FOURTH CABINET MEETING MINUTES
11 March 2017
Lake Alfred Lions Club
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The general session of the fourth cabinet meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by
Lion Tina Reece, President, Lake Alfred Lions Club. An invocation was offered by the
district chaplain, Lion Ruth Levin of Crystal River Kings Bay Lions Club. The Pledge to
the Flag followed, led by Lion Micki Cove, Lake Alfred Lions Club. Lion Paul Wood, also
of Lake Alfred Lions Club, was song leader for “God Bless America.” The group then
sang a few familiar Lions’ songs, “I’ve Got That Lion Spirit” and “Hear Those Lions
Roar.”
Lion Tina welcomed everyone to the fourth and final cabinet meeting. Then Lion Tina
introduced 2nd VDG Lion Helene Thompson. Lion Helene in turn introduced 1st VDG Lion
Tito Navarro. District Governor Lion Steve Hilaire was then introduced by Lion Tito.
Lion Steve recognized those Lions who were sitting at the head table: Lion Harry
Williams (cabinet secretary), Lion Gini Black (cabinet treasurer), CC Lion Larry Hopkins,
PID Lion Neil Spencer, Lake Alfred Lions Club President Lion Tina Reece, 1st VDG Lion
Tito Navarro, 2nd VDG Lion Helene Thompson, and guest speaker Stephanie Watts of
the Wynona Camp for Youth with Diabetes. Lion Steve also recognized PID Dr. Robert
Littlefield LCIF.
District Governor Hilaire had a number of items to discuss:
1) March 25 is worldwide community project days.
2) Every club by this time should have had nomination meetings for the next
year of officers with elections to follow.
3) April will be worldwide environmental projects month.
4) With regards to the upcoming MD Convention, each club is allowed 1 delegate
for every ten members or part of ten.
5) Lion Neil Spencer will discuss the International Convention later in the
meeting.
6) Over one billion dollars has been donated to LCIF.
7) The Lions 100th Anniversary coin sales will donate 20% to Lions.
8) Twenty-two clubs have not added any members this year.
9) Hurricane Matthew severely damaged the Conklin Center boardwalk from
falling trees. Funds are needed. LCIF has a matching grant up to $10,000.
10) A few clubs are having problems collecting dues. Lion Steve asked that the
clubs work with their members and suggested payment plans.
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Lion Helene Thompson made the motion that the minutes from the third cabinet
meeting be accepted. The motion was seconded and passed. Lion Helene also made
the motion that the treasurer’s report be accepted. This motion was also seconded and
passed.
Stephanie Watts was the guest speaker. She spoke about Camp Wynona for Diabetic
Youth. “Our camps provide a fun, safe, educational and diabetes friendly environment
for children with type 1 diabetes and their families where youth gain the confidence,
skills and knowledge to achieve their full potential.” Tuesday, August 1, 10:00 a.m. is
Lions Day at Camp Wynona. As always the camp is in need of supplies. Any club
wishing to assist with a scholarship, the cost per camp per student is $500.00. Lion
Steve asked Ms. Watts if she were a lion. “No one has ever asked me before,” she said.
“Well, I am asking you now,” said Lion Steve.
The District Governor then had the privilege of inducting two new members to Lionism
from Lake Alfred: Edward Hill and Michelle Pighe.
The District Tail Twister, Lion Mary Yochum, followed the induction with interesting
facts about Melvin Jones who founded Lionism: “What if people put their talents
together to help their community,” said Jones.
Lion Greg Evans gave the GLT report. He stated that a survey was conducted about
training. It was discovered that only about 22% of Lions in offices had taken training.
Lion Greg said the there would be training at the MD Convention and stressed the
importance of having training. Perhaps this could be a zone project. He also pointed out
that there were webinars at LCI including Lions University for Secretaries. There will be
a Lions Institute at the end of the month.
Lion PDG Al Becker gave the GMT report. District 35-O began the year with 1375
members. Presently there are 1396 members. There was a loss of 131 with a gain of
150. Adding the newly inducted members, this gives an increase of 23 members. In
other good news Lion Al said that several other clubs would be adding members and a
new club is being planned. If everyone brought in one member each we would double
our membership. Lion Becker also reminded the members present that no member shall
be dropped for “other” reasons. There are only two reasons that a member should be
dropped: death and moving out of district. Non-payment of dues or non-attendance is
not a reason to drop members.
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PID Lion Dr. Robert Littleton reported that a new campus chapter is being started at
UCF.
Lion Rita Fawcett, Lake Alfred Lions Club, spoke about credentials. Forms will be mailed
out to all clubs and should be returned to Lion Marilyn Anderson. Credentials are based
on attendance as of May 1, 2016. Both delegates and alternates must sign the form. At
the convention, the registration/certification table will be open Friday and Saturday.
Delegates/alternates must register in order to vote and they should keep their cards in
the event of a run-off election. Also delegates must have a photo ID. Elections will be
Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
PGD Lion Norma Callahan, diabetes chairperson, reported that the Eye Bank in Miami
will be having an open house on March 22. Visitors can see the new equipment, the
biophysics lab, and eye/cornea storage.
Youth Exchange – There are 50 scholarship applications. Funds are needed. Normally
10 are given; however, only 6 are available.
There will be training in Davenport for diabetes. Also April 1 in Bakersfield, and May 20.
July 15 Kidney Foundation will have retina screening/diabetes. Twenty-two people are
trained or certified. March 24 there will be training at Homosassa.
2nd Vice District Governor Lion Helene Thompson took the opportunity to thank
everyone for allowing her to serve and how much she enjoyed it.
1st Vice District Governor Lion Irving “Tito” Navarro also took a few minutes to thank
everyone for their hard work.
PID Lion Neil Spencer spoke about the International Convention in Chicago in July. First
Lion Neil congratulated Lion Steve for being the only district in the MD with a plus
membership. If you plan to go to convention, the cutoff date for dues is April 20. Next
year the MD will be hosting the International Convention in Miami. Early registration
deadline is April 1 which can be done online. The theme for the convention is “Cruising
onto the Centennial.” Lion Neil informed the group about prizes and raffles, parking and
costs, and the need to enter an email address. There will also be training at convention.
The necrology will be Friday, April 30, at 5:00 p.m. Any club that wishes to submit a
picture or photograph for the necrology should send it via JPEG.
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Lion Neil next spoke about the International Convention in July, reminding everyone
that registration will increase after April 1. There are 157 countries registered at this
time. Entertainment by “Chicago” and “Beach Boys” will be offered on two nights. All
were reminded of the correct attire for the parade: orange T-shirt and white
pants/shoes. White umbrellas may be purchased for $15.
CLUB EVENTS
1) OBG is celebrating its 30th anniversary on April 8. Dinner is $15.
2) Florida Lions Foundation for the Blind – Life Membership Pin Program
3) Ormond by the Sea – “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” Sunday April 23, Jackie
Robinson Ballpark, 4:00 P.M. $20 per person
4) SEGD – walkathons and puppy academy
5) Viero Lions – “Miracle Worker” in May; partners in business
6) Presentation of Life membership by Kissimmee to one of its members
7) Conklin Center Gala March 20
8) Lake Alfred Lions Club sponsoring 2 community Easter Egg Hunts, one for the
blind and visually handicapped.
9) Lion Greg reminds everyone that all announcements can be placed on the
website.
The Parade of checked yielded $19,250.
Under closing comments, Lion Steve reminded us all that “together we can make a
difference. Plan with your head, but act with your heart.”
Following adjournment, lunch was served and door prizes and 50/50 presented. Some
attendees remained afterwards for a few games of BINGO. Everyone was reminded of
the MD Convention in Orlando.
Respectfully submitted,
Lion Harry Williams,
District 35-O Cabinet Secretary
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