Lions Newswire

In this month's Lions Newswire, read about upcoming events, new programs and available resources.

Important Lions Dates This Month

Around the world, Lions clubs are moving to grow in service to their communities. Here are some important upcoming event:

• November 11:  Lions Quest grant application deadline for review at the January 2010 board meeting

• November 12-15:  Senior Lions Leadership Institute/USA, Affiliates, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Canada
  (Oak Brook, Illinois, USA)

• November 13:  SightFirst grant application deadline for review at the January 2010 SAC

• November 14:  World Diabetes Day

• November 15:  Postmark deadline for a club to send one winning poster (per contest sponsored) to the district governor

• November 15:  Top Ten Youth Camp and Exchange Chairperson Award application deadline

• November 15-19:  Senior Lions Leadership Institute/The Orient and Southeast Asia (Pattaya, Thailand)

• November 19-22:  OSEAL Forum (Pattaya, Thailand)

• November 30:  Deadline for Family Membership Certification Forms

• November 30:  Leo October Membership Growth Award nomination deadline

Lions In Sight

Lions have gained worldwide recognition for our work to improve sight. But we are not always “in sight” of the general public. That’s why International President Eberhard J. Wirfs is asking every club, district and multiple district to organize a major public relations activitiy during the last two weeks of January 2010. Make yourself visible – while making a difference in your community. Read the Lions in Sight press release, showcase your favorite service project or review a list of suggested activities on the Lions in Sight Web page.

How Many Glasses Were Collected on Sight Night?

Thousands of volunteers canvassed their neighborhoods during trick-or-treat to collect used eyeglasses in October. Tell us how many eyeglasses your group collected during Sight Night. Enter your collection results and receive a certificate for your participation.

Peace Poster Contest Deadlines

Lions International Peace Poster Contest judging is underway for 2009-10 contest, "Power of Peace." Read further on the November 1 and December 15 contest deadlines. Plan to get involved in the 2010-11 contest, kits go on sale January 15. Learn more about the annual Peace Poster Contest.

'Tis the Season for Giving

The upcoming holiday season is a perfect opportunity to give back to those who need humanitarian aid most around the world with a donation to LCIF. By contributing to LCIF you are making a commitment to better the life of someone, somewhere. Visit the LCIF Web site to learn how your donation makes a difference.

Foundation Awarded Highest Ranking

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) recently received the highest ranking possible from Charity Navigator, demonstrating LCIF’s commitment to being a leading foundation. An updated review from the independent charity evaluator awarded LCIF four stars. The top ranking means that LCIF exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause. More than 5,400 of America’s largest charities are ranked on the Web site. Rankings are based on a number of factors related to organization efficiency and capacity.

Organize a Lions Environmental Photo Contest

Organize a club-level contest to select the best photo in the categories of animal, plant, landscape, weather phenomena or special theme, "Lions Move to Grow Green." Submit your winning club and district photos (by January 15, 2010) to the multiple district competition. Winning multiple district photos will appear at the 93rd  Lions International Convention in Sydney, Australia. Contest rules and details are available on the Lions Clubs International Web site.

Vienna is the Venue for Lions Day with the UN 2010

The United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, will be the venue for the 32nd Annual Lions Day with the UN to be held on Friday, March 26, 2010. For the first time, the annual event will be held outside UN Headquarters in New York City. The change of venue is necessary because the 60-year-old UN Headquarters in New York is undergoing a US$7 billion renovation. 

This year, Lions from all over the world are invited to attend the Lions Day with the UN event in Vienna.  Past International President Wroblewski will welcome Lions to the UN. Invited UN speakers will stress the importance of serving humanity.  Additional program highlights will include the awards ceremony for the grand prize winner of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest as well as the Austrian contest winner. Musical entertainment is also included in the program.

Attendance is limited to the first 350 Lions and guests. Special hotel rates are available. For information, contact programs@lionsclubs.org.

November – Lions Diabetes Awareness Opportunities

Diabetes prevention is proven, possible and powerful. Eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week are two simple lifestyle changes that can delay or prevent diabetes.

In November, Lions have two special opportunities to promote diabetes awareness:  November is Lions Diabetes Awareness Month and November 14 is World Diabetes Day.

Learn more about activities to mark Lions Diabetes Awareness Month and increase your club’s visibility in the community. Organize a Strides walk. It's an enjoyable and exciting event that can attract families, community residents and prospective members to your club while promoting diabetes awareness in your area. You will find educational materials online that you can download and print, or complete an order form to receive by mail.

Lions Eye Bank Week

Lions Eye Bank Week 2009 will be December 6–12. Lions Eye Banks perform a valuable sight-saving function. Learn more about their services and support your local eye bank by serving as a corneal transporter, being a tour guide or sponsoring a fundraising event. Get involved in Lions Eye Bank Week activities that may include:

• Tour of the local Lions Eye Bank
• Arrange for an eye bank representative to speak at your club’s meeting
• Host or attend an open house at the local eye bank
• Promote eye donation in collaboration with the local eye bank

Supporting Lions Eye Banks is a way for you to invest in Lions service to save eyesight.

LION Magazine Headquarters Edition Photo Contest

The Headquarters edition of LION Magazine is holding a photo contest for readers. Download the contest rules and instructions, start taking pictures and send them to the editorial staff for a chance to win a great new Sony digital camera.

Lions on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and More

Did you know Lions are all over the Web? Social networking is a great way to keep in touch with Lions around the world and to see what LCI is doing. Watch Lions videos on YouTube, network with others on Facebook and MySpace and get the latest LCI news on Twitter, all from the comfort of your computer.

Funding Available for Children’s Symposiums

Grant funding is available to a district or multiple district that organizes a children’s symposium during fiscal year 2009-2010. Symposiums are an effective way for Lions to join with health care professionals, educators, governmental agencies and other organizations to address the education and/or health needs of children. The Lions Services for Children Symposium Program allows up to US$1,000 expense assistance for a symposium held prior to June 30, 2010. Up to four symposiums can be held in each constitutional area, each fiscal year.

Applications for funding are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more about the program and download the official application.

Promote Eyeglass Collection Locations

Lions clubs are encouraged to submit to headquarters their community eyeglass collection locations to promote and strengthen their recycling efforts. A list of club collection sites has been added to the “Find A Club” section on the LCI Web site to assist the public in finding the drop-off location nearest to them. Please complete and submit the Lions Recycle for Sight club participation form to include your club’s locations on the association’s Web site. Remember to post these locations on your club’s Web site, too. For more information about the eyeglass recycling program, contact the Health and Children’s Services Department.