Monday, May 7, 2012

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

The MD 49 2012 Convention was a great success. Valdez was a beautiful setting. 92 attended, the weather was fantastic, food delicious and things ran smoothly. PDG Billy Williams and Copper Center Lions and Leos did an outstanding job. I am sure those not involved in the orchestration of this can’t even imagine the time and effort that went into the convention planning and actually seeing it through. Again Thanks to Billy and Crew.

A big thanks to Lion Karan Hupperten, without her assistance, I would never have been able to get the job done. I now fully understand the difference between a cabinet meeting and convention meeting.

For me it was wonderful to see everyone there, even though I stayed pretty busy and didn’t get to socialize much. My plans are to be back in August for the cabinet meeting and will have time to visit/socialize more with everyone.

This year has been a wonderful experience and the convention brought together many of the things we worked on during the year. I know that you are in very capable hands with DGE Esther West leading the team.

Congratulations to 1st VDGE Lewis Quinn and 2nd VDGE Cindy Beardsley as they go to the new year.

Remember the new membership plan 2nd VDG Lewis Quinn talked about at the convention. Keep up the unselfish work that each of you do to make the world a better place to live in.

Yours in Lionism
Dottie Vasquez
District Governor 49A, 2011-2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

From the District 49A Webmaster...

I'm still in a daze from the MD 49 2012 convention. Lion of the Year for district 49A. Wow, that certainly wasn't expected. It is truely a humbling experience when I saw my name name next to the names of Lions that not only are deeply respected within the district but many of which are the Lions that I look to for guidance, and insight, my role models. Granted there are many names there that I only know in passing, and some I don't know at all, but the ones that I do recognize on this trophy have my deepest respect and admiration, and frankly, I still don't feel worthy to be counted in such highly esteemed company.

As such, I've created a page to keep a record of the current and past Lions of the Year for District 49A which can be accessed through the Documents page or by going directly to this Link: http://49a-lions.org/Documents/Records/LionOfTheYear.php

Moving forward with the website and District 49A Informaiton Technology in General. I have so many things that I have on my to-do list, and precious little time to work on it. Between My work projects, my club projects, and my family, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. some things I have on my back burner include: Changing the layout of the Bullitin Board Forums (The Lion's Den) to dynamically mirror the layout of the remainder o fthe website. Using the Bullitin Board Forums (The Lion's Den) to create a quick and easy way for the District Officers to Update/Modify entries to the Home Page and the Calendar page. Change the Calendar page layout so that it has Optionally either a list feel or more of a weekly or monthly calendar feel. create a Memorial Page for Lions who have Passed. Create a Frequently Asked Questions Page. Create some district wide Informaiton Technology support by leveraging other Informaiton Technology savvy Lions and Leos to assist with this internal support endeavor.

Gregory Nelson
District Webmaster 49A

Friday, April 20, 2012

I hope every club will consider hosting a contest for our next Peace Poster contest in November. The theme is “Imagine Peace” and the kits are available from LCI for $10.95. It is a good idea to order them now as they have been known to run out. The contest is for children ages 11, 12 and 13 by November 15. All rules are on the LCI website.

I have truly enjoyed my involvement with the Peace Poster contests and Girdwood will continue to submit entries. I am also pleased that Mary Pederson from Sleeping Lady Lions Club has agreed to take over as chairman to support incoming DGE Esther and the Lions of 49A.

Respectfully submitted,
Lion Kathy Trautner
2011-2012 District 49A Peace Poster Contest/Lions Service for Children Committee Chair
2011-2012 President, Girdwood Turnagain Arm Lions

Camp Abilities Fund Challenge

The Spenard Lions will match every donation given to 2012 Camp Abilities by other Lions clubs up to a total to $5,000.00.

Support for Blood Mobile Project

Fellow Lions, I ask that your club Board of Directors consider supporting the District project adopted by the Cabinet and as DG Dottie’s priority(pet) project. You will recall that the project is to provide $30K to the Blood Bank of Alaska to refurbish its older Blood Mobile vehicle which needs mechanical repairs and upgrading of its blood collection equipment .to current standards. The Blood Bank in return is to do the following for the Lions: 1).add Lions logo to BOTH SIDES of current vehicle which is about 2 years old, 2)add Lions logo’s to new vehicle to be purchased and placed in service in the next 2-3 years, 3). Include Lions as long-term partners in their fund raising program to build a new $50 Million Blood Bank facility in the upcoming 2-3 year time frame.

The need for a viable life nurturing source of clean purified blood for the Alaskan citizenry is certainly a cause that the Lions can proudly be associated with now and in the future. It will be great to see that Lions logo on the 3 Blood Mobile vehicles traversing Alaska collecting blood. I hope to raise the first half of this commitment ($l5K) by convention time in Valdez. We have established a ‘line item’ in the District Foundation account to collect the funds, or you can bring your funds to the ‘Parade of Checks’ at Valdez. Your consideration and support of this project will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Finis J. Shelden
PCC MD 49 LIONS
DISTRICT 49A PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

ANCHORAGE LIONS	$1000
BENTON BAY	500
CHUGIAK	500
EAGLE RIVER	250
SPENARD	Pledged $5000 over 3 years
MULDOON	250
LCI MATCHING PR FUNDS $1750 for 2011-12 / Upon receipt from LCI