DAN TWEETEN, Waunakee Lion and District Leadership Chairman, will be our speaker for the January 17 meeting, and he will give us some highlight segments of the leadership training seminars presented in our District. One benefit of Lion membership is the chance to attend seminars at various levels which present information that is extremely valuable, both in Lion activities and in business, professional and personal life. These presentations help attendees learn how to work with others, and we will get a sample. JODI BURMESTER is the Program Host (a term for which we are indebted to former MCLC Lion ALEX WONG).

At our last meeting, TailTwister ROSS ROYSTER continued his shakedown, er, game of chance. Got some more money, one winner got a shot at the jackpot, didn’t win. Surprise. However, your odds get better each meeting as the number of cards left to draw from decreases. Our visiting District Governor won the daily raffle for what was supposed to be a Santa Claus suit, which turned out to be an abbreviated version. He can probably use the hat sometime. The pot is currently at $258.

President CHUCK opened the meeting, LINDA BERGREN led the song, and “Archbishop” BOB BOHN led off the New Year with an appropriate invocation. Next Board of Directors meeting is on January 17. Doubletree Inn as usual, at 6:30 PM.

President CHUCK began with some reflective comments on how most of us feel an obligation to make the world a better place through service to others. Some do it through their work, some through family, and some look to serve others through a collective effort, such as the Lions Club. Everything we do as a Club enhances Lion service in some way, including fund raising efforts like the Kohl Center stand.

BOB BOHN reported on our bellringing project for the Salvation Army. There were a few glitches, mostly because the store that had the kettle didn’t open in time for our first shift, but we did our part. Lions participating, in addition to BOB, DICK POMO, CHUCK BASFORD, PHIL INGWELL, DALE MUELLER, SAL AL-ASHKAR, TERRY SCHAR, DON NEVIASER, HAL OTTERBACK (with wife Evelyn), and SCOTT GROVER, who took two shifts! LINDA BERGREN reports that she has a few items left over from the Holiday Cake & Nut sale, because of the necessity of ordering in full case lots. Malted milk balls, trail mix, chocolate peanuts and almonds. Take ‘em off her hands.

Lion TOM STEVENS told us briefly of the needs of the UW’s pediatric eye clinic, whose five doctors have been working in limited space. An opportunity arose when another specialty vacated some space in the Eye Clinic building, which is being remodeled to increase the space to include an area for clinical trials. Funds are being raised to support the expansion and establish a trust fund to aid needy patients, and Lions are taking a leading role, anticipating that the clinic will be named the Wisconsin Lions Pediatric Eye Clinic. A plaque is already in the area recognizing past Lion contributions.

Dr. TOM and President CHUCK then presented our Madison Central contribution of $10,000 USD, derived from our fundraising activities and bequests and donations from individual Lions, to Dr. David Gamm, who accepted on behalf of UW Hospitals. Dr. Gamm noted that he knew how hard we worked to raise that money, and described some of the activities of the Pediatric Ophthalmologists who staff the clinic - muscle imbalance surgery for children and adults, teaching students, many from Asia, diagnosis and treatment of eye problems, and missions to undeveloped countries for teaching and treatment. Our Club has made a significant contribution in response to Helen Keller’s historic “Knights For The Blind” challenge.

JODI BURMESTER introduced our speaker, District Governor KEN HAMILTON and his wife CAROLINE. He said we are “doing our best to serve the rest”, in the 86,400 seconds we have each day. Lions need to grow, perform, serve (he mentioned Campaign Sight First II as an opportunity), and promote Lionism. He also noted the opportunities for Lions to develop their leadership capability through training and experience. He has 58 Clubs in his District to visit.

Speaking of our work at the Kohl Center, the W Club has asked us to step up to a busier stand. In our first night at the new stand, we doubled our business. See the schedule for dates you can help.

More Sayings From The Dalai Lama:
   6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
   7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
   8. Spend some time alone every day.
   9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
 10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.