Lions RoarThe offi cial newsletter of Lions of Virginia District 24-I

Vol. 2, No. 2 Fall 2019

From Leadership comes Growth!Empowering Lions to lead and serve their communities is a key component of the Global Leadership Team (GLT). Strong leaders can help drive membership, champion new service projects and ensure that clubs are positioned for ongoing success. With this goal in mind, members should consider attending our upcoming leadership institutes:

Regional Lions Leadership Institute (RLLI) helps Lions in Virginia achieve leadership excellence in their volunteer and personal lives. This is a dynamic educational opportunity for club offi cers to gain critical leadership skills prior to obtaining the offi ce of Club President. Lions from around Virginia gather for a deep dive into:

* Public speaking * Motivating club members * Time management * Confl ict resolution * Goal-setting and achievement * Team work * Fundamentals of Lionism

The Leadership Institute utilizes the talents of skilled, experienced individuals to present information on topics that will be of tremendous benefi t to you in your future service in Lions, as well as your career and personal interactions.

RLLI will be held March 6 – 8, 2020, at the Holiday Inn – Monticello, Charlottesville. The District Governor can endorse ten candidates from District 24-I. Lodging and meals are provided for the three day event. Attendees are re-sponsible for travel expenses and a $150 participant fee. Applications are due to GLT District Coordinator by December 1, 2019. Interested candidates for either institute can request an application from PDG Beth Stevens at lionstevens@cox.net .

Faculty Development Institute (FDI) is a three-day institute that serves to develop and expand the number of skilled Lions faculty for use in training at the club, district, and multiple district levels. The curriculum is designed to enhance training delivery and training techniques that will increase the quality of training and overall eff ectiveness of Lions Leadership Development Programs. Lions that complete FDI are expected to be able to eff ectively deliver training sessions with provided materials.

Can anyone attend FDI? Qualifi ed candidates are those Lions who have some experience as instructors at local Lions training events, have demonstrated basic instructional skills, and have a keen interest in further developing those skills. A candidate’s training experience should include using PowerPoint to support training delivery. Lions participating in this course will be required to hold a local training event within six months of attending the institute, in order to complete FDI.

When? Where? How to apply? Pending LCI approval, our District 24-I FDI will be held January 17 – 19, 2020 at the Woodland Community Center in Farmville, VA. Participants will cover their own travel expenses, hotel and meals during the three days. A group rate has been established at the Hampton Inn for $99.00 per night including taxes and breakfast. A $50 participant fee is required upon acceptance to the institute. Application deadline is December 15, 2020. Maximum class size is 20 students so don’t hesitate to apply soon.

“Beyond the Horizon”

Connecting the clubs, communities & needs for the Lions of Central and Southeastern Virginia. We Serve!

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Lions Roar Page 2

Spotlight: Living LIFE to the full!Learning Independence. Feeling Empowered. For students who are blind or vision impaired, independence and empowerment can seem out of reach.

But a fi ve-week residental training program for students between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age and preparing to return to a high school academic program at the beginning of the following school year off er tools for a lifetime to young people who never thought they would be able to live independently or take control of their circumstances.

The LIFE (Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered) Program, presented by the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VRCBVI) off ers It incorporates three main components: * Daily classes in braille, cane travel, cooking and cleaning, accessing technology, and more - skills of blindness vital to the success of these students and often not able to be addressed in schools to the degree needed by many students; * Confi dence building activities (mock interviews, running, cycling/swimming, high ropes course, white water rafting, formal dinner and dance, social etiquette and networking training, etc.) off er

students opportunities to use the skills of blindness in challenging circumstances, and ultimately prove to themselves that life as a blind person can (and should) be full and successful; * Volunteer work experience begun in the third week of the LIFE Program. At that point in the program, their schedule includes a half-day of classes and three hours of work each day. Employers can have students work either a morning (9 am to noon) or afternoon (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm) shift. In recent summers, students have worked at businesses such as Walgreen’s, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, VCU Library, Moseley Architects, For the Love of Chocolate, Richmond HI Hostel, Sweet Frog, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Chick Fil A, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Tom Leonard’s Farmers Market, the Delta Hotel by Marriott, Sugar Shack Donuts, Burkwood Swim and Racquet Club, Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, YMCA, and as interns for various political candidates.

VRCBVI’s Volunteer Council generously supported the 2019 LIFE program as they have in years past. The Council funded the deejay for the popular formal dinner and dance at the Delta Hotel by Marriott. Enjoyed by the students, the dinner and dance allow participants to put their social and networking skills - and their dance moves (!) - into practice. Blind and vision impaired students often are not off ered participation in activities like this in their communities and schools, which is why this activity is so important.

The Council also provided $20 spending money for each students to use while on a Colonial Williamsburg tour. The group took a walking tour of Williamsburg, and then visited the Yankee Candle Shop, where they had a wonderful time practicing the nonvisual skills they learned during the program. Store employees were utilized to provide information for fi nding merchandise the students wished to purchase using the $20 the Council provided. Experiences like this are critical because they teach blind and vision-impaired youth how to do age-appropriate things that their sighted counterparts often take for granted.

The Council also funded program completion awards of $100 for each student who successfully completed the fi ve-week program. This off sets the fact that the students’ work experiences, although extremely valuable resume builders, are unpaid. Lions Clubs looking for a service opportunity should contact VRCBVI to learn more about providing LIFE opportunities for blind and vision impaired teens. We are Lions We Serve!

Vol. 2, No. 2 Page 3

Service2019 Bid ‘N Buy a Huge Success

The Lions Charity Foundation of Southeastern Virginia recently completed its 10th annual Bid ’N Buy Auction at Bethany United Methodist Church in Hampton. The event on October 19th started with a silent auction, where bidders went shoulder-to-shoulder to get the best deal for the 340 items that were submitted for bidding. That was followed by an exciting live auction of high value house-hold items, electronics, and vacation/leisure activities.

The event resulted in a net addition of more than $25,000 to the Foundation’s funds. Clubs across District 24-I pro-vided support by contributing auction items, selling raffl e tickets, submitting advertisements, as well as participating in the auctions. The Foundation thanks all the clubs for

their contributions. Foundation President Marc Van Eck also stated that he is “particularly grateful for the hard work of the Bid ‘n Buy Committee and for the work of all the Lions and non-Lions who provided assistance at the auction”.

The Foundation, through its Service Grant Incentive Program, awarded service grants to clubs, which earned them through their contributions and their attendance at the Bid ‘N Buy. The three clubs with the highest cumulative value of off ered auction items were each awarded a $250 grant: Virginia Beach Thalia, Williamsburg Host, and Windsor. Other clubs earned $250 grants as a result of meeting Bid ‘n Buy attendance requirements: Hampton Mercury, Hamp-ton Phoebus, Newport News Denbigh, New Kent County, Norfolk Little Creek, Norfolk Ocean View. Oceana-Lynn-haven-Golden, Smithfi eld, Virginia Beach Oceanside, Virginia Beach Princess Anne, Virginia Beach Thalia, Virginia Beach Town Center–Blind, and Windsor. The three clubs which were awarded $250 grants through the random draw-ing were: Chesapeake Western Branch, Norfolk Little Creek, and Norfolk Ocean View.Three lucky individuals won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the raffl e drawing at the Bid ‘n Buy Charity Auction. 1st place for $1,000 went to Lisa Devon of Williamsburg, 2nd place for $500 went to Ed Roberts of Suff olk, with a 3rd place prize of $250 going to Betty Payne of Portsmouth.

A big thank you is also due to the Suff olk Rods and Muscle Cars Club, which, through its recent Annual Charity Car show, presented a $4,000 donation to the Foundation at the auction. The Bid ‘n Buy was also aided by Boy Scout Troop 915 of Bethany United Methodist, whose members provided attendees with a delicious lunch and helped with parking.

The Lions Charity Foundation of Southeastern Virginia serves Southeastern and Central Virginia. Over the last few years some of the major expenditures have been for the replacement of the District 24-D Mobile Sight and Hearing Unit, equipment upgrades at the Lions Medical Eye Bank and Research Center of Eastern Virginia, the Lions Sight Center at Norfolk Sentara Hospital, and the Southside Eye Glass Recycling Center. The Foundation has also expand-ed assistance to: the District Hearing Aid program, young children eye screenings through replacement of SPOT™ Vision Screeners, Local Area Medical Programs (LAMPS) conducted throughout the district, diabetes screening, and cataract and other eye related operations. At its most recent meeting, the Foundation Board approved a $25,000 grant, submitted by Hampton Phoebus on behalf of the Burkeville Lodge for the Blind. The Lodge is a 90-acre rural retreat, which is designed for the those with vision impairments, and serves as a vacation spot for them and their families. This award will allow Burkeville to replace its mattresses and bedding as part of a major renovation program.

For more information about the Foundation, check out https://lcfsv24i.org/

Lions Roar Page 4

MembershipMembership Health and Proud Lion

Members Added 47 14 members transferred or were reinstated.

Promo ng October Membership Drive “Ask One”Members Dropped 53 4 deaths. Altavista Lions turned in Charter in October 2019.

Net Growth 1st Qtr. -6 Average members per club in 24-I is 24 Lions.

New Clubs Chartered -3 24I will work to save charters with campus & special interest clubs in locali es where clubs were aging. For example: Liberty University & Anthem Richmond Cyber Club, Greater Richmond Asian American

New Branch Clubs 0 Farmville plans a Branch Club at Hampden-Sydney College.

Leo Clubs 1 Code RVA Chartered in June 2019, Henrico HS is chartering in Nov. 2019 with 62 members, Bluestone HS is interested, Midlothian MS mee ng, but LCI Charter is pending.

New Members: All 24-I Lions who sponsor a member this year are encouraged to par cipate in the Proud Lion program designed to assist sponsor in mentoring the new Lion. Once these 6 simple steps are completed both the new member and the sponsor each receive Proud Lion Pins.

Requirement Date New Member Sponsor1. Par cipate in a Lions Service Project2. A end a new member orienta on.

3. Bring a guest to a mee ng or service project4. Visit another Club5. A end a Board Mee ng6. A end a Zone, Region, District mee ng.

New Member Orienta on: 24-I Lions Clubs are encouraged to hold orienta on for new members to acquaint them with administra on at the Club, Zone, Region, Sub-District and Mul ple District 24 levels. The GMT will be emailing the Membership Orienta on package out to all club Presidents and Membership Directors.

The GMT Coordinator presented an educa onal session tled A Blueprint for Stronger Clubs in 24-I on Octo-ber 12 in Farmville. All Zone Chairs were given copies of the literature from LCI for their toolbox. If you would like a copy of the presenta on or a speaker for a Zone mee ng contact Lion Ann Ragland at 804-240-6480 or by email at hankandann704@verizon.net.

Summary Report ending September 30, 2019

Ann Ragland24-I Global Membership Team Coordinator

How do I become a Proud Lion?

Looking for Lions events? Check us out online: lionsdistrict24i.org Find us on

Vol. 1, No. 1 Page 5Vol. 2, No. 2

MembershipWelcome, New Lions!Bon Air-Manchester-MidlothianLion Brian KelleySponsor – Lion Phillip Coff ey

Chesapeake SouthsideLion Sandra BrownSponsor – Lion Carol Mosman

Lion Kristan Pettiford

ChesterLion Ken OxendineSponsor – Lion E. Gettings

Lion Robert RaileySponsor – E. GettingsJames CityLion Melissa BlaneSponsor – Lion Philip Pryor

Lion Joseph MooreSponsor – Lion Micheal Carr

Lion Judy RasperSponsor – Lion Johanna Theloosen

Lion A. Allen RasperSponsor – Lion Johanna TheloosenLancaster CountyLion Robert NunnallySponsor – Lion Jan SmithSussex CountyLion Yolanda HowardSponsor – Lion Rose Urquhart

Lion Barbara JacksonSponsor – Lion Janet Gray-Smith

Lion Eugenia JohnsonSponsor – Lion Katrina Faltz

Lion Ruby WhiteSponsor – Lion Brenda DrewVirginia Beach BaysideLion Gregory SlaterSponsor – Lion Cecil Jones

Virginia Beach Towne Center-BlindLion Denise WalkerSponsor – Lion Jennifer Haycox

In MemoriamPlease keep the families, friends, and fellow club members of these Lions in your hearts and prayers.

Chesapeake Deep Creek Lion Linda Rapier

Chesapeake SouthsideLion Byrum Whitehurst

Churchland Lion Manuel Wyron

New Kent Lion William Forrest

Norfolk Little Creek Lion Roberto Loya

Norfolk Ocean View Lion Grady Pittard

Poquoson Lion Vernon Krueger

Williamsburg Host Lion William Ferguson

York Lion BJ Decoursey

Bland UpdateClubs, Zones: Hold contests in February and early March around VMEA Music Auditions and ALL STATE Contests.Regional Contests should be held in late March.24 –I District Contests will be held in April around Spring Break All VA Chorus and Band.Note: February 14-15 Beta Convention; NATS auditions; Model United Nations February 22 All-VABand/Orchestra AuditionsMarch 13-14 Regional NATSApril 23-25 All-VA Band, Chorus/Orchestra Sunday, April 5 Palm SundayApril 9-13 Easter WeekendLions Bland dates are already listed as February 20.

District Bland: Funding for District Level Contests is needed. Can your club donate $100 to help defray $1650 in expenses to host two contests in 24 I.

Lions Roar Page 6 Vol. 2, No. 2

Page 10 Zone L ChairpersonDELETE: Patrick Montgomery

Page 12 GLOBAL SERVICE TEAM (GST)Richard Evans, PDG (Lion Gay)CHANGE PHONE NUMBERS TO READHome 804-741-4147Cell 804-304-4354

Page 16 Lions Club International Foundations (LCIF)Heather Jones-Lancto, PDG (Lion Chris)DELETE the “ * ”

Page 16 Lions Services for Children – Pediavi-sion/RAPChange to read: Lions Services for Children – SPOTALSO Change Margene Hartsough’s mailing ad-dress to:9927 Walnut Creek RES: 757-250-3151Toano, VA 23168

Page 23 GRETNA Club # 9198DELETE Club President: Derek Rowland

Page 28 GLEN ALLEN SHORT PUMPChartered April 1984 - Sponsored by Richmond West BreakfastDELETE – CLUB CANCELLED

Page 36 Western Branch Club #53154Meeting day change:Portsmouth 3rd Thursday – 1:30 p.m.

Page 39 FRANKLIN Club # 9276President - Secretary -Cheryl Wray Ashley Burns26089 Guy Place Road 500 Lee Street, Apt BCourtland, VA 23837 Franklin, VA 23851Work: 757-653-7658 757-556-9053 HomeHelpmehear@courtlandhearing.net (Cheryl)aburn013@gmail.com (Ashley)

Directory Updates

Winter Conference/Cabinet MeetingWinter Conference/Cabinet MeetingDate/location have not been fi nalized as of press time. Check www.lionsdistrict24i.org or on to learn more.

What is LIFE?What is LIFE?And how is it helping these And how is it helping these

young people? See page 3!young people? See page 3!

We Serve!The slogan for Lions Clubs International is We Serve! This Lions year, Lions in District 24-I have reported 7,191 hours serving a total of 54,374 individuals.

Project Focus People Served HoursDiabetes 352 27 Environment 2,165 316 Childhood Cancer 85 117 Hunger 7,051 1,098 Vision 31,298 3,724 Other 13,423 2,637