District Governor Blog

Hello all,

Just a quick reminder about our follow up meeting to the Summit SWOT analysis. Hope to see you all there!
It will start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10, and we will be done by 10:30 a.m. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of plan we can make for the future of our district and our clubs!
Please feel free to share this invite with anyone that you think might be interested. They don't have to have attended the first meeting in order to participate in this event.
Yours in Lionism, VDG Melissa Smith

Topic: District F SWOT Analysis Follow-up Meeting
Time: Apr 10, 2021 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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Melissa D. Smith
(208) 790-7746
mel.smith31514@gmail.com 

Dear Lion Dignitaries,

Three weeks from now will be our District 19A Spring Conference which will be held on Saturday April 24, 2021 via Zoom.

You are cordially invited to attend our biggest Annual Event. We are honored to have ID Gary Brown to be our Guest of Honor and Speaker. We would be honored to have your presence.
Please favor me with your reply by return e-mails so that our Conference Chair will be happy to send you the Agenda and the link to join the meeting.

I look forward to welcoming you all and together we will share a day of wonderful memory.

With Best Wishes for a Happy Easter!

DG Hans Wong
District 19A

Dear District Governors and other Friends of Knights of the Blind, As you probably know, meetings of MD19 Lions Knights of the Blind Committee are open to all interested parties.  Attached are last months minutes, pending approval, as well as our April Agenda and ZOOM information. Please feel welcome to join  us this Tuesday. In Lionism, Colette Arvidson, SecretaryMD19 Lions Knights of the Blind On behalf of KOTB Chair, Andy Arvidson

KOTB Meeting Agenda – Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 6:30-8:00 PM

Here is the ZOOM link information for this and upcoming meetings:

MD19 Knights of the Blind, March 2, 6:30 PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86250213577?pwd=RVJub3RhcVo5ZUFMRERuM3pGT2JpZz09Meeting ID: 862 5021 3577    Passcode: 223596One tap mobile   +12532158782,,86250213577#,,,,*223596# 

6:30PM Call to order, Welcome, and directions from Vice Chair on ZOOM protocol:

If you are not speaking it is best to stay muted to block background noises. After you speak, please remember to go back on mute. PC:  Raise/lower hands: Alt Y    Mute/Unmute: Alt A                        Mac Computer:  Raise/lower hands: Option Y, Mute/Unmute: Command Shift A Smart phone App:  Raise/lower hands: More at lower right hand corner find option raise hand,  Mute/Unmute: Mute button on lower left hand corner                        Land line phone:  Raise/lower hands: *9    Mute/Unmute: *6                         Raise hands to speak, participants will say their name before speaking, limit comments to 2 minutes per person, all who want to must have a chance to speak before a second comment on same topic 

6:35 Roll Call, Approval of February Meeting minutes (attached), Secretary’s Report: Approve March 2, 2021 minutes.

6:40 Chair Report

6:50 Vice Chair Report

7:00 Snohomish Sight & Hearing Foundation report: Janet George

7:10 Tech Committee Report: Judy Jones

7:15    District Rep Guidelines:

          Create your contact list. DG, Zone Reps, Clubs, DGs want monthly updates          Provide monthly report of activities/calls to KOTB          Identify number of blind or visually impaired members in your District          Connect with local clubs          Share info from minutes and/or write article for District Newsletters          Meet with KOTB Chair or Vice Chair if needed 

7:25 Helen Keller Birthday Celebration Proposal: Art Ruben

7:40 Lions Memorial Garden: Art Ruben

7:50 New business

8:00 Adjourn

In Lionism, Colette Arvidson, SecretaryMD19 Lions Knights of the Blind Committee

Hello District Lions,
The District Contest and Awards Chair Larry Carley wanted me to pass this information along to all of you. Please take a few minutes to look at the attachment.
Thank you Lions, Sincerely, Ray
"Kindness does Matter when Serving in our Communities...."

Here's an outline of our prep for 2021 (virtual) Seaperch Challenge - Club heard about my similar experience and interest and offered to sponsor an underwater robotics team. Started with academics in October to cover: DC electricity basics (Ohms law - volts, amps, resistance; How DC powers the ROV thrusters (motors) and controlled with DPDT switches, troubleshoot with a multimeter; Practice soldering skills; Archimedes Buoyancy principles - how to make the ROV neutrally buoyant - not sink or float, and vehicle dynamics/performance. Design/modify ROV from kit form. From November to the present - practice and modifying ROV tools used to accomplish the tasks outlined in the Challenge; Submitted application for Challenge qualification:  Work on required Engineering Report, practice for the live interview with Seaperch judges Must complete engineering report and videos of ROV working on mission tasks in the Aquatics Center entries by May 3, 2021. Seaperch Challenge results announced June 4-5,2021. A couple of photos attached for grins. Ella, Rachel, and Claire learning buoyancy laws;  and girls in the Workshop. There's more, of course!  

Thank you Asotin Lions Club

District F Lions,
On April 1st the District F Elections Committee will be sending out your voting instructions and ballots. The voting period is from April 1st until April 15th, please take the few minutes to read the instructions and submit your ballot(s).This is time sensitive.
Since we are having a Virtual Conference this year, we need to complete the elections in this manner.
Also please take the time to check with your Club Treasurer to see if your dues are current with MD19 and with LCI. If your dues are not current you will not be receiving your club ballot(s) on the 1st. Please do this now, after April 1st it will be too late for your to cast your ballot.
The results of this election will be announce on May 15th 2021 during our District F Spring Conference. A reminder that the Conference is virtual this year, the registration cost is only $5.00 and that includes 5 raffle tickets for some awesome gifts. The conference committee will be sending out information as we get closer. Please go to the website to register and to get more information about the Conference.
The website address is: http://www.19fdistrictgovernor.com 

Please register today!
Ray Fujiura
"Kindness does Matter when Serving in our Communities...."

Dear Lion,
Due to the continuing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the board of directors voted to transition the 2021 Montreal Lions Clubs International Convention to a virtual event that will be delivered totally online. This decision was made with the health and safety of our Lions, staff and vendors in mind as limiting international travel and large gatherings is key to global containment strategies. Although we are disappointed that we won’t be able to host this event in person, we are excited about hosting our first virtual international convention that can safely connect Lions from around the world. We are still finalizing the details of your new convention experience, and will share those with you as soon as they are ready. Here are some important details about the 2021 virtual convention we’d like to share with you:

• Everyone’s invited – Our 2021 convention will be a virtual event that’s open to all Lions and Leos around the world.
• Registration fees – The registration fee will be US$50 until March 31, then US$75 beginning April 1. The registration fee for Leos will be US$30 regardless of date. Convention is currently scheduled for June 25-29. Additional event and registration details will be provided soon.
• Current registrants – Lions who are currently registered for convention will receive an email soon with more information about their registration options.
• Elections – Executive officer and international director elections will be conducted electronically, and voting procedures will be forthcoming.
• Convention updates – Check our convention website LCICon for convention updates and details as they become available.

This global health pandemic has forced us all to make decisions and changes that place health and safety first. However, we are optimistic that with each new day there is hope, and as Lions, we continue to find new ways to stay connected, safely serve our communities and continue our global mission of service. We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time for our organization and the world, and thank you for your incredible service as a Lion.

Regards,

Dr. Jung-Yul Choi

International President 

I hope that 2021 finds all of you doing well.  I thought now would be a good time to send out another email to all the Clubs in the District.  The 2nd half of our Lions Year has officially begun.  
I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone that Lions Clubs International dues for the 2nd half are now due.  A reminder that our Multiple District dues for the second half are also due now.I have heard from a number of you that you are not receiving your dues statement.  If you would like to receive a paper statement mailed to you, ask your Treasurer to log into the LCI website ( lionsclubs.org ).  Once you are logged in, on the top left look for "My Lions Club." click on that and go down on the drop down to "Statement and Dues."Once you are there, you can click on the circle for "Opt in for Paper Statements."  Be sure your mailing information is correct.If you want paper statements for Multiple District 19, email: md19admin@lionsmd19.org and request a paper copy to be mailed to you.
Almost all of the LCI dues are current for the District Clubs, there are a few more clubs that still owe Multiple District 19 from the 1st half of our Lions year. Please check with your Treasurer to be sure you are current with LCI and MD 19 dues.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM ERIC MIURA? If you have, please share it with the rest of your Club. Eric is the MD 19 GAT Membership Chair and also the person responsible for creating the MD19 COVID Campaign website.Please take some time and go to this website and look at the information. The website address is: md19covidcampaign.com THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I HAVE RECEIVED IS.... "What are other Clubs doing now?"This website was created to share with all the clubs in the Multiple District what other clubs are doing. There are ideas for projects listed also.
Lions, we need to be active and visible in our communities. My club like most of you has had to cancel all of our annual activities, this does not mean that we cannot be visible and active in the community. Please look at the website and my hope is that you can find ideas on thing you can do in and for your communities.
Vice District Governor Melissa Smith has been involved with a membership initiative that District F will be participating in. I asked her to share a few words about NAMI so you are all aware of our efforts. Please also share this information with your Clubs as you will be hearing more about this for the rest of this year and all of next year.The following is from Vice District Governor Melissa:

"If you haven't heard anything about the North American Membership Initiative (NAMI) allow me to correct that oversight. NAMI is a project by Lions International to help rejuvenate districts, revitalize clubs, and re-motivate Lions in Constitutional Areas 1 & 2 (United States and Canada respectively). This is an ongoing project that District 19F has unofficially joined for the 2020-2021 Lions year. Currently we are looking for Lions in our district to join us in performing a SWOT analysis of MD19-F. (SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.) By performing this analysis we hope to set plans and goals for the District in the near future. We are looking for any and all Lions who would like to participate, so whether you are a current or past club officer, a new or a seasoned Lion, and/or someone who wants to voice feedback about our District ... we want you! Please note that those who attend this discussion will not be obligating themselves to anything beyond this discussion, unless you would like to participate further. If you would like to be added to a list of participants for this discussion, please reach out to VDG Melissa Smith at mel.smith31514@gmail.com or DG Ray Fujiura at raytater_99@yahoo.com."Vice District Governor Melissa SmithPotlatch Lions Club

Lions, this is one of the most important things that we as a District will need to do. We as a District must increase our membership numbers. This has to be our number one priority for the rest of this year into the future. I understand that it will be difficult especially now, that is why we need to continue to be visible during COVID. We also need to stay in touch with one another to continue to support and provide encouragement to each other.Consider joining our team to complete the SWOT analysis. We need your feed back, it is vital so we have a better understanding of what our challenges are.

I wanted to let you know about a new MD19 committee called "Knights of the Blind."This committee was formed during the winter Council of Governors meeting. Knights of the Blind are now gathering information regarding low vision and blind Lions in our district. If you have a low vision or blind person in your Lions Club let us know. Our district representative to Knights of the Blind is Sally Mayo from the Yakima Lions Club.The purpose of this group is to encourage, aid and support our low vision and blind members. What are the needs of our low vision and blind members?

In closing, I would ask that you discuss with your Clubs, the possibility of making a donation to LCIF. Especially now with so much need around the country and the world, your donation is really needed.As of my last report, District F as a district has donated less than $1000 to LCIF. This is well below previous years, I encourage you to make a donation, even if it is only $25. Everything you donate will be of help. Remember that individuals can also donate directly to LCIF by going to lionsclubs.orgI know that in past years, the District Governor has been able to travel to all clubs and meet and visit with you. At this time the DG usually encourages donations to Leader Dogs for the Blind, CARE and LCIF. Because of COVID I have not been able to do this. I can however ask you to bring this to your club and please consider making these donations.
Thank you District F Lions for being Lions and working to serve your communities.ALSO please ask your Secretaries to be sure to report all activities that the Club or that Club members may be participating in.Helping at your local food bank is a reportable item. We need to know what are doing for your communities.Please also remember that Kindness does Matter in your Service.
Sincerely,
Ray Fujiura

District F Cabinet Members and District F Lions Clubs,
I received and email form Andy Arvidson who is the first Chairperson for the MD 19 "Knights of the Blind" Committee.He discussed this at the last MD19 Council of Governors meeting.
Below is a description from Andy on what the purpose of the Committee is:
"As the first Chair of the newly formed MD19 KOTB Committee I will be working with our elected District Representatives to contact all District Governors, Zone Chairs and Lions Club Presidents to inform them of what we are, who we are and the main purpose that we are striving to achieve as a committee, as noted in our Mission Statement: To accept and act upon the Helen Keller challenge made to Lions to become the "Knights Of The Blind," which includes the improvement of the quality of life for people who are blind and visually impaired."

I have also attached the complete attachment that he recently sent to me.  If you or any of your members have interest in becoming active with this committee, please send Andy an email.  His email address is at the top.
Thank you District F Lions for all you do.
Sincerely,Ray FujiuraDiistrict Governor

"Kindness Matters when Serving our Communities..."

I regret to inform you that after consulting with my conference committee, we have decided to cancel our District Conference that was scheduled for March 19th and 20th of 2021.
My committee members PDG Melba Fujiura and PDG Larry Carley are however working on putting together a virtual Conference for Saturday March 20th.
Sincerely,
Ray Fujiura District F Governor
"Kindness Matters when Serving our Communities...:

District F Lions, In my last email to you I spoke about a new project that MD 19 was undertaking. As I visit with Clubs one of the most asked questions I get is, "what are other clubs doing now? "This is the information MD 19 is trying to track and share with everyone in the Multiple District.
This email was sent to all the Club Presidents and Secretaries in the Multiple District, I sent out a "heads-up" to look for it a week or so ago. Please, please take some time to look at the website and participate. There are clubs in this district that are still working on projects, we want your input so please send your information to Eric Miura. His email address is listed on the website. Eric is looking for both your success and also things that have not been successful.
I felt this was important enough to send it out to you also. We need to continue to meet as Lions ,we need to continue to do projects as Lions, we need to be visible in our Communities and WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS.
Thank you Lions for all you do in your communities.
Sincerely,
Ray Fujiura
"Kindness Matters when Serving our Communities..."