Kansas Lions District 17-A M onthly New s 2017-2018 Volume 1 Issue 10 April 2018 Kansas Lions District 17-A Newsletter District Governor (DG) Lion Deb Weaverling Editor Lion Michele Reese Website kslionsdistrict17a.org Editorial Information Deadline to receive items for publication is the 25th day of the month preceding publication on the first day of the next month. Send electronic information to the editor at michelereese.mr- @gmail.com Telephone contact for the editor is 785-608-4288. Inside this issue: DG s Column cont d 1VDG Burns 2VDG Hentges D17-A Convention Upcoming Club Events PDGs Pound Auction D17-A Collections Leadership Round-up Melvin Jones Fellowship Int l Convention Info Photos from DG Deb 2 2 3 3 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 From DG Deb Weaverling DG Deb Weaverling March Gladness On the road again! Ron and I traveled to Hays, KS to attend District 17-K s convention on March 23rd & 24th. District Governor Randy St. Aubyn and his spouse Lion Donna had a great convention with entertainment on Friday night and seminar s, live auction, and lunch on Saturday. The event was held at Fort Hays State University, Memorial Union. It was a beautiful facility that is surrounded by miles and miles of open country, our land of Kansas. We had a great time and met so many new LIONS. We had the opportunity to meet International Director Joyce Middleton and her husband Lion Martin from Massachusetts. She shared so much with all of us that will be of use in our clubs and in life. She inspired and motivated the LIONS who attended her seminar providing factual information and some funny stories as well. Later that day during lunch, she again inspired all of us. She ended her speech with a word she made up, Positude. She combined the words positive and attitude to create the word. I like it; to me it has great meaning. It says, to be positive and have a great attitude and life can be whatever you want it to be. Earlier in March Ron and I Upcoming Dates and Deadlines attended District 17-N s convention, which was held in Wichita, KS at the Double Tree Hotel Airport. The guest speaker was Past International President Mahendra Amarasuryia from Sri Lanka. He spoke about Lion Martin and ID Joyce Middleton with DG Deb and Lion Ron Weaverling at District 17-K the future of the world and what the implications are for LIONS in the future. A most intriguing speech Continued on page 2 April 27-29, District 17-A Annual Convention, Ft. Leavenworth May 31-June 2, Kansas Lions State Convention, Wichita June 9, 11 a.m., Final District Cabinet Meeting, Trinity Baptist Church, Wamego June 29-July 3, 101st Lions Clubs International Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada July 27-29, Great Plains Lions Leadership Institute, Maryville, Missouri 1
From DG Deb Weaverling continued... which made one think about our future. District Governor Indra Phillips and his spouse Lion Rashitta hosted a successful convention. The rest of March found Ron and I traveling to Gardner where we attended the Zone 6 Meeting and to Tescott. PDG Tom Wethered of the Tescott Lions Club provided a personal tour of their Lions building and showed us the memorial built to honor veterans. The Tescott Lions Club partnered with another organization to build the memorial that dons our American Flag. I had the honor to recognize several Lions with their Milestone Chevrons and of inducting two new members. It was a busy month. As we move forward with plans for our convention that A building on Fort Leavenworth will be held on April 27-29, I hope many Lions will attend. My committee chairs Lions Rick Dodson and Greg Ruff have been working very hard to make our convention successful. If you haven t signed up to attend you must do it immediately and get your information sent to District Secretary Margy Sundstrom. See the full information within this newsletter. I would like to say to all LIONS of District 17-A, continue your work in your communities. Your presence is of great importance to your community because of the services you provide. I have heard and seen the work that you do and I want to commend you all for a job well done. Keep it up! Always remember that we are the largest service organization in the world; Where there is a Need, There is a LION; and our motto, We SERVE! Let s keep spreading the word about how great ur organization is and howour work and service in our community affects so many. Our vision work, en- Continued on page 3 From 1st VDG John Burns 1VDG John Burns It s finally Spring! I hope the weather holds and doesn t go back to winter. We had a great day in McPherson at our Kansas Lions Leadership Roundup. PID Bill Phillipi opened our Sessions. We had four very informative and interesting presentations: What Is a Leader, by Ron Fisher. Ron has thirty years of experience with building teams and helping individuals and organizations make progress. The World Wide Web, presented by Hans Neidhardt State Treasurer and Past Council Chair, Facebook Why Your Club Needs it and How to Set it up, by PDG Chris Bauer and Lion John Scovill and winding up the day was a presentation again by Ron Fisher entitled Building a Better Club With Volunteers. PID Ed McCormick closed out the sessions with a very inspiring and encouraging speech. The following weekend, Lion Becky and I attended the 17-K District Convention in Hays, Kansas where DGE Reland Cole was voted in as the next District Governor. It was a very fun and interesting convention. If you have not downloaded the MyLion app yet, I encourage you to do it. MyLion will allow you to safely connect, follow, and chat with any Lion or Leo from your local club, or anywhere in the world. You can also share photos of Lions in action and use the app to instantly post on Facebook. You can plan, promote, and share your service activities right on your smartphone or tablet. Get social with your service, using the free mobile app for Lions. Lions Clubs International Foundation is celebrating its 50 th anniversary this year, but this incredible milestone is only the beginning. International President Naresh Agarwal states that LCIF will be launching a US$300 million capital campaign at our International Convention in Las Vegas, June 30 th through July 3 rd. LCIF is our foundation and it is vital to our service and to the Power of We. Together, we can increase the impact of the foundation today, and for Continued on page 4 Olathe Lions in service to their community. Left to right: JD Dailey, Don Miller, John Burns, Dean Walston, Sam Hamby, and Vivian Declements. 2
From 2nd VDG Diane Hentges 1968 a very good year! 1 2VDG Diane Hentges 50 years ago where were you, what was happening in your world? For me it was a very good year. I graduated from college in May and was ready to embark on my future. A few months later I met David and that was the beginning of a new and great adventure. Great things were happening to me in 1968. The Big Mac was introduced for a cost of $.49, the Beatles released Hey Jude and 60 minutes debuted and became a Sunday night staple. The beanbag chair came on the scene, the first Red Lobster opened in Florida and Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) was started. The start of LCIF was a very good thing for LIONS worldwide and for the people and communities serviced by LIONS. LCIF awards grants in four key areas. The first area is SIGHT. Grants are given to combat eye diseases, to create an infrastructure to improve eye care delivery, to increase the number of trained eye care professionals and develop programs like KidSight USA, a nationwide program focused on safeguarding healthy vision for children 6 months to 6 years. The second area of focus is YOUTH. Through LIONS QUEST, children learn to work together, learn to make positive decisions and learn to serve their community. The third area of focus is DISASTER RELIEF. Communities worldwide that are devastated by disasters are assisted in long-term efforts to rebuild homes and lives. The fourth area of focus is HUMANI- TARIUM NEEDS. The outcome in addressing issues such as measles, diabetes, hunger, and childhood cancer is to empower those afflicted to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Grants are provided to help tackle issues worldwide. The first grant was awarded in 1972 to District 5-SW in South Dakota to assist flood victims. As a non-profit charity, LCIF has received 6 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. This rating acknowledged LCIF for effective fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. LIONS of Kansas and communities in Kansas have benefitted over the years form LCIF grants. Wild fires, tornados, and floods are natural disasters that been helped through grants. How many vision screeners in Kansas were made possible in part by grants from LCIF? Your personal and club contribution to LCIF makes the grants possible. 100% of contributions are given to the community in the form of grants. This year, the 50th anniversary of LCIF, what better way to celebrate than to make a contribution? From DG Deb Weaverling continued... vironmental work, hunger work, assistance and mentorship to our youth, and Diabetes Awareness is just the tip of the iceberg of our good work. Encourage others to join US, the more hands we have to do our work, the more people we can serve The Power of WE! I am proud to represent our District on behalf of all of you. Thank you so much. Fort Leavenworth housing & Buffalo Soldier Monument 3
It s Lions Convention Time in NE KANSAS The annual convention of Kansas Lions District 17-A is nearly upon us. The event, The Heart of It All, takes place April 27-29 at the Frontier Conference Center, 350 Biddle Avenue, Fort Leavenworth. The three days promise adventure, learning, and fun. Access to Fort Leavenworth If member Lions have not already done so, access to the military post is through security. Please access the fort either unescorted or escorted through the Visitor Control Center with a pass. This applies to all persons 16 years of age and older. The most common form of identification is a state driver s license or state-issued identification card. For questions, one can call the Fort Leavenworth Visitor Control Center at 913-684-3600 for guidance. If you have already sent your requested information to Lion Margy Sundstrum, you are good to go. Your pass will await you at the main gate. Convention Hotel The Convention hotel is the IHG Holiday Inn Express at Hoge Hall, 214 Grant Avenue, on the Fort. Room reservations must be made by April 13 to receive the Lions room rate of $69 per night. The telephone number is 913-684-4091. Convention Guests & Schedule Our special guests for the weekend will be International Director Sam Lindsey and his wife, Lion Jodye, from Texas. Please give them a warm Kansas welcome. On Friday evening the event will kick-off in a Spirit of Aloha with hula dancers from Hula Hale O kiakahi as our entertainment. Following, will be the Past District Governors Annual Pound Auction to raise funds for several of the Kansas Lions foundations. Saturday, the full day of convention, will include seminars with speakers throughout the morning. International Director Sam Lindsey will present a special program of interest. Also, the Leo s will sponsor a Strides Walk in the morning. The fee to participate is $10 with proceeds going to the Kansas Diabetes Camp; the first 75 registrants will receive a Strides pin. The youth-focused luncheon will recognize our Peace Poster Contest winners, honor our youth programs, and feature an introduction of our Leos. There will be Saturday and Sunday bus tours of Fort Leavenworth for those interested in learning more about our host lo- Continued on page 6 From 1st VDG John Burns, continued... years to come. Coming up next is our District 17-A Annual Convention at Fort Leavenworth on April 27 th 29 th. If you have not already signed up, information is in this newsletter from District Governor Deb Weaverling. It also includes information as to how to get onto the fort with as little hassle as possible. May 31 st June 2 nd is our Kansas Lions State Convention at the Double Tree Hotel in Wichita. June 9 th at 11:00 am will be our fourth and final Cabinet meeting of this Lions year at Trinity Baptist Church in Wamego. I hope to see you at one or each of these functions. Special Guest Past International President Sid L. Scruggs, III Vass, North Carolina Kansas Lions State Convention May 31-June 2 Double Tree Hotel Wichita, Kansas Registration information available online at kansaslions.org 4
Welcome New Lions! Baldwin City Lions Club: Jennifer Fulton sponsored by Erik Bailey Lawrence Lions Club: Timothy Hornik sponsored by Mary Gordon Leavenworth Lions Club: Brian Huntington sponsored by James Baldwin Camalla Leonhard sponsored by Nancy Bauder Linwood Lions Club: Martha Pierce sponsored by Matthew Vandervelde Manhattan Lions Club: Samuel Cooper sponsored by Claude Keithley Manhattan Sunflower Lions Club: Mark Stadtlander sponsored by Daryl Buchholz Remembering Recently Deceased Lions Overland Park Host Lions Club: John Trinkl 5
District 17-A Convention continued... cation. The Saturday tour will include stops at Frontier Army Museum, Memorial Chapel and the Buffalo Soldier Monument. Sunday s tour will only stop at the Buffalo Soldier Monument. Saturday afternoon the District Cabinet meeting will commence and convention sessions will be held followed by a memorial service honoring those Lions of District 17-A who have died since last year s convention. The Saturday evening banquet will cap off the weekend activities with a special presentation by ID Sam Lindsey. ID Lindsey will present our Melvin Jones Fellowships at the banquet, too. During the day on Saturday, you will also want to visit the Lions Store that will be on-site with products from Lions Clubs International and Lady Jayne Lions Jewelry (10 percent of LJL sales will support the Leos). You also don t want to miss bidding on the annual basket silent auction. The basket themes are Texas, Hawaii and Kansas with proceeds to benefit the Kansas Lions foundations: band, sight and Kansas Lions foundation. Basket design winners will be recognized at the Saturday evening banquet. Lion Bob Jernigan has painted another Lion picture (above) for raffling at both the District and State Kansas Lions conventions. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit service projects of the Lawrence Lions Club. Reminder to all attending District Convention: District 17-A Lions are invited to donate a one pound item to the Past District Governors Pound Auction at the Heart of It All District Convention on Fort Leavenworth, Friday evening, April 27th. All items are welcomed and should be wrapped, gift-bagged or boxed for disguise. Please bring your donation with you or send it with someone who is coming. This is a wild but fun event, sure to please! District 17-A is Again Participating in Collecting Personal Care Items for Kansas School Children Please collect and donate: bars of soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, feminine care products, & shampoos. Bring to our quarterly meetings. For more information and to see the complete listing visit www.givingthebasics.org For questions, contact Lion Margy Sundstrom Margaret1226@gmail.com Cell 940-390-7430 Bring Your Alert Trailer Donations to the June 9 District Cabinet Meeting in Wamego MEN Toothpastes Toothbrushes Deodorants Combs Shaving cream Razors Band-Aid types Wash cloths Shampoos Soaps Women Toothpastes Toothbrushes Deodorants Combs Brushs Shaving cream Razor Band-Aid types Wash cloths Shampoos Soaps Feminine Hygiene Products 6
Leadership Round-up in McPherson was Wonderful About 75 Lions from across Kansas attended the 2018 version of the annual Lions Leadership Round-up at McPherson on Saturday, March 17. Ron Fisher, Fisher Coaching, presented two outstanding programs on leadership and working with volunteers. In addition, there were presentations on working with the World Wide Web (LCI, State, District and Club websites), Facebook, and the new MyLion App. Lion speakers Hans Neidhardt, PDG Chris Bauer, and John Scovill provided insight about why clubs should be using the afore mentioned technology to advance their club membership and activities. PIDs Bill Phillipi and Ed McCormick provided inspirational commentary in the opening and closing sessions. Thanks to the planning committee for providing an informative day of learning. Just What is a Melvin Jones Fellowship? Some Lions may not be aware of the significance of a Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF). Melvin Jones founded Lions Clubs International (LCI) and this award, founded in 1973, is named in his honor. The award recognizes donations to the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations of US$1,000 provides 75 percent of the foundation s revenue and supports the humanitarian work of LCI. Contributions can be made by individuals (including non-lions), clubs or districts. Donations may be in one sum or in installments of a minimum of $100 over a five-year period recommended). Melvin Joneas Fellows receive an attractive lapel pin, an impressive, engraved plaque, and a congratulatory letter. It is also possible to make a donation and choose the MJF recipient at a later time. For questions or notification, contact LCIF Donor Services Department at 630-203-3836 or email LCIF at lcif@lionsclubs.org. There is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship. It offers a way for donors to extend their commitment to LCIF. There are 54 recognition levels beyond the first MJF contribution with a unique pin for each category. After contributing $100,000, donors become Humanitarian Partners. As of January 2018 there are 414,777 MJF recipients and 82,236 PMJF recipients worldwide. If your club has never named a MJF recipient, why not consider doing so in the near future. What a perfect way in which to acknowledge a special Lion. The LCIF celebrates 50 years, this year, of supporting the humanitarian efforts of Lions around the globe. 7
Join Fellow Lions 101st International Lions Convention Immediate Past Council Chair Fran Smith offers the following information for Kansas Lions. If you are thinking about traveling with the Kansas Lions to the next annual Lions Club International Convention, please continue reading. The convention dates in Las Vegas, Nevada, are June 29 to July 3, 2018. The Kansas delegation will stay at the Luxor Hotel, a short 15 minute walk from the convention center. Sandard room rate in the Pyramid Tower are Thurs. $58.00; Fri. & Sat. $100.00; Sun.-Tues. - $56.00. The LCI has a group registration plan for groups of 10 or more. We have 24 Kansas Lions signed up thus far. Registration fees after April 1 are $225.00 per person. Payment methods include check, credit card (Visa, Master Card & Discover) or wire transfer (special processing required). Registration confirmation is sent once LCI confirms that your payment has been received. I have the Club Delegate forms and will get them to you upon request. You can ask me to mail or email you one or you can print your own from LCI s website lionsclubs.org. You will also pay a $18.00 + tax per day for resort fee that covers internet access (public space and in-room); unlimited local and toll-free calls, airline boarding pass printing and access to the fitness center for those over 18 years of age. Feel free to email or call me about this trip if you have any questions (fsmith@pld.com or 620-356-5879). Room rates at the Luxor Hotel (not Convention badges, a souvenir medal- including tax) are as follows. Standard lion, convention program, and one tick- room in the Main Tower are different et per registrant for the international prices for different days - Thurs. 6/28: show will be mailed to you in late May. $63.00; - Fri. and Sat.: $118.00; - Sun. - Tues: $63.00. View all LCI convention information at the following website: http://members.lionsclubs.org/en/reso urces/publicationsforms/convention.php Tescott Lions Club with DG Deb Weaverling DG Deb Weaverling and District 17-K Governor-elect Pat Laham at Fort Hays State University. 8