Whenever a Lions club gets together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That’s because we help where help is needed – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy.

Our 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members make us the world’s largest service club organization. We’re also one of the most effective. Our members do whatever is needed to help their local communities. Everywhere we work, we make friends. With children who need eyeglasses, with seniors who don’t have enough to eat and with people we may never meet.

As I thought about what the two paragraphs said about us as individuals and a group, I realized we are problem solvers and our intention is to help our community be better. We have engaged in service activities that were a lot of work, but were fun, too!

Our challenge, as individuals and a club, is to continue working in our community with unmatched integrity and energy. We all have things other than Lions club stuff to do. And we are not the only service organization in our area. But the words written and ideas expressed on the Lions website gave me a new perspective on our service. We don’t just serve people, we make friends! We make friends with children, adults and even people we may never meet!

Our lives are often very busy and complicated. But as Lions, we really do serve with energy and integrity. We sometimes put aside things we need and want to do for the sake of others through our projects. There are many people who need our help. And our community can always be better.

So I commend us as people who have served. And I challenge us as Lions to continue to serve whenever needed.

As part of a worldwide service organization, we have numerous opportunities to serve. On Saturday, January 28, Lion Marsha, Lion Barbara, and I attended the District 22-C Cabinet meeting in Temple Hills, Maryland. The theme of the day was Leave a Trail of Service. This luncheon meeting proceeded like most of our meetings. We gathered, we ate, and then we got down to business.

The secretary’s report reminded us of things we have done and information about what is coming up.

Cabinet Treasurer Lion Lee Wilson gave a financial report. (Copies of the report are available upon request). The activity account has a large balance. Lion Lee asked for guidance about moving funds for best use. A proposal was also made by the treasurer to consider purchasing a bond to cover future expenses. A $10,000 dollar bond would come at the cost of $2.30 per member. A $15,000 bond would come at the cost of $2.65 per member. A $20,000 bond would come at the cost of $3.00 per member. Local clubs are requested to discuss this proposal and share opinions with the treasurer.

 Committee Reports

The Lions Vision Research Foundation was founded in 1988 for the purpose of raising funds for research at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins hospital. The LVRF is working on ways to cut waiting time for patients. The waiting time has been cut from 3-4 weeks to one day. Tiffany Chang has been chosen as the LVRF Fellow for 2012. Our district donation goal to the LVRF for this year is $34,500. The total contributions from local clubs now stand at $12,000.

PDG Ted Ladd reported that our district membership is 1,615. This total reflects a 3.5% decrease in our membership.

Clubs were reminded that additions to the District Honor Roll are due to the VDG Don Beeson by April 1.

VDG Don Beeson reported on the proposed redistricting plan to reflect the change in membership. Currently, we have 6 regions that will be realigned into 4 regions. Montgomery County Region will have an eastern zone and a western zone.

VDG Don Beeson also reported on efforts to get a commemorative coin minted in honor of the Lions Club. We need 190 representatives and 50 senators in favor of this initiative by March in order to bring the proposal to congress. Lions are encouraged to contact our representatives and senators to request their support for our request.

The annual leadership training at Emmitsburg attendance has been decreasing. The required minimum this year is 75 students. At the time of the meeting the registration was 37. At the time of this report, the deadline has passed. I have no information as to whether the registration will be extended.

PDG Bill Lynch reported thatCampMerrickwill offer a day camp this summer. More good news is thatCampMerrickis on solid financial ground. A financial report including costs and budget will be available on March 31. The camp has been closed for the winter that helps cut overall costs and is in the process of being winterized. A clean-up day is scheduled in April. All lions are invited to help out.

Lion Joe McClelland requested donations from local clubs for band and music scholarships for the District 22C Honors Band. Musicians selected by each club will rehearse on April 1 to perform at the 22-C Night in April.

The 2012 USA-Canada Forum is scheduled for September 13-15 inTampa Bay,Florida. Twenty-five to thirty thousand lions are expected to attend this gathering.

IPDG Sandi Halterman reported that the deadline for nominations for the Bull Throwers Award is April 1. Nominees must have at least 10 years of service. She also reported that our Volunteers for LCOF were present at local health and county fairs.

Leader Dogs have visited 24 clubs this year. They are available to give programs to local clubs upon request.

The 2012 District 22-C convention will be held inSalisburyon May 9-12. The 2013 convention is scheduled for May 12-17 inOceanCity.

District Governor Rich Barb reported that donations to LCIF are down. We also need a chair for LCIF. The term for this office is 3 years. He also noted that Melwood needs help to recycle glasses donations.

Cabinet Treasurer Lion Lee Wilson gave a financial report. (Copies of the report are available upon request). The activity account has a large balance. Lion Lee asked for guidance about moving funds for best use. A proposal was also made by the treasurer to consider purchasing a bond to cover future expenses. A $10,000 dollar bond would come at the cost of $2.30 per member. A $15,000 bond would come at the cost of $2.65 per member. A $20,000 bond would come at the cost of $3.00 per member. Local clubs are requested to discuss this proposal and share opinions with the treasurer.

Lion Charlie and Marcia Holpuch have done a gift exchange the last few years whereby everyone who wants to participate brings a $10 gift and then the fun begins like a Chinese Bingo Gift exchange. They take charge of it. But we need to put in the Lions Tale that those who want to participate bring a $10 wrapped gift. That should conclude a nice enjoyable evening.

The days are growing very short and many of us are very busy preparing for Christmas or Hanukkah. We are looking forward to happy times with family and friends. Our club has some traditional fun times ahead. Our Christmas party usually features entertainment, a visit from Santa and his favorite elf who give all good lions a candy cane, and last but not least, a gift exchange that will steal your heart (or your gift if another lion wants it). If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift ($10 value.)

We enjoy having a lot of fun at our holiday meeting, but we must also be mindful of those who are experiencing uncertain or difficult times during the season. As Lions, we know that the true joy of the season comes in sharing what we have.

The Damascus Lions live out this joy, through our Holiday Giving Project. So don’t forget to bring mittens and socks for children, teenagers, and adults to the Christmas Party on December 13 to be tree decorations and then useful gifts. These contributions combine with our stocking stuffers (due December 6), and our food baskets to 30 needy families to round out our Holiday Giving Project.

The year is drawing to a close and some of us may be trying to decide where we are going to give our final charitable donations for 2011. If you are looking for a way to help others and support the mission of the Lions Club to help and support the blind, consider donating to the Lions Community Outreach Foundation. The LCOF is a member of the Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the National Capital Area. You might also consider setting up payroll deductions to LCOF (#29433) for next year.

Have a roarin’ good time this month. But remember, it is easy to get lost in the business and busyness of this season. So don’t forget to slow down and enjoy special times with family and close friends. Even the fiercest, most active lions rest, relax and purr now and then!

For the future: Every year, each Lions Club in the District chooses one nominee for the Bull Throwers Award. The deadline for submission of our candidate is April 1. The district award will be presented at the MD22 Convention in May. Be thinking of someone you think has been a hard working lion that should be considered for this award.

I’m not sure where this little saying comes from, but if there’s any truth to it at all, we’re headed for a lovely, colorful May, for we’ve certainly had our share of April showers.

It rained on April 14th and it poured on April 16th, but for the opening of the Skate Park on April 15 the sun was shining.  It was a wonderful, breezy, spring day and the Lions were at the Damascus Community Recreation Center to officially open the park.  Many thanks to all who attended the ceremony.  We will be getting a sign to indicate our support of the park and let the community know that the Lions are serving.  There were many young people in attendance to enjoy the opening of the park ~ though I don’t think they were very interested in the speakers or the ceremony!  The park will be open when the Rec Center is open.  Extended park hours are available when there is a volunteer to open the gate and stay nearby.  If you would like to volunteer to open the park, either on a regular or occasional basis, please talk with Lion Tom Didone.  Drawn like moths to a light, when the gate is open, young people appear!  What a great facility for the youth of Damascus.  Thanks to all who helped to make this happen and your commitment to the future of the park.

Lions Gary Rogers, Carol & Charlie Stone, Vicki Dotterer, Mary Frances Gosnell and myself represented our club at the District year-end celebration in April.  Our club was also well-represented with students in the Honors Band.  Of 80 musicians, 19 of them were from Damascus and Clarksburg High Schools.  The district scholarships were presented to the students with Clarksburg student Luis Rosales receiving a 2nd place scholarship, Damascus student Robert Williams a 1st place and Joshua Tsai was presented with the Outstanding Musician recognition and top scholarship.  These students must commit to at least 2 years of participation in the Honors Band in order to be eligible to audition for a scholarship.  Our congratulations go to these young people who have excelled at their instruments and bring music to our lives.  The District Humanitarian Award was presented to the founding Director of Melwood, Earl Copus, Jr., who shared captivating stories of the founding and growth of Melwood.  The keynote speaker, Past International Director Leland Kolkmeyer, was interesting as well.  Overall, it was a better-than-usual 22-C Night!  With the exception of the severe weather, it was a great evening.

As this year begins to come to a close, I am happy to report that we have completed the required number of visitations.  With our April program on hearing, we have completed the requirements for the district 5-star award.  The district awards lunch will be held on June 18^th and all Lions are welcome to attend.  Please let me know if you are interested in attending the luncheon.

The Multiple District convention is this month in Salisbury, MD.  Attending a convention can be a great experience in learning and fellowship.  Anyone who is interested in attending is encouraged to go.  You can choose to attend any part of the convention.  Lion Mary Frances has all the information you need and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Congratulations to our new officers!  As they gear up for the new year, let them know which projects you would like to be part of.  We are looking for some new fund-raisers to take the place of the Big Band Dance and your ideas are so welcome.

Golf Tournament time is coming up quickly.  We need many volunteers to help out for the day.  We are at a new location this year, so there will undoubtedly be some changes.  If you can be there to help, would like to sponsor a hole or just learn more about what you can do, please see Lions Bob Snapp, Mike Thornett or John Warfield.  The golf tournament has been one of our biggest fundraisers and is important to the club in maintaining our ability to support our other activities in the community.

Our semi-annual White Cane Days are scheduled for the first week of May.  If you haven’t already signed up for a shift, please see Lion Wayne Marr to get on his roster.  White Cane funds make it possible for us to provide much needed help in the community for eye exams and eyeglasses.
We will be having our last blood drive before the summer break at the end of this month on the 23^rd.  The timing of this drive will help provide blood for the Memorial Day weekend.  It also eliminates the scheduling conflicts with the Golf Tournament.  We need volunteers to staff the registration area and the canteen on the day of the drive as well as phone volunteers to remind our donors and the Rec Center and a few other small projects.  If you can help, just let me know.

The DVFD needs to replace the roof on the Activities Building on Lewis Drive.  They are holding 2 events this spring to raise funds to support that cause and have asked for our help.  The first event is a motorcycle ride on the 21^st of May and the second is a bicycle ride on the 11^th of June.  We are supporting both events financially, but they also need volunteers on those days for a variety of duties.  Of course, we want a nice, dry Activities Building, so do what you can to help!  Polish up that Harley and register for the motorcycle ride or pump up your tires and register for the bike ride or simply sign up to lend a hand at either event or be really crazy and help out at both events!

I spoke with Lions Tuck & Eloise and Tuck continues to make good progress.  He is still at Washington Hospital Center where they are now rather well-known!  It is anticipated that he may be released to go home next week.  Once he gets settled, they will welcome visitors who are not dressed in lab coats.  We’ll let you know when he gets home so you can give them a call and schedule a visit.

Last month we enjoyed the presentation on running and climbing by our very own athlete, Pattu Durairaj, who has climbed mountains and run a marathon on every continent ~ and has the medal to prove it.  What a fascinating accomplishment and we thank him for sharing his experiences with us.  Tonight we honor and recognize the various youth organizations in the Damascus and Clarksburg areas.  Our entertainment is a string quintet from Damascus High School.  Lion Mary Frances has put together the program and we hope that you enjoy the evening.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

Dear Damascus Lions,

It’s finally spring … sort of.  Signs of Mother Nature throwing off her winter cloak are peeking up all over.  Some of the early flowers are finally popping open and a touch of warm can be felt in the air.  There’s so much hope and potential in spring.

As a club, we’re blooming, too.  March saw us flipping pancakes again at another successful breakfast.  Thank you to all the Lions who sold ticket and helped with the cooking, serving and clean up.  The bake table was a popular spot and was well supplied with goodies from members and partners.  We served over 250 people for breakfast and could not have done it without the unfailing dedication of Lions Joy Schwab & Sue Suddath.

Speaking of Lion Joy, she and the membership committee put together a delightful presentation for our prospective member night and we are pleased to welcome Julie Sain as a new member of the club.  Julie is very active in the community and has been a great friend of the club.  Among her activities is managing the use of the DVFD Activity Building and she has been instrumental in keeping our blood drives alive.  Julie continues a Sain family tradition as her husband Mark was a member of the club for many years.  We are so glad to have her join us.  Welcome, Julie!!

The auction was a resounding success!  Thanks to all who donated and walked away with treasures.  We raised about $2,700 – in excess of our budgeted goal.  Thanks to everyone.  Alex Imirie was our auctioneer and helped make the evening both fun AND profitable.  And there’s nothing quite like trying to get the gavel back out of my husband’s hands. 

We held our second blood drive with Inova Blood Services in March.  If we want to continue to have blood drives, we need more help.  We need both phone callers in advance as well as volunteers to staff the registration and recovery areas during the drive.  A big thanks to the set-up crew who made short work of getting the room ready for the donors.  Our next drive is scheduled for Monday, May 23^rd.  Let Lion Ken Cook know how you can help.

Our district year is coming to a close in April.  In hopes of making the 5-star award, we need to increase our visitations this month.  If you have been to another club dinner or fund-raiser, please let Lion Ray Molesworth know so we can get credit for your visit.  We are close to making our required number, but we need to make this last push to the goal line.  The district banquet is set for Saturday, April 16^th in Waldorf.  We have a table of 10 to fill.  If you would like to attend, please see Lion Mary Frances Gosnell.

The Multiple District convention is coming up next month in Salisbury, MD.  Attending a convention can be a great experience in learning and fellowship.  Anyone who is interested in attending is encouraged to go.  Lion Mary Frances has all the information you need and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Our election of officers will be held at our first meeting of April.  Serving as a club officer is an important job – the club can’t function without a board.  Our deepest thanks and gratitude go to those who are willing to serve.  Show them your support by pitching in to help with activities every chance you get.

Golf Tournament time is coming up quickly.  We need many volunteers to help out for the day.  We are at a new location this year, so there will undoubtedly be some changes.  If you can be there to help, would like to sponsor a hole or just learn more about what you can do, please see Lions Bob Snapp, Mike Thornett or John Warfield.  The golf tournament has been one of our biggest fundraisers and is important to the club in maintaining our ability to support our other activities in the community.

We also have a date for the dedication and opening of the skate park at the Rec. Center.  Lion Tom has worked very hard to see this project come to fruition.  The date is Friday, April 15^th.  At this time, we don’t know what time it will be, so watch your email.  It would be good to have several club members in attendance for the ceremony.

We keep Lions Tuck & Eloise in our thoughts as Tuck continues to improve following his by-pass surgery.  Along with the arrival of spring, some things just don’t happen fast enough, reminding us how important it is to also take time to smell the flowers.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

Let’s hope that March comes in like a lamb and stays that way!  Let’s keep the “lion” activity to the club and out of the weather forecast.  We have just passed our “slow” season for the club, and with the warming of the weather, our activities are warming up too.

This month we have several activities and rely on the power of the club to make them the “best ones yet.”  To start, we have our club auction at the March 15^th meeting.  Our auction provides the bulk of our administrative funding.  By raising money at the auction, we are able to keep our dues low.  So go through your “stuff” and pick some items to donate to the auction.  Then come to the meeting with your honey and your money for a fun evening of auction action.  Let me know as soon as you can what you are donating so that we can have a list for the meeting.  Get donation forms at our web site at damascuslions.org

Next up is our spring Pancake Breakfast on March 19.  We need your help to staff the kitchen and dining room.  The bake table remains very popular (no wonder, with all the marvelous cooks in our midst) and needs to be fully stocked.  Advance ticket sales insure us a profit, get some from Lion Joy and sell them to your friends and neighbors.  Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 4-8.   Be sure to sign up for a shift to help out, too.  Nothing starts your day out right like a good breakfast!!

Our last activity for March is the blood drive on the 28th.  Lion Ken Cook will need your assistance for phone calls, room setup, donor check-in and the recovery area.  Phone lists will be available at the meeting on the 15^th.  Sign up to be a donor at www.inova.org/bloodsaves.  One donation can help up to 3 people – talk about multiplying yourself!!

The Nominating Committee has completed their work on a slate of officers for next year.  Please be prepared to vote for your choices at our first meeting in April.  Participation by the full membership makes our club one of the best places to invest your time in our community.  Thanks for your continued support.

Yours in Service,

King Lion Marcia

Monies solicited from the public to advance various charitable activities cannot be used for internal administrative cost of our club. Each year, club members are asked to donate goods or services and we hold an “In-House Auction” to raise funds to cover these administrative costs.  This keeps our club dues more reasonable!!  Your participation in the auction is VERY important to the club.

All members are encouraged to make a donation.  Be creative!  Some examples of past donated items include: homemade baked goods, computer lessons, turkey dinner tickets, gift cards, an evening of dinner at home, dinner out, airport shuttles, handcrafted items, use of rototiller, use of a truck, snow blowing service, firewood, beach house or condo time, airplane rides, antiques, collectibles, athletic event tickets, telephone installation, auto detailing, yard work, lottery tickets, liquor, furniture, jewelry, clothes and unwanted gifts.  This is a marvelous time to unload that holiday present you just weren’t quite so excited to receive.  Items can be new or used condition.  I hope you’ve been saving your stuff!!

Even if you will be out of town we can still sell your item for the benefit of the club. Cash donations to the club treasury are also accepted.

Here’s our schedule.  It is abbreviated due to the amazing weather we’ve been having:

Feb. 15 Mtg.– Donation Form passed out. If you already know what you’ll donate turn in the form tonight.

Mar. 1 Mtg.– In my perfect world, donation forms will all be turned in.  More forms will be available.

Mar. 13 – All donation forms need to be submitted  so sales flyer can be prepared. (or send an email)

Mar. 15 Mtg. – (Auction Night) bring the goods to be sold.  Spouses are very welcome to join us.

(Last minute items will be sold but won’t appear in printed handout at Auction, but please try to get your information to us so we can prepare a list of items to be sold.)

Submit this form to Marcia Holpuch 240-830-9405, or Jack Peters 301-253-2589 at the March 1^st meeting. Final deadline by phone, mail or email is March 13^th to allow time to compile the auction listing.  DOWNLOAD THE AUCTION FORM HERE.  You can also send an email indicating your donation to Marcia at holpuch@verizon.net.  If you need help transporting your item(s) to the meeting, just give a shout and we’ll help you out!