Building On Our Success
27-D1 District Cabinet Meeting - March 10, 2019
Madison Marriott West
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order by DG John Elvekrog at 8:15 a.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was led by 1st VDG Conrad Dreyer
Words of Wisdom - 2nd VDG shared two readings
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” - Mother Theresa
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Welcome & Comments by DG John Elvekrog: He thanked everyone for coming this morning and he will make more comments later in the meeting.
Comments from IPDG & CC Jodi Burmester - She thanked the District Lions for endorsing her for the International Director's position. She and Dale are honored to represent our District at the international level. They will be attending the 27-C2 convention in April and the State Convention in May. Jodi reminded everyone to have their full number of delegates at the State Convention for the voting.
Comments by 1st VDG Conrad Dreyer - He submitted a written report that is available on the District website. Conrad asked that we gave DG John a round of applause for all the things he has done for our District the past year.
Comments by 2nd VDG Tammy Rockenbach - She thanked the District clubs for allowing her to visit the clubs and for patience because of the weather problems. Tammy submitted a written report that is available on the District website. Approval of the Minutes from the January 20, 2019 Cabinet Meeting - The minutes are posted on the District website. Motion made by PDG Eric Holthaus and a second by ZC Adam Crowson to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried on voice vote.
Treasurer's Report by William Severson - The Treasurer's report is available on the District website. He will be writing checks to clear out the Activities Accounts that need to be paid to zero out the account. The Administrative Account is really good shape. Bill reminded the District officers to submit their expenses so he can write those checks. The District dues have been paid to the State office but the payment was not reflected in the report. The revenue from the District Convention covered the expenses and there should be a positive balance.
State Convention Report by Lion Missy Dickson, Convention Chair - Lion Missy said it is important that our District have a good showing since we are hosting the convention. She also promoted the weekend as being family friendly in order to attract young Lions and their families to the convention. Information is on-line about the sessions and registration.
International Convention Report by PDG John Jenson - The convention is scheduled for July 5-9th in Milan, Italy. If District Lions are planning to attend, please let PDG John know because he doesn't get information from LCI about those attending. The Midwest breakfast will cost $50.
USA/Canada Forum Report by Tammy Rockenbach - Tammy has submitted a report that is on-line on the District website. The forum is scheduled for September 19-21st in Spokane, Washington. Many great sessions and motivational speakers are planned and she invites everyone to attend.
Global Service Report - Lion Bruce Voight was not available, but he had submitted a written report that is on the District website.
Global Membership Team - Lion Tara Vraniak, GMT Chair reported that the District is down 32 members and she reminded us that this directly affects the number of people that each member serves. Tara challenged the clubs to look at the reasons for members to be dropped. Clubs should take action, if there are things within the club that can be fixed to decrease the number of drops. Tara reminded members to attend the Club Quality Initiative following the cabinet meeting.
Global Leadership Team - Lion Mike Keller has scheduled Officer Training sessions in April at four locations. There will be training for the Club Service Project Chair position. He asked the clubs to be sure to have someone attend the training with a goal of 85% participation by District clubs. DG John presented Mike with an International President's certificate of appreciation.
Environment Report by Lion Al Johnson, District Chair - Lion Al said that Lions do a great job of helping the environment in our communities by planting gardens, recycling, and roadside cleanup. But more importantly Lions plant many trees that have a direct effect on the quality of the air we breathe. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd that was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin he urged Lions to plant trees in their communities. There will be a session at the State Conventional about environmental projects.
Hunger Report by Lion Chuck Wilson, Chair - He reported that the Beloit Noon Lions Club has an action plan with local grocery stores to pick up slightly damaged canned food for food pantries. He encouraged District clubs to contact stores in their communities to start a food recovery program. He will have more information on the Beloit Noon Lions website.
Youth Exchange Report by Lion Ben August, Chair - He thanked the 37 clubs in our District for their support of the Youth Exchange program. There are 7 youth from the state who will be traveling to other countries in the summer and about 50 foreign students coming into Wisconsin. Host families are still needed for some of them. Ben said that he talked to more people at the convention about Youth Exchange then he has ever talked to, so interest in the program is increasing. He submitted a written report that is available on the District website.
Wisconsin Lions Foundation - Lion John Dickson thanked the District clubs for their support during his 6 year term on the WLF Board. He will continue to be involved at the camp working on the gardens and grounds. The eyeglass recycling program has taken off since the challenge campaign a few years ago. He is collecting eyeglasses from areas where previously the numbers were low.
Lions Club International Foundation - Lion Bill Clausius has been making club visits to promote the Champaign 100 and educate Lions about the good works of the Foundation. The Cross Plains Lions are planning a fundraising event for LCIF and Bill hopes other clubs will consider doing fundraisers, too. DG John pointed out the $10,000 emergency grant from LCIF for the flooding and the $100,000 matching grant for the machine under the Childhood Cancer Initiative. He urged clubs to support LCIF.
Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin - Lion Ron Blawusch reported that the new building is 99% complete. The ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for March 28th. Other dates to keep in mind are the golf outing on June 26th and the annual meeting on July 18th. He submitted a written report that is on-line on the District website.
Diabetes Awareness - Lions Jill Kietzke was one of 200 people nationwide invited by the ADA to Washington for the Call To Congress 2019 scheduled for March 27-29 to educate members of Congress about the impact of diabetes and advocate for key federal priorities like federal funding to support diabetes research and access to healthcare. She will be attending training and attending caucus sessions at the Capital. She reminded clubs to report their Diabetes projects so that our District can win the $500 prize for most Diabetes projects in the state. She thanked the District for the $500 donation to help with her travel expenses.
Other Business:
At the Executive Team meeting on February 27, 2019 the team recommended that the District give financial assistance up to $1,500 out of the Administration Account to Conrad and his spouse for airfare to the International Convention in Milan, Italy. DG John asked for a motion to approve the payment. A motion was made by Lion Bill Clausius with a second by IPDG Jodi Burmester to give up to $1,500 from Administrative Fund each year to the incoming District Governor for airfare to the International Convention starting with the July 2019 convention. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The Executive Team also recommended that the District give IPDG Jodi Burmester $1,000 from the Administrative Fund to offset expenses for her campaign for International Director. DG John asked for a motion to approve the payment to Jodi. A motion was made by PDG Rob Sherman with a second by PDG Arlen Milestone to give IPDG Jodi Burmester $1,000 from the Administrative Fund for her International Director campaign. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Club Announcements:
March 30th - Cuba City Fun Night
April 7th - Mt. Horeb Pancake Breakfast
April 13th - Oregon/Brooklyn Pancake Breakfast w/ Easter Bunny
April 28th - Cottage Grove 45th Anniversary
May 9th - Beloit Noon Steak Fry
May 27th - McFarland Chicken BBQ
International Director Candidate IPDG Lee Vrieze asked for our support at the State Convention as he hopes to represent Wisconsin at Lions Club International.
DG John thanked the convention committee of PDG Rick Daluge, Missy Dickson, and Jessica Schwedrsky for their hard work in giving us a great District Convention.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
Reports:
Agenda
Audio of Cabinet Meeting
March Convention Business Meeting
Minutes from January Cabinet Meeting
1st Vice District Governor Report
2nd Vice District Governor Report
Children's Vision Screening Report
Children's Vision Screening Reporting Form (Excel)
Global Leadership Team Report
Global Membership Team Report
Global Service Team Report
Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin Report (pdf)
Restoring Hope Transplant House Report
USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Report
Wisconsin Lions Mission Report
Youth Exchange Report (pdf)
Note: some reports are PDF format. You may download the most recent free Adobe PDF reader at Adobe.