Tag Archives: service

Keeping Their Memories Alive

27 Thursday May 2021

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We likely don’t have to tell you that we are less than 48 hours away from a long weekend. We’re guessing you know that Monday is Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, but we thought we all could use a refresher about the origin of the federal holiday. Not to be confused with Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May and honors the military men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The holiday once known as “Decoration Day” originated in the years after WWII. The term, “Memorial Day,” did not appear until 1971. Previously, Decoration Day or Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30, regardless of the day of the week. Then in 1968, the Uniform Holidays bill was passed as a part of a move to use federal holidays to create 3-day weekends.

Each Memorial Day, the US flag is flown at half-mast from dawn until noon and volunteers around the country place flags on every gravestone in national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance also takes place at 3 pm local time.

While last year was very much out of the ordinary, people typically celebrate with picnics, sporting events and family gatherings. As more and more Americans become fully vaccinated, we are again seeing calendars fill up with these activities again in 2021.

This Memorial Day, while you and your family are enjoying your cookouts and reunited time together, we hope that you’ll remember the origin of the federal holiday. Make it a point to keep the brave Americans who gave their lives to protect our freedom on your mind all day long.

The Lions Pride Board and Staff would like to offer a special “thank you” to all of the courageous men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Our office will be closed on Monday, but we will be back on Tuesday, June 1. We wish you all a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

A Palm Sunday Primer

25 Thursday Mar 2021

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Regular churchgoers know certain services stand out during the liturgical year: Easter, Christmas and the upcoming celebration. Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, is this Sunday, March 28. The concept behind the church holiday remains the same year after year except, of course, in 2020 when many churches were closed due to the pandemic. To prepare you for this Sunday, here’s a primer on the celebration.

Palm Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Lent and the official start of Holy Week. During the service, palm branches are distributed to parishioners as they commemorate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, which took place before the crucifixion and resurrection.

In the story of John, people in the streets graciously met Jesus because they believed he would overthrow Rome. They greeted him by waving palms and laying them as a path. Palm Sunday is celebrated in several churches, including Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Reformed Christian and Roman Catholic.

It’s important to remember that the palm branches from Palm Sunday are sacramental, and therefore, cannot be thrown away after the service. Many churches will collect them to be burned on Shrove Tuesday of the following year and used as the following day’s Ash Wednesday services.

Others keep their palm as a reminder of Jesus’s triumphant ride into Jerusalem. They are commonly displayed near a crucifix or tucked into a bible. If you are looking for a more unique way to use your palm, you’ll want to see these beautiful craft ideas.

Do you like to keep your palm after Passion Sunday Service? If so, let us know how you use it in the comments below.

Happy Palm Sunday from Lions Pride!

United in Kindness

05 Thursday Nov 2020

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As we write this post on Wednesday evening, we are still awaiting the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. No matter where you stand politically, you are likely feeling several emotions. But rather than dwelling on this uncertainty, we thought it would make sense to preoccupy our minds for a moment or two with another ever-important topic: kindness.

Monday, November 9, marks the beginning of World Kindness Week, which preludes World Kindness Day happening on Friday, November 13. This special celebration was first started by the World Kindness Movement back in 1998.

There’s no question that we are currently experiencing division around our country, which is why we believe this celebratory week couldn’t have arrived sooner.

As Americans, we all have the right to our opinions, but sometimes this freedom can overshadow the golden virtue. The whole idea of World Kindness Week reminds us of the influential message given by Lions International President Dr. Jung-Yul Chol back in July.

He reminded us that kindness is at the very heart of service. Lions International is one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations on the planet. Our organization is made up by over 1.4 million members worldwide and includes 48,000+ clubs. We are proud to serve all people, in all places – and our great diversity allows us to provide exceptional service. Together, as Lions, we are united in kindness and diversity,

After reviewing his message, it did not take us long to realize that Lions International has a lot in common with the United States, namely our diversity. We are fortunate to be made of people of different races, religions, cultures, social backgrounds and more. All of these aspects created the foundation that helped our founding fathers claim independence.

So, as we continue to hold our breaths anxiously waiting for the week to conclude, we’d encourage you to spread International President Choi’s message. Your recipients may include friends, family members, neighbors and other people in your community, regardless of whether they echo your political beliefs.

Above all, kindness matters, especially during trying times. From all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish you both patience and serenity for the remainder of the week. Please remember, this, too, shall pass.

A Leap (Year) of Faith

27 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in Giving Tips, Lions Camp, News, Special Events

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Wisconsin Lions Camp Leap of Faith

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

It’s that time again! If you’ve looked at a calendar sometime in the last month, you’ve probably noticed an extra day at the end of this one. Every four years, February gains an extra day as we ensure our calendar stays consistent with the planet’s rotation around the sun, most often known as a Leap Year.

This particular year feels especially symbolic to us as we take a leap of faith into the final phase of the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back at how our organization began.

It all started with one name that we hope is not new to you – Dewey Carl. Back in 1974, Dewey joined the Manawa Lions Club. From that point on, he became a dedicated member of the Lions Organization, holding numerous positions at the local, state and international level. From 1986 to 1987, Dewey served as the Wisconsin Lions Foundation President. He later served as the District Governor and Council Chair from 1990 to 1991.

During that time, he recognized an unmet need. Expenses for Lions Camp and all WLF projects had tremendously increased, but the ever-important annual Lions Club Donations were not keeping up. He knew that many Wisconsin residents came to rely on these programs, so an additional financial source was crucial to keep them running.

He began establishing a donor-directed endowment fund. Then, in May of 2005, the Lions of Wisconsin voted to approve the campaign at the State Convention (again, following a Leap Year.) Since that time, the Lions Pride Board and Staff have been working tirelessly to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all statewide projects.

To date, the Lions Pride Endowment Fund has raised over $8.5 million to further the mission. Now, we are looking to unite our efforts to reach $10 million by the 2021 State Convention. Attaining this goal will provide more than $300,000 a year in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in support of Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects, sunsetting the campaign.

Lion Dewey showed us that there is nothing more important than working to improve the lives of others. His spirit lives on as we progress towards our end goal. With your continued support, we can raise the last $1.5 million to financially assist the Wisconsin Lions Foundation indefinitely. We hope you’ll consider including Lions Pride in your annual giving by making your donation today.

It’s been a wild ride, and we feel so fortunate to have our donors by our side. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for what your support has meant to us over the years. Let’s work together to achieve this milestone.

 

Celebrating Chinese New Year

15 Thursday Feb 2018

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Happy New Year! Wait, didn’t we already do this? No, it’s not deja vu – it’s the Chinese Chinese red lanternNew Year. Unlike our traditional New Year on January 1, Chinese New Year is never on a fixed day because it is dictated by the lunar calendar, which can place anytime from January 21 and February 20.

Although the event will officially begin tomorrow (February 16), Chinese communities have been preparing for weeks. Typically, most families start by thoroughly cleaning their homes “sweeping the dust,” this process is representative of putting old things away and leaving the past behind.

Once all of the cleaning is complete, people decorate their homes with red lanterns and red posters with poetic verses. The color red is much loved because it symbolizes happiness and good fortune.

On the eve of the New Year, family events are extremely common. The festivities begin with a traditional dinner. Throughout the evening, fireworks and firecrackers are set off to get rid of bad luck and encourage good fortune. Other activities include beating drums, striking gongs and as well as Dragon and Lion Parades (we especially like the sound of the last event!)

Each year is given its name from the Chinese zodiac. This year’s zodiac animal is a dog. Years of the Dog include 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 and 2030. If you were born in a Dog year, you’re a Dog, and the following elements are seen as lucky for you:

Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9
Lucky color: red, green and purple
Lucky flowers: rose, cymbidium orchids

Unfortunately, it appears that people born in a year of the Dog are destined to have less good luck in 2018, but there are ways to make your own good luck.

Believe it or not, this is not the last New Year we will celebrate in 2018. It’s hard to believe, but in four short months, we will be getting ready to start the Lionistic New Year! We hope the time is going as quickly for you as it is for the rest of us. Lions Pride would like to thank you for your dedication to the Lions organization and appreciate your service.

Do you make plans to celebrate the Year of the Dog? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Chinese New Year!

 

 

 

Celebrate Veterans Day with Gratitude

09 Thursday Nov 2017

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“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom is theWaving Flag very foundation of Veterans Day.” –Charles B. Rangel

This Saturday, we’ll have the opportunity to our nation’s living heroes in the 80th official Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created on November 11, 1919, on the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance and became a national holiday in 1938.

Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans, who served on any branch of the US military during peacetime or war, living or dead, but especially giving thanks to all living veterans. The US Census Bureau estimates that there are currently over 21 million living veterans in the United States.

You’ve likely already seen lots of businesses celebrating the holiday with sales and specials, but may wonder the best way to celebrate the occasion. Here at Lions Pride, we feel the best way to recognize the holiday is with gratitude. Here are a few ideas on you could thank a veteran over the weekend:

  • Write a letter

Everyone loves mail! Well, maybe not direct mail, but we’d be willing to bet you greeted your last handwritten letter with a smile. This Veterans Day, thank a vet in the form of a letter. Operation Gratitude is on a mission to show our nation’s heroes how much we care about them. And nothing says more that more than a handwritten note that can be saved forever. Each year, the organization sends care packages and letters to veterans all over the county. Find out how you can start your first letter.

  • Visit a veterans nursing home

We think quite possibly the best way to thank someone is in person! Consider contacting your local veterans nursing home to see if there are any residents who may be longing for company. After all who doesn’t love a friendly visit?

  • Invite a veteran to join Lions

You can show your appreciation as a Lion by inviting a veteran to serve with your club and reconnect with their community. In July 2013, Lions Club International introduced the Involve a Veteran Program. From now until June 30, 2018, qualifying veterans will receive waived entrance and chartered fees when they join a Lions Club. Eligible veterans include all branches of the US military – Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel who are retired or honorably discharged. The National Guard and Reserve personnel who were called to active duty for other training are also eligible. Learn more about the program.

These are only three of countless ways to thank a veteran for their sacrifice. How do you plan to celebrate Veterans Day?

To all of the men and women in uniform, past, present and future, God bless you and the Lions Pride Staff & Board want to thank you for your service.

Happy Veterans Day!

The 2017-2018 Council of Governors Meeting

27 Thursday Jul 2017

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The days continue to fly by this summer, and it’s hard to believe that it’s already time for the new district governors to meet. The entire MD27 Council of Governors is scheduled to meet this Saturday at the WLF Office here in Rosholt.

The first meeting of the 2017-2018 Lionistic Year will be chock full of information. The morning will begin with the call to order, introduction and opening remarks, the approval of agenda and 7/3/17 minutes, followed by the ratification of all previous action and minutes.

Next, the District Governors will hear brief reports from all of the district chairpersons:

Alert ChairLI We Serve
International Convention Chair
Diabetes Chair
Environmental Chair
Global Membership Team (GMT) Coordinator, Specialists and Team Members
Global Leadership Team (GLT) Coordinator
Global Service Team (GST) Coordinator
Hearing Preservation, Awareness & Action Chair
Information Technology Chair
International Relations Chair
LEO Chair
Lions Quest Chair
Lions Services for Children Chair
Pediatric Cancer Chair
Protocol Chair
Public Relations Chair
Reading Action Chair
Vision Chair
Youth Camp & Exchange Chair
Centennial Chair
LCIF Coordinator
MyLCI Expert Coordinator
Affiliate Club Liaison
Stuff the Bus Coordinator
USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum
State Bowling Chair
State Curling Chair
State Elections Chair
State Resolutions, Constitution & Bylaws Chair
State Research & Long-Range Planning Chair
State Pin Trader Chair
State Convention Chair

(Remember, they only meet four times a year so they have to fit everyone in!)

The DGs will then hear from various committee members and break for lunch at Lions Camp.

The afternoon will begin with MD27 and state committee reports. The DGs will hear from 18 committees, including Lions Pride. Our newest board member DG Fred Gebhart and Office Assistant Katy Bailey will report.

The remainder of the afternoon will contain presentations from Lion-supported initiatives, a state convention update, miscellaneous committee reports, a finances report, policy committee discussion, DG Team Travel dates and other business. Talk about a full day!

We know that Saturday will be a terrific start to the year ahead. On behalf of Lions Pride, we’d like to extend a note of appreciation to the new DGs. We are looking seeing what you have in store for the new year. Thank you for your service!

Upcoming District Governor Elect Seminar in Chicago

22 Thursday Jun 2017

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Can you believe only eight days remaining in the  2016-2017 Lionistic Year? It feels likeCurrent DGEsonly yesterday that we were welcoming the upcoming district governors. Then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, our DGs made their way through their terms and added “Outgoing” to their titles.

Now, it’s time to welcome a new group! Next week, our DGEs will be meeting in Chicago to complete their intensive training seminar where they will learn about their new roles and responsibilities as leaders. The group will then participate in the highly anticipated 100th Annual Lions Club International Convention.

The seminar unofficially begins on Tuesday, June 27, with registration, a DGE and companion photo shoot, single district orientation and a welcome reception at Hyatt Regency Chicago.

Wednesday morning will kick off at 8:30 am with the opening ceremony followed by a general keynote session from Nick Vujicic, an Australian motivation speaker who was born with a rare disorder called tetra-amelia syndrome (the absence of arms and legs). Afterward, the group will take part in a companion session and three classroom sessions.

On Thursday morning, our DGEs will hear from First Vice President Dr. Naresh Aggarwal as well as Sister BK Shivani, an Indian spiritual teacher and inspirational speaker. The day will then hold another companion session and three more classroom sessions.

Then on Friday morning, the group will take part in general sessions about LCIF and New Service Framework, followed by the closing ceremony, classroom and goal setting sessions and the celebration banquet.

On behalf of all of us at Lions Pride, we’d like to wish all of our DGEs well on their journey to Chicago and their upcoming term. We know that you have an exciting and fulfilling adventure ahead. Thank you for your service!

New Mountains to Climb

30 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Conventions, News, Special Events

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New Mountains to ClimbThe 2016 Lions Club International Convention is officially behind us. Words alone cannot describe the entire experience of traveling to Japan, meet new people, seeing old friends and learning so much more about our role as Lions. The fact is no matter how long you have been a part of this organization; there is always something more to learn.

The 2016-2017 theme for Lions is “New Mountains to Climb”. Our new Chancellor President Bob Corlew came up with the idea as he was thinking about his home state of Tennessee. (Did you know that Tennessee is known as the Service State?) As he was thinking about the rolling foothills and steep mountains, he thought it was the perfect metaphor for our 100th year. It’s no secret that we live in an ever-changing world, and with those changes come new challenges or mountains to climb. But by pursuing these mountains, we have an extraordinary chance to make the world a better place.

This year as we approach our centennial year, we are at a critical point in future planning. We are challenged with creating a map for future generations of Lions, who will follow and preserve our tradition of service.

An important thought to keep in mind; however, that as we reach the top of one mountain that it is not the end of the journey, it is simply the beginning of another. As leaders in service, our job is never over because we are always looking to inspire others to join us.

To read more highlights of the 2016-2017 theme, please follow this link.

Here at Lions Pride, we always enjoy the beginning of a new Lions Year because it’s an exciting time to look ahead to see what the next 365 days will bring. Now’s the perfect to start creating your action plan and help Lions Club International beat their Centennial Service Challenge (CSC).

What mountain do you and your club hope to climb this year?

2015-2016 District Governors-Elect Seminar

16 Thursday Jun 2016

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LCICon FukuokaOver 700 District Governor-Elects from around the world (including our very own Geri Schlender) are getting a head start to LCICon Fukuoka this weekend. They, along with thousands of other Lions, are traveling thousands of miles to the 99th Annual Lions International Convention.

As you most likely know, the 2016 convention is taking place in Fukuoka City, Japan, from June 24 to June 28. Our DGEs are headed there a few days early to participate in extensive training seminars.

In their three-day session, the District Governor-Elects will receive comprehensive leadership development training and education about their roles and responsibilities as leaders in Lions Club International.

If you think these DGEs will be participating in nothing but fun and games before the convention, think again! All of the upcoming officers received homework ahead of time. Just take a look at their assignment guide. Fortunately, if we have any procrastinating DGEs, they will likely have a chance to finish reviewing their 55-page guide during their 17-23 hour plane ride.

The District Governor-Elects will then be joining Lions from all over the world to participate in the international convention. The theme of this year’s International President, Robert Corlew is New Mountains to Climb. The metaphor for the 2016 theme is, of course, a mountain to symbolize something that is challenging and takes a maximum effort to accomplish. It is only be climbing the mountain that we truly succeed. New mountains represent new challenges and new opportunities.

As we enter into our 100th year of Lions service, we are given a chance to honor our past and embrace our present, but to keep moving forward, we need to plan. To conquer our next mountain, we must lay out a trail.

We are excited to hear about the experiences of those planning on attending 2016 LCICon Fukuoka! If you are attending the convention, what are you most looking forward to?

Lions Pride would like to wish the DGEs, and participating Lions, safe travels as they make their way to Japan and home again!