October 2003 Volume I, Issue 3
Dear Lions,
By the time you receive this Informer, we have now traveled to Portland, Oregon for the USA/Canada Forum. This event is really a must sometime in a Lions life. You are treated to wonderful speakers, picking your own interests for seminars and the sharing of meals and camaraderie with other Lions. Each eager to soak up all the fun and information of a Forum. This is open to anyone wanting to expand their own horizons. Even though it is geared for leadership there is so much more that one gains by going. Next year it is in Reno. I highly recommend the club President or at least the Vice-President of your club be sent each year.
Just think, everyone has choices, such as a choice to be a Lion, choice to attend meetings, choice to participate in club activities, choice to attend district activities. However sometimes our choices get stopped due to illness, other commitments, or conflicts. When this happens, we need to examine ourselves and find out why we chose to discontinue some of these things that once were important. Hopefully the choice is to continue to serve humanity.
INNOVATION, that is what is going on with the Mid Winter Convention. We will be innovative to accept the necessary changes that have come to our attention. Due to the fact that the hotel will not be ready, we are in the process of making arrangements with the Hilton in Brooklyn Park. We in 5M5 are spoiled that we have been able to have poolside hospitality rooms over the years. There aren’t many hotels that have a set up that 5M5 is used to having for their annual convention, nor can give us the price that we need for the sleeping rooms, hospitality rooms and meals. This is where we need the Lions to be receptive to the necessary changes. One, being the non-poolside hospitality rooms which we are used to having. The rest of the convention will be similar to what we want and may have a few new surprises. A letter will be coming to the Presidents in regard this information.
The “E: part of the MERLO team is working on getting a new ethnic club and a new Campus Club at the U of M which is a newer program promoted by International President Dr. T. S. Lee. The Campus Club is being formed with the help of Lion Jim Algeo of the Bloomington Lions Club as well as our Extension Chair Bucky Hartkopf and PID Ross Thorfinnson. If you have someone going to the University of Minnesota, we would love to have him or her be part of this new club.
Int’l. President Lee’s other new program “I am a Lion” is designed to increase women in member-ship. Dr. Lee is very much supportive in having female Lions in all clubs. Our chair for this program is former president of the Wayzata Lions Club, Lion Renae Bradley. If you would like to assist and serve on her committee, please call her at 952-993-2721.
At last count from Lions International we have 1632 Lions in our district. Our MERLO team is excited about all the members wanting to do their best to increase the membership in our district. My goal is to have at least ONE new member per club, which is an attainable goal. Let’s see if we can do better.
The dues are an important part of Lionism and I encourage each club to take care of this obligation as soon as possible. Also some clubs have not been sending in their reports. If you are sending direct to International, please see that your Region Chair, Zone Chair and myself get a copy. These are necessary and helpful to let us know what is going on in the clubs.
Remember: “To accent-uate the positive and elimin-ate the negative”.
Yours in Lionism,
Lion Jackie Morlock
District Governor
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10TH ! MARK THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR
That’s when we hope to see you at the Urban League Community Room - setting of the Charter Night for the newly formed Minneapolis North Lions Club. The Community Room is located at 2000 Plymouth Avenue North (corner of Penn and Plymouth).
Extension Chairmen PDGs Bucky Hartkopf and Charley Williamson have enlisted an outstanding group of enthusiastic men and women to become charter members of the new club.
A Charter Night can be a very rewarding experience for a Lion as you meet the new group of individuals who are starting out in Lionism. You’ll be reminded of your own excitement and enthusiasm as your club was chartered – or you were asked to join your Lions club. You’ll enjoy a fine meal and hear an inspirational and motivating talk by PID Ross Thorfinnson – all for $20.00 per person .
Come meet and encourage the Charter officers of the new club - President Gary Cunningham, Secretary Lori McPherson and Treasurer Randy Swanson. Wish them luck in this new venture.
Deadline for reservations is Monday, October 6th. Mail checks to Lions Randy Swanson, Treasurer, American Furniture, 800 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
Guiding Lions Wayne Anderson and Kenneth Wojack from the sponsoring New Hope Lions will be assisting the new club as they take their first steps to becoming a significant presence in their North Minneapolis neighborhood.
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CLUBS REPORT GROWTH
Gov. Jackie says, “It is great to welcome these new members that have joined our wonderful organization. In each respective club, do your best to make them feel welcome. Welcome”:
Lion Robert Knoll – Brooklyn Center
Lion Mark Bolin – Rogers
Lion Fred Busch – Rogers
Lion Dick Engstrom – Rogers
Lion Manny Camilon – St. Louis Park
Lion Brian Laven – St. Louis Park
Lioness Ceil Lynch – Golden Valley Lioness
LIONS WORLD SERVICE DAY
It’s quite amazing when you stop and think about it.
On Wednesday, October 8th , or on whatever day the week of October 4 - 11 your club chooses to conduct its Lions World Service Day project, you are joining hands with 1,632 Lions in District 5M-5 in an act of selfless good will toward others.
It is a day that exemplifies the motto of our organization – WE SERVE. We come together with the 1.3 million Lion members in 190 countries to serve those in need. It’s not necessarily a time for fund-raisers but instead it a selfless act by our members to make someone’s life a little easier. It can be as simple as visiting a nursing home, or as grandiose as helping build a shelter with Habitat for Humanity.
For a number of years the Lions in 5M-5 have positioned themselves at the entrance to grocery stores to ask shoppers to help fill the shelves of their area food shelves.
Whatever project your club chooses, we thank you, congratulate you and wish you much success. You and your club will earn the respect and gratitude of a thankful community on Lions World Service Day!
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WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The 5M-5 Past District Governors are STILL looking for nominations to honor an outstanding Lion member for extraordinary service and dedication to Lionism. The Lutter Memorial Award is named for Past International Director John Lutter, who passed away in January 2003.
The recipient of this award should be a club member (male or female) who exemplifies the beliefs held by John Lutter – those of cooperation, enthusiasm, love of God and country, and a willingness to respond to the needs of their Lions Club. This person would be one who lives the Lions motto – “We Serve.”
The award will be presented at the Governors’ Banquet at the Mid-Winter Convention in 2004.
Nomination forms were distributed at the Cabinet and Zone meetings. Contact your Zone Chairman for a form and nominate someone you believe is deserving of this honor.
GOVERNOR’S
AND
DISTRICT 5M5 CALENDAR
October 3 Hiawatha Spaghetti Dinner
October 4 - 11 Lions World Service Day
October 5 Ft. Snelling Pancake Bkfst
October 5 Blmgtn Spaghetti Dinner
October 7 Gov. Visit Hopkins Evening
October 9 Pilot City Health Center
October 9 – 10 Golden Valley Rose Days
October 10 Mpls. North Charter Night
October 10 Brklyn Ctr Spaghetti Dinner
October 11 Hopkins Wrestling Event
October 11 Thanksgiving for Vision
October 14 Gov. Visit Wayzata Lions
October 16-17 VDG Training, Mahnomen
October 17-19 Governors Council Mahnomen
October 23 Gov. Visits Hamel Lions
October 24 Camp Courage Halloween Party
October 25 Cabinet Mtg Camp Edenwood
October 26 Camp Courage Halloween PartyOctober 27 District Cabinet Meeting
Place: Camp Edenwood
October 28 Gov. Visits St. Louis Park Lions
October -- Sight Night
November 4 Gov. Visits Maple Grove Lions
November 10 Region West/Zone Meeting
Minnetonka Mist
November 11 Region East at Camp Edenwood
November 12 Region East/Zone Meeting
Place Camp Edenwood
November 20 Gov. Visits Osseo Lions
December 6 Salvation Army Bell Ringing
ATTENTION CLUBS! As you can see, Gov. Jackie’s calendar is filling up. Please contact her soon to reserve a date for her official visit to your club. Call her at 952-401-9455 or email her at hmorl@hotmail.com.
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IN MEMORIAM
Word has been received of the death of Past Council Chairman Don Breitenstein on Saturday, September 20, 2003. PDG Don served as governor 1992-1993 while a member of the Eden Prairie Lions Club. He served as 5M Council Chairman 1993-94. PCC Don and
his wife, Pat, were retired and residing at 38412 Logan Lane, Hillman, MN 56338.
Ann Roen, a long-time member of the Brooklyn Center Lioness Club passed away recently. Ann was very active in her club and was one of the first women in 5M-5 to be awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship.
I was just made aware Lion Ed Stanke passed away July 1, 2003. Lion Ed joined the Wayzata Lions in 1961 and transferred to the Plymouth Lions in 1997. He was active in and served as president of both clubs in addition to being active in numerous other community and service organizations. He was a Life Member of Lions Int’l. and was twice named a Melvin Jones Fellow. He was a founding member of Homeward Bound and active with Mound-Westonka Youth Athletics.
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DRIVERS NEEDED!!
Want to See The True Meaning of Lionism?? Your Help May Be Needed!
Bloomington Lions started a Club for the blind in 1972 called the “Out of Sight Club”.
On the 2nd Monday of each month from September thru June, Lion members pick up the blind and bring them to the K.C. Hall in Bloomington. The Lions run the meeting for the blind. We have a nice dinner that the KC Hall cooks that might be steak, chicken kiev, chicken & ribs, or ? Cost of the dinner is $7.25 of which part of the costs are subsidized by the Lions Club to keep the cost down for them.
We normally have a raffle for food items or treats which
we sell chances for 3 for a
dollar and the winning numbers win foods such as hams, crackers, cookies,
candies and etc. We have an introduction of everyone so the blind know who
came to the meeting. We may also have some entertainment. It is a fun and a
very rewarding night.
As time is going on we are getting more members taking winter vacations and/or retiring from everything due to health reasons. Sometimes there is not enough members that are able to drive and pick up the blind so they are unable to attend the meeting. What we would like to do is get the names of people that would be willing to help and to keep their name ready as need be. If you are able to and would ever like to drive please call Lion Jim King at (H) 952-842-0133 or (W) 952-881-2685.
A TRUE HALL OF FAMER!
The principle purpose of the Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park Hall of Fame is to identify, recognize and record for history, persons who have made a significant and enduring contribution in the development of their community.
That description perfectly describes Brook-lyn Park Lion member Jim Ebert who was a most deserving 2003 Brooklyn Park Hall of Fame inductee.
The program from the Awards night stated, “Jim Ebert’s name and volunteerism have gone hand and hand for as long as most can remember. He is a resident who has made a significant and lasting beneficial impact on the community and its people through volunteerism.”
The bio continues, “Jim’s activity has been non-stop since the sixties when he was instrumental in the formation of the 1st Chapter of the BP Jaycees. Through the Jaycees Jim’s community involvement branched out to the Brooklyn Park Celebration, Tater Daze. He would carry the event forward through the formation of the BP Community Organization, and now to the Come Home to the Park Committee. Jim remains the constant in the events planning team. He was honored as the Tater Daze Grand Marshall in 1997. One of the areas where Jim was the most active through the years has been the BP Lions organization. His commitment to the Lions and their many worthy projects is unsurpassed. From their annual Fish Fry, to starting “Make A Difference Day in BP, to their project to raise funds to purchase an infrared vision helmet for the BP Fire Department, Jim has given countless awards by the local and national Lions organizations.”
Those who have had the privilege to serve with Jim on Lion projects know he takes his volunteerism seriously, but always with a smile and a “can do” attitude.
The Awards program featured this biblical passage on the front cover:
“A Good Name Is To Be Chosen Rather Than Great Riches” Proverbs 22:1.
I think you’ll agree Jim Ebert proves you can have both.
Congratulations, Jim!
We’re all proud of you.
FROM THE
FRUSTRATED EDITOR
The recent spate of viruses that infected almost everyone’s computers gave me one GIANT headache during September!
It is always my intention to get the Informer out to everyone, whether by email or regular mail, and up on the 5M5.org site by the first of every month. I’ve had the articles written for several days and thought it was ready to go when I discovered my computer had once again been invaded by another “bug”.
I’ve sat through two Twin/Yankee games this week while running patches to remove various viruses and apparently I finally got them all I hope you are all being diligent in removing any virus you may have on your computer. If not, we’ll just continue sending them to each other. At any rate, I apologize sincerely for the delay.
If you are in charge of a fund-raiser for your club, please send information to both Steve Larson
lionsteve@dfti.net and me. That way, if I’m having a problem getting the newsletter out – it can still be seen by anyone logging on to www.5M-5.org.I’m finding I’m spending quite a bit of time tracking down correct email addresses. If you have changed your email provider or have a new email address, please call me at 952-931-9686 and let me know, or send me an email at
informer@dfti.net . I’d really appreciate your help.See you next month!
Marilyn Lieb, Editor
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In Japan they have replaced the impersonal and unhelpful Microsoft error messages with Haiku poetry messages. Haiku poetry has strict construction rules – each poem has only 17 syllables; 5 in the first and third lines, 7 in the second line. Haiku is used to communicate a timeless message, often achieving a wistful, yearning and powerful insight through extreme brevity. Here are some actual error messages from Japan.
Yesterday it worked. Out of memory.
Today it is not working. We wish to hold the whole sky
Windows is like that. But we never will
Your file was so big. Having been erased,
It might be very useful. The document you’re seeking
But now it is gone. Must now be retyped.
A crash reduces Stay the patient course.
Your expensive computer Of little worth is your ire
To a simple stone. The network is down.
Three Things are certain: You step in the stream,
Death, taxes and lost data. But the water has moved on.
Guess which has occurred. This page is not here.
Serious error.
All shortcuts have disappeared.
Screen. Mind. Both are blank.
The Window closes
SIGHT NIGHT 2003!
On trick-or-treat night 2003 you can help provide a real “treat” to people in developing countries in need of glasses.
In a unique twist to the collection of eye-glasses, volunteers across North America canvass their neighborhoods to collect unwanted eyeglasses during trick-or-treating.
Want to help? It’s so easy…it’s almost scary!
· Gather a group of friends, family or community groups who want to participate.
· Go to www.sightnight.org, or call toll-free 1-877-605-4242 to order a FREE Sight Night collection kit (available at the end of August). One kit per group, please. First come – first served!· Have a howling good time collecting used eyeglasses while trick or treating on Sight Night.
· Tell us how many glasses you collect using the fax-back sheet included in the kit. After Sight Night, your group will receive a Sight Night Certificate. · Drop off the glasses you collect at any LensCrafters location. They will recycle the glasses and give them to people in developing countries.
LensCrafters Foundation and Lions Clubs Int’l. sponsor missions to developing countries. The local Lions in mission countries are instrumental to its success and handle publicizing the clinic, selecting a site, organizing volunteers and arranging other logistics. Currently there are ten two-week missions a year and at each approximately 15,000 people are helped.
Since 1988, Lions Clubs International and LensCrafters have partnered to deliver the gift of sight to needy people around the world. Sight Night volunteers have “scared up” almost a half million pairs of glasses since 1999.
This would be a frighteningly fun project for a scout group, a church group or grade school. Check out all the information on the Sight Night web site
www.sightnight.org. There is loads of information there. Need even more information? Contact Lion Ellie Reitmeyer at 952-540-0425 and watch for more information in the next Informer.
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ATTENTION ALL LIONS ---
---If your group is holding a forum, lecture, benefit, festival or other event, write to Community Calendar, Star Tribune, 425 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55488; email commcal@startribune.com; fax 612-288-8482; or call 612-673-7551
Minnetonka Lions Club
50th Anniversary
Hopkins Lions Present
at 952-931-0794 or
Lion Wayne Harkness at 952-974-9283 or
Stop in at Hopkins Auto Body
Located between 11th and 17th Avenue on Excelsior Blvd. in Hopkins
MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
Hiawatha Lions Club
SPAGHETTI DINNER
OCTOBER 3RD, 2003
5:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M
ALLYOU CAN EAT = $5.00
DANISH AMERICAN HALL
4200 CEDAR AVE SO.
Bloomington Lions Club
Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, October 5th – 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $6.00 adults; $3.00 children
American Legion –
94th & Lyndale