Happy Holiday Season to all the Lions/Lioness and Leos of District 14-A. By now, you have stuffed yourself with turkey, enjoyed the gifts of Santa, and are preparing to receive the New Year. May your New Year be filled with Health, Love, Joy and Success.

Due to the Holiday Season, Nov. 06 and Dec. 06 Newsletters have been combined into one.

The Lions and Lioness Clubs in District 14-A have reflected the Spirit of the Season in their activities and Service Projects throughout the Delaware Valley as you will note in the ?Club Highlights?.

IMPORTANT DATES - Please Mark on your Calendars the following dates:

Feb. 2-4/5, 2007 State Council Meeting (Hosted by 14-E) is being held at Greensburg Four Points, Greensburg, Pa. The House of Delegates will elect (on Saturday) a potential candidate from Pennsylvania to run for International Director. Each District has three (3) Delegates. District 14-A Delegates are PDG Richard Wilson (Dela. Co.), PDG Tom Walsh (Phila. Co.), and PDG Doc. Sprole (Bucks Co.). 

February 11, 2007 - The 3^rd District 14-A Cabinet Meeting will be held at the Overbrook School for the Blind, 6333 Malvern Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19151-9727. A light lunch will again be provided before the meeting (1:00pm). Small $$$ donations will be appreciated. 

March 11, 2007, District 14-A?s Banquet known this year as the ?District?s All-Star Banquet? will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, 4700 E. Street Road, Trevose, Pa. 19053. Multiple entertainment, awards and more are planned for this event. Details will follow. Please plan to attend.

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Vice District                                                     Governor?s Message

Membership is Job One

Membership has been one of my main focus points this Lions year, and as we approach the mid-point of the year I?d like to review our situation in 14-A.  I have some ?good news?, some ?ok? news and some not-so-good news to report.  The good news is the following seven clubs (12% of District) are PLUS in membership totals year to date.  My heartiest congratulations to these clubs.  Keep up the great work!

Aston     +6                        Bensalem     +1

Swarthmore   +4                Northampton    +1

Bristol    +2                       Phila Northwest  +1

                                          Springfield Twp   +1

The ?ok? news is that 34 of our clubs (60% of District) have remained EVEN (new members minus drops equals zero).  The not so good news is that 16 clubs (28% of District) have a net LOSS in membership.  To these 50 clubs I offer the services of our District MERL Team.  I am confident our Team can analyze each of your situations and offer some membership solutions.  Give me a call on 610-544-5274.

Here are a couple of membership and retention ideas every club should seriously consider

1. Developing a club-marketing brochure is one of the most important elements in a recruitment strategy.  It can enhance your current member recruitment efforts by communicating the importance of your club and its activities, to the community.  I am presently putting together a ?how to? package to assist clubs that do not have a brochure.  Call me if you want one.
2. Develop a ?sell sheet? for your club members that list all the reasons why a person would want to join your club.  Some examples:  share in growth/improvement of community; actively help those in need in community and world wide; be part of the world?s largest service club organization; be involved in an organization that is in the forefront of helping the blind and visually impaired; develop leadership & management skills; meet peers in community; expand personal and professional network.  There are many more you can list.
3. Strive to make your dinner meetings interesting and fun.  Have a speaker at each one.  We have many Lions meeting programs available in the District.  I am developing a list, which I will share with all clubs shortly.                                        

Have a Happy and Successful New Year!

                                                       Yours in Lionism,

Jim Harrington                      

                                        Jim Harrington, VDG 

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                                                      CLUB MILESTONES

              Chalfont Lions Club Celebrated its 70^th Anniversary

on Nov 5^th 2006 at the Pine Crest Country Club.  Fun was had by all. Kudos to PDG Greg Ehrenzeller, MC for the evening,  Secretary Lion Jim Davis, and committee for a job well done. Guest speaker for the evening was Past International Director Robert W. Miller accompanied by his lovely wife Judy.  Lions International President Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Chalfont Lions, as indicated below, by District Governor Clifford A. Crose and PID Robert W. Miller. 

          L ? R:   Guest Speaker PID Bob Miller & wife Judy, District 14A First Lady Anita, and Governor Cliff Crose.

(Left)  Lion Barry Jones, (Center) PDG Greg Ehrenzeller, and (Right)  Lion Art D?Angelo receiving awards from DistrictGovernor Cliff Crose with Past International Director Bob Miller.                                                                                               (Left) Award recipients. (Center)  Lion Pat Davis, and (Right) Sight First  II Group Leader, Lion Dick Hogg

Kudos to Chalfont Lions President Maureen McGonagle for a great evening.

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   The Media Lions Club celebrated their 60^th Charter Anniversary

on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at the Towne House Restaurant in Media, Pa.

A Great Time was had by all. A 17-piece Band with a vocalist provided the entertainment while setting the stage for dancing. The food was great.

            The District Governor Cliff Crose and first Lady Anita attended together with the Vice District Governor Jim Harrington, his partner in service Diane, and many of the District Cabinet and District Dignitaries.

            Thanks for a job well done to Lion Dave Tansey, his partner in service Paula, and Committee for putting such a fine event together.

            Kudos to Media Lion President Thomas P. McCarrin, partner in service  Lan, and the Media Lions for a job well.

                                                           DIRECTORY CHANGES

1. Media Lions Club President ? Tomas to Thomas

2. Region 3 Zone A Chair ? 31 Peter Lane AptG1 to P.O. Box 1517, (C-P) from 856-

   649-4856 to 609-560-9572, (C-B) 856-264-3995 to 609-610-8659.

3. Peace Poster Contest Chair Fran Passalacqua? 8131 Gladstone to 1831 Gladstone

4. District Public Relations Chair PDG Kay Clyde: (H) 610-604-4551 to 215-234-8220

                     5. Region 1 Zone A Chair Robert Sexton ? 39 Scarlet Ave., to P.O. Box 2339, zip 

    code from 19014-2925 to 19014-2339

6. Clifton Heights Lions Club ? Meeting Place from Tommy?s Bar 451 E. Baltimore

     Ave. to Lumps Place, Edgemont Ave., & Broadway

7. Philadelphia Korean Lions Club ? Secretary is now Charlie Kim, 6708 Rising Sun

    Ave., Phila. 19111, Tel. # 215-722-5040, Fax. # 215-722-5040, Email is CharlieKim72@aol.com

8. District Governor?s Visitation Schedule

            A. Phila. Jorge-Bird?s and Phila Pan-American?s Tuesday 01/09/07 Gov.?s

                 Visitation is cancelled. A new date will be announced.

            B. Phila. Filipino-American?s Sunday 01/14/07 Gov.?s visitation is cancelled.

                The new date is Sunday 03/18/07.

            C. Doylestown Lions Club, Wednesday February 14, 2007 is an incorrect and

                 redundant entry. Remove. Doylestown Lions are scheduled w/Tohickon

                 Lions on Thursday January 11, 2007 as indicated.

            D. Springfield Township Lions , Thursday January 18 2007 Gov.?s visitation

                  is cancelled. A new date will be announced.

CONGRATULATIONS

To our District Governor Cliff Crose, VDG James Harrington, PDG James Cavallaro (our District?s candidate for International Director), and Region Chair Lion Linda Cunningham for successfully completing the Extension training in District 14-R on November 19 ? 22, 2006.Training was provided by Lions International.

The instructors were PDG Carl Burson of Colfax, Ca. and PDG Hubert Mock of Milton, Delaware.

VDG Jim, PDG Jim, and Region Chair Linda also received their Certified Guiding Lion training to join ranks with the District Governor who is already a Certified Guiding Lion.

DISTRICT 14-A WEBSITE

                 CHECK OUT activities in the District by our Clubs and the GOVERNOR by logging onto the District Web Site http://www.padistrict 14alionwap.org. YOU WILL FIND links to other websites associated with Lions and other Clubs in our area.

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WELCOME NEW LIONS

Aston Township L.C.           Bensalem L.C.                  Bristol Lions

Robert Willoughby               Bill Hartman                    Michael Wamback         

                                              Melissa Richard               Anthony Bocchinfuso

                                                                                       Phila. Torresdalle

Chalfont L.C.                       Northampton L.C.            Tacony Mayfair L.C

Andrew Shellock Jr.            Thomas White                   Eve Grosso                                                                   

                                             Scott Vogin                                                                    

Springfield                            Springfield Tep. L.C.            Swarthmore L.C.            

Thomas Moran                     Alan Evans                            Dorothy Field                

Thomas McKeon                  Robert Carver                        Stephen Allman              

Paul Wechsler                      Anita Morton                         Clem Horne         

John Brna

                                             . 

South Phila. Lioness Lions Club         Aston Twp. Lioness      Trumbaurersville L.C.

Rachel Alesiani                                   Two new members        Thomas Eckert

Caroline Alesiani                                                             

                        CLUB HIGHLIGHTS ? NOV. & DEC. 2006

Adelphia Lions Club ? attended Springfield Lioness Fashion Show; donated packages for troops in Iraq; January 2007 meeting will change to fourth Monday of the month at LaVigna Restaurant at Front and Federal Streets, cost $22.

Aston Twp Lions Club ? Aluminum recycling ongoing; held pancake breakfast as a fund raiser; donated to Leo Fund, Salvation Army Christmas Fund, VOSH of PA, and  Sun Valley High School; recognized student of the month; held Christmas party;

Aston Twp Lioness Club ? raised $1600 at psychic fair; held White Cane drive; held Christmas wrap at Granite Run Mall; gave out Thanksgiving baskets; inducted two new members; held Simon night of shopping at the Granite Run Mall; held Avon fund raiser; club craft ladies sales successful; Giant Food, Acme and Wal-Mart gift card fund raisers successful; donated Thanksgiving baskets for the needy, donated $1000 to the American Support Team; donated $500 to the domestic abuse project; donated $50 to St. Jude; donated $1000 to District 14A Lions campaign Sight First II. 

Bensalem Lions Club ? November held four flea markets; served refreshments at township tree lighting; helped with Christmas party at Ronald McDonald House; held annual Breakfast with Santa ? over 850 attended; gave out 325 food baskets; provided Santa and Santa?s friends to Penndel Metal Health Christmas Party; inducted 2 new members.

Bensalem Lioness Club ? helped at twp tree lighting service; helped pack holiday food baskets; supported Breakfast with Santa; disturbed food baskets.

Brandywine Lions Club - successful fund raiser ? raised over 10,000 at cocktail raffle.

Bristol Lions Club ? held children?s Christmas party; shop for CHOPs.

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Chalfont Lions Club ? held 70^th Charter Night; held Don Schmidt family fund raiser; sold Christmas trees; will host 6 ? club meeting at Perkasie Owls Nest.

Clifton Heights Lions Club ? donated to Clifton Heights Pal at Pal annual banquet; donated to local churches to distribute food coupons to needy at Christmas; donated 800 pair of eyeglasses to the Delaware County Center for the Blind

and Visually impaired.

Doylestown Lions Club ? donated/delivered aluminum tabs to Ronald McDonald House with $1,000 donation; gave Thanksgiving turkeys away for Thanksgiving; provided eye exams and glasses for 6 local families.

Dublin Lions Club ? supported Dublin Old Fashioned Holiday Gathering; delivered fruit baskets and food certificates to the needy.

Phila. Fililipino/American Lions Club ? attended District Cabinet meeting; attended Overbrook School for the blind concert; donated ? children?s toys to Wachovia Bank;  donated can goods to Boy Scoots food drive; donated to St. Lucy  Day School for the Blind, American Institute for Cancer Research , and LCIF; reinstated 1 member.

Hilltown Twp Lions Club ? made a donation to St. Lucy Day School for the Blind; gave a Christmas party to the Busy Bees; served meals to 39 blind and handicapped members of a community club.

Phila. Jorge ? Bird Lions Club ? attended region meeting; district cabinet meeting; provided dinner with other Lions Clubs to Ronald McDonald House; held 3 Kings Days at St. Christopher Hospital for Children, giving toys to all.

Law Enforcement Lions Club ? two members attended Zone meeting; held White Cane day. 

Middletown Twp Lions Club ? gave away twenty turkey dinners for Thanksgiving; gave away 20 ham dinners for Christmas; raised $3000 for give a Christmas; golf outing was a success. 

Newtown Lions Club ? sponsored Breakfast with Santa; donated $5,000 to various charities;held successful Spaghetti Dinner in December to help the Bucks County Blind Association.

Northampton Lions Club ? fund raiser = fruit juice dispensing machines ongoing; spent 250 hours packaging 1500 pair of glasses for VOSH of PA;  sponsored Texas Holdem Tournament at senior center, Richboro; sponsored twp movie night at civic center; donated to Courier Times Holiday Fund, special helmet adjustment kit for military in Iraq, A Women?s place, and Red Cross Shelter.

Perkasie Lions Club ? loaned one wheel chair and two shower benches to needy residents; 39 Lions attended Gov. Cliffs visitation; held Lions Holiday drawing at the Owls; held annual Park Ave Christmas party; gave away 51 $20 gift certificates to those in need in the Pennridge area; donated to Pennridge Meals on Wheels; donated 165 pair of eyeglasses.

PCO Lions Club ? Held Art auction at Hafter Student Community Center for fund raiser; held eye screening at Towmencian Fire House which was well attended.

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Phila. Northwest Lions Club ? prepared dinner for Ronald McDonald House families for Thanksgiving.

Plumstead Lions Club ? held fruit sale.

Quakertown Lions Club ? hoagie sale; basket bingo; gave away Christmas baskets to needy families.

Roxborough/Manayunk Lioness Club ? collected toys, female make up kits, hats, gloves and scarves for abused women and children at Laurel House; invited Immaculate Heart of Mary Children?s Choir to sing, following performance had Santa and Santa?s friends  arrive with gifts for the children.

Southampton-Warminster Area Lions Club ? held fruit sale.

South Phila Lioness Lions Club ? inducted 2 new members; distributed gifts to Our Lady of Good Council for women; 10 members served lunch to blind at South Philadelphia Lions Luncheon for the Blind. 

Springfield Lions Club ? participated in Special Olympics at Villanova; donated to City Team Ministries; held Christmas cocktail party at the Cheese Club; laser and inkjet cartridges collection for recycling ongoing.

Springfield Lioness Club ? held successful fashion show; sold holiday greenery; attended the DelCo Lions rally; had Lioness window display at the library; sold lottery tickets; held Lions children?s Christmas party; had 100% membership retention at year end; sponsored one young person for PA Lions All State Band; collected money for Ministerium Fund which helps needy in Springfield with food, electric, and water bills; collected 146 used eyeglasses; held bake sale and flea market; sold Christmas CD?s for fund raiser.   

Springfield Twp Lions Club ? disturbed gift baskets to needy in area.

Swarthmore Lions Club ? continued to provide service to Community Volunteer Program (CVP); provided 43 baskets to those in need; held second White Cane collection.

Traumbersville Lions Club ? donated 18 turkeys to Lutheran Church food baskets; donated $500 food certificate to food kitchen; gave food baskets to the needy; oranges and candy to children?s party.

Upper Bucks Lioness Club ? baked over 300 pumpkin rolls for fund raiser; donated to F.I.S.H (International Hearing Dog)

Warrington Lions Club ? Thanksgiving cheesecake sales drive was successful; collected 250 pair of eyeglasses for Bucks County Blind Association.

Western Delaware Valley Lions Club ? held District Governor Cliff Crose?s visitation with Club & Officers; worked on fund raisers for Sight First II and Delaware Valley Eye Bank; supported Thornbury Tree lighting;

Willis Eye Hosp. Lions Club ? collected clothes, toys and food for 50 people at 4 mercy hospice, hosted Sight First II campaign speaker.

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            District 14 ? A       

                                  Lions            

                             November/December 2006

                           Newsletter                                                                                                     

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