WHAT LEGACY ARE YOU HANDING DOWN?
Monthly Column by DG Ann Roberts 21A

Leg a cy (leg' a sÁ) n. to bequeath; handed down by a predecessor
A legacy is much more than monetary wealth passed down from one generation to the next. It can be anything that is given from the past to the present. Sometimes the past is now. This will be my last column as District Governor of 21A and time to think about my legacy to you fellow Lions. How will you remember my year?
We started out with a fantastic kick-off in Wickenburg. We shared fun and food. You had your first exercise in goal setting. Who there didn't get tears in their eyes when our physically challenged camper sang the Camp Tatiyee song? And we were graced with a contingent from Mexico. It was a great kick-off to the 2009-10 year. We tried a couple of things that worked very well - such as “Luggage from Lions”. What started out as being for foster kids expanded to battered women's shelters and several other organizations. Unfortunately our Speech Contest didn't work so well. Apparently there are already several state-wide speech contests in place.
Our 21A Convention was extraordinary. We conducted Cabinet business in the morning. PIP Kay Fukushima motivated us in the afternoon and we tried to solve the Who Done It at dinner. Sixty-five names were turned in to receive “Bragging Rights” pins! You are proud of your fellow Lions and want them and everyone else to know how special they are. You still have an opportunity to recognize more hard-working people. Get me their names and the reason you think we should brag about them. We will hand out more “Bragging Rights” pins at the Multiple District Convention on Sunday, May 23rd! But don't just come for Sunday. Start Friday night with Big Wheel Races. Learn and be entertained on Saturday.
Let's talk about a legacy that some clubs are overlooking. What does you club do to pass on the traditions and history of your club? We always talk about losing members because we didn't get them involved. That's probably only part of the problem. They don't realize just how unique the club they joined really is. As some of the clubs reach a milestone year (25 or 50 years) in their existence, they prepare a history of their club. Shouldn't every club let their members know about their club's history? Don't just wait for the milestone years. Collect those old pictures and newspaper articles! Come up with a presentation to present to all new members (and refresh the memories of the rest of the club).
Let's not lose PR opportunities. Get pictures at the installation of new officers. Send them into your local papers. Need some help? Call (928.684.7989 home or 602.618.96.53 cell) or email me (LionAnnR@aol.com). PID Dave and I are officially retired so you should be able to catch us a little easier!

A TALE OF TWO CLUBS By Ann Roberts
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times…….”

The presidents of two Lions clubs had received e-mails from their Zone Chairperson noting that their respective clubs were down two members each year for the past five years. Maybe the members had moved away, transferred to another club, died or their membership was dropped for some other reason. The facts were plain. In the last five years the clubs had each lost ten members. Both club presidents were forward looking.

A strange thing happened. Both club boards decided they had to do something about getting new members or the future of their club would be in jeopardy. Club One decided they would look into sponsoring a Chamber of Commerce event. Club Two decided to send three members to MEP training. And this is where the two clubs took different paths.

Club One had their membership chairman approach the Chamber of Commerce and found there was an opening to sponsor a Chamber social. They quickly told the Chamber they would sponsor the social. Club One designed a new, colorful brochure explaining what their Lions Club does for the community. Members were assigned to sit at a table during the social and hand out the new brochures to everyone who came by the table. They handed out twenty of the new brochures. And this is where the two stories differed.

Club Two had three members go to MEP training. At the MEP training these members diligently prepared a plan for their club that extended about a year into the future. They had brought to MEP training a list of all the events their club normally does each year and approximately when they took place. As part of their new Membership Enhancement Plan (MEP) they came back to the club with a detailed plan for getting new members, working around activities they normally did and adding at least one new activity. Their plan had not only been looked at by their MEP committee, but by all of the other clubs that participated in the MEP session. When they came back they asked their Board of Directors to approve the plan and presented it to their club membership.

By coincidence one of the MEP activities Club Two had planned was sponsoring a Chamber of Commerce social. Their plan included: (1) Setting a date for a Chamber social and making sure it was publicized in the Chamber newsletter. (2) Preparing a new club brochure telling how their club raises funds, what the funds are used for, what is expected of a club member and what it costs to join their club. (3) Assigning club members to be at a table during the Chamber social and other club members to walk around, handing out brochures to all Chamber members present. (4) A “fish bowl” was set up on the table at the Chamber social for business cards with a $25 gift certificate from a local super market as winner of the drawing. (5) A few days after the event the club membership committee was to go over the cards deciding if they should just go to the business and invite them to a club meeting or go to the business and give them a “Community Needs Analysis”. If they gave them the analysis, they would go back in a week and pick it up. As a “thank you” for filling it out, they would invite them to come to a meeting (and pay for their meal). Analysis needed to be pickup; not mailed back.

It's up to you to write the rest of the story.

IT IS NOT WHERE YOU START, BUT WHERE YOU FINISH
We've made it more than half way through this Lionistic year. It's not where you start, but where you finish. I found this memorable anonymous quote in some papers of mine and thought you might like to read a few other ones:
Success is a journey - not a destination.
Your kind words today may be cherished by someone forever.
Try being a supporter instead of a critic.
Love is the glue that cements a family. Criticism keeps it from sticking.
He who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.
Success comes in cans. Failure comes in can'ts.
There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
The greatest mistake a person can make is to be afraid of making one.
Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is.
Learn to listen. You never learn anything when you're talking.
A person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
Experience allows you to recognize a mistake before you make it again.
Imagination is the greatest nation on earth.
The person who starts out going nowhere generally gets there.

A goal properly set is halfway achieved. At our kick-off in Wickenburg I asked the club presidents to set goals for their year. Some of you wrote them out at that meeting and others said they would do it when they got home. I hope all of our clubs looked at their club goals. It's time to pull them out and see where the club stands. One criteria of where a club stands is how many members you think your club will have at year's end and will you end up the year with positive growth. I'm asking all club presidents to send me their projection for the number of club members they think they will have at year's end. Need some help with membership? That's what the MERL team is for. Give any member of the MERL team a call. They are there to help you and your club reach its membership goals.

When was the last time you really looked at your Lion's pin? Take a good look! The outside ring gives our name “LIONS INTERNATIONAL” and it also has a Lion facing in both directions. This always makes me think of the month of January. You who are history or mythology buffs probably know the origin of January. But for you that are not, here's a story.
The first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. A very old Italian God, Janus has a distinctive artistic appearance in that he is commonly depicted with two faces…one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Thus, Janus is representative of contemplation on the happenings of an old year while looking forward to the new.
Let's take a message from our Lions pin and use January as a time to look back over the past year and see what our clubs have accomplished and where 2010 will take us. There may have been some negatives last year, but take a good look at all the positives! We kicked off our year in Wickenburg with a great meeting. We had a super Mid-Year Forum in November. The first thing that some of you will lament on is membership is down. How about looking at how many new members we have brought in and concentrate on making sure they get involved in your club activities and becoming long-time Lions? Within the last sixty days Surprise Sun Village and Salome each brought in 5 new members. Sun City Host and Ahwatukee each brought in 2 new members. Sun City Mid-Week Bell, Deer Valley, Surprise Grand, Kingman-Mohave, Anthem, Black Canyon Bi-Centennial and Wickenburg each brought in one new member. (If I missed any, please forgive me.) We definitely are going in the right direction!
We have started some new projects. “Luggage from Lions” has taken off like a rocket! The idea was to get something that no one wanted into the hands of someone who needed it. I can account for nearly 200 pieces of used, clean luggage that has been delivered to “A New Leaf”. Zone 5 alone collected over 175 pieces with more coming in. The “River Clubs” are taking some of their used luggage to a local women's shelter foster-care center. Check with your Zone Chairperson. They are the pivotal point for collections and distributions. Please get pictures into your local newspapers.
Our “Speech Contest” is just getting started. Please see the December issue of the Canyon State Lion for details or contact Lion Robin Daviet (RobinDaviet@cs.com). The District winner will receive more than $2000 in scholarship money.
Let's continue to look forward! Some of the best news of all! Our 21-A Convention will be honored to have Past International President Kay K. Fukushima as one of our speakers on Saturday, March 20th. After hearing PIP Kay you will be totally recharged on why you are a Lion and how we serve our communities and the world. Your Convention evening will end with a dinner theatre production by Murder Ink Productions. (Some of our own Lions will become part of the cast for the 1920's production of the “Mafioso Murders”.) Get your registration in early!

DID YOU REMEMBER TO SAY “THANK YOU”?
DISTRICT 21A GOVERNOR ANN ROBERTS
How many times have you worked with someone on a project, hurried off to your next task and wondered “Did I remember to say “Thank you” for their help? It's happened to all of us at some time or other. Sometimes there's an opportunity to go back, but often not. Let's really make an effort to say “Thank you!”
Most of you in Lions Clubs work with volunteers and sometimes you are in charge of a project. A verbal “Thank you” doesn't have to be the only reward for your teammates. Just recently at our 21A Cabinet meeting in Prescott, Immediate Past District Governor Rand Terwillegar handed out eight President's Excellence Awards from Lions Clubs International. A club president has to do a lot more than just stand up in front of his or her club and conduct the meetings for a year. There are several requirements for this award, among them: Has been to at least two zone meetings; attended officer training; attended a Lions cabinet meeting, forum or convention; net gain in membership; oversees the orientation of new members; etc. The following club presidents receiving the President's Excellence Award for 2008-09 from LCI for their hard work were:

Robert Lee, Deer Valley
Kathy Lashway, LHC London Bridge
Robin Daviet, Laveen
Linda Finley, Peoria Sunset
Henry Kuspert, Phoenix Metro
Marianne Ebert, SC Host
Madeline Boyle, Surprise Grand
Carol Poppe, Surprise Sun Village

When you see them, tell them “Thank you” for their dedication to their club and Lionism. Are you helping your club president this year receive an award?
All District Officers (District Governor, 1st and 2nd Vice District Governors, Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer and Zone Chairpersons) are also eligible for Excellence Awards. You can help them by bringing in new members. Your Zone Chair and your MERLO team are waiting for you to ask for their help. Call them. They can help with your membership questions.
There are any number of other awards you can receive. Bringing in new members and taking part in the Proud Lion-Proud Sponsor program are great awards to receive and a great way to help your club. How exciting to be named “Lion of the Year” by your club! International President's Certificates of Appreciation are given for performing significant service to Lionism. They are given at the discretion of the international president, past international presidents, international directors and past international directors. Don't forget the Melvin Jones Fellowship for contributions to Lions Clubs International Foundation. And, of course, our hard working secretaries can earn an award for their hard work. Go to www.lionsclubs.org and see pages of awards for contests, chairmen and corporate sponsors.
And, of course, my personal favorite! For my year as District Governor I am presenting “Bragging Rights” pins to Lions on the recommendation of Club Presidents, Zone and Committee Chairmen and club members. You just have to give me names and what makes that Lion so special! Do you have something to brag about? Let me know. Email me: LionAnnR@aol.com

NOVEMBER 2009

MOTIVATION – by Ann Roberts, 21A District Governor

“Now listen to me, all of you.  You are condemned men.  We keep you alive to serve this ship.  So row well and live.”  Those were the words of Quintus Arrius in the movie Ben-Hur.

Obviously as Lions we cannot motivate our club members with threats like these.  So just how do you motivate your members?  Whether you are the Club President, chairman in charge of the next fund raiser or a District Officer, you face this challenge.  Let’s be honest.  We can’t increase or decrease members’ salaries or benefits.  So just how do you motivate your fellow Lions?

One important way to motivate and engage your fellow Lions is just as available as it has ever been.  Perhaps it’s overlooked because it’s so ridiculously simple.  It’s really so obvious I’m a little reluctant to write about it.  Take a genuine interest in your fellow club members.  Take time to ask about their new job or their new child or grandchild.  Pick up the phone when someone has missed a meeting or you hear they’re not feeling well.  (Notice I didn’t say e-mail.)  Maybe your club has a “Sunshine Chairman”.  Don’t leave it up to them.  Take the time to know your fellow Lions.  Make sure you thanked them when they helped on a project.  Take time to find out what expertise they have.  It probably will come in handy when challenges come up.  If they’re still working, find out what they do and use their services if possible.  (Remember Lions started as a net-working group.) 

You need to be interested in your fellow Lions if you want to help your club run better.  Let your fellow Lions know that their participation matters.  This really is a motivator.  Don’t be shocked to find out later that someone left your club because they felt they did not make a difference.  Don’t believe me how important it is to get to know your fellow Lions?  Take the Charles Schulz (creator of ‘Peanuts’) test.  Just read it straight through.  I don’t expect you to get 100%.

Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners.

How did you do?  No one remembers yesterday’s “Thank you” after the applause dies down.

Name someone who helped you on your last Lions project.

List three friends who helped you through a difficult time.

Name five people who taught you something worthwhile.

Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

Easier?  The people who make a difference in your life are those who care about you and you care about them.  Increase this number inside and outside of Lions.  It will make a difference in your life (and your Lions’ Club).  Not only will it motivate you, but it will also motivate the people around you.  Remember to say “Thank you”

Help is on its way!
per fect adj: being without fault or defect [Merriam-Webster Dictionary]
It would be nice if all our clubs fit this description. The truth be known, most of our clubs could use a little bit of help in some areas. Help is on its way! We have made some changes in the structure of 21A.
MERLO Team noun: 1 : senior leadership from District. 2 : specialist in MERLO area The Team works in close coordination with your District Governor and your Cabinet. Each MERLO Team member has been asked to give special assistance to two zones.

M = MEMBERSHIP (PCC Ron Brown)
• Does your club currently have a membership emphasis? • Has your club established a membership goal for 2009 – 10? • Has your club implemented the Proud Lion/Proud Sponsor Program?

E = EXTENSION (PID Dave Roberts)
• Develop an action plan that locates possible sites for new clubs. • Coordinates new plan expansion with existing clubs to provide benefits for both existing and new club.

R = RETENTION (PDG Les Daviet)
• Does your club think about/spending time on retaining the members already in the club as an effective membership growth tool? Do you have new projects to revitalize your membership?
• Is there a plan in place to ensure that each club member can identify that they are avaluable, wanted and essential part of the club’s ability to make a significant difference in the community and the world by their dedication and efforts?

L = LEADERSHIP (PDG Ralph Williamson)
(IPDG Rand Terwilleger – Western Region)
• Does your club have a goal and a plan to reach it? • Are all activities covered during your meeting in an organized manner? Is the prepared
agenda available to club members before the meeting starts?
• Do you run your club as a business? Our product is SERVICE. We need to show our members how to sell our product

O = ORIENTATION (IPDG Rand Terwilleger – Western Region)
(PDG Ralph Williamson)
• Who are Lions and what do we do? Do the members of your club know the history of their club, of Lions locally and throughout the world?
• Where does the new Lion fit in? Does the new Lion understand the organization of our association and its projects?
• Do your club members (new and old) know what is expected of them? [attendance, participation, recruitment]

If you feel your club could use additional support, training or trouble-shooting assistance in any of the above areas, please have a member of your club contact your Zone Chairperson to arrange for a member of the 21-A MERLO Team to meet with your club. Depending on the club, this initial meeting may be with the club’s Officers and Board of Directors rather than the entire club. The initial MERLO presentation to your club will be a general presentation, probably by the MERLO member who has been asked to assist your club. He will explain what you can expect from the MERLO Team. A second meeting will be scheduled to start concentrating on the area your club and the MERLO Team feels will provide the best results. This will be done by a specialist in that area. Help is on its way!

SEPTEMBER 2009

THE ‘OK’ YEAR

It’s definitely going to be an “OK” year.  This “OK” stands for Our Kids.  Most Lions District Governors pick a theme or emphasis for their year and this District Governor is no exception.  My challenge to each club in our District is to add at least one youth event they have never done before or double the efforts of a project they regularly do.

We have some of the best youth programs and the best chairpersons for these programs.  Let’s take advantage of the situation.  Do some brainstorming.  Go onto the Lions Club International website (www.lionsclubs.org).  You will find more project suggestions than you thought possible.  Maybe your club has an idea for a nontraditional project.  Your project could be a one-time event or an on-going program.  How about working with another organization or agency?  Maybe you would want to contact the Mexican Consulate or a local church to help with publicity.  Get creative!

My first “Bragging Rights” pin and certificate were presented at the 21A Cabinet meeting.  How do I find Lions to give my special pins to?  Someone has to nominate them.  The person letting me know about a special effort a Lion has put into a project could be a Zone Chairman, a Club President or other officer or a member of a committee.  Lion Amber Boyd, Secretary of the Buckeye Sundance Lions Club, recognized the special effort a team member put into a club project and nominated Lion Christy McAchran.  Their club donated ten backpacks full of supplies to each of the six area schools.  This is double last year’s effort.  It was Christy that made it happen and received my first “Bragging Rights” pin and certificate.  Congratulations, Christy!  Additional thanks to 1st VDG Art Downs, who provided assistance.  Keep your eyes open for our members that put in that extra effort.  It’s up to you to let me know who to give the pins to!

This is the year we are initiating a District Student Speakers program.  Lion Robin Daviet has agreed to head it up.  To start we are concentrating on high school juniors.  The responsibility of the club will be to contact the high school and to hold a contest at the club level.  Complete rules and instructions will be supplied.  Please call or email Robin for additional information (contact info listed below).  She will be setting up an organizational meeting in the near future.  What a great opportunity to have our Lions Clubs recognized in the community!

School has started.  For projects that need supplies (like Peace Posters and Flags for First Graders) please get them ordered now.  We have some unique opportunities for LEO clubs in partnering with 21-B.  They now have enough clubs to start a LEO district.  Our LEOs are invited to join them for conventions.  Maybe it’s time to think about sponsoring a LEO club.  All of our chairpersons are willing to come out to your club to present a program.

We all agree that we could give more service if we had more members.  What better way to make our communities aware of Lions than to present youth programs.  While you serve our youth and have fun doing it, you become our best ambassadors.  This presents unlimited opportunities to attract new members.  Good luck!

DISTRICT 21A YOUTH PROGRAMS CHAIRPERSONS

AUGUST 2009

District Governor 21A Column
Submitted by DG Ann Roberts, August Newsletter
“Move to Grow!”  New International Theme
Hello!    Your District Leadership and Fellow Lions are back from the 2009-2010 International Convention in Minneapolis!  What an exciting time to be a Lion!  We learned our new International President Eberhard Wirfs’ theme is “Move to Grow”.  We must take action to grow in humanitarian service, leadership development, club membership and international social understanding. 
President Wirfs has chosen the leaf of the gingko tree as the symbol of these lofty goals.  You will see a replica of the leaf on pins, stationary and the International website (www.lionsclubs.org).  For 280 million years the gingko tree has thrived around the world.  This living fossil has adapted to the earth’s changing environment.  The gingko has both male and female varieties and serves as a metaphor for Lions though out the world.  The world continues to change at a faster pace than ever before so we too must move to grow.  Without constant change and new activities we will stagnate. 
Our mission this coming Lionistic year is two-fold.  First, it is up to us to provide activities that will attract new members.  Look for people with expertise and talent to join us.  And second, we must move to increase public awareness of what Lions do in our individual communities, our nation and the world.
ON THE DISTRICT FRONT:
You asked for a FUN RAISER and here it is!  Sunday afternoon, August 30th join your Lion friends, your neighbors, your families (including the grandkids) for Lions Day at the Ballpark!  Game time is 1:10 pm to watch the Diamondbacks vs. the Houston Astros at Chase Field.  Lions will be seated in the All You Can Eat section in the Insight Diamond Level.  Tickets are only $27.50.  Call PID Dave Roberts (928/684-7989) or email LionDaveR@aol.com.  Get a group together.  Don’t want to drive all the way downtown and have to park?  How about going downtown on the light rail?
HISTORIC FACT:
“Lions have changed my life.  I would never have been ambitious enough to seek the Governorship of Georgia had it not been for Lions.  I would never have dreamed of being President of the United States had it not been for Lions.”  Quote:  Past District Lions Governor and Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

JULY 2009

“Roll Out Those Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer for Summer Almost is Here!”
You said there’s nothing to do this summer.  You said all your club does is work and never has any fun.  You asked for a FUN RAISER and here it is!  Sunday afternoon, August 30th join your Lion friends, your neighbors, your families (including the grandkids) for Lions Day at the Ballpark!  Game time is 1:10 pm to watch the Diamondbacks vs. the Houston Astros at Chase Field.  Lions will be seated in the All You Can Eat section in the Insight Diamond Level.  Tickets are only $27.50.  Don’t want to drive all the way downtown?  Park at one of the free parking lots and pay a small fee to take the light rail.  It stops right in front of the stadium.  Thanks to the Lions Foundation of Arizona for sponsoring this event.  For more information contact PID Dave Roberts at LionDaveR@aol.com.
CHANGE!  We seem to hear that word a lot lately whether nationally or at the local Lion’s Club level.  Our 21A District has some changes taking place.  You’ll hear more about them at our Kick Off in Wickenburg on August 8th.  I promise you more fun than business!  Get your reservations in now.
The Governor’s Contest will be replaced by Bragging Rights club certificates and pins.  As your District Governor my emphasis will be on Kids Programs.  All clubs will be urged to add a program or activity for kids or double an existing kids program.  The program could be purchasing and filling backpacks for school.  It might cost nothing other than time by having the club regularly volunteer to help with a children’s reading program at a Public Library.  Work through a church or the Mexican Consulate to put on a well-baby clinic or children’s nutrition program.  Lions Clubs International website has a multitude of ideas.  New programs rejuvenate enthusiasm within your club and may be a public relations opportunity to help you get new members.  Let us know what you’ve done by sending me an e-mail.  (Your activities will be published in this column along with pictures.)
Question of the Month:  “Our club can’t find a restaurant with a meeting room.  Are there clubs that don’t have a meal associated with their meetings?  Do we have to have a meal?  Give us some suggestions on where we might try to find a meeting room other than a restaurant.”  Please email your suggestions and possible future questions to:  LionAnnR@aol.com.
DID YOU KNOW:  The first Lions Club in Arizona to be chartered was the Phoenix Downtown Lions Club on April 19, 1923.  The Tucson Lions Club was charted on April 26, 1923.  These dates are according to LCI.  A combined Charter Night was held on May 5, 1923 in Phoenix.

DG Ann Roberts