Current News
2021 GA LIONS STATE CONVENTION
 
2021 Georgia Lions Centennial State Convention Dear Lions of Georgia Members: We are very excited to be moving forward with our MD 18 Centennial 2021 State Convention, June 4-6, 2021 in Atlanta, GA. Our city looks forward to welcoming all members from around our great state after a long time of not being able to be with our fellow Lions, Lionesses, and Leos. The convention will be located in the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. Attached is registration form for your competition and return. Registration deadline is May 21, 2021 in order to take advantage of special savings for registering early. Please forward your check to our Registration Chairman, PDG David White, at address shown on form. Also if you or someone you know is interested in a vendor table, that registration form is also included, and there is a discount for clubs who are not selling items. Revised Convention Registration Form Vendor 2021 table Registration For those who registered for the 2020 convention and chose not to have your funds returned, you are still registered. PDG David White can confirm if you are on that list. The only thing we would ask, is that due to continued rising food prep costs related to COVID, that you consider sending an additional $25.00 to PDG David to help defray some of these costs. We are very honored to have as our guest speaker, 2nd International Vice President, Brian Sheehan. Let’s show IVP Brian a large Georgia welcome by packing the convention with as many Georgia Lions as possible. Should you have further questions or need assistance in anyway, please contact PDG David White or PCC Garner Andrews at their contact information listed on the form. Due to the changes in our contract with the Sheraton, it will be a couple more days before they will be able to provide us with a link for reservations. We will be sending this information to everyone as soon as we receive it from the hotel. Finally, we are continuing the tradition of having individuals, clubs, and business place ads in our program to celebrate our Lions. This will be a VERY special edition of our state convention program, as it is our Centennial MD18 Convention. There will be a lot of additional special content in the program this year, making it a true collector’s edition. 2021 Program Advertising Rate Card Do not delay, get your registrations in today. We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta! Garner Andrews |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR JUNE INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEETING
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| LCI needs to know by the end of this week who the volunteers are, and have their necessary paperwork in hand. Thank you.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED On Friday, June 11, 2021 through Thursday, June 17, 2021, the Officers and Board members of Lions Clubs International will be arriving, meeting, and departing from Atlanta. As the hosts for this event, we are calling for volunteers! We will need assistance for the following committees: *The Airport Welcoming Committee: welcoming the attendees at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport at both the domestic and international terminals. The attendees will be arriving on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 so the welcoming committee’s work will be done at that time. We will have more specifics once we receive the attendees’ flight schedules in May. *The Hotel Welcoming Committee: welcoming the attendees to the Atlanta Hyatt Regency, providing them with local information, and assisting them with luggage (as there are no bellhops available at the hotel). [It would be great for some of our Leos to assist with this]. We will need at least two volunteers for each four hour shift for the information desk and at least two volunteers to fill each of two four hour shifts on Friday, June 11; Saturday, June 12; and two Thursday, June 17. *Coronavirus Safety Spotters Committee: assisting Lions Clubs International Staff to encourage compliance with all COVID-19 protocols: wearing masks, maintaining social distancing. We need at least two per event, including the formal and informal Board meetings, the group events, and the off-site spouses’ events. All volunteers must sign the enclosed “COVID-19 Compliance Agreement” (and either attach a vaccine card OR be tested for Covid-19 before and during before the Board meeting); LCI will provide the testing supplies. All volunteers must also provide their name, cell phone number, email address, and physical mailing address. Please send your email of interest with your needed information and the COVID-19 Compliance Agreement to Council Chair Marlene Humphry at mhumphry@cox.net . |
CONVENTION CALL: 18 L March 26-27 Carrollton
Hello Lions,
The District L Convention is March 26 – 27 in Carrollton. The Host Hotel is Courtyard by Marriott, 180 Barnes Avenue, 678-664-5200.
Please make Hotel Reservation below with link below:
| Event Summary: |
| Lion’s Club Convention |
| Start Date: Friday, March 26, 2021 |
| End Date: Sunday, March 28, 2021 |
| Last Day to Book: Monday, March 15, 2021 |
| Hotel(s) offering your special group rate: |
Courtyard Carrollton for 109 USD per night plus taxes & State Fees
Adjoining the Courtyard is the Carrollton Center for the Arts, 251 Alabama Street, 770-838-1083.The Cabinet Meeting and other functions will be held there, just a few steps away.
Please use the Event Brite link below, then click on the GREEN TICKETS BUTTON to register for all events:
Masks, social distancing, and clean hands are in order for all events. We are looking forward to seeing you at the in person District Convention.
Karen Wild, 18 L Convention Chair
Gina Brandenburg, Diabetes Education and Testing Chair
Tom Jackson, District Governor
GA LIONS CAMP NEWSLETTER MARCH 2021
 GEORGIA LIONS CAMP, INC. Click below for the latest issue of the Georgia Lions Camp Newsletter for March, 2021: Georgia Lions Camp Newsletter for March 2021 Ed Ressler, Chair Board of Directors Georgia Lions Camp, Inc. chair2019@att.net |
Lions Club of Georgia Night at the Bacon
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Lions & Wolf Wellness Lab Sponsor Community Diabetes Event
Lions & Wolf Wellness Lab Sponsor Community Diabetes Event
A Diabetes Testing and Education Event with a Diabetes Friendly Lunch will be open to the community with registration on Eventbrite. The event is sponsored by Carrollton and Villa Rica Golden City Lions Clubs with a grant through Lions Clubs International Foundation. It will be held on Saturday, March 27 at the Carrollton Center for the Arts from 12-3pm.
The sponsoring partner providing the testing is the University of West Georgia Wolf Wellness Lab. In addition to the Diabetes Fingerstick testing, the following are included in the $10 registration, using the Eventbrite link below: Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides. The Eventbrite registration link is: Community : GA Lions Club Convention- Diabetes Testing and Education Event
Registration is required using this link and clicking on the Tickets Button to see details and purchase: $10 for testing, and $10 for Diabetes Friendly Lunch. There is no charge for the Education Session with three speakers
Speakers and Testing Coordinator for the March 27 Community Diabetes and Education Event sponsored by District L Lions Club and University of West Georgia Wolf Wellness Lab are pictured clockwise, l to r. speaker Chrissy Knoll, M.S., NCSF-CPT, ACE- GFI; speaker Jamie Brandenburg, MPH, LPN, DE; Event Testing Coordinator,Gina Brandenburg, M.S., CHES, CWP; and speaker Melissa Brillhart, M.A., R.D., L.D.
Lions & Wolf Wellness Lab Sponsor Community Diabetes Event
A Diabetes Testing and Education Event with a Diabetes Friendly Lunch will be open to the community with registration on Eventbrite. The event is sponsored by Carrollton and Villa Rica Golden City Lions Clubs with a grant through Lions Clubs International Foundation. It will be held on Saturday, March 27 at the Carrollton Center for the Arts from 12-3pm.
The sponsoring partner providing the testing is the University of West Georgia Wolf Wellness Lab. In addition to the Diabetes Fingerstick testing, the following are included in the $10 registration, using the Eventbrite link below: Blood Sugar, Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides. The Eventbrite registration link is: Community : GA Lions Club Convention- Diabetes Testing and Education Event
Registration is required using this link and clicking on the Tickets Button to see details and purchase: $10 for testing, and $10 for Diabetes Friendly Lunch. There is no charge for the Education Session with three speakers
Speakers and Testing Coordinator for the March 27 Community Diabetes and Education Event sponsored by District L Lions Club and University of West Georgia Wolf Wellness Lab are pictured clockwise, l to r. speaker Chrissy Knoll, M.S., NCSF-CPT, ACE- GFI; speaker Jamie Brandenburg, MPH, LPN, DE; Event Testing Coordinator,Gina Brandenburg, M.S., CHES, CWP; and speaker Melissa Brillhart, M.A., R.D., L.D.
Your March District Digest
Extending a Helping Hand
Save the date!
| Night of Spectacles is back – in person and online! |
  Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation | The Lighthouse |
Let’s Celebrate a Few Small Successes
 PID Jerome Thompson, GAT Leader, CA 1  This Month, I would like to share with you a few successes to celebrate and invite you to join the Lions of North America in applauding the top 10 clubs in members added in the first half of this fiscal year. Successes to Celebrate The Lions of CA 1 – the United States and affiliated countries – have expanded our services to 76 new communities. That is an increase of 142% over last year. Additionally, these 2300 Charter Members will impact the lives of more than 23,000 people in need. For years, Lion leaders have talked about the back door of clubs standing wide open. We have improved retention of members by 6% as compared to last year. The 1300 members that we have retained will impact the lives of more than 13,000 people in need.  Celebrating Successes Along the Way As we continue to implement the North America Membership Initiative, Lion leaders around the world are watching as we expand into new communities; add members to existing clubs; retain members through engaging service and fellowship; and, provide leadership opportunities to all Lions. This month we are celebrating all clubs who have added members in the first half of this fiscal year. On February 15th, at 7 PM, Lions Clubs International will host a webinar celebrating the success of the top 10 clubs in North America in Focus Area 2 – Revitalizing Clubs with new members. Those who attend will join in a celebration of success and discover how clubs continue to add members safely during the pandemic. Tools will be provided to assist you in “Just Asking” and growing our service impact. Click here to save your seat!! February 15 at 7 PM North American Membership Initiative 2.0 —> Global Membership Approach From an humble beginning with nine pilot districts testing a few ideas and concepts to change the landscape of our association, the North America Membership Initiative has rapidly grown into a movement, which is changing the way Lions view membership growth and adapt to change. Remember that the Entrance Fee Waiver has been extended until June 30, 2021 |
GA LIONS CAMP NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2021
| GA LIONS CAMP NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2021 |
| GEORGIA LIONS CAMP, INC. Click below for the latest issue of the Georgia Lions Camp Newsletter for February, 2021: Georgia Lions Camp Newsletter for February 2021 Ed Ressler, Chair Board of Directors Georgia Lions Camp, Inc. chair2019@att.net |
Where Service Goes, Kindness Grows
Your February District Digest
18L Lions “Espresso Session” – re-energize your Membership, Fundraising, and Service Projects
  Sign up for District 18-L “Espresso Session” Membership, Fundraising & Service Ideas Saturday, February 27, 2021
Hi Georgia 18L Lions, We’ll have panel discussions where you can hear about unique ideas that other clubs are implementing. We also encourage you to share YOUR ideas and best practices. Also, you don’t want to miss special guest speaker, Lion Richard Stevenson. Lion Richard will discuss Cyber Clubs and Branch Clubs as a new way to grow Lions membership. He’ll share the interesting story about founding the South Tucson Cyber Lions Club as a branch of his traditional club. Richard is also the admin for the Global Lions Forum Facebook Group. With 5.7K Facebook members, this is the most robust discussion group on Lionism worldwide. (Check it out here.) Registration is required, but EASY. Simply click on button below. You’ll receive your personal Zoom meeting link via email. For questions or comments about the Espresso Session, please email either: Lion Becky Jarrell, 18L District GMT Chair (Atlanta Lions) – email Lion Gopi Govindaraj, 18L District GLT Chair (Woodstock Lions) – email Lions of Georgia – District 18L Serving Northwest Georgia |
Your January Newsletter
Link to all the JumpStart January: Road to Success webinars
PCC David
C. David Lloyd, Past Council Chair
Be Safe – Be Kind – Be a Light
2021 Montreal International Convention
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Due to the continuing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the board of directors voted to transition the 2021 Montreal Lions Clubs International Convention to a virtual event that will be delivered totally online. This decision was made with the health and safety of our Lions, staff and vendors in mind as limiting international travel and large gatherings is key to global containment strategies. Although we are disappointed that we won’t be able to host this event in person, we are excited about hosting our first virtual international convention that can safely connect Lions from around the world. We are still finalizing the details of your new convention experience, and will share those with you as soon as they are ready. Here are some important details about the 2021 virtual convention we’d like to share with you: Everyone’s invited – Our 2021 convention will be a virtual event that’s open to all Lions and Leos around the world. Registration fees – The registration fee will be US$50 until March 31, then US$75 beginning April 1. The registration fee for Leos will be US$30 regardless of date. Convention is currently scheduled for June 25-29. Additional event and registration details will be provided soon. Current registrants – Lions who are currently registered for convention will receive an email soon with more information about their registration options. Elections – Executive officer and international director elections will be conducted electronically, and voting procedures will be forthcoming. Convention updates – Check our convention website LCICon for convention updates and details as they become available. This global health pandemic has forced us all to make decisions and changes that place health and safety first. However, we are optimistic that with each new day there is hope, and as Lions, we continue to find new ways to stay connected, safely serve our communities and continue our global mission of service. We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time for our organization and the world, and thank you for your incredible service as a Lion. |
Dear Lion Leader,Please Join Me – Campaign 100
Lions University Webinars Scheduled
 The following webinar topics have been scheduled: LU 221 Collaboration (Master’s Program Elective) – Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Register for the Webinar Here LU 224 Meeting Management (Master’s Program elective) – Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Video recordings will be added to the Lions University website after the webinars. You must log in to your Lions University account to access the videos and quizzes. |
2021 Lions Clubs International Convention Moving to Virtual Event
Our Passion for What’s Possible –International President, Dr. Jung-Yul Choi
Board of Directors take steps to help our clubs
GA Lions Camp – January 2021 Newsletter
| Please click below to read the January 2021 issue of the Georgia Lions Camp Newsletter. GA Lions Camp January 2021 Newsletter Ed Ressler Board Chair GA Lions Camp chair2019@att.net |
Soup Kitchen LCIF Grant
The Carroll County Soup Kitchen is applying for a LCIF Hunger Grant. On the application it asks for area Lions Clubs participation both financially and sweat equity.
Could the Carrollton Club help with this? I am also asking the Villa Rica L/C.
It is a $15K grant for new walk in freezers.
Thanks for your consideration.
It’s Great to be a Lion!
Tom Jackson
770-301-3673
Kindness Matters Request
Dear Lions of Georgia, Hope this letter finds you all well. On behalf of the Council of Governors, may I wish you a happy, healthy and safe New Year. I have a request for y’all, not from me, but from Lion Donna Townsend. Donna offered the Lions in her club (at a virtual meeting) a challenge to perform at least 100 acts of kindness over the next 179 days in honor of Haynes’ vision. (at that time there were 179 days left in the Lions year—there are obviously less than that now.) Lion Rosemary Cutuli dropped in on that virtual event and heard about the 100 acts of kindness and thought it was a great idea. She suggested Lion Donna talk to me as Council Chair about making this a Georgia Lions project. Lion Donna messaged me, and the rest is history! With the approval of the Council of Governors I am asking every Lion and every Club to participate in honoring our beloved Haynes for the remainder of what would have been his Presidency of Lions Club International by performing 100 acts of kindness. Each of the District Governors will encourage this activity within his or her District. No prizes, no recognition—just a kinder, gentler world. We are not asking anyone to record these acts, nor report them. Just do it! We all know now more than ever that Kindness Matters, and we all can do our part to make this a kinder world in which to live. Yours in Service, Marlene Humphry Council Chair |
Message from GA Lions Lighthouse Executive Director
  Dear Georgia Lions, I am humbled to serve as the new Executive Director for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation and excited to collaborate with Lions throughout Georgia to make our mission a reality. As evidenced by the more than two million Georgians without insurance, the demand for our services is growing more than ever. Fifty counties in Georgia without an optometrist and one in every five of Georgia’s children are affected by hearing loss. The numbers are daunting. But even more important than the numbers are the individuals who are behind every number. This past December, a social worker reached out on behalf of a family – parents of a newborn – beset by financial worries brought on by job loss. The baby had been diagnosed with significant hearing loss, necessitating costly treatment that the family could not afford. When the social worker called us, it was clear that we needed to act quickly to leverage our resources to help the family. Thanks to the hard work of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation staff, Lions, and many partners, the baby has undergone corrective surgery that will restore her hearing. More victories like this are possible. Despite the pandemic, Lighthouse staff, in partnership with Lions across the state, have continued to serve Georgians in need. We have launched the new mobile vision clinic van and plan to open a vision clinic at Grady Hospital in 2021. As of the end of our second quarter, we have served 346 hearing patients and 368 vision patients (including 68 surgeries). December was our busiest month of vision clinics since the pandemic started, and we are confident the momentum will continue. With your support and the efforts of our dedicated staff, mission fulfillment will continue unabated. In 2021 and beyond, we will focus on building and retaining relationships with rural providers to increase vision and hearing care access and equity. We will deepen our partnerships with Georgia Lions Clubs to serve more patients, increase the number of volunteer doctors, create awareness of our services, and raise much-needed funds. And finally, in recognition of our nearly 72 years of service alongside and partnership with Lions, The Lighthouse will return to its well-known circular blue logo. We need your continued support. Only collective efforts will allow us to scale the impact we know Georgia needs. I look forward to working with Lions Clubs to create a Georgia where zip code and bank account do not determine access to quality hearing and vision care. Thank you for your service as Lions, and I look forward to serving the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation’s mission. Edwin J. Link Executive Director Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Inc. https://lionslighthouse.org For biographical information on Edwin J. Link, please click below: Edwin J. Link |
You’re invited to Lions trivia at Leader Dog
    Calling all Lions!What was the first breed of dog used by Leader Dogs for the Blind? (Hint: it wasn’t a German shepherd!) Welcome to Lions Trivia at Leader Dog! This is the first of a series of informational webinars for Lions on your legacy project: Leader Dogs for the Blind. Join us each quarter for topics such as virtual campus tours, our prison puppy initiative, and client spotlight chats. We promise to show off some puppies as well. Join the Lions team via Zoom on your computer, tablet, smartphone or simply call in on your phone. Click on a date to register (or follow the link below it): Tuesday, January 12 at noon Eastern https://bit.ly/2GaNGMt Saturday, January 16 at 3 p.m. Eastern https://bit.ly/2GaNGMt For Lions Trivia, bring a pen and paper to keep score. Top scores will receive Leader Dog gift shop gift certificates, a plush stuffed puppy and more! Know of someone interested in Lionism (or you want them to be)? Bring them along! Questions or need help registering? Contact the Lions Team at Lionssupport@leaderdog.org. See you there!  |
January District Digest
GA Lions Camp Board Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lions Camp in Perry, Georgia on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 3 P.M. The location is Cherokee Pines Golf and Fitness Club, 1000 Country Club Road.
Additional information will be made available as we get closer to that date.
Chairman Ed Ressler
chair2019@att.net
Lions Clubs of Georgia | 977 A Madison Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024
December LCIF Chairperson’s Newsletter
December The DISTRICT DIGEST
Lions trivia at Leader Dog
| Calling all Lions! What was the first breed of dog used by Leader Dogs for the Blind? (Hint: it wasn’t a German shepherd!) Welcome to Lions Trivia at Leader Dog! This is the first of a series of informational webinars for Lions on your legacy project: Leader Dogs for the Blind. Join us each quarter for topics such as virtual campus tours, our prison puppy initiative, and client spotlight chats. We promise to show off some puppies as well. Join the Lions team via Zoom on your computer, tablet, smartphone or simply call in on your phone. Click on a date to register (or follow the link below it): Tuesday, January 12 at noon Eastern https://bit.ly/2GaNGMt Saturday, January 16 at 3 p.m. Eastern https://bit.ly/2GaNGMt For Lions Trivia, bring a pen and paper to keep score. Top scores will receive Leader Dog gift shop gift certificates, a plush stuffed puppy and more! Know of someone interested in Lionism (or you want them to be)? Bring them along! Questions or need help registering? Contact the Lions Team at Lionssupport@leaderdog.org. See you there! |