My Fellow Lions,

On Saturday, 24 October, Lion Sue and I traveled to

Decatur to attend the inaugural convention for District

1M, which was formed by the merger of Districts 1E and

1L. The convention, hosted by Governor Kevin

Mendenhall and his Partner-

in-Service Lion PDG Jani

Robinson, was an

outstanding success. Lion

Director Lewis Quin from

Anchorage, AK served as

keynote speaker. His remarks

focused on episodic

membership – a new

approach to membership and volunteerism. LCI is

developing these new strategies to work with the

changing demographics of volunteers and their

commitment to service. The concept uses partnerships

and affiliations to grow our association. It also allows

current members who are not as active as we would like

to be given space and allowed to volunteer as they are

needed at club activities and relaxing strict meeting

attendance requirements.

I am very excited about all of the accomplishments

we’ve made in the first quarter of the year—new clubs

are being formed and chartered, new LEO clubs are also

being formed, new members are being inducted on a

regular basis, and the book collection initiative has

reached, and surpassed, its goal! Here is a quick

summary:

On Sunday, November 22, the Chicago Ridge Lions Club

will celebrate its Charter night and we will welcome 38

Nov.,

2015

Governors

Newsletter

new members into the District. First Vice President Lion

Bob Corlew

Broadview is close to being formed and will be chartered soon.

The Chicago Heights and Rogers Park Lions Clubs are each sponsoring a new LEO Club and the Beverly Ridge Lions are working to start a LEO Club at the Morgan Park Academy. The College of Optometry LEO Club is expanding and bringing in new members.

The Book Project has reached – and surpassed – its goal of collecting 5,000 books. Congratulations – you achieved this goal before the deadline. Let’s keep this going and see how well we can do before the start of the District Convention in April. And, don’t forget to report this activity on your monthly LCI activity report!

I am glad to see that new members are being inducted across the District – let’s keep it going. But at the same time, let’s pay attention to the members that we already. By paying attention to their needs and keeping them engaged, our retention rate will also improve.

November is going to be a busy month at the District

level. Please make plans to attend one of the following

gatherings:

Saturday, November 7: Second Cabinet meeting

Tuesday, November 10: Special Olympics Opening Eyes event

Saturday, November 14: MD-1 Forum

Also, please keep in mind the upcoming Centennial

Convention. Notices will be going out for volunteers, so

please sign up and help make this milestone event for

our association a resounding success.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I want to

extend to all Lions of District 1A a very safe and happy

holiday, spending quality time with your families and

friends. I also ask that we keep Lion Georg Toft in our

thoughts and prayers as he moves through this illness.

Thanks for all you do – in your communities and for

District 1A.

Lion Ralph Zarada

Governor, District 1A

Editorial:

Candy Days are over. I am pretty sure that all of you had a great Candy Day 2015. Weather was wonderful. I was on the street for

10 hours nonstop going back and forth when vehicles stop at the red light. During my day to day driving I really like green lights; however, during candy days I like only red lights so that I can cover as many cars as I can and request for their contribution. I really like candy days – talking to all drivers and giving some information about lions world over.

Now it is time to send all collections after deducting 40% for your club humanitarian activities to Lions of Illinois Foundation. LIF is waiting to receive our money which we collected for candy day.

I am really thrilled to hear that we are going to charter this year’s first new lions club – Chicago Ridge on November 22, 2015. I request all clubs to participate in this wonderful event and support this brand new club. They need our support and encouragement.

I attached charter night flyer in this magazine. Please read the same and reserve your tickets.

Chancellor Bob Corlew – our First Vice President, Lions Clubs International will be the chief guest for this event and all lions have an

opportunity to meet him during Chicago Ridge Lions Charter Nite celebrations. What are you waiting for? Reserve your seats. Lion Bob will be Lions Clubs International President for 2016-2017.

Recently we had 17 new Certified Guiding Lions graduation ceremony conducted by MD1 State GMT chairperson Jama Wahl. We need more certified guiding lions to help in building new clubs and support weak clubs to grow in their communities.

Our GMT leader PDG Harold Burkette and GLT leader Janice Wiggins did a great job. Kudos!

-Austin D’Souza, Editor. govaustin@gmail.com

November already, time is just flying by. The V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee was to have had their cameras and training by now but that is not going to happen. We have had a scheduling conflict with our provider, plusoptix and we have to move our dates back by a month but the good news is that we are still going to meet our role out date of January 1, 2016. We will have more information on the process of reserving a date to sponsor a screening in next months’ newsletter. It is never too early to ask but the V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee is searching for its next three (3) Board members to fill a three-year commitment to the committee. The only requirement is that you cannot hold a District Elected Office. For more information about this just ask any of the Board members. They are listed in the District Directory. As always, the meetings of the committee are open to any Lion. Just contact me and I will give you the next meetings information. On behalf of the V.O.I.C.E.S. Committee, we wish you and your families and Lions everywhere a bountiful Thanksgiving. Thank you for your service, CC Steve Anton President, V.O.I.C.E.S., santonlions@comcast.net

TO ALL WHO HAVE NOT

RESPONDED YET! I have

heard from a number of Lions

but there are still many that

have not responded. If you

have already responded, you

don’t need to respond again.

This reminder is for those that

haven’t.

This is a notice of the 2nd Cabinet Meeting to be

held on Saturday, Nov. 7th. This meeting will be

held at the Skylight Banquets, 7117 Ogden Ave.

Berwyn, IL 60402. WAKE UP CALL is at 7:43 a.m. and

the meeting will be called to order at 8:00 a.m. There

will be a Breakfast buffet served that will begin

at 8:15 a.m. and will cost everyone attending $10.00.

Please remember to respond either Yes or No to

Brenda Block, CS at csblock1a@aol.com or call 219-

865-8939. If you say you will attend & don’t show,

you will be billed $10.00. Since this is a breakfast

buffet we need to be sure we have an accurate count.

Those that respond they will be there will go through

the buffet line first. If you come to the meeting and

did not notify us ahead of time, you will go through

the line last and hopefully there will be enough

food. You will also be charged an additional

$5.00. Hopefully, this incentive will have everyone

respond so that we are not guessing.

A detailed agenda is attached so that you will know

if you are supposed to be prepared to present a 3

minute report. The minutes of the first cabinet

meeting along with the financial report will be

published in the Cabinet Newsletter for everyone to

read ahead of time. All reports will be presented at

the meeting, but will have a strict time limit on the

length (3 minutes). Please remember to provide a

copy of your report to the Cabinet Secretary for the

District Files. Thank You.

Lion Brenda Block

Cabinet Secretary

District 1-A Lions 2015-2016

The Second Cabinet Meeting for the 2015-2016 year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2015 at the Skylight Banquets,

7117 Ogden Ave. Berwyn, IL 60402. WAKE UP CALL will be at 7:43 AM with call to order/breakfast at 8:00 AM. RSVP to

Lion Brenda Block, CS, at csblock1a@aol.com or 219-865-8939 by Nov. 4th. Breakfast charges are $10 per person made

payable to: District 1A Lions. Please remember if you indicate your attendance and do not attend, you will be billed for your

meal. **See Cabinet meeting notice for more information regarding this**

AGENDA

Wake up Call – 7:43 a.m.

CALL TO ORDER at 8:00 a.m………..…………………………………….………………………………..… Governor Ralph Zarada

PLEDGE.......................................................................................................................................................... 1st VDG Lion Ernie Lapid

NATIONAL ANTHEM.................................................................................................... District Song Leader PDG Lion John Coleman

INVOCATION......................................................................................................................................................... Lion Dave Herrmann

WELCOME REMARKS...................................................................................................................................... Governor Ralph Zarada

TAILTWISTER……………………...…………………………………………….….…………………….…......... Lion Linda Nilsson

BREAKFAST – 8:15 a.m. RECALL TO ORDER - 8:45 a.m. ..……............................................................................................................... Governor Ralph Zarada MINUTES OF LAST MEETING................................................................................................................................... CS Brenda Block

FINANCIAL REPORT …………………………………………………………………………...……..…........ CT Lion Andy Liamaga

AGENDA ITEMS BANNER EXCHANGE………………………………………………………………….………………...……. Governor Ralph Zarada SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ……………………………………………………………………………………. PDG Austin D’Souza

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE....................................................................................................................................... PID Dan O’Reilly

FOUNDATION REPORTS...................................................................................................Trustees Lions Frank Kirar/ Richard Rucoba

GLT/GMT REPORT………………………….................................................................. Lion Janice Wiggins, PDG Harold Burkett, Jr.

SRICKFADEN/CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION…………………………….……..….…………..….. PDG John Coleman

LIONS OPEN AREA………………………………...………………………………………………………….…….. Lion Millie Koller

GOLF (FINAL REPORT)……………………………………………………………………………………….……….Lion Frank Kirar

HELEN KELLER WALK (FINAL REPORT)…………………….…………………………………….…….…… Lion Chris Coleman

L.C.I.F. ………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………... PDG Wes Salsbury VISION FIRST …………………………………………………………………………………………………….PDG Mike Smigielski

NITE AT THE RACES (Final Report)……………………………….………….…..….………………….………... Lion Linda Nilsson

V.O.I.C.E.S……………………………………………………………………….…………………….……………… PDG Steve Anton

LONG RANGE PLANNING……………………………..………………………………………………………….….PDG Jerry Novak

LCI READING ACTION PROGRAM……………………..………………………………………..……...…….. PCST Lion Judy Toft

DISTRICT CONVENTION…………………………………..……………………………………...………..…. PDG Lion Steve Anton

DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY……………………………………………………………………………………..… Lion Gail Anton

USA CANADA FORUM........................................................................................................................................... IPDG Terry D’Souza

NEW BUSINESS

MD-1 STATE FORUM…………………………………………...………………………………………………….Lion Janice Wiggins

MID-YEAR FORUM………………………………………………...……………………………………………..…... Lion Ernie Lapid BOWLING ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Lion Leilanie Magana

OLD BUSINESS TAIL TWISTER............................................................................................................................................................ Lion Linda Nilsson ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEXT CABINET MEETING............................................................................................ CS Lion Brenda Block

REMARKS: …..……………………….PID Lion Dan O’Reilly, IPDG Terry D’Souza, 1st VDG Lion Ernie Lapid, 2nd VDG Pat Duda

GOVERNOR’S REMARKS...................................................................................................................................Governor Ralph Zarada

BENEDICTION..........................................................................................................................................................Lion Dave Herrmann

GOD BLESS AMERICA...................................................................................................District Song Leader PDG Lion John Coleman

All individuals giving a report are requested to provide a written copy for the records to CS Lion Brenda Block.

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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

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 CEP or

GUIDING LION training.

Communication

Goal setting

Holding effective meetings

Creativity

Diversity

Conflict resolution

Managing change

Recognition

Time management, and

Presentation skills. There will also be a panel on Engaging Younger Members, the latest on Membership Techniques, Guiding Lion and CEP Facilitator Training, and more!

Attending the Forum is a great opportunity to increase your knowledge base. The committee has

been working diligently to put together a Forum that will provide valuable information to all Lions who attend. It is also a great time to network, catch up with old Lion friends, and expand your Lions network.

Complete the registration form included in this newsletter and get ready for a valuable experience.

-Lion Janice Wiggins, District 1A GLT Chair

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.

LIONS ALSO ON THE PROWL FOR “GENTLY USED BOOKS” – SEE NEXT PAGE OF THIS FLYER

“DISTRICT 1 A LIONS –

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE –

ENGAGING OUR YOUTH BOOK COLLECTION”

TARGET NUMBER OF GENTLY USED OR NEW BOOKS

“5000”

BE A PART OF THE FARRAGUT AVENUE FAMILIES

BOOK COLLECTION TEAM

“HOW MANY BOOKS CAN DISTRICT 1-A LIONS, FRIENDS, FAMILY

AND NEIGHBORS COLLECT TOGETHER AS A TEAM IN 2015-2016

TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO BOOKS?”

THIS BOOK COLLECTION FOR IS FOR AGES

“0 MONTHS THROUGH 8TH GRADE”

Eyeglass Collection Coordinators

NORTH: Huma Ahmed, Mohammad Khokar, Rogers Park Lions , Pakistan Medical Center 6201 N. California, Chicago, IL

Tuesday and Friday 11am to 3pm

Saturday 11am to 6pm

CENTRAL: Maryanne O’Reilly—SFV Lions

O’Reilly’s Flowers 6730 Pershing Road, Berwyn, IL

SOUTH: Walter W. Schultz Insurance Agency, Inc. 18119 Torrence Ave. Lansing, IL 60438

GENTLY USED BOOKS FINDING NEW HOMES AROUND DISTRICT 1A AND BEYOND! The District 1A Gently Used Book collection has been an extraordinary project by Lions all around District 1A to encourage them to go ut into their communities and find a “book need and fill it”. To date over 6,000 books have been collected, 1,000 over the 5,000 book target and the District has until March of 2016 to complete the project. Below is a short summary of some of the clubs who got involved. FIRST: Special recognition has to be made to new Lion Sig Polanek of the Montclare Elmwood Park Lions Club. At the time this project started she was

If you, your friends or family have new or gently used books to donate,

please contact or bring them to

Lions Georg or Judy Toft

7731 West Farragut Avenue

773-763-0662 or jetoft@comcast.net

NATIONAL STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE MIDDLE INCOME CHILD

HAS 30 BOOKS. IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE IS ONE BOOK ON

AVERAGE FOR 300 KIDS.

not a lion but plans

were in the works for her to become one. Lion Sig did some very unusual things – organized a “bring your gently used books to church for one month at 2 different churches, had their village put an announcement on the local cable station, they have posted it on the Village's digital sign, it was put in with the water bill and placed posters around the village, including the community center, the local library and recreation center have made donations and lastly the Chamber of Commerce office has served as a drop-off point for their collection. Simply put, Lion Sig saw the potential and “ran with it”. Her book distribution covered fourteen (14) different groups including a church, hospital, day care centers, learning centers, nursery schools and Bernie Book Bank. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Lion Sig their club book collection

amounted to 3430 thanks to letting their community know what they were attempting to do. SECOND: One club collected books but had no idea what to do with them – when the suggestion was made to go out into their community to see if there were associations who worked on behalf of

the poor and under privileged – they did some checking and found 2 different organizations and donated all their books to these two groups. THIRD: One club has donated to two (2)

different schools – one the Shafer School in Lombard, Illinois (400 books) – “yes outside of the district” -the books are being used for their Book Exchange, where students may trade-in or just take books off grade level carts, and to classroom teachers for their classroom libraries and the Pope John Paul II in Brighton Park (700 books). Pictures were taken and sent to LCI and are up on the LCI website. The club also has donated over 300 books to Advocate Childrens Hospital in Park Ridge. Their note said “thank you so much for your recent donation to the Children’s hospital. Your kindness and generosity make our hospitalized children

SMILE!” Books were also donated to the Albany Park Community Center where the motto of the kindergarteners who attend is “read to succeed”. Some books were also re-donated as part of the refurbishing of the “Coal City Library” who had been hard hit in the recent storms. FOURTH: A lion from one club simply went out and started collecting books. He had 300 books that were

donated to a local Senior Citizens Center for the residents and over 200 books to a local middle school. He asked if the 300 books would be

counted as part of this collection – as the Chair, I said ABSOLUTELY! It is believed there are other stories, yet untold, as to how gently used books are finding new homes and small hands to hold them. Thanks to all the District 1A Clubs who have already participated and to those clubs who are still working on the project. THE goal is now 10,000 books by the District 1A Convention in March of 2016. So, you do not have to stop collecting – JUST POSSIBLY CHANGE YOUR FOCUS! Although the focal point continues to be on books for 0 months to 12 years – don’t’ forget the senior citizen residents your local community. Many of these centers have listings of books that they would like to have for their seniors – earmark your collection in that direction! Contact them and see what they might want. As my mentor Dr. Seuss once said: “the more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go” -Lion Judy Toft District 1-A RAP Chair

CENTENNIAL SERVICE CHALLENGE

Does Your Club Take Active Part?

-PDG Austin D’Souza, 1A Centennial Service Challenge Chairperson

How many clubs in our district are reporting their monthly activities on MyLCI? Very few and it is shame to us. We in District conduct so many activities in our communities and these activities are not reported on MyLCI. As a part centennial celebration, we promised to serve 100 million people worldwide. I am very positive that we can do this and all our activities adds up when we report our service activities on MyLCI.

Club secretaries, it is your duty and responsibility to report these service activities when you report club membership reports every month. There is no limit to report any number of activities on MyLCI. When you report one activity, you can place two related photographs. These photographs will be shown on Lions Clubs International website and facebook page. Your club will be getting world wide recognition. Do not fail to report your club service activities and receive proper recognition.

Youth

Vision

Hunger

Environment

Earn a Centennial Banner Patch by taking part in above service activities. COMING SOON

IN JANUARY DISTRICT 1A MY FORUM

(Mid Year Forum)

MORE DETAILS NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER

Please display this pass on the

Your vehicle.

Parking is secured for all volunteers/event

staff in the United Center Parking Lot “K.”

You should enter the lot from Adams

(heading West).

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LOT “K” ONLY.

Please display this pass on the dashboard of

your vehicle.

Parking is secured for all volunteers/event

staff in the United Center Parking Lot “K.”

You should enter the lot from Adams

Governor Ralph and First Lady Sue Cordially invites the

Lions of District 1-A to

The 1-A Cowboy Christmas Party

Sunday December 13, 2015

12:00 PM Cocktails (cash bar), 1: 00 PM Lunch

Four Points Sheraton Hotel Main Ballroom

10255 W. Irving Park Road, Schiller Park, Illinois

This year the Governor and First Lady will be sponsoring

Most Festive Cowboy Hat Contest

Prizes will be awarded for “BEST” and “NICE TRY” Hats

Entertainment and Dancing

Special Guest: Lion Bob Duda For sing along Christmas Carols

$28.00 per person

All proceeds from the Christmas party will be donated to

First Lady Sue’s favorite charity

“Duffels for Dignity”

MD-1 Spouse’s Project supplying Foster children with Duffel bags

Please make checks payable to District 1-A Lions

Please be “considerate” and RSVP by Monday, December 7th to ensure a reserved seat.

No tickets will be available at the door. 708-479-4779 or anton173@comcast.net

Don’t forget to bring a new book for kids ages 4-12 to support

Governor Ralph’s Christmas Cheer Project

1A Governors Monthly e-Magazine. Edited & Published by PDG Austin D’Souza for Lions, Lionesses and Leos District 1A

e-Mail Address: govaustin@gmail.com