I have to tell you about the wonderful world of Lions International. The club that is here in Elgin is called Elgin and Area Lions. I have been a member now for over 10 years. I have been secretary, vice president and President. Been on some of the committees and one major one. That being, the 25th Anniversary of the Elgin and Area Lions. As chair I must say that it was a very positive and successful evening. Games, prizes and awards were given out to everyone. Check out the international website, http://www.lionsclub.org/ and see all of the cool things that we do. You can also link to http://www.md5m13lions.ca/ for information as well as you can go to http://lionnet.com/ and you can find our club listed there. I do try to keep it updated but find it hard to do at time. Currently, I am Zone 9 chair and this is my second term.
What does our club do? In the past years we have helped a number of people with their medical costs within and without our area. Supplied help for those that needed equipment. Donated equipment to the ambulance and hospital. Donated funds to services in the community that have asked for help.
We also donate to charities such as CNIB, Cancer, Diabetis, Hearing, seeing and service dogs. Donated money to fire victims. Raised funds for children when one of the parents have died due to an accident.
Where do we get out money? From a number of areas. Our major source is in the Recycling area. This club is involved with the recycling in Elgin and that includes, everyday items that can be recycled and vehicle batteries. Although we don't raise any money with recycling eyeglasses and hearing aids, we also collect them and send them on to the collection depot that is available for us.
Other fund raising we do are pancake breakfasts, barbecue on May long weekend during the town wide yard sale, raise funds working with Sobey's selling hotdogs, selling tickets, food or item baskets, and many other ideas.
The club meets every third Wednesday of every month except for June, July and August unless the members choose to do otherwise. We meet at The West Elgin Mall in Penny's Place at 7:30 pm. We have fun at each meeting and our President keeps the meetings on track. After the meeting we have lunch and chit chat or hurry on home for some reason or the other. Usually we are over our meetings by 9:00 or earlier. Anyone is welcome to come to a meeting.
Currently there are 14 members and for this small community we consider this a miracle in itself. We don't expect a member to make every meeting for in a farming community, it could be impossible to do so. Come when you can and for those meetings you miss? Well we will mark you present at a meeting if you help out with a project or attend another club or zone meeting or any other function contected to the Lions.
We offer training for any office or committee that is held. Training is not just for new members, as anyone can learn SOMETHING from any training at any time.
Zone meetings are not just for the club officers. These meetings are also for all club members. By attending a zone meeting, you get to meet other clubs in our zone and exchange ideas and help from members who have been where you are now. Don't stop there, the Midwinter Convention, usually in February, is another convention that need not be missed. It is another area where you can meet other members from across the district and learn about what is happening in the world of Lionisim.
Whew!! I guess I should stop there, I think that is enough blowing my steam off about Lions. I can't help it, it is a great organization to belong to.
For now, Cec
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