Greetings from the District Governor
I hope this message finds everyone well and gearing up for an active new year as roaring Lions in District 16-D. It is my honor and privilege to be your new DG. Our Cabinet is first-rate, consisting of Lions both new and seasoned to such positions. Please help them to work hand-in-hand positively with the great clubs of 16-D. Together, we will be the best District in all of MD16!
International Convention, Busan, South Korea
Lion Fay and I attended the International Convention in Busan, South Korea in June 2012. I and several of my fellow District Governors from MD16 attended District Governor-elect school immediately prior to the convention. This was a wonderful experience. I met many other District Governors-elect from around the country and world. The training was excellent.
District 16-D Directory
After much gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair (I don’t have much to spare!), the District Directory was completed and issued. As always, the main problem was some Clubs did not submit PU-101s to LCI. Thanks mainly to the heroic behind the scenes efforts of CS Mansi Sharma and 2nd VDG Mahesh Chitnis, and the printing efforts of Lion Alkesh Shah, President, Central Jersey Indian Lions Club, we were able to compile the Directory and get it printed in time to hand out at the first District Cabinet Meeting. The “Let’s Crush Illiteracy” back cover is priceless. If needed, we will make typographical corrections to the Directory periodically, and then issue corrected version(s) electronically in a password protected file. More on this will be provided in the future.
Club Officer and Region/Zone Chair Training
The Club Officer and Region/Zone Chair training given on August 25, 2012 at Watchung Hills Elks Lodge, Warren, NJ was a great success and received rave reviews. A total of 17 Lions attended. IPDG Doug Reeder and 2nd VDG Mahesh Chitnis each took very different training approaches, but each was equally effective. I personally attended the training. Another session is being planned for November in the southern half of the District, perhaps at the Station Bar & Grill near Cranbury. It will likely include the ‘pit stop’ concept advocated by IP Wayne Madden, in which Clubs take time to evaluate quarterly how they are doing in fulfilling their goals and the needs of their community. The exact date and place of the training will be announced shortly.
16-D Charitable Foundation Meeting
I attended the 16-D Charitable Foundation Meeting on September 6, 2012. New trustees were introduced and good discussions ensued in this comprehensive meeting that was ably led by PDG Jim Dougherty, President of the Foundation.
First District Cabinet Meeting
The first District 16-D Cabinet Meeting was held on September 24, 2012 at Spain Inn, Piscataway, NJ. Zone Chair Cathy Wasner of the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey presented a touching video on childhood blindness. Briefings were given by 1st VDG Bob Brandt and IPDG Doug Reeder on the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum and recently conducted Club Officer/Region/Zone Chair leadership training, respectively. ZC Fay Kobland talked about IP Wayne Madden’s Reading Action Program and RAP videos, including deadline for submission of videos to LCI. DG John presented his vision for the Lions year, membership goals and personal theme “Dare to be Different.” Clubs were encouraged to submit reports of new or different community service projects to CS Mansi Sharma and/or DG John for consideration for publication on our newly designed 16-D website (a work in progress). Zone Chairs gave succinct club activity reports. The next Cabinet Meeting will be held November 26th at Spain Inn 2, Asbury, NJ. Included will be judging of the 16-D peace poster contest entries. If you have any questions about deadlines, etc, please contact District 16-D Peace Poster Committee Chair Eddie Hui at ehui1221@aol.com.
Charity BBQ
The second annual Charity BBQ and family picnic for District 16-D was held on Saturday September 29, 2012 at Forest Lodge, Warren, NJ. Although a bit overcast, the rain held off and it was a great day attended by about 70 persons. Entertainment was provided by Mark Miklos (bluegrass & country music singer) and Pedro of Juli’s Show (games and DJ music for children and adults alike). Bob Graham donated his services to lead us in playing Disc Golf over a specially designed course. Over $5,000 was raised for our five designated charities through the generous donations of Lions Clubs, individuals and organizations. 1st VDG Bob Brandt, Chairperson of the picnic is to be congratulated for doing an exemplary job. His daughter Diane is thanked too for helping with mailing of invitations and printing of brochures listing contributors. Also, Lion Anu Chitnis and her son Ojas helped immeasurably by assisting at the gate. This was a fun, exciting and highly rewarding day – a good time to be a Lion!
Club Visitations
I have visited several Clubs so far this year. Several other visits are scheduled in the October/ November timeframe and I will be visiting many more Clubs during the 2012-13 year. A special visit was made to the Charter meeting of the North Brunswick Visionary Leo Club on September 18th by ZC Fay Kobland (16-D Leo Committee Chair) and me. Soon, if not already, CS Mansi will be issuing a district-wide email to Clubs to “sign me up” for a DG visitation, with or without a VDG or Zone or Region Chair. Also, I really like Zone-type meetings, where I can meet several clubs at once, thus enhancing interaction and cutting down on traveling. If you have a date in mind when you’d like me to visit your Club, please let CS Mansi know at the following email address: mansi.sharma@visionarylions.org.
Key Dates
10/02/12, Lions Day at the White House (to be reported on next month)
10/06/12, State Council Meeting, East Brunswick Chateau (to be reported on next month)
10/26/12, District 16-B Charitable Foundation Masquerade Ball, La Bove Grand, Lakehurst, NJ
11/01/12, 16-D Charitable Foundation Meeting, Spain Inn Piscataway, 7 pm
11/04/12, Club Officer and Zone/Region Chair Training, Station Bar & Grill
11/10/12, State Council Meeting, East Brunswick Chateau
11/26/12, District 16-D Cabinet Meeting, Spain Inn 2, Asbury, NJ, 7 pm
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
