May, 2003
Clubs – Order Your PEACE POSTERS Now For This Fall’s Event.
Orders for Peace Posters Contest kits should be sent in soon so the kits can be delivered in August, before the start of school.
The Lions Peace Poster Contest “Create A Brighter Tomorrow” is for children ages 11, 12 and 13. Every 5M5 Lions Club should get at least one class in one school involved in this great international program. The cost for one school’s kit is only $7.95.
For information on the program and ordering kits, please contact Lion Jon Stern at 763-560-0570 or at sternj@osseo.k12.mn.us.
Minnesota Lions Sponsor A Great All-Star Baseball Tournament
June 20th and 21st, Minnesota’s best graduating high school baseball players play great baseball at the Chaska Athletic Field. Coaches from colleges and scouts from the pros come to this tournament looking for prospects – seventeen players from this tournament have gone on to play professional baseball. The list includes Kent Herbeck, Terry Steinbach, Tim Laudner and Jim Eisenreich.
This is not only a great baseball tournament every year, it is a major fund raiser for the Minnesota Lions Children’ Eye Clinic at the U. of M. In 27 years, the tournament has raised over $230,000 to support this clinic, which treats over 4000 children each year.
Each Minnesota Lions Club is sent tickets to purchase to support this tournament. Your club is not only encouraged to purchase the tickets, but to get either club members or youth in the community to the games.
The tournament is made up of four teams – a North and South State, and an East and West Metro. The round robin tournament starts at 4:30PM on Friday and at 10AM on Saturday. Want more information, call Lion Charley Williamson at 952-934-54441.
More 5M5 Lions Needed at LCIF Program “Opening Eyes at Special Olympics in June
Fifty to sixty Lions from all around our district are needed to assist the eye specialists examining the athletes at the U of M for the Regional Special Olympics June 20th and 21st. Athlete’s glasses will be provided by an LCIF Core 4 Grant. Shifts are from 8AM to 1PM and from noon to 5PM on both days. To sign up, please call Lion Roger Badenhop at 612-721-1625.
5M5 Lions Win Big At the 5M Multiple Convention in
St. Cloud
At the recent Multiple Convention, the President of the Hopkins Evening Lions Club, Bernie Braeglemann won two free Hospitality Books for next year’s Multiple Convention in Mahnomen. Lion Christine Williamson of the South Shore Lions Club won a garden wheelbarrow along with all kinds of other gardening items in a raffle run by the Sauk Rapids Lions Club (hosts for the Convention). Lion Jack Hines won the bid on a giant Lion in the Hospitality Room of Lion Maynard Rucks, candidate for International Director. (And what did Lion Jack do? He missed the Sunday Brunch where the head Tail Twister was looking for him).
May 4 Roar College
May 6 Corcoran Lions Appreciation Night
May 8 Maple Plain Lions Club Visit
May 15 Camden Lions Club Visit
May 19 Eden Prairie Lions Club Visit
June 3 Maple Grove Lions – New Officers Installation
June 19-21 Special Olympics – Opening Eyes Program, U of M
June 20-21 Lions High School All-Star Baseball Tournament
5M-5 New Lions Members
From The Membership Reports Received Thru April
New Lion Club Sponsor
Danny Quade Crystal D. Olson
Larry Huhn Eden Prairie G. Johnson
Mark Sikes Hopkins Noon S. Hogge
Mark Smith Hopkins Noon S. Hogge
David McGuire Mpls. Northeast W. Robertson
Melissa Farris Mpls Southwest M. Farris
Corcoran 1
Dayton 1
Mpls. Lyn Lake 1
Rogers 2
Proposed Dues Adjustments
International Ass’n of Lions Clubs
Why do we need a dues increase?
There are many reasons for the dues increase. Many businesses and organizations have been affected by the downturn over recent years. The global economy, inflation and a decline in membership revenues have all impacted the association’s operational budget. The result is our economic resources are not sufficient to ensure continuation of programs that support Lions Clubs programs.
What is the amount of the increase?
2002-2003 - $4.25
2004-2005 - $4.95
2005-2006 - $5.80
Why not use our emergency reserves instead of raising dues?
The emergency reserve fund is mandated by the International Constitution to provide minimal operating funds in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a war, and cannot be used for association projects. Emergency funds in excess of 70% of the association’s prior year’s expenses can be transferred to the general fund and have been included in the association’s budget picture
Why is the increase divided over three years if we need to balance our budget now?
The board approved proposal was carefully calculated by the board to factor in many financial considerations, including global inflation, membership projections and additional cost savings measures. The board believes the proposed dues amounts will cover projected budget expenses.
Have we tried to cut spending in order to avoid an increase?
Unfortunately, this situation has come about despite the best efforts of the association’s leaders and staff. Expenses in every area with the exception of information technology have been cut back. Every expenditure has been carefully examined to determine whether it is truly needed or can be postponed.
Why not cut staff at LCI headquarters?
Over recent years, operations at LCI headquarters have been streamlined and staff positions have been analyzed to determine that each position is necessary. Therefore, the current staff is needed to provide the club and district support and service the membership requests. It is worth mentioning that the number of Lions clubs and districts continue to grow. The continued growth requires the proper levels of staffing.
Is our deficit a result of bad investments?
Your association continues to be the prudent investor and is reasonable conservative in its investments. However, just as the global economy has affected business and personal finances worldwide, so too has it your association. It must be remembered that more than 80% of the association’s revenue comes from dues and fees. Therefore, while important, investment income is not the primary source of income
Is it possible we aren’t living within our means?
Over the past two years more than $8M has been cut from the international headquarters budget. Still, inflation and other economic factors have impacted the association, and while we have reduced or held the line on expenses, available revenue resources have declined.
What did the officers and board members cut to reduce spending?
The association has cut the budget by more than $8M in the last two years. These cuts have come from all areas of the association, including board members’ expenses.
What will we do with additional funds?
Replenish depleted reserves, develop and expand programs, and provide a wider range of member services.
Additional information is in the April/May issue of The Lion magazine.
Its great to be a Lion.
Rosella and I have had the opportunity to attend many club fund raising events this year and, yes, we still enjoy pancakes. I would like to thank the clubs for their contributions to the many great programs that Lions support as well as all your local community needs. You don’t have to look far to find someone who has benefited from your support, such as the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank with its corneal transplantation program, the Children’s Eye Clinic and their latest project the Macular Degeneration Research and Rehabilitation Center, the Diabetes Foundation spreading awareness about diabetic eye diseases and glaucoma, the Hearing Foundation which through it efforts have now 98% of the birthing hospitals in the state of Minnesota giving infant hearing screening tests, cochlear implants and others, Leader Dog which gives the sight impaired the chance to rejoin society, the Minnesota Hearing and Service Dog and International Hearing Dog which provides a dog to help the hearing impaired and the physically handicapped as well as Youth programs, Habitat for Humanity and LCIF which I will cover in the next newsletter. Without your support, these programs would not function at the level, they do today, if at all.
The Multiple District Convention is now over. District 5M-5 had 57 registered guests from 13 Clubs. Thanks to all of you that attended. The proposed dues increases of $1.50 per member/per year was approved and will go into effect in the 2003-2004 year. Thank you for supporting the increase.
By now, you have selected your club officers for the next year. Give them the support and respect you would want if you were in that position. Give “Orientation” a higher priority. It will enable newer members an opportunity to know more about Lionism and can give all members the extra knowledge to help them in approaching new, prospective members.
New Members – we have two months left in our year. Lets go out with a flurry by bringing in new members to share the joy of Lionism. Our extension chairs are working hard at creating a new club in North Minneapolis and are very close.
Assist them if they ask.
Remember to thank someone each and every day…..and remember to “Have Fun” being a Lion.
DG Larry
