Lions Tales

Lions Tales, December, 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ted Blevins

‘Tis the Season and here’s the reason for the season —

CHRISTMAS LOVE

This December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I cut back on nonessential obligations, card writing, decorating, and even overspending. I did not want to find myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments.

My grandson, Ben, is in kindergarten this year. It is an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he has been memorizing songs for his school’s “winter program.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the night of his show. I spoke with his teacher. She told me there’d be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation, and any parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Ben was ok with this.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I found a spot in the cafeteria and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly taking their seats. The students were led into the room, and sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each class, one by one rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long-stopped referring to the holiday as “Christmas”, I didn’t expect anything other than fun songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when Ben’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love”, I was slightly surprised by its bold title. Ben and his classmates were adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps. Those in the front row held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing “C is for Christmas”, a child would hold up the letter C. Then “H is for happy”, and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, “Christmas Love.”

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly we noticed her — a small quiet girl in the front row — holding the letter “M” upside down, totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”. The audience of 1^st through 6^th graders snickered at this little one’s mistake. But she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”. Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: “Christ was love.”

And, I believe he still is …and I hope you do too!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Ted

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More Help Wanted

Vice President(s)
If the president is unable to perform the duties of his/her office for any reason, the vice president next in rank shall occupy his/her position and perform his/her duties with the same authority as the president. Each vice president shall, under the direction of the president, oversee the functioning of such committees of the club as the president designates.

President
He/she is the chief executive officer of the club who presides at all meetings of the board of directors and the club. The president issues the call for regular meetings and special meetings of the board of directors and the club, and appoints the standing and special committees of the club while cooperating with chairpersons to ensure regular functioning and reporting of such committees. He/she sees that officers are elected as provided for by the constitution and by-laws, and cooperates as an active member of the district governor’s advisory committee of the zone in which this club is located.

Immediate Past President
He/she and the other past presidents officially greet members and their guests at club meetings and represent the club in welcoming all new service-minded people in the community served by the club.

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Lions Tales 2012
Our newsletter for next year will honor past presidents of the Fort Collins Lions Club. (Note those four words. We do happen to meet during the noon hour, but “noon” is not included in our name!)

We’ll be starting with Past President Lee Anderson and work our way through Ted Blevens and David Lambertson. We’ll be asking the Past Presidents for a digital photo and personal biography as well as some of the memories they have of “their year” such as fund raising, number of members in the Club, district conventions, notable Club visitors, Tail Twister’s antics, where the Club met, etc.

Hopefully we’ll get a few laughs at the differences between “now” and “then”!

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Merry

Christmas

& Happy

New Year!

Lions Tales, November, 2011

Volume 2, Issue 11 November, 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ted Blevins

Who would’ve thought we would have so much fun in Stoneham??? We did! Those of us who met the members from Sterling Lions Club in Stoneham, to celebrate their winning the “trophy” for getting the most new Lions last year, are all glad we went.

The Sterling club is fun, gracious, motivated and planning to go for the win again. Some tips we heard from their club that we may want to consider are:

Guests eat free. Hosts are not charged.
Members are rewarded monetarily for bringing the most guests (we don’t), and for getting the most new members (we do).
Their meetings are just 1 hour, plus or minus, INCLUDING EATING.
Ask, ask, and ask again.

As I may have mentioned before, our club’s membership status is my main focus this year. We had 73 members as of October 1^st, but could drop below 70 with the move of the Hollingsworth’s and potential transfers. As recently as the year 2000, this club had 116 members. My goal for the year was to reach 100 members by June, 2012. Maybe that was naive on my part, but we now have another challenge from the Sterling Lions Club for a membership contest ending in June 2012. They had 79 members on Oct. 1. If both clubs added 10 new members, Fort Collins would win on the basis of percentage gained. Are you up to it? Ask, ask, and ask again! I keep reading in the Coloradoan about the young business people in this community who want to volunteer. Do we have any contacts with them? If you don’t ask, they won’t even have a chance to answer.

A big welcome to our newest members: Mark Scott and Luke Burhenn. BRING YOUR FRIENDS…

I’ll be listening… Ted

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MY TRAVELS

I have been in a lot of places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can’t go there alone…you have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve also have never been in Cognito, either. I understand that no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport…you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my family and friends.

I would like to go to Conclusions sometime, but you have to jump there! At my age I am doing good just to walk!

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Looking for work?

Each spring our Club follows established procedures to elect officers for the ensuing year. Following is Lions Clubs International’s Job Descriptions for several of our officers.

Wanted – Lion Tamer

The Lion tamer is responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club, including flags, banners, gong, gavel, song books, etc. He/she puts each item in its proper place before every meeting and returns the items to the proper storage area after each meeting. He/she acts as sergeant-at-arms at meetings, seeing that those present are properly seated, and distributes bulletins, favors and literature as required at club and board meetings. He/she ensures that new members are welcomed to the club and sit with a different group at each meeting so that the new members become better acquainted.

Wanted – Tail Twister

The Tail Twister promotes harmony, good fellowship, and enthusiasm in the meetings through appropriate stunts, games and the judicious imposition of fines on club members. There shall be no appeal of his/her decision in imposing a fine, provided, however, that no fine shall exceed an amount fixed by the board of directors of the club, and no member shall be fined more than twice at any one meeting. The tail twister may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present. All monies collected by the tail twister shall be immediately turned over to the treasurer and a receipt shall be given.

Wanted – Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

Receive all monies from the secretary and deposit the currency in a bank or banks recommended by the finance committee and approved by the board of directors
Pay the club’s obligations authorized by the board of directors. All checks and vouchers shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by one other officer, determined by the board of directors
Have custody of and maintain general records of club receipts and disbursements.
Prepare and submit monthly and semi-annual financial reports to the international office of the association and the board of directors of this club
Give bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in the sum and with surety as determined by the board of directors.

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FORT COLLINS LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2011

FORT COLLINS COUNTRY CLUB

5:30 – 6:30 P.M. HOSPITALITY

6:30 P.M. DINNER

RSVP To Vic Meline by November 29, 2011

IF YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS AND DO NOT ATTEND, YOU WILL BE BILLED.

ACTIVE MEMBERS & THEIR ALLOTTED ONE GUEST WILL BE CHARGED $15.00 EACH

M. A. L.S, AFFILIATE MEMBERS AND MEMBERS WHO ARE HONORARY SPOUSES WILL BE CHARGED $35.OO.

REMEMBER: BRING AN UNWRAPPED GIFT FOR EITHER A BOY OR A GIRL AND MARK THE GIFT ACCORDINGLY FOR THE SALVATION ARMY AND BRING A GIFT OF CANNED FOOD.

Lions Tales, October, 2011

Volume 2, Issue 10 October, 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ted Blevins

Back by popular demand (?) – Another dog story —

A man is driving near Virginia Dale when he sees a sign saying “Talking dog for sale — Cheap”. He stops and the owner tells him the dog is in back. He sees a nice Lab retriever there and asks, “Do you talk?”

“Oh, yes” the lab says. “When I discovered I could talk, I was able to join the CIA, and I became very valuable in listening in at private meetings. I became one of their most valuable spies, and have been awarded many medals, all in secret, of course.”

The man is amazed, and goes back to the owner to ask him what he wants for the dog. “Ten dollars.” “Why so cheap”, the man asks.

“Because the dog is a liar — he never did any of that.”

YOU don’t have to lie when you are telling prospective members what your Lion’s Club does in this community — as Knights of the Blind, we interview and purchase up to 30 pairs of glasses each month for Northern Colorado’s needy folks. We collect and send several thousand pairs of glasses to third world countries each year. Each year we take pictures of up to 1000 children’s eyes in preschools and elementary schools for detection of correctable eye disease. Our club founded the Ensight Skills Center in Fort Collins for low vision clients (usually adults) to enhance their quality of life, and supports it with over $1,000 per month. Our club sponsors and coordinates the 9Health Fair every year, which helps around 2,500 people. We provide funds for several corneal transplants through the Lion Eye Bank, hearing tests and hearing aids, diabetes awareness and needs, and leader dogs.

Yes, we are a service organization and we do serve. Believe it!

When are you going to bring a new member?

I’ll be listening….. Ted

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FOUNDATION NEWS

The Foundation Trustees have selected an audit committee for the current fiscal year. Robin Mitchell and David Lambertson were selected from the membership at large and Jim Trupp was selected to represent the Foundation. Robin Mitchell will chair the committee.

The committee audits Foundation finances which include charitable income and disbursements, pass through accounts, permanent endowment funds and investment policies. An operational audit is also a large part of the procedure to determine whether approved policies are being followed. All members of the committee have experience in the bingo program.

Lee Brown, Chairman

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Bingo!!! Income for September…..$11,833.60!
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Correct Your Lions Club Directory

Miss the Christmas Party!

The Christmas Party is MONDAY, DECEMBER 5,2011. See you there!

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MEET OUR NEWEST LION…Luke Burhenn

First, I would like to say how grateful and excited I am to have this opportunity to join and serve with you all. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and moved to Fort Collins to attend CSU in 1998 and have called it home ever since. Pursuing my interests in the arts, humanities, and social studies, I received a degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Sociology in 2002. Presently, I have pursued a career path in business management and became a Team Leader at Whole Foods Market.

This past June I got married to my soul mate, Katrina, and we are thrilled to begin our new lives together as a family. My personal interests include enjoying music, golfing, running, and spending quality time with Katrina and our Miniature Schnauzer, Francis Bacon.

I feel blessed to have been introduced to the Fort Collins Lions Club as a way to serve the local community that I love, and to learn how Lions are involved in service as an international organization as well.

I look forward to befriending all the members, and to participate in the many programs you currently provide. Special thanks to Bill Brenner for being so welcoming and helpful.

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Rappin’ For Lions by Dan Fahrlander

Let Me Tell Ya Bout the Lions Club
We don’t Waste Time in the Local Pub
Serving People is What We Do
Give us a Call ‘N We’ll Help You

CHORUS
We’re The Lions Club YEAH,YEAH,YEAH
The Lions Club YEAH, YEAH,YEAH
If you wanna have some fun ‘N Put your blues on the run
Join the Lions Club

Helen Keller said “Please be Kind”
“You Should Be Knights Of The Blind”
“There So Many Folks That Just Can’t See
Serving them is Where You ought to Be”

CHORUS

A Pancake Breakfast is What We Do
Coffee, Juice and Sausages Too
The Funds We Raise, We Give to the Poor
When the Money is Gone, We’ll Cook Some More

CHORUS

Do You Need Glasses To See Your Way?
Or an Eye Exam, and You Can’t Pay?
Here’s the Thing That You Should Do
Call 377 2282

CHORUS

Volume 2, Number 3 March, 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Aida Raider

Every so often a real life story goes unnoticed. The following is the true story of one woman who truly cares.

I received this from my former missionary roommate who now lives in Singapore. I am happy to share it with you.

A Garbage Collector with a Heart of Gold!

Sixty-four year-old sanitary worker and garbage collector Li Yukun has long passed her retirement age of 50 in China but she begged the Wendeng environmental protection department to let her keep her job because she has more than 10 students to support. Since 1998, Li has helped 15 students from poor families…

Kang Yujing, a senior at Qufu Normal University in East China’s Shandong Province, is one of the 15 students helped by Li. She had been receiving 1,000 yuan yearly over the past four years from the kindhearted grandmother. But she never imagined her “Rich Uncle Li” would turn out to be a sanitary worker and garbage collector, or even a 64- year-old woman, before meeting her in April. After finding out the identity of her “angel”, the year four undergraduate of Qufu Normal University decided to visit her. When she saw Li sweeping the Wendeng Street, Kang ran towards her and held her tightly. At their meeting on April 19, 2010, Kang burst into tears in Li Yukun’s arms after learning it is this 64-year old grandmother who has been giving her 1,000 yuan each year. She had never imagined that the money given to her was from such a humble old woman doing such hard work. “I had always thought that the philanthropist was a rich man called ‘Uncle Li’.”

Before their meeting on April 19, in her thank-you letters Kang addressed her as “Uncle Li”. Li, whose colleagues call her “Iron Feet Li”, has always spent all her money helping the poor and the underprivileged. She leads a very simple life and lives in a crude home with an old donated TV set as the only appliance. Wendeng’s construction bureau has given Li 50,000 yuan for living expenses, but she has donated all of the money, against the advice of her colleagues. She also decided, after discussing it with her two married daughters, to donate her organs after her death.

Li has also donated 100,000 yuan to victims of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and to other charitable causes. Li may be just a poor garbage collector but she has a heart of gold!

It is people like her that make our world a much better place.

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God, it seems that there is so much to be done and so little time to do it. Let me step back and decide what I really need to do. Amen

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOUNDATION TRUSTEES MEETING

A Meeting of the Fort Collins Board of Directors and the Foundation Trustees was held on March 17, 2011 after the Regular Club Meeting at Café Columbine.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the meeting was to allocate funds to the Japan Disaster.

A Motion was made by Carole Kitchell to donate $5000 to the Japan Disaster with $2000 ear marked for Japan and $3000 going to the General Fund. It was seconded by Aida Raider. The Motion passed.

Irene Toliver, Secretary

April Programs

4/7 – Fred Kaehler Mary Beth Solano- “The Many Ways To Learn English in the Poudre School District”

4/14 – Ted Blevins John Hafnor, Author “Strange But True, Colorado”

4/21 – Bob Kitchell TBA—Either a CSU fish biologist or a forest service Specialist

4/28 – Lois Atwood Tanya Thyfault-“First Person Report on the Kidney Transplant Program

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Lions Tales

Volume 2, Number 2 February, 2011

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Aida Raider

Every once in a while something I read impacts my life enough, to not only put it into practice, but share it proudly. Following is a gem from one of my favorite writers.

ATTITUDE

By Charles Swindoll

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think of me or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.

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Thanks to Doug Max and his committee members for a most enjoyable Valentine’s Day celebration.

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DISTRICT CONVENTION

The Lions of District 6NE will be gathering in Estes Park on May 13 – 14, 2011, for the annual District Convention. The festivities will begin Friday at 3:30 PM with Lion District Governor Ron Lockner’s last cabinet meeting. Dinner will follow. The theme of the evening is “Working on the Railroad.” All who attend are encouraged to dress appropriate to the theme.

On Saturday, May 14^th, the day’s events will begin at 8:30 AM. The full agenda for the day will be published in the March District Newsletter. Time has been planned in the afternoon’s schedule to allow you to shop or visit the sights of Estes Park. A reception for Guest Speaker International Director Richard Sawyer and his wife, Fay, is planned beginning at 5:30 PM. Our own Funke Trio will provide the music for this event. The District Banquet follows at 6:30 PM. Dress for the banquet is Formal/semi-formal.

Lions Tobey Yadon, Irene Toliver and DG Ron Lockner have the Registration forms. As in past years the Fort Collins Lions plan to supplement its member’s convention cost by paying $40. Please submit your completed registration forms to Lion Tobey Yadon who will forward them to the convention chairman and bill you in the next billing cycle.

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Nothing will have a greater impact on your future than the choices you make today…not the state of society, the condition of the government, the health of the economy, or anything else. Those things are outside of your control. What is under your control is what you choose to do…or not to do. Each time you make a choice, you move a little farther in a particular direction, for good or for ill. Choose wisely, and the bridge you build will take you to the future you desire.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Currently we’re thinking of including photos of such things as new members, presentation of awards, projects such as pancake breakfasts, etc. in future Lions Tales. I’d very much appreciate hearing your ideas regarding other “copy” for “your” newsletter!

If you have anything you’d like to see in the Lions Tales, please contact me.