On Thursday, January 9th, the Fort Collins Lions had a very special meeting—perhaps one of our most significant meetings in years. In place of a regular program, the meeting was dedicated to an all-member discussion to finalize the Fort Collins Lions Club Membership Action Plan.
That discussion was the culmination of months of work aimed at growing our Club’s membership. We did recognize that attracting new members depends on a healthy, quality Club, so we started in October 2013 with an all-member survey to determine how satisfied you are with our Club, and what areas could be improved.
We then created an Expanded Membership Committee, which met several times to draft a plan. On November 25th, we sent each of you a copy of the resulting draft “Membership Action Plan,” and received several thoughtful inputs.
Those inputs were incorporated in a final draft that we all scrubbed and discussed and expanded at the January 9th meeting. We first broke into five smaller groups for initial discussions, and then had each group report its ideas and critiques to the entire gathered membership.
This was truly a remarkable event—a spirited discussion focused on the future of our Club, innovative ideas, and thoughtful insights. The enthusiasm and energy in the room was extraordinary! Pointing out that we rarely have a meeting just to talk about our Club, several members proposed establishing a yearly all-member meeting focused just on making our Club better.
The Membership Action Plan, as modified by you at the January 9th meeting, was unanimously approved by our Club Board the following week.
Now comes perhaps the most challenging part: implementing those specific actions. The Expanded Membership Committee is meeting to get the ball rolling. The Committee will draw up a simple implementation plan that prioritizes the actions, assigns responsibility for each action, and outlines the “what, how, and when” as well.
So please watch closely, and be ready to help if the Committee comes to you. Together we can make our Club better and more robust!
Doug Hutchinson,
President
2013 – 2014 Speech Contest
On Thursday, February 20, our club heard three contestants speak on the topic of “How do you think the declining academic scores in the U.S. affect our ability to compete globally, and what can be done to improve them?” All three did a great job, and the winner of our club contest, Shannon Tivona of Fort Collins High School, will go on to compete in the District Contest. Many thanks to Irene Toliver for coordinating the contest, and members of the Fort Collins Toastmasters for judging.
Irene Toliver, Kelly Pollard (RMHS, $100), Shannon Tivona (FCHS, $250), Jordan McKee (PHS, $150)
Valentine’s Luncheon – February 13, 2014
Valentine’s Luncheon Entertainment
Valentine’s Luncheon Best Dressed
Awards
Humanitarian Awards
Denny Moyer receives Progressive Humanitarian Award
Alex Chapman receives Humanitarian Award
Progressive Melvin Jones Awards
Harold Hartman receives Progressive Melvin Jones Award
Vic Meline receives Progressive Melvin Jones Award
Lee Brown receives Progressive Melvin Jones Award
2013 – 2014 International Exchange Hosting Opportunity
It’s that time of year again when we are searching for families to host our summer youth that will arrive about July 26, 2014.
A young person from another country, age 16-18, would like to stay with you and your family for 2 weeks in late July and early August. They will stay in your home for approximately two weeks before attending Colorado Lions Camp – International Week, August 10-16, 2014. The camp is near Woodland Park, Colorado. He/she will then return to your family for 1-3 days after the camp so they can say goodbye before they fly home. (Arrival – July 26 or 27 Departure – August 18 or 19.)
We have received 20 applications so far but are expecting possibly 30 total. It looks like a great group of kids again. Please let Steve or Vicki Leroux know as soon as possible if you are able to host this summer. We have one family that would like to but can only do it part of the time because they will be out-of-state. That’s ok. We’ll match that family up with another one that can host the rest of the time.
YOUTH EXCHANGE COORDINATORS
Statewide leaders: Vicki & Steve Leroux
Upcoming Meetings
March 6 meeting – John Paul McKinney, PHD – “Writing Skills”
March 13 meeting – Eva Sue Littleton stories of the “Old West”
March 20 meeting – Election of officers John McLaurin – “Easter Island Revealed”
The Health Fair is coming – April 25, 26. Volunteers will be needed! More information will be coming, but mark your calendars now.
The Fort Collins Lions Club had a very good year in 2013.
We were faithful to our motto “We Serve” in so many ways, including helping with flood relief, continuing our KidSight program (in partnership with Project Smile), leading the 9 Health Fair, conducting the eyeglass program, closing the loop on years of supporting Daniela and her cochlear implant, participating in the activities of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and the Eye Institute, supporting Ensight’s efforts, and many more.
Further, the jewel of our fundraising efforts—Bingo—continued to produce phenomenal results.
These remarkable achievements are only possible because of the time and effort that you, our members, give so willingly and unselfishly. I am so proud of all of you and your accomplishments.
We are a remarkable Club—in my humble opinion, the finest Lions Club in Colorado. As we look towards 2014, we are doing yet another remarkable thing. We are looking at ways to make our Club even better and to sustain and grow our membership.
On November 25th, we sent to each of you (by email or regular mail) a copy of the draft “Membership Action Plan” created by an expanded Membership Committee. We have received some comments, and welcome more.
The draft plan, and your inputs, will be the basis of a special Thursday meeting on January 9th. In place of a regular program, that meeting will be dedicated to an all-member discussion to finalize a version for the Board to approve at its January 15th meeting. Please take a look at the ideas in the draft plan and bring your opinions and ideas to this important Club conversation.
As this year ends, I would like to thank you all for your service and involvement in Lions. I wish you and your families a blessed and meaningful holiday season. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year—and may 2014 be your best year ever!
Doug Hutchinson
New Member’s Inducted
Arnold Price, Jr. and Jim Martin
David Lamberson, Arnold Price, Ron Lockner, and Jim Martin
HEARING—DANIELA HERNANDEZ
and the Culmination of a Long Journey
by Robert P. Kitchell
1VDG, District 6-NE
At age 19 months, Daniela Hernandez, the youngest daughter of Santiago and Elizabeth Hernandez of Loveland, developed meningitis, and as a result suffered a total hearing loss. At age 5, it was learned that hearing aids would be of no benefit. The channel in her temporal bone that houses the cochlea had completely closed in the left ear and was rapidly closing in the right ear; a cochlear implant was the only solution. Doctors at the CU Health Sciences Center made the urgency of the situation known to their colleagues and others who might be able to help with the substantial costs of the surgery.
Presentation of the Check Elizabeth, Daniela, and Santiago Hernandez and Lions Bob Kitchell and Dr. Bill Lentz
The Fort Collins Lions Foundation has been the custodian of funds for Daniela’s hearing care over the years. Daniela is now a bright, attractive 18-year old student. At a meeting of the Fort Collins Lions Club on November 14th, a check for the remaining funds in her account was presented to Daniela. The program was anchored by Dr. Bill Lentz, who provided a moving account of the history of Daniela’s quest for hearing. Daniela, now still in high school, has begun taking courses at Front Range Community College. She has identified a career in law enforcement as her chosen path and has indicated that the remaining funds will be used to assist in her educational endeavors.
Elizabeth, Santiago, and Daniela Hernandez, Dr. Bill Lentz, and Key Participants, Kieran and Charlotte NicholsenRe-telling the Story Lion Dr. Bill Lenz
Dr. Bill Lentz, an audiologist in private practice at the time and a member of the Fort Collins Lions Club, was made aware this need, and with the help of the late Lion Charles Lee, mounted a campaign to raise funds for the surgery. As a part of the campaign, Charles enlisted the assistance of his son-in-law, Kieran Nicholsen, a reporter for The Denver Post. Keiran publicized Daniella’s need for surgery and requested donations. As a result, over $127,000 in cash and “in-kind” services was raised from individuals and groups world-wide. The surgery was then performed, and Daniella underwent several years of therapy with Mark Guiberson in order that her brain would learn to properly interpret the electrical impulses received from the cochlear processor as recognizable sounds.
Christmas Party Highlights and Awards
Anne Sullivan Award
Steve and Deb Vessy
Monarch Awards
Denny Moyer
Paul Telleen
Humanitarian Award
Faye Lockner
Progressive Humanitarian Award
Bill Lentz
Denny Moyer
Melvin Jones Award
Sue Yadon
Doug Hutchinson
Progressive Melvin Jones
Carole Kitchel
Ron Lockner
Some of the smiling faces at the party!
Mary Lou Blevins, Rusty Holsten, Jack FreshwatersWarren and Thelma MaukPat and Reid JacobHarold and Ruby HartmanArvilla and Vic MelineArnold and Shannon PriceRon and Faye LocknerBob & Carole Kitchell, Pat Jacob, Bill & Lucy Brenner
Sometimes efforts to do good things for our Club lead to even better things. That was the case when Lion Ron Lockner agreed to lead an effort to help our membership committee create a short written plan aimed at membership growth.
We had a great brainstorming session at the first meeting of the group. Lion Ron led with an outline of principles that Lions Clubs have used for growing their memberships.
As ideas began to flow, the group identified one overriding principle: our Club must have broad appeal if people are to join us. That means, of course, opportunities for community service, but it also means being an organization where potential members say “Yes! I would like to be part of this great group!”
So we are pursuing a three-pronged approach.
First, take a hard look at our Club. It’s a very good Club, but perhaps we can make it better—make it more attractive to potential members. The survey we asked you to fill out is a step in assessing our weaknesses as well as our strengths. This self-examination is the foundation for the next step.
Second, take actions to make our Club better. We brainstormed a lot of possibilities, including doing a “community needs assessment” to identify new additional areas where we can serve. Mentoring and comprehensive orientation for incoming new members might help as well.
Third, develop a plan for getting new members—a succinct plan that highlights the attractiveness of our Club, and outlines specific actions that our Membership Committee (and all members) can pursue to grow our membership.
The group is meeting a second time in the next few weeks. One goal is to flesh out the three steps (above) and get draft ideas to you, our members. We need your inputs to make sure any actions we take are a good fit for our Club, and for our current members.
Got some ideas? Tell any Club officer, or email me or Lion Ron, and we’ll make sure they are considered.
Doug Hutchinson
Halloween Humor
Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?
He didn’t have the guts!
Why don’t ghosts like parties?
They have no body to dance with!
What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
Bone Appetit!
KidSight Update
KidSight Chair, Carole Kitchell and Member, Jack Freshwaters complete a vision screening at Linton Elementary School
The KidSight photo screening committee has had a busy start to the school year. So far, we have screened over 1000 students at Irish, Laurel, St. Joseph, Putnam, and Linton Elementary Schools. Over 250 children in community pre-schools and daycare centers have also been screened, but we aren’t finished yet! In January students at Tavelli Elementary, as well as several other pre-schools and daycare centers are scheduled for screening.
KidSight screens for the following:
Hyperopia – “Far-sightedness” is the difficulty seeing objects that are near. Untreated this can contribute to “crossing of the eyes” but can be corrected with glasses.
Myopia – “Near-sightedness” is when the eyes focus incorrectly, making distant objects appear blurred. It can be treated with glasses.
Astigmatism – A condition in which the cornea has an abnormal curve causing out-of-focus vision.
Anisometropia – This condition can adversely affect the development of binocular vision in infants and children. The brain will often suppress the vision of the blurrier eye in a condition called Amblyopia or “lazy eye.”
Strabismus – Eyes are not directed to an object simultaneously. Sometimes the eyes deviate outward and sometimes inward.
First Annual Halloween Eye Ball
Friday, October 25th, 2013, the Ensight Skills Center hosted the first annual Halloween Eye Ball in downtown Loveland. The event took place at the Odd Fellow’s Majestic Gathering Place, a building that was built in 1903 as an Opera house. As the costumed crowd grew larger, The Devon Parker Band set the mood for dancing with Michael Jackson selections along with some classic jazzy, funky beats. Great fun was had by all. Ensight raised over $9,000 including $4000 that will go toward the endowment fund. We invite you all to the 2nd annual Halloween Eye Ball in 2014, if you dare.
“We Serve.” Those words are the proud motto of Lions around the world. We serve in many ways, and sometimes we don’t get to see and touch the specific results of our efforts and dedication. Not so with a major effort by Ensight, the low-vision organization the Fort Collins Lions Club helped establish some 12 years ago.
This month Ensight rolled out a very tangible example of Lions-supported low vision services. It is something we can all touch and see: a specially-equipped Sprinter van that Ensight will use to essentially make “house calls” to provide low vision services to more clients. Manned by an Ensight ophthalmologist and an occupational therapist, the van will not only improve services to clients in places like local senior care facilities, but will help expand the geographic area served.
The van proudly bears the logos of Ensight, Lions, and Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). We can be proud of the visibility it gives to our efforts. We have good reason to be proud: the van is part of expanded Ensight services being funded by our Lions Foundation, by the State Foundation, and by the International Foundation. Already the van has made appearances (and gotten good publicity) at the District 6NE Cabinet Meeting in Kersey, in Sterling with the Sterling Lions, and at the County Fair, and at this weekend’s Loveland Corn Roast Festival.
To complement the grants, Ensight is completing a campaign to fund the ‘finishing touches’ in the van. I’m proud that many of our members have contributed. Thank you! And if others want to help get this done, Ensight would be delighted to get your check, for any amount.
We welcome the increased low-vision services the Ensight van will now provide—and we especially welcome the public display of tangible evidence that “We Serve!”
Doug Hutchinson
President
International Student Experience by Susan Yadon
Tobey and I joined the Kitchells, as well as several other host families this year, agreeing to host students for three weeks through the Lions’ International Student Exchange. We opened our homes and our hearts to two incredibly wonderful students; Leon from Germany, Michele from Italy. The Kitchells hosted Basia, a sweet girl from Poland.
From July 27 to August 20, we were on the go 24/7 (with a week off August 11-17 while the students attended Lions Camp at Woodland Park). With several students in the Fort Collins, Windsor, and Denver area, there were many group excursions which included the Larimer County Fair/Rodeo, Water World, Fort Fun, barbeques, a Rockies baseball game, a tour of the Denver capitol, and of course, shopping. We also took our boys to Rocky Mountain National Park and a trip to Cameron Pass to see moose, riding bikes, and a hike up Horsetooth Mountain.
Even though 11 of the students had been together on several occasions before camp and friendships had formed, the boys were still anxious to meet the other 14 students who would be attending camp. Our boys, Leon and Michele, came back with fun stories and were thrilled at having made so many new friends. They both said it was a great experience and were happy they were able to participate.
All too soon, Leon’s parents and brother arrived on August 19 to collect their son before finishing a tour of the western U.S. We spent a wonderful day together touring Horsetooth and Old Town, and enjoying a barbeque, before saying our goodbyes. Michele’s flight home was the next afternoon. When I asked Michele what the one thing that surprised him most about his trip to the U.S. was, he said that Fort Collins is just like America in the movies: beautiful homes, beautiful yards, the people are friendly, and you feel safe.
Having these students with us reminds me that we do live in a beautiful place and have the opportunity to share it with others. Perhaps you will consider hosting a student next year.
New Member Information:
Mike Whitchurch
Software Engineer
A big shout out of thanks to Alex Chapman for organizing our annual picnic, held August 15 at Fossil Creek Park.
Members enjoying Nordy’s BBQ and delicious side dishes.Members enjoying Nordy’s BBQ and delicious side dishes.John McGee and Mike Whitchurch get acquainted.David Lambertson, Dan Fahrlander, and Alan Beatty entertain with a sing-along.Tom and Irene playing Bingo.Sing-along with the band.Members watching their Bingo cards for their numbers!Members watching their Bingo cards for their numbers!
