Lions Newswire

The February 2010 Lions Newswire includes important updates about upcoming events, new programs, available resources and more:

• Important Lions Dates this Month
• Lions Hope for Haiti Donation Appeal
• Submit Your Lions In Sight Success Story
• Stay Up-to-Date with New Lions Clubs iPhone App
• Updated PR Guide Helps Lions Get "In Sight"
• Check Out the New Lions Mission Web Pages
• Recent SightFirst Materials
• New Year Brings New Process for Grant Applications
• Learn More about LCIF
• Lion-2-Lion Resource Database Now Available
• Vienna the Venue for Lions Day with the UN (LDUN) 2010
• Lions Environmental Photo Contest Deadline Dates
• Participate in Tenth Annual Lions Performance Festival
• February a Great Time Plan Your STRIDES Walk
• Updated Diabetes Bookmark Now Available
• Lions Can Help Children in Need

Important Lions Dates this Month

View the Lions Clubs International Calendar of Events to find out about upcoming events and programs that your club can promote locally.

Lions Hope for Haiti Donation Appeal

Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Lions moved swiftly to provide immediate assistance. Lions shipped relief tents from Sweden. Lions in the Caribbean sent aid over land and by sea. And Lions around the world responded to LCIF's "Lions Hope for Haiti" donation appeal. Within days, Lions mobilized more than US$500,000. Read the latest LCIF updates on Haiti, including information on how you can make a personal online donation.

Submit Your Lions In Sight Success Story

If you have a success story about your Lions In Sight public relations activity during the last two weeks of January 2010, we want to hear from you! Please share your story about making your club, district or multiple district visible – while making a difference in your community. Your success story will be featured on the Lions In Sight Success Stories page. Plus, you can print a Certificate of Recognition for your Lions In Sight efforts.

Stay Up-to-Date with New Lions Clubs iPhone App

Stay in touch with Lions Clubs International with your iPhone by downloading our new Lions Clubs App. This App gives you access to the following resources – at the touch of your fingertips:

• Daily news updates from Lions Clubs International on Twitter.

• Videos from Lions Clubs International, and Lions around the world, on YouTube.

• Photos from clubs around the world on Flickr.

• LQ – Lions Quarterly Video Magazine podcasts.

• Lions Clubs International Web site, Club Locator and more!

Best of all, it's free! Download the Lions Clubs App from iTunes now.

Updated PR Guide Helps Lions Get "In Sight"

Looking to increase awareness for your Lions club programs and activities, involve others and increase visibility in your community? Review our new Lions Public Relations Guide (PR710).

Check Out the New Lions Missions Web Pages

Lions have conducted medical/humanitarian aid missions for years to help meet the needs of people in communities where access to healthcare, clean water and other resources are limited. The new Lions Missions section of our Web site includes information to help Lions plan, conduct or participate in a mission. To help make this section as useful as possible, please use the online forms to share information about your upcoming mission and completed mission. With your approval, we will post your information on the site to share with other Lions.

Recent SightFirst Materials

The recent edition of ForSight, the SightFirst bi-annual magazine is now available. This issue highlights the Sight for Kids program in Asia that has screened 10 million children. Noor Dubai partnership program to control and eliminate onchocerciasis. 10 years of SightFirst China Action as a nationwide program, and more. SightFirst also created an Executive Summary document that outlines the program's funding priorities to assist Lions in the grant application process, and explain the program to others.

New Year Brings New Process for Grant Applications

The SightFirst Advisory Committee and the Lions Quest Advisory Committee will now meet twice a year, instead of three times as in previous years. Grant applications are still due 60 days prior to the meeting date; however there are now only two meetings a year where these committees will approve grants. For more information about meeting dates, please visit the grant section of the LCIF Web site.

Learn More about LCIF

Make a resolution to learn more about the great work of your Foundation this year. You may be aware of the recently created LCIF District Coordinator position. This individual is trained on the types of grants and programs available, how to submit funds and Melvin Jones Fellowship applications. Please invite them to a club meeting or district convention to educate others about LCIF. E-mail the LCIF Development Department with the date of the event, and they will put you in contact with your local coordinator.

Lion-2-Lion Resource Database Now Available

The Lion-2-Lion Resource Assistance Database (previously Lions Emergency/Non-Emergency Assistance) is now available on the Lions Clubs International Web site. This new Lion-2-Lion Assistance program provides a searchable and interactive online database that Lions can use to request or offer humanitarian assistance.

Vienna the Venue for Lions Day with the UN 2010

The United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, will host the 32nd Annual Lions Day with the United Nations (LDUN) on March 26, 2010. Event highlights include a welcome by Past International President Wroblewski; speeches by International President Eberhard J. Wirfs and invited UN speakers stressing the importance of serving humanity; and an awards ceremony for the Lions International Peace Poster Contest grand prize winner. View our LDUN Web page for more information.

Lions Environmental Photo Contest Deadline Dates

Lions must submit winning multiple district photos for the Lions Environmental Photo Contest to Lions Clubs International by March 1, 2010. The winning Multiple District photos will appear at the 93rd Lions Clubs International Convention in Sydney, Australia in 2010. Review contest details and winning photos from last year.

Participate in Tenth Annual Lions Performance Festival

Lions performers from different cultures are encouraged to participate in the annual Lions Performance Festival at the 93rd Annual Lions International Convention in Sydney, Australia. If you're interested in performing at this event, please contact us.

February a Great Time to Plan Your STRIDES Walk

Take advantage of pleasant walking weather – or consider holding an indoor Strides: Lions Walk for Diabetes Awareness – to give your community an enjoyable and effective way to learn about diabetes prevention. Contact the Health and Children's Services Department to order your event materials, including the Lion STRIDES Information Packet that provides step-by-step instructions for organizing a community-wide event, "We Stride" pins for participants and informational handouts.

Updated Diabetes Bookmark Now Available

An updated version of the popular Diabetes Bookmark is now available in all languages to raise public awareness of diabetes. Order a packet of 25 bookmarks for only US$1.50 (plus applicable tax/shipping which can be applied to the club account), or download and reproduce the bookmark locally. 

Lions Can Help Children in Need

Lions can use the Services for Children Community Needs Assessment form to determine services that most benefit children in a community. The assessment includes easy-to-follow steps, and a sample letter and questionnaire you can use to contact community leaders. Lions can also explore opportunities to serve children in need by organizing a children's symposium.