SECTION 2. REGION & ZONE CHAIRMEN
NAME: Gregory Hession OFFICE: Region 1 Chairman
CONVENTION REPORT MARCH 2012
PROGRESS ACHIEVED SINCE LAST CONVENTION:
· New Members Meeting at K.H.H.Q.
· Attended Incoming Zone Chairman Meeting at K.H.H.Q.
· Attended Incoming Region Chairman Meeting at K.H.H.Q.
· Attended the Incoming Presidents Meetings at K.H.H.Q. with Lion Phil White
· Attended two Zones meetings and will further attend two after Cabinet has taken place.
· Attended the Youth Symposium at St Johns Hotel, Solihull.
· Attended the MERL meeting, I will furnish Membership Chairman Heather with an outline of what was achieved at the Region 1 Membership meeting held in January, and how it was put together. This was for Club Membership Chairmen and/or Club representatives to form a Region 1 Membership Committee.
· I have submitted my reports and attended the Cabinet meetings throughout the year.
· Attended three meetings with the Directors of The Black Country Living Museum with a view to our District being offered the opportunity to host a District fundraising project on their site biannually. The outcome of these meetings was that we as a District could not underwrite the asking cost of £7,000.00 on the proviso that we the Lion’s would sell the tickets for the event.
· Attended nine Zone Meeting
· Attended two Zone Chairman review meetings
· To-date I have received Cub Visit Reports from ZC Rob, Terri and PrafuI.
· To-date I have received Cabinet Reports from ZC Rob, Terri and PrafuI.
· I have attended two District 105M Membership meetings.
· I have attended twelve Club Meetings by invitation.
· I have submitted my report for Cabinet.
· Zone’s A, B and C Skittles have taken place
o Zone A Finalist Bilston and Willenhall
o Zone B Finalist Handsworth
o Zone C Finalist Knowle and Dorridge
UPDATE
· Region 1 Skittles Final details as follows: -
Bilston and Willenhall became the finalist for Region 1 Lion Stuart Richmond has kindly volunteered to organise the District 105M Final at a time and date to suit Region 2 and 3 TBC prior to convention, his contact details as follows - Stuart Richmond 07973 963 069 and/or
o Time 7.30pm
o Venue Springvale Social Club
o Address Millfields Road, Bilston WV14 0QR
o Cost including food and skittles £6.00
· Attended 47 functions, fundraisers, meetings and/or community service activities, to numerous to mention them individually from tree planting to Christmas Grotto’s to Charters
· Organised and attended on 14th January 2012, 32 volunteer Lion Members to support our third Cerebral Palsy (BOCCIA) Disability Games in partnership and under the umbrella of English Federation of Disability Sports. All those who volunteered their time had a great day and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The true winners of course are the children who competed, who without support from people like the Lion’s, then events like this simply would not take place, my personal thanks must go to all those who volunteered on the day, they are the silent hero’s who can move mountains and make things happen, Thank you all for your dedication and commitment.
· It was mentioned by Chairman Dennis at these games that these games are the only outlet for Children suffering from Cerebral Palsy to compete in a competitive sport; this sporting game was created specifically for children suffering with cerebral palsy.
· There will be a shortfall of £700.00 of the total £1,100.00 for next years event if a sponsor is not forthcoming, at the end of the day with District Governor’s blessing, I asked those Lion’s present to go back to their respective Clubs and if they could see their way to supporting next years event by way of a donation of £100.00 per Lion’s Club to ensure next years event will take place, this was met very favourable by those present.
· The next Disability Games 15th May 2012; two big changes to this years event are the Games will be held midweek on a Tuesday and the venue has changed to the Ryeland Centre, Bromsgrove this will be the biggest of the year that we have been asked to support and it requires 75/80 volunteers to man this event successfully. Please let me know of your availability at your earliest convenience. The children need you, please support them in their efforts.
OVERVIEW OF DIRECTION FOR THE FORTHCOMING YEAR:
· To support, motivate, liase and work closely with Zone (A) Chairmen Rob Zone (B) Praful and Zone (C) Terri throughout the remaining fiscal year.
· To ensure District Governor Lion Neil’s aims, objectives and targets are met
· To attend regular team meetings with Zone Chairmen throughout this fiscal year.
· To continue working with PDG Lion Heather’s District Membership Chairman and the District 105M MERL Team in the rebuilding of current LC’s and the formation of new LC’s within Region 1.
This Fiscal Year will see me completing three years serving as Region 1 Chairman. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all three District Governor’s Femi, Martin and Neil for placing their faith in me and entrusting the Chairmanship of Region 1 with me. Equally I have always said “I never did any District role without enjoying fantastic support from my fellow Lion’s within our great District”, and these past three years have been without exception. I would never achieve a fraction of what I do achieve without that vital support from a dedicated and committed group of Lion’s who I am so proud to call my friends, so to all those Lion’s I offer my heartfelt thanks for making this past three years such a wonderful and pleasurable time and the Region 1 Chairmanship role all that more easier for your involvement, thank you all.
NAME: Rob Owen OFFICE: Zone “A” Chairman
CONVENTION REPORT MARCH 2012
PROGRESS ACHIEVED SINCE LAST CONVENTION.
Membership.
Clubs in Zone A / Membership Reported at Convention 2011 / Membership at date of this reportAldridge & District / 14 / 14
Bilston & Willenhall / 11 / 8
Dudley / 8 / 9
Kingswinford & Stourbridge / 25 / 26
Walsall / 15 / 13
Wolverhampton / 9 / 9
82 / 79
It is disappointing to report that this Zone as seen a further reduction in Membership over the past 12 months however this is no reflection on the effort that the Clubs have made to increase their Membership. Currently Clubs report 5 prospective members following various Membership drives and if these are converted into Members then the Zone could report a small gain over the period. Recruitment remains a challenge for some of the smaller Clubs where they have a limited number of activities and events. It is encouraging that most of the Clubs in the Zone invite other Clubs to help with their activities where possible, allowing Clubs a much greater scope of activities to which prospective members can be encouraged to attend.
Actions.
The first round of Club visits has been completed. The majority of the second round of Club visits will be completed in February.
As a Zone we choose not to hold formal business meetings, but to actively encourage as many Lions as possible we hold a social meeting. Guests have been invited to these meetings and have spoken on a variety of issues that are of particular interest to the organising Club or to Clubs within the Zone. This approach has been positively received by the increased number Lions attending. These meetings have also provided an environment where Lions have been able to informally discuss and exchange many ideas.
Each Club is kept fully informed of all relevant matters via email and requested to circulate this information to all Club members.
The Zone Skittles competition was retained by Bilston & Willenhall Club who are representing us in the Region finals which they are also organising.
Since taking office I have hosted a meeting of club Presidents to decide on the year’s activities, attended Cabinet meetings & Autumn Forum, and after each of these have fully reported information back to all clubs.
All Clubs within the Zone have been encouraged to consider the My Ideal Club programme.
Whilst all the Clubs in the Zone have shown considerable successes in a wide variety of activities I should particularly congratulate:
Aldridge – Tree Planting.
Bilston & Willenhall – Recent Membership drive.
Kingswinford & Stourbridge – Prostate Cancer Screening.
OVERVIEW
To continue representing all Zone A Clubs in all matters @ District level, and provide support to the clubs when requested.
I hope that a Zone project will also be successfully completed – a first for this Zone in many years.
Several Clubs will also be working together on the following projects:
1) Plans for further Tree Planting.
2) Bedding Plant Sales.
NAME: Praful Modi OFFICE: Zone B Chairman
CONVENTION REPORT MARCH 2012
PROGRESS ACHIEVED SINCE LAST DISTRICT CONVENTION
Some great clubs make up Zone B (China Town, Edgbaston, Handsworth, Handsworth Ladies, Moseley and Sandwell.)
The amount of work put in by the members, both in terms of various fundraising and community activities is so heart warming. This they do this with a smile and have fun and fellowship.
I was made very welcome at all the Clubs I visited and dinners and functions that I had attended.
Zone Meetings Held
First 11.08.2011 (host – Sandwell)
Well attended, good exchange of Interclub ideas and information.
Interesting presentation by second VDG Simon Moss Ref: Long range planning
Good useful information regarding district matters and DG’s wife Beryl’s appeal delivered by regional chairman Gregory Hassion.
Second 17.11.11 (host – Moseley)
Well supported
Good Interclub discussion
Zone project (possibly some help to Ronald McDonald House) discussed.
District officer Pauline Hoggerwert gave an excellent presentation on Niger Water Well Project
Forthcoming Zone Meetings…
29.03.12 (host Handsworth)
17.05.12 (host China Town)
Zone Skittles competition held on 29.11.11 – Kindly organised by Lion Darren Blenkiron (Moseley Lions)
Over the months, I have attended different Club meetings and events as well as District events and Cabinet meetings
NAME : Terry Smith OFFICE : Zone C Chairman
CONVENTION REPORT MARCH 2012
PROGRESS ACHIEVED SINCE LAST CONVENTION.
Having unexpectedly taken over the role I draw together the excellent work done by Andy Luckett (ZC 2009/2010, 2010/2011) and my own contributions.
Zone diary is continually updated and distributed.
The Zone Skittles Event (2010/2011) was won by Knowle & Dorridge Lions Club, a new format was introduced 2011/2012 which consisted of 5 pub type games where club teams play continuous rounds. This type of evening produced more inter-club interaction and helped to develop a greater fellowship feeling to the evening. All things being equal Knowle & Dorridge snatched victory again and will go forward to the next round supported by myself and Region Chair Gregory Hession.
All clubs were visited twice during 2010/2011 and this cycle is almost complete for 2011/2012. 2 clubs have been visited twice, 3 visited once and dates have been confirmed for the second visits.
A new venue organised for meetings at The Westley Arms Hotel in Acocks Green, meeting on a Monday at 7.30.
As a new Zone Chair I attended excellent training provided by Phil White and joined a session related to becoming District Governor to increase my understanding of the wider picture of Lions Clubs International. I have also taken part in a Zone Chair review session at Headquarters again provided by Phil White.
Lion Pauline Hoogerwerf (Water Projects) and 2nd VDG Simon Moss attended our first zone meeting.
I have attended cabinet meetings and submitted reports.
I supported Birmingham Sheldon Club by attending their Comedy Night at the Ivy Leaf club, joining Knowle & Dorridge with their bid to sporting domination at the District skittles competition, attended Solihull Charter evening and continue to work with my own club. I have booked to attend Shirley Charter weekend and am joining them on a Youth Awards Evening at Solihull Library Theatre, there is a place booked for me on the Acocks Green team taking part in Knowle & Dorridge’s Master Team Quiz. I also am planning to attend the Charter events of Birmingham Acocks Green, Knowle & Dorridge and Birmingham Sheldon.
I have attended a carol concert in Solihull’s Ward 8 Acute Stroke Unit with a view to making this our Zone Project as this unit covers all areas in my zone and is a specialist ward needing help with specialist equipment. We are working towards raising £2000 towards the cost of a specialist bed costing £4750, Shirley Lions have already provided £400 and I have £94 from Zone Competition Evening and donations made by myself and Birmingham Acocks Green President. I have plans to organise a fun medical quiz evening (June/July) when I hope to be able to hand over a cheque to Sister Rachael Ward 8.
I have volunteered to help with the group looking at the reinstatement of Hall Green Lions Club.
I would like to thank the District Team for the specific help and encouragement they have given me as well as all the Lions, family and friends in and out of my Zone who help and support without a thought and have welcomed me with open hearts.