WHAT'S THE NEWS IN DISTRICT 9MC?

R2Z5 Zone Meeting
The R2Z5 Zone Lions Club meeting was held Tuesday evening, January 26, 2010 at Wood Works in Newton, Iowa. There were 37 zone Lion’s Club members present with 1 guest. The meeting was called to order by Zone Chairperson, Bruce Dunsbergen. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all attendees. Opening Prayer was offered by District Chaplin, Bob Price. The Newton Lions Club served a delicious soup supper for those present.
The meeting was called back to order. Introductions and small talks were given by District Governor Elect Boyd Sparks, District Chaplin Bob Price, Women’s Membership Chair Janice Price, and Peace Poster Chair Myrna Goodyk. Each giving a report on the need for Lion’s Clubs - “We Serve” is their motto, and “Service is Our Gift to the World.”
Roll Call was answered by a wonderful turnout with Grinnell (2), Kellogg (8), Laurel (1), Montezuma (6), Newton (8), Prairie City (3) and Sully (6). Each club gave reports on their fund raisers, membership drives and what efforts they were doing in serving their communities. A wide range from eye glasses, hearing devices, and energy fund help was reported.
A special guest, Karen Keninger, who works as Iowa’s Director for the Blind, in Des Moines gave a presentation on her Leader Dog, Corbin. Corbin is a 7 years old yellow lab, and she has had him for 5 years. She talked of his 18 month training and conditioning that each Leader Dog for the Blind must go through and pass, but if you needed a Leader Dog, you would want them to have that type of training, too. It takes a special dog to be a Leader Dog, too. Not every dog that goes in training will succeed. They must have intelligent disobedience. If it is dangerous for their owner, the dog won’t let you do it. All commands must be correct, short and simple. When the harness in on, the dog is on duty and will what he is trained for. When the harness if off, the dog is totally a dog. He will sleep a lot, but ready and alert when the need arises. His job is seeing for her. He must be able to travel everywhere with her. She requests that people don’t pet him when he is on duty. This will confuse the dog and when the harness is off, than she welcomes attention for Corbin. Karen talked how important the Leader Dog for the Blind Program is for those with sight impairment. She thanked the Lion’s Clubs for their help in that program and was actually attending to see what the Lion’s Club was like in Newton, and was very much interested in becoming a member.
Chairperson Bruce and Chaplin Bob next presented a memorial service honoring the Lion’s Club Members that had deceased in the last 2 – 3 years. A touching tribute as each Lion’s member name was read, a dong was heard from the official Lion’s Club Bell and a candle was lit in their honor. From Grinnell – Ken Isenberg. From Kellogg – Al Ringler and Dean Olson. From Sully – Bob Dunsbergen, Ben Dunsbergen, and Neil McMahon. From Montezuma – Ronald Sheetz and Loel Ferguson. From Prairie City – Joe Williams. These men served in many capacities in their respected Lion’s Clubs through the years.
District Governor Elect Boyd Sparks gave an upbeat program on Lion’s memberships and what the Lion’s are about. Lion’s members are KEY PEOPLE. They have a giving attitude with deep respect. They are not from any religious organization or specific domination, but a great leader must be a great servant and you can find that in the Bible. He thought this zone was an exceptional one striving on serving in their community. He welcomed Newton with a great start this year and acknowledged Chris Starrett with quite a scene of TV with the latest storm and what he went through as a Highway Patrolman and Lion’s club member as well. He said that this zone shows “ You Can Do It”. This is a zone with plus membership this year and that says a lot about it.
Next several Lion’s members were recognized for their efforts in the Donor Transports form Kellogg to Iowa City for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank. Those being honored were Jim & Jeannie Boettcher, John & Marilyn Berthelsen, and Yvonne Coburn. These Lion’s club members are active in the pony express transporting of eye corona’s from Ames, Des Moines, Grinnell to Iowa City. This is an effort that began with the Iowa Highway Patrol couldn’t do it anymore.
A raffle was held that monetary proceeds went to the International Lion’s Haiti Relief Fund. There were many winners with a great participation in donating even more than the raffle required.
The meeting was then adjourned.