Tag Archives: organization

The Lions Pride 2018 Annual Meeting

19 Thursday Jul 2018

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Happy New Year! No, you’re not experiencing déjà vu, and we’re not losing our minds! If Annual Reportyou are familiar with Lions, you know that July is the official start of the Lionistic New Year. Each year, Lions Club International finishes off the year with the international convention. Lions Pride has a similar tradition by hosting the organization’s annual meeting.

The board meets four times annually to discuss financial activity, upcoming events and the organization as a whole. But this Friday, July 20, is a bit different because, after the regularly scheduled board meeting, Lions Pride will hold the annual meeting, in which everyone is invited – donors, volunteers and advocates. At this meeting, the board will have the chance to speak directly to the general public on the organization’s current standing.

During the meeting, we will be discussing the 2017-2018 activities, fundraising efforts, donors and donations as well as the overall organization standing. We’ll also hear from our President Sam Kochel and get the opportunity to thank our donors in person. And, if we’re lucky, we may even get to treat ourselves to a couple of Geri’s famous chocolate chip cookies.

If you are able to attend, please notify the Pride Staff by calling 715-677-7000. If you aren’t able to make it to tomorrow’s meeting, the annual report will be available online early next week. If you’d like to receive an electronic or paper copy (supplies are limited), you can request one by emailing us at prideoffice@lionspride.org.

As we diligently prepare for the annual meeting, we can’t help but take a trip down Memory Lane. The 2017-2018 Lionistic Year was another exceptional one filled with achievement and gratitude. We feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of people and never tire of saying “thank you.” We truly appreciate your continued support.

We’re excited about celebrating the year’s successes while brainstorming new ideas for the year ahead. We hope you’ll consider joining us. See you then!

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Non-Traditional Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

10 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, News, Special Events

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“All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” -Abraham LincolnFun

She wiped your tears when you were sad, provided the bandage when you scraped your knee and cared for you when you came home sick. Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13, but you how exactly do you say “thank you” to the person who brought you into this world and gave you the gift of life?

Rather than giving her the predictable presents that all moms have come to know and expect like flowers, cards and chocolate, we have a couple of out-of-the-box gift ideas that don’t require ribbons and bows. This Mother’s Day, consider giving her:

  • Time to relax: We all have responsibilities that we don’t necessarily enjoy completing, but doesn’t it seem like many of these duties often fall on mom’s plate? Whether your mother has plans to empty out the basement, mow the grass or give the house a thorough spring cleaning, help lighten her load by offering your hand.
  • A day filled with her favorite activities: If you were to ask anyone about their most prized possession, time would likely be the most frequent answer. There’s no denying that life can get busy. When was the last time, you spent quality time with your mom? Spend Sunday with the activity of her choice. She might enjoy going to church, tending the garden or simply spending the afternoon catching. If you both happen to already have plans for this Sunday, a raincheck is always an option!
  • The gift that keeps on giving: If mom has a special cause that she carries about, give a donation in her honor. Nonprofit organizations thrive on funding. If your mother is a Lions Pride support, consider giving an honorarium donation to help us continue to preserve, provide and protect the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Learn more about memorial/honorarium donations.

This Sunday, show your gratitude for your mom with a present she won’t soon forget. Remember, the best gifts in life don’t always come in beautifully wrapped boxes; the best presents come from the heart.

Happy Mother’s Day from Lions Pride!

Annual Nonprofit Audits

01 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by in Lions Camp, Special Events

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We are officially 48 days away from Tax Day. If you haven’t done so already, you have Nonprofit Auditlikely gathered all of your W-2s, 1099-MISCs and other taxes documents, and have made plans to meet with your accountant or sit down and file your 2017 taxes. Everyone seems to have Uncle Sam and their finances on their mind. Lions Pride is no exception – but we’re not filing taxes; instead, we’re completing our annual audit.

For some reason, the word ‘audit’ has an amazing way of sparking apprehension or fear in people. While an audit may seem like a punishment for individuals, they are actually a standard procedure for nonprofit organizations. An audit simply refers to an independent review of an organization’s financial books.

An independent audit is an examination of the financial records, accounts, business transactions, accounting practices, and internal controls of a charitable nonprofit by an independent auditor. “Independent” refers to the fact that the auditor/CPA is not an employee of the organization but rather is retained through a contract for services. For the last five years, we have contracted with Schenk SC to conduct our audit.

For the next two days, the auditors will examine our bank reconciliations, selected restricted donations and grant letters. They will also review physical assets, journals, ledgers and board minutes. After the review, the auditors will then issue a formal opinion about the accuracy of all financial reports, and provide recommendations to continue improving our financial management.

Here at Lions Pride, we know that an annual audit is an essential part of a check-and-balance system to guarantee all finances are in order and allows the LPEF Board of Directors to be confident LPEF staff is following proper accounting practices. The audit also demonstrates our commitment to financial transparency, which donors have come to expect from our organization.

Trust is one of the most critical components of a nonprofit-donor relationship. The annual audit is just one more way Lions Pride works to build that trust by ensuring all donations are properly managed and secured so we can continue to preserve, protect and provide for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF projects. We thank you for your continued support.

Introducing the Allouez Lions Club

05 Thursday May 2016

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Allouez Lions Club Official CharterThere’s a new club in town, just south of Green Bay – the Allouez Lions Club! We’re so proud to welcome the new organization to District B2.

The Allouez Lions Club has been in the works since last September, and their hard work has certainly paid off. Their Charter Meeting took place at the Village Grill in Green Bay this past Sunday afternoon. They chartered with 21 members and had lots of good company present, including the Green Bay Northeast Lions Club, Green Bay West Lions Club, Howard-Suamico Lions Club and more.

Also at the event was International Director Candidate Connie LeCleir-Meyer, who presented the official charter to Allouez Lions Club President Randy Gast, DG Susan Selner who inducted the new members, PID Wayne Heiman, who installed their officers.

2nd VDG Jim Noll was recognized as the organizer of the club and he and PDG Ted Handrick will serve as their Guiding Lions.

Here at Lions Pride, we are excited to see the future takes this new organization. We love seeing like-minded individuals come together to support the greater good. We know they have bright ideas in store.

The Allouez Lions Club meets on a monthly basis at FirstMerit Bank in Green Bay. Their next meeting is tonight at 6:30 pm and the topic will be about upcoming community service project ideas. Keep up with the new club by liking their Facebook page, and to learn more about becoming a member, be sure to reach out to Membership Chair Mae Enz.

Welcome to District B-2, Allouez Lions Club!

 

The Benefits of Volunteering

10 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in Fundraising, Special Events

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“There is incredible value of being service to others.” –Elizabeth Berg, Author

Nonprofit organizations rely a lot on the support of their volunteers. Many nonprofits have a limited number of employees so there are ideas that would never be thought of and plans that would never be implemented if not for the generosity of gracious volunteers. Volunteering is a wonderful way to support an organization, but did you know there are also benefits to you as a person?Image

  1. Volunteering is good for your body and soul.

There are a number of mental and physical benefits of volunteering such as increasing your self-confidence, combatting depression by keeping you from social isolation and helping you stay physically healthy.

  1. Volunteering keeps you connected.

By volunteering, you are staying connected with the people in the community. Volunteers are considered the glue of the community because it keeps everyone together. By volunteering, you can increase your communication skills and make new friends with others who share your interests.

  1. Volunteering brings fulfillment and fun to your life.

When you volunteer, you can experience interests and passions that you may not find in your day job. It can also act as an escape from your daily responsibilities of school, work or family commitments.

  1. Volunteering may even help you advance your career.

Whether you are looking for a career change or not, volunteering can help put important skills to work. By volunteering, you can practice teamwork, problem solving, organization and task management all of which are very important to any job.

We are always in need of volunteers for our annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser, this year to be held on June 14, 2014, at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek. Our volunteers work the shooting stations, sell raffle tickets and help with registration. We’d love for you to join us!  To get signed up, please contact us at prideoffice@lionspride.org.

There’s one phrase that we never tire of saying, “thank you!” We appreciate your support of the Lions Pride Endowment Fund.

Smart Giving Tips in 2014

27 Thursday Feb 2014

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If you’re looking to make an immediate difference in the world, donating to charity is always an excellent option. Did you know that in 2012, Americans give over $316 billion to charity? The majority of that large sum came directly from individuals.

Giving to charity is not only a great way to support organizations that you can about; it’s always a nice way to reduce your tax burden at the end of the year. While it may be too late to reduce your 2013 taxes (the deadline is always December 31); it’s definitely not too early to think about next year.

It is important to keep in mind; however, that charitable giving isn’t always guaranteed. Follow these to ensure that your donations qualify:

  • Research your organization

Only donations to qualified organizations are deductible. If you’re not sure if an organization is qualified, ask to see their records from the IRS. You can also search online through the IRS Exempt Organizations Select Check.

  • Always get a receipt

Deductions of any sort must be verified with a bank record or seen in writing from the organization. The written must show the date, the amount donated and the organization that received the donation.

  • Time cannot be deducted

While we know first-hand the value of volunteer’s time, it, unfortunately, cannot be deducted on taxes. On the bright side, out-of-pocket expenses that were ensued while volunteering such as travel costs, parking fees or uniform expense might be deductible. Remember to keep good records for all of your giving.

  • Keep limits in mind

Many taxpayers don’t realize that there are limits to the amount you can give throughout the year. If you give more than 20% of your adjusted gross income, pay special attention to tax limits.

  • Itemize deductions

To claim charitable deductions of your tax return, you must itemize your deductions on Schedule A of your federal form 1040 in lines 16-19.

We always welcome your donation to the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. Your gift helps provide, protect and preserve Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects.

Looking for a way to give? Check out all of the different giving options available.

One thing we never tire of saying is, THANK YOU!  We sincerely appreciate your support!

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2013/11/01/making-your-gifts-count10-smart-tips-for-charitable-giving/

Beat the Cold Weather Blues

09 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Holidays

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Rosholt WeatherWe all know that after the holidays are over, it can become easy to feel a little down. The days seem short, the temperatures are cold and there doesn’t seem like much to look forward to in the next few weeks.

We have definitely been feeling the winter blues this week. Our Rosholt office was closed on Monday and Tuesday because the temperature and wind chill factors was nearly -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sadly, we realize that we are only in the third week of winter and know that it is far from over. So we’ve come up with a list of ways to blue the cold weather blues:

  • Catch up on light reading

We all have a pile of magazines or books that we’ve been saving for a rainy day. Well, how about a snowy day or just plain cold day? Cozy up with a warm blanket, a steaming cup of cocoa and buzz through that stack.

  • Dig out an old board game

Although Netflix and smart phones are usually great for short-term entertainment, it can take away from quality family time. Round everyone up and bring back Family Game Night. Relive the classics like Monopoly, Scrabble and Sorry! A new family tradition might even be created.

  • Get organized

One of the biggest problems with being inside is we see all of things that we should be doing, but are not getting done. Take some time to organize those troublesome areas such as closets, bedrooms and the pantry. Cut clutter by donating unused items, put like items in uniform bins or baskets and find a place for everything. Start out small. Create a goal of cleaning a closet or bedroom per week.

  • Plan a garden

Stay warm by thinking warm thoughts. Plan a spring garden now. Think about past gardens and what could be added or improved. Or if gardening is a brand new hobby, sketch a layout in a notebook or use an online garden planner such as Better Homes & Gardens Plan-A-Garden. Just imagine those warm early summer afternoons working in the garden. Once springtime finally does roll around, getting started will be simple.

  • Explore a new organization to take part in

With all of the bad news we hear on television and the dreary temperature outside, it can be hard to stay positive. We can all benefit by finding an organization we care about. There are numerous tax benefits and sometimes it is just nice to know our efforts are being put to good use. Remember all Lions Pride donors support Wisconsin Lions Camp and all Wisconsin Lions Foundation projects

We all need to keep in mind that spring will be here before we know it; we just need to keep busy until then! What other ways can we beat the cold weather blues?