District Cabinet Meeting - January 25, 2009
Dodger Bowl, Dodgeville
District Governor John Jenson called the January District Cabinet meeting to order with the pledge, song, and prayer at 12:00pm, and we immediately took a short break for lunch. We reconvened for business at 12:53pm.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved with a motion from Ken Hamilton (seconded by Mark Sang), with brief discussion on the motion on Constitution and By-Laws. The concern was referred to committee.
The Treasurer's report for Administration was approved with a motion from Gene Francis (seconded by Dick Schwedrski), and the report for Activities was approved with a motion from Jim Guy (seconded by Steve Schaefer.
Our next Cabinet meeting will convene at 5:00 or 5:30 on the Friday of the District Convention. It is important that all respond to the next e-mail so that we can report the number of meals required to the hotel.
Membership is down for the District. Belleville's charter was cancelled, and we will probably lose Janesville Evening. Benton may become a branch club. However, we have historically responded with an increase in the second half.
Arlen Milestone reported for the Constitution and By-Laws Committee. The Policy Manual has been mailed out (to all the Cabinet members (and will be posted on the web site as soon as the web master receives an electronic copy). The committee will clarify where a vote is needed. The minor editing needed is currently in process. Gordy Brandt recommends that the changes be in the minutes in the future (to do that, the changes must be submitted as a report in electronic form). Bill Teft suggested adding wording to the effect that International By-Laws trump our District By-Laws. That suggestion was referred to committee.
Milestone also reported on Long Range Planning. Should the District continue to run the District Convention, or should clubs? There was a discussion on the pros and cons. There has been a difficulty in getting club volunteers. A portion of the registration fee may need to be allocated as revenue to the District. Jim Guy asked why the District needed funds. The answer is that the Convention revenue subsidizes dues. Tammy Rockefeller asked what happens if clubs don't step up? Would the responsibility go back to the District? John Jenson said he would survey other Districts; it was noted that some Districts have already taken over the conventions. "Doc" Esser moved to have the District continue to run the Convention (seconded by Dale Boness). Much discussion ensued. Jodi Burmester sees a difference in perception, a District orientation versus a grass roots orientation. Harvey Frye noted that we have the highest registration fees in the state (in fairness, it should be noted that the registration fees subsidizes part of meal costs). Dennis Gullickson noted that the default could be the District running the Convention if clubs don't step up. The motion was defeated. The committee will be formed to examine the issue further. Jenson gave thanks to the Long Range Planning committee for their work.
Sam Powell reported on the WLF. The Foundation is facing many challenges, and setting up for upcoming camping season. Staff are currently receiving applications for campers, counselors, and nurses. The housekeeping staff is cleaning and repairing. The new snow truck has already been dented. The next work day will be April 25. Jodi Burmester mentioned Enhanced Vision (see page four of the February newspaper). The WLF will receive a $200 grant (up to $25,000) if referred customers buy certain products. Dale Boness noted a special event - the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation plaque will be placed in the WLF office, from a Diabetes project jointly sponsored with the Kidney Foundation. It was noted that the sports raffle will be changed - giving a portion back to the clubs is no longer permitted.
Steve Knapp reported on the Lions Pride Campaign. The endowment fund is most important for the future. The backbone of the campaign is personal donations. The campaign is currently at $4.5 million. The $480,000 of the costs of the campaign have been covered by a personal donation. District D1 ranks fourth in the state. Rollie Manthe, Rob Sherman, and Jim Utrie are new ambassadors. Contact them for club presentations. Kevin McPherson has joined the investment committee. We should look forward to the 2nd annual sporting clays shoot at Johnson Creek.
Jerry Sherwin reported for Candidates, noting that the committee has been trying to fill the positions. Candidacy papers have been received as follows: District Governor: Rick Daluge; 1st Vice District Governor: Gene Francis; 2nd Vice District Governor: Neil Winchell and Bill Teft. Rick Daluge is asking Cabinet members to continue their Cabinet positions. Gene Francis noted something about history and looking forward. Neil Winchell asked for our support, mentioned the 3 R's, distributed a poster, and noted that it was time to serve. Bill Teft distributed his poster, noted his experience as a teacher in middle schools, and talked about the economic opportunity.
Jodi Burmester reported on the Convention, noting the March 1st deadline for registrations. There will be good programs, raffles, and a Lions County Fair. Cabinet members will have their Friday evening meal covered. She noted the February 15th deadline for program ads. Readers will observe that the February newspaper does not contain the registration form (which is available online).
Leadership and Officer training has been set: Region 5 will be on April 15, Region 4 on April 22, and Regions 2 and 3 on April 27.
For Information Technology, Rick Daluge noted the change in the web site, telling us that Scott Grover will be the IT chair. The new design should be more user-friendly. Chuck Basford has agreed to be the District Photographer.
And for Extension, Daluge noted that he was looking for help in club development, especially for the Platteville Campus club.
Ben August reported for Youth Exchange. There are five participants, and the committee has granted four $800 scholarships. He is looking for five host families for incoming youth. There are host family grants of up to $200 available, and the commitment is for four to five weeks, usually in July. The committee is in excellent financial shape. August thanked the other committee members, and especially Jim Guy for his efforts.
We once again discussed the Constitution conflicts, and it was noted again that International rules shall prevail.
The USA/Canada Forum will be in Memphis on the 24th through 27th. Jodi Burmester is looking for volunteers to work at Milwaukee in 2010.
Mike Tiber reported for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. He is also the new treasurer. The LEBW banner is available, as are donor stickers.
Dave Hineline gave the Children's Vision Screening report, citing a thank you letter to Prevent Blindness. He mentioned the upcoming training session on March 21st in Cottage Grove - the registration form is available online. There will be parking available behind the building. District cameras will be with Ed O'Brien for February and early March.
Steve Knapp mentioned some details about Cash for Camp, which is replacing the raffle. There will be a mailing inviting clubs to participate.
There was a question from a club about Flower Sales: Can profits from sales to club members go to into administration funds? Yes, if the distinction can be made between members and the public.
Another question: Support for other Lion functions should be from administrative funds.
TaleTwister Dennis Gullickson reported that he had collected $215. Sam Powell won $75, Arlen Milestone won $30, and Dick Schwedrsky won $5.
Club Announcements:
• Cottage Grove thanked all of the curling teams - there were 40! They had 196 at the banquet, and raised a $678 donation for the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin.
• Cottage Grove will have a February raffle. The pig died, so there will be a eulogy as well as a breakfast.
• Fitchburg will have a Chili Dinner on February 7.
• Madison Central had items from their nut sale available for those interested. They are also having a Texas Hold'Em tournament on February 22 at J.T. Whitneys.
• Lake Wisconsin will have an Eskimo Open on February 21. Golf on the ice!
• Albany will have a Pancake Breakfast on February 14.
• New Glarus will have a Valentines Sweetheart Dinner on February 15.
• Monticello will have a Pancake Brunch on February 22.
• Stoughton is having a breakfast on February 7
• Hazel Green will have a Pancake Breakfast on March 15.
• Middleton will do their Wine Tasting on February 20.
• Regions 3 and 4 will meet on Wednesday.
• Edgerton will have a Superbowl Breakfast next Sunday.
We adjourned at 2:45pm.
Attachments:
Note: most attachments are PDF format. You may download the most recent free Adobe PDF reader at Adobe.
Agenda
Attendance
Treasurers Report - Administration
Treasurers Report - Activities
Convention Poster
Convention Registration Form
Region One Report
Region Two Zone One Report
Region Two Zone Two Report
Affiliate Lioness Report
Affiliate Lioness Treasurer Report
Constitution and By-Laws Report
Diabetes Report
Hearing Report
IT Report
Leader Dog Report
Lions Pride Report
Mission to Mexico Report
Resolutions and Constitution and By-Laws Report
Vision Screening Report
Vision Screening Training Registration Form
WLF Report
Women in Lions Report
Youth Exchange Report