1. Welcome to the Taylorsville Lions Club

2. What is the Taylorsville Lions Club? Civic Organization= “We Serve” Mission is to support Visually Impaired People (VIPs) through community activities and collective action Today’s program is an overview of what the Taylorsville Lions do to achieve that mission

3. The Lion World Taylorsville Lions are a part of Lions International – Largest Civic Organization in the world – Based in Oak Brook, Illinois North Carolina Lions- belong to Multiple District 31 – Divided into districts L, I, O, N, and S – Each is divided further into zones

4. The Lion World-District Officials Each of NC’s districts is headed by a District Governor, has 1-2 Vice Governors, and a Secretary and a Treasurer Clubs report to their zone, which reports to their district, which reports to International Districts set goals for some humanitarian fundraising Districts work to enhance the clubs in their area to increase membership and work together more effectively

5. North Carolina Lions, Incorporated Statewide organization, based at Camp Dogwood in Sherrill’s Ford, NC Tasked with administering the statewide programs, also with the running of Camp Dogwood Board of Directors are elected by the Districts

6. Nearby Lions The Taylorsville Club is part of Zone 1, which is the North Wilkesboro, Taylorsville, Elkin, Bethlehem, and Yadkinville Lions We have good relations with Lions Clubs in Catawba County (District L) – Longview, Conover, Newton, West Hickory VIP, and some others

7. Taylorsville Lions Structure Club has a president, and 2 VP Club has a treasurer and a secretary – Some Lions Clubs combine the two offices Club has a Lion Tamer (Sgt at Arms) Club has a board of directors consisting of the President, VPs, Secretary, Treasurer, and 4 directors, as well as the immediate past president, the Lion Tamer, and the Tailtwister Club officers 2015-2016 President: Clyde Higgins 1st Vice President: Sonny Cook 2nd Vice President: Ray Coleman Secretary: Johnny Davis Treasurer: Brenda Higgins Tailtwister: Charlie Wells Lion Tamer: Charlie Wells 1st Year Directors: David Curry, Randy Mundy 2nd Year Directors– Brian Lucas, Vacant Fair Chairman: David Curry Membership Director: Randy Mundy Chaplain: Ray Coleman

8. Activities of the Taylorsville Lions Club Fundraising Goals – All Lions Clubs in MD 31 are expected to support the Brighter Visions Program Brighter Visions: source of matching funds for eyeglasses, white canes, and other programs- administered by NCL, Incorporated – Every district sets a goal of so many $/per member for Brighter Visions and some other suggested programs – All Lions in MD 31 are expected to support Camp Dogwood through the sale of raffle tickets each year

9. Activities of the Taylorsville Lions Locally Eyeglasses- The Taylorsville Lions provide eyeglasses to people who apply and meet certain criteria – NCLI pays half, we pay half – The need varies from year to year Collection of Used Eyeglasses Support for Leader Dogs for the Blind- collecting cans and can tabs – Leader Dogs is a guide dog school in Rochester, Michigan operated by Lions

10. Local Activities Con’t J. Atwell Alexander Lions Club Scholarship- we offer a scholarship to a student every year – Current amount is $500 Youth Program- The Taylorsville Lions Club sponsors a Leo Club – School based Leo Club at Alexander Central – Program is to teach young people about community and humanitarian service

11. Other Activities Vision Screening- the Club sometimes participates in the Mobile Screening Unit program – Free vision screening – Sometimes done in conjunction with other clubs Blood Drive- the Taylorsville Lions Club usually schedules a blood drive in April of a given year

12. Supporting our Local Activities Taylorsville Lions Club Fairgrounds – Used as a fundraising engine – Profits, if any, go to support the club’s humanitarian activities – Used for rentals, events Small animal/junk auction every Friday- we do concessions Exhibit Hall rentals Lawn Mower Racing – Alexander Agricultural Fair- annual event held since 1946- club’s biggest fundraising activity Requires a lot of work

13. Other Fundraising Broom sales- the Taylorsville Lions sell brooms as a fundraiser – Source: Industries of the Blind in Greensboro, NC Other things – Raffles, chicken dinners

14. Action Committees Fair Committee: spends a lot of time on operating and maintaining the Fairgrounds – Includes traveling to the State Convention Eyesight: spends time determining need for glasses Board of Directors- meets monthly after a club meeting

15. Club Needs Number one need- members – Able to work, perform a very wide range of tasks from carpentry to advertising – Able to commit some time to the Club – Able to work well with others – Able to assume leadership positions in the organization – Able to persevere In other words, we need many kinds of people