DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S Newsletter – March 2015 Spotlight on 105NE I would like to thank all the clubs in the District who have supported the Ebola Appeal. I would also like to thank the small number of clubs who have so far supported the DG's partner's project: The Outward Bound Trust. It would be great to have a boost in contributions before the presentation to them in June. This is a very worthy cause as all those who attended the Convention will know. Participants from the Trust will be speaking at the Lions UN Day, at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 17 March. Thank you to all the clubs who have supported our own LCI Foundation. Five clubs have received the Club Excellence Award in 2013-14 and I would like to see more clubs take this up. With the amount of amazing work going on in the District it is clear that many clubs qualify. A big welcome to all the new members in our District. Well done to the clubs who have taken up the challenge to Strengthen the Pride with such obvious success! Let’s keep up the momentum. Just Ask1 I have now visited all the Zones in the District and I would like to thank those club members who attended Zone meetings. There are so many amazing service projects across the Zones in our District and we should share this enthusiasm with all our members so that more clubs can take part and get involved at Zone level. Keep up this great work. The Information Day. You are all no doubt aware by now that Lion members are invited to an Information Day on the 22 March 2015 at the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner. This is great opportunity to meet someone new, share your ideas and experiences, learn something and have a few laughs, working very closely with members of District C. There will be five workshops where members can share ideas with a smaller group and the programme for the day has been sent out to all clubs. It promises to be engaging, interesting and exciting with new ideas to take back to your clubs. I look forward to seeing you all on the day. Let’s build on the fun, fellowship and excitementof Convention! Only 50% of clubs are logging their service activities. We would like to see all clubs putting their service projects on LCI under Service Activities. This goes towards the Centennial Service Challenge to benefit 25 million people in each area: Sharing the Vision, Protecting our Environment, Engaging Youth and Relieving Hunger. The Centennial Service Challenge is a great opportunity as a District to celebrate 100 years of service worldwide by Lions Clubs International to benefit 100 million people by December 2017. The idea is to come up with a one off service project in your local community that celebrates what Lions have been doing for 100 years. It can be a Club or a Zone project. It can also be an opportunity for you to improve the quality of life for people in your community and at the same time, draw attention to the great work that Lions do. Think about ways to share your project – on Facebook, on your websites and in the local press. Discuss this at your Clubs and in Zones - there is no copyright on good ideas! Let’s all get behind the Centennial Service Challenge and go for it NE! Just Ask1 is a campaign by Lions to increase membership. We have taken up the We Care about Every Penny Campaign across the District and it is beginning to show great results. It is designed as a conversation starter when meeting members of the public or potential supporters. Check it out! Go for it! Just Ask1! Strengthen the Pride! A big thank you to all the members for all their hard work and service across the District. Keep up the good work! Just Ask1! Lion Andrew District Governor 105NE We Serve We can make a difference as a team Welcome Aberdeen Bon Accord Lions Club 50 Happy Returns to Sunderland Lions Club Welcome to Lion Alex Muir, Aberdeen Bon Accord Lions Club, seen here being badged by Lion Malcolm Hogg Malton & Norton District Lions Club Malton, Norton and District Lions Club are looking forward to inducting their 8 t h new Lion this Presidential year. At the March club the plan is to welcome James Lindenberg. James found out about Lions through the club’s website and with his wife Catherine was a guest at their recent Burns Supper. Lion President Nick Simpson expects at least two additional new members to join before he leaves office in June bringing the total of new members to 10. Please ensure that all new Lions are recorded promptly so that we all know the true strength of our pride in 105NE and see a positive rise in our service strength. DG Andrew and the DG Team, as well as all Lions in 105NE, look forward to welcoming new Lions throughout Scotland and north east England as you continue to Just Ask 1 and It was many happy returns for members, present, past and future when they met to celebrate the club’s 50th Charter anniversary in February 2015 in the company of DG Lion Andrew, Lion President Peter Fielding and Lion Anne along with Mayor of Sunderland Stuart and Mayoress Maria. Morpeth Lions Charter Over 80 Lions and their guests enjoyed Morpeth Club’s Charter Night at Eshott Hall. Lion President Stuart Lewis welcomed his guests as well as Lions and partners from Alnwick, Sunderland and Tynedale Clubs. Particularly welcome were regular visitors to Morpeth, Rick and Maureen Pockett from the Saskatchewan Lions Club in Canada. The other four recipients announced at District Convention in Dumfries by Immediate Past District Governor Lion Chris Southworth were Aberdeen, City of Edinburgh, Morpeth and Teesdale Lions Clubs. After a welcoming drink, guests enjoyed a three course meal. This was followed by cabaret artist Maxie, who entertained with jokes and music to dance to throughout the rest of the evening. Well done from DG Andrew and the DG Team hope that many more clubs will apply for the award this year as there is so much good work being carried out across the District which can be recognised and acknowledged by Lions Clubs International. Your Young Ambassador does well in National Finals Following breakfast, the next morning, 13 Lions, wives and partners cleared their heads with a brisk walk along the beach at Druridge Bay accompanied by Tilly, a cocker spaniel. This was followed by coffee at the Drift Inn, Cresswell. Club Excellence A record five Clubs have been confirmed as recipients of the Lions Club Excellence Awards for 2013 / 14 under the President of that year. Sponsored by Teesdale Lions Club Lauren Baillie won our District Young Ambassador competition for 2014-15 and received her bursary at the National finals at Dudley in February. Lauren is shown receiving her £500 bursary! Lion Andrew, current DG presented the award to this year’s Lion President Lion Pat De Martino for presentation to Immediate Past President Lion Robert Hillary of Darlington Lions Club at the joint meeting between Zone 3B and 4A in Sedgefield. Unfortunately, she didn’t win the national final, but the calibre of the 12 finalists was amazing. Young people who all have so much to give to their communities and who help other less fortunate then themselves. What an inspiration to us all. Well done Lauren on a brilliant presentation representing the Lions of 105NE. Important news on changes to requesting Young Leaders in Service certificates A reminder from MD Young Leaders in Service Officer Lion Sally Marsh, given earlier by our District Youth Team Officer Lion Corinne. To streamline operations as from January 2015 Young Leader in Service Certificates will no longer be issued by Oakbrook. The new system will simplify the process and certificates should be received by clubs quicker. With immediateeffectClubs will need to send the completed logbooks, Lions Clubs Award Request Form and the YLiSSchool/Youth Organisation Award certification form to yourYLiS District Officers Lions John Sutherland and Andrew Kerr Sutherland. Lions Clubs International and the United Nations Lion Michael Phillips, Coningsby & Tattershall Lions Club, Chairman of Council. Guest speakers Apurv Gupta, Youth Representative to the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Council, Geneva. Christine Scullion, Chair, Scottish Council for the Outward Bound Trust. Andrew Hanlon, former participant Outward Bound Trust’s, ‘Scotland’s Next Generation’ project. Laura Baillie, District 105NE Young Ambassador, 2014-15. Alex Doyle, District 105NE, previous Young Ambassador 201112. Both Sponsored by Teesdale District Lions Club. Vote of thanks Lion Chris Southworth, Aberdeen Lions Club, Immediate Past District Governor 105NE. They will arrange for certificates from the Multiple District Officer. The certificates will be sent directly to the person named on the Lions Clubs Award Request Form. Please note that any forms received by Oakbrook will be sent back to the UK without being processed. District 105NE UN Day at the Scottish Parliament Tuesday 17 March 2015 6 - 8pm Programme Welcome: Iain Gray MSP for East Lothian. Member, Education & Culture Committee. Introduction Lion Andrew Kerr Sutherland, City of Edinburgh Lions Club, District Governor 105NE (Scotland & North East England) The Association of Lions Clubs has a long and proud history of supporting the United Nations World Organization. Lions were present at the founding conference in 1945 and have stood by their side ever since, sharing the same goals. Foremost among them is peace. Over the years Lions have provided aid and manpower for UNICEF, WHO and UNESCO. Lion Andrew thanks all attending this important annual event raising Lions awareness with our Scottish politicians. Centenary awareness beckons in Darlington Darlington Lions Club President Pat De Martino and Lion Robert Hillary attended the meeting of Darlington Probus Club with their presentation of the history of Lions International and the latest fund raising activities of Darlington Lions Club. Lions International was founded in Chicago in 1917 by Melvyn Jones an American business man to help people who were less fortunate in life and Lions Clubs reached England just after the second world war and were greatly encouraged by the late Queen Mother who was then Queen Elizabeth and Royal Patron. Lion and Social &Programme Secretary for Darlington Probus Club Lions celebrate Valentine’s Day The first British Lions Club was formed in 1950 at the Critrerion Club above Lillywhites of Regent Street London. There are now Lions Clubs in 202 Countries with 1.3 million members. Darlington Lions Club was formed in 1961 and since that time has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for many local charities which have included St. Teresa' Hospice,Darlington Parkinson's Group,North East Air Ambulance, Heel & Toe,and this year’s main charity chosen by club president Pat De Martino is the Education Centre for Children with Down Syndrome (ECCDS) which is based at Newton Aycliffe and serves the Darlington District and Northern counties. Darlington Lions Club have many fundraising activities during the year including their bookshop in Houndgate&Blackwellgate and they will next be collecting for the Marie Curie Daffodil Appeal in Darlington Town Centre on Saturday 7 March 7 and they are also currently organising their annual May charity concert with French singer Flossie performing at the Lidiard Theatre Polam Hall School. For more information visit www.darlingtonlionsclub.co.uk Darlington Lions Club president Pat De Martino, Darlington Probus Club chairman Kathy LeRoy, Robert Hillary / Darlington Malton&NortonsLion President Nick Simpson and wife Sandra hosted a Valentines Night Bash at The Old Post Office in Thorpe Bassett which was attended by over Lions and their friends. Now Lions – at least Lions of the Malton and Norton variety – are not necessarily the most romantic of beings – so President Nick was out to prove a point! Thus with the warning “Note we are in the country a change of footwear and a torch might be a good idea” the guests arrived in their best party outfits, headband LED lights and wellies – hardly the most romantic start! But Nick and Sandra had pulled out all the stops and guests were welcomed with a huge bar stocked with something to meet everyone’s taste and a plethora of nibbles to get everyone in the mood. But for what? Nick had clearly being doing much research and had chosen to return to nature for his inspiration - well what do Lions in the wild do on Valentine’s Night and how can I replicate it? (Don’t worry – if you think you know where this conversation is going – you’re wrong!) So in the guise of a quiz for all the old romantics he challenged everyone from detailed descriptions of Chinese signs of the zodiac to judge their partner’s sign. As a tie breaker guests also had to guess President Nick’s sign. Somehow or other he contrived to select Louise Dewhurst, the wife of our Secretary as the winner – and all this so he could reproduce the image he’d found on the web! The result is below for all to see. Out of Africa? Three ladies who know they’re married to true old romantics! – left to right, Gladys Thompson, Lis More and Susan Harrison. It was also great to be joined by the wife of one of the Club’s longest serving Lions. Gladys Thompson has not been too well recently so for her first outing since getting home from hospital she couldn’t resist a Valentine’s Night out! It was great to see you Gladys and continue your recovery. So with one successful Valentine’s Night under his belt will this become a regular event on the Lions Calendar? Well it might if we can find a venue for next year – any volunteers? The darts continue to fly at Durham In mid February Durham Lion President Alvan Bailey with Lions Keith Vear and George O'Donnell joined a number of the regulars at the Prince of Wales in Hetton Le Hole, near Durham, to present trophies and shields to their men's and ladies darts teams for their efforts in the Annual Durham Lions Sponsored Tops in Twenties Tournament. The ladies team were the highest scorers in the ladies section of the tournament and the men's team were among the runners up in the men's section, although the ladies insisted in referring to the men as 'losers'. The Prince of Wales raised the amazing total of £2100.00 in sponsorship money for the Lions Charity funds to be used on local good causes and, consequently, were very worthy winners of the Tops in Twenties Sponsorship Shield. In presenting the various Trophies Lion Alvan praised the efforts of the teams, other regulars at the pub and the pub management Joanna, Alex and James Angus, again reminding them of the value of their efforts to the local community. After the presentations everyone enjoyed a lovely buffet and the raffle. The photo shows Lions George and Alvan together with the members of both teams. Joanne Angus is holding the Sponsorship Shield. Getting the message out with a bottle Durham Lion John King liaised with a nurse named Nicki Merryweather, organising a supply of 50 Message in a Bottles to a team of community nurses at Chester Le Street Hospital. They visit vulnerable people and assess their needs, so we can be sure that the MiaBs will be given to people who have a need for them. There is also a possibility that one of her colleagues at the Cornerstone Community Centre, also in Chester Le Street, may request a supply. Lion John is holding 25 in readiness. As a useful spin off from this, Durham Lions are being invited to take part in an awareness day at a local venue in June where the club can display banners and information as well as meeting members of the public. Visit your new District website District 105NE Lions new website is up and running, awaiting your contributions. Send your club, zone, team and news blogs to Richard Lukey to continue to Strengthen the Pride in 105NE Lions web and Facebook bring you all the latest news and let possible members know more. Encourage everyone to see the news and Just Ask. Viewing figures for February show more and more people are viewing the Lions 105NE website and spending some time looking at our news. Please make sure that your news is included. DG Partner Project: Outward Bound Trust There is still time to make a donation to the first DG Partner Project for many years which supports the youth of today become the adults of tomorrow, strong and more confident in approach, serving their community. Please send to District Treasurer Lion Peter Milburn, clearly marked on the back for DG Partner Project 2014/15 Outward Bound Trust by the end of May. Thank you. Marching on Marie Curie Daffodil Month has already got well under way for 2015 in partnership with Lions and Lionesses across District 105NE – hopefully you all have a blooming good time out and about in the community supporting this worthwhile organisation. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organisation serving local, national and international communities. We have to keep reminding everyone of this, using all means of communication. Northallerton & District Lioness Club Tag your story #lionsclubs and it could be picked up by Lions Clubs International and fellow Lions around the world. DG Team travels for March 2015 February update District 105C Convention was attended by DG Elect Dave on 14 February March 3 Zone 2B meeting 7 District 105BN Convention, Bury 13 Allendale Lions Club Charter 17 Lions UN Day Scottish Parliament 20 22 Easingwold Lions Club Charter Information Day Scotch Corner DG Andrew DGE Dave IPDG Chris DG Andrew DG Andrew DGE Dave IPDG Chris DG Andrew DG Team Thirsk & Northallerton Lions Club Aberdeen Lions Club Haste ye back Scotch Corner – the place to be I'm pleased to tell you that we've added even more to your Information Day. Lion Marilyn Bennet will be available for one to one tuition on My LCI should you request it. Please bring your membership number and password if you want to access your own club’s site. Ayr & Prestwick Lion President Robin and some of the team presented a cheque for £100 to intrepid Rory Boyle aged 18. Lion Peter Milburn will be available to answer one to one questions on Treasurer matters. Lion Sue Barron will be available to answer questions on vulnerable persons legislation Rory is setting off for distant shores and the Lions bid him farewell and safe travels. He'll spend seven weeks with Operation Raleigh working on a project in Costa Rica and has been busy raising funds for the organisation. Lion Geoff Bushell will be available for consultation on Health & Safety. Ayr & Prestwick look forward to hearing all about Rory's adventures when he speaks at it’s August meeting. Bon voyage Rory. You're heading a long way from Ayr seashore! Regretfully we don't have time in our packed programme for Peter, Geoff and Sue to do presentations but they have been good enough to make themselves available, all you've got to do is look them up for a friendly chat and network. What it’s all about Immediate Past International President and current Chairperson of Lions Clubs International Foundation Barry Palmer recently had the pleasure of visiting the Philippines and inspecting some of the water purification jerry cans supplied by the Lions of MD 105 the British Isles and Ireland and LCIF still in use 12 months later and the only source of clean water. This shows the importance of all these small donations from clubs in District 105NE and throughout the MD in what can be achieved. Lion Alvan Bailey will be be happy to show you how his club makes good use of Facebook. We hope to see you there, the place to be on 22 March 2015, we hope to hear you share. Please confirm to Global Leadership Officer Lion Dave Wheeler how many Lions are attending from your Club, plus the number of hot two course lunches needed at £12.50 per head, which will be collected on the day, so that theHoliday Inn Scotch Corner is prepared to greet our pride. We’re back for Convention! Your April 2015 Spotlight Thank you for all your news that keeps rolling in. Please continue to send in your news for all the different communications channels available. If you have information you want published please send this to Lachlan and to Richardfor the website/Twitter/ Facebook sites. Copy deadline for April 2015 Spotlight on 105NE is Monday 23 March to allow for compilation. This will hopefully allow for distribution at the start of April.
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