At our next meeting, we will hear a speaker. At the moment, your editor does not know who it will be. It is known that the Program Committee has had to do some serious juggling lately, and so we think there is something good on the calendar. We just don't know what it is, and mailing deadlines keep us from waiting to find out. Come and see for yourself. It probably won't be CNN-they backed out at literally the last moment this week because of breaking local news that they wanted to cover nationally.
Other than that little detail, our last meeting began as usual. The TT's joke was actually a little better, but the audience groaned on cue anyway, and no one knew the origin of the editor's pin-of-the-week. (It was India, this time. The previous ones were Norway and Switzerland.) Lions are now active in 192 countries and geographical areas.
LINDA BERGREN presided in the absence of President DICK, and OTTO FESTGE was back to lead us in song, which he did vigorously. "Bishop" BOB BOHN gave an appropriate homily and prayer of invocation. HAL OTTERBACK was back from the southland with a tan, but without any breakfast because they just got back the night before and there wasn't any food in the house. Fortunately the Edgewater had plenty.
There were a couple of guests. Jim Byrd, president of Midwest Asset Management, was with JIM SCHUTZ to find out what Lions is all about, and Ellen Mahon, public relations consultant working with Lions Clubs International and CNN. Ellen was the one who had to tell us CNN wasn't coming this time, but she swears they will be back. Their main focus in Madison is MARK LARSON's Eye Bank. PDG JERRY RABBACH, who is a community rep for the Eye Bank, was with MARK.
Our sympathy is extended to BETTY and PHIL INGWELL. Betty's sister passed away last weekend.
As Chairman of the Nominating Committee, MARK LARSON presented the slate of nominees for Club offices for the next Lion year: President, LINDA BERGREN; 1st Vice President, MARK LARSON; 2nd Vice President, CHUCK BASFORD; Secretary, JOHN JENSON; Treasurer ART TAGGART; Membership Director ROSS ROYSTER; TailTwister, MARILYN STAUTER. For Director, 4 candidates for 2 seats, SCOTT GROVER, DAVE MIES, PHIL STOWITTS, and MELISSA ABBOTT. Holdover directors in their second year are DON NEVIASER and ALEX WONG. Ballots will be mailed shortly.
Rose Day Chairman DAN STOUDT reported an encouraging number of volunteers for delivery - he could still use more. Sales are beginning to come in - best results from those who made preliminary mailings or messages and followed up with personal contact. No surprise there. This is our biggest fund raiser - let's all put in just a little extra effort. It will help if orders are turned in as soon as they are finalized.
JIM BRADLEY has announced two programs for April. On the 13th, Sharon Chamberlain, president of Chamberlain Research Consultants will tell us about the importance and role of voter research in political campaigns, whether for mayor, or a convention center, or converting a bingo hall to a casino. On April 20, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz will review his first year in office, and discuss recent initiatives such as the minimum wage, inclusionary zoning, and more. Should produce a few sparks from that one.
Our speaker, Mia Morrisette from HospiceCare, told us about that organization's services to those with life-limiting illnesses. Founded here in 1978 to provide in-home care with volunteers, it has grown to operate the Don Anderson Center for inpatient care, as well as providing a team of specialists such as the patient's own doctor, RNs, nursing assistants, social workers and chaplains who work with patients at their homes and in other care facilities in addition to the Center. Their focus is to provide quality care, comfort and support for those with life-limiting illness who are beyond seeking treatment or recovery, and also for their families. Their patients have ranged in age from 9 months to 105, and the main qualifier for their service is a doctors certification that the patient has a life-limiting illness. They cover Dane and Rock counties, had about 500 patients, 8000 visitors and provided bereavement care for 4000 others in 2002. Length of care ranges from a few hours to six months and about 90% is home care. One important aspect of their service is to interpret the doctor's prognosis to a "road map" for patients and families which will help them to deal with circumstances as they arise. Major funding comes from Medicare, Medical Assistance, insurance and donations. They have over 600 volunteers who do everything from gardening to office work to staying with patients, and they would like more. It was a good thing for us to hear about this very important, compassionate service, which helped our own BOB FOX among others.