LIONS CLUBS OF IOWA COUNCIL CHAIR

Council Chair Ardie (and Ken) Klemish
August 2011

Lions, Lioness, Leos and website visitors: A new year in Lionism is well under way. We thank PCC Jerry and Michele Roland and the 2010-11 MD9 Council of Governors for their leadership last year. Iowa’s 2011-12 Council of Governors EC Bob Willits, MC Charlotte Miller, NC Mike Nissly, NE John Tyrrell, NW Ken Hayward, SE Mark Songer, and SW Sheri Holliday have all held their first cabinet meetings. Their DG teams are working together with the district Global Membership Teams and Global Leadership Teams to build and strengthen membership and leadership in Iowa Lions. All seven Iowa districts are holding classes for GMT and GLT team members, zone chairs, and club officers. Please attend those training classes in your districts and zones. The Club Excellence Process will be presented in Iowa’s districts as well this year. Those classes help clubs to improve membership, service, and fellowship.

Two Iowa districts recently received LCIF emergency grants of $10,000 each for flood victims. District 9SW distributed groceries to the Missouri River flood victims in Mills and Fremont counties. 9NE DG John Tyrrell is working on distribution of the funds in northeast Iowa.

Plan now to attend your local zone meeting this fall. Every zone in Iowa WILL have zone meetings this year, where interesting programs and classes will enable clubs become stronger. Remember ALL LIONS MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO EVERY LION: not just at the zone or district level, but at the state level as well. It’s a great way to increase your knowledge about the great service work that Lions do not only here in Iowa, but worldwide.

I would encourage you to attend the seventh annual Promoting Healthy Children Conference on September 17 at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, co-sponsored by Lions Clubs of Iowa, Blank Children’s Hospital, and Family Directions of Iowa. Cost is only $20/person which includes morning snacks, lunch, four seminars, doorprizes, and continuing education credits for day care providers. Registration is at 9:30 and door prizes are distributed at 3:00 p.m. The registration form is available via a link on the Iowa Lions home page. You can register online with a credit card payment on a secure sight.

The Leader Dog Puppy Day at NCCF in Rockwell City will be Sunday, October 2nd. If you would like to attend, call Julie Sexton at 712-297-7521 to register. This is a great way to see why this successful program has a 95% graduation rate for Leader Dog puppies going on to Leader Dogs for the Blind to become the “left hand of love” and life-saver for a blind/visually impaired person.

Plan now to attend MidWinter Leadership Conference January 5 – 8, 2012 at Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines. The weekend will be filled with food, fellowship, fun, and leadership classes. Friday night entertainment is central Iowa’s famous “Stardusters” band/vocal group, performing music from all eras. They’re great to enjoy listening, even if you don’t dance. The District Governors’ partners in service will hold their famous basket silent auction, with all proceeds going to Iowa Lions Foundation. What a great way to support the seven entities of our foundation. Our international guest will be Dr. Gary Anderson from Michigan.

	Other dates to remember:
	Sep. 30-Oct 1	Council of Governors meeting at Microtel in Colfax
	Oct. 1	West UnionIowa Lions Foundation Trustee meeting in Colfax
	Oct. 15	9EC Fall Rally – contact DG Bob Willits for details
	Oct 21-22	9NW District Convention in Carroll, speaker ID Eugene Spiess
	Oct. 29	9NC Fall Rally - contact DG Mike Nissly for details
	Nov. 18-19	9SW District Convention in Winterset, speaker ID Douglas Alexander

Remember, ATTITUDE DETERMINES ALTITUDE. Teamwork makes every goal and project easier. Let’s cheer each other on to a great year in Iowa Lions! Remember our motto “We Serve”. Thanks to each of you for your service and commitment to helping others.