DGs Oct 12 Newsletter

District Governor’s Message - October, 2012

Well here we are again for our fourth District Newsletter. Both Carol and I are enjoying every visit to the Clubs in our District and we are amazed at the level of projects that are being done.

By the time you receive this newsletter we would have been to visit 36 Clubs, this means that we are half-way through Clubs visited.

At present our Global Leadership & Global Membership Teams are working hard in putting together “Leadership Plan” for 2012/2013.

When you receive this plan at your Club please support the concept, as this will be a benefit to all Clubs and their Members.

First Vice President Barry Palmer has asked that all Clubs embrace the “Club Excellence Program” and would like one Club in each Zone to participate in this program this year, followed by the rest of the Clubs by the end of 2015 Lions year. Please contact your CEP Coordinator the set your dates.

District Convention – 2012 – 9th-11th of November By now all Clubs would have received a Registration Form for the District Convention. The Lions Club of Altona have worked tirelessly for the past 18 months on this project, to make sure that you will have a very enjoyable time at the Convention.

Most of the Convention will be held at the Williamstown Town Hall. This will be used for the Registration and the Friday Night Function as well as the Saturday and Sunday Business Sessions.

The Saturday night Gala will be at the “Grand Star Reception” on Grieve Parade, North Altona. It promises to be a great night, especially if you participate in the theme of “We Are the World”. Dress-up and come and enjoy a great night.

At the Convention there will be a opportunity to meet with a number of visitors, our very own International Director Sheryl Jensen from NZ, Carlene King from MD 201, and not at least our “Operation Friendship” couple from Holland

Lion Anneke Kok and her partner Wim, will be with us for around four weeks. Please come along and make our visitors welcome in our District.

As part of this year’s Convention we have a very special treat and that is the arrival of Lion Peter “Muddy” Waters on his Scooter all the way from Sydney in raising funds for “Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation” and the “Variety Club of Australia”.

Peter “Muddy” and his mate Johnny “Cowboy” Paydon will set off on the 29th of October from Sydney, and they will arrive 12 days later in Willamstown at our Convention.

This is a great undertaking by both Lion Peter and Johnny from the Variety Club. This cannot take place without the help and support of a number of people. There is the Organizing Committee of Lion Trevor Hirth and PCC Bruce Hudgson as well as a number of other people, not to forget the number of Lions Clubs along the way. Most Lions Club will be helping with overnight stays as well food preparation for lunch and dinner.

Let’s all wish Peter and his crew a safe journey and we look forward to his arrival in Williamstown on Saturday at the Convention.

Lou Scholten District Governor

We Serve

Membership Figures

July 1st, 2012 - 1632 1st August, 2012 1662 New Members 12 1674 Dropped 7 Total as at 31st August 1667 Net gain for Year to Date - 35

Carol’s Chatter

I’m sure this year is going quicker than last! Thank you all, our visits to your Clubs are still great. That should not surprise me at all; we are all on the same wavelength all doing the same job, all Volunteers.

Lions Clubs International District 201V2 Newsletter – October, 2012 Page 3

I thought this month I would talk to you about the Convention and why the theme. “We are the World”. To start I would like to tell you a little bit about the city of Altona. Altona has three exits, one to Werribee, one to the City and one to Williamstown. After the 2nd World War the migrants started to come to Australia and Altona was chosen to have two migrant hostels on two of its exits. I was born in Altona and had the pleasure of going to school and working with all different nationalities, all based in Altona. And as Lions is a world wide organization. Why Not?

Altona is a lovely place, close to the city and it has a lovely safe beach. It was a jewel in Melbourne’s crown and now is in the process of being developed. But at this stage its still has the feel of being a small village. Williamstown is, as you know, a very beautiful place across the river from Melbourne, one of the first ports to be settled, was at one stage deemed to be the major city in Victoria. Lots of historic places to be seen - all waiting for you.

We have some great Partner tours lined up - a Tram Car bay cruise, a walking tour and a Double Decker bus tour. The weekend is still spring racing so Melbourne should be buzzing, and did I mention the shopping? It’s brilliant in Williamstown.

The Host Club Altona is a vibrant and Award Winning Club, and as such have put all their efforts into making Your Convention the best they can. D.G Lou and I have been to many of their meetings and they have not left anything to chance.

So we would like the opportunity to see you all again. Come and enjoy our hospitality - come to Convention. We are sure you will have a good time.

Lions Lady Carol Scholten

LEHP: Sight, Visual Independence

At the time of writing this I hope that every Club has received their letter and is planning to do something for World Sight Day on Thursday October 11th. Just one Member to sit in a prominent place in your town or city and hand out some leaflets is all that is needed, or take action by placing leaflets in local places. Every eye saved changes the way a person can live and hopefully stay independent. Please contact me for any help. See you all at Convention and collect some more information for your Clubs.

Biddy Weel

Retention

Following on from what I wrote in the September District Newsletter, I would like to continue to unpack some of the information to be found in “Member Retention - a case of Routine Maintenance NOT Rocket Science” developed by PDG Bill Duncanson.

Commandment 3 – Show Members You Care There is no better way to lose a Member than to give up trying to keep him or her in the circle. Follow-ups on absenteeism are vital. Too many Lions in the past have resigned because of a resolve that their Club didn’t miss them, so they didn’t need them.

There are a variety of ways we can show care for Members who, for a variety of reasons, are not able to attend meetings or be fully involved in Club activities. By changing the status of a Member can say you care and hope circumstances change so that they can again be registered as “active”. Keep them in the circle by ensuring the Club Bulletin/Newsletter is forwarded to them and make sure Club minutes are also delivered personally if the Lion is not on the current email list.

Most Members are extremely good at tendering an apology and reason for anticipated absences from meetings. Therefore, a lack of an apology tends to ring alarm bells that something may be wrong. With aging membership, illness and mishaps among family or self can strike with little warning, so keeping in touch keeps us aware. Appointing a Wellbeing Chairman to keep track of the wellbeing of Members will highlight the importance that Member Care is highly regarded in the Club. A simple phone call or a visit can alert the Club about the wellbeing of a member and lets them know they are missed.

Phillip Johnson 2nd Vice District Governor – Retention

Lion Mints Lion Mints are launching a new product which will replace the Lions Christmas Mints. I will have the new Lion Bagged Mint on display at the District Convention. These will be available all year round.

Cost to Clubs is $1.25 a bag or $25 per carton of 20 packets. Minimum purchase is 2 cartons. Selling price is $2 a bag. Wire racks, header cards and money boxes are available for purchase as point of sale material.

I ask all Members to visit my display at Convention. I will have ample samples of the mint products as well as the fudge.

. PDG Allan Reeve Lion Mint Chairman

Lions Hearing Dogs District Convention

9th – 11th November, 2012

A FEW STATISTICS. 1 .The Training Centre commenced in the early 1980’s.

Less than 2months to go!

2. Up to end of July 2012, there have been 503 dog placements Australia wide.

Your Club Secretaries should have the Registration Forms now, so if 3. Currently there are 26 applicants on the waiting list

for a Hearing Dog. you haven’t heard, let me know.

4. Since 1983, 32 Hearing Dogs have been delivered to applicants in 201 V2.

Please do not leave registering to the last minute, as there is a lot

5. On 26/3/12, Dog No. 499 was delivered to a lady in Kingsville, in V2.

to be done by the Convention Committee, and early returns would

6. A lady in Werribee is next, she is waiting the result of her assessment process.

be appreciated.

Congratulations to Winchelsea for being the first. 7. Donations from Australian Lions Districts in 2011/12 totalled $281,241.66

Wouldn’t it be great to have a least one Member from each Club in our great District? 8. Donations from District 201 V2 in 2011/12 were

$19,229.00.

Registrations will be from 1.00 p.m. onwards on Friday 9th November. These will be in the Supper room at the side of the Williamstown Town Hall, which is in Ferguson Street Williamstown. They will close at 7.15 p.m., so if you need your Convention Bag for your tickets for the Informal Reception, you had better be there before that.

9. It costs approx. $30,000 per dog, from purchase from shelter, through Vets, de-sexing, feed, treats, trainers salaries etc. to delivery. 10. A fully trained dog - satisfactory ready for delivery, takes approx. 9 months.

Maureen Capizzi

Registrations will be open on Saturday from 7.30 till 8.15 a.m. and Sunday 8.30 until 9.00 a.m. Any problems with this, please contact or organize for other Members in your Club to pick up for you. Any changes to the times we will put in the next Newsletter.

District Chairperson Hearing, Hearing Dogs

Communications

We are having three Partners’ tours. One will be an hour’s walk around Williamstown, another a Double Decker bus tour around Williamstown and Altona, finishing at the Altona Homestead with a Devonshire Afternoon Tea, and the third a two hour cruise on the bay with Afternoon Tea. This is in a tram boat. The Tram boat has limited numbers, so first in best dressed.

Generic Club Email address: A motion was put forward and passed by the District in May, 2011, for the Information Officer to create generic email addresses for all District Lions Clubs through a ‘gmail’ account. This has been done and passed on to all Club Secretaries during 2011/2012. The reason for this was so that the Club Secretary will have a ‘gmail’ email address for the Club that would be passed on from year to year and therefore reduce the problems at Changeover for the Cabinet Members, especially the Cabinet Secretary.

Can’t wait to see the great costumes you will all be in for Saturday night.

There will be three forums on the Saturday afternoon with some interesting topics.

It has been noted that some 26 Clubs in the District are not using the ‘gmail’ account created for them. Please contact Richard Walter. the Information Technology Chairman on (03) 5275 5219 to obtain this information and how to use it.

You better be there so we can show you some great hospitality!

Faye Cook

Convention Organizing Committee Chairman District Website: Phone: 9369 3666

Please accept our apologies for the Website not being current. I am working on a new site that we hope will be up and running by the end of September.

Richard Walter Information Technology Chairman

“If I’d have known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” - Unknown


COMING TO A REGION NEAR YOU! Club & Membership Development Forums.

Members and prospective Members are invited to attend a Membership Development Forum specially prepared to provide opportunities for Members to improve their skills and knowledge in serving their communities.

There will be one Forum in each of the District’s seven Regions to ensure that all Members may have the opportunity to attend with very little travelling involved.

The dates and places for the Forums are: Region 1: To be advised Region 2: Sunday, 14th October in Leopold Region 3: Sunday, 28th October in Colac Region 4: Sunday, 28th October in Mortlake Region 5: Sunday, 30th September in Portland Region 6: Sunday, 14th October in Hamilton Region 7: March, 2013 in Natimuk. At $2.00 per head (includes a Light Lunch), these Forums will provide an opportunity for ALL Members

(new, old, prospective) to gain a greater insight into Lions, how to better serve their communities and to network with other Lions in their Region.

Contact your Club Secretary to book for one of these Forums.

PDG Terry Uniacke V2 District Global Leadership Team Co-ordinator

V2. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet, and they won’t bother you for weeks!

International Friendship

Introducing our Operation Friendship Visitors

Lion Anneke Kok and her partner Wim hail from Groningen in The Netherlands. She has been a Lion since 1998, and her recent roles have been in PR and IT in both her Club and on District Cabinet. Lion Anneke and Wim have teaching backgrounds, and ran an event management and publishing company for 17 years. They have a son and a daughter, and 5 grandchildren.

They will be with us for two weeks prior to and two weeks after our District Convention and will, of course, be attending and presenting at our Convention.

Their hosts will be the Lochheads (Leopold), the Reyntjes (Torquay), the Duyvestyns (Macarthur & District), and the Weels (Simpson & District). The specific schedule is still to be finalised. The Richards (Williamstown) will be hosts on behalf of Altona Club during the Convention.

We look forward to welcoming them, and encourage everyone to take the opportunity to meet them to show our typical V2 hospitality. Bob Badham International Relations Chairman


Member Welfare

The sincerest sympathy of District Governor Lou, Lions and Partners of our District 201V2 are with all those whose loved ones have passed away recently.

To Lion Terry and Coral Heazelwood (Williamstown) on the passing of Terry’s mother, to Lion Ian and Sue Hall (Leopold) on the passing of Sue’s Father, to the Lions Club of Footscray on the passing of Lion Jack Molloy aged 99 yrs and a Melvin Jones recipient, to Lions Lady Angela Kingston (Clifton Springs) on the loss of Lion Robert Kingston, to Lion Des and Val Dickinson (Nhill) on the passing of Val’s sister, to Lion Sam and Heather Lochhead (Leopold) on the passing of Heather’s mother, to Lion Ron and Heather Gravett (Camperdown) on the loss of their grandson, to the Lions Club of Penshurst & District on the passing of Lion Kurt Hegi.

To all Lions and Partners who are suffering ill health we wish you a speedy recovery.

Get well wishes to Lion Robin Atwell (Nhill), Lion Elizabeth McNamara (Macarthur & District), Lion Ken Schultz and Lion Gordon Field (Nhill), Lion Peter Waters (Werribee), Lion George Miller (Horsham).

District Governor Lou and Lions Lady Carol will be undertaking clubs visits during the coming year and I would like to be notified of any Lion who is unwell so that if time permits a visit by them to our sick Members may be arranged.

Many Happy Returns to all Lions who have had Birthdays recently.

The ‘Stork’ has been busy down Portland way, Congratulations to PDG Terry and Lion Edna Uniacke on the arrival of their 7th grandchild, Lion Clarkston and Miriam on the arrival of their 1st Grandchild , and Lion Andrew and Lion Carolyn Lloyd on their 2nd grandchild.

Belated Congratulations to Lion Kay and Lion Allen Scott on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Once again, “Thank you” to the Clubs that have contacted me to inform me of these events. It is important to recognize our fellow Lions and Partners.

Mary Antonoff Welfare Chairman

[email protected]


Lions Village Licola

Lions Club of Geelong Corio Bay - Transport to/from Lions Village Licola Camp 264

of 7th to 11th January 2013.

The Lions Club of Geelong Corio Bay accept responsibility to transport Leaders/children sponsored by V2 Geelong/Barwon Region Clubs to Camp 264 of Monday 7th to Friday 11th January, 2013.

Two Benders coaches will depart from Geelong Town Hall, Gheringhap Street, Geelong at 7.00 a.m. and then proceed to Xavier Primary School, Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio for a 7.25 a.m. pick-up/departure.

The coaches return on Friday, 11th January, 2013 with drop offs at 5.45 p.m. opposite Corio Shopping Centre, Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio and a 6.00 p.m. final drop off outside the Geelong Art Centre, Little Malop Street, Geelong.

Parents/Carers/Leaders should be advised that these times/dates are also listed on the Camp Application forms. The children sponsored by the Lions Club of Geelong Corio Bay will probably over-fill one of the 57 seater coaches and we will continue to rely upon the Lions Clubs of Geelong Breakfast, Geelong Hamlyn Heights, Portarlington/Drysdale, Simpson & District, Leopold, Anglesea, Coleraine, Torquay, Clifton Springs and Little River to ensure that all seats are occupied on the second coach. Children from other Geelong Clubs are most welcome.

Special arrangements will be made for pick-up/drop-offs at the Caltex Service Station at the Princes Highway/Geelong Rd Werribee turn-off of children sponsored by the Lions Club of Little River.

All Clubs are reminded that WWCC qualified Coach Marshalls/Leaders are required on the coaches and as Cottage leaders at a ratio of 1 leader to 6 children.

Accommodation may be provided for country leaders/children who travel long distances to Geelong and our sponsors will also provide sustenance for the children travelling Geelong/Licola/Geelong. Please advise us of the number of leaders/children attending.

For futher details please contact Lion Brian Edward at (03) 5222 6986 or Email [email protected] or Lion Vicki Wallis on (03) 5243 6428 or Mobile 0419 555 627 or Email [email protected]

“The only way to avoid being miserable is not to have enough leisure time to wonder whether you are happy or not.” - George Bernard Shaw

mailto:[email protected]



“Muddy's” Scooter Bash

On the 29th October, 2012, Peter "Muddy" Waters is going to begin a ‘gopher’ ride, from Sydney to Melbourne. Most Lions in V2 will know Peter from seeing him riding around on his ‘gopher’ at Conventions, and will know how passionate he is about helping children with disabilities.

Variety Victoria and the Australian Lions Children's Mobility Foundation are the beneficiaries of this ride, with proceeds being evenly divided.

Variety are supplying the logistical support while on the road, and Lions Clubs are providing evening meals, accommodation, fund raising and publicity. A 3 day survey trip to Sydney working out the logistics, has been completed by a representative from both organisations, and the Club support for overnight stops was overwhelming. These evenings will be spent at Liverpool, Tahmoor, Goulbourn, Yass, Gundagai, Holbrook, Albury, Yarrawonga, Shepparton, Seymour and Wallan.

The ride will take 13 days, including 2 rest days, and it will end on Saturday, 10th November at the V2 Convention at Williamstown.

Can I encourage the Lions of V2 to support this amazing challenge, but I am also aware and appreciate the fact that a number of Clubs have already contributed towards Children's Mobility this year.

For those who are able to donate, please make cheques out to –

“Variety Victoria - the children's charity”

and post to -

Variety - the children's charity, PO Box 1076

The aim of the competition is to promote our Lions Christmas Cake and to raise funds for Warringa Park Special School, Hoppers Crossing. This project is fully supported by District Governor Lou.

South Melbourne 3205.

The publicity that Children's Mobility and Lions Clubs International will gain from this event cannot be underestimated. I urge your Club to give it your full support.

Trevor Hirth Australian Lions Children's Mobility Foundation

V2 / V3 Trustee

If you have any queries please call me on (H) 0352 641 505, (W) 0352 770 601 or email [email protected] I look forward to receiving your entries.

Peace Posters

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to order your Peace Poster kits.

Orders must be completed by 1st October 2012.

The Peace Poster competition has been promoted in the August edition of the Education Dept. Magazine “Inspire”, so Clubs may be approached by their local schools to participate.

If you don’t support this program you may want to have another think about doing so.

Remember the Zone Judging will be done at the Convention, so I will need entries either brought to the Convention 9th -11th November for display and judging, or sent to me by Wednesday 7th November, (not the 15th as advised in the kits).

Kevin Buck District Chairman

Peace Poster

Lions Best Iced Christmas Cake Competition

All Clubs are invited to enter an iced decorated cake at the District Convention in Altona. The winning Club will receive a carton of 1.5kg Christmas Cakes!!

Rules are simple. Clubs may enter both a 1kg and 1.5kg cake. The cakes are to be given to me at the Christmas Cake Stand either Friday Afternoon or by 9.00 a.m. Saturday Morning.

They can be decorated in a Christmas or Special Occasion Theme. e.g. Wedding, Birthday or Anniversary.

The cakes will be judged by District Governor Lou and the winner announced at Convention.

I am asking Clubs (not compulsory) if they would consider donating their cakes to support this project. The cakes that are donated will be auctioned at the Saturday Night Function at Convention. All funds raised will be given to Warringa Park Special School.

PDG Allan Reeve Christmas Cake Chairman


D.G. Lou’s Visitation Schedule

October, 2012

Monday, 8tjh Footscray Wednesday, 10th Natimuk Thursday, 11th Kaniva Tuesday, 16th Geelong Breakfast Wednesday, 17th Deer Park Friday, 19th N4 Convention, Goulbourn Saturday 20th “ “ “ Sunday, 21st “ “ “ Monday, 22nd Lara Tuesday, 23rd Stawell Wednesday, 24th Hamilton Thursday, 25th Horsham

November, 2012 Friday, 9th District Convention, Altona Saturday, 10th “ “ “ Sunday, 11th “ “ “

Lions Christmas Cakes

I would ask all Clubs to plan early for the selling of Christmas Cakes and Puddings this year. Remember to use the new order forms, and these are sent this year to Sydney.

If you have any of last year’s forms, please dispose of them, as they are no longer valid.

For guaranteed delivery before Christmas all orders have to be received by December 7th.

Please see the separate notice in this newsletter as I am running the “Best Iced Cake” again this year at our District Convention. All money raised will be donated to DG Lou’s chosen charity, Warringa Park Special School at Hopper’s Crossing.

We will be trialling a Mini Christmas Cake at this Year’s District Convention. There is a limited supply to giveaway and a feedback form to be completed. This was trialled at the MD Convention this year in Perth and met with great success. If it proves popular it may become available for purchase next year.

I look forward to meeting with all Lions at our display at our District Convention.

If any Club has any queries please do not hesitate to give me a call.

PDG Allan Reeve Christmas Cake Chairman

New Members

District Governor Lou and Members and Partners of District 201V2 welcome the following new Members, and thank their Sponsors for introducing them into the Lions family.

New Sponsor Lions Club of Heywood

Mary-Anne Porter Judy MacPherson Maggie Lucas Margaret Innes

Lions Club of Lorne June Adams Dan Reardon Steve Hishon Dan Reardon Rod Shepherd Joe Redusa

Lions Club of Natimuk Adrian Arnold William Lovel Brad Arnold Michael Coutts Glen Taylor Shaun Taylor

Lions Club of Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Sylvia Reilly Don Smith

Lions Club of Stawell Kay Thomas David Jones

Children’s Childhood Cancer Research

I am pleased to advise that the total funds raised for ALCCRF by our District this year was $5548.67 and a cheque has been presented to the Foundation today.

Well done to all the Clubs who participated, and I hope more Clubs will be involved next year. I must make special mention of the Lions Club of Simpson & District, who raised $3000.00! A wonderful effort!

Now is the time to start planning for next year and I urge all Clubs to contact their local schools by November. Most schools set their curriculum for next year around this time and would need to be approached early so that they can plan for ‘Coins for Kids’ day.

Paperwork will be sent to all Clubs in October.

Thank you. PDG Max Oberlander

Good friends are like stars – You don’t always see them, but you always know they are there!


District Cabinet Secretary’s Report

We are now heading rapidly towards a very busy part of the Lions year with much emphasis on the District Convention in November.

This is especially so for Cabinet Members who have to submit papers for the Cabinet Meeting and Convention Booklet.

All the time lines have passed for the submission of notices of motions. The ones received have been passed on the Constitution and By-laws Chairman for his review and preparation for inclusion in the Convention Papers.

Can I also urge all clubs to be prompt with their registrations? This will not only assist the Convention Organising Committee, but will be a great help to me in preparing Ballot Papers and Delegate papers etc. Again I would appreciate it if circulars sent out requiring a deadline were returned promptly.

It is good to see an improvement in Clubs submitting their WMMR reports. It would be great if we could have 70 clubs submitting their returns electronically. I have been successful in assisting several first time Club Secretaries to log on, and they seem to be handling things okay. Clubs that are still submitting hard copies to me are reminded to send them to me by the 20th of each month.

There are still a number of District Newsletters being returned with “Incorrect” or “Left this address” stickers attached. Would Club Secretaries please let me know as soon as possible when a Member has changed their address so we can maintain an up-to- date master mailing list, thus saving in postage.

Please Note: Another correction for to the MD Directory:

Camperdown President is Michael NIXON not Burke as listed. Dunkeld Lions Club email address is [email protected]

Bob Gilchrist Cabinet Secretary.

Random Thoughts:

How important does a person have to be before they are considered to have been assassinated instead of murdered?

If a deaf person has to go to Court, is it still called a “Hearing”?

Why are you “In” a movie, but you’re “On” television?


Documents

DGs Oct 12 Newsletter