The world is full of different people. Different faces, shapes, sizes, colors, gender, personalities, thoughts, and ideas to name a few. Obviously, so then is a Lions club and its District. And with these differences come different opinions and approaches to handling specific situations. Invariably, the way one Lion or group of Lions handle something may not be the way you think it should have been done. But does that make them wrong? In too many eyes in this District the answer to that question is yes. But are these people really right?

If two roads (or ways) lead to the same place (or destination), one taking five miles to get to where you need to go and the other road taking ten miles, is the person who takes the longer route wrong for choosing it? Perhaps to you it makes sense to take the shorter route because it gets you there quicker with less wear on your vehicle and less expense on gasoline. But do you have the right to insist that the other person go the shorter route when it is that persons car, money, time, and choice? And do you really have the right to criticize their decision ( or opinion)?

Part of a dictionary’s definition of an opinion is “a belief held often without positive knowledge or proof”. But are you entitled to have an opinion when there are facts (specific answers or knowledge) available to the questions you have that you have not taken time to seek out? This is where I see a problem. Why is it that people insist they are correct and have a right to their own opinion when a factual answer to why something was done exists but they have not even taken the time to seek the answer out? In any situation, we owe it to ourselves and the people we support to get the facts and not to speculate or start rumors. You must also be careful to get the information from the best source for the facts. Just because “so and so told you” does not make them the best source if they really didn’t have the facts to begin with themselves.

When you have all the facts and you still have a difference in opinion, I hope you remember the following: Have they broken any rules or laws? Are they ethically or morally incorrect? Or did they just do it differently than you (“they took the longer route”). If it is just a “difference of opinion or ways”, we still must respect the office or position of that Lion (Governor, President, Council Chairman, Committee Chairman, etc.) and support their decision because it was their decision to make as being the Lion in that position. I am not telling you that you must agree with the decision. Just respect their office or position. You too can seek that office or position to enact a change or do it the way you think it should be done. Perhaps discussing your thoughts with that Lion may even lead to both sides coming to a happy compromise.

Finally, as I started this article, I stated that people are different. Regardless of what nationality, race, sex, or age we are, WE ARE ALL LIONS and WE ARE ALL entitled to the same respect. If you wish, praise the Lion who goes the extra mile, but don’t punish the Lion who meets the “minimums” of what is expected of the position they hold.

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

Governor's Tid Bits

We Won The Race!

The first ever District 1-CN Night at Fairmount Race Track was a tremendous success! Over eighty Lions and guests representing eleven clubs attended this night of beautiful weather, good food, and great entertainment. Special thanks go to Chairpersons Lions Dorothy and Jim Douglas who organized the event and especially to all the people who attended. THANKS!

Is your club entitled to a refund?

Remember, existing Lions clubs can receive one-half of the new member entrance fees for new members joining during fiscal year 2002-03 when:

* net club membership increases during 2002-03

* new members pay their 2003-04 dues before September 30, 2003

* club completes a new “hands-on” service project

* club submits an Entrance Fee Assistance Form to International

* increase calculated after club has a minimum of 20 members

Contact Lions International (630-571-5466) or their website at www.lions.org for forms or more specific information.

Secretaries Reminder

Please submit all Monthly Membership Reports by the 10^th of each month to Lions International. Delinquent reports should be sent in immediately. Please note that the area with the type of members (active, life, etc. ) must equal the members listed at the close of the month area. Also, please don’t forget to fill in the month and year you are reporting for. Thanks!

Changes in Foundation Trustee Term

At the State Convention this month, a resolution changing the length of time you can serve as Foundation Trustee from a maximum of two - 2 year terms to you can serve two - 2 year terms and then you must sit out for two years before serving (if elected) another two - 2 year term. This process can be repeated again and again.

Any resolution being voted on at the State Convention will be discussed at the District 1-CN caucus on Saturday afternoon at the State Convention.. Please plan on attending if you have questions.

International Convention

Those attending the State convention will be given the opportunity to learn more about the events and activities occurring during the International Convention this July. Please plan on attending this informative session to be held by PDG Jim Price, chairman of the International Convention Committee.

District 1-CN Dinner Auction

The April and this newsletter will give recognition to those clubs that have donated items (at this time). The following clubs have already made a donation (this does not include donations from individual Lions or Lioness): Caseyville, Belleville, Cahokia, Swansea, Waterloo, Smithton, Okawville, Summerfield, Lebanon, Carmi, Olney, Mt. Vernon, Nashville, Belleville Midtown, Clay City, Breese, Enfield, Grayville, Collinsville Noon, St. Jacob, New Baden, Central City, Millstadt, and Collinsville Evening. I thank everyone for helping to make this auction a success by donating an item or attending. Thanks!! Gov. Jim

You Are Invited!

You are invited to attend the “Governor’s Reception” to be held at 4:30pm on Saturday May 17^th in the District 1-CN hospitality room (Rooms 808 and 810) at the State Convention. Please help me wish incoming Governor Jim Hauenschild and District 1-CN good luck and success for next year.

Certificate of Liability Insurance

If your club needs proof of the insurance that is provided for your club’s activities free of charge from Lions Clubs International, please provide the District # (1-CN), your club #, the type of activity, the date of the activity, and the name and place you are holding your activity to: Ms. Rita Bianco of Lions International, phone # (630) 571-5466, Ext. 202. She will then send your club a certificate of liability insurance.

Governor's Travels

May 10  District 1-CN Dinner Auction, New Baden  

May 15-18  State Convention, Springfield  

May 26  Bad Pants Open, Indian Hills, Bloomingdale  

June 5  District 1-CN Night at the Cardinal's Baseball Game  

June 13-17 Trip to Wisconsin  

June 18  Collinsville Evening 20th Anniversary and Installation of Officers  

June 26  Installation of Smithton Officers  

June 29- July 6  International Convention, Denver

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

District 1CN Long Range Plan

This document has been prepared in an attempt to establish a LONG RANGE PLAN for our district. District Governor Jim Hall made this one of his goals and considers it most important.

We all know that LIONS work takes a lot of planning to assure success and we have a good number of Lions in all of our clubs who are doing a very fine job at the club level. However we need to do a better job at the district level. All Lions who are / have served on the district cabinet know that many times we come to our District convention and we have to GO SEARCHING for a good Lion to nominate for Vice District Governor and in some years a District Governor. This is a practice we must correct. To this writer as a Past District Governor and long time Lion Leader I/WE are not doing a very good job in fostering a spirit in our District which should have Lions waiting in line to SERVE these leadership roles.

The following LONG RANGE PLAN is submitted for your review, consideration, and approval. Please understand, that any PLAN must be a DYNAMIC PLAN, which requires input, updating, and distribution in order to be effective.

There are a large number of Lions in our District who are already fully qualified to serve in the positions of Governor, Vice Governor, or Trustee to the Lions of Illinois Foundation. We know some of you who have indicated you hope to move into these jobs someday. We want to identify those of you who really intend to move up as well as applying a target date for you to fulfill this most important job.

In order to provide you with all the information required to make your decisions the following will be provided:

1. Seminars will be scheduled and panels selected to discuss every aspect of the office.

• A. Amount of time
• B. Travel
• C. Expense
• D. Number of Meetings
• E. Opportunity
• F. Budgets, State, District, Foundation, & Clubs
• G. Council of Governors
• H. Lions of 111. Foundation Board
• I. Conventions, International, State, & District
• J. Uniforms
• K. Protocol
• L. All questions which you have in full

2. Seminars will include all interested future officers and spouses.

3. You will be assigned a mentor, (past district officer) of your choice.

4. All seminars/ training sessions will be more detailed the closer you get to your date of service.

5. All material / information used will be incorporated in booklet format.

In order to help us, we need you to complete this questionaire and return it to the Long Range Planning Committee (No Later Than 15 June 2003)

Name;______________________________________

Address;____________________________________

City;___________________State;____________________Zip;________________

Phone;(___)________________Res. Phone(____)________________Business.

E-Mail;___________________________

Lions Club;___________________________

Number of Years;___________________________

Offices Held & Years____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Please my friends and fellow Lions give this your full consideration and respong so we can continue to provide the quality of SERVICE to all those in need. Do not consider this a job or just a club, look ar it as a great rewarding oppotunity and a way of LIFE. The PAYDAYS are the most rewarding you will ever recieve.

Respectfully Submitted

PDG Lion Ron Newsome