Union City Lions Club

LIONS CLUB OF UNION CITY NEWSLETTER
NO. 10 April 5, 2005

REPORT ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING OF MARCH 14, 2005

The Board reviewed the slate of officers and directors presented by the nominating committee and endorsed the slate. The following are nominees for the 2005-2006 year:

President Carol Dutra-Vernaci
First Vice President Tony Acosta
Second Vice President Linda Fernandes
Secretary Christine Friday
Treasurer Fely Fernandes-Kwan
Director Ida Gueco
Director Diane La Montaine
Director Cathie Kelly
Club Counselor Rick Sealana
Lion Tamer Johny Tahirkheli
Tail Twister/Le Advisor Gloria Watson
Oakland blind Center Representative Jim Navarro
Lions in Sight Representative Ken Buffum
Bulletin Editor Ed Xavier
Membership Director Helen Kennedy

The following are non-voting positions on the Board of Directors. These Lions have been appointed to fill these positions for the upcoming year:

Lioness Liaison Tom Kitayama
Webmaster Bruce Davis
Ear of the Lion Representative Thom Allison

The Luau is on track. Lion Ida Gueco is chairing the event. Lion Johny Tahirkheli is coordinating all ticket sales. The Luau is set for April 30, 2005.

REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF MARCH 10, 2005

Lion Ron Hudson of the Dawnbreakers Lions Club was our guest speaker. He talked about the City of Hope and its good works.
Lion Cathy Hudson of the Dawnbreakers Lions Club and a candidate for Vice District Governor, made her official visitation to our club. Lion Cathy is a long time friend of our club and our club endorsed her candidacy and made a contribution to her campaign fund.
A report was made to the members of the Tsunami Bake Sale. We collected $162.00. Participating in the sale were Lions Joe Kimura, Tony Acosta, Helen Kennedy, Don Watson, and Gloria Watson.
It was also reported that Mike Joshi won the zone level student speakers contest. He is the speaker who won the club level contest at Union City.
Lions attending this meeting were Rick Sealana, Kathy Sealana, Ken Bufum, Bruce Davis, Joe Kimura, Joe Albano, Andy Denoga, Steven DeLucchi, Johny Tahirkheli, Don Watson, Gloria Watson, Fely Fernandes-Kwan, Linda Fernandes, Mac Sandhu, Bernanrd Lipscomb, and Thom Allison.
Our visitors were Leo Sarah Chang, Leo Amy Wang, Leo Roberta Lin, prospective Lion Glen McMillen, Jim Reed (Lion Steve DeLucchi’s father-in-law), Lions Ron Hudson and Cathy Hudson.
The Leos reported that they have collected over 500 pairs of glasses.

REPORT ON CLUB MEETING OF MARCH 24, 2005

Your Bulletin Editor was not able to attend this meeting so this report is courtesy of Lion Don Watson. Thanks Lion Don.
All of the election notifications and slate of officers were read and discussed. No nominations were made from the floor.
Our speaker was Cathy Westphall who is the Community Relations Director for BART’s earthquake safety program. She told us about earthquake fault zones that BART crosses over and the steps that BART has taken to counter the danger in those zones. Regular inspections of the system are made and the system is kept safe.
Lions attending were Greg Stewart, Don Watson, Gloria Watson, Tom Kitayama, Ken Buffum, Joe Kimura, Helen Kennedy, Rick Sealana, Mac Sandhu, Tony Acosta, Johny Tahirkheli, Christine Friday, and Ida Gueco, Guests were Laura Stewart, Heidi Kitayama, and Mitzi.

REPORT FROM STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

The following report was submitted by Lion Cathie Kelley, chair of our club’s Scholarship Award Committee for this year.

The winner of the $1,000 scholarship is Sarah Chang, who, as President last year, reactivated the Leos Club in Union City with exciting community service projects. She is now Vice President of the Leos District 4C3. Sarah plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley and wants to start
"New Century" college-level Lions Club there. Sarah’’s longer-term goal is to graduate from Haas School of Business and eventually open a small business with her sister. Amy Wang will receive our $800 Scholarship. Amy is currently secretary for the Logan Leos Club, and she has personally logged 350 hours of community service this year. She helped lead an eyeglass collection drive that brought
in over 400 pairs of glasses for recycling. Amy has also been accepted at UC Berkeley, but has not yet selected a college. She plans to pursue a career in business. Finally, we chose Priya Asthana to receive our $600 scholarship. Priya has been involved in debate at James Logan. She has trained for six years inIndian classical dancing. Priya has dedicated 340 hours to community service and been very involved in the Union City Youth Committee and its activities. She plans to study Molecular Biology and work in the field of genetics. Many thanks to the Lions who gave their time to read and select our 2005 scholarship recipients: Lion Tom and Lioness Heidi Kitayama, Lions Linda Fernandes, Helen Kennedy, Ken Buffum, Rick Sealana, Fely Fernandez-Kwan, Johny Taherkheli, and Cathie Kelly.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

April 11, 2005: Board of Director’s meeting, 7:00 pm at City hall.

April 14, 2005: Dinner meeting at eMocha, 7:00 pm.

April 28, 2005: Lunch meeting at eMocha, 12 noon.

April 30, 2005: Luau fundraiser at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Union City.

MEMBERSHIP

Remember that the club will treat a prospective new member to their first lunch or dinner as our guest. This gives people an opportunity to visit us and see if they have an interest in our club without incurring any financial obligation. You also get to invite a friend to lunch or dinner and have that lunch or dinner paid for by the club. Such a deal.

DUES INCREASE: We have been alerted by Lions District 4C3 that our dues with them probably will increase next year. We will have to increase our Club dues to keep up with this additional cost per member.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS:

April is elections time in Lions. Lion Helen Kennedy is chair of the Nominations Committee. The election of officers and directors will take place in the first meeting in April.

UPCOMING LUAU FUNDRAISER FOR THE BLIND CENTERS

All Lions know that the Blind Center in Oakland is in financial trouble. Our Club decided to hold a fundraiser to raise money for both the Blind Center in Oakland and the one in Pittsburg, CA.

Our district 4C3 operates two blind centers. As far as I know, 4C3 is the only district in Lions International that operates two blind centers.

We will be partnering with the Union City Lioness Club, Union City Leo’s Club, and Kawailehua Hula Ohana to put on this event.

The schedule of events is as follows:

5:00 to 6:00 Hawaiian music, cocktails, silent auction, games, prizes.
6:00 to 7:00 Dinner.
7:00 to 8:00 Kawailehua Hula Ohana Polynesian dance revue.
8:00 to 10:00 Music, raffle, door prize.

Location: Our Lady of the Rosary Church Hall, 703 “C” Street, Union City, CA
Menu: Fabulous luau fare, featuring a traditional Hawaiian roast pig.
Cost: $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for children 10 years old and under.

Lion Jonny Tahirkheli is coordinating ticket sales. Each Lion is asked to either sell or buy ten tickets. Lion Jonny will get your ten tickets to you. Lion Ida Gueco is chairing this event for our club. Every Lion needs to help so that this event is a success. Proceeds from this event will be used to support the two Lions Blind Centers serving the East Bay and other Union City Lions community projects. ALL MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT IF YOU DO NOT TURN IN YOUR UNSOLD TICKETS TO LION JOHNNY TAHIRKHELI BY FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2005, THEN YOU HAVE PURCHASED THEM! UPDATE ON OAKLAND BLIND CENTER PROBLEM:

Lion PDG Ed Cossart submitted a report on the efforts of concerned Lions working on the problem. Following is a summary of his comments:

A management committee is working on all the subjects identified in the CARF report as needing change - eliminating - upgrading and correcting. The financial reports are at hand and analysis has started in an effort to properly show the income and expenses associated with each and every aspect of the Center’s operation. Every cost is being scrutinized to ensure that it is both necessary and appropriate.
A Nominations Committee has been appointed and they are searching for candidates who will insure the Center’s viability for a long time to come. Corporate leaders who are not yet Lions are being considered for positions on the Board.
This brings us to the most important phase of the recharging of our Center, and that is the Lions’ clubs advisors and delegates. OBC is a Lions’ center and we must have our clubs renew their involvement by the attendance and participation of Club advisors. Advisor’s input is needed. Advisor’s knowledge of resources available in the clubs is needed. Advisor’s participation in research and recommendations to the Board is needed. Advisors serving on the committees that make recommendations to the Board is needed.
The bottom line is that the Center is in need of assistance in setting the course and each Club has a responsibility to assist with the charting. Get your representative, advisor, delegates, Lions and Lionesses involved. NOW!

SUNSHINE REPORT:

I have nothing to report in this area this month.