Who Conducted the Screening July 7, 2000 Dr. Sean Hamashige 9 Calle Medico Santa Fe, NM Dear Dr. Hamashige: Thank you sincerely for the donation of your time and efforts on behalf of those participating in the eye screening program held April 9 and 10 at La Familia. These screening sessions offer a valuable service to the community not only by disclosing undetected eye diseases in some residents, but also by creating an awareness of the whole field of sight conservation and the fine job the Lions of New Mexico are doing in this area. These programs will continue only because you and other dedicated doctors make them possible. We hope we may have the privilege of working with you again. Respectfully, Lion Joe Johnson 3209 Fairway Las Cruces, NM joej@aol.com Total screened: 107 Normal: 84 Borderline eye pressure: 11 High eye pressure: 0 Background diabetic retinopathy without swelling: 8 Background diabetic retinopathy with swelling: 0 Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: 1 Dry age related macular degeneration: 2 Wet age related macular degeneration: 0 Cataract: 30 Visual acuity: 1 Referrals for glasses or other: 1 High blood pressure: 6 High blood sugar: 44 III-12

166 L I O N S F O R M S Appendix IV Lions Forms IV-1

167 Membership Application Form IV-2

168 New Member Questionnaire & Sponsor Pledge Form IV-3

169 Club Monthly Membership Report (Filed via Mail) List number of members by Enter the number of Lions from category that are in the Club the previous month s report. at the end of the month. Designate the number of Enter the number of new dropped Lions by reason. Lions, reinstated Lions, and transfer Lions and sum up. From that sum deduct the number of dropped Lions to arrive at the number Lions in the Club at the end of the month. List specifically (and designate information asked for) all new, reinstated, and transfer members. Also list members who have had a change of name or address. Enter the names, drop reasons, and member numbers of Lions who have been dropped from the Club. The President of the Club must sign the form. IV-4

170 Club Monthly Activity Report (District) Part 1 IV-5

171 Club Monthly Activity Report (District) Part 2 IV-6

172 M E M B E R S H I P R E P O R T I N G Appendix V Membership Reporting V-1

173 Membership Reporting Web Monthly Membership Reporting WMMR Quick Reference Guide 2009 Lions Clubs International

174 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Table of Contents Membership Reporting Page # 1. How to Log in 2 2. How to Add a Member 6 3. How to Drop a Member 9 4. How to Reinstate a Member How to Transfer a Member How to Update or Review a Member s Information Club Report Functions a. Monthly Membership Reports b. Membership Data Download c. Lions Club Activity Report d. Membership Cards 8. The Club Officer Function How to Add, Update, Delete an Officer 9. How to Enter a Family Unit You must have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to view and run the print version of the reports in the WMMR website. *** See the Software Tips Section if you need further directions. 6/5/2009 Page 1 of 36

175 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Membership Reporting How to Add, Drop, Reinstate, Transfer, Update or Review Here s How What You ll See 1. Go to 2. Click on Submit Reports. 3. Click on Lion Officers Login Here. 6/5/2009 Page 2 of 36

176 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 4. Click on the Training Area if you want to obtain training. 5. On the next screen, click Go. What You ll See ***Note: You can click on the Training Area and use it with no password 6. To proceed to editing part of WMMR, enter your Member Number and Password. ***Note: Password is needed for this area. 7. In order to get your Password, click on the Need your Password? Link. ***Note: You must have a valid address on record with International Headquarters to receive your password using the Need your Password link. 6/5/2009 Page 3 of 36

177 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 8. Enter your Member # and click Submit. What You ll See 9. Type in your Member Number and Password and click Go to continue to the member reporting area. 10. After you log in, click on the Membership Tab. 6/5/2009 Page 4 of 36

178 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 11. Select the Report Month being reported. Notice that the Report Month is indicated in the red rectangle. What You ll See *** Note: Report month choices are current calendar month or up to 2 months prior. The default is the current calendar month. All prior reporting months require paper copies to be submitted to the Club Officer & Record Administration Department at the International Headquarters. 12. If you want to report NO membership activity, click the appropriate option located at the bottom of the list. 13. The MMR Report Status screen will appear to confirm your submission. 14. Click OK to return to the Membership Activity Page. 6/5/2009 Page 5 of 36

179 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See How to Add a Member 1. Click on Add or Add a Member. 2. If the person you are adding was not a prior member, click the No circle, and click Submit ***Note: Leave the rest of the fields blank. 6/5/2009 Page 6 of 36

180 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 3. If the member you are adding was a prior member, select Yes. Enter the last name of prior member and any additional information you have about the member (or what you know about an existing or prior Lion) and click Submit. What You ll See ***Note: Enter only the member number, if available, and click Submit. 4. Basic Member Information page will open 5. Fill in ALL of the required fields marked with (*). 6. After entering all of the necessary information on the Basic form, click on Member Sponsor, or Sponsor tab to continue. ***Note: If not all of the required fields are filled in, an error message will display. 6/5/2009 Page 7 of 36

181 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 7. Select a sponsor using the Sponsor Lookup window. 8. If the sponsor is from the same club, members will display in the box. a. To scroll through the names, click the up or down arrows next to the box. b. OR search for a sponsor within the club, fill in Last and First Name or Member # in the dialog box and click Search. 9. Click the name of the sponsor to highlight it, then click Add. 10. If the sponsor is from a different club, fill in the information in the Different Club window located at the bottom of the Sponsor Window. 11. Once you have selected a sponsor, click Save Member. What You ll See 12. If the member is a part of a family unit, click the Family Unit button, and enter the Family Unit information. 13. Once the Family Unit information is entered, click the Save Member button. 6/5/2009 Page 8 of 36

182 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See How to Drop a Member 1. Click on the Drop or Drop a Member. 2. Click on the Member ID, in the member column, of the member you want to drop. 3. OR fill in the Last Name or Member # and click Search. 6/5/2009 Page 9 of 36

183 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 4. Click on the Drop Reason drop down list. 5. Highlight an appropriate reason by clicking on it. What You ll See 6. Click the Drop button to drop the selected member. 6/5/2009 Page 10 of 36

184 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See How to Reinstate a Member 1. Click on Reinstate or Reinstate a Member. 2. Click on the box next to the member you want to reinstate then click Reinstate Selected. 3. All members you selected will re-display in a confirmation screen. 4. Click on the Confirmation Reinstatement to finish. ***Note: More than one member can be reinstated at a time ***Note: Only the members who have been dropped from your club in the last 12 months will display. 6/5/2009 Page 11 of 36

185 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See How to Transfer a Member (Into your club) 1. Click on Transfer or Transfer a Member. 2. Fill in the Last Name or the Member # if available and click Search. 3. All members who match the search will be displayed. 4. Click on the Member # of the member that you want to transfer. 6/5/2009 Page 12 of 36

186 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 5. Make sure that all of the information on the screen is correct; make changes if necessary. 6. Click Confirm Transfer. What You ll See 7. If you are not able to locate the member to transfer, click Assistance. 8. Fill in the data requested, and then click Submit Assistance Request. ***Note: LCI headquarters staff will process the transfer for you. 6/5/2009 Page 13 of 36

187 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 1. Click Update or Update Member s Information if you want to make any changes. What You ll See How to Update or Review a Member s Information ***Note: Review and Review Member s Information are used for viewing only. 2. Click on the Member # of the member, whose information you want to change. 6/5/2009 Page 14 of 36

188 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 3. Change/Update the member s information and click Save Member. What You ll See 4. If you want to change the member s name, click on the Change button. 5. Enter desired changes and a reason for change and Click Submit. 6. This confirmation screen will appear. The name change will be submitted to LCI headquarters for review ***Note: This message will time out after 5 seconds. 6/5/2009 Page 15 of 36

189 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 7. If you want to review sponsor information, click on the Sponsor Tab. What You ll See ***Note: Sponsor changes can only be updated by the Membership Operations Department staff. Please contact them at: memberops@lionsclubs.org 6/5/2009 Page 16 of 36

190 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See Club Report Functions 1. Click on the Club link. 2. Click on the Reports link. 3. Click on the Print button next to the report you want to view or print. 4. While viewing the report, click the Print Icon. 6/5/2009 Page 17 of 36

191 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See Monthly Membership Report 1. To view or print a Monthly Membership Report, click on the Print button. 2. Type in a Month and a Year of the report you want to view in the following format mm/yyyy, then click Run Report. 6/5/2009 Page 18 of 36

192 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 3. A report will be generated for the month you selected. 4. Save a copy of the monthly report for your club s records. What You ll See While viewing the report, click the Print Icon. 6/5/2009 Page 19 of 36

193 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See Membership Data Download 1. Click on View button next to the Membership Data Download to get appropriate data. 2. To ensure privacy, the following screen will appear. 3. Click on I Agree button to continue. 4. A comma delimited file will be displayed. 5. You can copy and paste this information into a data base or spreadsheet program and use for your club purposes, such as mailing labels. 6/5/2009 Page 20 of 36

194 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See Lions Club Activity Report 1. To submit a Monthly/Yearly Activity Report click Go! 2. Click on Continue. 3. Click on Enter New Activity Report. *** Note: To update an existing report, click Update or correct an Activity Report. 6/5/2009 Page 21 of 36

195 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 4. To select month of the activity report, click on the down arrow. 5. Click Go. What You ll See 6. Within each section, select all applicable activities and enter donations, hours, participants, and benefactors. ***Note: IMPORTANT!! To make certain your information is stored, click the "Save Report" Button within 20 minutes to avoid timing out and losing your entries. Repeat every 20 minutes, if necessary. 7. If your club performs activities not covered above, enter donations, hours, participants, benefactors, and comments in the Other Service Activities section. *** Note: Please do not include time spent at meetings or raising funds. 6/5/2009 Page 22 of 36

196 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 8. If applicable, enter donations in the Donations to Lions Foundations section. 9. Click Save Report. What You ll See 10. A confirmation window will appear after successful submission. 11. If you wish to print a report, click on Print an Activity Report. 12. Select the month of a report you want to print. 13. An activity report will be generated. Franklin 14. While in the report, click the Print Icon to print a paper copy. 6/5/2009 Page 23 of 36

197 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 1. Click on Print button next to Membership Cards. Membership Cards What You ll See 2. Select your Paper Size, Cards Per Page, Print In, and Good Standing month. 6/5/2009 Page 24 of 36

198 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 3. If you want to print membership cards for ALL members, click the What You ll See double arrow button; if you made a mistake and want to move ALL members back, click the reverse double arrow button. 4. Click Run Report. 5. If you want to print membership cards for a few members, use the scroll bar. 6. Click on the member(s) you want to print a card for, then click the single arrow button. 7. If you made a mistake, select the member from Members Selected and click the reverse arrow button. 8. Click Run Report. 6/5/2009 Page 25 of 36

199 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 9. Membership cards will be generated. Insert card stock. Click on Print icon to print cards. What You ll See ***Note: Any 8 per page or 10 per page business card labels/stock can be used. 10. While in the report, click the Print Icon to print a paper copy. ***Note: IMPORTANT - Set Page Scaling to None to ensure cards print correctly. Some user may need to select PRINT AS IMAGE, by clicking on the Advanced tab, then check Print as Image. 6/5/2009 Page 26 of 36

200 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See The Club Officer Function How to Edit Officers 1. Click on the Club link on the WMMR welcome page. 2. Clink on the Club Officers link to update or add club officer information. 3. Click on the Office Title of the officer you wish to update. 6/5/2009 Page 27 of 36

201 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 4. Select a new individual you wish to replace the current officer with by scrolling through the list, and then clicking on the name. 5. Click Save to finalize your selection. What You ll See 6. After you click Save, an updated officer list will appear. 6/5/2009 Page 28 of 36

202 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 7. If you wish to end the term of an officer, for whom you do not have a replacement yet, select that individual from the list. 8. Click End Term. What You ll See 9. An updated officer list will appear. 6/5/2009 Page 29 of 36

203 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 10. To add an officer to your list, click on the Office Title, select a new officer from the list. 11. Click Save. What You ll See 12. An updated officer list will appear as a confirmation. ***Note: to confirm, review, and/or print a copy of your submitted club officers: Click on the yellow banner tab - CLUB link Click Reports Click the Print button next to the Officer Reporting Form (PU-101) Select either current or next year Click run report 6/5/2009 Page 30 of 36

204 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See How to Enter a Family Unit There are two ways to enter Family Units Add or Update Membership Screen (Option 1) Club Family Unit link - (Option 2) Enter the Head of Housefold first. Enter Family members belonging to the Head of Household after the Head of Household record is processed. Complete one Family Unit at a time. Up to five members, including the Head of Household, can be selected per Family Unit. Option 1: Using Add or Update Membership Screen 1. Follow Steps 1-4 from the How to Add a Member Section (refer to page 6-7). 2. Click on the Family Unit tab or button. 6/5/2009 Page 31 of 36

205 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 3. If the member is the Head of Household, click the Head of Household box. What You ll See 4. If the family unit member is not the Head of Household, click the down arrow by the Family Unit box. 5. Select the name of the Head of Household from the list by clicking on it. 6/5/2009 Page 32 of 36

206 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How 6. Enter Relationship Documentation, Address Documentation, and Year of Birth if not displayed. 7. Click Member Sponsor button. What You ll See 8. The following message will be displayed. 9. Click on Save Member to finish. The new member will be added to your club roster as well as the Family Unit. 10. To update existing Family Unit information: Start with steps 1-3 from How to Update or Review a Member (refer to page 15-16) Follow the steps from How to Family Unit Section. 6/5/2009 Page 33 of 36

207 Quick Reference Guide Lions Clubs International Here s How What You ll See Option 2: Using Club Family Unit link 1. Click on Club link. 2. Click on Family Units link. 3. Click on New to enter a new Family Unit. 6/5/2009 Page 34 of 36