PELC Paw Prints September 2012 What's Happening Plano Early Lions Club Awards Scholarships By Jack Durnin, PR Director PELC At their August 4th meeting, the Plano Early Lions Club Scholarship Committee awarded two scholarships to Plano students. Each scholarship consists of $1000 per year for up to 4 years. The scholarship monies are to help pay tuition and fees at the college chosen by the winners. The awarding of scholarships was started several years ago. Between 2003 and the present, Plano Early Lions Club has committed $85,500 to scholarships. The club has 13 active recipients including the two from 2012. Scholarship committee members consisted of Dr. Myrtle Hightower, Patricia Neal, and Cyndie Bunker. Dr. Myrtle Hightower was married to the late Dr. John Freeman Hightower. Both Myrtle and John Hightower were involved with the Plano Independent School District for many years. In 2010 the PISD board renamed Hightower Elementary School to the John and Myrtle Hightower Elementary School to honor both Myrtle and John for their work with the school district. This years winners are: Jewells Santos who was awarded the John Freeman Hightower Memorial Scholarship Paul Reeve Lewis II who was awarded the Rex Coppedge Memorial Scholarship Jewells, a Plano West Senior H.S. graduate, will be attending DePaul University in Chicago where she plans to study Theatre and Business. In high school, she was active in theatre, choir, Student Council and the Quidditch Team. Jewells was also active in various church and volunteer activities. Moving to Chicago will be a big change from life here in Plano she is already looking for "warm clothing" to ward off the cold winters in her new home. Paul, who prefers to be called Reeve, will be attending Collin College in Plano. Reeve graduated from Plano Senior H.S. where he was active in AVID and HOPE. He plans to study Psychology and attend University of Texas in Austin to complete his Bachelor s degree. His goal is to obtain a Doctorate s degree. After graduation, he is considering working with law enforcement as they investigate crimes. Psychology has always interested him and he was encouraged to study it by the TV program Lie To Me. Lie To Me is centered around a Psychologist who uses applied psychology to interpret a subject s micro expressions in order to determine if they are lying. Most of "Lie To Me" clients are law enforcement officials. Both scholarships are named after former members of the Plano Early Lions Club. Rex Coppedge was a founding member of the Plano Early Lions Club who rose to the position of Lions District Governor in 1987. Mr. Hightower, in addition to being a member of the Plano Early Lions Club, was active in the Rotary Club, Plano African American Museum, Plano Community Forum and Collin county Committee on Aging.
WHAT'S HAPPENING Jewells Santos Paul Reeve Lewis II District Supported Charities "2-X1 Charities Inc." District 2-X1 Charities Inc. has implemented the "100% Contribution" in order to streamline various contributions and donations made by each club. These contributions are a fixed amount based on the size of the club membership. The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is one of those nine 501(c)(3) Charities. Here is something you should know about this organization. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is the official charitable organization of Lions Clubs International and supports Lions' compassionate works by providing grant funding for their local and global humanitarian efforts. LCIF helps Lions improve peoples' lives around the world, from combating vision problems to responding to major catastrophes to providing valuable life skills to youth. On average, LCIF grants $30 million annually in these focus areas (Saving Sight, Serving Youth, Providing Disaster Relief & Meeting Humanitarian Needs). LCIF awarded more than 10,263 grants totaling more than $729 million (as of April 2012). Majority of LCIF's revenue comes from lions around the world. LCIF is an efficient and effective charity; and a 2007 Financial Times ranked LCIF as the # 1 non-governmental organization worldwide. LCIF receives no club-dues. Donating online (www.lcif.org) is easy. There are several other ways to contribute. Contributing Membership Program: is an annual program that recognizes three levels of support: $20 (bronze), $50 (silver) or $100 (gold). Clubs accumulate all contributions from members and send together the check and the list of names for appropriate recognition. Melvin Jones Fellowship: recognizes individual's (including non-lions) donations of $1000, in one sum or installments. "Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship" (PMJF) program is a way for donors to extend their commitment to LCIF. Other Programs: include "Honor Roll", "Memorial Donations", "Friend of Humanity Award" "LCIF Helping Hands Award", "Club Awards", "District Awards" etc. For full details, visit www.lcif.org, select the tab "Ways To Give". In our yearly budget we are funding each of these 501(c) charities by 200%. For the LCIF this represents $4.00 per member. Over the next several months we will continue to introduce you to each of these charities giving you some insight as to how they work, how much we contribute and how they serve the community. We will also have programs presented at our club meetings giving you the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper perspective on how "WE SERVE".
YOUR LIONS AT WORK Celebrate International Literacy Day The United Nations' International Literacy Day, celebrated September 8, will focus attention on worldwide literacy needs. Clubs will join with Lions around the world to commemorate this special day by organizing a service project to promote reading and education in their community. Clubs participating should document their club's literacy activity through the LCI online Service Activity Report by May 1, 2013, and receive the new colorful Reading Action Program banner patch. Also on the website, you can learn more about the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and LCI's partnership to promote literacy around the world Letter Form the President Dear Lion, Formulas and equations play an important part in our lives. They are powerful tools - a road map to success -- that make many things possible and others, simply easier. According to Einstein, the simple formula, e=mc2 describes the workings of the entire universe. I may not be a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, but I also have a formula, one that I know works based on 27 years as a Lion: Having a plan and a road map makes us more effective and efficient by taking the guesswork and trial-and-error out of our quest for excellence. The Club Excellence Award and the District Governor Team Excellence Award are also tools that can eliminate uncertainty and point your club or district in the right direction. Each have criteria that, if achieved, will lead you to success. I hope that you use all the tools available to you to their fullest as we pursue excellence together as Lion leaders. Sincerely, Wayne A. Madden International President BIRTHDAYS Happy birthday to a group of great Lions. We are sure glad you're still around for the celebration. We won't mention ages but we can be assured that they are all young at heart. 9/18 Jim Derouchey 9/20 Bill Marek SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS 9/3 Labor Day Dedication + Preparation + Teamwork = Excellence Dedication: is each individual Lion's dedication to service which is abundant but needs nurturing and growth. We need to continue expanding our service to take on new challenges, such as through the new Reading Action Program (RAP). Preparation: is planning and the selfand Global Membership evaluation included in what I am calling "pit stops" like those in an automobile race. Teamwork: involves making connections at the international level, the club level and interpersonal level, especially working in harmony with the Global Leadership Team Team. "It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path". Paulo Coelho, novelist 9/11 Patriot Day 9/16 Independence Day (Mexico) 9/17 Rosh Hashanah 9/22 Autumn Begins 9/26 Yom Kippur
HELP WANTED Don't Forget Recycle unused eyeglasses and cases with Lion Tom Richardson Visit our website at : http://planolions.org/ District 2-X1: http://www.lions2-x1.org/ HELP WANTED PELC Programs for 2012-2013 The new slate of officers has been sworn in and it looks like they are going to need some help to get some things done this Lions year. So things are starting to warm up around our club and the new year is off and running. Below is a list of programs that we will be supporting for 2012-2013. Take note and put on your work boots and sign up. Remember it's time "TO SERVE." 10th Plano Lions Christmas Parade Chair - Lion George Harrington Theme: "Honor Christmas in Your Heart" Date and Time: Saturday December 8th, 2012 with a 9:00 AM start time, float line up 6:30 AM Parade Route: Starting at Vines High School, travel down Independence Parkway, ending at Plano Senior High School Park. More information to come. Film Festival Show starts at 9:00 AM Saturday September 22nd at the Cinemark Tinseltown USA, 3800 Dallas Parkway, Plano TX. This is a great resource for potential new members. We need to be there or be square. So get your vest on and show up in force "TO SERVE". Magic Show Next March 2013 is the timing for the Magic Show. Exact information to follow. Potential Golf Tournament Chair - TBD As these programs and others continue to develop, Paw Prints will keep you informed of their needs and timing. It's a Go!! Downtown Eye Clinic On Saturday September 29th we need to step up and serve. Our clubs responsibility for the number of Lions needed at a clinic will be at least 2 Lions by 7:15 AM for registration. Then we will need 3 more Lions at 7:45 am to do eye drops plus 1 Lion to call names and manage the flow of kids. At 8:30 AM we need one more Lion to check out the children and let their parents know what will happen next. Registration ends at 11:00AM. Eye drops normally ends around 11:30AM. We do need 3 Lions at the clinic around 12:00PM to help stacking and putting away chairs and tables. So we need to plan at least 7 Lions to work the clinic from 7:15AM to 2:00PM. Contact Lion Tom McCallister 602-614-1394 Sports Extravaganza for Blind and Visually Impaired Students Our District is sponsoring the 14th Annual Sports Extravaganza on Friday, October 19th from 4:00-10:00 PM and Saturday, October 20th from 8:00 AM. - 5:00 PM at Nimitz High School, 100 W. Oakdale Road, Irving TX. There are several ways to help: Monetary donations Supply equipment so students can practice Sponsor a student - $150 Sponsor a Goalball Team We will require over 130 Lion volunteers. Your help is needed. Contact Lion Danny Fletcher at 972-214-6716 or heavybelly2@aol.com for the volunteer form and sign up today. For additional information contact Christy Householter 972-348-1634, John Joy 469-233-6761 or Tom Westerman 817-300-0881 "If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there". George Harrison "Never tell anyone to go to hell unless you can make'em go". Bill Clinton
THINGS TO DO LCI Webinars Webinars are virtual trainings where participants use the Internet to connect with other group members and with the instructors. Participants view a PowerPoint presentation and polling questions on their computer. They listen to the instructors either via their computer speakers or headset. The participants may use the phone or a computer headset with microphone to interact in the discussions and respond to questions. Go to LCI website and open member center, leadership development, then development programs and find webinars to sign up for one of these informative and helpful seminars. Below are the current topics scheduled on the LIC web site for your consideration. It helps to be informed and prepared when "WE SERVE". 9/14 Driving to Excellence 10/2, 10, 12 Role of Zone Chairperson 11/6,14,16 Managing a Service Project LCI Netcasts This year, the Extension and Membership Division will be conducting monthly Netcasts on important membership topics every fourth Wednesday of the month. Netcasts are Web- based forums designed to be interactive. Lions are able to ask questions of the panelists and share success stories of their own. The goal is to provide an opportunity for Lions to learn and motivate each other. 9/26 Preparing for Growth If you want to register or have questions for upcoming Netcasts, please contact the Membership and New Club Development Department on LCI website. Sachse Fall Fest October 13th The Sachse Lions Club will cook and sell turkey legs, sausage-on-a-stick, and soft drinks from their fair booth from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. They will be located on the far South end of the Heritage Park parking lot. The event is just south and east of Sewell Elementary School and Hudson Middle School, both of which are on Hudson Drive, East of Miles Road in Sachse. Big names from our district have been invited to attend. Their goal is to raise awareness of their Club and what Lions do in their area. Lions Sight and Tissue Foundation 4th annual Howard Snyder Golf Tournament - September 18, 2012 Well if you didn't get enough golf at the Texas Lions Camp come join us on Tuesday, September 18th at the Los Rios Golf Course, 1700 Country Club Road, Plano Texas. The format will be a Florida Scramble. You can register as a team or they will assign you to a team. It's only $75.00 per person and this includes range balls, green fees, cart, prizes and lunch. Lunch looks pretty good too. Bar- B-Que buffet with 2 sides, tea or water and an awards ceremony with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, longest drive, closest to the pin, and two hole in one prizes. There is even a last place prize. For the rest of us there is always hope for a door prize and great fellowship. For information contact Lion Danny Fletcher, Phone 214-662-4549, or email heavybelly2@aol.com or Lion Mike Lott, phone 214-957-0080, or email mikemi@swbell.net. Forney Lions 5k & Fun Run If you feel the need for a little physical activity you might consider joining the Forney Lions, Saturday September 8th at 7:30 AM at the front of Forney TX City Hall, 101 E. Main Street in the 19th Annual Forney Lions 5K and Family Fun Run. Everyone that participates will compete in their own age group for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. So, strap up them sneakers and get out there for some fun and camaraderie. For additional information and registration contact Daniel Hatcher, 214-686- 9118 or go to their official web site forney- texas.com/forney5k. to their web site www.roysecitylionsclub.org Royse City TX. For additional information go Tourney at the Bakers Rib's, 2711 W I-30, City Lions Club in it's annual Texas Hold'em 2012 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM join the Royse Do you feel lucky? Saturday September 22nd, 3rd Annual Texas Hold'em Tournament for registration.