Remarks by DG

Remarks of Karen Burns

District Governor

Work Session ASD Board

April 24, 2017 

My name is Karen Burns I have the honor of being the current District Governor for 42 Lions Clubs in Southeast, Southwest and Southcentral Alaska. This is the Centennial year for Lions International. Founded by a Chicago Insurance executive, Melvin Jones in 1917, we have grown to become the world largest service organization with 1.4 million members in 214 countries and regions. Lions were  the first service club to admit women into full membership and leadership roles. Our motto is  “We Serve.”

A bit of history. You know us best for our work in sight conservation. Early in our history Helen Keller challenged Lions to be the “Knights of the Blind”. Our response has been to help restore  sight to 30 million people world-wide. We fund research and have established eye hospitals throughout the world.

We are Lions International. We have a special relationship with the UN?  Melvin Jones was one of the first national leaders to stand with Eleanor Roosevelt in her fight for the Declaration of Human  Rights when the UN was founded.

In Alaska each year we provide vision screening for thousands of school children and our clubs work with school nurses to provide glasses for low income children and youth. This year local lions clubs have provided 5 therapy dogs for veterans and others suffering from emotional distress and PTSD.

Our Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) partners with clubs on major projects: we furnished  the recovery room at the new Alaska blood bank and provided disaster relief for those impacted by  the 2014 Willow wildfire.  Our largest gift in Alaska was $1 million in 1965 (real money then) to relocate villages on Kodiak Island from the Tsunami that had claimed 50 lives in ’64 quake to the new community is now known as Port Lions. 

In this centennial year we are celebrating our tradition of service with the phrase “Where There is a  need, There is a Lion.”  The Anchorage School District has a need for a quality SEL curriculum.  We are proud to fill this need  though the Lions Quest Program. 

Lions Quest Making a Difference

By Karen Burns, District Governor

Lions of Alaska received a grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation for $100,000 in February.  Northrim Bank has partnered and is in support with your local Lions by providing a monetary support in the amount of $30,000.

For the past 30 years Lions have made a major commitment to children and youth through this specialized K-12 Curriculum Lions Quest (LQ). It is now being used in over 70 countries by 13 million children and youth. It has been translated in over 30 languages. This curriculum was completely revised in 2015 and was ranked in the top 9 among 380 programs that were reviewed by CASEL (the collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning). LQ deals with the specific themes of:

1. A connection to school;
2. Promote positive behavior; 
3. Teach character education; 
4. Teach anti-bullying techniques; 
5. Teach drug and alcohol awareness; and 
6. Teach service learning so children are taught at an early again about service to their community.

It is designed to be taught in a 30-45 minute session once each week.  Once in place LQ will be part of the ASD middle school curriculum for at least five years.

The Anchorage School District (ASD).  ASD has had a SEL curriculum in place for over 30 years. The State School Board mandates that a SEL curriculum be in place in each district. The current SEL curriculum in place is over a decade old and not as comprehensive as LQ. Our LQ team has built on the good work and contacts made by PDG Diana Cummings and other Lions in past years that opened doors for this effort. Supt. Dr. Deena Paramo and senior staff have reviewed LQ and asked for its placement starting in the 2017-18 academic year targeting the ten comprehensive middle schools (7th and 8th grade).

This will serve some 7,500 students. In the 2017-18 academic year the curriculum will be introduced to the students of Central, Clark, Golden View, Gruening, Henshew, Mears and Miirror Lake. In the 2018-19 the program will expand to include Begich, Romig and Wendler.  The program will also serve 6th grade students in the three schools where they are included in the Middle school design (Clark, Mirror Lake and Begich).  Dr. Paramo has agreed to make a number of public and media appearances to thank Lions and affirm the value of LQ.

The ASD research department indicates that 52 languages are spoken by the the youth of these ten schools that will participate in Lions Quest. 49% of these students are identified as low-income.  ASD leadership feel that this quality curriculum will have a positive and measurable impact in helping the District meet its 90% graduation rate by 2020.

The clubs of our district matched the LCIF grant with designated contributions of $33,333 and had these funds in hand by February 28, 2017.  So that $65,000 of the LCIF grant can be released for year one. The LQ leadership team proposed that the 49A Foundation meet one half of the district match from its funds.  That request was voted on at our local cabinet meeting. 

We will need to make a huge curriculum order this spring. The Northrim gift of $30,000 will be made in 2017 through the State of Alaska Education Tax credit program and used for curriculum.  LQ will further enhance our relationship to ASD and build on our work with Peace Posters vision screening, and direct support to a number of schools. Key Lions will attend the one day training session, clubs will adopt middle schools, observe LQ sessions and be involved in an aggressive PR campaign including new TV Spots and signage in schools.

49A Leadership Team for the LQ grant are: DG Karen Burns (grant administrator),  Lion Walt Hays (project Administrator), PCC Ev Burk (fiscal officer) and senior advisors ID Lewis Quinn, IVDG Jeannine Morse, 2VDG Hal V. Smalley and Lion Jim LaBau.

This is a first step in a long-term strategy; success with ASD will give us credibility and a template so that LQ can be expanded to other school districts in future years.

Your local Lions are committed to the education of our youth.  They hope youth,  the community will become as excited as we are about bringing this program to your children.

Lions Clubs Centennial Trivia

Here's a fun game you can play at one of your meetings to see how much your members really know about this great organization they are a part of:

Question 1:  Who is the founder of Lions Clubs International?

Question 2:  What famous woman challenged Lions to be "Knights of the Blind" in 1925?

Question 3:  What is the Lions' motto?

Question 4:  How many people have Lions pledged to help through the Centennial Service Challenge?

Question 5:  True or False -- All Lions can earn special awards for inviting new members through the Centennial Celebration Membership Awards?

Question 6:  In what year will Lions Clubs International officially celebrate its 100th anniversary?

Question 7:  What is the name of Lions' global blindness prevention program?

Question 8:  Finish this sentence.... The Centennial slogan is:  "Where there's a need, there's a _____."

Question 9:  True or False -- Many of the eye banks around the world were founded by Lions.

Question 10:  What is the name of Lions International art contest for children ages 11-13?

Question 11:  True or False -- There are Lions clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas around the world?

Question 12:  Lions Clubs became international in 1920 by chartering a club in which country?

Question 13:  What is the name of the youth program that Lions launched in 1957 to encourage young people to serve their communities?

Question 14:  True or False -- Women are now the fastest growing segment of new members in Lions Clubs?

Question 15:  True or False -- Mother Teresa received the Lions Humanitarian Award in 1986.

Question 16:  True or False -- Lions have pledged $30 million for vaccines to help save children from measles?

Question 17:  Which former president of the United States has been an active Lion for over 50 years?

And the answers are:
A1:  Melvin Jones
A2:  Helen Keller
A3:  We Serve
A4:  100 million plus
A5:  True
A6:  2017
A7:  SightFirst.
A8:  Lion
A9:  True
A10: Lions International Peace Poster Contest or Peace Poster
A11: True.  Lions are in over 210 countries and geographic areas.
A12: Canada
A13: Leo Clubs
A14: True.  40% of new Lions are women
A15: True
A16: True
A17: Jimmy Carter

100 Years of Lions

The following article was published in the 71st Gold Medal Basketball Tournament program honoring our 100 Years of Lions:

100 Years of Lions

The distinguished history of the Lions Clubs International forms the foundation for nearly everything Lions clubs do today.  From our humble beginnings to our commitment to sight initiatives, there is a significant basis for all our humanitarian services.  Knowing and understanding our history gives us perspective and helps us keep our dedication and community thriving.

Lions have been helping people since 1917.  That year, Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman, encouraged his club, the Chicago Business Circle, to go beyond promoting good business practices.  He convinced the members that selfless service to others would create a better community -- a better world -- for all.

Melvin Jones also saw that a network of clubs working together could do much more than individual clubs acting alone.  He invited similar groups from around the United States to a meeting on June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.  There, the Association of Lions Clubs was born.  Later that year, a convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA to formally adopt a constitution, by-laws and a code of ethics.  The fledgling group became the International Association of Lions Clubs just three years later in 1920 when a new Lions club was formed in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Perhaps the single event having the greatest impact on the association's service commitment occurred in 1925, when Helen Keller addressed the Lions at the international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA.  It was there that she challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness."

Broadening its role in international understanding, the association was one of the first nongovernmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945 and has supported the work of the UN ever since.

In 1957, the Leo Program was created to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering.

In 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation was established to assist Lions with global and large-scale local humanitarian projects.  Through our Foundation, Lions meet the needs of their local and global communities.

In 1987, Lions Clubs International became the first major service club to admit women as members.

In 1990, Lions launched their most aggressive sight preservation effort to date, SightFirst.  The program strives to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness by closing the gap between existing health care services and those that remain desperately needed.

In the 100 years since its founding, the association -- usually called Lions Clubs International (LCI) -- has spread to all corners of the globe, where Lions are welcomed and respected for their vision, integrity, and dedication to our official motto:  "We Serve."

ORIGIN OF THE NAME "LIONS"
On July 17, 1917, at the invitation of Melvin Jones, delegates met in Chicago.  The only point of contention was the selection of a name for the new organization.  Melvin Jones researched the idea of calling the new organization Lions.  The name Lions was chosen on a secret ballot over several others because the lion stood for strength, courage, fidelity and vital action.  The official name of the association is "The International Association of Lions Clubs" or simply "Lions Clubs International."

LOGO
The Lions emblem (or logo) is a recognized and respected symbol all around the world.  Although it has been modified and modernized, the basic design dates back to 1919.  It consists of a gold "L" on a blue field surrounded by a gold circle.  On either side of the circle is the profile of a lion's head, one looking back upon a proud past and the other looking optimistically toward the future.

Various forms of the emblem may be downloaded for member and club use from the LCI website.  You should know, however, that the emblem is a registered trademark in most countries and should only be used in accordance with the Lions Club International Trademark Policies, which may be found on the LCI website.

Alaska Centennial Honorarium

The following was presented to District Governor Karen Burns by the Alaska Legislature:

*Honoring the Lions Club Centennial*

The Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature joins the Lions in celebrating their hundredth year of service. From their humble beginnings as a club to improve the community in Chicago to their administration of over 10,000 grants, the Lions Club’s impact can be seen wherever members focus their efforts.

The Lions Club was started in 1917 when Melvin Jones told members of his local business they ought to focus not only on business issues, but to the betterment of their communities and the world. The group took on the name of the “Association of Lions Clubs”, and before the year’s end had adopted a constitution, bylaws, objectives, and a code of ethics.

As the organization grew, it continued working towards the goal of the betterment of the world. The first international growth of the Lions happened with the chartering of a club in Canada in 1920, and just over a decade later the first international convention outside of the U.S. took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Lions took on the challenge of blindness with Helen Keller’s charging of them to be “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”. To this end, in 1930 the Lions introduced the iconic white cane with a red band as a means of assisting the blind in independent mobility—an idea that went on the become statute in every state in the U.S. and numerous other countries. The club’s fight against blindness continues to this day alongside the numerous other efforts of the club.

In 1968 the Lions Clubs International Foundation was established to support the humanitarian work of the Lions. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $826 million in grants to support humanitarian efforts from floods in South Dakota in 1972, to eliminating river blindness in Colombia in 2013.

Alaska Lions carry on the club’s mission in the state with their contributions to vision screening, eyeglass recycling, and the Joint Sight Committee. They provide glasses to the needy, assistance for the visually impaired, and financial assistance to those who are unable to purchase eyeglasses for themselves. The Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center has recycled approximately 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses per year, sending roughly 30,000 to eye care missions.

Emphasizing the club’s dedication to bettering their communities, one of the Alaska Lions’ most remarkable contributions was their pivotal role in housing inhabitants from Ag’waneq and Port Wakefield. After the villages were destroyed in the Good Friday earthquake in 1964, the Lions were instrumental in having housing built for the displaced Alaskans, issuing a grant of $1 million dollars to fund the creation of Port Lions.

The Lions Club has contributed in countless ways to improving their communities and the world, demonstrating the value of individuals coming together to make meaningful change. The members of the Thirtieth Alaska State Legislature are honored to celebrate the Lions Club’s 100^th year of service, and look forward to their future accomplishments.

PCC Neil Atkinson with Lions Donna Hurley, Sasha Soboleff, and District Governor Karen Burns

#Lions100

February Centennial Service Activities

Winter is here and it seems we slow down a little and enjoy the slower pace.  Here's a list of Centennial Service Activities that were reported into MyLCI for the month of February:

Sharing the Vision:

• Copper River Basin provided vision screening to Glennallen Elementary.  They screened 7 children.  
• Girdwood Turnagain Arm provided vision screening at Chinook Elementary School.  Screened 518 students and made 8 referrals.  

Engaging our Youth:

• Anchorage Mt.  McKinley donated $2,000 for the Lions Quest 49A Project.  Funds will be used to start the program in the Anchorage School District.

Relieving the Hunger:

• Anchorage Mt. McKinley delivered food boxes to Anchorage residents for FISH.
• Anchorage Mabuhay volunteered to serve lunch at Bean's Cafe.  
• Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions assisted in a weekly distribution of food from Helping Hands.  

Ten clubs have completed all four Centennial Service Activity categories:

1. Anchorage
2. Kenai
3. Kodiak
4. Soldotna
5. Spenard
6. Copper River Basin
7. Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
8. Anchorage Mabuhay
9. Eagle River Sleeping Lady  Mt.
10. Wasilla

Way to serve 49A!   #Lions100 

January Centennial Service Activities

Clubs were busy in January completing Centennial Service Projects.  Here's what was reported:

Relieving the Hunger:

• Anchorage Mabuhay served lunch at Bean's Cafe.
• Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions prepared and served lunch for 54 patrons at The Glory Hole, a shelter for the homeless and other needy residents.
• Mountain View collected food to feed children over the weekend.
• Anchorage Mabuhay served meals at Kids Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals for children at no cost.
• Anchorage Mt. McKinley delivered food boxes to Anchorage residents for FISH.
• Soldnota supported the Kenai Peninsula  Food Bank and presented a check for $1,200.  This project began on August 27, 2016, when the Soldotna Lions worked with the Kenai Lions at the annual food bank soup supper selling split the pot tickets. Proceeds from the tickets resulted in $500.00 for the food bank.

Sharing the Vision:

• Girdwood Turnagain Arm screened 250 children at Chugach Optional School with 11 referrals.  Anchorage Mabuhay assisted.  Girdwood screened 223 children at Northwood School.
• Anchorage Lions assisted with vision screening at Tudor Elementary and Ptarmigan Elementary.  
• Soldotna donated 154 pair of eyeglasses to Aurora Borealis.  
• Kodiak screened 138 with 32 referrals and collected eyeglasses.
• Kenai Lions helped at the Homeless Connect Project and screened 51 patrons with 27 referrals.  

Engaging Our Youth:

• Anchorage Mt. McKinley presented awards for peace poster contest.

Protecting Our Environment:

• Kodiak Lions and Anchorage Mt. McKinley made donations to the District Water Project in memory of Lion Diana Cummings.  

#Lions100

We Serve

Centennial Coin

Our Silver Centennial Commemorative Coin is now available to purchase.  This is a keepsake all Lions will want to have.  But supplies are limited so order your's soon!

For more information, click HERE.  Coins can be purchased from the LCI Store and cost $51.95 plus shipping.  They can also be ordered from the U.S. Mint for a limited time only, for a low introductory price of $47.95 for a proof finish coin.  This offer expires February 21.

#Lions100

November Legacy Projects

Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions completed and reported a Legacy Level 1 Project:   Lion Michelle worked on the Lions Logo Wrap on the Anchorage Senior Activities Center Van. This is a District 49A project

Chugiak Lions completed and reported a Legacy Level 1 Project:  vision screening

#Lions100
Legacy Projects

Holiday Activities

This time of year, clubs around the state get into action.  Here's where we are for the month of November:

Sharing the Vision

• Kodiak Lions 
• screened at local private schools and had 8 referrals
• purchased a white cane for a young blind man whose can was stolen
• Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
• screened at seven different locations in Juneau and Southeast for 685 screened and 81 referrals
• Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mountain Lions
• Screened 93 children at St. John's Orthodox School with 6 screened.  Will follow up with a couple students to ensure they get further vision care.
• Girdwood Turnagain Arm Lions
• Screened at several different schools and events for a total of 957 screened with 168 referred.  
• Used the DMV screener at the Health Fair to screen participants.  
• Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
• Provided assistance during screening at Lake Otis and North Star Elementary.  
• Kachemak Bay Lions
• Screened 47 with 23 referrals at the Homer Health Fair
• Chugiak Lions
• Screened at the Chugiak Elementary School

Engaging Our Youth

• Kodiak
• Worked with three youth groups to assist Kiwanis unload and sell Christmas trees as a service project.  
• Donated to the Kodiak Youth Hockey Club for gear.
• Involved two other service groups, including youth, in the community Christmas Tree Lighting event.
• Kodiak Lions get referrals from schools and local housing projects for kids that may not have proper winter gear and take them shopping!!!  Along with support from Macks, they are able to outfit children with coats, hats, boots, and anything else they need to help them them through the winter.  
• Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions
• Helped set up and work Family Night
• Donated to Camp K.
• Willow Lions
• Skate Night -- roller skating at local elementary for community.
• Girdwood Turnagain Arm Lions
• Peace Poster event
• Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
• Assisted Mabuhay Leos with their fundraising project -- Christmas ornament making.
• Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
• Gun safety starts in elementary school in Juneau.  One Lion volunteered his time teaching students about gun safety.
• Soldotna Lions
• Replaced eyeglass collection boxes which the local high school students made.  

Relieving the Hunger

• Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
• Annual Thanksgiving dinner:  Served a scrumptious meal in honor of seniors in the community.  Mabuhay Leos assisted. 
• Kenai Lions
• Cooked and provided breakfast for the alternative high school students.
• Helped at the annual Christmas Comes to Kenai community event.  Gave away 50 gallons of hot chocolate and 700 cookies baked the night before.  Leftovers were given to the LeeShore Center.
• Willow Lions
• Assisted at the local food pantry and distributed food to the community.
• Kodiak Lions
• Donated a $100 Safeway gift card to a young adult
• Helped at a community food drive and accumulated 625 pounds of goods.
• Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions
• Delivered food boxes to Anchorage residents.
• Girdwood Turnagain Arm Lions
• Worked with several local churches and other service organizations to prepare food for, serve, and bus tables at the community Thanksgiving dinner.  
• Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
• Donated $400 to Helping Hands, a local food pantry.

Yes, WE SERVE!  Thank you Lions for all the hard work you do in your community all year long!

#Lions100

Centennial Service Activities

Vision Screening in Southeast Alaska

Our Lion year runs July 1 through June 30.  We start the year running, lining up schools, home schools, and pre-schools to offer free vision screening to children.

When we screen a child's eye, we let the PlusOptix screener do the work.  We aren't medical professionals and don't diagnose.  But the computer will identify any abnormalities in a child's eye and give a report of REFER if it found something wrong.

So far this year, the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions have screened at the following locations in Juneau and Southeast Alaska:

• Auke Bay Elementary School (preschoolers):  screened 107 children with 7 referrals
• Infant and Baby Fair:  screened 37 infants and toddlers with 4 referrals
• Faith Community Christian School:  screened 53 children with 14 referrals
• Gastineau Elementary School:  screened 120 preschool, kindergarten, first graders, and miscellaneous other children that had questionable eyesight with 19 referrals
• Glacier Valley Elementary School:  screened 213 children with 42 referrals
• Haines Elementary School, Haines, Alaska:  Screened 137 children with 9 referrals
• Harborview Elementary:  screened 121 preschool to kindergarten with 23 referrals
• Harborview Montesorri:   screened 51 preschool and 1st graders with 3 referrals
• Head Start Faith Lutheran:  screened 37 with 2 referrals
• Head Start Pioneers Home:  screened 15 with 4 referrals
• Head Start Mendenhall School:  screened 15 with 3 referrals
• Juneau Community Charter School:  screened 79 with 14 referrals
• Juneau Co-Op Preschool:  screened 37 with 1 referral
• Raven Home School:  screened 9 with 2 referrals
• Riverbend Elementary:  screened 260 children with 53 referrals
• KEET Elementary, Sitka, Alaska:  screened 354 children with 27 referrals
• Valley Baptist Academy:  screened 79 with 7 referrals
• Wrangell Elementary:  screened 73 children with 17 referrals

Total screened and referred the first half of the Lion year:  1,797 with 251 referrals.

Submitted by Lion Nancy Norton
Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

#Lions100 Sharing the Vision

Legacy Project: Newtok Water Project

The POWER of Lions...

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Today as we give thanks wanted to pass on one of the things I give thanks for...Lions. And realizing that we as Lions do not do a good job of tooting our horn, am letting everyone know what the Lions of Multiple District 49 did within a few months.

A little background...the Alaskan village of Newtok will become a casualty of erosion within the next year or two and the population of 209 will have to move to higher ground about 9 miles away to a new village named Mertarvik (literally meaning "a place to get water"). What was interesting is that although millions of dollars had already been spent and budgeted for houses, roads, etc., no funding was forthcoming for a way to provide clean water. A water well for the village was drilled and an electric water pump installed but there was no electricity or filtration system in place.

This is where the Lions stepped in...

The Fairbanks Host Lions sponsored two of their members to go around to small villages in the Philippines to assemble and hand out small hand-operated drinking water plants after a typhoon knocked out the ability to get clean water. After returning the Host Lions wanted to do a similar project closer to home and they talked to Jon Dufendach of CampWater Industries who in turn talked to the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC). Although there are 35 villages without clean water, the recommendation was Mertarvik and the Host Lions started running.

The Host Lions presented it to the District 49B cabinet for adopting this as a major Lions Centennial project in March 2016. Next, District 49A was asked to help support and then both the District 49A and 49B Foundations (both 501(c)(3) organizations) tackled this as a joint project.

At the Multiple District 49 convention in April 2016 they started raising the $30,000 needed. Jon Dufendach volunteered his time and CCHRC provided two laborers, not charging us for it. Jon installed a hand pump (remember no electricity there yet), the filtration system, and built a wellhouse the last month of June 2016...this is the POWER of Lions.

We Serve!
Submitted by Ski Marcinkowski
#Lions100

Legacy Level 1: Eyeglass Collection Box

What is a Legacy Project?  

A Legacy Project is a VISIBLE gift to your community.  

A Level 1 project raises your visibility in the community.  

It shines all year long where passerbys can see it and be reminded of just how important your club is to the community.  

Examples of a Legacy Level 1:

donate a park bench where needed

post new Lion signs around town

maintain a town fountain

or, in this case, build some awesome collection boxes for eyeglasses!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Soldotna Lions Club collects used eyeglasses to send to the Lions recycling center in North Pole, Alaska, The eyeglasses collection boxes located at the various locations throughout the community were deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The club's Vision Chair, Jewel Lee Martin, asked the club for approval to have a local high school students in a woodworking shop class, under the direction of their teacher, make new collection boxes out of wood. The club agreed to pay $300.00 to cover material cost and to engage the seven students and their teacher in the project. It took the class a month to make eight beautiful wood collection boxes.

Jewel Lee Martin, Soldotna Lions Vision Chair asked the students and teacher how the club could express thanks for the excellent work that they did with making the collection boxes and the students replied that they would love some pizza which Jewel Lee provided for them.   #Lions100  Protecting Our Environment

We Serve!
Submitted by 
1st VDG Jeannine Morse
Soldotna Lions Club

Legacy Level 1: Flower Pots Down Main Street Seward

What is a Legacy Project?  

A Legacy Project is a VISIBLE gift to your community.  

A Level 1 project raises your visibility in the community.  

It shines all year long where passerbys can see it and be reminded of just how important your club is to the community.  

Examples of a Legacy Level 1:

donate a park bench where needed

post new Lion signs around town

maintain a town fountain

or, in this case, maintain flower pots in the heart of town.  

Lions Dave and Cindy Beardsley

"Seward Resurrection Bay Lions maintain 12 of these flower pots year round.  We plant new flowers in the spring and do weekly clean out, as some people use these for ashtrays and trash bins.  This Legacy Project was started in May 2016."

#Lions100
We Serve!
Submitted by PDG Cindy Beardsley
Seward Resurrection Bay Lions

2nd Quarter Centennial Report

Centennial service activity increased this quarter.  We still have five clubs who have completed all four categories with five other clubs right behind with three categories completed. 

Four Service Areas:

The following clubs have reported centennial service activities in MyLCI with five clubs having completed all four categories:

Engaging our Youth:

Sutton Racing

Wasilla

Palmer

Mountain View

Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

Kodiak

Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.

Anchorage Mt. McKinley

Soldotna

Seward Resurrection Bay

Anchorage Benton Bay Athletics

Anchorage Muldoon

Spendard

Sharing the Vision:

Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt

Soldotna

Wasilla

Anchorage Muldoon

Anchorage Mabuhay

Spenard

Mt. View

Girdwood Turnagain Arm

Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

Anchorage Mt. McKinley

Kodiak

Chugiak

Kenai

Palmer

Seward Resurrection Bay

Relieving the Hungry:

Anchorage Mt. McKinley

Palmer

Wasilla

Anchorage Mabuhay

Anchorage Polynesian

Spenard

Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

Copper River Basin

Kenai

Girdwood Turnagain Arm

Kodiak

Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.

Protecting Our Environment:

Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

Anchorage

Seward Resurrection Bay

Anchorage 1st Hmong

Kodiak

Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.

Wasilla

Soldotna

Anchorage Mabuhay

Anchorage Polynesia

Spenard

Legacy Projects: 

A few clubs completed and reported new Legacy projects this quarter; we gained six Level 1 Legacy Projects.   Reminder:  Legacy projects are visible gifts to our community, not generally a gift given to one person, not an event, vision screening, or a financial contribution (unless your club name will go on a plaque to identify your contribution).   

Level 1:   17 completed projects      

Kodiak (7), Soldotna (1), Copper River Basin (2), Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions (1), Eagle River Sleeping

Lady Mt. (2), Sutton Racing (1), Anchorage Mt. McKinley (1), Chugiak (1), Seward Resurrection Bay (1)

Level 2:  4 completed projects

Seward Resurrection Bay, Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions, Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt., Sutton Racing

Level 3:  1 completed project

Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.

 The Gold Rush of Lionism Blog

Continue to update the Centennial blog on a regular basis.  Lionsmd49ab.blogspot.com

People Served: 

So far this year 49A has served 78,996 people. 

  

We Serve!
Lion Nancy Norton

49A Centennial Coordinator

#Lions100

Sharing the Vision: One Pair Eyeglasses At A Time

Seventeen boxes..... two thousand two hundred and fifty four.... Eyeglasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, and cases that is.  That's what the Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in North Pole, Alaska, will be receiving in the next few days.

The two Juneau Lions Clubs collect eyeglasses as a joint effort.  All eyecare centers in Juneau have a collection box and every year in October, we have a Recycle for Sight collection drive.  This effort is a year's worth of collecting.

Lions Mike Norton, Ted Quinn, Soapy Lingle

Once they are received at the North Pole recycle center, Lions and other volunteers will clean them, fix them, label their prescription, and file away until needed.  Every year this recycle center redistributed approximately 30,000 eyeglasses to needy people around the world.  Sharing the Vision.  #Lions100

We Serve!

Lion Nancy Norton
Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions

Centennial Projects September

Clubs are busy in their communities, constantly striving to serve more.  LCI's goal to serve 100 million people by June 30, 2018, has already been met!  Besides increasing membership, we have our four Centennial service activity challenges as well as Legacy Projects to complete.

The following clubs have completed one or more Centennial service activity:  

Engaging Our Youth:
Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions
Palmer Lions
Mt. View Lions
Anchorage Benton Bay Athletic Lions
Anchorage Muldoon Lions
Sutton Racing Lions

Sharing the Vision:
Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions
Kenai Lions
Palmer Lions
Mt. View Lions
Soldotna Lions
Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
Anchorage Muldoon Lions

Relieving the Hunger:
Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions
Kenai Lions
Palmer Lions
Copper River Basin Lions
Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
Girdwood Turnagain Arm Lions
Anchorage Polynesia Lions

Protecting Our Environment:
Anchorage Lions
Soldotna Lions
Seward Resurrection Bay Lions
Anchorage Mabuhay Lions
Anchorage 1st Hmong Lions
Anchorage Polynesia Lions

The following clubs have completed all four of the Centennial Service Activities:

1. Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mountain Lions
2. Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
3. Kodiak Lions
4. Wasilla Lions

Clubs that have not reported service activities OR Centennial service activities this year are shown below.  If you believe your Club IS participating in service activities and the Centennial challenges, please talk to your Club President and Secretary:  
Bethel Lions
Eagle River Lions
Juneau Lions
Spenard Lions
Kachemak Bay Lions
Big Lake Lions
Anchorage Latinos Lions
Ballyhoo Lions
Houston Lions
Willow Lions
Anchorage Captain Cook Lions
Kenai Peninsula Racing Lions
Anchorage Racing
Chugiak Lions
Anchorage Alaska Sports Car Lions
Alaska State Sno-X Lions
Bethel Winter House Lions
UAA Aurora Borealis Campus

Legacy Projects:
A Legacy Project is a VISIBLE gift we give our community.  It isn't a financial donation.  It isn't something we "do" every month or every year.  It isn't something we give to one person.  A Legacy Project is a VISIBLE gift we give to OUR COMMUNITY.  If you cannot affix a Centennial Plaque to it, you might want to reconsider if it's a legacy project at all:  

Level 1:
Anchorage Mt. McKinley Lions:  1 project
Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mountain:  2 projects
Kodiak Lions:  6 projects
Soldotna Lions:  1 project
Copper River Basin:  2 projects
Seward Resurrection Bay Lions:  1 project
Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions:  1 project
Sutton Racing:  1 project

Level 2:
Seward Resurrection Bay Lions:  1 project
Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions:  1 project
Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.:  1 project
Sutton Racing:  1 project

Level 3:
Eagle River Sleeping Lady Mt.:  1 project

If you're uncertain whether your projects qualify as a Legacy Project, check out LCI's webpage here.

We Serve!
#Lions100

Centennial Projects

Another month has come and gone and Clubs are busy with their Centennial service projects.  Listed below are the clubs that have completed Centennial service projects for the month of August.  I'd like to note that some clubs, have completed multiple projects for some of the categories.  Thank you!

Kodiak:
Engaging Our Youth
Sharing the Vision
Protecting Our Environment
Relieving the Hunger

Anchorage Mt. McKinley:
Relieving the Hunger
Sharing The Vision
Engaging Our Youth

Anchorage Mabuhay:
Relieving the Hunger

Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions:
Relieving the Hunger
Protecting Our Environment

Soldotna:
Protecting Our Environment

Palmer:
Engaging Our Youth

Anchorage 1st Hmong:
Protecting Our Environment

So far this year, the following clubs have completed all four of the Centennial Service Challenges:
Kodiak
Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions
Wasilla

Legacy Projects:
Kodiak -- Level 1 (dedication of a bench)
Anchorage Mt. McKinley -- Level 1 (donation to Newtok Water Project)
Seward Resurrection Bay -- Level 1 (maintain flower pots)

Club Secretary, please remember to enter your service activities by the end of each month so your club can be recognized.

Thank you for your dedication to serve!

Lion Nancy Norton
49A Centennial Coordinator
#Lions100

Centennial Presentation at 1st Cabinet Meeting

The following report was presented at the 1st Cabinet Meeting on August 13, 2016, in Big Lake, Alaska

Submitted by Lion Nancy Norton

49A Centennial Coordinator

Centennial Service Activities, Legacy Projects, and Reporting in MyLCI

I was asked to talk about our Centennial Service Activities and Legacy Projects today and how to input them into MyLCI. 

Clubs are doing GREAT!  TEN clubs have reported Centennial Service Activities for July and TWO clubs (Wasilla and the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions) have completed ALL FOUR of the challenges already in July!    

Your Club Secretary is responsible for reporting service activities into MyLCI.  But it is up to ALL members of the club to come up with project ideas that qualify for the Centennial challenges and designate them as Centennial Service Activities or Legacy Projects. 

CENTENNIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES….

The four Centennial Service Challenges are:

1. Engaging Our Youth
2. Sharing the Vision
3. Relieving the Hunger
4. Protecting Our Environment

Even though Engaging Our Youth might be designated for the month of August or Sharing the Vision for October, clubs can do them any time of the year and get credit as a Centennial Service Activity.   Some times we report our event as Engaging Our Youth when it's actually US doing all the work AT a child's event.  Remember:  Engaging Our Youth is about ENGAGING our youth, not DOING FOR OUR YOUTH.  We want our youth to join us on projects, help with the decisions, lead, getting them involved.  They are our next leaders.  

Some times an activity might fall under two different categories.  Each Club can choose the category that best suits them.  For instance, some clubs designate eyeglass recycle as Protecting Our Environment because they're keeping eyeglasses out of the landfill; others as Sharing the Vision because they're giving the gift of sight.  Neither is wrong; both are correct.  

As your Centennial Coordinator, I have the ability to go into your club accounts and see what you’re doing.   Most are doing a great job of reporting your activities and especially your Centennial Service Activities.  A few might report, but then forget to designate that it’s a Centennial Service Activity.  And some haven’t input any service activities for years…  For those Clubs, I'm here to help.  

How are service activities different from Centennial Service Activities?  Not all service activities qualify as a Centennial Service Challenge.  For instance, the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions collects Boxtops logos.  Although these clipped logos are going to be turned into a school, they don't have anything to do with children or any of the four categories so it will be reported as a regular service activity.

If your service activity qualifies as a Centennial activity, you have to DESIGNATE it as one.  Click on Select Type (as shown in the picture below) to get a drop down menu of your activity options:  

The next screen shows different Activity Types to choose from as you scroll down.  Note that some options have changed recently.   

Again, a project might fall under one or two different categories; pick the one that best suits your club.  

The next step in reporting your Centennial project is to make the selection in the Centennial Challenge Box at the bottom of the picture.  By designating one of these options, you're notifying LCI of your project:  

Legacy Projects -- What qualifies and how to report them in MyLCI. 

A Legacy Project is a VISIBLE GIFT to your community that commemorates our Centennial and creates a lasting legacy of your service contributions. 

and

Also, that all Legacy Projects should be identified with a sign or plaque indicating the project was donated by your Lions Club. 

Note:  The LCI store has plaques specific for the Centennial that you can purchase. 

There’s a couple key words there -- VISIBLE GIFT and IDENTIFYING YOUR PROJECT WITH A SIGN. 

I will venture to guess that a Legacy Project will be:

• A NEW project, not something you do over and over again.
• It will be a project that your club has given great thought and consideration to before agreeing that it, indeed will have great impact on your community.
• It most likely will not be a financial donation.
• It won't benefit just one person.
• It will be something tangible, that others will see, use, and enjoy for years to come.
• It might be something so incredible that when others see it, they will be reminded just how much your Lions Club does for your community.  

Three Levels of Legacy Projects:

LEVEL 1 is very simple to accomplish and one all clubs should have no problem doing.  These projects Raise your community visibility:

• If your down does not have a "Lions" sign at your city limits, get one!  
• Provide a park bench in memory of a local Lion that has passed on.
• If nothing else, plant a tree at a local senior center.  

Level one projects are simple to do.  They're quick and cost will be minimal.  All Clubs should be able to accomplish a Level 1.  

LEVEL 2 Legacy Project Provide a community gift:

• Refurbish a city park or playground.
• Donate a vehicle to a community organization.
• Build a footbridge or construct bleachers at a ball park.  
• The Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions brought the USS Juneau Presentation Silver back home where it resides in the City Museum.  

These projects will be more INVOLVED, may take more time to coordinate with government agencies to complete, and have a larger cost.  

LEVEL 3 Legacy Projects will make a community impact:

• Build a clinic.
• Develop a training center.
• Equip an area of a hospital

Our Newtok Water Project will be a Level 3 as will the Blond Bank if they get reported into MyLCI as such.  These projects are HUGE.  The impact is HUGE.  And the cost is HUGE.  These projects don't happen overnight or during one meeting.  

As you can see, Legacy Projects are visible gifts to your community.  

You're making an impact on your community.

You've given this great consideration.

Your Club has agreed that this would be a great legacy to your community.

You've planned and budgeted.

You've contacted all the parties that will help this project go forward.

You've created a timeline to get the project done.

You've got your volunteers.

You've notified your local newspaper that you're doing this incredible legacy project.

You've advertised on Facebook and other social media.

You've submitted a PSA to your paper.  

You have your work party.

You have your finished product.

Now what....?

You report your project in MyLCI.  

As mentioned, this is the job of your secretary, but if she is unable to report your activities, the President should designate someone else to do the reporting.  It's that important.

Remember that when you enter your Legacy Project, you can also qualify for one of the four Centennial Service Challenges.  For instance, if you PLANT A TREE, it qualifies for PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT and a LEGACY LEVEL 1 project.

You can select the service activity in the Activity Type drop down menu as well as your Legacy Level.   SEE EXAMPLE  below.   But you can only select one.  I’d select the Legacy Project in this step and then go to the next example to enter Centennial Service Activity Challenge (in the box in the bottom of the screen -- Protecting Our Environment.  You’ve covered them both.

So, to reiterate. . . .  Your Secretary is responsible for entering your Centennial Service Activities and Legacy Projects into MyLCI on a monthly basis.  In order for us to achieve the Centennial Challenge of serving 100 million people, it's important that we report "people served" as well as our Centennial challenge and legacy activities.

It's that simple.  A couple reminders:

1. July 1 we started over with our Challenge for activities.  So even if you did challenges, starting July 1, starts a new year.
2. You can do as many Centennial service activities as you want!
3. You can do as many Legacy Projects as you want!  
4. If your Club is a 100% Contributing Member, you can report your contribution in MyLCI and select one of the four challenges to cover it.  If you don't think you'll get a Protecting Our Environment challenge done this year and if your club donates to the 100% Contribution Member, select Protecting Our Environment.  

For any questions, please contact me at mikennancy@gci.net.

#Lions100

Mertarvik Well Project Committee Report

The following was presented at the District 49A 1st Cabinet Meeting
August 13, 2016
Big Lake, Alaska

You Lions did it again.  There was a need that could not be solved by any other organization.  As background, the land at the village of Newtok is slowly getting eroded away.  They have selected a new site, have funds allocated to help move families to the new site, but have not been able to release those funds because there was not a suitable water supply.  Lions Bennie Benievento and Yvonne Temple of the Fairbanks Host Lions started working the issue and asked 49A for assistance since Newtok (Mertarvik) is in our area.  Roughly $30,000 was requested to put in a suitable pump at Mertarvik.  By the Multiple District Convention, over $25,000 of that goal had been raised and the project was a go.

In June, the pump was installed at a cost of $29,489.11 by Jon Dufendock, Camp Water Industries, and Aaron Cook, Cold Climate Housing Research Center and their crews.  The well is now functional and with the new pump can produce up to 5 gallons a minute.  Based on field test data, the water appears to meet the water quality standards to be a community well.  The water quality still needs to be confirmed with laboratory tests.  As of my last accounting, District 49A has raised $13,106; District 49B, including Host Lions, has raised $14,003.73; leaving $2,379.27 that still needs to be raised to cover the costs currently being carried by Jon Dufendock.  District 49B has identified a little over $1,000 that may be available but there still are funds that need to be raised.

Lion Andrea Meeks, Benton Bay Lions, is personally following the project and working with Newtok, the Denali Commission, and Dowl Engineering to make sure certification of the water system is approved for community use.  This will allow FEMA to release their appropriated funds to assist the village in their move.

We are currently looking into requesting an LCIF grant along with District 49B to help other villages that need to move with water issues that they may encounter during the process.

Respectfully Submitted,
Lion Larry Helgeson
Chairperson Mertarvik Water Project
#Lions100 -- Protecting Our Environment -- Legacy Level III