Austintown Lions and Lioness Fiscal Newsletter

Vision StatementTo be the global leader in community

and humanitarian service.

Mission StatementTo empower volunteers to serve

their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

Joining Our ClubsTo join the Austintown Lions Club

or the Austintown Lioness Club, please contact Bill Sywy at 330.793.5555 or Lori Stone at 330.793.4444. Or send us an email at austintownlions@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Website designer needed!

If you or anyone you know has any experience with website design and is willing to donate time to the creation of an Austintown Lions Club website as well as a Lioness website, please contact Larry Jensen at 330.793.3333 or Lou Skerkavich at 330.793.2222.

An interclub liaison position has opened!

If you would be willing to donate your time to becoming the interclub liaison for the LCI clubs in 13-Ds Zone 5, please contact Tom Zickefoose at 330.494.5555. Time is of the essence so please call as soon as possible to ensure quick training and introduction into your new role as the Zone 5 Interclub Liaison.

Four Generations of Lions and Lionesses

The Jensen family has seen four generations of Lions and Lioness members in Austintown. Art Jensen joined the Austintown Lions club shortly after it became a chartered club in 1977. His wife, Eleanor, became a member of the Austintown Lioness Club shortly after its charter in 1982.

Of their four children, two became members in the clubs as well. Larry Jensen, their oldest son, became a member of the Lions Club and eventually was installed as President/King Lion of the cub where he served for many years. He is currently the treasurer of the club.

Their oldest daughter, Lori Stone, has been a long standing member of the Lioness Club and has served in the role of president for ten years.

Loris youngest daughter, Denise, was inducted as a new member of the Lioness Club in 2010, making her the third generation to become a member.

Rounding out the fourth generation of Lions and Lionesses from the Jensen family is Denises daughter, Jena, who was inducted as a new member in 2012.

The Jensen family is the only family to have had four generations of members serving within the clubs.

The History of the Austintown Clubs

The Austintown Lions Club was founded in 1977. More than twenty men in the Austintown area banded together to create and charter the club. Thirty-six years later, only one charter member remains. Bob Whited is the last remaining charter member of the Lions Club, and is a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

The Lioness Club was formed in 1984 with ten members. Almost every charter member had a child with a physical or mental handicap. The main goal of the women in the club was to help handicapped children in the community.

Each club has a history of helping the blind. Current and former members have conducted eye tests, donated eye glasses, and donated time and money to organizations to further help those with vision problems.

Pictured above are four of the original charter members.

Information For New Members

Bill Sywy is assuming the position of President/King Lion for fiscal year 2013-2014, taking over for Larry Jensen who will assume the role of Treasurer for the club. Bill has previously been awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award, an award for outstanding service and has served his club in other officer roles such as the Tail Twister.

Lori Stone is returning as the President of the Lioness Club for the tenth year. She has served within the Lioness Organization for many years. She is proud to continue serving as a Lioness after the Lions Organization disbanded the Lioness Club in 1999.

Lions Club OfficersBob Melcher . . . . . . . . . . 1st Vice PresidentJack Kochansky . . . . . . . 2nd Vice PresidentHarold Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SecretaryLarry Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TreasurerJim Banyots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tail TwisterDon Hoelzel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lion TamerBob Whited . . . . . . . .Membership Director Public RelationsGlenn Ringer . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Year DirectorJohn Facemyer . . . . . . . . . . 1 Year DirectorLarry Jensen . . . . . . . . . . . . Lioness Liaison

The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award

The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award has been awared to Austintown Lions club members since its charter. The prestigious award is held by eight of the current members, including the last remaining charter member, Robert (Bob) Whited.The award is given to outstanding club members. A member is nominated by his or her club, $1,000 is raised in the nominated members name, and the proceeds go to the Eye Foundation for eye research. Recipients of the award receive a pin, a plaque, and a letter of recognition thanking them for their service within their club and in their community.

This award is an honor to receive, and is very presitigious. Named after the founder of the Lions Club International Foundation, the reward is a recognition of humanitarian work. The money raised by the clubs and donated in honor of the person receiving the award accounts for 75 percent of all the revenue for the LCIF.

Lions Club members had pushed and requested for a way to increase their commitment to the LCIF, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award was finally established in 1973. In 1986, the Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship was formed. At the end of October 2012, there are 342,670 MJF recipients and 64,301 PMJF across the world, according to the LCIF organizations website. The names of every MJF recipients are displayed on a special computer in the LCIF room at International Headquarters.

Recruiting New Members

With the numbers slowly dwindling within the club and the ages of current members on the rise, recruitment and retention are crucial.

Recruitment is very important to the clubs. A majority of the members of the Austintown Lions Club are individuals who have already retired or are close to retirement. The lack of youthful members is detrimental to the long term success. The same is true of the Lioness Club, and the number of women involved in the Lionesses is smaller than ever.

So we need YOU to do your part and recommend new ways to attract members as well as bringing in new members on your own. Together we can do it!

Notable Facts

Lions Club International was created in 1917. The primary mission of the club was to serve communities. Melvin Jones created the clubs with the thought What if people used their talents to change their communities? in mind.

In 1920, the organization became international. The first club outside of the US was formed in Canada in 1920, and the second international club was formed in Mexico in 1927.

It was not until 1925 that the mission of the Lions Club was to aid the blind. Helen Keller spoke to the Lions Clubs Internation Convention in Cedar Point, OH, challenging the members to become knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.

Since the formation of the organization, the clubs have expanded to more than 200 countries and helped millions of people across the globe. In the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the international clubs mission was to increase global literacy by providing services to those who have not been provided education or the resources necessary to learn.

In addition, the clubs have provided millions of people with glasses, eye exams, and other eye care.

The mission of Lions Club International is expanding every day. The poor, blind, illiterate, deaf, elderly, and many more are aided by the tirless work of the individuals across the globe who belong to this organization. Here in Austintown, we are proud to say we are doing our part.

Are you new to the Austintown Lions Club? Are you new to the Austintown Lioness Club? If so, we are here to help you!

Both clubs are made up of friendly, kind, understanding individuals who would love nothing more than to help you as you begin your new journey with us.

The most important step for you to take is to take action. Volunteer at upcoming events, come to the meetings, and use your voice. A fresh perspective is always a good perspective.

Welcome to the Austintown chapters of LCI!

The New District Governor of 13-D - Tom Zickefoose

Lou Skerkavich . . . . . . . . . . . Vice PresidentTeresa McCallen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SecretaryJane Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer

Lioness Club Officers

As is tradition, last years district governor, John Woodside, has stepped down and passed the role to his second command. We welcome Tom Zickefoose as the 2013-2014 District Governor for 13-D. In fiscal year 2012-2013, Tom was the 1st Vice District Governor. He is based out of Canton, Ohio.

Tom will be visting the Austintown Lions Club after this years convention in March. The Lioness club is cordially invited to the Lions meeting at Austintown Community Church on Route 46 in Austintown for Toms visit. The cost for dinner will be $5 and the money may be given in advance to Lori Stone or Larry Jensen.

The goal for this year is to recruit and retain members. Any suggestions on new, innovative ways to recruit and retain will be greatly appreciated by not only Tom and his club, but district 13-D and Lions Club International as a whole.

Longest Standing Members

Bob Whited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lions ClubLou Skerkavich . . . . . . . . . . . . Lioness Club

Tom (far right) is seen here with the Canfield Lions.

Bill (right) is seen here being sworn in as President.

Lori (right) is seen here being sworn in as President.

As more countries form LCI clubs, more flags are added to the ceremonial flag holder.

Remember to recycle your old glasses and collect any old/unwanted glasses for recycling by LCI!

Its that time of year again! Recruitment time! Make sure you tell your friends and family to join LCI.

EventsThe Lions and Lioness Clubs will host

a rose sale at Lordstown GM on Friday October 18. All three shifts have been successfully covered by club volunteers. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be put toward the community activities in which the clubs participate. Roses will be sold $2 per single rose, $10 per half dozen, and $20 per dozen.

The Lioness Club will volunteer at the Beatitude House of Youngstown on Tuesday December 10, 2013. Twenty-five gifts will be distributed to the women of Beatitude House as will door prizes. Lunch will be served for the women at 11:30 a.m. The Lioness Club has been hosting the Christmas party at the Beatitude House since 1982, and will continue to do so.

The collecting of eyeglasses is an ongoing activity. Members are encouraged to collect old or unneeded eyeglasses. These eyeglasses will be distributed among members of the community who are in need. Contact any club officers with questions or to drop off any glasses you have collected.

The conjoined Lions and Lioness Christmas party will be held on December 16 at Rachels Restaurant at 6 p.m. The cost of dinner is $15 per person, or $25 per couple. Please remember to bring a gender neutral Christmas gift for the gift exchange. The monetary limit on gifts is $10.

Due to the success of the candy days this past June, we will be hosting another candy day this upcoming spring. Sign-up sheets will be available at the combined December meeting. The proceeds from both fundraisers will be put toward the scholarships the Lions Club will be offering to two young men in May.

Tom Zickefoose, the new District Governor of 13-D, will visit the Lions and Lioness Clubs on the third Monday in May. The meeting will be heald at Austintown Community Church. Dinner will be provided, and the cost will be $5 per person.

The Lioness Club will also host a spring party for the women of the Beatitude House. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Lori Stone or Lou Skerkavich.

The Lions Club 5K in May 2013

Every May, the Austintown Lions Club hosts a 5K race. The race started in 1995 as part of an effort to raise money to support the Austintown Lions Club and has only grown since that first race.

This year, there were 84 runners participating in the race which took place at the Austintown Township Park. The overall race was won by Justin Boggs of Alliance.

Prior to the start of the adult race was a childrens race, which was won by James Baer, an 8 year old from Leetonia.

The Lionesses own Marie McCallen won second place in her age division.

Flashback to the Past

Marie and Jess placed second and first, respectively, in their age division.

These maps show the laps the runners will be taking as they compete in the race.

We hope to see YOU next May in your

running shoes!

In the past, the Austintown clubs would donate candy to the residents of Ashley Place Health Care Center on Halloween. The donated candy would then be passed out by the residents to the visiting children.

The Lions Clubs, in conjunction with the Austintown Fourth of July Committee, planned the annual Fourth of July Parade.

Left: The Lions Clubs supported the Society for the Blind and Disabled during its first annual wreath sale. The profits from the sale went directly to the SBD.Right: A newspaper clipping from the first annual Lioness Club Flea Market. The proceeds from the event went directly to the club for use in community projects.

Our clubs have been a leader in this

community projects since 1977. We are

proud to have served Austintown, and we

are proud to continue serving.