WE SERVE

The Finish Lion!!Chittenango Lions Club Newsletter

for September of 2013, #1

PREZ MESSAGE:To all Lions--a new year is in view, and, it looks very good.    The Lion's motto "we serve" is not just words, it is a lifestyle. You are always a Lion, after you've taken the oath. But, becoming a potential Lion starts very early. Now that you have the title, it reflects who you "are," not what you will become.    From the first conscious decision not to do only what's best for yourself, you exemplified what being a Lion means. It means protecting, enhancing and encouraging all those who share this planet with us, so that our joys can be shared with the greatest number possible. It starts by living with the expectation that other living creatures are usually the most important part of happiness. You have realized, from a young age, that being a loner was not for you. You realized that being an important part in the happiness of others, made you feel accomplished and satisfied.    Try to think of the most exciting experiences you've had; then, think of what they would have been like without others being there to embrace you, pat you on the back or break out into cheers. Bowl a perfect game, catch the largest fish, make a hole in one, name your ultimate accomplishment, but do it alone? What joy would there be? Similarly, make a mistake, break your favorite crystal glass, fail a test, now multiply that feeling times being alone. Living for only yourselves has never been part of your makeup, has it.     Moreover, when you did something to help others---whether it was immediate (I have a flat tire, could you help me?), or it was long range ($0.50 into a cardboard fish, to lessen world hunger)---you didn't just do it for recognition. You did it because, in some small way, you helped the world to be a better place. You want the world to be a better place, and you will do your share to get it there.    With that in mind, it is because of who you are that the coming year is so bright a prospect. When the call goes out, several will raise your hands to take charge; and, so long as an activity can fit into a life you have spent enhancing the lives of your loved ones, you will be there to share the task at hand.

    Some may question their amount of participation, due to family, church, job or community obligations. Don't let those issues get in your way--Because, that's OK!  Do not be discouraged because other Lions seem to be everywhere, doing everything. While there is, what I call, the "dedicated core" of Lions, you don't have be at every event, because your lives are intertwined with those of many others, who will also need your time. Don't be discouraged if you cannot put the price of every dinner meal into the budget, simply come in a few minutes later than the diners for that meeting.     Having you there makes a difference to other Lions. Your ideas, words of encouragement, willingness to commit time and resources when the time is right, will strengthen every other Lion and keep this club vital. With the growing number of Lions in Chittenango, other Lions will have the time to carry our mutual banner. Such will also be better, if you can think of one or two other people, who seen to have your commitment to the community of Man, whom you might could invite to also become a Chittenango Lion. At the end of the year, your efforts to add members and contribute will have been a material benefit to the recognized accomplishments of the Club. Not only will your lifestyle have helped improve our world, but the time you have committed to joint activities that the club undertakes, will have made a substantial impact.    I am not designating  the members of each committee of the club at this time. The name of each committee is to be published in this newsletter. Please consider selecting a committee to be a part of and let me know before the next newsletter is to be sent out. Those who do not pick, will be picked and linked to a committee, nonetheless.    I am proud that I have the opportunity to be the "face" of the Chittenango Lions Club. It is because of Lions like you that the Club's President is held in high regard by many social, service and community organizations. When your time comes to take on the mantle of an officer of the Club, all the quiet work and active participation you've undertaken, with your friends in service, will be reflected in the respect that others give to our club.    I look forward to seeing you on Sept. 5.            King Lion Paul

Committees:Membership Committee, Donations Committee Chair, Finance Committee, Program Committee, Sight, Hearing, & Health Committee, Public Relations Committee, Fundraising Committee, Social Services & Education Committee Chair, Nominations Committee, Sunshine/Greeter Committee, Restaurant & Meeting Committee, Convention Committee, By-Laws & Historian Committee,Newsletter Committee, Youth Activities Committee.Birthdays:Kyle Austin-9/8, Mike Lynch-9/10, Jason Clark-9/24, Bernie Epperson-9/27!!Best Wishes to our Birthday Lions and don't forget to bring a gift to raffle at our September meetings.Meetings and Such to Come: (DINNER IS NOW $15.)Sept. 5, 2013. Regular meeting at 7:00 at Delphiaʼs. Business meeting.Sept. 19, 2013. Regular meeting at 7:00 at Delphiaʼs. VIPʼs (Visually Impaired Persons) will be attending.Oct. 3, 2013. Tentatively scheduled meeting at 7:00 at old Sky Ridge property with Clear Path for Vets. Cost of dinner will be $20 if meeting occurs.Oct. 17, 2013. Regular meeting at 7:00 at Delphiaʼs. Program: Middle school auto racer Garrett Matzell with his mom Tracey. (Garrett is my neighbor. Heʼs a terrific and interesting kid!)Oct. 17--19 at 7:00 in the Community Room of the SFL. G. Ellstromʼs new play “The Cookie House” sponsored by the Lions and the library. Tickets are $10.Nov. 7, 2013--7:00. Regular meeting at Delphiaʼs. DG Kermit Mott visitation.

Whatʼs Been Happening Since Last We Met:--A successful YELLOW BRICK ROAD RUN! Good job Lion Steve and all!--We have sold 780 calendars at this juncture. Not a record but darn good. And a few more might trickle in. Way to go Lion Lee and all who sold!--August 3-4. Lions Rae, Marg, and Buck took a group of Leos and friends to Camp Lookout so they could take part in a service project for the Challenge For Life Course there.--August 21. Several Lions hosted a picnic for 26 VIPʼs and their guests.--The Beavers continue their onslaught on the Camp Lookout bridge. Lion Gerry and helpers continue to plot against them.--The Dyke Road projects “creeps in its petty pace from day to day.” (Shakespeare and English) It isnʼt easy but things are getting done. Lions Jim English and Nelson Smith, among others, deserve accolades.From Tail Twister Gerry: (famous Tail Twisters, people good at squeezing money out of folks, from other organizations get nicknames like Joe“The Stilletto” and Vito “The Fat Scungili.” Because of our Tail Twisterʼs devotion to the Food Pantry, I think he should be dubbed Gerry “The Big Cupboard” Vaikness. “The Big Cupboard” reminds all Lions to bring non-perishable foods and supplies to our meetings. He also sent me a list of charitable and not so charitable organizations who might twist your tail for money. Check these representatives out. DONʼT SEND MONEY TO :MARCH OF DIMES It is now called the March of Dimes because only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.OR TOThe United Way whose President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.OR TOUNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.DO SEND MONEY TO:St. Jude Research Hospital where 100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can not afford to pay.OR TO:Ronald McDonald Houses where all monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital. 100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.OR, OF COURSE, TO:Lions Club International where 100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND, BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKINGIS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).THANKS TO GERRY “THE CUPBOARD” for that interesting information!

And finally: I canʼt make the first meeting, but in the spirit of Chittenango Lion humor, I thought I would close with this ʻblonde joke” that I might have told next week.

A blonde policewoman pulls over a blonde starlet who is driving about 80. "Let me see your license," says the policewoman. "I don't know what that is?" replies the starlet. "Look in your purse," says the blonde policewoman. "It's a little bit bigger than a playing card and has your picture on it." The blonde goes searching, finds a mirror about that size, sees herself in it, and hands it to the policewoman. The blonde police lady looks at it, hands it back to the starlet and says, "I'm sorry I pulled you over. I didn't realize you were a cop."