April 2005

Multiple District MD5M Newsletters

Download and print your copy of the April 2005 newsletter as a pdf file and view it as it was originally intended.  Click here to download.

April 2005 Volume 2, Issue 8

Governor Ole and Lion Karen’s Travels Through

Service & Membership:

     Dear Lions of 5M5 -  I am writing this letter to you Sunday, March 13 and thinking of what I have done this month.  I had several visits, read correspondence from Lions International, Multiple District 5M and letters from the clubs in 5M5.  There is a lot going on! Just think of everything that your clubs does. There are pancake breakfasts, waffle breakfasts, meetings to decide on scholarships, park equipment, wheelchair ramps, donations to be made along with volunteering time.  Now, 5M5 is not unique in that respect.  I was at the Council of Governors meeting at the Holiday Select in Brooklyn Center this weekend. And as always it is a time of making decisions that have an affect on the Multiple, but more than that, we also compare notes as to how our Districts are doing.

      I can tell you that the other Districts in the Multiple are just like us…..working hard, making decisions and trying to get new members and retain the old ones, which leads me to “The Plan”. As of this date, we are at minus 8 members for the year. Most of the clubs in our District have taken the Club Evaluation. With this data, the Membership/Evaluation team has been able to determine where your strengths and weakness are and they are now ready to put “The Plan” into action.

      When I have been out on my visits, I sometimes hear that “50% of the membership are the doers”.  Think if adding a couple of new members to “help do”.  It’s a lot more fun when you have more bodies sharing the load.

      Take a moment to think of what would happen in your community if your Lions club was not there.  Who would sponsor little league, give out the scholarships? Who would help keep the parks and ball field in shape for this kids? Who would help the elderly, vision and hearing impaired? Who would sponsor Special Olympics, the Diabetes Center? I could go on and on. Lions are unique in the fact that we pay dues to belong to a volunteer organization to raise money to give away.  What a concept!  Isn’t that great!

      We have only 4 months left of the first leg of “The Plan”.  We need to get into the positive numbers for our membership of 5M5. Please do not think that I am asking this to make my year as Governor look good…. do this for your club.  This is a three year plan.  Shortly your club president will be receiving a call from one of the team members to come out and talk with your club. At this meeting they will answer your questions on how to get new members, how to hold a productive meeting, how to keep your membership active…they are not going to tell you what you have to do, but assist you by giving you ideas on how to do these things. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

      I’ll close now with a little poem that I received, called . . .

Why Be a Lion -

It’s not for money, it’s not for fame.

It’s not for any personal gain.

It’s just for love of fellow man

It’s just to lend a helping hand.

That’s something you can’t buy with wealth

It’s not for medals worn with pride

It’s for the feeling deep inside

It’s that reward down in your heart

It’s feeling that you’ve been a part

Of helping others, is a sign

That make you an effective Lion

(author unknown)

      Think about it!  And with that, I’ll sign off until next month.  Make it a GREAT day!  Yours in Lionism,

            DG Ole

            It’s getting close to the deadline for ordering tickets to the LCIF Benefit Concert April 9^th.  Tickets will not be available at the door the night of the concert.

        The concert benefiting LCIF will feature the Augsburg Centennial Singers in Hoversten Chapel – Foss Center at Augsburg College.

      There were only 250 tickets available to 5M-5 at a cost of $40.00 each.  An order forms is included with this newsletter.  When you order your tickets, enclose a check and self-addressed stamped envelope and the tickets will be mailed to you. 

      Immediate Past President and LCIF Chairman Dr. Tae-Sup Lee will attend the event and accept a check on behalf of LCIF.  We are hoping to raise $20,000 that night.  Please, if you have questions regarding the singers, the event or the program, contact VDG Jack Hines today! 

Club history courtesy of  PDG Tom Shinnick

      For the residents of Brooklyn Center, their community might be pretty monotonous and boring had the Lions Club not organized and chartered in 1955.  Summer activities might not include celebrations, music and enter-tainment in the park, youth baseball and scouting.  Fortunately, 44 eager men, led by charter president Lion Norris O. Johnson accepted the concept of service for the betterment of their community and thus the Brooklyn Center Lions Club was formed. 

      As is typical in new Lion clubs, after the first year membership dropped in half with only six charter members remaining.  One of those determined charter members remains active in the club today – Lion Larry Roen.  Thank you for your years of service, Lion Larry!  Current membership is 72 including 12 women.

      Not a club to keep all the fun to themselves, Brooklyn Center has sponsored five new clubs: Brooklyn Park Lions (1961), Brooklyn Center Lioness (1979), Brooklyn Center Leo Club (1999), Camden Lions (2002) and the Minneapolis Ambassador Lions Club (2004).

      The club’s first project in 1955 was a scrap drive.  Since then, their service projects cover a wide range of activities, from sponsoring youth baseball, football, hockey and swimming teams to scouting, pancake breakfasts and providing hundreds of eyeglasses over the years for those in need.  The club has donated thousands of dollars over the years for crime prevention and drug awareness programs.  They currently are working with the Brooklyn Center High School sponsoring Youth Outreach (Quest) programs.  They have contributed to another high school’s Quest program and are currently involved in a third school district with its Quest program.

      In the summer of 1956 the club participated in the first of many parades.  The club now sponsors one of the largest parades in Minnesota – Earle Brown Days parade held annually in June.  This was the first of many civic betterment projects, including building a park in the city – a very beautiful park – dedicated in May 1968 called – what else? – Lions Park.  In 1999 a picnic shelter was added.  Money was donated by the club for a puppet wagon which travels to various parks in Brooklyn Center during summer, entertaining children and adults alike.  In addition, the Lions sponsor music and comedy at “Entertainment in the Park” on Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, a very popular program.

      Brooklyn Center Lions are heavily involved in Lions International projects such as LCIF, Campaign Sight First, Hearing Dog, Leader Dog, and Youth Outreach.  They are active in supporting the MN Lions Eye Bank & Children’s Eye Clinic and Hearing Foundation.  In 1992 the club sponsored a project to raise money for a van to be used by the International. Diabetes Center to train doctors in rural Minnesota in the proper diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.  Over $20,000 was raised for this project and the Brooklyn Center Lions thank the clubs of District 5M-5 who aided them in this endeavor.  The club became involved in supporting diabetes research in 1986 when one of their club members became District Governor.

      A club that accomplishes this much has to have excel-lent leadership.  Along with outstanding officers and members, the club has had five District Governors: Frank Erwin ’62-’63, Bill Legler ’69-’70, Dick Risley ’86-’87, Ross Thorfinnson ’96-’97, Int’l. Director ’01-’03, Tom Shinnick ’97-’98 and current governor Ole Nelson ’04-’05.  They now have a Vice District Governor-elect, Lion Bob Jechorek, who will serve as District Governor ’06-’07.  He will be the 7^th District Governor from the Brooklyn Center club. 

      Congratulations to the members of the Brooklyn Center Lions Club on 50 great years of service. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2005

Holiday Inn Select

694 & Shingle Creek Parkway

6pm-10pm Cash Bar – 7pm Dinner

$35 per person – Choice of Chicken,

Pork Loin or Walleye

Contact PDG Tom Shinnick ASAP at

763-560-0273 or trshinnick@comcast.net

by March 25^th for reservations

        Congratulations to Chanhassen Lion Carroll Hanna who is pictured above receiving a Melvin Jones Fellow award from Gov. Ole Nelson on February 28^th.  Lion Carroll has been an active member since joining the club in 1996.  He is responsible for start-up of the club’s annual Hosta Sale and chaired the committee for the annual Christmas Tree lot, the club’s two largest fund-raisers.  He also served on the club’s Board of Directors. 

Submitted by Jackie Morlock, LEHP Chair

      February was Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month and this is what I found out about a program called Senior EyeCare Program (SEP).  Age-related Macular Degeneration has no cure but early detection and treatment help prevent severe vision loss and slows its progress.  The Senior EyeCare Program (SEP) helps ensure all eligible seniors have access to medical eye care and promotes annual eye exams FREE to eligible seniors.  The Senior EyeCare Program is designed for people who:

• Are US citizens or legal residents

• Age 65 or older

·         Have not seen an ophthalmologist in

3 or more years

·         Do not belong to an HMO or the VA  

      To determine if you, a family member or friend qualify for a SEP referral call 1-800-222-3937 toll free at any time.  People eligible for a referral through the program receive a comprehensive, medical eye exam and up to one year of treatment, at no out-of-pocket cost, for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam.  Volunteer ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursement as payment in full.

      Come to the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 115 West Wayzata Boulevard (Hwy. 12) on Saturday, April 9^th and help long-time Lion Ty Able celebrate his 90^th birthday.  Two o’clock until five o’clock with a program, and an opportunity to wish this great Lion a happy 90^th birthday.  No gifts, please.

Submitted by Lion Dave Reach

      The Hopkins Noon-Time Lions wish to thank all of those who attended our successful first Spaghetti Dinner for the benefit of Opportunity Partners in Minnetonka.  Over 250 attended our February 4^th dinner including this little connoisseur. 

      Opportunity Partners

works with the mentally

handicapped in most of 5M-5 cities with work training, group homes, and other needed services.  If you are interested in a worthwhile project for your club, call Lion Bridget Kohl of the Downtown Club at (952) 930-4216.  She will be glad to speak to your club about Opportunity Partners, the services they provide, the needs they have, and how you can help.

DISTRICT 5M5 CALENDAR

Apr 2       Rogers Lions Spring Mexican Fiesta

Apr 3       NW Tonka Belgium Waffle Breakfast

Apr 3       Maple Grove Pancake Breakfast

Apr 8       Brooklyn Center Lions 50^th Anniversary

Apr 9       North  Mpls Lions Pancake Breakfast

Apr 9       LCIF Benefit Concert Augsburg College

Apr 10     Hiawatha Pancake Breakfast

Apr 16     Maple Grove Antique/Collectibles Show

Apr 16     Brooklyn Center Lioness Fashion Show

Apr 16     South Shore Spaghetti Dinner / Auctions

Apr 17     Plymouth Pancake Bkfst & Silent Auction

Apr 17     New Hope Pancake Bkfst & Silent Auction

May 1      Hopkins Eve/Noon Club Spring Concert

May 6-8   Multiple Convention, Brandon, Manitoba

May 15    Hopkins Eve Belgium Waffle Breakfast

May 22    New Club Officers Training Session

Jun 24      Special Olympics, Bierman Field U of M

Jun 26-Jul 1 - Int’l. Convention, Hong Kong, China

Sep 21-24  - USA/Canada Forum, Peoria, IL

      This past week offered real insight into what next year as District Governor is going to be about.

      On Wednesday all the DGE’s toured the Hearing & Service Dogs of MN Center.  It started with a tour of their facility & grounds.  After the tour they provided information regarding Hearing Dog training, Service Dog training, & placement of the dogs.  A 52-year-old man who re- ceived a dog last October said that without the dog he would be in a nursing home today, but instead can live independently, on his own.

      We next went to the University of Minnesota where we toured the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank and the Lions 5M Hearing Foundation.  We toured the laboratories and had a number of procedures explained to us.  A busy day.

      Thursday and Friday we met with our outstanding training team, ID Maynard Rucks, PID Ross Thorfinnson, PDG Robert Vokes, CC Keith Johnson, former Secretary Bob Harms, DG Brian Sheehan, PDG Bucky Hartkopf, PDG Wayne Swanson, and DGE Bert Nelson.  We learned about the Organization, the Operations, the Awards, and the Conventions & Protocol.  We all had to give our speech to our follow DGEs, VERY DIFFICULT!  We learned about all the reports, Technology, Public Relations, Legal & MD5M Policy.  What a great but tiring weekend.  We have training one more time in Hong Kong, the end of June.

      Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the LCIF Benefit concert and meet Dr. Tae-Sup Lee, Past International President, who will attend the concert and also Brooklyn Center’s 50^th anniversary the night before.  See you there!

                              DG-elect Lion Jack

Submitted by Lion Roger Badenhop

      On June 24^th approximately 1,200 Special Olympic Athletes will arrive at the Bierman Athletic Complex on the campus of the University of Minnesota for this years Special Olympic Summer Games.

      This year the athletes will have the opportunity to have their hearing, eyesight, teeth, feet and glucose checked.  In order to make this summer event a success we will need approximately 15 to 20 volunteer for each of the 4-hour shifts.

      Check your calendar and if possible join us this summer and make this year’s healthy athlete program a success.  The shifts for this year are:

·   Thursday June 23^rd  -  Set up - 9:00 am until complete  (approximately 2 hours)

·   Friday     June 24^th  - 8:30 am until 12:30 am

·   Friday     June 24^th - 12:00 Noon until 4:00 pm

·   Saturday  June 25^th - 8:30 am until 12:30 pm

·   Saturday  June 25^th  - 12:00 pm Tear down & pack up 

Contact Roger at  612-721-1625 to volunteer!

 These jolly goodwill ambassadors, members of the Eden Prairie Lions Club, recently raised $800 for their club by serving as bartenders at a fundraiser for the Eden Prairie High School Alumni Association.  Pictured are (L-R) Mike Gruidl, Gary Stevens, Bob Carling, Haak Nyhammer (nice suspenders, Bob!!)

Submitted by Roger Badenhop

            Due to your commitment and contributions to the Lions 5M Hearing Foundation and the Newborn Hearing Screening program, 100% of the birthing hospital in Minnesota are now screening newborns for hearing loss.  In 1997 when the program was started only 7 birthing hospitals in Minnesota regularly screen newborns for hearing loss. It is a critical step in helping infants with a hearing loss, because they need to be identified, diagnosed and treated within the first year of their life so they can develop as their hearing peers. 

      The Minnesota Department of Health has released some impressive statistics. In 1997 when the screening program started the average age of hearing loss detection was 2-1/2 years.  In 2002 the age had dropped to 6.08 months.  By 2004 the average age for detection of hearing loss was 1.92 months!  This makes a 2-month detection, 3-month diagnosis and 6 months to develop a treatment completely possible.

      Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Health has used the Lions Newborn Hearing Screening Program in a report sent Governor Pawlenty’s office as an example how private and public organizations can work together.

      This was possible because of your commitment and contributions to the 5M Hearing Foundation.

Member                Club                              Sponsor      

Conn McCartan      Eden Prairie             Gary Stevens

George Brown        Eden Prairie             Andy Bergan

Robbie Pashina       Eden Prairie                Dan Kurtz

Jim Wilkinson          Edina                       Reno Backus

Frank  Lenz            Bloomington              Dick Barthel

Dan Mertes            Chanhassen                 Dave Hess
Denny Fisher          Chanhassen               Chad Junker

Portions submitted by VDG-elect Bob Jechorek

      The Multiple District convention is just around the corner, and it is a great opportunity to make new friends and renew acquaintances.  This year, the convention will be held in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, May 6-8, 2005 at the Keystone Center.  The convention will be hosted by Brandon area Lions who are well-known for being outstanding hosts. – and making sure no one over sleeps!!

      The guest speaker will be PID Dennis Tischner, from MD36, Oregon.   PID Tischer is currently a candidate for 2^nd VP Lions International and is seeking the nod for the New Orleans Convention.

            Your attendance at this Multiple Convention is especially important.  As the “home” Multiple District of PID Ross Thorfinnson, 5M delegates will be asked to endorse his candidacy for 2^nd Vice President Lions International.  All of the districts comprising Multiple 5M unanimously supported the 2^nd VP candidacy effort of PID Ross at their Mid-Winter conventions.  You can be a part of this thrilling journey of Ross, Lynda and our Multiple 5M.  5M will serve as the foundation of Ross’ international campaign.  Get on board as we set out to present this extraordinary candidate to the Lions of the world.

            Remember when nominations were made of outstanding Lions from 5M-5 for induction in the Lions Hall of Fame?  The names of the Lions chosen for this honor will be revealed at the convention.

            The convention hotel is the Canada Inn, which is attached to the Keystone Center.  Room rates for regular rooms are $89.99 (CDN).  Each person is responsible for making their own room reservation.  The hotel phone number is 1-888-332-2623.  Mention account #10 when making your reservation.  RV parking facilities are available (including electricity and water) for $18/night.

            Hospitality books, which cover all meals and entertainment, are $99 (CDN).  Cancellations will be accepted before April 15, 2005, for a $20 charge.

            Make your plans to attend the convention now.  Below is a list of additional hotels in the area.

·         Deadline for the May issue of The Informer is April 11, 2005.  Send articles or ads to me at informer@dfti.net 

·         VDG-elect Bob Jechorek wrote a column last month stating the Multiple Convention was May 5-7.   Could someone please see that he gets to Bran-don on the correct dates?

Portions submitted by Lion Pres. Gary Stevens

   The Eden Prairie Lions presented a seminar on Liberty to fifth graders at Oak Point School in E.P.  PDG Mike Gust is shown speaking to the 5th graders as they celebrate Liberty Day.  The Eden Prairie Lions purchased booklets for every 5th grader in the school.. 

For information on how your club can do the same for a school in your area, contact PDG Jack McKernan at 952-922-8267.

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Last modified: July 24, 2008