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Fox River Grove

Lionesses after their

10th Anniversary Dinner

The Illinois Lion, Lioness, Leo

MD1 e-Magazine (Full) Vol. 3 - Issue 5, November 2015

Below: PARIS LIONS hosted the Lions of Illinois Foundation hearing unit at the annual Honey Bee Festival, offering free hearing screenings and drew the winners of their annual raffle for a street-ready golf cart, Walmart gift cards and a 50/50 drawing.

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Council Chair Speaks:

Rumor has it, as the saying goes, that it’s a marathon not a sprint. I beg to differ. It’s already November, we have had our first District Convention, they have elected their next Governor, we are about to have the MD-1 Mid-Year Forum and I still feel like we have only just begun. This is my last opportunity to remind you that your District Peace Poster Winner will be submitted on December 5, 2015 to the Council of Governors for their choice to represent MD-1 at the International Peace Poster Contest. Also, your State Pin Design will be chosen along with the Environmental Photo winner. November is the month when the Lions of MD-1 gather and attend the MD-1 Mid-Year Forum. The Forum Chairperson, Lion Jama Wahl and her committee have quite the program ready to present on Saturday November 14, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Illinois. They have some new and exciting seminars and new ideas to share with us. If you have not registered, please do. Time is running out. Look for more information in this newsletter. Also, be sure to read this months’ version of “Spouses Speak” written by First Lady Pam Fowler of District 1-J. Please help support them in their service project “Duffels for Dignity”. I would like to also welcome two Lions to the Council of Governors for MD-1. First Vice District Governor, now Governor Elect, Lion Maurice “Moe” Wimbley, District 1-M and Second Vice District Governor, Lion John Honiotes, District 1-BK. Both Lions have been elected by their Districts to

fill recently vacated positions. Please welcome them as they make their visits around the state. I have been taking notice of all of the visits that the Council of Governors have been making throughout their Districts on Facebook. I am equally pleased with the amount of new members that they are inducting into the clubs. The latest figures that I have from International point out that the Multiple is down only 38 members since July 1, 2015. I am eagerly awaiting the next report because I strongly believe that we are closing in on a positive growth number before the first of the year and what a great thing to happen to our Multiple as we head into our 100th Year of Service. Lion Gail and I wish you and your family our best wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving. May you enjoy the time that you have with them and be thankful for what you have because so many, that the Lions serve, have so much less than us. Thank you for your service, Lion Steve Council Chairperson santonlions@comcast.net Editorial:

Four months are gone!

Summer months are gone by the wind, so as first 4 months of existing Lionistic year. Governors, you have 8 more months to go to

reach your goals which you set for your district and sent to Lions Clubs International. Now we need action!

You should always have a good action plan in place if you want to be able to handle any problem that arises; especially for District Membership. A sequence of steps that must be taken, or activities that must be performed well, for a strategy to succeed. An action plan has three major elements (1) Specific tasks: what will be

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done and by whom. (2) Time horizon: when will it be done. (3) Resource allocation: what specific leaders are available for specific activities. Also called action program. We can apply this strategy in increasing our membership in our districts.

Every district has enough members to take these actions and the leaders of the district should make them get involved to solve these issues; however, sometimes due to lak of leadership we do not see any actions. Some of our leaders just take the title and do nothing! All the leaders should make up their mind and if they do not have time, they should not volunteer for grabbing titles.

Whe have little time to celebrate our 100th anniversary in our MD1 where World Lionism started in 1917 by Melvin Jones. Let us work together and increase our membership so that we will have enough volunteers to help making Centennary Celebration of World Lionism a very successful event to remembered for the next 100 years.

Many ordinary lions are asking – what we are going to wear for Centennial Parade? This question should be answered with no time. We should look unique in this parade as to show our strength and lionistic style – colorful, attractive and cheerful. We have seen several International Conention parades and how world lions show off their country, culture and style with colorful uniforms.

My humble request to council of governors is – find some wonderful colors to wear to this Centennial Convention Celebration to show the world how proud we are to be the lions who serve in Mother District of Lionism.

-Austin D’Souza, Editor

ILStateEditor@gmail.com The Spouses Speak……….

Meet PDG Jani Mendenhall 1-M

The Spouses Speak………. Meet Lion Pam Palmer of District 1J

Learn more about the

“Duffles for Dignity” Spouse Project

I can’t begin to even express

how much my life has changed and been enriched from becoming a Lion. The greatest part of it though is that I became the wife of our current District 1J Governor, Lion Bob Fowler, on March 21, 2015!! It’s been a busy time in the Fowler household with Lions, but very rewarding as I assist DG Lion Bob in his duties, attend events with him and keep up with things at my own Lions Club.

I officially became a member of the Sun City - Huntley Lions in May 2012 after Lion Bob (then a Senior Zone Chair) asked me to become one. See….the “Just Ask” program does work!! This came after I had already attended Lions Club events, the 1J District Convention, the MD-1 Forum and the State Convention. For any of you who have not heard the story, I was introduced to Lion Bob in August 2011 by mutual friends connected with the Lions. The rest is history!! On our first date, Lion Bob shared his love of Lions with me and talked about all the great projects that are accomplished. I became involved with helping Lion Bob way back then. In fact, when Lion Bob was the 2nd Vice District Governor, we had a monthly date night that consisted of entering points in a giant spreadsheet for the Club of the Year awards!

I’ve really enjoyed being the spouse of a District Governor and a Lion. I have met so many wonderful people and have heard so many stories about the success of the good work that is being done by Lions. It is rewarding to experience having a lady in her 50’s come up during Candy Days and thank the Lions for helping her get her first pair of glasses in the 6th grade, because her family couldn’t

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afford them. Or to observe the efforts of an seven year old boy raising funds from the sale of used golf balls to help buy glasses for those in need. Or to go up to the Leader Dog facility in Rochester, Michigan as a guest with the 2nd Vice District Governors and see how Lions donations help to get a service dog ready to assist a blind person.

When District 1A Lion Gail Anton (partner-in-service to 2015-16 MD-1 Council Chair Steve Anton) helped to organize all of the District Governor’s spouses and assist us with determining a service project, we all brainstormed and arrived at the “Duffles for Dignity” idea. This project will work towards obtaining duffle bags to give to foster children as they go from various agencies to foster homes. Many times all their personal items are stuffed in a plastic bag. So a duffle bag filled with a stuffed animal and other miscellaneous items will help them through a very difficult time in their young lives. Dignity is one part of Lions International President Dr. Yamada’s theme this year – “Dignity. Harmony. Humanity.” What a great way to help spread his message by giving some dignity to children under these circumstances. Details on this project were also contained in PDG Lion Jani Mendenhall’s “The Spouses Speak” article last month. To make things happen in a project like this, it takes a lot of planning, volunteers, funding and support. So our group of spouses has put together a set of 10 very good quality greeting cards that will be selling for $10 a pack. That’s just $1.00 per card!! The profits from sales of these greeting cards will be used to buy the duffle bags. We will start out with Christmas cards and expand to everyday and special occasion cards. The plan is to sell the cards at District Conventions, the MD-1 Forum, the State Convention, other events, and of course – from any of the District Governor spouses. Watch for further announcements on this fundraiser and the project. Other District Governor spouses are planning to hold 50/50 drawings or asking for donations of stuffed animals or other items to put into the duffle bags. We hope that you will be able to assist

us in some way to make this project a huge success.

I look forward to continuing to help DG Lion Bob in his duties and to do what Lions do best – serving our community and the world. In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

-Lion Pam Palmer First Lady, District 1J Lions If you are interested in donating to the “Duffles for Dignity” project, please contact your District Governor’s spouse. Monetary donations can be written to the “Lions of Illinois” – memo line “Duffles for Dignity.” Thank you!! The Spouses of the 2015-2016 Council

LEADERSHIP CORNER

This is the last in a series of

articles based on Your Club, Your Way. This pamphlet is provided by Lions Clubs International, DA-YCYW EN 9/14. It is designed to help

clubs customize your meetings to meet the interests of members and the needs of your community. It is available online at lionsclubs.org or by calling the District and Club Administration Division at 630-571-5466.

The last two pages of Your Club Your Way, focus on reinventing your meeting. LCI has done research, which indicates that the number one reason Lions leave is long and boring meetings. Could completing a short ten question survey:

-enhance the opportunity to meet the needs of your members, keeping Lions happy and active?

-provide indicators as to what members want to accomplish at a meeting?

-give information on possible presenters or speakers?

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-provide direction on a better meeting time or place?

-find out how members feel about meals at meetings?

-consider what is important to include in a meeting agenda?

-clarify appropriate dress for a meeting?

-indicate how to accommodate family needs?

-provide information as to how members want to be informed of activities?

-determine if the group wants to call their meeting something else?

-give each Lion in the club an opportunity to share his or her views on how a meeting will be conducted.

The survey is easily copied on a single sheet of paper, back to back. To gather the data requires that the club members agree that it is important to consider the feelings and ideas of all members. All members, not just those attending the meeting, receive a copy of the survey, complete it, and return it by the given deadline. The Lion chosen to compile the data, organizes the information to show general trends and ideas. Then the club discusses what the information tells them. If change is needed, Lions then move forward hosting meaningful meetings that are worth their investment of time and energy.

If you need help administering the survey or have questions about how your club might use the information in Your Club Your Way to enhance leadership, membership, or service, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Coordinator, 815-822-3014 or jamawahl@yahoo.com

MEMBERSHIP CORNER: The Holidays Are Coming!

The mere thought of the arrival of the Holidays can strike fear is some people. For others, that thought can elicit the “here we go again”

sense of apprehension. Still others can feel a smile growing on their faces. Let’s face it, some people break into a panic when thinking about the Holi-days. They join the others who experience a sense of apprehension. Planning family meals, perform-ing all kinds of preparation, doing all of that shop-ping followed by paying the resulting bills are usu-ally the cause. Those with the smiles on their faces are either glad to be seeing family members or love the sight of little children opening their presents. Something else happens with the advent of the Holidays. Many Lions Clubs throughout Illinois start getting really busy with some of their greatest service projects of the year. Some of them will be providing food baskets for the needy in their communities so those families will have a Thanksgiving Day meal. Other clubs will be completing plans for food baskets and presents for the kids for Christ-mas. Does your club have any newer members, especially those with less than one year of service? If yes, make sure they participate in these service projects. Let them be the ones who bring the food baskets or presents (toys?) to the front door of the recipi- ents. There is a very good chance that those newer members could become Lions for life after they see the grati-tude on the faces of the adults. Add to that the faces of the kids when they realize that there are some presents for them.

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These service projects might be easier to perform if some of those clubs had a few more Lions. I will always encourage all clubs to look for and fully en-gage new members. If you need a few ideas, please consider the Lions of Illinois MD-1 Forum. It will be in East Peoria in a few weeks. It doesn’t cost much; $25.00. Maybe your club could select one or more members to attend this event and pay for their registration fee(s). Doing this will give your club a valuable new resource. Do it. One of the eight topics is orientation. The orienta-tion part of getting new members is extremely im-portant. It is where any new member will learn exactly what is expected of them in terms of dues, attendance at meetings and special event partici-pation. A good orientation should eliminate a lot of potential surprises that could lessen the enthu-siasm of that new member. -Paul Gergolla, PDG MD-1 GMT Coordinator Phone: 630-858-8073 Email: lionpg1@aol.com

State Alert Corner: Greetings Fall Readers,

There are a lot of changes going on. Not as much daylight. The warm weather is being replaced with much cooler temperatures. The

leaves are falling from the trees. These are all things we do not have control of. Other occurrences that take place are some nasty storms.

These events take place every year and we know that. When it gets cold out we put on more clothes, when the leaves fall we get a rake out or pay the neighbor kid to clean them up. When the nasty storm comes, we react in an unorganized way “what can we do?” How do we fix the last item? Since the storm has not hit, it is time to prepare so when it does we are organized and efficient.

Most districts in MD1 have an Alert Chairman. If you don’t know who that may be ask your Governor. If you want to find out about Alert, it is on the Lions International website. Once there,

type “Alert” in the search box and you will find out what the Lions program is about. You can find out all kinds of info on the internet, just search.

A lot of people have the attitude that nothing will ever happen to them. If that was the case, why does the town or city you live in have an emergency plan? If anything you do in the near future, find out what your town is prepared for. Then you may see the need for your club to get involved.

Another part of fall is the ritual of taking the clock off the wall and moving it back an hour. While you are up doing that, change the batteries in your smoke detector. Carbon monoxide detectors don’t last forever either so check that out too. Those two detectors are part of being prepared. You are

on your way, don’t stop now.

Lion Jim Kiser State Alert Chair LionJimKiser@sisna.com 630-660-7944

(PID Bud Wahl, MD-1 Coordinator)

During the last Lions fiscal year (July 1, 2014 – Jun 30, 2015), clubs, districts and individual Lions in MD-1 contributed more than $172,000 to LCIF.

The chart below shows the actual statistics per district during the last fiscal year. I included it in my article last month, but I thought it was important for Lions to see a second time.

Click this link to visit: http://illinoislionsmd1.org/

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Through the first quarter of this new Lions fiscal year (July 1 – September 30), clubs in MD-1 have contributed $11,098. As you can see, we have a long way to go in order to surpass last year’s total.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) needs our help 12 months out of the year. Disasters can happen at any time, any month, any day. We need to vaccinate kids against Measles every day, not just during a certain time of the year. Eye screenings, cataract surgeries and our fight against River Blindness take place every day. That is why LCIF needs our help, our contributions, all throughout the year.

As the Multiple District Coordinator for MD-1, it is my hope that we can reach at least 50% club participation this year throughout the state. YOU can help by having YOUR club make a donation to LCIF this year. Perhaps a Melvin Jones Fellowship to a deserving Lion would be in order. Or a gift to the Area of Greatest Need. Whatever the reason, whatever the amount…100% of your gift to LCIF will benefit someone in need.

The MD1 Lions Leadership Forum promises a few new twists this year. To be held at the Embassy Suites, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, Illinois on November 14th, the day of seminars and training will offer a Guiding Lion training as well as a CEP Facilitator Training (Club Excellence Process). Spaces for these classes are limited to thirty Lions each. Lions can register for one, both, or neither of these sessions as noted on the registration form. The spaces will be filled on a first come first served basis. (See Form on Page 10-14)

Also new this year will be The Leadership Exchange: Lions Gone Wild. PID Bud Wahl will facilitate the double session that will include presentations on communication, goal setting, effective meetings, creativity, diversity, conflict resolution, managing change, recognition, time management, and presentation skills. Attendees at this fast paced engaging session will be able to select from four of the ten topics.

A panel of young Lions will share their insight and ideas on how to grow and keep new Lions in our clubs. Hear what they have to say and take a new idea or two back to your club.

Other topics include Membership: Ask 1, Keep 1, Start 1; Transparency: What Does This Mean to your Club?; Virtual Lions Club Participation and Virtual Lions Community Help; and the 2017 Convention: Just Around the Corner in Chicago

Registration materials will soon be available. Watch the MD1 Website, the MD1 Newsletter, or check with your District Governor or MD1 Forum Represent ative for your district. If you have

questions, please contact Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Coordinator, 815-822-3014,

-jamawahl@yahoo.com. This will be a Lions day of learning that you will not want to miss!

DID YOU REGISTER?

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MD1 Lions Leadership Forum Program Book

Ads for the 2015 MD1 Lions Leadership Forum Program Book are a GREAT way to “get the word out” about service projects, fundraisers, and important info. Don’t miss the opportunity to

-promote upcoming Lions activities and events

-thank a Lion or Lions Club for a job well done

-celebrate your efforts to provide the best service to your community

Ads can be placed by individual Lions, Lions Clubs, or Districts.

Half Page $30.00 Full Page $50.00 Please send your ad with remittance made payable to Lions of Illinois, Inc. to:

Lions of Illinois, Inc. Attn: SST Michele Faires

PO Box 127 Hopedale, Illinois 61747

Ads are due to the State Office by October 1, 2015

Chili’s give-back program earns LIF 15% of sales when you enjoy their tasty meals this November - January

Anywhere in Illinois Enjoy a delicious meal at Chili's at their restaurants anywhere in Illinois and earn

Lions of Illinois Foundation 15% of your sale (excluding tax and gratuity)

for funding our Low Vision Screenings for youth.

This promotion begins November 1, 2015 & ends January 31, 2016

Participate as many times as you want!

Go to the lionsofillinoisfoundation.org website to get more vouchers and your FREE CHILI'S Chips & Salsa

coupon. It could not be simpler or more delicious!

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The MD1 Lions Leadership Forum has changed venues. The adjustment was made following discussion at the August Council of Governors’ meeting.

On November 14, 2015, the MD1 Forum will be held at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria. The registration form posted on the MD1 website and included in this newsletter reflects the new venue. A recent tour of the

facility promises larger session rooms and more convenience for meals.

Presentation Topics Include:

Guiding Lion Training

CEP Facilitator Training

Lions Gone Wild

Promoting Young Lions Panel

Membership: Ask 1, Keep 1, Start 1

Transparency: What Does This Mean to your Club

Virtual Lions Club Participation and Virtual Lions Community Help

The 2017 Convention: Just Around the Corner in Chicago The MD1 Forum will also have a program book with the opportunity for clubs, individuals, or districts to post an ad. Half Page $30.00 Full Page $50.00 Please send your ad with remittance made payable to Lions of Illinois, Inc. to: Lions of Illinois, Inc. Attn: SST Michele Faires PO Box 127 Hopedale, Illinois 61747 Ads are due to the State Office by October 1, 2015 If you have questions about the MD1 Lions Leadership Forum, please contact district MD1 Forum Representative, District Governor, or Jama Wahl, MD1 GLT Coordinator, 815-822-3014, jamawahl@yahoo.com. Don’t miss this opportunity for Lions’ Learning! Better educated Lions provide better service!

Annual Banquet and Induction of Immediate Past District Governors on November 14, 2015 at 6:30pm

EMBASSY SUITES EAST PEORIA

100 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, EAST PEORIA, IL

PDG’s Mark Your Calendars!

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“One of the best hotels ever!” We just returned from our stay in Springfield. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at this hotel. The staff was very friendly, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the location was perfect for visiting all of the historic Lincoln sites. We ate in the hotel restaurant three times during our stay. My husband said it was the best burger he ever had! I had the prime rib and it was excellent. Our server was Sean - very friendly and very prompt to attend to our every need!

“Possibly the best hotel in town” I am in Springfield often and this is my favorite hotel. Clean, well-appointed, comfortable rooms. One deficit is the walls are thin and you can hear every word, sneeze and flush. Great breakfast buffet includes made to order omelette. Room service menu is quite limited and not the best, but it's good enough if you're exhausted or don't feel like venturing out of your room. There's always a conference or other activity so rooms book up, you'll need a reservation. Front desk staff could be friendlier, but otherwise good

“One of the best hotels ever!” We just returned from our stay in Springfield. We thoroughly enjoyed staying at this hotel. The staff was very friendly, the beds were extremely comfortable, and the location was perfect for visiting all of the historic Lincoln sites. We ate in the hotel restaurant three times during our stay. My husband said it was the best burger he ever had! I had the prime rib and it was excellent. Our server was Sean - very friendly and very prompt to attend to our every need!

RECENT REVIEWS for the ABE LINCOLN:

SOME OF THE TOP THINGS TO DO in SPRINGFIELD:

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Dana-Thomas House, a Frank Lloyd Wright ‘Hidden Treasure’

Lincoln Tomb & War Memorials

Lincoln Memorial Gardens

Lions of IL State Convention

The Abe Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, IL, site of the:

2016 State Convention

May 20th through May 22nd, 2015

SAVE THE DATE and plan on joining us for some: FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FULFILLMENT!

More to come next month!

Rates for Convention = $99 + tax per night!

COME EARLY OR STAY AFTER THE

CONVENTION AND ENJOY ALL SPRINGFIELD

HAS TO OFFER!

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LIONS OF ILLINOIS MD-1 FORUM

NOVEMBER 14, 2015 EMBASSY SUITES EAST

PEORIA

100 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, EAST PEORIA, IL

Schedule of Events

Morning Afternoon

Registration: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Lunch: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

Seminars: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Seminars: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Closing Session: 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Seminars & Activities

This year’s MD1 Lions Leadership Forum promises a few new twists. A GUIDING LION training will be held for 30 interested Lions who register for this session. Also available will be the (CEP) CLUB EXCELLENCE PROCESS FACILITATOR Training for 30 Lions. Please note on your registration form if you wish to be involved in one or both of these sessions. These spaces will be filled on a first come first served basis. Please note: a Lion could participate in one, both, or neither of these sessions.

LIONS GONE WILD will be a double session that allows Lions to select from ten topics and attend four mini-sessions. Topics include communication, goal setting, effective meetings, creativity, diversity, conflict resolution, managing change, recognition, time management, and presentation skills. We will also feature a panel on Engaging Younger Members as well as the latest on Membership Techniques, and MUCH MUCH MORE!

There are no Friday Night Activities planned, but this might be a great time to have a reunion of your Council of Governors, RLLI group, or just a friendly dinner. Lions are a social group! Why not make some plans to renew friendships?

Reservations for lodging at the rate of $99.00/night (plus tax) - which includes breakfast - can be made by calling the Embassy Suites at: (800) 362-2779 by October 23, 2015. To receive the discounted Forum group rate, let them know you are with the Lions of Illinois.

REGISTRATION FORM One Form Per Person Registration Fee is $25.00 per person and includes

Seminars and Lunch

Please Make Checks Payable to Lions of Illinois, Inc. and mail to:

Lions of Illinois, Inc. POB 127 Hopedale, IL 61747-0127

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Completed Registration Form and Fee must be received by November 6, 2015

Total Enclosed in Cash or Check No. = $ 25.00 Name: Phone or E-Mail:

Club: District 1- Lion Officer Position:

Street Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

The following two sessions are limited to 30 participants. Please select your participation choice. to participate in the GUIDING LION training.

to participate in the CEP Facilitator training.

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The Lions Clubs

International Convention in Hawaii has quickly passed by, and we are looking at less than two more years before the Lions of the World come to celebrate the 100th Anniversary. The MD-1 Host committee is fully committed to be ready to host this event. If you haven’t heard by now, the Centennial Convention will be held at McCormick Place in

Chicago starting on Friday, June 28 and running through Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The International Parade will be Saturday, July 1, 2017 and is

scheduled to march down State Street from Lake Street south to Congress Parkway. There will be planned activities throughout the convention including tours at the Lions Clubs Headquarters in Oak Brook and Melvin Jones Grave Site in Chicago. Over the past years, the MD-1 Host Committee has been putting together the activities and the financial plans that will need to make this a success project for the Lions of Illinois. And at the same time, we realize the responsibility for success is both the Sub Committee Chairpersons as well as the volunteers that will help during the convention. As chairman, I thank you for your patients as we prepare for this major event in the History of Our Organization. The Host Committee has been active in the couple of fund raising activities. As your club starts putting together their budgets for the coming years, please keep in mind the 2017 MD-1 Host Committee. We have a patch that will be given to your club for your banner showing your support to the committee. There are three levels of donations starting at $100.00, then $250.00 and finally $500.00. Each level has a different banner patch and over the next couple of years your club can earn them all. You may find that your club may not be able to donate, but then look at doing something with other clubs as a region project where you can earn patches for all

clubs involved. I would like to thank those clubs and districts that have made a donation already. For those who have purchased our Commemorative Pin, the committee thanks you. Sales have been strong not only throughout the state, but points beyond. The Third Commemorative Pin will be available in January for $5.00 as well. The pin is a three dimensional and will be the official logo of the Host Committee. As we go forward all three pins will be available at your sub district convention and by ordering. Starting at the MD1 Forum in November, the committee will be accepting names and contact information for the much needed volunteers. I have estimated that we will need more than 2000 volunteers throughout the convention. There are a variety of areas that volunteers are needed. The list of areas is located on the flyer. Please look over the list and mark the areas that you are interested in work. The shift time is about 3 hours to the maximum and with a enough workers it would not be longer unless you choose to. All volunteers will receive a vest to wear showing the Lions that you are here to assist them. I hope that you would consider and becoming an active part of the committee. As you can see, we are well on the way to hosting the Lions of the World” at the 2017 Centennial Convention in Chicago. There is a lot of work to be done. If you are interested in learning more please feel free to attend a meeting at the MD1 Forum at the Embassy Suites East Peoria, 100 Conference Center Drive, East Peoria, IL. Our session will be held on Saturday afternoon, November 14, 2015 following lunch. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be talking about getting involved as a volunteer and what we are looking for from you as a volunteer. Only once in your life time will you be able to say that “that I had an active part in the Centennial Celebration of Lionism in Chicago”. So, let’s be Proud, as Lions of Illinois, of this honor and show the world our Pride in hosting this celebration.

-Lion Robert Block, PDG 2017 MD-1 Host Committee, Chairman

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Dear Lions,

On a recent trip to Peru, Brazil and Belize, I had the honor of seeing many Lions and Leos in action. And they are doing great work!

Volunteer Organization Protection Act, H.R. 2290/S.1684 In 1997, U.S. President, Bill Clinton, signed into law the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (Act) which provides immunity from tort claims that might be filed against volunteers of nonprofit organizations. However, the Act does not provide immunity to the organization itself. Because individual volunteers are protected under the Act, plaintiffs are able to prosecute negligence claims against nonprofit organizations that often result in judgments requiring nonprofit organizations to pay large sums of money in damages. The increased risk to nonprofit organizations was discussed during Congressional Committee hearings but, ultimately, it was determined that a general liability insurance policy with adequate limits is considered a financially secure source of recovery. Increased costs associated with liability insurance policies and the vo1atile nature of unpredictable volunteer behavior places financial stress on nonprofit organizations and discourages volunteerism as a result. Lions Clubs International believes the Act is incomnlete and exposes nonprofit organizations to increased risk stemming from vicarious tort liability claims. Following the inaugural Hill Day in 2014, Lions Clubs International consulted with various external partners and developed a proposed amendment to the Act which would offer enhanced protection to nonprofit

organizations. Lions Clubs International has gained support from various nonprofit organizations and presented the proposed amendment to Congressional representatives, including the Congressional Judiciary Committee. The proposed amendment was well-received and Congressional representatives offered constructive feedback on the matter. Lions Clubs International engaged Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH), a senior House Judiciary Committee member, with the intent of finalizing a draft bill and securing the support of bi-partisan Congressional representatives. Congressman Chabot introduced H.R. 2290, the Volunteer Organization Protection Act, in May, 2015. Senator Mark Kirk introduced a Senate companion bill, S. 1684, in June. Lions and their allies continue to build more support for these important bills and encourage people to contact their Senators and Congressman to sign on! FAQs and Q&A Regarding H.R. 2290 -- Amendments to the Volunteer Protection Act (VPA}: Q. What is the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997? A. The VPA is a federal law that was enacted in 1997 to protect community service volunteers of a nonprofit organization by protecting volunteers from liability for acts performed on behalf of a nonprofit organization. This protection does not extend to harm caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, flagrant indifference, or operation of any vehicle where a license or insurance is required. Q. Why should liability protections be extended to volunteer nonprofit organizations? A.The organizations that would enjoy liability protection under this bill are primarily local Groups composed entirely of volunteers who perform vita l community service work. These are the most vulnerable groups given their limited financial resources. These organizations/clubs are susceptible by the legal theories used to circumvent the landmark Volunteer Protection Act of 1997.

LIONS CLUBS INTL

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Q. What kind of organizations would be protected by this bill? A. This bill would apply to many nonprofit organizations, including but not limited to local affiliates of esteemed service groups such as Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis, and other groups. The bill would not provide liability protection to highly institutionalized organizations that can accommodate large liability insurance costs. Here are some types of covered non-profit entities as defined in the proposal: A nonprofit organization that conducts activities solely through volunteers or independent contractors (no employees). The nonprofit organization whose primary function is to provide support to local affiliate nonprofit organizations that do not have employees and who act to further the organization's mission. A nonprofit organization with fewer than 50 employees and annual gross revenues of less than $200,000 (including public charities, limited private foundations, and social welfare organizations). Q. Does this bill affect any state's rights in changing liability rules? A. No. There is a safety valve that protects state's rights in the original Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 that allows states to opt out of the VPA in its entirety. It is not necessary for a state to pass its own volunteer act.The state legislature must merely enact a special law stating that the state will opt out of the VPA. Q. Was there consideration to include immunity for nonprofit organizations in the Volunteer Protection Act (VPA) of 1997? A. Yes. However, the focus of the discussions at the congressional hearing surrounded the individual volunteers because they had no protection. One possible rationale for omitting nonprofit organizations from protection was that states could require that charitable nonprofits purchase

general liability insurance in order to protect their volunteers . This rationale is flawed,because if organizations do not choose to purchase liability insurance for their volunteers, then the individual volunteers will be at risk. Q. How would a proposed amendment to the Volunteer Protection Act {VPA) of 1997 impact volunteer nonprofit organizations? A. With the dwindling federal and state resources, nonprofit organizations have seen an explosion in demand for their services in recent years. As charitable giving has also fallen commensurately, it is increasingly important for nonprofit organizations to rely on these volunteers to accomplish their mission. The proposed Amendment would afford the same liability protections to nonprofit volunteer organizations that are afforded to the individual volunteers under the existing VPA. The protection afforded under the proposed Amendment would limit the financial risk and liability to nonprofit organizations resulting from the acts of the individual volunteers. In addition the proposed Amendment would result in additional financial resources to support the missions of nonprofit organizations that were previously allocated to address costly liability insurance. We believe the proposed Amendment will result in the increased viability and growth of local nonprofit organizations that do nothing but volunteer their time, effort, and financial resources to charitable causes.

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

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LIONS CLUBS E-CARD FILING REPORT REMINDER

(RE PUBLISHED BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANCE)

This is just a reminder that for all clubs who have registered and are on file with the IRS – your Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is due within 5 months of the end of your Lions year which in most

cases is June 30. Therefore your filing deadline is NOVEMBER 15 and the e-card filing MUST BE DONE ON LINE. You cannot file the e-postcard until after your tax year ends. Go to: http://www.irs.gov/uac/e-file-for-Charities-and-Non-Profits - click “filing” upper left hand corner of page This takes you to a new page which lists information on the filing – click the 3rd paragraph - Form 990 Resources and Tools for Exempt Organizations Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard) You will find information about the e-Postcard filing requirements and links to the filing system and public disclosure site on this page.

How to File: Use this link to file the e-Postcard. If you have trouble accessing the system using that link, you may be able to access the filing site directly by typing or pasting the following address into your Internet browser: http://epostcard.form990.org. When you access the system, you will leave the IRS site and file the e-Postcard with the IRS through our trusted partner, Urban Institute. The form must be completed and filed electronically. There is no paper form

Information Needed to File e-Postcard Completing the e-Postcard requires the eight items listed below:

1. Employer identification number (EIN), also known as a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

2. Tax year 3. Legal name and mailing address 4. Any other names the organization uses 5. Name and address of a principal officer 6. Web site address if the organization has one 7. Confirmation that the organization’s annual

gross receipts are $50,000 or less 8. If applicable, a statement that the

organization has terminated or is terminating (going out of business)

Because of some issues relative to “hacking” you may have to change your password – (I did) – just follow the instructions If you do not remember your login ID: For tax exempt organizations, your login ID starts with the EIN of your organization (without the dash/hyphen) plus two digits. The two digits are placed at the end of the EIN and are 01 for the first person who prepares the organization's 990-N (e-postcard). That login ID does not change until a new person takes over preparing the Form 990-N. The new person would obtain their own login ID - which will end with 02. So for EIN 55-5555555, the first login ID would be 55555555501. The Login ID for the second person who prepares the Form 990-N would be 55555555502. The Login ID for the person after that would be 55555555503 and so on. If the same person prepares the Form 990-N each year, their login ID does not change from year to year

-Lion Judy Toft, District 1A

Our Endowment Fund thanks you, and those who will benefit from you generosity thank you.

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Multiple District 1

Past District Governor’s Association

Past District Governor,

The annual meeting of the MD-1 Past District Governor’s Association will again be held in conjunction with the MD-1 Forum. The date is November 14, 2015 and the location is Embassy Suites in East Peoria, IL.

Our hospitality room will be in the Grandview room and will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 PM and again from 8:30 to 11:00 PM. Our annual dinner / meeting will be in the Cole/Schertz room beginning at 7:00 PM. The fee for the hospitality room is $5 per person and the meal is $36 per person.

Room rates are $99 per night which includes breakfast. Call Embassy Suites at 800-362-2779 by October 23, 2015 to obtain the Lions rate.

Please complete the registration below and return it along with your check made payable to “Past District Governors of Illinois” before October 31, 2015 to:

PCC Terry L. Knollenberg 6180 Sky Ranch Rd. Manito, IL 61546 If you have any questions please contact:

PCC Terry L. Knollenberg Secretary/Treasurer 309-202-3723 md1cc1112@gmail.com

PDG Tom Senger Vice President 828-335-0785 dg1Ktom@gmail.com

PDG Austin D’Souza President 708-785-0286 govaustin@gmail.com

Note: Your reservation must be received no later than October 31, 2015 so dinners can be

properly ordered.

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Multiple District 1

Past District Governor’s Association

PDG ANNUAL DINNER RESERVATION & SELECTION

PDG NAME:_________________________________ DISTRICT-YEAR_________________

SPOUSE/PARTNER/GUEST NAME:_____________________________________________________________

CITY ______________________________________________ ZIP ____________

PHONE:____________________ EMAIL: ___________________________________

Meals include salad, vegetable, rolls & butter, desert, water/coffee/tea

Choose the meal of your choice and that of your guest.

Meal Choice PDG Guest

Smokehouse Brisket

Grilled Chicken and Penne

Vegetarian Choice

Number of meals _____ X $36.00 = $ ________

Hospitality Room – Number attending____ X $5.00 = $ _______

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ _______

Please complete the registration below and return it along with your check made payable to “Past District Governors of Illinois” before October 31, 2015 to:

PCC Terry L. Knollenberg 6180 Sky Ranch Rd.

Manito, IL 61546

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LIONS OF ILLINOIS ENDOWMENT FUND HONORARIUM DONATIONS

FOR JULY 2015

DATE HONORED HONORED DONOR NAME REASON 7/8/2015 BOB & JANICE NIBLO RUSS & SUE SARVER, PID 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

LIONS OF ILLINOIS ENDOWMENT FUND GET WELL DONATIONS FOR

JULY 2015 NO HONORARIUMS FOR JULY 2015 LIONS OF ILLINOIS ENDOWMENT FUND MEMORIAL DONATIONS FOR JUNE- AUGUST 2015 DATE DECEASED DONOR 7/27/2015 ROBERT BARABAS MARY ZABORSKI 7/1/2015 DAN BERGIN CHICAGO HEIGHS LC 7/31/2015 JOHN BOZZI CRIG SLAW & YOUR FRIENDS AT LEONARDI INS 7/23/2015 ERMA CASTLE DIXON LIONESS CLUB 7/22/2015 EARL DELP, PDG CAROL & GORDON GRANDE 7/27/2015 RUSS & SUE SARVER, PID 7/27/2015 ROGER & HELEN BRUNNER 7/28/2015 ROBERT & DONNA PLOCK, PDG 8/5/2015 MARIO & KAREN GUMINO 8/12/2015 CHARLES BEARD 8/13/2015 DUANE & JUDY SHAW, PDG'S 8/21/2015 LANARK LC 8/5/2015 WILLIAM BILL FOLI, PDG MARIO & KAREN GUMINO 8/6/2015 CAROL MCCANN KOJIMA 8/6/2015 DICK & BARB BARK, PDG 8/10/2015 RUSS & SUE SARVER, PID 8/12/2015 ANN & RON WIGTON 8/12/2015 MR. & MRS. ROBERT SUDBURY 8/13/2015 DUANE & JUDY SHAW, PDG'S 8/13/2015 GLENN & HESTER COMBS 8/13/2015 THOMAS & JANE MARTIN 8/13/2015 TERRY KNOLLENBERG 8/17/2015 BOB & LINDA JILKE, PDG 8/17/2015 SANDY SOWERS, PDG 8/17/2015 DAVE HANSEN 8/20/2015 JOHN & BETTY THIEN, PDG 8/21/2015 JOYCE SCHROEDER, PDG, PFP 8/24/2015 MARY & DAVE STRYKER 8/24/2015 PAT & CLYDE GAFFNEY 8/24/2015 CHIP FARRINGTON 8/26/2015 EDY MAEDER 8/28/2015 STEVE & KELLY BOETTGER 8/31/2015 JERRY & MARY BEASLEY, PDG 8/31/2015 JOHN & SHARON HAWKINSON 8/24/2015 DON FORNI, PDG BOB & LINDA JILKE, PDG 8/28/2015 SUE & ED CARTER 8/31/2015 JOHN & GERI LANDON, PDG, PC 8/31/2015 DICK & BARB BARK, PDG 8/24/20 15 KURT GORE BOB & LINDA JILKE, PDG 8/31/2015 ROSELLE LC

7/17/2015 GEORG IMHOFF JIM & CAROL HUTCHINSON, PDG 7/30/2015 WILLIAM BILL JONES, PDG LAWRENCE & LUANNE BRUCKNER, PDG 7/31/2015 JAMES HARBAUGH, PDG 8/21/2015 JOYCE SCHROEDER, PDG, PFP 8/26/2015 DIXON LIONESS CLUB 8/31/2015 DUANE & JUDY SHAW, PDG'S 8/31/2015 MICHAEL & LINDA LONGTIN 8/31/2015 JANE YOKOI 8/31/2015 WAYNE & MARCIA SMITH 8/31/2015 BEN & LYNN HUTLEY 8/31/2015 ALAN SKOOG 8/31/2015 LOIS & TERRY SPENCER 8/31/2015 HELEN CHRISTOPHER 8/31/2015 STELLA LANAGHAN 8/31/2015 ERIC RIDENOUR 7/20/2015 HELEN MCCORMICK CATHY SEAGREN 7/23/2015 DIXON LIONESS CLUB 7/27/2015 JEAN REED 7/27/2015 MR. & MRS. JERRY REED 8/21/2015 MR. & MRS. ROBERT HOUSTON 8/24/2015 ROD MEIER PAT O'BRIEN 8/24/2015 LEMONT LC 8/28/2015 BOLINGBROOK LC 7/16/2015 DONALD MEYERS GORDON GRANDE, PDG 7/17/2015 GERMAN VALLEY LC 7/17/2015 RUSS & SUE SARVER, PID 7/20/2015 BRENT MORRISON MARGARET BURGAUER 8/10/2015 BILL OLSON CARLINVILLE LC 7/1/2015 DARVIN PIERCE JOANNE & LARRY JOHNSON 8/24/2015 SUSAN HASTINGS 8/24/2015 JACK WHITMORE 8/24/2015 KENNETH WHITMORE 8/24/2015 WINTHROP HARBOR LC 8/24/2015 CHRIS REDIC 8/24/2015 JOHN RAGLAND LYDIA & FAMILY ELLIS, PCC 7/22/2015 DOROTHY RODES DUNDEE TOWNSHIP LC 7/10/2015 RONALD RUNKLE FRANK & DARLENE DORFLER 7/8/2015 LEWIS SCHACHT UNION LIONESS CLUB 8/31/2015 NEIL SCHARAGE GAIL LYNN SILBERBAUER 7/17/2015 PAUL SCHLEUTER EDWARDSVILLE LC 8/24/2015 WENDEL SHAY JOHN PAJKOS 8/24/2015 MOLLY DONAHUE 7/12/2015 ALICE STIGLICH JOLIET NOON LC 8/31/2015 ROBERT SWARTZ DURAND LC 8/31/2015 CAROL & GORDON GRANDE 8/31/2015 DAVID WALLER 8/31/2015 DAN & SYBIL WAGNER 8/31/2015 PAT SMITH 7/12/2015 TONY TACCHIA JOLIET NOON LC 7/6/2015 ROBERT THORP HINCKLEY LC 7/8/2015 BONNIE WALLIS SANDWICH LC 8/27/2015 VAL PATRICK WILSON FOX LAKE LC 7/20/2015 BILL MCKINNEY, IPID 7/20/2015 LYDIA ELLIS, PDG 7/20/2015 DENNIS & LINDA NILSSON 7/20/2015 DORIS POTTS 7/20/2015 CHICAGO FIL USA LC 7/20/2015 STEVE & LAURA BUKOWSKI 7/20/2015 JANET WOLF 7/20/2015 BARBARA DUFFY

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Make plans now to attend the MD-1 State Convention, May 20th thru the 22nd. Meet 1st VP Bob and Lion Dianne Corlew in person and find out more about the great couple who’ll be leading our Association in

the 2016-2017 Lions Year!

FACTS ABOUT VP BOB: Hails from Milton, TN, which is an unincorporated community.

Married to Lion Dianne. Both of them are Progressive Melvin Jones Fellows. VP Bob is a member of

the Murfreesboro Lions Club and has been since 1978.

Has also been active in the Boy Scouts of America, the Jaycees and the Red Cross. Lions Bob & Dianne

have 5 children and 4 grandchildren.

FUN FACTS ABOUT VP BOB:

In 2nd

grade, VP Bob was a Jr. Fire Marshall! He wore a little badge and insisted on going to school early each

morning to inspect to be sure there were no fires overnight

As a child, Bob had a pet Collie. Not being too original on names back then, he named his dog….. “Collie”!

He was a club organizer, even as a child, starting the “77 Club” when he was in 2nd

grade! It was named 77

because you should be 7 years old in 2nd

grade, but it probably had more to do with the fact that 77 Sunset

Strip was a popular TV show at the time!

VP Bob learned to drive at an early age (driving farm trucks and tractors off road). He had his first wreck at 8

years old!

His favorite vehicle to drive when he’s at home is his 1995 Ford F-150 Pick-up. It has 265,000 miles on it, and

gets really good gas mileage! He filled it up right after Christmas in 2014, and it still has a half a tank today

Meet our Association’s

1st International Vice President

Chancellor Robert “Bob” Corlew

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Lions Work is Never Done A Lions work is never done! We began as a service organization to improve our communities and help those in need. Lions are approaching 100 years of service not only to our communities, but our nation and around the world. Lions have changed the lives of millions of people through our service. We are continually looked at as an organization people can come too and receive assistance whether it be for vision or hearing assistance, transportation, food and at times of disaster. When asked to be the State of Illinois Coordinator for Leader Dogs Kennel Redevelopment Program I was excited and felt Lions in the State of Illinois would be stepping forward once more to assist someone in need. Leader Dogs for the Blind began as a Lions project and continues to be supported by Lions around the world. There are no boundaries for people to be served by Leader Dog. They receive assistance and get their Leader Dog free from around the world.

I have enclosed a chart showing Illinois participation regarding Leader Dog for every Lion to see. There are some Districts doing very well while others, for whatever reason, have not shown any support. Our Illinois Foundation does great things for many needy individuals and is supported very well. However, our Foundation does not supply a Leader Dog for those that need such assistance. Our Lions Foundation should embrace any additional service that helps blind individuals with needs we cannot provide. This would be no different than your Doctor referring you to a specialist for further treatment. As you can see by the enclosed chart, we have several Leader Dog pairs residing in Illinois. There is still time for any Lion or Lions Club to help support Leader Dogs for the Blind Kennel Redevelopment Campaign. Contact your District representative or myself, Paul Lindstrom at 815 738 2761 for further information. Let’s show our Lion Pride and help support a very worthy Lions project, Leader Dogs Kennel Redevelopment Campaign.

-PCC Paul Lindstorm, State Chairman

District General Donation Kennel Development Clients of L.D.

Donors Amount Donors Amount

1 - A 6 $2,100.00 25 $10,000.00 20

1 - BK 13 $11,118.00 0 $0.00 7

1 - CN 2 $400.00 0 $0.00 1

1 - CS 2 $129.00 1 $100.00 1

1 - D 27 $10,233.00 12 $2,116.42 1

1 - E 33 $7,043.24 0 $0.00 2

1 - F 0 $0.00 0 $0.00 0

1 - G 15 $4,975.00 0 $0.00 3

1 - H 3 $4,514.00 0 $0.00 9

1 - J 7 $5,650.00 8 $11,748.00 8

1 - L 3 $950.00 0 $0.00 5

1 - M 0 $0.00 0 $0.00

MD - 1 111 47112.24 46 23964.42 57

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MD1 FORUM HOT NEWS: LIONS, LIONESSES & LEOS:

In speaking with the Embassy Suites-East the hotel agreed to re-open our room block from now until Monday, Nov 2nd and have added additional guest rooms at the $99/night rate for the MD-1 Forum. Lion Jama Wahl and I ask your help in getting this word out to all Lions in your District so those who wish to reserve a room at the Embassy Suites-East Peoria for Friday and/or Saturday nights (Nov 13 or 14) have an opportunity to do so by calling (800) 362-2779. Thank you for your help! Lion Michele Faires State Secretary/Treasurer Lions of Illinois, Inc., POB 127, Hopedale, IL 61747-0127 217.632.7775 lionsofillinois@yahoo.com

Dear Lions, I recently attended the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California, USA. I learned the power of giving all athletes the opportunity to compete and the importance of inclusion. Watching them in action showed me that these athletes really blossom when given encouragement and opportunity.

I am so proud of the Lions of California for all of their volunteer efforts for the Healthy Athletes screenings, just like all of the other Lions

around the world who have been instrumental in games and screening events over the last 1 years. I am also very thankful for the hospitality of our partners at Special Olympics. Partnerships like this extend the reach of Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), serving more people than any one Lions club could serve alone. That is why it is so important that we continue to grow and expand LCIF. I promoted Ask One for membership last year, but that idea also applies to LCIF. This is OUR foundation. Every one of us is responsible for its growth and success. We need to make sure every Lion knows about our foundation. I challenge each of you to ask one Lion to make a gift to LCIF this year. We are our own biggest advocates! Speak to your fellow Lions about what LCIF means to you and the impact it makes on millions of lives around the world every year. Sincerely, Joe Preston Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation

A Message from Bill Gates

LCIF has committed to raising US$30 million by 2017 to improve

access to vaccines through Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. The funds raised will be matched by the United Kingdom's Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing the total to US$60 million. Bill Gates, co-chair and trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has an encouraging video message for Lions.

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The Grayslake Lions made money on the 2015 Steer Roast. The drive-thru was a big hit, serving over 90 meals by this new option. Attendance was down, but the net appears to be about the same as last year. Winners of the 50/50 raffle were: third place, Lion Bob Pokela; second place, Lion Randy Hegland; and first place Laura Hailbeck of Grayslake. Laura won $357.75. Ms. Hailbeck immediately donated all of her winnings to the Grayslake Lions Club Foundation! This was an all-hands event and the committee chairs are to be commended for their efforts.

The 1BK Lions Leadership Forum was a success thanks to several dedicated Lions. On behalf of the District Team that organized the event, which included Region and Zone Chairs of 1BK and GLT Jama Wahl, appreciation is extended to

-the 43 Lions from across the district who attended. They represented the clubs of Yorkville, Bolingbrook, Channahon Gardner, Streator Hardscrabble, Hudson, Leland, Lemont, Marseilles, Morris, Normal, Ottawa, and Princeton.

-the presenters who shared their expertise, PID Bud Wahl; PDG Tom Senger; IPDG Mark Williams; FVDG Pat Gaffney; ZC Shelia Perkins; PDG Ken Novak; ZC Jeff Bathe, Trustee John Pajkos, PDG; Trustee Sharon Hawkinson, PDG; PDG John O’Brien; and ZC Ruth Harschbarger

-the moderators who facilitated the sessions, ZC Clyde Gaffney, PDG; RC Lori Linn, ZC Jeff Bathe; PID Bud Wahl; GLT Jama Wahl; and FVDG Pat Gaffney

-Lion Maddie and RC Tony Gruben who managed the wonderful lunch from MADDIE’s PLACE.

-CT Bird Combs, PDG who monitored the funds.

-DG Charlie Siefert for making such an event a goal for his year of leadership.

As noted by one attendee, “GREAT Job Team! Thank you. Please keep these going!

And another participant said, “This was my first 1BK Leadership Forum. It was aworthwhile, effective investment of time. Thank you! Let’s have more Lions involved in 2016!

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Our youngest lion at the Macomb Lions Club pancake breakfast. Look close at her collar and you can see her pin!

The Kirkland Lions Club tried a new fundraiser this year. The Club

decided that

selling pumpkins

could be profitable

… and FUN!

Club members picked pumpkins on the last Thursday evening of September, and on the first Saturday and Sunday in October sold the pumpkins (along with corn stalks and corn

decorations). The pumpkins were very reasonably priced and the large ones went quickly! We even

had a community member donate a couple of huge squashkins. It was a windy and chilly weekend, but the Kirkland Lions were undeterred.

They bundled up and a couple of the Kirkland Lions Club members even dressed up! The community, once again, showed their support and all in all it was a successful and fun event.

The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Health Fair 2015

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Genoa Volksfest Lions Club Sound Stage

The Genoa Lions Club would like to thank everyone who attended our Sound Stage at the 1st Annual Genoa Volksfest. The profits support our many community projects, including G-K High School scholarships, G-K Student of the Year awards, G-K Spelling Bee, Lake Shabbona Fishing Derby for the Blind, Ski for Sight cross country skiing weekend for the blind, eyeglass and hearing aid assistance, Rockford Center for Sight and Sound, Kishwaukee Valley Heritage Society, Walcamp, various world-wide and local disaster relief efforts (including Fairdale), and many others. We also thank the

following sponsors that contributed to our success: Alan Browne Chevrolet and National Bank & Trust (Sound Stage Sponsors), Heartland Bank (50/50

Raffle Sponsor), City of Genoa, Genoa Police Department, Waste Management, Hill’s Tap, Anderson Auto Body, Genoa Automotive Repair, Raymond James Financial (Josh Haka), Lynn’s Carpet Cleaning, Northern Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, All-Natural Chiropractic (Dr. Mark Jacobs), Hansel& Son, Sycamore Precision, Resource Bank, Genoa Liquor ‘n’ Wine, Dr. Jeffrey Caron Optometry, Becker Law Office, Kinney Masonry, Country Financial (David Gingerich), State Farm (Jack Godde), Genoa Pharmacy, James Wilson Home Inspections, the Hearth Shop, Tobinsons Ace Hardware and Wakohwear both in Genoa. Thanks also to Brian Wallace and Carolyn Tobinson for their vision and hard work in making the 1st Annual Genoa Volksfest a success. Sincerely, Jeff Baker and Chad Pacey Genoa Lions Sound Stage Co-Chairmen

Dear Lion, Our Centennial is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the storied history of Lions around the world. But it's also an opportunity to recognize the achievements of Lions and Lions clubs that are working to make sure that our future is even brighter.

The Centennial Celebration Member-ship Awards give all Lions and Lions clubs an opportunity to earn limited-edition Centennial awards. Earn Silver, Gold and Diamond Level Centennial Lion Awards Earn Centennial Membership Awards

for new members and new clubs you sponsor be-tween now and June 30, 2018. The longer your

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new member or club stays active, the more recog-nition you receive. Become a Premier or World Class Centennial Lions Club Don't miss out on becoming a World Class Centennial Club! Clubs need to induct at least three new members by the end of the fiscal year to be on track to earn this distinc-tion. Visit the Centennial Celebration Membership Awards website for details about the program and recognition you can earn. Sincerely, Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada Your International President

Invite for Impact

Your club can make a larger impact in your community by inviting new members to join you. New members can increase your service, position your club for ongoing success, and help you and your Lions earn special recognition in the Centennial Celebration Membership Awards. And it all starts by asking one family member, friend or neighbor to join your club. Visit the Ask One pagefor tools to energize your membership efforts!

More than 800 million people live in poverty. You can help make a difference by organizing a special service project in your community for

the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger and Poverty on January 10-16.

Visit the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger and Poverty page for planning resources for this special Centennial Service Challenge event. Start planning your project today to bring dignity and hope to those who need us most.

Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger and Poverty

(January 10-16)

More than one billion people live on a dollar a day, and nearly 800 million people around the world go to bed hungry every night. This January, make a difference by joining Lions around the world for a special Lions Worldwide Week of Service dedicated to eliminating hunger and poverty.

Show your commitment to service, and help us reach our Centennial Service Challenge goal of serving 100 million people, by planning a project impacting hunger and poverty in your community. From stocking your local food pantry, to serving meals at a soup kitchen, there are countless ways to make a difference.

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No matter how you choose to serve, be sure to join us for this Centennial service event!

Join Us for the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger and Poverty

Here's how your club can take part in this special event:

1. Plan your project - Host a service project that impacts hunger and poverty in your community during the week of January 10-16. Download the Planning Guide for project ideas and planning tips.

2. Promote your project - Invite your community to serve with you to showcase your club and the power of service.

3. Report your project - Report your service on the MyLCI Service Activity Report to earn a Centennial Banner Patch and to get your club's name on the Centennial Ticker. Be sure to include the project date.

Celebrate Your Service

Share photos of your project on social media so everyone can see what a difference you're making in your community. Use the hashtag #Lions100, and we'll share your images on the LCI Facebook page!

Worldwide Week of Service Resources

Hunger Planning Guide 25 Hunger Project Ideas Club Flyer Club Press Release

Just imagine if every Lion, 1.4 million, asked one

person to join their club...

Front: Lions Jill Fahy and Gordon Anderson 2nd Row: Lions Rex & Marilyn Norton

Lion Carrol Ellington in the popcorn wagon

MARSHALL LIONS participate in the local fall

festival with a booth and their popcorn wagon

fundraisers.

Zone Chair, Lion Mo Wimbley installed a new member into the Marshall Lions Club at their annu-al pork chop picnic at the Lions building at Mill Creek Park. Pictured here are:

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Lion Gordon Anderson, sponsor with New Member

Jill Fahy and Zone Chair Lion Mo Wimbley. The Alpha Leos have been very busy this fall. They

entered a float in the local Honey Bee Festival, had a drive to collect items for the Human Resources Center playroom and helped at the St. Marys Church event by cleaning tables.

PARIS LIONS hosted the Lions of Illi-nois Foun-dation hear-ing unit at the annual Honey Bee Festival, of-

fering free hearing screenings and drew the win-ners of their annual raffle for a street-ready golf cart, Wal-Mart gift cards and a 50/50 drawing. 50/50 Drawing winner was Bill Moss of Paris.

CST Lion Brad Cash presents the key to Cart Win-ner, Jody Smith, Bob Young . Winners of Walmart $100 gift cards were: Bob Clawson and Debra Richey, John Craig of Chrisman, Illinois.

Upcoming events planned are volunteering for the Police Association's Shop with a Cop and Bicycle Rodeo.

The new Ridge Farm Lions Club held their Charter Night on October 17 at the Blakeney Building in Ridge Farm. This event celebrates a year of recruitment, organizational meetings, training sessions and the guidance of Zone Chair and guiding Lion, Darren VanDuyn, District Governor Kevin and PDG Jani Mendenhall, Immediate Past Governor Ron Stickler, Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer Lion Brad Cash, GMT Chair Jim Ingram, to name a few. The Georgetown Lions Club gladly agreed to

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sponsor this new club and President Jan Nimrick represented the club at their meetings. They have 27 members.

IPDG Ron Stickler, DG Kevin Mendenhall, 2VDG Lori Bennett

Special guests were Senator Scott Bennett who

presented a plaque of recognition to the club. He joked that many things have not passed through the Illinois House and Senate, but this proclamation had no trouble getting approved.

(Sponsoring Club, Georgetown members – L to R: Lion Steve Winkle, Lion Kent Leasure, E.J. Leasure, Lion Linda Hall, PDG Carl Hall, Lion Jan Nimrick & Joan Winkle)

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Key note speaker, PID Bud Wahl spoke about the beginning of Lions Clubs and the purpose of serving the community and around the world to make life better with new glasses, eliminating diseases, helping with natural disasters, etc. He presided over the induction of the new members and the signing of the charter.

(After signing the Charter, PID Bud Wahl inducted the members into the new Ridge Farm Club.)

A Silent Auction, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing were part of the entertainment. President Donnie Turner presented certificates of appreciation and IPDG Ron Stickler presented awards.

ATHENS LIONS KEEP BUSY THIS FALL The

Athens Lions Club

has had a busy

fall. Events

included

cleaning the Athens (Stadium Clean Up--L-R Paula Rider, Bill Rider, Larry Baughman)

Sports Complex after all home football games, participating in parades in Greenview and Athens, having a Candy Day in Athens, and an Electronics Recycling Day in Athens for Menard County. Athens Lions members cleaned the football stadium after each of the home games as a service project to Athens Community School District 213. Participating were Lions Larry Baughman, Larry Buhr, Carolyn Conover, Larry Credille, Jim Hale, Del Haschemeyer, Tricia Laager, Don Porter, Paula Rider, Ted Sims, and Ron Williams.

An Athens Lions Club float was entered in the Greenview Labor Day Celebration parade on

September 7 and the Athens Fall Festival parade on October 3. The purpose of participation in the parades was to spread public awareness about year-round recycling projects. The following Lions volunteered for this year's parades: Bill Armitage, Larry Baughman, Carolyn Conover, Del Haschemeyer, Bill Meisner, Don Porter, Bill Rider, Paula Rider, Ted Sims. Two Athens Leo Club members, Clarissa Lee and Kellie Conover, and the grandsons of Bill and Paula Rider, Zach and Aaron Eisenmann, also participated.

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Greenview Parade Front: Bill Rider, Paula Rider, Larry Baughman, Carolyn Conover, Bill Armitage, Back: Zach Eisenmann, Aaron Eisenmann, Clarissa Lee, Kellie Conover.

Athens Parade

Front: Bill Rider, Paula Rider, Del Haschemeyer, Bill Armitage, Ted Sims Back: Bill Meisner, Don Porter, Larry Baughman

On Saturday, September 26, the Lions held their annual fall Candy Day. This year, due to the generosity of the Athens community, the Lions collected $701.38. Sixty percent will go the Illinois Lions Foundation Vision Program and the remaining forty percent will go The Leader Dog

program. The Lions who collected were: Bill Armitage, Larry Baughman, Del Haschemeyer, Bill Meisner, and Bill Rider.

On Saturday, October 17, The Athens Lions Club, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Menard County and Central Illinois Services, held an electronics recycling event at the Athens Community Park. The event was organized by Anne Smith of the Central Illinois Services. This was a community-service project providing an opportunity to dispose of, as well as recycle, old electronic items, including tvs. The club did not benefit financially from this event. Lions who volunteered for this event included: Bill Armitage, Larry Baughman, Larry Buhr, Carolyn Conover, Tricia Laager, Don Porter, and Bill Rider. Rotarians that volunteered included: Will Carter, Betty Churchill, Mark Churchill, Mike Dick, Steve Gutierrez, Jerry Pettit and Bill Stone.

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Mark Churchill and Bill Stone unloading a large TV. Next photograph: Larry Baughman and unidentified BLH worker.

Immediate Past International Director Bill McKinney’s Appreciation Party was held at St. Michael’s Parish Hall, Greenfield, IL. Above Lion Bill with his family members.

Past Council Chairman Paul and his wife Lion Terri Celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Bertolet Memorial Hall, River Leaf, IL. Above picture with their family members present.

50 years couple with PID Russ & Lion Sue Sarver

Lombard Lions Ernie Turcotte, David Johnson, and Bob Lehman staff the booth at Lombard’s Annual

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Recycling Extravaganza where they collected hundreds of eyeglasses for LIF and also used cell phones for an organization that distributes them to women in need.

Dist. Gov. Lion Bob Fowler (r) inducts new Elgin Lion Brad Duewel (c) as his sponsor, Lion Mitch Esterino (l) looks on.

Definitely a Tail Twister in the making out in Waterman IL!

A brand new Lion on the Street – working to collect

contributions from passers by for Candy Day. Ryan Wahlheim was inducted on 10/08/2015 and started working for the Darien Lions Club on 10/09/2015! Start them out right!

Just some of the 100 Darien Lions that “served” at Darienfest. They’re a hard-working bunch!

Aurora Noon Lions Don Davids (l) and Michele Needham, Club President (r) were busy at 7 AM for the club’s Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser at Luigi’s Pizza in Aurora. The sale

generated about $450 for the Lions’ Vision & Hearing Conservation Programs.

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Roselle Lions Club observed Children’s Dignity Week with a new project. Lions Maryann Grygiel

and Joanne Barsanti delivered a carload of items such as paper, crayons, and yarn (and much more) to the children at the Marklund Children’s Home in Bloomingdale. Lion Maryann noted that the Roselle Lions had collected enough supplies to fill half of her garage. Marklund is a non-profit organization that serves infants, children, teens, and adults with serious and profound developmental disabilities and special care needs.

1-J Zone Chair of the Eastern Region Lion John Barsanti received his Lions University Bachelor’s diploma from LCI Pres. Lion Jitsuhiro Yamada at the first graduation that took place at 2015 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Grand Rapids MI. 1-J Southeast Region Zone Chair Lion Jim Kiser also received his Bachelor’s diploma. The courses are offered at USA/Canada Forums and on-line.

1-J Central Region ZC Lion Lori Chassee installs the newest member of the North Aurora Lions Club, Lion Dick Blondin. His sponsor, Lion Forrest White, shows off his Centennial Sponsor’s Certificate.

Aurora Evening Lions Club is proud to have helped make this Clinic at the Visiting Nurses Assn. (VNA) in Aurora a viable choice for area residents. The $200,000 grant from Lions Clubs International SightFirst II was sponsored by the Aurora Evening Lions Club and District 1-J.

West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda issued a proclamation recognizing the West Chicago Lions Club for its humanitarian efforts and declaring the week "Lions Sight and Hearing Conservation Week." Lions"shook their cans" at Sonny Acres all

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weekend in mid-October. (l to r) Lion Don Earley, Mayor Pineda, Lions Russ Radkiewicz, Frank Lenertz, Gary Major, Melissa Birch, Lori Chassee and Jerry Morelli.

Westmont Lions Club participated in a new Chamber Contest last month. Over 30 scarecrows were built and displayed in the downtown for people to vote for their favorite. This is Westmont Lions’ entry.

It’s a new member for the Burlington Lioness Club! (l to r) Lioness Club Pres. Christine Gammeri, new Lioness Melanie Peters, Sponsor Lioness Olivia Skirmont.

Winners of the Burlington Lioness’ 4th Annual Pie Baking Contest — (l to r) Tracy Hartje, Susan Koldan, and Jessica Lemmon.

Congratulations!!!

Wego Lions’ Candy Day Proclamation

Morrison Lions sold apple slices topped with homemade warm caramel sauce at the Annual

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Paint the Town held on September 19th. Pictured with back to the camera is Tracy Muur operating the apple corer and Becki Damhoff waiting to pour the "sweet stuff" over the slices as a customer waits for the treat. Debbie Dixon, Executive Director of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the Oregon Lions Club meeting on September 24th. She said that her job gives her the opportunity to shine a light on all the good things going on in Oregon. A new publici-ty brochure is now available at the Chamber Office which highlights the many things Oregon has to offer that continue to attract visitors to our town. Pictured left to right: Candice Holbrook, Debbie Dickson and Lions President Chrissie Martin.

Past District Governor Lion Roger Brunner inducted a new member into the Oregon Lions Club at the meeting on September 24. Bob Arneson was spon-

sored by his son Lion Rob Arneson. Pictured left to right: Bob Arneson, Rob Arneson and roger Brun-ner.

The Streator Hardscrabble Lions hosted the LIF Hearing Screening Unit on October 21st at the Senior Expo. Thirty-eight individuals were screened with 40% of those screened having a hearing loss. Shown in the picture are Club President Karyn Dzurisin and Lion Jim Olmsted registering participants.

Lena Lions had their final highway pickup of the year on Saturday October 17, 2015. L-R Lion Roger Russel, Lion Dave Hoffman chairman

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of the highway cleanup and Lion Ben Mayer not pictured Lion Jim Brenner.

At the recent Danvers Lions meeting, PID Bud Wahl is shown presenting Lion Sandy Foli the Lions University Bachelors diploma and pin earned by PDG Bill Foli. Lion Bill passed on suddenly and was not able to receive this honor at the USA Canada Lions Leadership Institute in Grand Rapids Michigan in September. As noted by Lion Sandy, “Lion Bill had worked hard to earn his bachelors degree. He had planned on pursuing his masters degree as well.”

Belvidere Lions Club new members along with their sponsors. In photo from Left to right are: Valli JoRubeck (sponsor) new member Alissa Usedom, New member Pam Zuromski, sponsor Lonna

Bentley, new member Bill Zuromsi, New member Mark Roush, sponsor Tom Bonacorsi.

Dear District Governor, Our Centennial is bringing Lions around the world together, but we need leaders like you to help us keep the momentum going throughout the cele-bration. The Centennial Celebration Membership Awards is a key program that will help define the success of our Centennial. You can help make it a success by promoting it to your clubs. Make sure clubs know that all Lions and Lions clubs can earn special recognition for inviting new mem-bers and helping to organize new clubs. Let Lions know this program is important to you and to their club. And encourage every club to set a goal of in-viting at least three new members this year. You can help your Lions and Lions clubs earn Cen-tennial recognition by chartering new clubs in your district. And when you do, you'll be on your way to earning your own rewards in the Lions Dignity Award program. Let's work together to grow our districts and make the Centennial Celebration Membership Awards a big success! Sincerely, Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada Your International President

Important Reminders

Here are some important reminders that can keep you on track for success:

Period 1 of the Lions Dignity Award ends November 30, 2015, so make sure you're in position to earn your award!

Encourage your clubs to earn limited-edition recognition in the Centennial Celebration

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Membership Awards. Ask your clubs to lead through service by

hosting a special project for the Worldwide Week of Service to Fight Hunger and Poverty on January 10-16.

Continue to promote the Club President Award to help your clubs maximize their potential by using the 7 Keys to Success.

Creativity is indispensable for successful leaders. It can help you find creative solutions to attract new members and address challenges among current members. ExploreCreativity, an online Lions Learning Center course, today!

Lions Webinars

A webinar is an online lecture or training session presented live on the Internet – allowing Lions from around the world to learn about and discuss topics that help improve clubs and make an impact. Find webinar topics, schedules and recordings.

BE VISIBLE! Show your activity pictures to the World of Lionism. This magazine is

on the Web and it reaches more than a million readers worldwide!

SEND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS, ARTICLES, EVENTS TO: MD1 STATE MAGAZINE EDITOR:

ILStateEditor@gmail.com

District 1A held their Guiding Lions certification course at Scottish Home Dignity Hall. MD1 State GMT chairperson Lion Jama Wahl was the course presenter. There were 17 lions graduated as Certi-fied Guiding Lions.

District 1A already chartered a new club – Chicago Ridge Lions Club with 28 new members. Soon there will be another new club in Broadview. In January they will be working on another new club in Chicago Craigin area.

COME CELEBRATE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL

FOUNDER MELVIN JONES BIRTHDAY ON JANUARY

10, 2016 AT FOUR POINTS HOTEL SHERATON, O’HARE @ 12:00 NOON. FOR MORE

DETAILS, CONTACT: govaustin@gmail.com

MD1 State Monthly e-Magazine Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for Lions, Lionesses and Leos of Illinois. e-Mail Address: ILStateEditor@gmail.com