I'll be the first to admit that I do not like all this technology.... the internet, facebook, email, twitter, etc. Give me a pen and paper.
But if it wasn't for Facebook, we may never have learned that a former Lion is very ill and has only a couple weeks to live. Sam and Katrina were in the club for a short period, a couple of years, but participated as much as they could during that time. And now they need our help.
Katrina needs to be by Sam's side and focus all her energy on him and we need to be there for Katrina and their daughter, Ali. We've committed to providing dinner at least three times a week so that's one less thing she needs to worry about and, instead, can concentrate her efforts on taking care of her husband and daughter. Because Sam doesn't want to be left alone, we are also sitting by his side when Katrina needs to take care of business outside the home. I know this will relieve some burden they're feeling during this difficult time, yet it seems so insignificant.
If you would like to help during this difficult time, please contact us at mendenhallflyinglions@gmail.com
Please keep Sam, Katrina, and Ali in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
First Annual Committee Appreciation Day
What is the purpose of a committee? The first one to email me the answer wins!
Here's why I think we have committees.... To hash out details of whatever it is they've been assigned to do, so the rest of the club members don't have to use up valuable meeting time hashing out details and having lengthy discussions.
Am I close?
We have set committees such as budget, joint sight, vision screening, sunshine, communications, boy scout, and membership to name a few. Then we also have project and activity committees like the barbecue and auction, lions packs, light flights, spring auction, and 4th of July. Each committee is chaired by a chairperson with a couple members (all appointed by the president) to help with the task at hand. From here, the committee meets, they do the work they were assigned to do, and come to a conclusion as appropriate. It might be a project is ready to move forward to the next stage or research complete on something that requires an expenditure. The point being, the committee is in charge of making these decisions. Up to this point.
Once the committee feels they have a product to move forward with, they take it to the board of directors for their review and approval. Who can name the nine officers who make up the board of directors? If you said president, secretary, treasurer, lion tamer, 1 year director, 2 year director, membership chair, and immediate past president you would be right.
The board of directors has the authority to approve, disapprove, or make further suggestions and recommendations to the committee. The committee might then be asked to do more work on the project. Once they've satisfied the board's requirements and get the board's approval, THEN it's presented to the rest of the club for approval.
By "approval," I'm not suggesting that members have any say in how the product is produced, what's being purchased, where it's being purchased,what color is being purchased,where an event is going to be held, or any of that. It simply means, members now have a vote to approve or disapprove the product being put before them in that specific format whether it's to approve an expenditure or move forward on a project. That is all. They do not have any authority to change the work the committee and board of directors has put forth. If they like it, they "approve" and if they they don't like the product, they "disapprove." If the majority rules against the product, then I suppose the committee goes back to work.
So next time a committee comes up for grab, raise your hand to help out. When elections get near, let someone know you're interested in becoming an officer. If you're passionate about something, be a part of making it happen, otherwise, appreciate all the work committees do on your behalf.
And sitting on a committee DOES take a lot of work. There are meetings and more meetings. There's people to contact, an object to produce. This is all done in your fellow Lion's spare time.
So on behalf of all Lions who have sat on a committee over the years I hereby claim Wednesday, March 5, as our first annual Committee Appreciation Day! It's a time to appreciate all the hard work committee members do on our behalf. Yes, on OUR behalf. They're taking time out of their days, evenings, and weekends to pursue the task at hand and the least we can do is thank them for their efforts and hard work.
So here it is, a great big THANK YOU to all the Lions who have ever sat on a committee or chaired a committee. Because of you, our club is able to move forward with projects, activities, and financial decisions. Because of you, we don't need to hash out details over and over and over, making our meetings long and boring and dysfunctional. Thank you.... for your passion to create an exceptional fundraiser or a great community service or be good stewards with the community's donations. Thank you for your continuing dedication week after week after week.
P.S. If I'm wrong in any of my understanding, I would hope one of the leaders of the club would let us know. Thanks.
Here's why I think we have committees.... To hash out details of whatever it is they've been assigned to do, so the rest of the club members don't have to use up valuable meeting time hashing out details and having lengthy discussions.
Am I close?
We have set committees such as budget, joint sight, vision screening, sunshine, communications, boy scout, and membership to name a few. Then we also have project and activity committees like the barbecue and auction, lions packs, light flights, spring auction, and 4th of July. Each committee is chaired by a chairperson with a couple members (all appointed by the president) to help with the task at hand. From here, the committee meets, they do the work they were assigned to do, and come to a conclusion as appropriate. It might be a project is ready to move forward to the next stage or research complete on something that requires an expenditure. The point being, the committee is in charge of making these decisions. Up to this point.
Once the committee feels they have a product to move forward with, they take it to the board of directors for their review and approval. Who can name the nine officers who make up the board of directors? If you said president, secretary, treasurer, lion tamer, 1 year director, 2 year director, membership chair, and immediate past president you would be right.
The board of directors has the authority to approve, disapprove, or make further suggestions and recommendations to the committee. The committee might then be asked to do more work on the project. Once they've satisfied the board's requirements and get the board's approval, THEN it's presented to the rest of the club for approval.
By "approval," I'm not suggesting that members have any say in how the product is produced, what's being purchased, where it's being purchased,what color is being purchased,where an event is going to be held, or any of that. It simply means, members now have a vote to approve or disapprove the product being put before them in that specific format whether it's to approve an expenditure or move forward on a project. That is all. They do not have any authority to change the work the committee and board of directors has put forth. If they like it, they "approve" and if they they don't like the product, they "disapprove." If the majority rules against the product, then I suppose the committee goes back to work.
So next time a committee comes up for grab, raise your hand to help out. When elections get near, let someone know you're interested in becoming an officer. If you're passionate about something, be a part of making it happen, otherwise, appreciate all the work committees do on your behalf.
And sitting on a committee DOES take a lot of work. There are meetings and more meetings. There's people to contact, an object to produce. This is all done in your fellow Lion's spare time.
So on behalf of all Lions who have sat on a committee over the years I hereby claim Wednesday, March 5, as our first annual Committee Appreciation Day! It's a time to appreciate all the hard work committee members do on our behalf. Yes, on OUR behalf. They're taking time out of their days, evenings, and weekends to pursue the task at hand and the least we can do is thank them for their efforts and hard work.
So here it is, a great big THANK YOU to all the Lions who have ever sat on a committee or chaired a committee. Because of you, our club is able to move forward with projects, activities, and financial decisions. Because of you, we don't need to hash out details over and over and over, making our meetings long and boring and dysfunctional. Thank you.... for your passion to create an exceptional fundraiser or a great community service or be good stewards with the community's donations. Thank you for your continuing dedication week after week after week.
P.S. If I'm wrong in any of my understanding, I would hope one of the leaders of the club would let us know. Thanks.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
What's Up
Ho hum.... That's me yawning.... Our club hasn't been very active with projects lately and it's starting to take its toll on me. We did survive our two busiest months of the year -- November and December -- as we completed our annual barbecue and Light Flights. But now what?
We have a few committees working hard. We're designing a new vest and a new pin. Our club has not had a pin since 1996! Yes, it's time for a new one. And the vests.... wouldn't it be nice to have a vest that was actually attractive on a woman!
We're also in the planning stages of a new fundraiser.... the Spring Auction. If you'll recall, we generally have our annual barbeque and auction in November to benefit the American Diabetes Association. This fundraiser got SO successful.... we had to cut back as it was taking hours to auction off all the items. But we had fun and I think those who came to participate had fun too. And although some of us didn't mind the long day.... others did.
So this last year we changed directions. We kept the barbeque part of it but added a Dessert Auction instead of merchandise. We had some incredible desserts to auction off but the crowd wasn't right and it turned out to be an "only okay" event.... I wonder if we'll go that route again.... I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Now, with this Spring Auction, we have pared the amount of items to be auctioned down to a manageable amount. And there will be dinner! I'm not going into any details because I'm not really sure of them at this point. I just know the Spring Auction Committee is busy busy busy.
Our Nominating Committee will start its review and vetting process for next year's officers this week. Hmmmmm..... I wonder who the new officers will be for 2014-15....
We did a vision screening event for the Legislative Health Fair which averaged 2 people per hour or something like that.... But it's getting "out there" and letting people see the Lions hard at work. We also have a school nurse screening students in her school and we should get the results of her screening later this week. She does an incredible job.
But we're always looking for new new community service activities.... Small things to keep new members busy as well as old members who have the time. Any ideas? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email with any suggestions!
We're also in the planning stages of a new fundraiser.... the Spring Auction. If you'll recall, we generally have our annual barbeque and auction in November to benefit the American Diabetes Association. This fundraiser got SO successful.... we had to cut back as it was taking hours to auction off all the items. But we had fun and I think those who came to participate had fun too. And although some of us didn't mind the long day.... others did.
So this last year we changed directions. We kept the barbeque part of it but added a Dessert Auction instead of merchandise. We had some incredible desserts to auction off but the crowd wasn't right and it turned out to be an "only okay" event.... I wonder if we'll go that route again.... I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Now, with this Spring Auction, we have pared the amount of items to be auctioned down to a manageable amount. And there will be dinner! I'm not going into any details because I'm not really sure of them at this point. I just know the Spring Auction Committee is busy busy busy.
Our Nominating Committee will start its review and vetting process for next year's officers this week. Hmmmmm..... I wonder who the new officers will be for 2014-15....
We did a vision screening event for the Legislative Health Fair which averaged 2 people per hour or something like that.... But it's getting "out there" and letting people see the Lions hard at work. We also have a school nurse screening students in her school and we should get the results of her screening later this week. She does an incredible job.
But we're always looking for new new community service activities.... Small things to keep new members busy as well as old members who have the time. Any ideas? Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email with any suggestions!
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