Meeting notes from the 1st regular meeting of the Johnson City Lions Club for February held Thursday, February 5, 2015 at the Johnson City Country Club, Johnson City, TN 37601.
(10 members present and 2 guests)
The meeting was called to order at 12:26 PM by King Lion, George Winton.
DG Lion Gibbons lead the prayer Lion Don Raines led the pledge.
King George announced a good turnout for the Zone meeting held Tuesday Feb. 3rd near the ETSU campus. In addition to all the Zone business discussed, our service project that night was to make up 200 Valentines for veterans being served by the Mountain Home VA center in Johnson City. Thanks to Lion Brandon and members of the ETSU club for a well organized and hosted meeting.
District Governor Lion Ed Gibbons asked that every member who is in town attend the District Convention on the 20th and 21st of this month. Thanks to the East TN Eye bank the Friday night dinner at the Carnegie Hotel at 6:30PM is free, as well as the entertainment. DG Lion Ed also said he’s committed to getting started on time on the 21st (9AM) and ending on time (2PM) so anything else you need to do that day can be done while it’s light.
(Editorial note: Being both a DG and a loyal active member of a club, as Lion Ed is, and running a business on top of that is a remarkable and exhausting undertaking and sometimes can be a royal pain in the you know what. By stepping up as Lion Ed has for us, for the district and the state along with his guidance and work for LVBI and the Ties for the Blind Foundation I don’t think it’s too much to ask that everyone at least attend this convention. Let’s make this the best District Meeting ever!!!!)
Our guest speakers today represented Family Promise – Allison Smith, Paul Helphinstine and Bob Hall. Allison is their operation manager, Paul is last year’s Board President and Bob is the new executive director and was today’s speaker. The Johnson City Lions Club first heard about Family Promise/IHN back in 2000 when it was being organized. In 15 years they’ve helped over 800 families stay together. They not only assist families at their greatest moment of need through IHN, they also move them up and out through a program called “Moving Families Home” by mentoring, supporting and educating their “guests”.
Some of Bob’s remarks: “Their self esteem goes up when they come into the Family Promise program. We share Gods love with them. We hold them accountable. We keep the family together. We call them ‘guests’. We all want the best for ‘our families’. Our greatest reward is seeing them graduate from the program ”
We are blessed to have this fine, caring and needed organization in our community.
Meeting adjourned at 1:02 PM
Lion John Merriss
Board meeting is next Thursday, Feb. 12.
Next regular meeting is Thursday, Feb. 19.