Champaign Lion's Chatter

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Call to Order – President Weldon Garrelts called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Invocation – David Hunter: We thank Thee, Lord, for this food and that we can see. Guide us in our efforts to help those who may not be so fortunate. Amen. Vittles – Lasagna, green beans and corn, salad and toppings, garlic bread, blueberry pie, tea and coffee.

Attendance – 22 members, 1 visitor. Guests – Larry (Husband of Fonda Bowden). Birthdays – Rex Hess, Ted Gonsiorowski.

Lions Report – Bob Sprague, previous member had surgery and is now at home. If you are ill or know a fellow Lion that is under the weather, please call Pat Bryan at 586-4535.

Announcements – Weldon Garrelts announced the following activities: Herb Bail needs signups for eyeglass collections. “Follow your dream,” Encouraging Lions Club activities is the new motto presented by the new Lions Clubs International President, Barry J. Palmer, from Australia.

Lottery – Ben Turpin won the $11 lottery.

Program – Business Meeting. Secretary Fonda Bowden read the minutes of the July Board Meeting:

CHAMPAIGN LIONS CLUBBOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Minutes, July 2, 2013Present: President Weldon Garrelts, Past President Ted Gonsiorowski, 1st VP Charlie Osborne, 2nd VP Sam McGrew, Treasurer Karl Drake, Director Jay Hoeflinger, Director David Hunter, Lion Tamer Floyd Gordon, and Secretary Fonda Bowden Members Present: PDG Rich King and Lion Frank DuffMinutes of the Board of Directors Meeting, June 4, 2013, were approved with one amendment: Motion was made and seconded to support two campers to Camp Lions at a cost of $1,152.Treasurer’s reports: Karl Drake presented Treasurer’s report for the month ending June 30, 2013 for Board review and discussion. As of June 30 the General Fund has $2,823.14, $5,667.05 in the Charities Fund and $2,965.64 in the Endowment Fund. The reports were accepted as presented.Assistant Treasurer Rich King said he will have dues bills ready for distribution at the meeting tomorrow.1st VP Charlie Osborne has a plan for investment of the endowment fund as soon as it reaches $3,000, where it will earn 2 or 3% and no fees. He will keep Karl Drake informed and the Board of Directors will provide oversight.2nd VP Sam McGrew has assumed the role of program chairman. He has a good start but needs suggestions for speakers from members.Director Jay Hoeflinger now has details for the Women in Transition project. We will mulch the playground at a cost of about $300 (131 bags of mulch at $2 each + delivery). We will need about 10 to 15 people to do the work. This project is to be used to include prospective members who are interested in helping the community, getting to know us, and possibly becoming a member. He will set the date on Saturday, June 13, 20 or 27. We will also be power washing their building for them.President Garrelts listed several goals for this year, including increasing membership and additional fundraising such as a food stand or fish dinner. He plans to attend the Monticello clubs fish dinner and find out how they do it. Sam McGrew suggested a bingo game the Fisher Club used as a fundraiser. Suggestions for other fundraising activities are welcome.Eyeglass collection help: A sign-up sheet will be passed around so that Herb Bail will have a person assigned monthly to assist with collections.A list of 2013—2014 activities and person in charge was discussed. The meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.Respectfully submitted by Fonda Bowden, SecretaryJuly 8, 2013

Weldon Garrelts announced the list of members with Perfect Attendance for last year: Herbert Bail, Byron Balbach, Omer Benn, Fonda Bowden, Weldon Garrelts, Ted Gonsiorowski, Floyd Gordie Gordon, Jay Hoeflinger, Dave Hunter, Bill JohnsonRich King, Homer Kuder, Paul Kunkel, David Lin, Sam McGrew, Charlie Osborne, Marvin Paulsen, Kathy Struck, Ed Tichenor and Bob Tuchel.

And Fonda handed out the pins

President Garrelts also gave a plaque to our Past President, Ted Gonsiorowski.

Jay Hoeflinger gave us the details for the Women in Transition project. Home Depot will deliver the mulch free. The location is 1304 E. Main across from VFW, Urbana.

Know Your Lion - Frank Duff presented Lion Ben Turpin, who has been a Lion for about 4 years. Weldon Garrelts sponsored him in our Club.

Ben is a board certified hearing specialist with Audibel, the last American owned Hearing Aid Company.

He grew up in Rochester, IL. They lived outside of town, rode bikes a lot and liked to trade baseball cards. He has 2 brothers who live in Springfield.

He is a Cardinals fan. He came here in 2006 to work at Audibel, but prior to that worked at Mosser’s Shoes. His wife attended the Uof I and he went to Parkland College.

They like camping in summer and riding bikes. In the winter they pine for summer and he collects coins. They have 6 and 4 year old girls and visit the library a lot.

What about Lionism? He likes that he has a role in helping those who cannot afford hearing aids.

Audibel works with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which requires a $250 application fee, but some cannot afford the fee,

even though the hearing aids are thousands of dollars. Our Lions Club pays the application fee.

Tail Twister – Tom Yaxley asked Pat Bryan to carry the bucket.

He fined Ben Turpin for having won the lottery;

Ted Gonsiorowski for Bob Tuchel’s 71st anniversary,

his table for Ted’s birthday;

Rex Hess's table for Rex’s birthday;

Rex Hess for a Chatter problem;

all who did not wave to Frank Duff when he rode by in the July 4th parade;

Rich King for giving the Tail Twister a bill for his Lions Club dues;

Paul Hendren for not knowing what country the new International Lions Clubs President was from;

Fonda Bowden for knowing where the President came from –Australia;

Omer Benn for bragging about his granddaughter who does computer programming for a company that was just purchased by Microsoft;

and fined Dave Hunter, our Chatter publisher, for something. Not smart at all!

Greeter: Kathy Struck

July 24 – William Mabe - State University Retirement SystemJuly 31 – Mike Estes - Fannie Mae & Freddie MacClick here sammcgrew@att.net to email Sam McGrew and let him know what you would like to see in a Lions Club program some time.

Coming up

Jul 17 – David Shaul - Early Champaign Radio

Thank you for watching

Editor

Rex Hess

Publisher

David Hunter

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