The Pride of Suffolk County District 20-S · 2016. 12. 4. · 2016 -2017 Monthly Newsletter of...

NOVEMBER 2016- Volume 2 DG Balan Nagraj

(631) 427-0952 [email protected]

IPDG Manny Vidal

631-223-5960 [email protected]

1st VDG –(Acting) Richard Irizarry

2nd VDG – unfilled

CS Barbara Ramirez 631-475-3241

[email protected]

CT Judy Rohtla 631-289-1367

[email protected]

ZC Richard Irizarry (Zone 1) 631-579-7944

[email protected]

ZC Kevin Tagg (Zone 2) 631-757-5560

[email protected]

ZC Eloy Gonzalez (Zone 3) [email protected]

ZC Louise Ebert (Zone 4)


ZC Donald Stirrnweis (Zone 5)


ZC Jeremy O’Brien (Zone 6) [email protected]

ZC PDG Rich Nilsson Jr. (Zone 7)


Brian Freier

GMT Coordinator 631-786-0701

[email protected]

Dr. Maureen Murphy GLT Team Coordinator


Newsletter Editor ZC Louise A. Ebert


The Pride of Suffolk County District 20-S

2016-2017 Monthly Newsletter of District 20-S, Suffolk County, Long Island, NY

SUFFOLK COUNTY LIONS CONVENTION 2016

STONEBRIDGE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, SMITHTOWN

REGISTRATION VOTING

……… IPDG Manny Vidal and Lion Maria Vidal and

CS Lion Barbara Ramirez PDG Marie Petraitis

Lion Marianne Tremaroli and Cabinet Treasurer Judy ‘Juta” Rohtla

LION BALAN NAGRAJ GLT LION DR. MAUREEN MURPHY

DISTRICT GOVERNOR 20-S CONVENTION CHAIR

A good start to the Centennial year. The district approaches Thanksgiving and the holiday season with a sense

of accomplishment and pride. Growth in membership, a great convention, leadership development and increase

in our service projects.

The 2016 District Convention (which replaces the previous Fall Conference) went very well. Thanks to the

Convention Chair, Lion Dr. Maureen Murphy and her committee for their planning and hard work in making it

informative and a great networking opportunity for all attendees. Lion Maureen, the Quarter back of the

convention, has covered all the details in her article. Congratulations to PDG Lorri Rieger on getting a near

unanimous endorsement for her candidacy to be an International Director.

Membership has increased; with your continued efforts we can keep this trend going and reach the goal of 1300

members by the end of this Lions Year when Lions celebrate the 100th anniversary. However, our challenge is

overcoming the dreaded D word: Drops! While some drops are inevitable, we need to make retention a priority.

To quote Bill Gates: "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning". Are we doing

everything to retain members?

We had a few hiccups in getting a line of successors in district leadership positions. However we are making

progress in identifying potential leaders and getting them to move up. It is a pleasure to welcome ZC Lion Rich

Irizzary who has stepped up to be our next District Governor.

Over the past few months, under the guidance of our Vision Chair, Dr. Gary Feuer, the vision screening

program for kids has made great progress. The district currently has 3 of these screeners and will likely acquire

a couple of more in the next few months. For details, please contact Dr.Gary Feuer.

Our goal in the Centennial Service Challenge is to have all clubs do at least 2 of the 4 HEVY (Hunger,

Environment, Vision & Youth) services this year. We have made a good start; please make sure all of these

service projects are reported on the LCI website. I urge very club to think of a legacy project. Congratulations to

the North Babylon club on doing all three levels of the legacy project in the 2015-2016 period.

Two important upcoming district-wide events: The Long Island Lions Forum on Saturday April 1, 2017 at the

Upsky Hotel in Hauppague & the combined Centennial Celebrations/Testimonial dinner on Friday June 9 at

Hotel Indigo in Riverhead.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season.

YIL

Balan Nagraj

DISTRICT GOVERNOR BALAN

PASSING OF THE TROPHY TO THE NORTH BABYLON LIONS

use this space to emphasize a

DISTRICT 20-S FALL CONVENTION UPDATE

GLT Maureen Murphy, Convention Chair On Sunday, October 30th, Lions from around our district, and beyond, joined together at the beautiful Stonebridge Golf and Country Club in Smithtown for Suffolk County Lions Fall Convention. The event was well attended, especially considering the change in format to a weekend day event. The format of our traditional District Conference was changed in part to accommodate a new requirement by Lions Clubs International that all District VOTING must be done at the District level (hence, now making it a CONVENTION instead of a CONFERENCE). The format was also changed to broaden the number of Lions able to attend, to offer more time for learning sessions, and to culminate with the presentation by the International guest. It is unfortunate that some clubs were unable to be represented due to a conflict with their own club activities or due to the change to the weekend scheduling but we are happy that those who were able to attend found it a meaningful and worthwhile day. After all attendees registered – and delegates voted – the Lions socialized in the Exhibit hall over a Continental breakfast. The morning was a beautiful Fall day and the view of the golf course was spectacular. Our thanks to the many exhibitors who made themselves available to share their knowledge with the Lions. The room upstairs was nearly filled to capacity by the lions who took advantage of the Lions Quest Mini- Seminar. Ms Eileen Morrow, a QUEST trained educator, taught a mini-session, engaging the Lions, demonstrating first hand how the Lions Quest program benefits our young people from K-12th grade, as well as benefitting our educators, parents, and society. A productive Q&A session was held at the conclusion of the seminar. For more information on Lions Quest, please reach out to IPDG Manny Vidal or Lion Mike Sgroi. After the OPENING ceremonies, during the beautiful Remembrance Service arranged by Lion Marianne Tremaroli, we paid tribute to our fellow lions lost during this past year. We followed by celebrating Lions Clubs International 100 years of Service, with District Centennial Chair PDG Lorri Rieger highlighting the accomplishments of 20-S Lions clubs who have been impacting their communities for decades. This was followed by heart-warming stories shared by presenters telling us how LIONS are making a difference. Presentations included VISIONS/VCB discussing rehabilitation services for the blind, AmVetDogs with Ambassador Hula, a corneal transplant recipient from the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island, and Vision Screening, which was presented by Lion Jay Brown of Cutchogue Lions Club sharing success stories of Lions saving the sight….and lives…. of children with the Lions Vision Screening programs. A great thanks to all our presenters. The LUNCHEON program included an address to the Lions from our District Governor Balan sharing with us his experiences as he has traveled around the district visiting the clubs. He described to us the great works these clubs are doing, motivating and inspiring him to do more!! He also encouraged all the clubs to remember LCI’s four main focuses: HEVY (hunger, environment, vision, and youth). DG Balan took the opportunity to introduce and congratulate our incoming 1st VDG Richard Irizarry from the North Babylon Lions Club. Congratulations, too, on No. Babylon LC winning the coveted Membership trophy!! Well done!

DG Balan congratulated PDG Lorri Rieger on her endorsement from 20-S for International Director. PDG Lorri now will seek the endorsement from the Multiple District at the Convention in Lake Placid in May. Our thanks to our visiting ID candidates who also attended our convention. Our keynote speaker was Past International President Frank Moore from Alabama and his wife Rita. PIP Frank reminded us “where there is a need, there is a Lion” and we are making a difference. He encouraged us all to attend the 100th Lions International Convention in Chicago this summer – an historic convention which will be like no other. Key events include performances by The Beach Boys, Chicago, and the Charlie Daniels Band. Singer Patti LaBelle will address the attendees as well as sing. Former President of the United States, and PDG Jimmy Carter (and Past Council Chairman) is scheduled to speak, as is former Vice President Al Gore. The International Parade down State Street will rival the recent parade held for the Chicago Cubs World Series Champions. With Thousands of Lions gathering from around the world, this convention is sure to be FUN, FUN, FUN! Our Convention concluded with DG Balan accepting thanks from a local food bank for the donations of nonperishable food items that our attendees brought. He also assisted PIP Frank present Cabinet Secretary Barbara Ramirez and Lion Dr. Gary Feuer the Presidential Certificate of Appreciation. BOTH are very deserving Lions for all the work they do. CONGRATULATIONS Barbara and Gary. The Raffle baskets were distributed and thanks were extended to ALL for coming and making our Fall Convention a great success. A special thanks were extended to the Fall convention committee and to ALL who helped or presented, with sincere thanks to our DG Balan Nagraj, as well as GMT Brian Freier, PID Steve Tremaroli and Lion Marianne, PDG Manny Vidal and Lion Maria Vidal, CS Barbara Ramirez and CT Judy Rohtla, ZC Eloy Gonzales, ZC Louise Ebert and ZC Jeremy O’ Brien. With much thanks GLT. Maureen Murphy Convention Chair

DECEMBER 2016

MESSAGE FROM IPIP DR. JITSUHIRO YAMADA, LCIF CHAIRPERSON

Dr. Yamada says that sometimes, as Lions, we can get caught up in the moment. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine beyond today. Sometimes we might even get discouraged by the staggering amount of need and despair in the world. He says that, as a medical doctor for more than 30 years, he has witnessed the heartbreak of families who have lost a loved one. The grief of a family member is magnified when the individual is a child – their child. It happens every day around the world, regardless of wealth, gender or race. LCIF is stepping forward to find a breakthrough that will help secure a brighter tomorrow for all of us.

LCIF has awarded a $2 million grant to support the Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project.

Together with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia, the Australian Lions Children’s Cancer Research Foundation and other partners, this pilot initiative will improve outcomes for hundreds of children with high-risk cancer through whole genome sequencing. This could eventually serve as a model for the development of personalized cancer prevention and treatment.

The Lions Kids Cancer Genome Project is another way that LCIF is demonstrating its

commitment to global health. Perhaps one day, deaths from children cancer will be eliminated. In order to accomplish that, LCIF needs the support of all Lions and Lions Clubs. No need is too large and no gift is too small.

Again, I ask all clubs to consider donating to LCIF. Let me know if I can help you make those

donations.

LCIF IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP! SO PLEASE MAKE THOSE DONATIONS TO LCIF!

Sincerely yours in Lionism, PDG Marie Petraitis LCIF District Coordinator

Bay Shore Lions Club Centennial Challenge Lions worldwide will be celebrating our centennial year in 2017 (July 2016 – December 2017). We need to share our celebratory plans on a local club level to let our community know the impact we have had in helping those in need for the past 100 years.

Bay Shore Lions Centennial 100-point Challenge Check list the first 50:

[ ] Distribute 100 pairs (assorted strength) reading glasses to all nurse’s offices in Bay Shore Public and Private schools. With tags “Donated by the Bay Shore Lions Club”. [ ] Donate 100 magnifying glasses to the public library as often requested by seniors. With tags “Donated by the Bay Shore Lions Club”. [ ] Donate 100 decks of cards to Senior Citizen centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities with stickers on the box or imprinted “Donated by the Bay Shore Lions Club”. [ ] Predominately display 100 Flags on a highway island for Veterans day. [ ] Ship 100 pounds of Halloween candy to our troops stationed in Afghanistan [ ] Donate 100 tons of food (donated and collected) to our local food pantry’s [ ] Distribute 100 (total) children’s books to local day care and nursery schools in Bay Shore, with stickers inside the front flap “Donated by Bay Shore Lions Club”. [ ] Distribute 100 (total) children’s books to the day care and nursery center at the County court complex in Central Islip, with stickers inside the front flap “Donated by Bay Shore Lions Club”. [ ] Collect 100 pairs of used eyeglasses for recycling, every month. [ ] Give out 100 roses to woman residents in the local Nursing and Assisted Living Homes in town on Valentine’s Day tagged with “Donated by Bay Shore Lions Club. [ ] Give out 100 turkeys to the needy families and soup kitchens on Thanksgiving. [ ] Give out 100 Hams on Christmas. [ ] Give out 100 gifts to needy children during the holidays. [ ] Give out 100 Staples give cards of $15 each to the social workers at the elementary schools to give to needy children who need school supplies. [ ] Plant 100 trees on Arbor day. [ ] Grow our club membership to 100 members. [ ] Donate 100 fiction and nonfiction books to be distributed to laundromats in town. [ ] Collect a 100 bags of roadway and park litter on Earth Day [ ] Install 100 fire hydrant street makers to identify hydrant locations for our volunteer fireman on call. [ ] Collect a 100 slightly used children coats for needy children in our community. [ ] Make 100 bags of toiletries for the half way home for battered wives. [ ] Make 100 bags of emergency toiletries for the fire department to give to people forced out of their home due to a fire. [ ] Ship 100+ pounds of snacks & goodies to our troops overseas for the Holidays. [ ] Build 100 small bird feeder platforms for distribution around town. [ ] Drop 100 Quarters around town with a sticker on the back- “The Bay Shore Lions wish you a very lucky day!” [ ] Indiscriminately give out 100 NY Lottery St Patrick’s scratch offs (on St Patrick’s week) to persons we see in town that need a pick up. With a sticker on the back, ‘The Lions club wishes you a Special Lucky day”. [ ] Give a 100 hugs on January 21st, National Hug Day.

[ ] Mail 100 postcards to 100 residents who moving (from MLS data) and ask they donate any nonperishable food they don’t plan on taking with them, that we can collect and donate to the local food pantry. [ ] Donate 100 lion imprinted eye glass neck straps to patients at the local hospital to avoid them from getting lost. [ ] Increase Club membership to 100% greater (doubling the club size) by years end. [ ] In celebration of National Kindness day on February 21st, every member to perform as a group total of 100 spontaneous acts of kindness. [ ] Perform 100 eye exams for preschoolers. [ ] Sponsor a 100yd relay 10K run/walk to raise charity money & better health. [ ] On National Donut day, drop off a total of 100 donuts to the local police station, firehouse, and EMS garage, to thank the first responders on behalf of the Lions. [ ] Provide a 100 free hearing tests to seniors at the center in the community. [ ] Plant 100 Blue and Yellow tulip bulbs at a local garden entry area. [ ] Give out 100+ hand held stick flags to the crowd along the towns Memorial Day Parade. [ ] Encourage 100 persons to sign up as registrants for ‘future’ Organ Donors’ . [ ] Mail out 100+ ‘No Show’ holiday invitations to local businesses, requesting donations to the Lions charity giving to the needy at the Holidays. [ ] Give out 100+ St Patrick’s beads to the onlookers to the local St Patrick’s day parade. [ ] Give out 100+ ‘Lions Savings Banks’ to all kindergarteners with a penny, nickel & dime, already inside to encourage children saving. [ ] Distribute 100+ lions imprinted vegetable seed packets to 3rd graders, to encourage them to plant a ‘victory garden’ for good health with the crop donated with fresh vegetables to a local food pantry. [ ] Distribute 100+ clear plastic front entry door stickers (We Proudly Donate to the Lions Charity Fund with the Lions head logo) to all local merchants. [ ] Donate 100 lions imprinted baseballs to the local little league teams. [ ] Increase club membership to 100 members within the Centennial year. [ ] Provide 100 written memories of the town to the local historical society. [ ] Put out 100 large stick flags along the main roadway on the 4th of July. [ ] On National Pi Day give out 100+ small pies to all the nurses at the local hospital. [ ] Host a town wide Bay Shore Lions Centennial Spirit Award Dinner/Brunch for the Purpose to celebrate and congratulate 100 fellow community members* (*All Lions are exempt) that are currently living or working in Bay Shore/Brightwaters who have given exceptional service to our Bay Shore/ Brightwaters community in any capacity. [ ] These individuals being honored will be given the:

In celebration of the Lions International Centennial Year 2017 The Bay Shore Lions Special Centennial Community Service Spirit Award

Is Given to XXXX XXXXXX with sincere gratitude For their exceptional dedication to improve the Bay Shore/ Brightwaters community.

from the Bay Shore Lions Club Serving as Suffolk County’s First Lions Club Since 1931

Submitted by PDG Paul Wernersbach

New York State & Bermuda Lions Foundation, Inc. PO Box 383

Horseheads, New York 14845

607 -767 -9027

Website: md20lf.org Email: [email protected]

President

Milledge Smith, PDG

13487 NYS Rt. 178

Adams, NY 13605

H) 315-232-2530

C) 315-778-3281

[email protected]

Vice President

Marlin Nohle, PDG

5 North Main Street

Adams, NY 13605

C) 315-783-8539

W) 315-232-4521

[email protected]

Secretary

Lorri E. Rieger, PDG

35 Smith Street

Glen Head, NY 11545

C) 516-445-4144

[email protected]

Treasurer

Carol Perry, PDG

400 Mill Street #418

Williamsville, NY 14221

C) 716-906-7709

[email protected]

Executive Committee

Lion Mary Claire Noakes

12 Towner Road

Lake Luzerne, NY 12846

H) 518-696-3090

[email protected]

Joan Scott, PDG

140 Gailey Hill Road

Lake Luzerne, NY 12846

H) 518-696-2904

[email protected]

Robert Jensen, PDG

167 Glann Road

Apalachin, NY 13732

H) 607-625-5024

[email protected]

The New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation yearly raffles will be sent out

to clubs in January. This is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser and allows us to

provide funds to clubs through matching grants so they may complete projects that

they may otherwise not be able to do. The raffles are $100 each. A purchase of

three raffles allows a club to name a Robert J Uplinger award to a club member or

community member within three years of the purchase and enters the club in the

raffle giving them a chance to win a monetary prize.

An original RJU (Robert J Uplinger Award) cannot be purchased for yourself;

however, an individual CAN make a $300 donation to the Foundation for a

Progressive RJU for themselves.

The New York State and Bermuda Foundation also requests that each club in the

district make a $100 donation to them each year. If every club in the multiple did

this, we would not need to fundraise in order to make grant money available.

We thank you all in advance for your support. If you have any questions about

grants from this Foundation, please feel free to contact any of your three trustees:

Lion CT Juta Judy Rohtla ([email protected], Lion PDG Lorri E. Rieger

([email protected]) or Lion PDG Skip Meinhold ([email protected]).

Respectfully Submitted,

Lorri E. Rieger Trustee 2015 - 2018

The International Association of Lions Clubs Pa Past District Governor Lorri E. Rieger * 35 Smith Street * Glen Head * NY * 11545 [email protected]

I would like to thank all the Lions of Suffolk for endorsing me as a

candidate for International Director at the District Convention held on

October 30, 2016. I hope that each club will consider sending

delegates to the Lake Placid Convention being held on May 5th to the

7th, 2017 to vote for me one more time in order to help me become

the endorsed candidate from New York State. Every vote matters. If

any club would like me to come and speak to them about this

election and the road to Lake Placid, I would be happy to.

The application for the NYS Lake Placid Convention is on line at the

District 20S website. Please send in your application as soon as you

can as the hotels are booking quickly.

Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely Yours in Lionism,

Lion Lorri E. Rieger (Kerzner)

Season’s Greetings from Lions Camp Badger,

This is an exciting time to be part of the Board of Directors of Lions

Camp Badger. The board has started reviewing a number of different items that in the long run will help the facilities attract more participants to our Special Needs Camper program held each summer, as well as being able to make available to other not-for-profit organizations a site to hold their events when we are not using the grounds.

In addition, we have taken the first steps in becoming members of the American Camping Association. This should also help us to attract more campers since, as members, the camp has to maintain a high standard of quality throughout our grounds.

Each member of the board is committed to helping Lions Camp Badger to achieve the goals that we have adopted, the first of which is adding handicap accessible bathrooms and an entrance to the Collins/Conroy Lodge, thus making it easier for when we host our annual Lions Appreciation Day in late July.

The board members are dedicated to not only giving of their time, but contributing financial support to help meet the goals of improving the camp as well.

We are very grateful to all the clubs who support us by their generosity. Lions Camp Badger continues to grow and succeed, and we look forward to a bright future for our hallmark program of our Special Needs Campers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Lions Camp Badger, we wish you peace and joy this Christmas season and a very Happy New Year!

William Emrick

Lion William Emrick (Scio Lions Club) Treasurer

IN THE NEWS……

CENTRAL BROOKHAVEN LIONS Lion’s Club Secretary Rosalie Hanson was kind

enough to share a picture with “The Pride of

Suffolk County District 20-S” Newsletter. On

November 14th the Central Brookhaven Lions Club

swore-in their new Club President, Steve Pastena,

and on hand to do the honor was our District

Governor Balan Nagraj. (As you all were notified

their Past President, Lion Ira Brinkman, passed

away a few months ago.) Suffolk District 20-S has

43 clubs. It would be great if some of you want to

surprise me and send me an article or two for our

Newsletter.

EAST HAMPTON LIONS CLUB "For over thirty years the East Hampton Lions Club has hosted a Golf Outing at the beautiful Maidstone Club,

located oceanside in the Village of East Hampton. It is our major fundraising activity and provides a substantial

amount to support the Club's endeavors in giving back to our community and beyond. The tournament

was held on October 12, 2016, and the East Hampton Lions Club gives many thanks to Lion Golf Committee

Members Carole Brennan, Dennis Fabiszak, Kristine Gaudy, Nancy Keeshan, Thomas Lawrence, William

McGintee, Roy Dalene, Fred Overton, Rich Mothes and Bob Schaeffer, as well as to our Lion Sunshine

Committee and Photographer Russ Calemmo. It would not have been possible without the participants and

our very generous event and T-sign sponsors. Our heartfelt gratitude and thanks go out to these individuals

and businesses!

We did something different this year and had our

regular Club meeting after the tournament so the

players could get to know us and we could meet

them. During dinner the Club had the

honor of surprising former president Lion Bob

Schaeffer with the prestigious Robert Uplinger Award

for his dedicated service and embodiment of the spirit

of Lionism. Many thanks to Golf Committee Co-Chairs

Lion Chris Sarlo and Lion Dominick Schirrippa and

congratulations to Lion Bob Schaeffer!"

(Submitted by Lion President Tina Piette...thank you

Lion Russ.)

MELVILLE LIONS CLUB The Meville Lions have been keeping quite busy…Vision Screening of 24 preschool children in

Commack…Comedy Night Fundraiser…Halloween costume Photo shoot fundraiser at the Walt

Whitman Shops in Huntington…inducting a new member…Food Drive for the needy…and to wrap up

November another scheduled Vision Screening in Northport. As they say…a picture is worth a

thousand words….

FOOD DRIVE, NOVEMBER 5, 2016

MELVILLE LIONS CLUB continued….

Induction of new member

Brian Solomons on

November 4th

Welcome Brian!!!

IP Bob Carlew Visit on September 24th

VISION SCREENING in Commack with Lion Marianne

PATCHOGUE LIONS CLUB

The Patchogue Lions never stop raise funds for those in need in our community. Thank you.

Saturday, December 10th Lions Food Drive 10:00 am. - 2:00 pm. King Kullen (SunWave Plaza) Waverly Avenue & Sunrise Highway, Patchogue Monday, December 12th Lions Children's Christmas/Holiday Party for less fortunate children. 6:00 pm. Patchogue Elks Lodge # 1323 14 Oak Street, Patchogue Helpers always needed. Thursday, January 26th Lions Directors Meeting Reese's 1900 Sunday, January 29th Lions Bowling Tournament 1:00-5:00 pm. Bowl Long Island at Patchogue (40 Lanes) $155 per team of 4 or 5. Includes two games, shoes, buffet, soft drinks (Alcohol not included), trophies to the top teams, numerous great raffle prizes. Lane sponsors available for $100 for first time sponsors or $75 for repeat sponsors. Saturday, March 26th Patchogue Lions Club Illusionist & Ventriloquist Show (Afternoon show for entire family) Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts More Information to Follow Sometime in 2017 the Patchogue Lions Club will celebrate its 70th Charter & Anniversary. Details to follow. Thank you PP Lion Jimmy for sharing your club’s upcoming events!

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BEING CLUB PRESIDENT?

HAVE YOU CONSIDER ATTENDING A LEADERSHIP TRAINING?

IT HELPS WITH YOUR LIONS ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS

WORK RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES.

The following training institute is designed for Lions who have not

yet served as Club President.

I attended this Institute in 2004 and would HIGHLY recommend it.

(At the time GLT Maureen sent this she was attending the

ADVANCED Lions Leadership Institute in Houston).

Please see the website below for more information or contact her

directly. It is a GREAT experience.

Emerging Lions Leadership Institute (ELLI)

Chicago, IL

January 21-24, 2017

http://lionsclubs.com

GLT Maureen Murphy

[email protected]

631-673-5740

SAG HARBOR LIONS CLUB COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT by Lion Steve Espach, President, Sag Harbor Lions Club

The Sag Harbor Lions’ Community Legacy Project stemmed from a generous bequest from the estate of Lion Robert W. Espach. We are very grateful to have received this gift from Bob. Not only did he bequest a portion of his estate to our club, but he also bequeathed the same amount to the First Presbyterian “Old Whalers” Church of Sag Harbor, The Sag Harbor Historical Society and the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum. All of which he was a dedicated officer of.

Two months after we received the bequest, as Bob’s executor and secretary of the club at the time, I felt that it was important to get to work to figure out what to do with his gift. We moved at the December 14, 2015 Directors’ meeting to refer the bequest to a committee to make recommendations as to its use. During the debate on the motion the directors felt it important that I should chair the committee as his son and executor of his estate, which I accepted. Two other directors, Lions Robert Loesch and Jim Poitras volunteered to be on the committee. After the debate, the motion was passed and the committee was formed.

After that directors’ meeting ended, the committee sat together and came up with our guiding principals. We agreed that it was important that we honor Bob by remembering how he conducted himself in his business as an attorney and as a leader of several village organizations, maintaining the records and the preservation of this club’s finances.

It’s important to recognize that over the first sixty-two years of the clubs existence, the club has had only two treasurers - for the first third of the club’s existence, Charter Member Bill Nolan was treasurer, followed by Bob Espach who comptrolled the club for the last two-thirds and for the last nine years of his life he served not only as the treasurer, but also as the secretary. Therefore it was incumbent upon us to hone in on his service and ask “What would Bob do?”

The first goal for the committee was to brainstorm. In our process the Committee was concerned with the recent debate about LCI’s policies as what funds belong in what account. The committee sought council from our ZC Rich Nilsson and the Lions Use of Funds Guidelines policy document was used to make our determination. In our deliberations It was obvious that Bob’s bequest was given by a Lion member at his death to the Sag Harbor Lions Club and it was not raised with public funds or garnered from the public. The money was a private gift and therefore the money could be used for anything the club wishes.

More deliberations followed. Investing the bequest was a major topic, but it was evident that even the generous gift would not earn any substantial income through current day-to-day banking means with low interest rates. All clubs, according to ZC Rich, in our District have scholarships or other funds which have suffered the same low interest rates.

A more aggressive strategy was contemplated. The appeal of greater return on the bequest was palpable to the committee. Yet, at the same time, the loss of any amount of the gift was unnerving to the committee members. A high risk investment would not be a good choice for the bequest referring back to “WWBD”. The more conservative way, other than day-to-day banking was to raise more money through a fundraiser.

Of the ideas remaining a few stood out. Soon after we got to this level, I discovered the Centennial Community Legacy Project on the LCI website and began to read all about it. I discovered that many of the ideas we whittled down to were a part of the Legacy Project’s goals.

(Continued on the following page….)

SAG HARBOR LIONS CLUB COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT continued�..

As chairman, I began to reformulate the ideas to fit into the format of the Legacy project. After reformatting the ideas into a cohesive package. I presented it to the committee. They agreed that the bequest should be used to fundraise, celebrate the Centennial and invest in itself by inaugurating three phases of a Centennial Legacy Community Project.

The committee needed to develop it’s arguments in favor of the project. The final report from “The Committee to which was Referred the Bequest of the Estate of Lion Robert W. Espach”, presented the scope of the project that was broken into three phases and a resolution to begin the Centennial Community Legacy Project. The report was presented at the August 9, 2016 Directors’ meeting – the resolution followed. After a second, debate on the project was lively and positive. All of the questions by board members were answered by the committee. The vote following was passed by unanimous consent.

Phase one of our Legacy Community Project is to raise our visibility in the community. After it’s adoption this phase started quickly to refresh the club's public image and our branding. The first part of Phase One was to purchase monthly ads In the Sag Harbor Express and regular spots on WLNG 92.1 FM, our local “Oldies” and community affairs station, reflecting the club's goals and events, along with LCI's monthly themes to raise awareness and canvas for membership. All to present a regular and orderly Lions presence in the community.

Next part of this phase is to purchase new reflective road signs for six major roads leading into the Sag Harbor Lions territory. Each location shall include the Lions Centennial reflective sign and the meeting information sign. We are in the permitting portion of this part. We will probably install the signs after the snow plowing season.

The final part of this phase will refurbish all of its existing nostalgic signage for the Christmas Tree sale and the Easter Egg Hunt at the Park entrance. We will replace the passé, lackluster signage within the park for the various activities with contemporary design using longer lasting materials. We will create new signage for the St. Patrick’s Night dinner. One sandwich board sign will be in front of the church entrance showing the dinner location and others inside the church's social hall as decoration. Finally we’ll make new Andy’s Run for a Guide Dog banners for the Start/Finishing line.

Phase two of the Centennial Legacy Community Project is to produce a community festival fundraising event in the late spring or early summer, celebrating our community, our club and the Lions Centennial. This was a fortuitous proposal as several of our board members were considering a motion to add a summer event when more community members are present at that time of the year.

In this phase, the club will hire an event planner/coordinator/caterer to manage and provide licensing for the event since the small active portion of our membership is unable to fulfill all of the work to be completed. The type/theme/style of the event needs to be decided. A large portion of bequest is to be invested in this event to increase the fundraising potential and enhance the enjoyment by the public. Members will be involved in targeting ticket buyers to an online source making ticketing more manageable.

The club will invite the other organizations that Bob bequeathed to be a part of the celebration honoring his gifts.

Final segment on the following page……

FINAL PHASE OF THE SAG HARBOR LIONS CLUB COMMUNITY LEGACY PROJECT!

Phase Three of the Centennial Legacy Community Project is the donation of the proceeds raised at the festival towards the Mashashimuet Park’s playground renovation plans with the possibility of a donation to another local organization.

The second part of this phase is to prepare and present an annual Lion Robert W. Espach Community Service Award. There are two parts to this proposed annual award. The first is an honorary award given annually to a local community service minded resident of Sag Harbor that epitomizes the work that Bob gave to his non-profits and our community. The second part is a monetary award that will be presented to the honorary-winner’s organization which must be a home grown, grass-roots organization that is registered with the IRS within this club’s boundary. The monetary donation is to be used to defray the administrative expenses needed to fundraise, such as mailing, postage, printing, stationary, transportation, etc.

Finally, the club will retain a portion of remaining funds from the bequest in our administrative account towards the maintenance and repair of Phase One. We will retain any remaining money that went unspent from the budget of Phase Two along with any money raised during that phase that was not disbursed from our Charitable Trust to be used for other public needs. Should our festival become an annual event, proceeds will be focused towards growing the new Community Service Award, plus other local needs and LCIF/Melvin Jones Fellowship donations.

As mentioned, Phase One is underway. Phase Two will begin soon and we hope to present the Phase Two event in the late spring/early summer in 2017, but it may not come about until 2018. Phase Three, except for the Community Service Award, will not happen until Phase Two has completed.

We are grateful to the late Lion Bob Espach for his forethought and generosity. To all the Lions in 20-S, there is no better legacy of your membership in the Lions Clubs International than a bequest from your estate, no matter what the size.

Lion President Steve Espach has only done radio and print ads to date but looks forward to sharing pictures in the near future.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the large amount of photos, reports and newsworthy items we were unable to attach Convention registration forms for both Lake Placid and Chicago. They will be sent under separate cover. Thank you. Questions: Call Lion Louise at 516-647-5453

I would like to thank the Medford-N. Patchogue Club for being the first to get their little free library up and running. This is a project that the Centennial Committee has asked each club in the district to complete. So, what is involved in completing this project? Pick a location in your club’s area. This can be inside, like a laundromat, or outside, like a park. Whatever location your club chooses, make sure you have the permission of whatever organization/politician is in charge of it before moving forward. Also, be sure to register your library with littlefreelibraries.org and add a Lion logo to it as well. You can go to the website littlefreelibraries.org to see examples of libraries that other people have designed. You can even purchase one from the site or have someone you know design your own. In order to fill the completed library with books, you can go to the website bookfaries.org. Remember to put a sticker inside each book: “This book provided by XYZ Lions Club”. It is important that someone in the club be in charge of checking on the library. Remember that it is okay if some of the books are not returned. The point is to encourage reading. Our district committee members are Lion Maria Vidal, Lion Pat Freier and Lion Lorri E. Rieger. You can contact anyone of us if you have any questions or would like us to come speak with your club about this project. REMINDER: All centennial projects should be entered by your club secretary under the regular monthly reporting, but ALSO under the Centennial Challenge so we may keep track of what is taking place in the district as well as how many individuals are being helped by the Lions as we celebrate 100 years of Lionism. Respectfully Submitted,

PDG Lorri E. RiegerPDG Lorri E. RiegerPDG Lorri E. RiegerPDG Lorri E. Rieger Centennial Chair

Greenlawn Lions Fundraiser Nite at Greenlawn Lions Fundraiser Nite at Greenlawn Lions Fundraiser Nite at Greenlawn Lions Fundraiser Nite at

TheTheTheThe Engeman Theater, Northport VillageEngeman Theater, Northport VillageEngeman Theater, Northport VillageEngeman Theater, Northport Village

Come out and enjoy “Mary Poppins”

December 11, 2016 at 7pm *All funds go to support*

Local Food Pantry (HACO)

Long Island Eye Bank

Smithtown Guide /Vet Dog Foundation Please come out to support us so we may support others!

Please use code:

https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/10063897/prm/GREENLAWNLIONS

Or… Contact Engeman Theater 631-261-9700 ext23, please mention

Greenlawn Lions Fundraiser for us to get funds credited

You may also Contact

Kevin Tagg, Greenlawn Lions President [email protected]

DISTRICT 20-S FALL CONVENTION - STONEBRIDGE

OUR CONVENTION CHAIR LION DR. MAUREEN�.JOB WELL DONE!

Lion CS Barbara Ramirez – Certificate of Appreciation

LION DR. GARY FEUER – Certificate of Appreciation

DG BALAN NAGRAJ

When will I be able to purchase a Lions Centennial Coin?

Coins will be available beginning in January 2017 and ending in December 2017 (or when they sell out, whichever comes first). The exact dates will be added to the Coin webpage as soon as they are known. How many coins will be produced?

The United States Mint will produce up to 400,000 Lions Centennial Coins. Even if they sell out quickly, no additional coins will be created. How can I purchase the coins?

Starting on the first day of sale, you will be able to buy coins from Lions Club Supplies or the United States Mint. Coins cannot be reserved in advance; they will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. How much will the coins cost?

Due to the variability of pricing on the precious metal markets, prices for products containing silver are subject to change. We will publish the price as soon as it is determined. Keep in mind that shipping fees, plus any applicable duty and taxes will be additional. Can I purchase more than one coin?

You may purchase as many coins as you would like, providing there is sufficient inventory. In some cases, clubs, districts, or countries may choose to make bulk purchases and distribute the coins locally. Can you provide the coin specifics?

The Lions Clubs Centennial coin is US$1 legal tender. Each is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. The weight is 26.730 grams and diameter is 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) with a reeded edge. What finishes will be available?

You can choose either an uncirculated or proof finish. Uncirculated coins are hand-loaded into the coining press and struck on specially burnished blanks, yet have a soft, matt-like finish appearance. These coins are made like circulating coins (which are used every day as money), but with a special process that produces a brilliant finish. Proof coins receive the highest quality strike possible and can be distinguished by their mirror-like background and frosted foreground. Will Lions Clubs International make money on the purchase of these Centennial coins?

US$10.00 is authorized to be paid to Lions Clubs International Foundation for every coin sold for a maximum of US$4 million if all 400,000 coins are sold.

Lions Clubs

Centennial Coin

DEADLINES FOR OUR

NEXT NEWSLETTERS….

JANUARY 10, 2017

MARCH 10, 2017

MAY 10, 2017

Please feel free to forward

Pictures, Save the Dates,

And Events

as soon as they are available

to you.

This was I can add them to

a draft copy.

Thanks for your assistance.

YIL, Editor Lion Louise Ebert

[email protected]

Text me 516-647-5453

Call me at 516-647-5453

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY XMAS TO ALL

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. I’M BEAT!

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

The Pride of Suffolk County District 20-S · 2016. 12. 4. · 2016 -2017 Monthly Newsletter of...

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