Welcome New Lions
A new club has been formed at Monona in Distriot NE. Welcome Monona Lions. Charter Night actiovities are currently being planned for late Spring. Look here for more information when it becomes available.
Both Oskaloosa and Dallas Center are closing in on the twenty members to start a new club. New clubs will be formed in Nora Springs, Epworth and Central City within the next month. If you know of any one in these communities that should be contacted, please let the State Office or the respective District Governor know.
Mid Winter Leadership Conference
The 2010 Mid Winter Leadership Conference at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines January 8-10 was an outstanding success. Congratulations to Planning committee Chairperson PDG Gene Braddock and his committee. 2nd International Vice President Dr. Wing Kun Tam from Hong Kong was our honored guest. Many outstanding speakers were heard from and many outstanding seminars were held. A complete review can be found in the February "Iowa Lion". Make plans to attend the 2010 State Convention also at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines. Dates are June 4-6, 2010. More information will be available shortly.
Membership Totals to Date
Through December our Districts have done very well on maintaining or growing our membership. Net changes from July 1, 2009 for each District are: EC -46; MC +19; NC +5; NE +12; NW -3; SE -16 and SW -10. Our total decrease is 39. This report does not include the new club at Monona which was chartered on January 6, 2010. One more new club and we have a positive membership growth in Iowa. Who's going to help find that club or more?
IOWA LIONS FOUNDATION UPDATE
We as Iowa Lions have an opportunity to help meet the needs of our Iowa Lions Foundation by making an individual donation. For a donation of $20 or more you receive an "I Gave" pin. This year's pin is gold and green. A new pin is issued each year with this being the fourth year. Pins from the first three years are available from the State Office for $20 or more each. Contact your Iowa Lions Foundation Trustee or the State Office to become a donor to support the Foundation.
As we end the year and if you are looking for a non-profit charity to donate money, have you thought about donating to the Iowa Lions Foundation? The Iowa Lions Foundation is a 501c3 tax exempt non for profit corporation. Donations are tax deductible. For donations amounting to $1000 in a three year period, Warren Coleman Honorary Awards, can be awarded. If you are already a Wareen Coleman recipient a progressive program now exists. For additional donations in $1000 increments pins showing your level can be obtained. For more information contacy us at the State Office.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE AT A COST SAVINGS
At the International Convention in Chicago an amendment was passed that could be a big help in recruiting younger members. Any person 18 years of age or older and enrolled in an educational institution can join a Lions club and pay only ˝ of the regular International dues of $39 per year. This applies to students in Campus Clubs, but also applies to students in all clubs as long as they are a student. We have started our first Campus club in Iowa and hopefully we will have more campus clubs to report soon. Campus club members do not pay a new member fee and their dues is roughly $35 a year. Paying the membership fees might be a gift idea for some person 18-30 enrolled in higher education. This also would be a way to keep our graduating LEOs in Lions while they prepoare for their adult life.
FAMILY DUES BREAKS AT STATE AND INTERNATIONAL
There still seems to be some confusion on the Family Dues issue. At the International Convention in Boston in 2006, the delegates passed an amendment to the International Constitution. This amendment provided for a family dues structure. Up to five Lions in the same family, living at the same address and belonging to the same Lions Club are eligible. One member of the family is designated as the head of household and up to four more can be listed as members in the same household. The dues for the first member is currently $39 per year and for the other members of the family it is currently $19.50 per member. The “Family Dues” rules apply also to State of Iowa dues for 2008-2009 will be $15 per year for the first member and $8 for additional family members. To qualify at the State level the Club secretary must send the names of family members to the State Office in Ames. Failure to do so will mean no family discount on State Dues. Most of our Districts have adopted a District dues of $5 per year. If you have any questions please contact us at your State Office.
NEED A NEW SOURCE TO RAISE FUNDS? TRY LION MINTS
The State Office is the official distributor of Lion Mints for the State. There are four flavors available: peppermint; wintergreen, fizzy fruit and a sugar free spearmint. If you need mints please let us know. Mints can be picked up in Ames or shipped directly to you for a $5 shipping charge. Lion Clubs of Iowa receives money to help meet the budget from the sale of these mints. For more information contact us at iowalions@aol.com or 515-232-2215.
COME SEE US!!!!
Tours of your State Office are available upon request. While here you can see how your State Office functions. We do have a conference room where you could hold a meeting. If your Club is looking for a "road trip" meeting, come visit us.
