Theme for Lion's meeting Conduct

Mutual Respect

Volunteerism

        Recognize that we are individuals with greatly different backgrounds / capabilities / interests.
        Each individual will chose to participate in different kinds of activities.
        Because we VOLUNTEER for activities, participation will be by PERSUASION, not dictation.
        Good activities will attract volunteers on their own.
      Projects that require a lot of volunteers must consider who will choose to participate before these projects
           are committed.

Opinions

        EVERYONE is entitled to have an opinion.
        EVERYONE is entitled to express an opinion freely.
        EVERYONE in the club will have an opportunity in the meeting to express any opinions or
          comments regarding club business. Keep it on a professional level, not a personal level.
        Not everyone will share the same opinion or perspective. That's what makes a public club
          interesting, and to see other opportunities.
        Learn to live with the fact that there may be differing viewpoints on any topic.

Time Pressures

        To run meetings efficiently, to provide a forum so that everyone can have the chance to speak,
           and to end the meetings on time, these guidelines are strongly recommended:

                Speakers: KNOW your audience. Direct your comments to them and their interests. Get to the point.
                        Think of what you will say before speaking. Summarize lengthy written materials.

                        Limit yourselves to 3-5 minutes per topic, exc. Guest Spkrs.  Allow for members to follow up.

                Audience: GIVE your speakers a break. Don't interrupt. There will be time for comments.
                      Hold your enthusiasm until your turn. Wait for the SPEAKER to recognize you.
                      Keep the focus on the subject at hand.

                     Lengthy discussions will be taken off-line, either after adjournment, or in private,
                      or at the appropriate Committee / BOD meeting.

The Lions’ Tale - Text Version
 

It could be the opening scene of an epic, big screen movie. The lights come up, as a heroic, historic figure addresses a group of men. They have gathered to hear from a woman with a cause. The men listen intently as she speaks about her life, and her mi ssion. On that day, the men receive the inspiration that would forever identify them with the woman’s challenge. But it isn't a movie. The story is real. The heroine is a real American woman. The men in the meeting room were real, too. This is the true story of Lions Clubs International. In 1917, a Chicago insurance agent named Melvin Jones persuaded his luncheon club to join with a national organization dedicated to the improvement of their communities. Jones’ club, and other clubs from nine states agreed to rally under the banner of th e Association of Lions Clubs, then headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The men in those clubs knew they wanted to serve their communities, but they lacked focus. Fast forward to 1925, when that woman asked to address a convention of the Lions Clubs. The woman’s name was Helen Keller. Yes, the same Helen Keller we know from books, movies and television. Her story has been told many times, but a part that was not in cluded was that fateful day when she spoke to the assembled Lions. Helen asked the Lions clubs to take up her cause. She asked them to make the organization’s work to help people with sight and hearing impairments. “To become my Knights of the Blind in th e crusade against darkness.” The Lions agreed to take up Helen's challenge. They would become the Knights of the Blind. They would devote themselves to helping men and women and children the world over, who are less fortunate than themselves. They would dedicate their clubs to provid ing eye examinations, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and funding wherever it could make a difference in the lives of those people who could not see the sights, could not hear the sounds that the rest of us take for granted every day. Since 1917, the Lions clubs in the U.S. have grown to become a worldwide organization, the International Association of Lions Clubs. There are now over 40000 clubs in over 183 countries all across the planet. Worldwide membership is more than 1.4 million strong. Women have become a valuable addition to Lions clubs since the early years, and teens from age 13 to 18 are encouraged to experience the organization by joining a Leo club. Every year, Lions clubs across the world, including those at home, provide money for eye exams, and eyeglasses for those people who otherwise could not afford what we consider a simple daily activity: to see and hear the world around us. Former President Jimmy Carter has remarked that “Millions of people can see today and can work to support their families because of the blindness prevention activities of Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation”. The activities performed by Lions take many forms. Of course, the main emphasis is always to provide funding for Sight and Hearing organizations, such as The Vermont Association for the Blind, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. In the Lions year 2000-2001, o ver 5.2 million pairs of eyeglasses were collected and recycled worldwide. The Lions Club International Foundation supported more than 2.5 million cataract surgeries, and financed the construction or upgrading of 68 eye hospitals. In addition, we make visits to the infirm; we work to clean up the environment, we contribute food to the needy. New Hampshire and Vermont Lions sponsor an annual soccer tournament to raise funds for the Austine / Green Mountain Lions summer camp for hear ing impaired children. All clubs conduct a variety of fundraisers, to provide money for many charitable activities. One prominent example is disaster relief, such as the flooding in northern Vermont several years ago. Funds are also provided to deserving local organizations suc h as Rescue Squads, Senior Centers, Diabetes Associations, Libraries, and the Scouts. Vermont is known as District 45, and today there are approximately 50 Lions clubs, and 5 Leo clubs, in all areas of the state. There are nearly 1500 dedicated men, women, and teens who raise funds, and donate their efforts to contribute to their communiti es. In Essex Junction, a major project is underway to create Veteran’s Memorial Park at the center of the village. The park will honor those people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country to preserve the way of life we cherish today. Constructi on work has recently begun, with the first phase to be completed this summer. Fundraising is continuing to provide the money required to fully complete the project. To see the artist’s conception of the finished park, and to learn how to participate, visi t the village web site: http://www.essexjunction.org/veterans.htm or the Essex Jct. Lions site: http://members.aol.com/Lionsejvt/ . To learn more about Lions Clubs International, seek out your local Lions Clubs in District 45, or visit these Lions web sites: www.Lionsclubs.org or www.lionwap.org/district45 or www.vermontel.com/~threem/ . The Essex Junction Lions Club meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, September through June, at 6:30 PM, at the Lincoln Inn. Visitors are always welcome. Stop by our food concession stand at the Champlain Valley Exposition in August. Ask a Lion about how we serve our community, and support Lions worthy causes !