We will recieve a $10,000 emergency grant from Lions Clubs International Fund that will be used to help those in the shelters. We hope that we will be able to get additional matching funds from local business and perhaps more grants in the near future.
Word is coming back of other clubs assisting survivors.
More info to come.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
August District Governor’s Message
Last month we talked about a Passion to Grow. This month let’s talk about a Passion for Outreach.
What is outreach? Lions Clubs do not exist in a vacuum. We did not join Lions to eat a meal and give each other plaques. We are a service organization. In order to serve we must be visible in the community, we must know our community, and the community must know us.
All clubs should make contact with the government service agencies in your community. You need to be aware of what those agencies offer; they need to be aware of what we offer.
Some examples from 8-O:
A friend of a member and her children lost everything they owned in a fire. Hours after the fire, the club had not only given her some money to help her buy essentials, club members had used contacts with several local and state agencies to help her get assistance.
A special-ed teacher noticed a child in her class with sight problems. She also knew some Lions and eventually the child ended up being referred to the Eye Foundation in New Orleans for services.
A club established a relationship with its parish Head Start. Now every fall each and every Head Start student in the parish is screened by Cub Sight and Head Start officials in the parish support other Lions projects.
A club has a photographer from the local paper at every meeting, and gets regular publicity for the club.
The goal is to get out and know your community and let your community know you. Make contact with special-ed teachers to recruit campers. Invite your mayor and town officials to your club meeting. Be aware of the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Hospitals, Council on Aging, and Community Action offices in your parish and make them aware of your club and what Lions can offer. Make as many people in your community aware of who Lions are and what we do.
Who knows, you might even get some new members.
What is outreach? Lions Clubs do not exist in a vacuum. We did not join Lions to eat a meal and give each other plaques. We are a service organization. In order to serve we must be visible in the community, we must know our community, and the community must know us.
All clubs should make contact with the government service agencies in your community. You need to be aware of what those agencies offer; they need to be aware of what we offer.
Some examples from 8-O:
A friend of a member and her children lost everything they owned in a fire. Hours after the fire, the club had not only given her some money to help her buy essentials, club members had used contacts with several local and state agencies to help her get assistance.
A special-ed teacher noticed a child in her class with sight problems. She also knew some Lions and eventually the child ended up being referred to the Eye Foundation in New Orleans for services.
A club established a relationship with its parish Head Start. Now every fall each and every Head Start student in the parish is screened by Cub Sight and Head Start officials in the parish support other Lions projects.
A club has a photographer from the local paper at every meeting, and gets regular publicity for the club.
The goal is to get out and know your community and let your community know you. Make contact with special-ed teachers to recruit campers. Invite your mayor and town officials to your club meeting. Be aware of the Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Hospitals, Council on Aging, and Community Action offices in your parish and make them aware of your club and what Lions can offer. Make as many people in your community aware of who Lions are and what we do.
Who knows, you might even get some new members.
Lion Bob
Cabinet Meeting/Officer Training - THANK YOU
I want to thank everyone who attended the Cabinet Meeting/Club Officer Training sessions. Thank you to the Grandlake/Sweetlake, Port Barre, and Opelousas Lions. Also a big thank you to my instructors, Lions Glen Bonin, PDG; Vito Tramonte, PDG; Ethel Robin, PDG; J. W. Harrison, PCC; Dinah Landry, VDG; and Kathy Harrison.
And for those who missed the meetings, you missed “Revenge of the Lions”, when we turned the tables on the Tail Twisters. Thank you, Tail Twisters Ethel and John for being such good sports.
And for those who missed the meetings, you missed “Revenge of the Lions”, when we turned the tables on the Tail Twisters. Thank you, Tail Twisters Ethel and John for being such good sports.
8-O Fall Conference
Please mark your calendars for the 8-O Fall Conference on November 5th in Opelousas. Our guest speaker will be International Director Lion Terry Graham from Ontario, Canada.
The Conference hotel is the Days Inn and Suites in Opelousas. The ID Forum, Cabinet Meeting, and Banquet will be at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Hall. Clubs will receive registration forms and more information in September.
The Conference hotel is the Days Inn and Suites in Opelousas. The ID Forum, Cabinet Meeting, and Banquet will be at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church Hall. Clubs will receive registration forms and more information in September.
State Convention
State Convention 2006 will be April 28-30, 2006 in Bossier City.
Registration forms will be in the next issue of the Louisiana Lion which will be mailed to all members in September. There is an special early registration rate of $55.
Registration forms will be in the next issue of the Louisiana Lion which will be mailed to all members in September. There is an special early registration rate of $55.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Big Bass Rodeo, September 24, 2005
This year's 7th Annual Louisiana Lions Big Bass Rodeo falls on the same weekend as USA/Canada Leadership Forum. Many of the Lions who help out at Big Bass will be at the Forum in Peoria promoting 2006 International Convention in New Orleans.
Big Bass is the biggest statewide fundraiser for our two state projects. This year we need your help more than ever to make it successful. Please contact J. W. and Kathy Harrison (337-837-0088) if you are able to help. Kathy can also make housing reservations at the marina for you and your club.
Big Bass is the biggest statewide fundraiser for our two state projects. This year we need your help more than ever to make it successful. Please contact J. W. and Kathy Harrison (337-837-0088) if you are able to help. Kathy can also make housing reservations at the marina for you and your club.
THE LIONS OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA WELCOME YOU
Welcome to Lions District 8-O in Southwest Louisiana. This site is to pass on news to our Lions in 8-O and to all our friends around the world.
We are an active district, leading the state in Cubsight pre-school sight screenings. 4218 children were screened last year.
We are active in both of our state projects, the Louisiana Lions Childrens' Camp and the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation.
Our clubs also participate in many other projects in their hometowns.
We are also ready to welcome the world as Lions International Convention comes to New Orleans for 2006.
Lion Bob Andrepont
District Governor
We are an active district, leading the state in Cubsight pre-school sight screenings. 4218 children were screened last year.
We are active in both of our state projects, the Louisiana Lions Childrens' Camp and the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation.
Our clubs also participate in many other projects in their hometowns.
We are also ready to welcome the world as Lions International Convention comes to New Orleans for 2006.
Lion Bob Andrepont
District Governor
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