PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE for Sept 2011
According to statistics released by the National
Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), there are 1.5 million
non-profit organizations in the US alone. The number is actually higher,
because the NCCS only counted organizations that raised in excess of $25,000,
so small clubs, like ours, are not reflected in their total. That means that an
amazing number of people belong to, work for and/or support “charities” in
America.
So why join
the Lions Club instead of one of the other worthwhile organizations? What sets
us apart from everyone else? Several things, actually, including:
· We are the largest service organization in the world with over 1.35 million members around the globe
· We are effective. We get the job done.
Internationally, we have:
·
worked
to eradicate river blindness and fought to treat and minimize eye disease and
vision impairment
·
consistently
been among the first to respond when disaster strikes
·
through
LCIF provided more than US$700,000,000 in grants in the past 43 years
· We are local, with international
affiliation. So, while we can act locally as a single club to address a
particular need in our community, we can also act globally when the need for
international action is appropriate.
· We have a multi-pronged focus on our
world. We are involved in health care, youth, the environment, international
relationships, education, and assisting those affected by disaster.
All of these (and others) make us unique. So, the next
time you put on your club shirt and pin your Lions Club pin on your lapel, do
so with pride. Lions are a special group of people. Our motto is “We
Serve”….and we do!
September was busy. This month we:
·Held our dinner meeting on September
5 at Angelo’s. Lion Brock Robertson from the York Lions Club provided a very
informative program on Pin Trading. Hopefully, we are all a little more
enlightened about this fun hobby.
- Had a fundraiser on September 17 at Denbigh Days. Admittedly, it was not as profitable as we all hoped (we only made $80), and we got a lot wetter than anyone was wishing for, but it was still fun to be out with our club.
- Held our Board meeting at the home of Lions Ray and Barbara Duke. We had a great dinner and discussed upcoming business, including a White Cane scheduled for next month. Thank you Lions Ray and Barbara for hosting the meeting and feeding us!
- Participated with the Denbigh Lions Club in its efforts to screen all Head Start children in the city. Four of our club members logged in 31 hours over a six-day span. Thanks Lion Ray B. for organizing this effort for us, and thanks Lion Ray B., Lion Barbara, and Lion Earl for supporting the club by participating.
- Had our third Traveling Leo of this Lions’ year when four of us (Lions Ray B., Scott, Jim and I) traveled to the Suffolk Lions Club, where we had a wonderful dinner!
- Had our fourth Traveling Leo of the year when four of us (Lions Scott, Earl, Jim and me) traveled to the Portsmouth Lions Club. Again, a great dinner and a lot of fun. If you have not been participating in our Traveling Leos, please consider doing so. It would be better for the club to have more people involved and learning from other clubs.
Remember-be proud of being a Lion. Tell someone else
about our club and invite them to have dinner with us. None of us would be a
Lion today if someone had not invited
us!
Lion Linda Gregory
President, Newport News Lions Club
October
Traveling Leos
The Gloucester Lion's Club
has invited us to attend their meeting on 13 October. The Gloucester Lion's
Club meets at the Courthouse Restaurant in Gloucester. The address is 6714
Main Street. The cost for the meal is $12.00. Add another $2 if you want
dessert. I am thinking about arranging a Traveling Leo with the Cape
Charles Lions Club for 19 October. I would like everyone's feedback on who is
willing and able to make the long trip to Cape Charles.
The minimum number for
Traveling Leos to count for points is three people. If we send four or
more people, we get an extra point. We will get two extra points if
we make the trip to Cape Charles. If anyone can make any of these visits,
please let me know. I will release more details as I get them.
20
September - Suffolk Lions
27
September - Portsmouth Host Lions
13
October – Gloucester Lions
19 October - Cape Charles
Have a great weekend.
Lion Scott Brawley
Global Leadership Team (GLT)
The new GLT provides a concentrated
focus on active leadership development. Beginning this year, the GLT will
encourage the identification and development of leaders at all levels of the
association, while providing valuable information, guidance and motivation.
Through representation at the district and MD levels - and by including DG
teams - the GLT structure provides a global platform to develop more qualified
leaders from the club level up, and encourages regional training and
development to meet local needs.
Lion Jim Gregory of our club is our Global Leadership
Team Leader and for District 24-D. This is a 3 Year Appointment.
