District Governor’s Corner
SAVE THE DATE District 18 L Convention 3/27-28
SAVE THE DATE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY MARCH 27 – 28, 2021
District 18 L Convention
Carrollton Center for the Arts
“Tell The Lions Story, Tell your Story…….Sing The Lions Song, Sing Your Song”
Friday: Lighthouse Mobile Eye Clinic, Casual Evening with “Good to Hear You” Stories from Jon Sailers and Special Guest International Director Larry Edwards, Altoona ,PA
Saturday Morning: Strides Walk, District18 L Elections, Cabinet Meeting with Motivational Speakers
Saturday Afternoon: Diabetes Symposium with Testing
Saturday Evening: Entertainment and Banquet
It’s Great to be a Lion!
Tom Jackson
770-301-3673
WOODSTOCK, BALL GROUND LIONS CLUBS AND ST MICHAELS FOOD
 WOODSTOCK, BALL GROUND LIONS CLUBS AND ST MICHAELS FOOD PANTRY GRANT APPROVED! The January 2021 LCIF Board of Trustees meeting concluded last week. The Hunger grant (HGR18935/18-L) was approved by the LCIF Board of Trustees in the amount of US$14,600. LCIF takes this opportunity to congratulate the Lions of District 18-L on your dedication to humanitarian service.  |
Open for the Kendra Scott promo code!
 Shop for good with Kendra Scott! Get your Valentine’s Day shopping done early and help raise money for The Lighthouse.   Learn More   |
USDA Announces Contracts for Round 5 of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program
 USDA Announces Contracts for Round 5 of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it has approved contracts for the additional purchase of Farmers to Families Food boxes.These contract awards are part of the fifth round of the program announced January 4, for deliveries through the end of April. A full list of approved suppliers will be posted on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program webpage after 5 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. In total, USDA has distributed more than 133 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The additional funding for the program was included in the COVID-19 relief package as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed December 21, 2020. In this fifth round of purchases, USDA will again purchase combination boxes to ensure all involved recipient organizations have access to fresh produce, dairy products, fluid milk and meat products, and seafood products will also be included in this round. The solicitation was issued to over 240 organizations that have previously received Basic Ordering Agreements (BOA). Deliveries will begin shortly after awards are issued and continue with option periods through the end of April. Additional BOA proposals were not reviewed nor accepted at this time. A complete list of BOA holders can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/RoundFourBOAHolders.pdf (PDF, 180 KB). An amendment to the BOA will be issued to clarify the amount of acceptable processed meat products, to include seafood products and to clarify certain labelling requirements. Pre-cooked seafood products are now eligible for food box inclusion and can be aggregated with pre-cooked beef, pork, chicken and turkey products and egg or egg products to meet the existing material description weight requirements. In addition, USDA has emphasized that a variety of hard, semi-firm or semi-soft cheese, is acceptable in addition to cheddar and other cheeses specified in the solicitation. The Farmers to Families Food Box program is part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using authority provided by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, USDA partnered with national, regional and local distributors, whose workforces were significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service businesses, to purchase and distribute agricultural products to Americans in need. |
Reminder – Lighthouse Board Mtg – January 30
 Fellow Georgia Lions, This should serve as a reminder that the attached resolutions for Amendments of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation Board Constitution and By-Laws as well as Elections for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation Board Officers will be held at the Annual Georgia Lions Lighthouse Board Meeting in Perry, GA on January 30, 2021 at 1 pm. All Lions of Georgia in good standing will be allowed to vote.GLLFC BL Resolutions GLLF C&BL The candidates who submitted letters of intent to be placed on the ballot as qualified to stand for election for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation for the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year are as follows: Chairman: Jon Winters Vice Chair: Tammera Sears Garner Andrews Secretary: Vicki Hubbard Treasurer: Mark Bradley Although a physical meeting will be scheduled, individual Georgia Lions may participate in the annual meeting virtually, including by voting for the candidates and resolutions. Any individual Georgia Lion participating in the vote by electronic means, will be required to register online and attend the Annual Board Meeting online 15 minutes prior to the call to order. Below is a link in which you may register for the virtual access via zoom prior to 5:00 pm on January 29, 2021. All Georgia Lions that register will receive a link via the email they used to register once their registration has been approved. Please do not look for the registration link prior to January 29, 2021 as it will not be sent until after registration has been closed. Each individual Lion will also need to register and attend virtually individually as voting can only be cast once per logged in account that was registered. On Saturday, January 30, 2021, all Georgia Lions wishing to participate virtually will need to be signed in 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting at 1:00 pm. No admittance in to the meeting will be allowed after 12:45 pm on Saturday, January 30, 2021. You must remain in the meeting until after voting has taken place. If you exit the meeting and try to come back in after the 12:45 pm cutoff, you will not be admitted. Please use the below link to register and await your email for the actual zoom link to be sent at a later date. You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Jan 30, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsf–grzItHNXbOfXwiud-zhFGiF4t00UN Jon M. Winters, PCC Board Chairman, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation Cell: 706-833-0458 Email: Jon_Winters@Comcast.net |
Shop for Valentine’s Day & Support The Lighthouse!
 Love jewelry? Need Valentine’s Day gift ideas? Just want to shop AND support The Lighthouse? You’re in luck! The Lighthouse is partnering with Kendra Scott on Jan. 25 and 26 for Glaucoma Awareness Month. Shop on those two days, enter the special promo code (coming soon!), and The Lighthouse will receive 20% of your purchase. That’s it! Visit KendraScott.com to have a look around and watch your email and Lighthouse social media for the promo code! Thank you for supporting The Lighthouse! Visit KendraScott.com Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation | The Lighthouse |
Join Dinner in the Dark from anywhere
| Create an unforgettable night |
    Our highly popular Dinner in the Dark is an unparalleled experience full of fun and inspiration. And for the first time ever, Dinner in the Dark will be VIRTUAL! Now, supporters from across the U.S. can purchase a virtual Dinner in the Dark kit and participate from home for a joyful and rewarding new experience. Your kit grants you access to our powerful event program that will take place on Friday, March 12, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Virtual Dinner in the Dark Kit (designed for two people) – $150 Your kit includes everything you need for you very own at-home Dinner in the Dark! Two blindfolds Two bibs Two Leader Dog face masks Two stemless wine glasses One chef’s hat Menu & meal preparation card Event program Access to pre-event website that includes a meal prep video with a professional chef Access to our virtual Dinner in the Dark program on Friday, March 12, 2021! You can find out more (including FAQs) about virtual Dinner in the Dark on our website. Get Your Kit P.S. Dinner in the Dark kits also make a great gift! Sponsored by:   |
FREE cookbook with purchase
    Together we serve… now let us help you serve! Keep your New Year’s resolution to cook more with Leader Dog’s Most Requested Recipes cookbook for free! Now through Tuesday, January 19, spend $30 or more in our online gift shop and get our cookbook at no extra cost. Our clients love these recipes, and you will too! Cookbook must be added to your cart, then use code COOKBOOK at checkout to have the price deducted. Shop Now  Our Most Requested Recipes View  Ladies Logo Polo View  Ladies Button Down Shirt View  Men’s 1/4 Zip Blue View  Men’s Logo Polo – Green View  Travel Mug View While you’re there, check out deals up to 50% off on our best products. Sale Collection Curbside pickup: Please note that our on-campus gift shop is still closed. To get your pickup order: Shop at leaderdog.org/shop and select pickup as your delivery method. You will receive email confirmation that your order is ready. Email giftshop@leaderdog.org to set up your appointment. Appointment MUST be made for pickup. We can drop your purchase in your trunk, through your car window, or leave it on the front bench for you! Contactless curbside pickup days / hours by appointment ONLY: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  |
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 the date to register (or follow the link below it): 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! |
New Lighthouse Executive Director
| New Lighthouse Executive Director |
 The Lighthouse Announces New Executive Director The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (“The Lighthouse”) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Edwin Link as executive director effective November 16, 2020. Mr. Link comes to The Lighthouse following seven years in key leadership positions with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, culminating in the role of National Vice President for Strategy and Foundation Relations. He is a gifted leader and specializes in fundraising, strategy, and collaboration, the successful combination of which has resulted in up to $14 million raised in a single year. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with The Lighthouse, an organization that meets the often-overlooked vision and hearing needs of uninsured and low-income Georgians,” said Mr. Link. “The opportunities for growth, partnership, and innovation are vast, and while the foreseeable future may be a challenging time for nonprofits, it’s exhilarating to be on the front lines of serving Georgians in need.” According to Lighthouse Board of Directors Chairman Jon Winters, Mr. Link was selected from over 240 applicants from around the United States. “We couldn’t be more pleased with Edwin’s appointment and very much look forward to seeing how he will use his unique skills, experience, and professional philosophy to continue improving and expanding The Lighthouse’s presence around the state,” Winters said. The Lighthouse provides vision and hearing services through education, detection, prevention, and treatment, working with a statewide network of care providers to provide vision screenings, eye exams, eyeglasses, eye surgeries, and hearing aids to over 7,000 Georgia residents every year. Through collaborative partnerships, The Lighthouse enables greater independence and increased quality of life for Georgians in financial need. To learn more about The Lighthouse, please visit LighthouseGeorgia.org. For more information on the new Executive Director, click below: Edwin J. Link  Sincerely, Jon Winters Board Chair |
Which Lions district will win?
| Compete on Giving Tuesday to support The Lighthouse! |
 Compete & Support The Lighthouse on Giving Tuesday!  Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, isn’t just any Tuesday; it’s Giving Tuesday! And we hope you’ll join in our campaign to raise $2,500 in just 24 hours to fund our first four vision clinics for the Lighthouse Roadshow – kicking off in early 2021 with the new mobile clinic van! How it Works This year, we’re calling all Georgia Lions to come together and help us reach our goal by way of a little friendly inter-district competition. Each district is challenged to raise the cost of an optometrist for one vision clinic – just $630. The first district to reach $630 in total Giving Tuesday donations wins! Rally your district and race the others to the finish! For full competition info, click below! Get the Details THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE LIGHTHOUSE! |
Here’s Your Road Map to a Successful Club
Dear Lion Leader,
As your clubs and districts develop plans for membership satisfaction and retention, connecting with the membership committee is a great way to help with planning, create enthusiasm and build the clubs’ membership. In addition, reaching out to members within the club and building teams that will help enhance their experience as Lions is key to success.
Lions Clubs International offers several great resources to help clubs and their members, so take some time to check them out!
- Member Satisfaction Guide: This guide will help you troubleshoot common issues that members have in their experience as Lions. There are useful templates for quick surveys of club members to get a pulse on what they think of your club. This will help you identify areas that are of concern for your members, as well as take you through the process of improving the club experience.
- Your Club, Your Way!: This resource offers ideas on how your club can customize your meetings for an enjoyable membership experience.
- Club Quality Initiative: A strategic planning tool that helps clubs identify opportunities for improvement. The program features LCI Forward and the Five Steps to help club operations become more efficient and take new directions. By identifying areas that can be improved, taking measured steps to accomplish goals and involving the whole club in this exciting process, every club can be even better!
- Club Excellence Award Application: Serves as your club’s road map to excellence, focusing on the key elements of a quality club: membership, service, organizational excellence and marketing
Visit the Club Membership Chairperson webpage to learn more and view the resources offered to help engage members today!
If you have any questions, please email us at clubofficers@lionsclubs.org or call us at (630) 468-7084.
Thank you for your service!
Thank You Alpharetta Lions!
 Dear Lion President Amy, Please give the Lions of Alpharetta my thanks for making Saturday’s Second Cabinet Meeting a success. You and Dennis had the “Never Give Up” attitude in searching for a location to hold our face-to-face meeting. It was unique and worked beautifully for our Meeting. I thank you and thank the Alpharetta Club for hosting and making it work.. Many Thanks, Tom It’s Great to be a Lion! Tom Jackson 770-301-3673 |
Here are the right resources for membership success
Greater Service through Stronger Membership
Good Morning Team L,
Happy Veterans Day!
As we take time today to remember those who have served our country, let’s also pause and remember those who’ve served with Lions.Think back to when you first joined Lions, to some of your first club meetings, district meetings and statewide meetings. Names and faces come to mind. Just as we pause to remember those who’ve served our country today, let’s honor the memories of those we’ve known with Lions over the years.
Now, back to the present. Let’s find those who are AWOL and bring them back in! Have a virtual meeting, have a hybrid meeting , or have an in person meeting with safety measures.If you’ve continued having projects and meetings, Thank You. If not, Let’s get going again.
Below please see Dr. Choi’s November message.
It’s Great to be a Lion!
Tom Jackson
Here are the right resources for membership success
I Want to Thank You
Lions Lighthouse Officer Elections
| Fellow Georgia Lions, The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation will be electing officers at the January 30, 2021 meeting for the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year. Below are excerpts from the Bylaws concerning the Officers, Officer Elections and Term Limitations and Fiscal Year. If you are interested in serving in one of these positions and meet the qualifications, then please submit your letter to Past Board Chair Grace Clower at Graceclower@comcast.net, stating the desired office with a signed letter from your club president that states your club is endorsing your nomination. Please keep in mind that the deadline to submit your letter of intent with endorsement is December 1, 2020. If no applications are received then nominations can be made from the floor at the January meeting in Perry, Georgia. Jon M. Winters, PCC Board Chairman, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation Cell: 706-833-0458 Email: Jon_Winters@Comcast.net Article IV Officers Section 1. Officers. All officers of the Lions Lighthouse must be Lions in good standing of a Lions Club in Georgia at the time of their election, and at all times while serving on the Board. A. The Chief Volunteer of the Lions Lighthouse shall be the Chair of the Board (“Chair”). The Chair must have served on the Board of Directors within the last five (5) years before standing for election. The Chair shall be the driving force in setting the policies for the Lions Lighthouse. B. The Vice Chair must have served on the Board within the last five (5) years prior to being elected. In the event the Chair is not able to perform his or her duties, the Vice Chair will assume the role on a temporary basis. The Vice Chair shall perform such duties as assigned by the Chair. C. The Secretary is responsible for recording and documenting the actions of the Board, will serve as the custodian of all corporate documents, and such other duties assigned by the Chair. D. The Treasurer shall chair the Finance and Audit Committee, oversee the finances of the Lions Lighthouse, present for approval the annual budget, and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chair. Section 2. Election of Officers A. The annual election of officers shall be conducted during the first calendar quarter of each year at the Annual Lions Lighthouse Volunteer Meeting. All Georgia Lions at said meeting shall be voting delegates. The date and location for this meeting shall be set at least 30 days in advance with proper notice of the meeting being provided. B. By December 1st of each year, any Georgia Lion who meets the qualifications for the office being sought may run for a Lions Lighthouse officer position and shall submit to the Immediate Past Chair (or designee) a letter of intent to stand for election. Said letter must be countersigned by the president of the candidate’s home Lions Club certifying the club’s endorsement of the candidate. In the event that no candidate submits a letter for a position, a nomination may be accepted from the floor, provided that the nominated person is a Lion in good standing from a Georgia Lions Club. C. The Immediate Past Chair (or designee) shall preside over the election portion of the meeting, provided he or she is not standing for election. In the event of contested elections, each candidate will be allowed four minutes to speak to the delegates. Only the candidate will be allowed to speak. In the event of only one qualified candidate for an office, a vote by acclamation is in order. To prevail in an election, the winning candidate must receive 50% of the vote plus one. In the event that no candidate receives the required votes, the two candidates with the most votes shall stand in a run-off election. Section 3. Term Limitations and Fiscal Year. A. The Officers and Members-at-Large shall each serve a one-year term that begins on July 1st of each year and ends on June 30th of the following year. This will also act as the fiscal year for the Corporation. B. The Chair and Vice Chair may serve only two consecutive terms in their respective offices; however, there is no lifetime limitation on their service. |
Camp Chairman’s Challenge amended
Leader Dogs For The Blind
 Greetings, Lions, Lionesses and Leos: Each quarter Leader Dogs for the Blind posts year-to-date Lions donation reports on our website. Each multiple district has a file and each district/club is within that document. Leader Dog’s fiscal year mirrors the Lions’: July 1 – June 30. If you have club updates, please contact Lion Kathy Gilchrist, Lions relations specialist at KGilchrist@LeaderDog.org. The latest update for council reports and presentations is in the same file. You can find the link for all reports for the first quarter on the Club Donation Reports page of our website. You can also find the monthly newsletters for Lions on the Lions Resources page; click the “Monthly Newsletters” button. Thank you Lions, Lionesses and Leos for making people unstoppable by supporting the Leader Dog mission! Together We Serve, Lion Beth Slade Director of Philanthropy for Lions Engagement |
All Hands on Deck: Ball Ground Lions Club – Annual Sock Drive with United Military Care.
Attention – Attention –
All Hands on Deck: Ball Ground Lions Club has Thrown Down the Gauntlet in our Annual Veterans Sock Drive with United Military Care.
Ball Ground’s President and Guiding Lion Nancy Madden delivered 3 bags full of socks, t-shirts and underwear last night to PDG David Crawford. October 24th is fast approaching. We hope all clubs have started collecting socks, t-shirts, and underwear for delivery at the 2nd District Cabinet Meeting in Alpharetta, GA.
Annual Socks for Veterans drive:
Competition between Clubs to bring in socks, t-shirts, underwear for Vets, both male and female. Bring them in to the 2nd Cabinet Meeting. Lion Pam will tally Clubs donations by point system and deliver to Organization where she will announce the Lions Club winners. First Place $50. Honey Baked Ham Gift Card, Second Place $25.Honey Baked Ham Gift Card, and Third $10 Honey Baked Ham Gift Card prizes to Clubs bringing in the most! Winners Club Tail twister can auction off the card or give to a family that needs it for a win win!
You cannot enter contest via Zoom. Socks, t-shirts and underwear must be turned in at Cabinet Meeting to be counted for contest.Note: no extra points for designer names, colors, or patterns!
Save the date 10/24/2020:
2nd Cabinet Meeting Saturday October 24, 9:30-11:30am, Like last time, most reports will be written and sent in prior to Cabinet Meeting to be distributed before the Meeting. PDG David has some high thread count towels and awards from LCI to present.
Alpharetta Lions Club will host at:
Union Hill Park
1590 Little Pine Terrace
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Mask required, temp check, social distancing, gloves, and all current guidelines to be adhered to.
BYOC: Bring your own folding sports chair. This is a multi purpose rink. Great venue for these times! Thanks to Lions Dennis and Amy for not giving up on the idea of a “face to face…..six feet away” Cabinet Meeting. Attendance will be limited to the first 49 that reserve. Zoom available for others.
“Thanks for all that each of you do on a daily basis for Lions.
We appreciate you.”
It’s Great to be a Lion!
Tom Jackson, 18-L District Governor, 2020-2021
770-301-3673
Work Weekend at The Georgia Lions Camp
Work Weekend at
The Georgia Lions Camp
is set for
October 16-18, 2020
Please click below for the Work Weekend Reservation Form for your Club; we look forward to hearing from you soon!
WEBSITE: IRS 990 Annual Tax-Filing Reminder
Please remember that all Lions clubs, districts and multiple districts with annual gross receipts less than US$50,000 who are not otherwise required to file Forms 990 or 990-EZ must file the e-Postcard (also known as 990-N). If your Lions club, district or multiple district has a foundation, which is a separate legal entity, the appropriate form will need to be filed as well.
Please click the link below and review the document for important information regarding your annual tax filing obligation. Thank you!
Kindest regards,
Legal Division
Lions Clubs International