LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT 105E CONVENTION 2014
Minutes of the 31st Annual Convention held on 8th March 2014 at Eastwood Hall, Nottinghamshire.
NB: The Minutes should be read in conjunction with the Agenda Reports
1. Sergeant At Arms
Sergeant-at-Arms Lion Stuart Kitchen called Convention to order at 9.15 am and briefed members on the fire drill, toilets etc. and requested that all mobile phones were switched off. He confirmed the ballot boxes were situated in the registration area for voting for DG/1st VDG and 2nd VDG. He requested all members stand to receive District Governor Lion John Kyte and his top table guests.
2. Flag Ceremony – PDG Lion Brian Popple
The National Flags of United Kingdom, Italy, Ireland, USA and Convention Flag were paraded by Long Eaton Sea Cadets led by CPO (SCC) Trevor Warner.
3. Introduction of Convention Guests and Top Table Officers
District Governor Lion John Kyte welcomed everybody to the Convention at Eastwood. He went on to introduce members of the top table and other Lions officiating as follows: International Director Roberto Fresia, The Mayor of Eastwood Councillor Mrs Hazel Charlesworth and Convention Committee Chair PDG Lion Joe Prati.
4. Welcome by PDG Lion Joe Prati
PDG Lion Joe Prati welcomed everybody to Convention on behalf of Zone E. He hoped everybody had had an enjoyable Host Night and thanked Ripley Amber Valley Club for organising such a fantastic event. Partner’s events had all been organised and we would be entertained by a group called Wildest Dreams at the Banquet & Ball. He took the opportunity of wishing International Director Lion Roberto Happy Birthday.
5. Introduction of the Mayor of Eastwood, Councillor Mrs Hazel Charlesworth by District Governor Lion John Kyte
DG Lion John introduced our Civic Guest Councillor Mrs Hazel Charlesworth who had been born and bred in Derbyshire. He stated she had a husband Bob, who was with her this morning, two children, one grandson and numerous dogs. She had moved to Eastwood in 1985 and had been a Councillor for eleven years. She was currently involved with the Broxtowe Women’s Project which cares for women suffering from domestic violence. He invited Councillor Mrs Charlesworth to officially open and address Convention.
6. Official Opening of Convention
The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Charlesworth thanked everybody for inviting her to our Convention and took great pleasure in telling us information about Eastwood. Eastwood is featured in the Doomsday Book. This tells us that William Peverill was the owner and the place was valued at five shillings. Eastwood was a mining town until 1987 when the mine closed. Eastwood Hall belonged to the Walker family and ultimately became the Headquarters of the National Coal Board and played a vital part during the national mining strike. Today Eastwood is a vibrant town. She took the opportunity of thanking us for all the work that Lions undertake and said it was a privilege to declare the Convention officially open.
7 Vote of Thanks to The Mayor of Eastwood – 2nd VDG Lion Paul Stafford
Lion Paul Stafford thanked the Mayor for telling us all about Eastwood. He stated he had been doing some reading about The Mayor and had found that nothing was too much trouble for her and that community work was a high priority in her everyday life and was involved in many projects including being a ‘lollipop’ lady. He asked Convention to show their appreciation for her attendance today.
8 READING OF ETHICS & PURPOSES
DG Lion John called upon PDG Lion Harry Waller of the Sleaford & District Lions Club to read the Lions Ethics and then Lion Gemma Turton of the Spalding Club to read the Lions Purposes.
DG Lion John then invited PDG Lion Bob Coxhead – District Secretary, Lion Paula Mellows – District Treasurer and Lion Sue Denton – District Minutes Secretary to the top table.
9. In Memoriam
DG Lion John invited 1st VDG Lion Alan Hall to light the candle and read the names of those Lions who had passed to higher service since our last Convention. DG Lion John requested all members to stand. Lions John Pearson (Barton on Humber), Norman Revill (Boston), Joe Roper (Blaby & District), Julie Cator (Glanford & Lindsey), Eric Hayes (Grimsby Cleethorpes), David Jenson (Grimsby Cleethorpes), PDG Lion Alan Glaves (Santiago del Teide), Stephen Newton (Horncastle), Jane Landsowne (Matlock Derwent Valley), Dennis Swainson (North Notts), David Richardson (Ripley Amber Valley), Keith Tyers (Rutland) and Peter Hill (Sleaford & District)
10. Report on Nominations
DG Lion John apologised to Lion Balvinder Sokhi for showing the wrong name on some of the Convention documents.
PDG Lion Derek Blow, Constitutions, Nominations and Resolutions Officer confirmed that nominations had been received for the positions of District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd Vice District Governor for the year 2014/2015. He confirmed that all three Lions were suitably qualified and had indicated their willingness to accept nomination. Voting papers were included in the Delegate Packs and require one single cross for the candidate of choice. Voting would take place during coffee break and over the lunch-time period. Ballot boxes would close at 2.15 pm.
PDG Lion Derek confirmed there had been no nominations received to host Convention 2016 and therefore nominations would be taken from the floor later in the programme.
11. Introduction of Lion Alan Hall
PDG Lion Derek Blow confirmed that Convention had received one nomination for the position of District Governor for the year 2014/2015 in the name of Lion Alan Hall. The nomination is proposed by Glanford & Lindsey Lions Club and seconded by Louth District Lions Club.
Lion Tom Laking of Glanford & Lindsey Lions Club stated it was his pleasure to propose Lion Alan Hall for the position of District Governor for 2014/2015. Lion Alan had been a Lion for 23 years and had been a Charter Member of his Club. He is also a Melvin Jones Fellow. He had held many posts within his Club and District and had always upheld the ethics of Lionism. He stated he had served his apprenticeship and always does ‘what it says on the tin’. With the utmost confidence he submitted Lion Alan Hall for the position of District Governor.
Lion President Steve Chalder of Louth & District Lions Club stated his Club were happy to second the nomination of Lion Alan Hall.
Lion Alan Hall thanked members of his own Club, Glanford & Lindsey Lions and Louth & District Lions for nominating him for the position of District Governor. He stated that as Helen Keller had quoted – alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. As we move towards celebrating our Centenary year our Organisation had always maintained its core value and its motto ‘We Serve’. Together we can help those in need and those less fortunate than ourselves. All our Clubs carry out excellent work in serving their communities and we must make our Clubs attractive for people to join and we should be looking, not so much at what we want from members but what they can gain from us. We offer friendship, fellowship and fun, the acknowledgement of being valued and the fulfilment of helping others. We must work together as a team to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to undertake this work. Having a proven corporate image and showing ourselves to be a professional organisation with high standards and a highly recognised brand we can demonstrate the successes of our organisation and make it an organisation that people want to be part of. We collectively can make a difference. He stated it would be his privilege and honour to hold the position of District Governor to serve our District. It would allow him to fulfil his dream.
12. Introduction of Lion Paul Stafford
PDG Lion Derek Blow confirmed that Convention had received one nomination for the position of 1st Vice District Governor in the name of Lion Paul Stafford. The nomination is proposed by Lincoln Lions Club and seconded by Winterton & District Lions Club.
Lion President Jean Bowden of Lincoln Lions Club stated it was her pleasure to nominate Lion Paul Stafford for the position of 1st Vice District Governor for 2014/2015. She stated that Lion Paul had joined Lions in 2007 and has since held positions at local, district and multiple district level. He was a successful President of his Club increasing membership and the profile of the city as well as being a good ‘Santa’. He had received the international award for his work with training and is currently serving as the Deputy Global Leadership Team Co-ordinator. She stated Lincoln Lions believed Lion Paul had all the qualities needed to serve as 1st Vice District Governor and commended him to Convention.
Lion President Enid Bridge of Winterton & District Lions were happy to second and support the nomination.
Lion Paul stated that 12 months ago he had been elected as 2nd Vice District Governor and wanted to share what he had been doing over these months as well as his thoughts on the future. He stated his main aim had been to listen and learn and that he was committed to the District Strategic Plan. He fully supported Lion Alan Hall in addressing the fall in membership. There was no magic answer and what may work for one Club wouldn’t necessarily work for another. We needed to look at Campus and Branch Clubs. We needed to look at our profile and maximise the power of social media. We needed to look at our projects and see how we could maximise funding opportunities and raise even more money for people in our area. We must tap into the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our members. He produced cards and a bucket and asked for ideas on how we take this organisation forward. Our organisation has its centenary in 2017 and we must maximise every opportunity we have to reach our motto of ‘We Serve’.
13. Introduction of Lion Balvinder Sokhi
PDG Lion Derek confirmed we had received one nomination for the position of 2nd Vice District Governor in the name of Lion Balvinder Singh Sokhi. The nomination is proposed by Nottingham West Lions Club and is seconded by Nottingham City Lions Club.
Lion President PDG Lion Ajit Virdi stated he had great pleasure in nominating Lion Balvinder Sokhi for the position of 2nd Vice District Governor. He said Lion Balvinder had held many posts within his Club and had been involved in every major decision taken by the Club since formation 20 years ago. He had also served at District level. Lion Balvinder was awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship in 2003 for his services to his Club and also received a MBE in 2010 in recognition for his service to community affairs in Nottingham. He stated Lion Balvinder was a dedicated, active and committed Lion and was well qualified to take on the role of 2nd Vice District Governor.
Lion President Diane Burke of Nottingham City Lions Club seconded the nomination.
Lion Balvinder Sokhi stated we were a well established organisation through Lions Clubs International but as individuals we could only make small changes. The opportunity to serve over a three period gave individuals time to learn. My efforts will be to go beyond the face to give action where it is needed. We need to tell the world that through LCI we will be there to stand beside them.
14. Partners leave Convention
DG Lion John invited those Partners and guests not remaining for the Business Session of Convention to leave and hoped they all had a pleasant day at the various activities available to them.
15. Opening Remarks and Welcome
DG Lion John welcomed everybody to the 31st Annual Convention comprising the following:
International Director Lion Roberto
Chairman of Council Elect IPDG Lion Michael Phillips
District Governors Lions John Hall and Michael Parker
Lions, Lionesses and Leos
Fellow Members of the Lions Family.
A warm welcome to you all with a formal welcome to three special guests who he asked to stand and be recognised: International Director Roberto Fresia, District Governor Lion John Hall District C and District Governor Lion Michael Parker District SE.
DG Lion John stated that after lunch the CEO of Cerebral Palsy Sport would be speaking about the World Games to be held in Nottingham, followed by the workshop sessions. There would be the results of the District Competitions and his personal awards to Lions who have been particularly caring. He urged members to stay and celebrate with fellow Lions.
He stated there were two major events happening in the Multiple District over the next few months, the MD Convention in Manchester in May with our International President Barry Palmer in attendance. This would be an enjoyable event and urged members to attend. The second event is the Europa Forum to be held in Birmingham in October. It isn’t often this event comes to our MD and we are delighted to have won this honour. Further details can be found in the Lion Magazine.
The International President’s theme this year was ‘Follow your Dream’ in which he asked Clubs and Members to think outside the box, come up with something new, something your Club had not done before. Several of our Clubs accepted his challenge and have tried new ideas for activities and service – and all report that they were both successful and enjoyable.
He stated his own theme of Caring and Sharing worked alongside that of our International President and he had asked Clubs to look at doing more service – following our motto of ‘We Serve’ – actively caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. On his Club visits he had heard that many Clubs are undertaking more service activities within their local communities and offering more help to communities world wide. Clubs have also taken on board the idea of sharing ideas, whether through the District Newsletter or the new idea of joint Zone Meetings. This latter idea has been so well received that it is going to be continued next year, probably in an extended format.