The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
Published by District23BSpirit, 2019-08-24 05:24:56

September 2019

September 2019


In this issue:

• DG Ev Lyons Where Is This Box?


• Lion Around
Connecticut TV

• GLT Report


• GMT Report

• Pediatric Cancer

• Lions Quest


• Veteran’s Stand
Down

• Children’s

Diabetes Camp

• New LLVC


CLUBS

Bristol

Harwinton
Glastonbury Centennial


Marlborough

Plainville
South Windsor

Terryville
Torrington
Windsor Locks

Woodbury Not only did we receive an eyeglass box photo for this issue of the District Spirit, we
also received one for the next issue, as well. We had to paint out the club’s name
from this photo, otherwise, where’s the challenge, but can you tell us where this box
it? Send your guesses to [email protected], and, remember that if it’s
your club’s box, you’re ineligible to win.

But, we have three more issues of The Spirit in the 2019-2020 Lions year, which

means we’re still two boxes short. Even if it’s a cardboard container sitting on the
desk at the local optometrist’s office, we want to see it. Vision has been a primary
cause that Lions support since 1925, when Helen Keller charged us with being
“Knights of the Blind”, and our eyeglass boxes are a silent reminder to all of what we
do. Let’s see how your club involves the public with this important cause.

Page 2 District 23B Spirit — September 2019

DG Ev Lyons Leadership

By GLT Jim Trompeter
A NEW YEAR BEGINS
Leadership and
“THE POWER OF THE PRIDE” Development the two words

The term “pride” for Lions can be that are key to the future
defined two ways: i.e., numbers as success of our Lions Clubs
in a group of Lions and attitudes as
in how we feel about our work as If we don’t have strong and effective
Lions. Certainly, our numbers in leaders to guide our Clubs and
District 23B, nearly 1800 Lions in 53 Districts and if we don’t have the
clubs, provide us the means to tools in place to develop these
serve others in significant ways. leaders the likelihood of our success
Following our international into the future is tenuous at best.
president’s lead, our district will This year our goal is to provide
hopefully grow through the effective programs where needed
chartering of at least two new Rising Sun has long been a similar and to make them accessible to all.
specialty clubs To assist in this experience for children with cancer. Monthly Lions International has
effort, a new cabinet position has Both need our continued support. Webinar Training programs. I will,
been added-Specialty Club Our Leos are a source of pride for through the District Spirit, make you
Chairperson and Lion Raj Strethesa, all Lions, and I look forward to aware of the programs that would
charter president of the Hartford supporting our youth as they gain be applicable to our Clubs and/or
County Everest Centennial Lions the satisfaction of helping others in District Cabinet Members. Through
Club, will assume the lead in their schools and communities. I IPDG Harry Shuh, the multiple
reaching out to special populations. also am pleased to report that Lions district has purchased a program
His efforts will be part of an ongoing Quest is again on the rebound in that will enable us to do Webinar
program under the leadership of 23B with new possibilities in Training. We are in the planning
GMT Frank Longo to help grow our partnership with our school systems. stages for our first Webinar, which
district membership numbers. Our low vision centers continue to will be for Club Secretaries, and will
provide vital service to those whose take place in late September or
But Lions is more than membership sight is severely impaired. As I early October. More information will
numbers—it is service. This year visited clubs and attended zone follow
will be a continuation of the meetings in the past as your vice-
emphasis on service to others that district governor, I have been We will be holding both a Meeting
marked the administration of PDG grateful for the efforts of our Lions and Seminar for Zone Chairs on
Harry Schuh. A new cabinet as they meet the challenges of September 7th from 8:30 am to
position, Red Cross Blood Drive service in their local communities 11:30 am at the Connecticut
Chairperson will be assumed by and throughout the world as part of Association of Schools , 30 Realty
Lion Julie Vecchito of the Harwinton Lions Clubs International. Drive in Cheshire. Lions other than
Lions Club. Lion Julie will help new Zone Chairs are invited. Contact me
clubs to sponsor blood drives and So that brings me to attitude—your at [email protected] if you are
operate as a Red Cross resource pride. Are you proud to be a Lion? interested.
contact for clubs already performing Have you stopped to reflect on the
this valuable service. District 23B benefits you bring to others in On Saturday, November 2nd, we
will join a new project spawned at making a difference in their lives will be holding training for Guiding
the district governors’ recent and do you let others know of your Lions. This is an extremely
training—International Arbor Day as pride? Celebrating the good that we important position, which assists
well as supporting a New England do as Lions is truly THE POWER new clubs and current clubs that
Lions cancer project involving donor OF THE PRIDE! Our pride in could use help. Contact DG Ev
identification. More details on all of serving others has always been the Lyons if you are interested in
these new efforts will come later. foundation of our efforts. If we becoming a Guiding Lion.
demonstrate our immense pride, we
However, we have a long legacy of will find new and exciting ways to We have other programs slated as
service and past projects will not be serve, create more interesting club well. If your club is looking for
forgotten as we attempt to provide meetings, and find that others will training in any particular area let me
our district Lions with new avenues want to join us. know, and I will be happy to assist
of service. This past summer saw you.
the successful pilot of a summer Show your Lions pride and feel
camp experience focused on the power!
children with diabetes, and Camp

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 3
Plainville Lions Club campus to assist over 1,000

veterans attending the day-long
The Plainville Lions Club has had $4.00 per ticket is earmarked for the event. Stand Down is the DVA's
many successful events in recent Low Vision Fund. Our member, Bill signature event providing veterans
months. Gaughan, was honored by singing with medical screenings, eye and
the Star Spangled Banner at the hearing exams, and many other
Our Scholarship Dinner was held on opening of the game. For the support services such as housing,
May 1st at the Oasis Restaurant. second year in a row, Lion Bill’s employment, education and legal
We awarded scholarships, in the rendition was excellent! Although assistance; all at no cost. In
amount of $1,500, to four Plainville the temperature was in the low 90’s, addition, the CT DOT provides free
High School Seniors. On the same and the Bees lost to York by 7 to 6, bus transportation at designated
evening, our new member, Dennis a good time was had by all! areas for veterans that need rides.
Plante, was inducted by District
Governor Harry Schuh. We were Our next fundraising pancake These two links provide more
also very honored to present a breakfast to benefit our community information:
Knight of the Blind award to Lion will be held on October 27th. Cost is https://portal.ct.gov/DVA/Pages/Vet
Bruce Morris for his many year of $8 per person, kids 6 and under eat erans-Stand-Down
dedication to Lion-ism. free. https://youtu.be/1psPwEM9aeA - A
YouTube video explaining the event
The costumed Lion was a presence CT Veterans Stand
at Family Fest Day on May 11th at The event starts at 8:00 am and
Linden School. In addition, our Club Down 2019 goes until 2:00 pm. Volunteers also
set up a booth with a game and get a free hot lunch! Just a warning:
prizes, which were enjoyed by many By Lion Jim Boulais there are long traffic lines getting
children. Veterans Stand Down Chair into the campus near the event start
time, so if you want to arrive by 8:00
Six Plainville Lions marched in the The 2019 Veterans Stand Down will am, leave early
Memorial Day Parade, proudly take place on September 20 at the
representing our Club. Veterans Campus at 287 West If you would like to volunteer, please
Street in Rocky Hill. Lions conduct contact me at [email protected].
On June 8th, our club partnered eye screening as well as hearing I hope to see you there!
with the Bristol Club to sell water testing during this event each year.
and collect parking fees at Plainville Again, this year we need your help
Wings & Wheels event. We more than ever! Many CT Lions that
received remuneration and thanks usually volunteer will be attending Glastonbury
from the town for our participation. the USA/Canada Lions Leadership
We look forward to more partnering Forum, which is taking place at the Centennial Lions
with local chapters in the future. same time in Spokane, WA.
Club
On June 27th, we held our annual Stand Downs (nationally) are
Senior Picnic. Hamburgers and hot typically one to three-day events, The Glastonbury Centennial Lions
dogs were supplied and cooked by providing supplies and services to Club is hosting their First Pancake
our Lions Club. The Senior Center homeless Veterans, such as food, Breakfast and Bake Sale on
supplied salads. This year nearly shelter, clothing, health screenings Saturday Sept 14, 2019 at St James
one-hundred seniors enjoyed the and VA Social Security benefits Church 2584 Main St. Glastonbury,
picnic. We received the comments counseling. Veterans can also CT. Serving from 8:30am to
that our food was delicious and receive referrals to other assistance 11:30am. $10 Adults, $8 Kids,
plentiful! such as health care, housing Veterans and kids under 5 eat free!
solutions, employment, substance
On July 21st, our Club facilitated a use treatment and mental health As we are still in our first year of
booth at the 150th Plainville counseling. They are collaborative operation, we hope there will be a
Birthday Celebration. Several town events, coordinated between local good turnout and expect to make
dignitaries visited to speak to us VA Medical Centers, other this an annual event.
about Lion-ism. We also responded government agencies and
to numerous inquiries about community-based homeless service
eyeglass donations in town. providers.

On July 21th our club also hosted its Last year, more than 100 agencies
annual Low Vision Fund Raiser at and organizations participated
the New Britain Bees. pproximately in Stand Down with close to 230
eighty-two tickets were sold, and volunteers spread throughout the

Page 4 District 23B Spirit — September 2019


Service Suggestions for Childhood Lions Day at the UN
Cancer Research Projects 2020
Maredith Spector, Childhood Cancer Co-Chair By PDG Dave Roberts

CHILDHOOD CANCER SERVICE Nina Kadan-Lottick, M.D..M.S.P.H. SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March
SUGGESTIONS…REMEMBER TO of Yale University School of 7, 2020: Lions Day with the United
POST! Medicine, who has a distinct focus
on childhood cancer survivorship Nations (LDUN)

We’re dedicated to protecting our and quality of life: nina.kadan-
youth. Especially from the [email protected]. Lions Clubs International has
confirmed that Lions Day with the
devastating effects of cancer. To
help children all over (Connecticut) We have more suggestions for United Nations 2020 will be held on
Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the UN
who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, clubs. You only need to contact me
we’re supporting projects and for visits, consult, information: Headquarters in New York City.
This will be the 42nd anniversary of
initiatives aimed at improving their
quality of life during and after Lion Maredith Spector this event at the United Nations.

treatment. District 23B Cabinet Chair for
Childhood Cancer Our District will again sponsor
luxury buses to take Lions, Leos,
SEPTEMBER IS CHILDHOOD [email protected]
CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 203-297-4490 and guests from two pickup
locations in Connecticut to New

Here are some ideas your club York City for LDUN. We again plan
to solicit donations for bus seat
can use to raise awareness in
your community: scholarships (let's surpass our 2019
record of 37 scholarships) for our

Post pictures of your lions doing LEOs. If you would like to help plan
our District's involvement in LDUN
childhood cancer activities
2020, please contact PDG Dave
Roberts at [email protected]
Download a childhood cancer icon
from LCI resource for your website or 858-775-9241. And remember
that there are many reasons to
or fb page:
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/resour attend, but the top 3 are:

ces-for-members/resource-center
1: Connect with UN
Representatives, Lions, Leos,
Preorder childhood cancer stickers
and have Lions/Leos give them at and other Leaders in Service
from around the world.
grocery stores when a donation is
made (<$20 for 250 stickers): 2: Learn how Lions Clubs
https://www.amazon.com/Childhood Pin Traders
-Cancer-Awareness-Ribbon- A message from your pin traders International and the United
Nations are working together with
Stickers/dp/B010R6FDMG club president. My goal this year is
to have more people join our pin shared goals.

Help the survivor clinic at Yale to trading club. This club is open to all
improve relapse rates—post it! lion members of the multiple district 3: Discover new and innovative
ways to serve and support future
in the state of Connecticut. If you
Order and distribute brochures on were ever interested to how to get service leaders while visiting New
York City.
healthy living to improve those fancy pins everybody wears
survivorship care by emailing: or would like to learn how to trade
Let's make LDUN 2020 the best yet
[email protected] (once them this is the place for you.
treatment is over, only 20% of for our District's participation!

patients keep up good habits) Contact me with any questions you
may have on other meetings we More information about LDUN 2020,
and how to contribute to bus seat
Pay for a gym membership for a have throughout the year or general
teen with cancer (the challenge is questions you might have on pin scholarships will be coming soon!

to identify the teen) trading Thank you for reading this
note. We’re up to see some new Yours in service,

This year we will try to get childhood lions this year.
cancer in the news with Lions. In PDG Dave Roberts
[email protected]
part, some of these projects were PDG Steve Daigle
suggested during an interview with [email protected]

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 5

District Communications: What’s new? What we need!

By District Spirit Editor Frank Longo
We’ve been hinting about changes there will be a monthly one-page rather not share emails with
in communications for a while, and update from DG Ev Lyons, which International, then please send
finally, we’re coming close to will contain most of the information email information to us at the
introducing new ways of distributing that had been sent out individually District Spirit. When we receive
information with the Lions in District in many emails. Right now, we will most of member’s accurate emails,
23B. send this to Club Presidents and we will distribute both the Monthly
Secretaries, since we don’t have Update and The District 23B Spirit
Part of the feedback we’ve received accurate email addresses for about directly to club members.
from clubs and individual Lions, is two-thirds of the Lions in the district.
that there are too many emails We will need to rely upon your club These are Phases One and Two of
being sent to Lions. We, personally, officers to forward this information to our communications plan. Phase
receive several emails from LCI on you. Three will be a new District
a weekly basis. While they all Calendar on the District website,
contain important information, it’s Of course, we can eliminate that which will allow clubs to enter their
somewhat of an overload on our step if Club Secretaries could own events, saving District
inbox and us. Add to this the emails update the club member’s LCI Secretary Pat a lot of work, and you
from District Secretary Pat Daigle records with accurate email many emails. We are working
on club events that pop up too information (believe it or not, there towards a January date for this
quickly to promote in the quarterly are also many clubs whose officers rollout.
District Spirit, and it seems like do not have emails, and are unable
there’s always something arriving to receive and forward important The District Spirit will continue in its
that’s Lions related. Lions information to their members). present format for the time being.
It’s a little bit of work, but it will go a
So, we feel your pain! long way to making sure the Lions PLEASE make it a point to update
in our district receive important your email lists for us. It’s the only
Starting in the October timeframe, news and information. If you’d way for this plan to succeed!

Page 6 District 23B Spirit — September 2019
LIONS CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES IS A HUGE SUCCESS

By PCC Alan Daninhirsch

At 3:30 PM on Friday, August 9, MD-23. requested $50 donation from each
2019 the first ever MD 23 Lions club in the State.
sponsored camp for children with With this partnership in place, a
Diabetes completed its one week number of decisions were made. Feedback from the campers and the
run and all agreed that it was a First, this project would be run as a parents has been overwhelming.
COMPLETE SUCCESS! “pilot” program for this first year. Most want to know about plans for
The number of camperships offered next year and how they can insure
For five days, 29 children ranging in would be limited to 30 and the camp their children can be included. All
age from 6 to 13 years, with Type 1 would run for one week. All children parents received surveys and most
Diabetes (T1D) enjoyed the full participating would be drawn from have already returned them.
facilities of the Meriden YMCA’s Dr. Demirci’s patient list (which
Camp Mountain Mist while under numbers over 1000) and would live Media coverage was outstanding
the constant medical supervision of within easy driving distance of the thanks to the Public Relations
Dr. Cem Demirici and his staff from camp so that parents would be Departments of the YMCA and
the Connecticut Childrens Medical responsible for all transportation to CCMC. See the links below for how
Center (CCMC) and the constant and from camp each day. The extensive the coverage was.
leadership of three very competent children would be divided into three
YMCA camp counselors and three groups by age, 6 to 8 years, 8 to 10 A meeting is planned for soon after
additional counselors-in-training. It years and 10 to 13 years. At all Labor Day that will include members
is an understatement to say that times, throughout each day, a of the Ad Hoc Committee, the
everything ran like a “Swiss watch.” medical team member and a medical staff, the camp staff, the
qualified YMCA camp counselor three District Diabetes Chairs and
About 15 months ago the Lions of would be with each group. hopefully the members of the MD
Multiple District 23 decided to try to Council to analyze the results of the
put together a summer day camp I cannot say enough about Dr. pilot program and come up with
experience for children with T1D. An Demirci and his medical staff. His suggestions for how we want to
ad-hoc committee of about a dozen organizational skills, his rapport with move forward. There will be much to
Lions from around the State was the kids, and his constant discuss.
formed and it began to explore determination to be everywhere all
possible locations. In all, 10 existing the time eliminated all concerns for Here are the links to some of the
camp sites were considered and 7 the welfare of the children. In the publicity and photographs for those
were actually visited. The YMCA of weeks before camp started he had who may not have seen them
New Britain/Berlin/Meriden was all the medical procedures in place before:
particularly excited about the for constant monitoring of the
possibility of hosting this project and children, established procedures for New Haven Record/Journal
offered space at their Mountain Mist check-in and check-out, organized article
Day Camp in Meriden. Based on the his staff, which consisted of 5 to 7
central location, the excellence of qualified professionals every day, http://www.myrecordjournal.com/Ne
the existing facilities, and the and met with the camp staff to set ws/Meriden/Meriden-News/Day-
enthusiasm of the YMCA staff, the up procedures, schedules and camp-in-Meriden-offers-wellness,-
committee decided this would be details for each day of the week. All fun,-safety-for-kids-with-
the location for this project. of this demonstrated to us how diabetes.html
critical it is to have the right medical
Meanwhile, discussions were under component to the team if we are to WNBC 30 coverage
way with Dr. Cem Demirci, Head of continue with this program.
Pediatric Endocrinology at the https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/on-
Connecticut Children’s Medical Since this was to be run as a pilot air/as-seen-on/Kids-With-Diabetes-
Center, on how we could provide program, it was decided that there Enjoy-Special-Summer-Camp-in-
necessary medical staffing for this would be no charge to the families Meriden_Hartford-
camp. Dr. Demirci announced that participating other than a nominal 531031442.html?akmobile=o&appVi
the establishment of such a summer $20.00 registration fee for the week. deoHub=y
camp for his patients has been a The Lions purchased the 30
lifelong dream of his and that if camperships from the YMCA at a Photos taken by YMCA public
CCMC could be a part of this cost of $210 each, which included relations
project, he would ensure that all all food, access to all facilities and
medical staff would be provided at participation of the camp https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFWCN15
no cost to anyone. Thus, a counselors. Thus, the entire project
partnership was formed between cost the Multiple District less than
the YMCA, CCMC and the Lions of $6,500 which was paid for by a

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 7

A Thank You from
On March 4th, Lion Around CT with

Carol and Harry celebrated its 6th PDG Dave Roberts

Anniversary of producing a weekly I want to thank all of you for joining Published four times a year
half-hour show celebrating Lions my family and me to enjoy Suite 308 “All the news that fits, we print!”
events and activities throughout our

district! Our show airs in fifty-eight at this afternoon’s New Britian Bees Editor

communities on six cable access TV baseball game in 98+ degree heat. Frank Longo

Thanks to Plainville Lions Club’s
stations: Charter Communications silent auction raffle (who donated
(Winsted), Cablevision (Litchfield), Advertising Editor

Charter Communications the suite) for all of us to support the Robert Bessel

(Newtown), Charter Lions Low Vision Center of Hartford

Communications (Willimantic), & Litchfield Counties. District IT Chair
#WeServe
Nutmeg (Farmington), and Skye XIII

(Waterbury). Linda Russell

Yours in service, Website Guy
Lion Dave
Listed below are our last thirteen
shows. We begin with Parts 2 and 3 Dan Uitti

of the 9th annual CRIS Radio

fundraiser “Dining and Dancing in Layout

the Dark” featuring Scot Haney as Lauren Ipsum
emcee and Joe Furey as celebrity

judge. Next, we attended the Printed By

Hartford Multinational Lions Club Southbury Printing Center

Service Awards Banquets in both Southbury, CT
2018 and 2019. Congratulations to

the club for hosting this outstanding Copyright © 2019

annual event. DG Harry celebrated by Lions International District 23B

his District Governor year with
eighty-four guests at his Testimonial [email protected]

at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility in

Torrington. Thanks to all who 311 Hartford Multinational Lions Awards

Banquet 2018 Part 2
attended! We traveled once again to 312 Hartford Multinational Lions Awards The District 23B
Southern CT State University to Banquet 2018 Part 3

videorecord the Opening Eyes 313 DG Harry Schuh Testimonial Part 1 Spirit

program for Special Olympics. A
record number of MD23 Lions 314 DG Harry Schuh Testimonial Part 2 Our next issue of the District 23B
volunteered this year. We traveled 315 Hartford Multinational Lions Service Spirit is December 1, 2019. The
Awards Banquet 2019 Part 1
to Rhode Island for the New 316 Hartford Multinational Lions Service deadline for all ads and articles is
England Lions Conference and Awards Banquet 2019 Part 2 November 10, 2019.
heard an excellent presentation on 317 Opening Eyes for Special Olympics at SCSU

the Ronald McDonald House in RI. 318 New England Lions Conference Ad prices are $30/quarter page (3.5”
In August 2018 we videorecorded (NELC) featuring RI Ronald wide, 5” long), $50 for a half-page
our first program outside the United McDonald House (7” wide, 5” long), and $100 for a
States at the Lions Northeast Pin 319 Lions Northeast Pin Swap full-page (7” wide, 10” long). Please
Swap held near Montreal, Canada. August 2018 provide ads in .BMP, .JPG or .GIF
Finally, we videorecorded a 320 CRIS Radio Presentation Part 1 formats only—no .PDF or .PUB
presentation featuring CRIS Radio’s files, please. If you don’t know how
current status and future plans. To view our last 10 shows on the to create an ad, send us your
Please consider club donations to Internet: information and we’ll create one for
CRIS Radio this year.  Go to www.ctv191.com you.
 Mouse over “What’s On”
Below are the titles for our latest  Click on “Watch Programs” Any submitted pictures should be in
shows 308 - 320:  Type the word Lion in the .JPG or .GIF format, and should be
308 CRIS Radio Dining and Dancing Search box and Click on clear (blurry pictures do not
in the Dark Part 2 Search reproduce well). We need pictures
309 CRIS Radio Dining and Dancing of collection boxes! PLEASE!
in the Dark Part 3 We invite you to appear as studio
310 Hartford Multinational Lions Awards guests on our show, or invite us to Submit materials for publication to
Banquet 2018 Part 1
document and publicize your Lions [email protected] only.
events on-site!

Page 8 District 23B Spirit — September 2019


Torrington Lions Club


(Below) Lion Phil Dzurnak presents
President Donna Robideau with
a Knight of the Blind award for all of her
service as well.
















Lion Phil Dzurnak presents Lion Maryann
Ryan a Knight of
the Blind award for her years of service.



(right) The South
Windsor Club took
part in St Baldrick's
Foundation "Rock
the Bald" event in
Manchester on June
23. Susan Gabriele
raised over $1500
for Childhood
Cancer research by
submitting to having
her head buzzed.
Donations came
from family (in
memory of husband
Bill), friends, and
Lions in the club
(above) District 23B's leaders attended a June planning and district. Susan
meeting hosted by CRIS Radio to discuss their access named the club as
program for the sight-impaired. DG Harry Schuh and her team.
DGE Ev Lyons were on hand, along with others, to hear
how CRIS Radio plans to expand this service. Three (below) Fred Soliani golf tournament this year raised
Lions Clubs (Bristol, Greater Hartford Host and Windsor) money for scholarships in Bristol and also money for Jim
have already worked with CRIS to make local museums Sadecki a blind veteran who is participating in
and playgrounds accessible to the sight-impaired. CRIS Paralympics as an air-rifle marksman. Co-Chairs of the
is looking for additional Lions clubs who would like to tournament Bud Funk and Bill Wazelewski presented Jim
discuss this type of service project in which CRIS brings Sadecki with a check for $1,000.00 to help Jim with
technical expertise to augment the financial support of needed equipment and costs to continue competing for
Lions. Contact CRIS Radio to begin your club's project. the USA Paralympics.


(left) As part of
2018-2019
Windsor Locks
Lions Club
President's project,
Immediate Past
President Kathy
Doody rests on
one of the four
benches that were
installed at the
town's Southwest
Park.

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 9

Membership
By GMT Coordinator Frank Longo
When we talk about membership, you can reach, the more potential embraces, and to accept new
we generally think this just means new members you can find. Please members as Lions with all the same
adding members to our clubs. The contact me for information about the privileges that longer-term members
role of the GMT Coordinator Ohio Plan (one club has already have.
includes helping clubs do that, but started planning their implantation)
that’s just a part of the picture. or other ideas on attracting new Finally, to grow as an organization,
members. we need to create new clubs in
There are three aspects of communities that lack a Lions
membership I plan to concentrate Once you’ve found new members, presence. I am fortunate that our
on this year. The first is to raise our the trick is to keep them. While, as a District Membership Team has two
total membership by helping clubs district, we gained 131 members other members who will be assisting
attract new members. The second is last near, we also lost 277 me in this task.
to help clubs keep the members members, a net loss in membership
they already have, and the third is to of 146. While some of that number Lion Raj Shrestha, the founding
create new clubs in the district. is due to death and relocation, a president of the Hartford County
good number reflects members who Everest Centennial Lions Club, is
“Just Ask!” has been a successful just stopped participating in the certified by LCI as a Specialty Clubs
program for many years. The club. Coordinator, and he will take on the
problem with it is that we only tend task of forming new clubs in our
to ask our friends and The reasons why this happens district around a special
acquaintances—the people we varies, but in many cases, it’s characteristic that binds its
know. There are probably many because the member wasn’t members together. For example,
people outside of our circles who realizing their expectations of being specialty clubs will target
are looking for opportunities to a Lion. How do we keep our prospective members who are
perform service in our communities, members interested and involved? connected by a similar profession,
but are outside our reach. To solve cause, ethnicity, or life events, such
this, I am asking all clubs in District First, have something for members as early retirees. His experience in
23B to hold some sort of program, to do. If a person becomes a Lion to forming the HCEC will be invaluable
open to the general public, that will perform service in the community, in his mission.
enable us to reach these people. make sure you have plenty of
service projects they can participate The other member of the
The most effective of these types of in. If their Lion experience is mostly membership team is PDG Dave
events is known as the “Ohio Plan”, attending meetings, you’re not Roberts, a member of the
after the state the district that fulfilling the reason they joined. Our Barkhamsted Lions Club. PDG
originated it is in. The premise is District GST, Lion PCC Dr. Steve Dave will be concentrating on the
simple: target the members of your Polezonis, can help your club with formation of “cyber clubs”—clubs
community who would be most new ideas on projects. connected through the magic of the
likely to join your club if asked, and Internet. This concept has been
invite them to see what Lions Clubs Some Lions want to be involved in successful in many districts for
are about. Start with a dinner, some the running of the club, either as an people who wish to become Lions,
explanation about the history of the event chairperson, or as a club but are unable to attend physical
Lions and your club, what you do in officer. We need to change our meetings. All business is done
the community, and then pass out thinking in that just because a electronically through emails, chats,
applications. When followed exactly, member is new, they don’t have the and social media. The advantages
the Ohio Plan has yet to fail. When ability to lead. And, if there are are reduced meeting costs, a more
the Ohio Plan hasn’t worked, it’s members that are unsure about flexible schedule for meetings, and
because a club has taken a shortcut their leadership abilities, there are a greater convenience for members,
or tried to “personalize” it. I will be many opportunities for members, especially those who would need to
sending a copy of the Ohio Plan to new and old, to acquire those skills. travel a distance to meet.
all club membership chairpeople GLT Jim Trompeter can provide
(and every club should have one!) resources, both LCI online courses To make this all work, the
soon. and hands-on training sessions, to cooperation of club membership
help develop those proficiencies. chairs is required. If your club
There are other ways to reach these doesn’t have one yet, please make
community members: consider And, some members just don’t feel a point to elect/appoint one as soon
every service project a recruiting like they fit in. We need to work on as possible.
drive; hold open houses at regular our club cultures to mirror the
meetings; set up at table at local acceptance of diversity that our Here’s to a year of growth in Lions
fairs and festivals. The more people International Organization District 23B!

Page 10 District 23B Spirit — September 2019
Marlborough Lions Club


In March, the Marlborough Lions Shebeen Brewing Company pouring Chair-Bob Cindric, Treasurer-
held a durable medical equipment their beers for us. We raised almost JeanPaul Boldoc, Secretary-Ken
drive in conjunction with Orphan $400 in revenue from our Silent Hjulstrom, 2nd VP-Glen Warstock,
Grain Train. Items were dropped off Auction. 1st VP-Kevin McNally, and
at Marlborough Elementary School President-Megan Lloyd. Megan is
and loaded into a box truck to be In awards, we have nominated Dr. the first female member elected into
taken to the headquarters before Steven Rafalowsky, local the club in early 2016 and now the
being distributed both locally and ophthalmologist and Marlborough first female President. The club
internationally. Lions member, for the Ambassador continues to grow our membership
of Sight for his continued efforts with yearly, installing one new member
In April, we held our annual supporting both the club and any in June-Rob Gnocchi, and two other
Pancake Breakfast at the East concerns that arise from our eye members added earlier in 2019.
Glastonbury Fish and Game club, screenings done in town. We were
with continued success. able to fund our annual $1000 Upcoming events include our 2nd
scholarship in June. annual Marlborough Masquerade
May brought our 35th Annual Race 10/27 (same route as the Spring
Round the Lake 5K, with less We have also awarded Lion Glen 5K), and Lion Kevin McNally
numbers than last year but still a Warstock with a Lifetime continuing his talks around CT on
fantastic turn out. Membership, presented this past Success with Vision Loss. He is
spring. available to speak to other clubs
In June, we had our 4th annual Beer and groups-please contact him
and Wine Tasting at the In club news, we have elected for directly :
Marlborough Arts Center, with local the upcoming year-Membership [email protected]







(left) The
winners of the
5K Race
Around the
Lake Jacob
Dietz and
Olivia Mondo




(above) The Annual Pancake breakfast at the East
Glastonbury Fish and Game Club.


(below) Members of the Marlborough Lions Club with the (below) The officers of the Marlborough Lions Club for the
donated medical equipment from their collection drive 2019-20 Lions year.

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 11

Page 12 District 23B Spirit — September 2019

New Low Vision Picture Your Service Project

Center to Open in We Lions are great at planning it. If you’re cooking pancakes, get a
By Lion Bob Bessel
Hartford service projects. We know where photo of a little kid digging into a
and when, who’s going to show up,
stack of pancakes. In fact, consider
what equipment to bring. Many an under-5 pancake eating contest
Lion Pete Nevers, new president of times we send out flyers to the in the middle of the pancake
the Lions Low Vision Centers 23B, people we’re trying to reach – like breakfast. Do you think you’ll get
has started his term with a bang—a pre-schoolers when we do a more “likes” online? Do you think
new Low Vision Center in Hartford Kidsight screening. Sometimes we the TV cameras will show up? I do!
and a commitment to spreading the send out press releases to alert the
word that Lions are here to help media. Sometimes they show up, Suppose you are hosting a bike
people with vision problems. most of the time they don’t. ride. Try mounting a cell phone on a

bike and ask a rider to preview the
The new Low Vision Center located But almost never do we consider course. Post a “fast motion” version
at the Mount Sinai Rehabilitation the pictures we are creating for the on your Facebook feed and watch
facility is expected to increase the public when we plan a service your “likes” rise.
number of people served by 20%. project. Why are pictures important?
Personnel are still in training, but I’ll give you three reasons: TV, When your club starts thinking
once they’re set, the doors will open Facebook, Instagram. They’re all pictures, your town will start paying
and our Lions will do what they do visual media, which means they attention, attending, supporting,
best: serve! communicate with pictures. volunteering and eventually joining.
Why? Because they can see that
The greatest challenge to our Before a TV reporter puts your your Lions club is the place to be.
service is the lack of public event onscreen they need to picture Picture it.
awareness of the service and aids
we offer. “As we move forward, we
ask each Lion to lend their expertise
to this effort,” said Lion Pete.

Every Lion is welcome to meetings
of the Lions Low Vision Center on
the fourth Monday of each month. PDG Bobby Clark
Contact Pete at 860-604-8538 prepares for his TV
or [email protected] to closeup on Telemundo
learn the location and time. during the Lions’ 2017
Comments and suggestions are Hurricane Maria relief
effort.
always welcome, and there will be
several subcommittees where Lions
can serve this great effort.

“Most Lions don’t realize that they
are members of the Lions Low
Vision Centers 23B,” said Pete.
“Every Lion in the district is. Now
that you know, kindly consider
supporting these vital centers. We Woodbury Lions Club
look forward working together to
further promote these valuable
services to people who need them
and appreciate them so much.” The Woodbury Lions
Club hosted their 2019
scholarship recipients
Again, contact Peter Nevers at 860- on August 6. The club
604-8538 gave a total of $20,000
to graduating
or [email protected] to get Nonnewaug seniors
involved. Like every Lions project, who are going on to
you’ll be glad you did! college.

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 13
2019 International Lions Convention – Milan, Italy

MD23 in Pictures



























(top left) The Connecticut MD23 Delegation

(above) The 2019-20 District Governors of MD23

(immediate left) The MD23 delegation in the Parade of Nations

(below) D23B District Governor Ev Lyons, with Lion Nancy
Schnyer, the future Mrs. District Governor











(right)A warm
welcome for all
attendees of the
2019 Lions
International
Convention












(left) Lions from
MD23 enjoying
their stay in Milan,
Italy

Page 14 District 23B Spirit — September 2019

Harwinton Lions Club

Harwinton Lions Spring into Viets, the Anthony G. George grants. Ten other clubs also
Summer Scholarship recipient, and the participated in the outreach. Just a
Hurlbut G. Clark Scholarship week later, we hosted District
Governor Harry Schuh’s testimonial
As the “Taste of Summer in awardee Coral Gorack. Both Carter at Chatterley’s Event Space in
and Coral volunteered at Taste of
Harwinton” committee worked on Torrington. More than 80 attendees
planning the third annual food truck Summer in Harwinton. Scholarships
festival with new partner, the are funded by the annual honored Harry’s great work as DG.

Harwinton Agricultural Society, scholarship pancake breakfast held And, on the hottest day in July,
each November.
plans and work were underway on while most of Connecticut was
other Lions projects and In other club projects, bakers and trying to escape the heat, four
fundraisers, too. Our partnership Lions—including project lead Brian
provided a new location for the sandwich makers thanked donors
festival at the Harwinton with treats at the Red Cross Blood Dunbar, Fred Rondano, President
Fairgrounds, where we were able to Drive on May 25, one of three drives Roland Perreault, and Bob Farber—
worked on repairs to the roof of the
we hosted in 2018-19. 55 pints of
include antique tractor pulls and gazebo that the club donated to the
horse events, including barrel racing blood were collected, and we look Town of Harwinton in 2010. The
forward to our September 7 drive at
and gymkhana, in addition to food month ended with the 6th Annual
trucks, entertainment, and kids’ Harwinton Town Hall.
zone including pony rides. Cars for Sight show, organized by
Bruce Richard, which featured more
Eric Van Leer led a group of than 100 show cars, muscle cars,
Harwinton Lions conducting eye
In May, the scholarship committee, and beautifully restored older
led by David French, reviewed screening at the Special Olympics models. The top 25 cars received
on June 7 and 8. Athletes were
applications, awarding $2000 awards.
scholarships to Lewis Mills High tested using the sophisticated
KidSight cameras funded by LCIF
School graduating seniors Carter


(Left) “Taste of Summer
in Harwinton” Festival
Chair Amber Scouller
tests the lemonade

(right) Departing District
Governor Harry Schuh
and wife Carol Kearns at
his testimonial
celebration













(Left) The work crew making
repairs to the gazebo at
Harwinton Town Hall

(right) A few of the show
cars at “Cars for Sight”

District 23B Spirit — September 2019 Page 15

Lions Quest Peace Poster
By Lion Nancy Schnyer District Contest



District Lions Quest Chair

The Lions Quest program, offered Officers By Lion Amber Scouller

by Lions Club International District Peace Poster Chair

Foundation, is among the most Lions International created the

widely used positive youth Peace Poster contest in 1988 with
development and prevention V. Everett Lyons the intention to give the world’s
program in the world. The Lions District Governor youth a chance to share their vision
Quest program has received the of world peace. The annual contest
“SELECT” Program designation gives Lions clubs the opportunity to
from the Collaborative for Heidi Zacchera connect with their communities,
Academic, Social, and Emotional First Vice District while highlighting the opportunities
Learning for outstanding life skills the organization brings to the world.
education, rigorous evaluation and Governor
high-quality professional The 2019-2020 theme for the
development. Ed Fenton contest is “Journey of Peace”. We
Second Vice District ask Lions Clubs to sponsor the
In addition, the Skills for contest to school-aged children
Adolescence curricula received the Governor between the ages of 11 and 13. The
“Model” Program award from the deadline to purchase the kits from
Center for Substance Abuse Pat Daigle Lions Club International (LCI) in
Prevention and the Substance order to sponsor an entry is October
Abuse and Mental Health Services Secretary 1, 2019. Posters are due by
Administration of the U.S. November 15, 2019, via United
Department of Health and Human Steven Daigle States postal mail to the district
Services. Lions Quest is also Treasurer chairperson at 14 Pearl Street
endorsed by the United Nations Terryville, CT 06786. You can also
Office on Drugs and Crime, and has bring entries directly to the dinner
had positive results printed in the David Boilard on November 18.
Journal of Prevention Science. Zone 1 Chair
A display of all entries, with voting,
Serving youth has been a long- occurs during the American School
standing mission of LCIF, awarding Sonni Olami for the Deaf Dinner on November
more than 13 million dollars to Zone 2 Chair 18, 2019. We will announce the
expand or establish Lions Quest poster receiving the most votes as
Programs in over 107 countries Phyllis Perry the district winner, and it goes on for
around the world, affecting more entry for voting at the multiple
than 17 million youth. Zone 3 Chair district level. We will recognize the
winning poster at the Mid-Winter
The Connecticut Lions are Tracy Dubois conference, and then sent it to LCI
partnering with the Connecticut for international voting.
Association of Schools (CAS), one Zone 4 Chair
of the leading educational We caution Lions Clubs to purchase
organizations in our state. CAS and Lilly Ruiz the peace poster kits directly from
our state Lions are bringing in a Zone 5 Chair LCI, as there are specific rules and
Quest-trained presenter to introduce regulations for the contest that are
Quest to school district leaders on outlined in the kit. You can find
October3, 2019. Materials have John Habif more information regarding the
been sent to each school district Zone 6 Chair contest in the Peace Poster contest
offering this free introduction to section of the LCI website. Please
Quest. contact the district chairperson, Lion
Jamie LaForge Amber Scouller, with any questions
Lions Clubs are encouraged to Zone 7 Chair and submissions at (203)560-6872
contact their local school district or [email protected].
leaders. For further information
about the Quest program or the
workshop on October 3rd, you are
welcome to contact me
([email protected]).


Click to View FlipBook Version