Do Lions Clubs have Exclusive rights Geographically??

This blog today is the second in a series to providing information of use to the clubs in District 2-S3. The issue that has come up more frequently lately concerns the rights

of the clubs to have geographic exclusive rights to their city or town for membership recruitment. The International Association Of Lions Clubs as an organization only grants 

geographical rights to Multiple Districts and to Sub Districts within the Multi District and that is on a County basis. District 2-S3 is exclusive to nine counties in Texas. Those

are Burnet, Blanco, Bastrop, Comal, Caldwell, Hays, Milam, Williamson and Travis.

Clubs within a district have no geographical exclusive rights but they have the right to their meeting time and name. No other club in that community can have the same time or 

name that is still in use by an active club. As communities population grows a community that may have supported one club for many years is now faced with a community 

that is under served. The need to expand Lionism in United States is leading to extension in those communities that are under served and rightfully so. As your District Governor

I am tasked to see that all that what to serve are afforded an opportunity. With that mandate I will reveal that my extension plans are to put in a minimum of 5 clubs in the counties 

of Burnet, Williamson, Travis and Milam.

Early in our Lions History we had cooperation between the clubs. Such clubs as New Braunfels (noon Today) and Austin Founders (Downtown today) actually helped to put in 

Breakfast and Evening clubs in New Braunfels and Austin Founders spun off and founded many of the Austin clubs. These times call for some of that same cooperation and 

leadership to recognize that it is better to be in a position of influence that sitting on the sideline and have life pass you by. Next week is the first of 3 Extension Workshops.

This workshop will provide our 1st opportunity to train new guiding lions  to grow our list of certified guiding lions On Monday the 23rd a team will be blitzing the town of Bartlet, Tx

in Williamson County and On Tuesday the 24th the team or teams will be in Marble Falls blitzing for an evening Club. Club leaders if you would like to contact me about the 

other extension projects I will gladly discuss it with you one on one.

Clubs that help me out this year in extension of clubs will receive some recognition at the end of the year at the District Convention. Expansion of community service is 

the name of the game. There are several ways to help. First supply at least 2 members to be certified as guiding lions per club, Second consider to being a Parent Club  of

 a Branch club or Sponsor a New Club, and third suggest a location for a new club or branch club.

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Michael Smith
District Governor
Lions District 2S3
830-708-3007

District Election Rules and Awards Open To Club To Give!

This blog article is the first in a series of articles that will come out on Wednesday, that will detail some of the items a club can use and  some important information that needs to be passed on to the lion Members of this District.

How do I get on the ballot for a District elected position?

All of the following elected positions follow this same rule: District Governor,1st Vice District Governor 

Both positions require a resolution of support from their clubs(signifying a good standing in the club) and said resolution should be read into the minutes of one of the Cabinet meetings of the sitting District Governor. There is no opposition allowed for these ballot positions(progressive process) If not presented at cabinet meeting  the 30 days prior to District Convention deadline applies.

2nd Vice District Governor

More than one candidate can submit a resolution from their clubs in support of the members candidacy for this position. Resolutions are read at one of the cabinet meetings of the sitting District Governor The ultimate deadline if not read at a cabinet meeting is 30 days prior to District Convention.

TLC Elected Director

A director is elected every year to Texas Lions Camp, One from the South in the odd years and one from the north in the even years. each director is elected for a two year term. A resolution of support from their club is required and must be read into the cabinet minutes of the sitting District Governor or be in hand of the District Governor 30 days prior to the District Convention.

Lonestar Lions Eyebank Director

Directors are elected for 3 year terms and there is a director for each region in the district and one at large director. Every year there are 2 directors that must face re-election. each director needs to obtain a resolution of support from their club and read it into the minutes of the cabinet meeting of the sitting Governor or have it delivered to the Governor no later than 30 days prior to the District convention.

The deadline for all resolutions in the 2010/2011 lions year is April 13, 2011

What Awards are available at the District Level ?

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There are awards to recognize individual Lions and there are the club awards.  The recognition awards for individual lions must be supported by a resolution of the club to award an individual.That resolution should spell out why the club wants to honor this individual.

Silver Spur

Given to a New Lion in their first year of membership for some outstanding service to the club or community.

Gold Spur
Given to a experienced Lion for some outstanding service to the club or community.

Harry Reasonover

The highest award given solely to members of District 2-S3. The selection is based on the outstanding service over a number of years in the District.

For more details Visit Club Resources on the district 2-S3 website. or click here

The deadline for all resolutions for awards in the 2010/2011 lions year is April 13, 2011

New Braunfels Evening Lions Sponsors Youth Opportunities Fair

Wednesday evening July 21 2010, I was invited by the New Braunfels Evening Lions club to their " Youth Opportunities Fair". Several youth organizations were represented such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, New Braunfels Little League and various other youth sports and youth activities were also represented. The organizations also help sell the fair and from what I saw it was well attended.

The Evening club manned an information booth for lions and passed out popcorn and snowcones to the children while their parents went from booth to booth picking up information packets and some were enrolling in the Fall activites even that night. Speaking with a few of the officers present they were planing on making this event an annual one.

I was impressed that there were that many organizations represented including our Texas Lions Camp. My real purpose there was to offer encouragement and be available to speak to those attending that wanted additional information on the other four clubs in New Braunfels. This is a fine

example of a youth Service project that is hands on and visable in our community.

Congratulations to New Braunfels Evening Lions Club!!

TEXAS DELEGATION PREPARING TO MARCH IN SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

Forty Delegates to the 93 international convention in Sydney dressed in our Texas Parade uniforms gathered in Hyde Park in Sydney on Tuesday June 29^th, 2010. Our Texas Leos were stationed with the rest of the Leos of the world closer to the beginning of the parade (2 Leos and 2 Leo advisors) Came back to the end of the parade and marched again with the Texas delegation.

Texas was closer to the end of the parade so we stepped off closer to 2 pm. The parade went down the oldest streets in Sydney downtown area from St Mary's Cathedral down past the old Hospital and Conservatory and past the Royal Botanical gardens down to the harbor and ended a short distance from the Sydney Opera House. It was fun for this first timer and I am looking forward to marching in Seatle in 2011 as well. Our Music was different although we had a band on a truck. The band was a jass type band you have not lived to here the yellow rose of Texas in a jass beat. The consensus of the group was we had a great time.

Make your plans to join the Texas Delegation for the 94 international Convention in Seattle, Wa July 4^th through the 8^th 2011. I want to thank all Texans that came to Sydney. I know this first-timer had a great time in Sydney.

2010/2011 Lions Club Officers Elections-Are you Prepared?

I have addressed the importance of the election of Lion Club officers for 2010-2011 be started sooner in order for
the PU101 reports to come in by April 15th deadline. I hope all the club Presidents have at least started the process.
I know of one that has and my own club president started in January and this coming Tuesday our membership will
vote our slate of officers and we should have our pu101 report in by March 1st.

I only mention that to spur on any of you that have not yet started the process.
If you need help or your having  trouble let me know by leaving a comment here

April 15th is Coming Soon!  So take your Action Soon!

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Where Oh Where Is That Leo Chair?

As 1st Vice District Governor I have been looking for my 2010/2011 cabinet positions. The one position on the cabinet for next year that I need the most now is a new face as Leo Chair. I have approached several active lion sponsors or advisors to Leo Clubs and have been turned down cold.

This District has 16 Leo clubs currently active and this District is slated to host a state Leo Forum in November 2010. The task looks daunting at first, but it is vital that we succeed. I know that I am seeking a person that does not shy away from a challenge. I plan to support this person in that I want to bring Leos to the forfront in our District and my support of new ideas to accomplish this feat. Having the State Leo Council choose this District to host the forum speaks highly of our District Leo Clubs.

I am seeking a lion in this District that can take our District Leo program to the next level. My vision for the future of Leo Program in this District is not a complicated one- My plans are only a 2 new Leo clubs formed in 2010-2011 and a net plus 1 in the existing clubs. I will attempt to work a visit to several of the Leos when I am in the community visiting the regular Lions club.

I invite your comments on my post here, But if you are a lion in District 2S3 and you are moved to take up my challenge to take the Leo program to the next level then email me so we can talk.