Minutes of the Pooler Lions Club Meet and Greet held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Lovezzolla’s Family Restaurant, Pooler, Georgia.
Attendees:
Fred Bryant, Ed. Bogan, Windy Bogan, Len Cutuli, Rosemary Cutuli, Lana Hahn, Pastor Herb Hubbard, Karla Italiano, Diana Lotz, Brandie Menees, Aurelia Moss, Ginette Morrison, Hung Nguyen, Patricia Ratcliffe, Carol Reddington, Barbara Scantlebury, Terry Strubbe, Cindy Weimer.
Guests
1st Vice District Gov. John Goodin, Chris Hayes, Arelys Scali, Joseph Scali, Terry Stachera, Skip Stachera
Call to order:
The meeting was called to order at 6.33pm. President Brandie said the prayer, led the pledge and welcomed members and guests.
Guest Speaker:
Lion Len Cutuli introduced our guest speaker, 1st Vice District Governor, John Goodin. Lion Len explained that in order to rise to such a position in Lionism, one had to have held many offices in the Club over the years. For example, one had to have been a former Club President, Zone Chair, Secretary/Treasurer for the Cabinet. One also had to spend much time in training as a 2nd Vice District Governor and also receive training about Leader Dogs.
1st Vice District Governor, Lion John stated that he is from Augusta, GA and that Lion Len encouraged him to accept this position. Lion John stated that he is currently working on bringing Augusta Lions Clubs together. He endeavors to embrace a slogan from the District Governor:
“We Serve, because We CARE.”
C…Co-operation
A…Action
R…Relevance
E…Encouragement
He stated that the goal of Lionism is to have 1.5 million members worldwide by the year 2027. To achieve this goal the District Governor has thrown out a challenge for each Club to have a net growth of at least three
(3) members by next year when his term ends.
He also stated that each Club should ensure that all of its officers are trained in order to enable them to perform their responsibilities effectively. Clubs should also be diligent in reporting the Service that is done by their members. He informed that 44 out of 48 Lions Clubs are located in declared disaster areas.
He also encouraged members to attend the upcoming Conventions, namely, the District Convention in Lyons GA, March 7-8, 2025, and the State Convention in Dublin, GA, May 30-June1st, 2025.
In the Q/A session that followed, Lion Brandie asked Lion John to share what he loved by being a Lion.
His response focused mainly on ‘Service’: Having the opportunity to serve and be of service to others.
Lion John donated his token of appreciation to the Hurricane Relief program.
Project Updates and Opportunities:
– Trunk or Treat: This event which took place on Saturday October 19th was reported to have been a great success.
– Lion Brandie reported that for the Veterans Day Restaurant event,
volunteers are needed to hand out flags to Veterans at various restaurants. Lions interested in participating in this event please contact Lion Brandie.
– Volunteers are also needed to place flags along HWY 80 on Saturday
November 2nd, 2024. Interested Lions please contact Lion Len or Lion Hung.
– Lion Len motioned that the left-over items from the recent Yard Sale
should be donated to the Douglas Lions Club. Lion Barbara seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
– Lion Len thanked Lion Carol for the amazing job she has done in her effort to help the Club in the process of acquiring transportation to take the boxes of gowns to Samaritans Purse.
– Tharros Place project needs an additional partner to complete the team.
– Lion Windy would appreciate any help packing Candy Boxes on
Thursday November 7th. Anyone who is able to offer such service please contact her.
– Lion Bonnie reported that the Vision Screening program had done more than 7000 screenings so far this year. The program has also been extended to Effingham county.
Upcoming Events:
*On Wednesday November 13th, 2024, at 6.00pm, interested Members are asked to meet at the Pooler YMCA to prepare Kits for the Homeless.
These kits will be distributed to schools, the Savannah Mission and other community organizations.
*Preparing Thanksgiving packages for the Loaves and Fishes program will take place on Saturday November 23rd. Lions who want to help with this project please report at 12.30pm to pack the boxes.
*Packing boxes for Second Harvest will take place on Saturday November 30th, 2024. Lion Terry reported that at their last packing session, the Lions packed 432 boxes in 90 minutes.
*The annual Christmas Party is scheduled to take place at 6.00pm on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at the Pooler YMCA.
The Touch-a-Truck event is scheduled for February 23, 2025. More info to follow.
Fundraising:
Enmarket Arena Concessions:
Our Club has partnered with The Islands Marsh and River Lions Club on this project. Lion Karla explained the process to be undertaken in order to get trained to work at Enmarket. An email will be sent at a later date with information on this procedure.
The 2025 Golf Tournament Committee has begun to plan for the 2025 tournament. New members are needed for this committee. Next year will be the 10th year for this tournament and so the Club would like to make it a very special event.
Business of the Month:
For the month of November, the Greater Pooler Chamber of Commerce Great Oaks Bank will be the Business of the Month.
Tail Twister and Spotlights:
Lion Rosemary who filled in for Lion Karen Nierle, taught us a ‘ball game’ called ”Toss the Ball”, where a decorated ball was tossed from one member to another and the one who caught the ball had to answer a question which was written on the ball.
Happy$s were donated as Members regaled us with their inspiring stories.
The Raffle was won by Lion Barbara. However, since she did not ‘pull’ the Joker, she received the consolation prize.
Lion Pastor Hubbard provided the Quote of the Month. It was a mantra of the great Michael Jordan, retired basketball player of the Chicago Bulls. “Some people wanted it to happen, some people wished it would happen, Others MADE it happen!
Adjournment
Lion Brandie gaveled the meeting at 7.45pm.
Respectfully Submitted
Barb. Scantlebury (Club Secretary)
