DG Chuck and Lion Paulette Bailey

Fellow Lions of District 12-N,

I just attended a memorial service for a deceased Lion, one of too many I attended this year.  The experience crystalized for me that our human race continues because others are born into our population at a rate faster than those leaving and, therefore, our population grows in number. But not all populations grow in number.

In the animal kingdom, species whose birth rates are less than the death rate eventually die out.  Without intervention, extinction of these species is the ultimate fate.  In this country and in many places around the world humans do intervene on behalf of endangered species and offer protections and help in order to prevent their extinction. Such animals are placed on the endangered species list and are afforded special protections to head off their demise.

In our District and in much of our country, Lions are not joining our ranks at a rate faster than they are leaving.  I am very concerned about the future of Lionism.  As with the animal kingdom, without intervention, the ultimate fate of Lions in this country is extinction. Therefore, I propose that we put Lions on the endangered species list.  I propose that we afford special protections to head off our own demise.

We can implement these special protections by a two pronged approach. 

• First, we take special care of our existing Lions to make sure their needs are being met; that they feel a part of our Lions family and are appreciated for what they are doing in their clubs and communities.  While we cannot do anything about the Lions death rate, we can do much about our living Lions to ensure they are not leaving our ranks because we fail to recognize their individual contributions.  Be sure to say, “Thank you for all you do” to all Lions, especially those who may feel their contribution is too small.   
• The second part of the special protections is to increase the Lions birth rate to ensure a growing population.  Remember, a growing population results when people enter the population at a rate greater than people leaving the population.  In our case, the birth rate is analogous to new members.

Under the Lions Endangered Species Act we need to never miss an opportunity to invite people to join our ranks and at the earliest opportunity give the new Lions the experience of personally helping someone in need.  I am convinced that once new Lions feel, for themselves, the very special personal satisfaction obtained from helping change the life of someone in need, they will feel they have received more than they have given.  Please, join me in implementing the Lions Endangered Species Act; everybody, take care of one another and invite a new member to join our ranks.

Thank you for all you do.

DG Chuck Bailey

Please plan to attend or send a representative in your place.

Map to Lions Volunteer Blind Industries

The Norris Lions will be featured at one of the booths during this event for newcomers and residents, that will provide information about our community. The Lions plan to show how we work to make Norris the caring and vibrant community it is and how we partner with other groups in our efforts.

All are invited to this fundraising event!

For the best shots, we’ll be giving the kind of hams you’ll want to serve for Easter dinner as well as turkeys and cured hams.

DATES – March 24 and March 31

TIME – 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

WHERE – On Highway 61 next to Meadowview Assisted Living.  About ½ mile east of Interstate I-75 at the Clinton/Norris exit 122.

Funds raised from the Turkey Shoots provide:

• A four-year scholarship for an Anderson County High School student each year
• Sponsorship of the Leo Club at Anderson County High School.
• Sponsorship of the Middle School Peace Poster Contest (an International Contest for  youth ages 11-13 years).
• Eye screening in the elementary schools.
• Eye exams and glasses for those who cannot afford glasses.
• Community service projects (Pavilion, flags, Norris Day, school trips)
• Nine area sight and hearing projects
• World-wide sight conservation

The Walk for Sight is a major fundraiser for the East Tennessee Lions and our White Cane Projects.  All interested Lions are welcome to attend and share your ideas!

If you have any questions, please contact Lion Jim McFarland at TNLionJim@aol.com

Map to Powell Presbyterian Church

Or, you can visit the page with archived issues of the News & Views –>HERE.

Don’t forget to send items for the News & Views to: newsandviews12n@yahoo.com and webmaster@tnlions.org by the 25th of each month.

DG Chuck and Lion Paulette Bailey

Fellow Lions of District 12-N,

The Hawaiian District 12-N Convention is now behind us.  In addition to having some fun at the Crowne Plaza in Knoxville, thanks to great entertainers, we accomplished some very important business. 

Your leadership team for the next Lions year was elected. 

• Diane Wilkerson from the Powell Lions Club will become District Governor,
• Mike McDonough from the Campbell County Lions Club will become 1^st Vice District Governor and
• Ed Gibbons from the Johnson City Lions Club will become 2^nd Vice District Governor. 

Congratulations to you all and thank you for stepping up to take on these very important leadership positions.

Additionally, the proposed District 12-N Constitution and Bylaws were ratified and becomes effective immediately.  This very important action now makes our governing documents fully compliant with those of our International Association.  And, the proposed changes to the Constitution for 12-N Charities (White Cane) were also ratified. 

The 2012-2013 budget for 12-N charities was approved as recommended by the 12-N Charities Board.  This budget now becomes a commitment by all the clubs in our District to collect White Cane donations in Lions Year 2012-2013 to support the work of organizations like; Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, Learning Ally, East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank, Tennessee School for the Blind, Tennessee School for the Deaf, Leader Dog, etc.  In these hard economic times the demands for services from these organizations have increased while their sources of income have decreased.  Please Lions, let’s do our share to ensure their continued service.

The visiting International Director, Sonja “Sunny” Pulley, gave an inspiring talk and awarded three Presidential Certificates of Appreciation, the 4^th highest award in Lionism.  The Certificates were awarded to:

• PDG Dennis Powell of the Johnson City Lions Club for his many years of leadership and heading the tornado disaster relief efforts last year in Greene and Washington Counties,
• Lions John and Katie Haley from the Tellico Village Lions Club for their tenacious efforts that sparked screening for diabetes in the Tellico Village Lions Club, then District 12-N and now in each district in MD-12, and
• Lion Karen Taylor-Good from the Franklin Lions Club for her inspiring music; “Because You Serve,” “We Serve” and “Hands” that inspire Lions to community service worldwide.  She even wrote and performed a song for District 12-N.  Listen and/or watch at:  http://tnlions.org/recognition/tribute/   

I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making the 2012 District 12-N Convention such a success.  I know I will miss someone if I try to name you all so I’ll hit just the highlights:

• the Convention Chairperson Kathy Burrow, who made everything run like clockwork as if there was no effort,
• the Tellico Village Lions Club for the Hospitality Suite,
• the Farragut Lions Club for New Officer Reception and for Kathy and Norvell Burrow,
• the Seminar Leaders; PDG Wendy Cain – What Every Lion Should Know, Lion Harmon Towne / EMT Rick Papke – How to Do Diabetes Screening and PDG Jim McFarland – KidSight, and
• my favorite Cabinet Secretary, Lion Paulette Bailey, who has been my everlasting support and the love of my life. 

Thank you all.

DG Chuck Bailey

There will be sessions for Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers at both locations and any Lion is welcome to attend.

Since we will be having food and preparing handouts for both locations, please notify Nancy Hall at nehall001@bellsouth.net or 865-694-6939 if you plan to attend.  Also, please indicate which session you will be attending so we can prepare enough handouts. 

• The first training session will be held on Saturday morning, April 28, 2012, at LVBI (758 West Morris Boulevard in Morristown – see map below).  We will begin the session at 9:00 a.m.  Please come at 8:30 a.m. and join us for a light breakfast.  Training will be completed by noon. 
• The second session will be held on Thursday evening, May 24, 2011, at Powell Presbyterian Church (2910 West Emory Road in Powell – see map below).  We will serve dinner from Buddy’s BBQ beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be completed by 9:00 p.m. 

Map to Lions Volunteer Blind Industries

Map to Powell Presbyterian Church

Cars AND Motorcycles welcome!

Registration will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Farragut Wine & Spirits (11238 Kingston Pike).

For more information, contact Lion Gerri Crutchfield at (865) 789-6392 or gcrutchfieldflc@gmail.com

• Day:  Friday
• Date:  March 30, 2012
• Time:  6:30 p.m.
• Location:  Square Dance Hall at 828 Tulip Avenue, Downtown Knoxville
• Cost:  Tickets are $20 per person

All of the proceeds from this event support the club’s charitable causes, including the Vision Assistance Program.

If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact Dave Crawford.