Foundation News Archives

Message to Lion Leaders from International President Eberhard Wirfs

June 2010

Dear Lions,

Greetings.As we approach the final weeks of 2009-10, I'm again very pleased to report that Lions all over the world have indeed "Moved to Grow!" Our net membership growth through May has reached plus 33,817. This compares to a net positive growth of 23,729 for the same period last year - making for an unprecedented 42% improvement.

This is by far the best net membership growth through May that our association has experienced in decades. My congratulations to all of you who have helped produce these remarkable, historic results.

While not every one of LCI's seven constitutional areas are positive (two - USA and Canada -- are slightly down), all areas have improved significantly over historic trends. Our total worldwide membership now stands at 1,352,136. And we are now on track to realize the best membership growth in LCI's modern history if we can keep up the momentum through June.

We know that June is when some clubs drop members more than in other months. Before you drop a member who has not been active lately, please reach out to them and let them know you care. Ask them to consider coming back and let them know their presence is missed. I know that all us as human beings really appreciate it when someone calls to say they miss us. You may be surprised by the number of positive responses you get.

In the meantime, as we work toward the most successful membership growth year in Lions history, let me share two more special success stories.

New Country

I am proud to report the LCI will soon be adding its 206th country and geographic territory to our international family. The Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled between India and China, will join our ranks this month. The country's home minister will be joining me on stage in Sydney to celebrate this historic event.

Women at Lions

The number of women members continues to surge ahead this year. We have a net gain of +23,233 women members this year, bringing the grand total of women members to 298,592. I sincerely hope we can cross the 300,000 mark by the end of the June.

I am convinced that the continued success of our association - and its growth - will be based on the dual strategy of forming new clubs and bringing in new members on the one side, and working to grow the size of existing clubs to control long-term retention. Our 51 new ginkgo winners (listed right) have proven it can be done.

And to help us move even faster into the future, I am also pleased to report that the Joint Board Committee working on a plan and concept for restructuring MERL is nearing completion. The new plan, which will be reviewed at the upcoming Sydney board meeting, will result in the Global Membership Team being expanded down to the district level; in "retention" being refashioned into a "club success" function complete with new tools such as the Club Excellence Process; and with leadership being elevated to its own platform under a new structure and team to be called the Global Leadership Team. This is just one more example of how we have worked on many levels to Move to Grow our great association.

The continent of Africa will also be helping us move to an even brighter future. I traveled there last week with our executive director to discuss the LCI board's recent decision to treat Africa as its own distinct area similar to a constitutional area. They are now working to Move to Grow like never before, and they wanted me to relay their sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you.

So my fellow Lions, let's all do what we can in these final weeks to bring our association to heights it has never reached before.And thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for all you have done to make this a truly remarkable year.

With cordial regards,

Eberhard J. Wirfs
International President
MOVE TO GROW

Ginkgo Leadership Winners

The last of my special Ginkgo membership growth challenges - the Ginkgo Leadership Award- has met with great success. Initially 51 District Governors have preliminarily met the requirements of forming or restarting at least two clubs while also growing the average size of existing clubs. Please join me in congratulating these governors. (more will be recognized in the coming days)

Julie A Crawford, 4 L6
Edgar E Roa, 35 A
Susan Lydon, 46
Luis FC Roig, LA 6
Marcos A Silva, LB 2
Aderlon F de Assis G, LB 3
Albio S Filho, LD 8
Dipl I G Langer, 111WR
Ender Canitez, 118 Y
Darko Angebrandt, 126
Angel Georgievski, 132
John L Tan, 301A1
Remigio L Alvarez, 301D
Ho-Keun Cha, 354 C
Jian-Wei Lei, 381
Guopu Liu, 382
K A Ashfaque, 315A1
Mozammel H Lalu, 315A2
Shah M Hasan, 315B4
Madhu Aggarwal, 321A2
Bhupesh Bansal, 321B1
Raj K Agarwal, 321B2
Malkeet S Jassar, 321C1
Yogesh Kansal, 321C2
Rajiv Kukreja, 321 D
K Khandelwal, 322 B1
Gopi Dhuwalia, 322 B2
Dr Nanda Garg, 322 E
Dr R K Agarwal, 322 F
Parimal J Shah, 323A1
Umesh P Gandhi, 323A3
Sajji John, 323 C
P C Zapke, 323D1
Rajendra Agarwal, 323E2
T Bakthavathsalam, 324A1
K R Ramalingam, 324A2
Velsamy Thangiah, 324B3
Dr U Madhava Shetty, 324D2
T K Kisor, 324E2
Dinesh Paudyal, 325 A
Hossam M Khodeir, 352
Alwyn P Patrao, 324D5
H N Patel, 323 F2
Dr Jawahar Bihani, 323 G1
G S Arora, 323 G2
Dr V M Sankaran, 324A4
Roy Varghese, 324E4
K B D Thalattaniralalage, 306 B2
M B Rao, 324C7
V N Verma, 323 H1
Harrison Law, 307 A

To fully achieve this award, a district also needs to maintain its May net membership results through the end of June, and have no clubs in status quo or financial suspension as of June 15, 2010.

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Message to Lion Leaders from
International President Eberhard Wirfs

Dear Lions,

Greetings my dear Lion friends. As we enter spring time in many parts of the world, I am most pleased to report our membership growth continues to blossom and grow to new, historic heights. Through March, we have reached +24,709 powered by great results in India and several other Asian countries, a continuing membership surge in China, and by improving trends in all parts of the world. Even today as we move towards the last week of April, the results are moving even higher, nearly crossing the +30,000 mark.

I am truly impressed by our collective results, and I am very proud of our District Governor Teams and Club Officers who have contributed most to our success. Let me share some success stories deserving special attention.

China

In China where Lionism took root only a few short years ago, we have grown by more than 50% this year, increasing from 4,000 members to more than 6,200. The growth is happening in most major cities in China, and three new provisional districts have been formed as a result. But most impressive of all, is the real spirit of service displayed by our Lions in China. Just last week, following the recent quake in western China, a group of Chinese Lions traveled for several days, under very difficult circumstances, to reach the affected areas with relief supplies. I sometimes wonder if my fellow Lions in my own district could respond in such a way.

Lions in Africa

Another story of success and inspiration are the Lions in Africa -- a continent known for 'despair' a few years ago which is now moving to be a continent of 'hope and development'. Lions in Africa have grown grow by 10% in since 2007-08 and are their own way to yet another stellar year. Most impressively, Africa Lions are leading through service. They not only lead some our more impressive global service projects but they have produced several lead gift donors for Campaign SightFirst II and LCIF's Lions Hope for Haiti relief fund.

Recognizing the African continent's further potential, I am very proud to report that your board of directors at our recent meeting in early April, passed a resolution to give more support for Africa, to treat the continent as its own distinct area in LCI, and to put the African continent on the pathway to becoming its own LCI constitutional area when it reaches a total membership of 30,000 - a feat that I know will be achieved soon.

Dual Strategy for All Lions

Our success stories span well beyond our new areas of China and emerging areas like Africa. For example, the country of Australia is having growth, most of Latin America and Europe too, and even the United States of America and Canada are doing quite well by historic standards - though I am convinced the latter two can make history this year by erasing past patterns.

But as highlighted below, the future of our organization will need to rely increasingly on the 'dual strategy.' The strategy is simple -- emphasizing on one side, that we need new clubs and membership growth to make up for those who leave or pass away, but on the other side, we need a focus on keeping the members we have and increasing the size of existing clubs to control long term retention.

So I ask all of you who belong to an existing, well established club:

· What can you do to take better care of your club and its members?
· What projects can you pursue to bring more appeal to your club?
· And simply where can your club go from here?

I know many of you have accepted the Move to Grow challenge of moving in new ways and in new directions to strengthen and enrich your own clubs. But I would really love to hear about your success stories so I can share those with Lions around the world. Please email me at DG2president@Lionsclubs.org.

In the meantime, please see the important information links below on the next Leadership Ginkgo challenge and the upcoming international convention in Sydney. I am confident that next month I will be writing with even more good news as we all work to Move to Grow our great association.

With cordial regards,

Eberhard J. Wirfs
International President
MOVE TO GROW

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April 2010

Dual Strategy and the Ginkgo Leadership Award

The next ginkgo award emphasizes both aspects of the dual strategy: new growth and maintaining what we have through caring for existing clubs.
To qualify for the award, between February 1 and May 31, 2010, a district will have to:

· Charter 2 new clubs or reorganize 2 cancelled clubs
· Improve membership results from January 31, 2010
· Increase the average size of existing clubs by one member
· Have no clubs on status quo or suspension as of May 31, 2010
Read the full details and learn about special recognitions planned for those who earn the next ginkgo, and the very special recognition for those who earned all three ginkgo awards this year.

Sydney Convention Highlights

· Come hear the key note speaker Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the famed Hudson river airline pilot and hero, who will share his story of his courage and leadership.

· Come celebrate with the recipient of the 2009-10, LCI Humanitarian Award winner, Wanguri Mathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her "Greenbelt Movement."

· Come meet our 2009-10 Peace Poster winner, Yu-Min Chen, and see her impressive poster representing peace in our world
· And of course don't miss the first-ever Global Youth Music Contest event that promises to be a new tradition and a new way to celebrate the special talents of young people.

Other News

· Women at Lions now approaching 295,000 members
· Lions Quest expanded to three more countries
· Sightfirst treats 5 million people this year for river blindness and trachoma

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LCIF Responds to Haiti Earthquake

Dear Fellow Lion,

Since I last wrote you, we have all learned more about the extent of the devastation in Haiti. At Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), we have also learned more about the situation on the ground from the Lions of Haiti. My heart goes out to all the Lions in Haiti, who have been personally affected by this disaster, losing at least two club members as well as many close relatives. Yet they have put aside their own needs to help their community. LCIF is working non-stop with Lions of that area to support "Lions Hope for Haiti."

Lions Hope for Haiti has mobilized more than US$350,000, to date. Lions around the world are responding generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts, and I thank all of you who have already pledged your support.

LCIF is working directly with Lions of Haiti as well as Lions in neighboring countries to assess the immediate needs and also develop a long-term reconstruction plan. Maureen and I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic in the next few days to lead a team delivering urgently needed supplies into Haiti.

Lions around the world are also assisting:

Lions in neighboring Caribbean countries are sending cargo containers of requested supplies through connections with transportation companies.
Lions in Sweden are sending large tents through the Swedish government to provide housing for those who are now homeless as well as relief workers, as they did for the China earthquake.
Lions from District A-9, Ontario, Canada were in the area when the earthquake hit, helping to establish a clean water system for an orphanage, and responded by establishing a make-shift medical clinic, treating 600 people.
Lions are contributing generously, some examples include: US$86,000 pledged from Lions in Norway; US$20,000 from Lions in China; US$14,000 from District 105-I, England.

Like other previous disasters, LCIF is not only committed to meeting the immediate needs of the people, but will be working through the Lions in the region to provide relief for years to come. After other relief organizations have moved out of the area, Lions will still be on the ground, overseeing long-term reconstruction projects. Similar to previous disasters, Lions will be discussing the possibility of rebuilding homes and hospitals, redeveloping the eye care delivery system, providing human resource support, and assisting the disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster.

Lions who are able to offer services or individual skills can post this information on the Lions 2 Lions page.

As we continue to work with the Lions and determine needs, we will update the information online with our plans and any news. We also hope to have photos to share soon, that we will post online. Lions can promote their efforts locally by sharing this information along with any local efforts with the local media, and I encourage you to repost our videos and other postings on your individual and club Web pages. LCIF is also working to promote our actions within the media. Our Foundation has been added to several lists of reputable organizations assisting the area.

If you haven't already done so, I ask you to consider making a donation to LCIF to support this disaster. You can donate in confidence to LCIF, as 100 percent of every donation will go directly to Haiti relief, as administrative costs are paid by interest earned on investments. LCIF just recently received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest rating possible from the independent charity evaluator. In 2007 LCIF was named the #1 non-governmental organization with which to partner, a title our Foundation still holds today.

The needs are great, but we can make a positive impact on the people of Haiti for years to come.

Together We Serve,

Al Brandel
Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation

Some examples of LCIF's previous disaster assistance

Tents donated by Swedish Homes rebuilt in Sri Lanka
Lions following China earthquake through LCIF funding

For the most up-to-date information about LCIF's ongoing relief efforts in Haiti,
please visit www.lcif.org.

LCIF Responds to Haiti Earthquake

Dear Lions,

A powerful 7.0 earthquake ravished the island nation of Haiti on the evening of Tuesday, January 12. Much of the capital city of Port-au-Prince has been destroyed. It's estimated that 3 million people, nearly one-third of the country's population, has been affected by the earthquake. The casualty numbers are not known at this time, but significant loss of life is feared. Rescue efforts remain ongoing at this time.

LCIF is responding to the Haiti earthquake. We are in contact with Lions leadership in the area to assess the situation and determine immediate relief needs. A US$50,000 Major Catastrophe Grant has already been awarded to support immediate disaster relief efforts.

When catastrophes occur, LCIF and Lions answer the call for help. I have seen first hand the impact large-scale devastation has on communities. Homes, schools, hospitals are destroyed and lives are often lost. Through our efforts, we are able to bring hope and healing, even if it's just a little bit, to people who are in such desperate need.

I ask that you help support LCIF disaster relief efforts in Haiti by making a contribution. A designated fund, "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief", has been established for donations for this disaster. It's through Lions' commitment to serving those in need that those suffering from the earthquake's devastation will receive some sense of normalcy.

Yours in Lionism,

Al Brandel
LCIF Chairperson

Contribute to the LCIF Haiti Earthquake Fund

U.S. donors can:

Mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.
Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by calling LCIF at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 581. Call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.
Donate online at www.lcif.org/donate. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.

Donors outside the United States can:

Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by faxing to LCIF the name of your credit card, credit card number, expiration date and amount of donation. LCIF's fax number is 630-571-5735.
Mail LCIF a U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. Make the check payable to LCIF. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.
Make a direct deposit of local currency into an existing LCI account. Send a copy to LCIF via fax (630-571-5735).
Do a direct wire transfer. For assistance with this option or the other donation options, contact LCIF Donor Assistance at donorassistance@lionsclubs.org or by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 404.
Donate online at www.lcif.org/donate. Select Disaster and include "LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief" in the comments section.

Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible. Donations from residents of other countries are tax deductible as permitted by individual countries' tax laws.

For the most up-to-date information about LCIF's ongoing relief efforts in Haiti,
please visit www.lcif.org.

As a dedicated Lion, your opinion is important to us in planning for the future of Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). For the past forty years, LCIF has been a beacon of hope for millions of people across the globe. The humanitarian service provided by Lions, together with LCIF, has affected many lives and communities, both globally and locally. Thanks in large part to friends and leaders like you, LCIF will no doubt remain that beacon of hope well into the future.

Today, our Foundation is at a transformational period in its proud history.
The success of Campaign SightFirst II, and the incredible impact of LCIF's other humanitarian programs, has elevated the work of LCIF and Lions to the world stage. As LCIF plans for the future, we have important opportunities to increase awareness of the work of the Foundation and allow it to grow. In order to develop a strategic plan, it¹s important that LCIF consider the enhancement and expansion of programs that best represent the philanthropic interests of Lions worldwide.

We ask you to be a part of this critically important process. We are asking for approximately thirty minutes of your time to first read the background statement found below and to then complete an online, electronic survey.
Your candid advice and input is very important to us.

These electronic surveys will truly help LCIF chart a course for the future and enable our Foundation to continue to provide service, help and hope to millions more people worldwide. Once you have had a chance to read the background statement below, please then complete the electronic survey, which can be accessed through the following link:

A link to the survey can also be found at the bottom of the background statement for your convenience. Thank you for your time and active participation in this important process.

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LCIF Case Development Study Background Statement

At the core of Lions Clubs International is the mission of service. The 1.3 million Lions around the world are united in a common ideal, "We Serve". Nowhere is this service more evident than in the work of Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Through LCIF, Lions are able to provide service, help and hope to millions of people across the globe.

Today, LCIF has reached a transformational period in its forty-year history.
Through the efforts of Lions all over the world, Campaign SightFirst II has surpassed its US$200 million challenge goal, ensuring that Lions' SightFirst program will continue and be able to expand. This success and the extraordinary work of LCIF¹s humanitarian programs have continued to elevate the impact of LCIF's work to the world stage. Thousands of Lions and clubs are engaged in the work of their Foundation like never before. Most importantly, there is an understanding of the need for so much more humanitarian service that can only be carried out by the Lions through LCIF.

At this important crossroads, Lions have an opportunity to carefully chart a course for the future of their Foundation. In order to maximize this opportunity, LCIF has approved a comprehensive development plan, designed to increase awareness of the work of the Foundation and allow it to grow substantially over the next several years. As part of the plan, LCIF has an objective of raising an additional US$10 million annually by fiscal year
2011-2012 (bringing the total to US$30 million annually). With this fund-raising objective, LCIF and Lions have an opportunity to continue the great work of the Foundation, while identifying areas for expansion, new initiatives for consideration and innovative ways to engage Lions and clubs in the work of LCIF. The development plan also calls for increased communication to make Lions and non-Lions worldwide better aware of the humanitarian service that LCIF provides.

In order to facilitate this process, LCIF is seeking guidance in the development of a new case for LCIF that represents the philanthropic interests of Lions worldwide. This guidance will enable LCIF and Lions to be more deliberate in their service, defining a mission for the Foundation that best positions Lions to have an even greater humanitarian impact. The following document is designed to stimulate discussion and feedback, specifically regarding the core mission of the Foundation, areas in which LCIF has the capacity to grow and initiatives that Lions most want to support.

LCIF is associated with a wide variety of humanitarian projects, representing the various ways in which Lions serve. In order to identify the core mission of LCIF and to consider future possibilities, it¹s important to understand the multiple missions in which LCIF is currently engaged.

Since 1968, LCIF has provided funding in the form of grants to assist Lions clubs and districts with humanitarian projects too large for Lions to finance on their own. Over time, LCIF has received more than US$600 million from individual Lions and clubs, as well as non-Lions, corporations, foundations and governments. In turn, LCIF has awarded more than 9,000 grants totaling nearly US$650 million. These funds have been used to support a variety of humanitarian initiatives. In particular, LCIF supports programs that preserve sight, combat disability, provide disaster relief, serve youth and support education, promote health and offer international assistance throughout the world.

Lions and LCIF are leaders in the restoration and preservation of sight. The world¹s largest and most efficient blindness-prevention program, SightFirst, is LCIF's flagship sight initiative. SightFirst is the only service activity that Lions do worldwide, making it a critical and well-known part of our Foundation. Through the SightFirst program, Lions restore vision through cataract surgeries, prevent blindness through the distribution of medication, improve and expand eye-care facilities, train eye-care workers and support low-vision centers. Lions Eye Health Program prevents vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma by promoting eye-health awareness in developed countries. The accomplishments of SightFirst are numerous, including the prevention of vision loss for 30 million people and the improvement of eye-care services for hundreds of millions more.

Additionally, other LCIF sight programs fund local eye banks and eye-care foundations, provide pre-school vision screenings and support Lions' well-known eyeglass collection and recycling programs. Through partnerships with Merck, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, The Carter Center, the World Health Organization and other powerful corporations and organizations, LCIF has been established as a global leader in the battle for sight.

Through LCIF, Lions are empowering those with disabilities to lead more independent, productive and fulfilling lives. LCIF has been committed to assisting people with disabilities through grants that build or expand schools and vocational training centers. Since 2001, the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program has screened more than 100,000 athletes, providing diagnosis for vision-related problems, as well as corrective and protective eyewear. The program also teaches and prepares vision specialists, including professors and students, on how to better care for this underserved population.

LCIF has also partnered with Habitat for Humanity to fund the construction of 1,000 homes for people with disabilities. Finally, the Lions¹ Affordable Hearing Aid Project provides high-quality, affordable hearing aids to low-income individuals within the United States.

Whether a flood in a local community or a large-scale global catastrophe, Lions are the "first in" and "last out" when a natural disaster strikes.
LCIF funding enables Lions to meet needs in the immediate aftermath of a disaster by providing food, medicine and clothing. Long-term efforts help rebuild communities through housing reconstruction and social services. LCIF provided more than US$15 million in relief after the Southeast Asia Tsunami, more than US$3 million after the Sichuan (China) earthquake and in the United States, Lions mobilized more than US$5 million to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, LCIF has provided hundreds of grants each year for local disasters around the world.

All over the world, Lions are bettering the future for children by providing improved education and health services. LCIF provides grants that build schools, camps, libraries, resource centers and shelters for children across the globe. Lions' projects improve access to primary education and support literacy programs. Lions Quest, a life-skills curriculum utilized in 54 countries, teaches responsible decision-making, effective communication and drug-abuse prevention. LCIF believes in the importance of providing youth with the support and resources they need to succeed in life.

LCIF's health initiatives encompass much more than sight. LCIF provides grants that support blood banks, cancer centers, pediatric wards and other health-related needs. This support improves access to health care and upgrades equipment and facilities in areas of great need.

LCIF facilitates partnerships between Lions clubs in developed countries and clubs in lesser-developed areas. LCIF International Assistance grants are one way clubs partner to provide a variety of humanitarian service,
including: basic health care; education and literacy; clean water and sanitation; and environmental protection. Together, LCIF and Lions are partnering to improve communities around the world.

The expansion of LCIF, both financially and programmatically, requires Lions to carefully consider a strategic plan for the future of their Foundation.
There are a variety of ways to continue and expand the programs listed above, but which programs best fulfill the mission of the Foundation? There are new and existing opportunities for service, but through which of these opportunities are Lions best equipped to serve? Lions are involved in many philanthropic activities, but what are the initiatives that truly inspire the support of thousands of Lions around the world? Through this study, LCIF and Lions can answer these questions and develop a case that is consistent with the funding priorities of Lions worldwide and the needs of those we hope to serve.

The opportunities for the future of LCIF also include a chance to be more deliberate in both the purpose of LCIF and its programmatic priorities.
Historically, LCIF has participated in primarily responsive charity. As the Foundation moves forward, better-defined strategic objectives will enable Lions to go beyond purely charitable grant making and begin affecting long-term, sustainable change. Lions¹ transformative work can expand into newly identified areas of need where LCIF and Lions can have a meaningful impact. A clear, consistent mission for LCIF will have numerous benefits for both the Foundation and the entire association.

A more clearly focused LCIF has the potential to attract a new generation of members with a more global worldview. Communities today extend beyond village, city and country. The future of Lions is in those members who want to serve their community, both locally and globally. As LCIF and Lions continue their work in local communities, the possibility of having a greater impact in the world community will coincide with the revitalization of the Lions' brand. Additionally, a better-defined mission and greater impact would continue to elevate the Lions name in the global community, promoting name recognition and awareness of our work. Finally, it¹s important for the Foundation to consider a mission that continues to facilitate programming with meaningful impact and measurable results.

LCIF and Lions, and the great service they provide together, is at a crossroads. The work of LCIF has always sought to improve lives, whether through building a new school or providing cataract surgeries to those in need, but with expansion comes new opportunities for service. A stronger LCIF that is committed to a core mission has the power to transform all aspects of Lionism from membership to the way that Lions serve. Input from many Lions, representing the 1.3 million members around the world, is critical to developing a strategic plan for LCIF¹s future of service. Please complete the electronic survey to help us shape the future. The survey can be accessed through the following link: