Happy Thanksgiving! We will NOT have a meeting on Thursday, November 26th!
November 19th Meeting Recap:
Meeting was called to order by Club President Harrison.
Attendance: James Harrison, Sam Listi, Jon Fontenot, Gene Ellis, David Shaw, Mike Matthews, Karen Stagner, John Potts, Mac Hickerson, Frank Hernandez
Guest: none
Song by Lion Hickerson
Pledge by Lion Shaw
Prayer by Lion Ellis
Exercise Program: Word has it that someone had to work off some “Oreo Cookies” … or was it “Oreo Candy Canes”?
Joke by Lion President Harrison / Plate Spin by Lion Hickerson
Announcements –
– Christmas Dinner on December 17th: As the seating will be limited to 40 people total, a sign up sheet was passed – this will need to be an RSVP event. As this is a dinner meeting, the cost for the meal will be $30 per person. Belton Lion Member meal cost will be absorbed by the Club; spouses/guests can be invoiced for the cost. District Governor Randy Sepulvado will present 25 year chevrons to Lion Tuma and Lion Dossman and a 10 year chevron to Lion Reyes. Hope we have all three in attendance. Ron Tubbs will entertain us and the President has some exciting and surprising plans.
– President’s Challenge: President Harrison had a giant blank check made; for us to use at this event and future events. Our Club reached the “match” amount and President Harrison has written his pledged match check for $500. On December 3rd, we will present District Governor Randy Sepulvado, with a giant check in the amount of $1,000 for Texas Lions Camp.
– Thanksgiving Baskets for HOCTIL families of children with special needs – Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Thanksgiving meal baskets. Also, Thank you to H-E-B for a donation of $100; and to WalMart for a donation of $50. Baskets were delivered directly after the luncheon – NOTE: See Thank You below from the children of one of the families that we Served today! Thank you Lion Shaw and Lion Ellis for helping with the deliveries – heavy helping!
– Lion Shaw extended a Thank you to Lion Potts for reaching out to help pick up 178 flags. Lion Stagner Thanked all again for the tremendous effort retrieving roughly 250 flags at the end of the Belton Lions 2020 USA Flag Program – she will email, phone and deliver letters to the roughly 12 flags still out.
– President Harrison reminded the Club that our Lion Memorial Wall of the Lions Pavilion at Heritage Park is moving forward. He will be ordering Bronze Plaques for our first five honorees: Lion(s) Baisden, Cox, Dulaney, Holle and Long.
– President Harrison provided a handout of the Program Assignment Schedule for the first quarter of 2021.
– Lion(s) Listi and Ellis presented a proposed joint-plan with Belton Rotary to update the IT software and equipment (including Zoom) in the Banquet Room at The GIN. The members showed interest and asked them to pursue the project and cost.
– Secretary Stagner provided a preliminary recap of the charges to get the Club set up to receive credit card payments … $160 initial equipment and processing; $4.95 per month service charge; 2.5% on swipe charges/3.5% on keyed in charges – through BanCorp South with First Data – it will be a Clover Account. The Board of Directors will discuss it at the next Board Meeting on December 3rd.
– President Harrison has updated the Stampede on the Chisholm Trail logo – attached to this email.
Program –
Our Guest Speaker, Susie Marek, Children/Youth & Family Services Program Manager, Heart of Central Texas Independent Living. HOCTIL is dedicated to the promotion of independence for persons with disabilities through self-determination and to advocate for persons with disabilities for equal access and actively participate in their community – Your Life … Your Way. She shared stories and examples of “peer support” provided within the Community families – especially people with special needs during this pandemic to help them understand the lifestyle changes. HOCTIL is a “one stop shop” for Veterans to Children. If you get a chance – visit Eldred’s Nursery – a non-profit job training facility for persons with disabilities. Great Organization – and … Susie Marek might be our next newest Belton Lions Club Member!
Future Program Assignments:
November 26 – NO MEETING – Thanksgiving
December 3 – Texas Lions Camp presentation of our $1,000 donation check / Board Meeting
December 10 – Lion Harrison – Retired Mayor Marion Grayson
December 17 – EVENING meeting – Belton Lions Club Christmas Party – DG Sepulvada chevron presentations