Unless you are a past district governor, I wonder if you are aware of all the responsibilities that fall under the position of Governor. In no particular order, these include: Council meetings, Foundation meetings, picking the Cabinet, Cabinet meetings, club visitations, handling club questions and problems, club anniversaries, officer training, struggling clubs, Governors training, Leader Dog School, International, State, and District conventions, District 1-CN convention, articles for the District newsletter, assignments from Lions International (like starting new clubs), and “mountains” of correspondences received via mail or e-mail. Then let's not forget you still are a husband or wife, father or mother, and grandfather or grandmother. You have your family and many household responsibilities that still must be attended to. Many governors are also still working full time.

With all these assignments and details to handle or delegate from month to month, there is a constant need to prioritize and “juggle” responsibilities. Lately I have come to compare it to building a “House of Cards” when I was a kid. The object was to take a deck (or more) of cards, place them on their sides, and make them stand together. You keep leaning them together, making a ground floor, and then building upward. You had to decide which card went where, pay attention to how straight they stood, and you needed a steady hand. At first my houses would fall because my foundation wasn’t good enough to support the other cards. Over time, I developed a steadier hand and more patience. Eventually I was able to build a strong and towering “House of Cards”.

As your governor, I have had to make choices on which “card” to play next. Sometimes I was even told what “card” is next. As I look back at these first five months, I know there have been times that with all the things that needed to be done, that I have chosen the wrong “card” and my “house” has fallen down. I apologize for those times I have neglected or forgotten a particular detail. But each time this happens, I believe I have learned what “cards” (responsibilities) should be played next to make me a stronger Lion and Governor. As I look forward to the next seven months, I will strive to pick the right “card” that will make District 1-CN even better.

I also hope by now you have also come to the realization that everything I have said above about myself as Governor is just as true for you as Lions. Each Lion is also faced with a multitude of responsibilities and must choose which “card” to play. In this process certain things will be neglected and your club’s “House of Cards” may be weakened or even have fallen down. Perhaps it is lack of membership, not performing new activities, not attending club meetings, not attending zone meetings or Lions college, not participating in District activities, not paying attention to monthly reports or bills, or maybe you just have lost that “spark” for Lionism. There is no reason that when your own “House of Cards” falls down like this, that you can’t learn from your failures and pick the correct “cards” next time that will keep building a better foundation for your club. Each time you do this you will find that your club will be stronger and the next time you play the wrong “card” you will see that only part of your “house” will have fallen and that there are still plenty of “cards” present to support an even stronger club in the future.

Remember, “Good Things Happen to Good People” and that is why “WE SERVE”. Governor Jim Hall

Convention Program Ad Book - 2003

The sale of Convention Program Ad Book space is a vital part of Convention finacial security. Each club is urged to participate as generously as possible.

Any club selling five (5) full page $65.00 ads, may retain $65.00 for the club and submit $260.00 to the District. All ads must be received prior to the deadline, Feb 21,2003 and all five ads must be submitted at one time.

A "free" write-up of each club's ACTIVITIES is provided in the Convention Ad Book at no cost to the club. CLUB SECRETARIES should provide a written article of the activities for the 2002-2003 year and it will be printed. Clubs not submitting activity articles will be listed by name only.

CONVENTION PROGRAM ADS and club write-ups must be received no later than Feb 21,2003, to be included in the Program Ad Book. Submit all ads/write-ups to:

Cab Sec Ted Turner, 305 N Third St.,New Baden, IL 62265-1120

SWANSEA LIONS CLUB

POKER TOURNAMENT

FRIDAY JANUARY 24, 2003

SWANSEA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

301 SERVICE STREET

SWANSEA, IL

(ON THE LEFT OFF 159 JUST BEFORE YOU GET TO NEW

METRO LINK OVERPASS.  ALL THE WAY TO END OF ST.)

THE DOORS WILL OPEN AT 7:00 P.M.  THE DOORS WILL

CLOSE AT 7:30 P.M. AND THE GAMES WILL BEGIN.  THE COST IS $25.00 EACH, THAT INCLUDES, FOOD, BEER, SODA, AND

CASH PRIZES.  THIS IS A FUND RAISER TO HELP THE NEEDY.

IT IS ALSO A FUN TIME.  PLEASE R.S.V.P. BY JAN. 17  IF YOU CAN COME, SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD TO MAKE.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS, THE BIGGER THE CROWD THE BETTER THE PRIZES.  THE SWANSEA LIONS CLUB THANK’S YOU.

PLEASE MAIL OR CALL.

RAYMOND WEIER P.O. BOX 372 BELLEVILLE, IL 62222 ph# 234-8832
JIM BEIMFOHR 1433 NORTH ILLINOIS SWANSEA, IL 62226 ph# 234-7145

RETURN RESERVATION

NAME___________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________

_____I am enclosing a check.  Please reserve_____seats.

_____I will be unable to attend but please accept my donation.

Northwest Region
ZC Rich Schiefer P.O. Box 115 St. Jacob, IL. 62281 618/644-5744,
ZC Pam Carroll Hopper 1710 Raab Ave. Belleville, IL 62221 618/277-4369,
ZC Gail Adams 307 N. Clinton St. Collinsville, IL. 62234 618/345-0593

CANDY DAY REPORTS are due at the Foundation Office prior to December 31, 2002. Thank you to all who have sent their reports. Those who have not PLEASE do so immediately.

All items (ie used eyeglasses, hearing aids, keys and can pop lid openers) collected by LIONS can be delivered to the LIONS OF IL FOUNDATION 2814 DEKALB AVENUE SYCAMORE, IL 60178, 800-955-5466. Your District has eyeglass and hearing aid depots. Depot 1 New Baden Lions, contact Bob Wuebbels, 618-588-7273; Depot 2 Enfield Lions, contact PDG Bob Healy, 618-963-2400; or 1-CN Trustee Bill McKinney 618-644-5803. Your Foundation has delivered over 300,000 eyeglasses since July 1.

Unable to decide what to give someone for Christmas? Please consider a gift that continues to give. Honor that someone with a Sustaining Supporter pin or a Foundation Fellow. Information concerning either is available from your trustee or the Foundation.

Hope each of you have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season. Best wishes to all in your endeavor’s in 2003.

Yours In Lionism

Trustee Bill McKinney

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

With warm thoughts and best wishes

this holiday season

from

Governor Jim Hall and First Lady Pat

Vice District Governor Jim Hauenschild

Cabinet Secretary & Treasurer Ted & Glenda Turner

Trustee Bill McKinney

&

The rest of the District 1-CN Cabinet

New Member Orientation: December, 2002

This article is the first in a series planned for January – May, 2003, about Orientation of New Members.

Orientation of every new member may NOT seem overly important, but consider the following: “Imagine belonging to an organization and having only a vague idea of its goals, the responsibilities of membership, its programs, history or traditions.”

Does this sound familiar? Of course it does. You have probably not received much in the way of Lion’s Orientation, yourself. Many new members, having little real information, wonder why they joined the organization at all!

New members, with good information, are more likely to feel comfortable and to become actively involved in their club right away. This “properly” informed Lion is one who is most likely to remain a member through the years. Good information helps the member understand how the club functions, what his/her role will be and gives the big picture of the association. Consider inviting your seasoned members to attend new member orientation as a refresher. It can help renew their enthusiasm. The most important factor isn’t how you choose to present information, but rather making sure you are presenting thorough, consistent information to each new member that joins your club.

What Makes an Orientation Effective?

• Conduct the orientation promptly. (within one month)
• Present a manageable amount of information. (highlight & refer)
• Limit the length of each session.(under 2 hours at a time)
• Keep the pace lively & interesting. (Q&A, breaks, AV)
• Allow plenty of time for questions. (while topic is fresh)
• Give a new member packet.(Club, International, District material)
• Direct new members to sources for additional information.(www.lionsclubs.org)
• Use visuals if possible. (Club Supplies Catalog has a list.)

Give your Zone Chairman a call. You will get the help you need to provide a top quality Orientation for you club. Don’t wait too long!

Next month’s article – “Suggested outlines/checklists for Orientation Sessions"

Jerry R. Clemens, 1-CN Orienting Lion

7 Ways to a Successful 2003 Sweepstakes Campaign

1. Appoint - an enthusiastic Lion/Lioness as your Club SWEEPS chairperson. This should be a person that will take charge of the project, communicate with club members, and maintain SWEEPS activity throughout the entire campaign (May).

2. Study - the 'How To' manual (a copy is enclosed with your first batch of tickets). Both the Club President and SWEEPS chairperson should understand how and why the Lions of Illinois Foundation has the Sweepstakes fundraiser.

3. Explain - the SWEEPS program to all Club members. Make members aware of the program through information presented at Club meetings and in your Club's newsletters.

4. Illustrate - to your Club how this is an excellent no cost fundraising project for your Club's eye and hearing related projects. Additionally, this is our Lions of Illinois Foundations second largest fundraiser, with the real winners being those individuals that are assisted through the programs and services of our Foundation.

5. Mention - that the seller of each winning SWEEPS ticket is also a winner (if the back of the ticket has been completed) and that SWEEPS tickets will sell if they are made visible.

6. Distribute - SWEEPS tickets to all Club members at your January meeting. Tickets should also be made available to club members not present at this meeting.

7. Continue - to promote SWEEPS sales through your club's April meeting. Additional tickets are available from our Lions of Illinois Foundation. If your club does not participate in SWEEPS, possibly they would consider purchasing the SWEEPS tickets sent to them or making a donation to the Sweepstakes program.

The Sight and Sound Sweepstakes (SWEEPS) program is our Lions of Illinois Foundation's second largest fund raiser, let's support this campaign and make it the best we have ever had. If you do not receive your tickets prior to your first January club meeting (after Christmas), contact Joanne at our Lions of Illinois Foundation (800 955-5466). Do to legal reasons, tickets are not sent to Leo Clubs. For additional information on the 2002 SWEEPS campaign, contact:

-District 1-CN Sweepstakes coordinator - Lion Jim Beimfohr (618/ 277-7112)

-District 1-CN Foundation Trustee -Lion Bill McKenny(618/ 644-9322)

-Joanne at our Lions of Illinois Foundation (800 955-5466).

Governor's Point Contest

as of Sep 30, 2002

Club Secretaries

* Have Apr thru Sep 02 Reports---All others are missing 1,2,3 or all reports. If the above points do not match your totals it means I have corrected possible errors.

After reviewing the reports, it is obvious that all clubs are not reading the instructions the same. Most common errors are:

1. Report may be prepared and ready to mail but it isn't getting to the P.O. on time. Effective with the Dec report if it is postmarked after the 1st the points will not be counted.

2. Candy Day should only be reported during the months of Oct, Nov & Dec.

3. Dues---you can only earn 100 points during each 6 month period. That is 50 points for paying International dues on time and 50 points for paying your District dues by the suspense set by the Cab Treasurer.

4. Donations---there are many interpretations of how to count this so the Gov said make it one point per $1.00. I'll make necessary changes for reports thru Nov 02.

REMEMEBER: These reports are for a one month period only. You start new each month so check your books carefully to make sure your counts are accurate for the month.

If you have any questions, please call me at 588-4620 and let's discuss.

Cab Sec Ted Turner

“Why I am a Lion”

by Waterloo Lion Kay Clements

I joined the Lions organization for several reasons. I wanted to meet new people, form new friendships, and strengthen the old friendships. I enjoy being involved with a group that not only has fun, but is dedicated in helping others, especially kids.

Governor’s Tid-bits:

Can You See What I See….

First Lady Pat and I would like to personally wish each and every Lion, Lioness, and Partner-In-Service a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We hope that this Holiday Seasons’ special moments are only limited by the extent of your own imagination (and we hope it is as wild as ours).

Candy Day Reports Due December 31^st

In my quest to be what I believe is the first district in recent years to have all of its clubs Candy Day Reports (with monies) turned in on time by December 31^st, I plead to you to get your club’s report in immediately. Remember, as your reward, all clubs reporting by December 31^st will be eligible for the drawing of a free room for one of the nights during our District convention. Please!!

How Can I Help?

If you read my article under “From the Governor’s Desk”, you may be asking yourself how can I or my club help out this Governor. Below you will find some of my “Christmas wishes” as Governor:

• I hope each club is blessed with greater membership and successful activities.
• I hope each club will support the District Raffle by purchasing both of their tickets (arriving soon).
• I hope each Lion and Lioness will purchase at least one of the shotgun/cash raffle tickets (see a Cabinet member).
• I hope that at least 50 more Lions and Lioness attend our District convention March 21^st - March 23^rd.
• I hope that at least 100 “working” Lions and Lioness put their professional business card in this years convention ad booklet (cost is only $15), not only to help support the District, but so that in our private lives we know who to turn to when we need a particular service (like a lawyer or a doctor or a plumber or insurance or a new car, etc. etc.).
• I hope each club will submit an item of $10 value or more for this years “Special Auction” at the convention (may I suggest asking the restaurant you meet at regularly for a gift certificate).
• I hope that at least 75 Lions or Lioness call this Governor and say I have an item for your Spring public auction to benefit the District (more details to follow).
• I hope that at least 100 people will attend the District 1-CN Lions/Lioness Night Out to benefit Radio Information Services (details in the next newsletter).
• I hope that at least 100 kids and adults attend a fun night out at District 1-CN “Night Out at the Ball Game” this spring.

Yes Virginia, I hope there is a Santa Claus, because District 1-CN needs the support of every Lion and Lioness to meet the demands of this years budget. Will you as part of the 42 clubs and approximately 1350 Lions and Lioness of this District help your Governor?

Wabash Region
ZC Elias Simpson 501 W. King Fairfield, IL 62837 618/842-2035,
ZC James Middlecalf 403 N. Fair Olney, IL. 62450 618/395-3637

Govoners Travels

Dec 3  Fairfield Governor's Night

Dec 4  Swansea Governor's Night  

Dec 5  Noble Governor's Night  

Dec 6-8  Council Meeting, Springfield  

Dec 10  Hoyleton Governor's Night  

Dec 14  City of Waterloo Christmas Party  

Jan 2  Smithton Lions Christmas Party  

Jan 5  Foundation Committee Meetings  

Jan 15  Mascoutah Noon Governor's Visit  

Jan 15  Troy Governor's Night     

Jan 21  New Baden Governor's Night  

Jan 22  St. Jacob Governor's Night  

Jan 25   Cabinet Meeting, Hoyleton