2007-2008 Cabinet Meeting Minutes

July 21, 2007

Science Spectrum

Lubbock, Texas

Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions

The Cabinet meeting of the  Lions of District 2-T2 was called to order at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2007 by IPDG Tom White.

Those in attendance were DG Terrell Thompson, VDG Jene Steakley, Treasurer Howard Darwin, Secretary Peg White, and Lions Randy Hopmann, Dave Freriks, Karen Jackson, Ted Boyd, Ray Copeland, Danny Leake, Bob Ruiz, Bub McIver, Raleigh Hudzietz, Tammy Meyers, Joe Freeman, Sharon Kester-Fair, PDG Joe Hargrove, PDG Paul Ellis, CCE Bernie Gradel, PDG Jack Strong, PDG Wendall Dunlap, PDG Charles Shannon, PID Marshall Cooper, PDG Leo Seiter, PDG Arlee Jackson, PDG Chuck Fisher, and PDG Duane Howell.

The Invocation was led by Cabinet Chaplain Ray Copeland who also led the Pledge of Alligiance to the United States and Texas flags. PDG Jack Strong expressed his appreciation for the letter inviting the PDG’s to the meeting to act as advisors.  VDG Jene Steakley introduced the First Family, the PDG’s in attendance and the District Governor.

Introduction of Cabinet

DG Terrell Thompson installed by way of introduction the Cabinet members: VDG Jene Steakley, District Treasurer Howard Darwin, District Secretary Peg White, IPDG Tom White; Region Chairmen: Dave Freriks, Joe Freeman and Danny Leake: and Zone Chairmen: Peg White, Jake Bentley, Raleigh Hudzietz, Bub McIver, Jim Dulin, Fredda Buckner, and Kip Culp.

DG Terrell said that the Zone Meetings could be held in personal meetings, by phone, internet or fax – whatever it takes to keep in touch with the clubs.  He would like a report from each Zone Chair at the second Cabinet meeting. The Region chairs will work personally with DG Terrell at his request. 

Approval of Minutes of April 26/28, 2007 District Convention

Minutes of the previous meeting were made available. The reading of the minutes from the previous District Convention was dispensed. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Howard Darwin and seconded by IPDG Tom White. Motion passed.

Report of Treasurers

District Treasurer Howard Darwin gave his report of the Year End Financial.  We ended the year with $5545.50.  Howard also presented the new budget for 2007-2008.  It was unanimously adopted. Permanent Fund Committee member PDG Duane Howell gave his report.  The balances are $10,509.42 in the Scholarship Fund and $8547.04 in the State Convention Fund. Moved by Joe Freeman and seconded by Jake Bentley that these reports be accepted. Motion passed.

New Business

DG Terrell noted the dates for the District in the directories which had been passed out. Any corrections need to be sent to Peg White for her to put in the next Windmill. DG Terrell  requested a report on the USA/Canada Forum from Don Wellendorf and IPDG Tom White at the next meeting.  The next Cabinet meeting will be Saturday, October 20, 2007 beginning with a dutch treat breakfast at Golden Corral followed by the meeting at Brunswick South Plains Bowl.  Motion by Raleigh Hudzietz and seconded by Dave Freriks to have the Levelland Evening Lions Club host the District Convention on April 19, 2008. Motion passed.

We then took a break and saw the film “Hurricane on the Bayou” which was showing at the Science Spectrum Omnimax.  It detailed the need for restoring the wetlands so that future storms would not be as damaging.

As the meeting was reconvened, Karen Jackson gave a report on the Julien C. Hyer foreign exchange student program.  She reported that with the District funds of $1342.00 and a subsidy from the Lubbock Lions Club of up to $1000.00 that the activities were funded. After discussion of the merits of the program, it was moved by Dave Freriks and seconded by IPDG Tom White that we continue to support the program. Motion passed.

DG Terrell reported that the Spur Lions Club will be considering disbanding at their next meeting.  A card was passed around for all to sign to encourage them not to give up their charter.

DG Terrell spoke on the one-year deviations from the Policy Manual concerning:

            1. Queen’s contest – will be held at the Mid-Winter meeting.  All Queen candidates must be no older than a junior in high school.  Applications will be mailed out the first of December.

            2. Newsletter – nine issues will be printed as long as there are funds available.  Clubs are encouraged to advertise in the newsletter to help with funding.

            3. District Convention – will be a one day event, April 19th, 2008 in Levelland, Texas. Possible speaker International 1^st Vice President Al Brandel.

            4. District Golf Tournament – will be held Saturday, April 12^th, 2008. Suggested Slaton Lions Club might be willing to sponsor the tournament since it will be the First Annual Hack Lassiter Golf Classic.

            5. Club Visitation – DG Terrell will not be able to visit every club but as many as possible, probably 45 - 50. Other clubs will be visited by the Region or Zone Chairmen. As directed by International, the emphasis for the District Governor should be membership and leadership. Videos will be available in 2008 for clubs to use for a message from the District Governor and for training in various areas. DG Terrell gave information concerning the update of the web site and new developments in the works.  PDG Carmon McCain is upgrading the website.

DG Terrell proposed the following Amendments to the District Constitution and By-Laws be considered:

            1. Sec. C (A) REGIONS & ZONES: add “and can be changed at the discretion of the District Governor”

            2. Working on the wording for removal of an elected Camp Director if they are unable or not serving

            3. Suggested the use of one signature on the checks rather than two in Section B (2). PID Marshall Cooper raised the question of whether that provision is required by LCI. More study will be made of this as DG Terrell checks the directives from International.

            4. Recommended an audit committee rather than an independent auditor

            5. Suggested an annual accounting of the Permanent Fund.

A District Wide Fundraiser was next discussed.  The goal is to gives monies to the Charitable organizations sponsored by District 2-T2. They are currently: Texas Lions Camp, Texas Boys Ranch, Girlstown, LWSB, Leader Dog, Eye Bank, Hearing Bank, and Texas Lions Foundation.  The idea is to sell 1000 tickets for $50 each grossing $50,000.  The winning ticket would get either $25,000 cash or a $25,000 Savings Bond. Campaign SightFirst II would receive $6000.00, the clubs would receive 10% of every ticket sold, and the Club selling the winning ticket would receive $5000.00. It was moved that we substitute the District Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in place of Girlstown. Moved by Dave Freriks and seconded by Joe Freeman. Motion passed.

There was discussion on how to handle the tickets and get the information to the clubs. Moved by Raleigh Hudzietz and seconded by Howard Darwin to go forward with the District Wide Fundraiser.

Moved by Danny Leake and seconded by Jake Bentley that the District Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center be added to the list of charities that District 2-T2 supports.  Amount to be $1.00 per person.  Motion passed.

DG Terrell showed a brief video of the “Challenge to Change” program by International President Mahendra Amarasuriya. We were encouraged to re-brand Lionism, grow, develop new leaders, help to add to the International goal of 1250 new clubs,  enhance LCIF funds, support Campaign Sightfirst II, revive and develop the Leo clubs, expand the Lions Quest Program and revitalize the public relations efforts for Lions clubs. DG Terrell then gave the history on the theme for his pin. – “Serve when the time finds You!”

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted. 

Lion Peggy Dennis White

2007-2008 Cabinet Secretary