Belton Lions Club

BLC Meeting Recap – Thursday, January 30, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President Jennah Gliha
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!”

Members Present: Jon Fontenot, Danny Dossman, Wayne Carpenter, Sam Listi, David Shaw, Jennah Gliha, David Tuma, Mary Shockley, Rob Potts, James Harrison, Keith Cook, Clint Bailey, Dwayne Williams, John Corsi, Karen Stagner

Guest: Chris Gregg (guest of Jennah Gliha), Valerie Williams (club guest), PDG Lawrence & Sylvia Sanchez (club guests),

Jay Walker, Julia Broderick & Nathaniel Herrera (guest speakers)
Song: by Lion Keith Cook
Pledge to US Flag: Lion Rob Potts
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion John Corsi
Prayer: Lion Wayne Carpenter
Joke: Lion Danny Dossman – longest joke EVER … you had to be there
Plate Spin: standing in for our World-Renowned Plate Spinner today was Chris Gregg – nice spin!
Exercise: Lion James Harrison

REMINDERS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– Full Schedule today – we will have project and fundraiser updates next week.

– NOTE:  Several Club Members (Jennah, Chris, Keith, Karen & Susie Marek) will be visiting and touring Texas Lions Camp with Past International Director Sam Lindsey on Friday, June 13^th – plus, attending Camp Graduation that evening. We have special rates for overnight stay at the Y.O. Ranch in Kerrville. PID Sam would like to get a headcount for the room block at the hotel.  If you are interested in going, contact Jennah or Karen to get on the list.

– Presentations: 

            Lion Mac Hickerson – Lifetime Membership in Belton Lions Club – Lion Mac has a cold; we have postponed his presentation until next meeting – February 6^th.

            Lion Dwayne Williams – PDG (Past District Governor) Lawrence Sanchez, Board Member of the Texas Lions Museum presented Lion Dwayne with the Grindstaff Life Membership in the Texas Lions Museum. Thank you Lion Dwayne for your Lionism and generosity!

Program: Past President Lion Keith Cook invited Representatives from the Lake Belton High School Entrepreneurial Department to tell us about their SHARK TANK program. Exciting Program – preparing students for the business world.

Incubator / Accelerator / Accounting – creating their own product or service.  SHARK TANK judging is scheduled for April 25^th, 6pm.  They are seeking Judges for the event.  Thank you Nathaniel Herrera & Julie Broderick; and their teacher Jay Walker. (see attached .pdf)

Future Programs:

February 6 – John Corsi – Note: Constitution and By-Laws Committee Meeting after lunch (Committee Members: Larry Berg, Jennah Gliha, Wayne Carpenter, James Harrison & Karen Stagner)
February 13 – Danny Dossman
February 20 – Jon Fontenot – Board Meeting after
February 27 – Jennah Gliha
March 6 – open (was Christa Strang)
March 13 – David Leigh
March 20 – Open (was Veronica Logan) – Board Meeting After
March 27 – Mike Matthews
April 3 – Rob Potts
April 10 – James Harrison – Note: BLC 86^th Anniversary is April 15^th
April 17 – Cri Childs – Board Meeting after; plus … Easter Basket Delivery
April 24 – Brett Beamesderfer

Thank Guests for Coming!  Remember, where there is a need, there is a Lion!

Keeping on the Front Burner:

– Belton Lions Wall at Heritage Park – James Harrison coordinating
– LEO Club Update – Brett – future interested LEOs can help with events, as they further their plans.
– Tara Cotton needing special hearing device for her daughter. We are currently waiting to hear back from the Mom about her school, church and family fundraising efforts to supplement any BLC donation.

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BLC Meeting Order of Business – Thursday, January 23, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President Jennah Gliha
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!”

Members Present: Mike Matthews, Jon Fontenot, Danny Dossman, Karen Stagner, Billy Conway, James Harrison, Rob Potts, David Shaw, Jennah Gliha, Sam Listi, Keith Cook, Wayne Carpenter, Mac Hickerson, David Leigh

Guest: Buddy Hickerson (guest), Jesse Ramos (speaker)
Song: by Lion Mike Matthews
Pledge to US Flag: Lion Keith Cook
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion Rob Potts
Prayer: Lion Sam Listi
Joke: Lion David Leigh – It’s so Cold … how Cold is it ???   and on … and on … and on …
Plate Spin: World Renowned Plate Spinner Lion Mac Hickerson
Exercise: Lion James Harrison

Lion Birthdays: Birthdays: Larry Berg (1/22), JT Grimm (1/9), Clint Bailey (1/22) 

REMINDERS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– To Note: Lion JT Grimm is in the hospital; please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

– Board Meeting Recap:

BLC Constitution and By-Laws Update: Current Version has been emailed to Committee: Larry Berg, James Harrison, Jennah Gliha, Wayne Carpenter & Karen Stagner – 1^st Review Meeting is scheduled for after lunch on Thursday, February 6^th.

America’s Best Invoices for Eyeglasses – the Club has paid for two (2) exams and eyeglasses so far in 2025.

Lions on the Leon 5K Run/Walk – Since we didn’t make the finals with Cen-Tex Race Series and the $1,000 cost for race timing; it was agreed that we should keep the 5K as a Fun Run/Walk.

Storage Shelving for the BLC storage unit at Belton Storage – it was approved to purchase a shelving unit.

Membership Dues – it was discussed and approved that any member past due by 18 months would be notified to be dropped for non-payment.

– MD2X3 Mid Winter District Recap

Club Excellence – presentation to PP Keith Cook – label pin and Club Patch

Leader Dogs for the Blind (Michigan) Slide Show and Presentation

Dinner in the Dark, created by Waco Women’s Lions in 2014 in Waco Texas – now nationwide (handout)

Peace Poster Contest – Lion BC Seely – Students ages 11, 12 or 13 as of November 15 are eligible to participate in the International Peace Poster Contest. Kit can be ordered January 15^th – October 1^st.

Texas Lions Camp – PID Sam Lindsey invite to tour Camp & Museum, June 13&14, lodging at YO Ranch $99

– Stampede Bike Ride 2025 Date – Update & Handouts

Email sent to 176 past riders / 3 signed up as of today

Posted on WheelBrothers

Posted on BLC facebook and website – please like and share facebook post

Soliciting past sponsors & raffle contributors for 2025 ride. Current Sponsors: ABC Home & Commercial, Don Ringler Chevrolet, Blackland Implement, and Cen-Tex Automotive

Members are asked, if able, to try to contribute one item for the Bib Raffle.

Program: Billy Conway has invited Captain Jeffe Ramos, Commander of the CID Division, Bell County Sheriff’s Office, with 40+ years of service. Thank you, Billy Conway, for inviting Captain Jesse, we know we are in good hands! 

Future Programs:

January 30 – Keith Cook, LBHS Entrepreneurial Department – Shark Tank – plus two (2) special presentations
February 6 – John Corsi – Note: Constitution and By-Laws Committee Meeting after lunch
February 13 – Danny Dossman
February 20 – Jon Fontenot – Board Meeting after
February 27 – Jennah Gliha

Thank Guests for Coming!  Remember, where there is a need, there is a Lion!

Keeping on the Front Burner:

– Belton Lions Wall at Heritage Park – James Harrison coordinating
– LEO Club Update – Brett – future interested LEOs can help with events, as they further their plans.
– Tara Cotton needing special hearing device for her daughter. We are currently waiting to hear back from the Mom about her school, church and family fundraising efforts to supplement any BLC donation..

BLC December BOARD Meeting Recap – January 16, 2025

Call to Order by Lion President Jennah Gliha

Members Present: James Harrison, Mike Matthews, Todd Schiller, Jon Fontenot, Mac Hickerson, Jennah Gliha
Absent: Danny Dossman, Keith Cook, David Shaw, John Corsi
Guest: Buddy Hickerson, Chris Gregg

Membership Report – Karen Stagner –
Total Active Members – 38

The Board discussed unpaid member dues.  Jon Fontenot motioned to create a rule that any member unpaid for 18 months would be dropped from Club membership until their past due payments were paid; 2^nd by Mike Matthews.  After discussion, Board voted unanimously to accept and approve the rule.

Treasurer Report –

General Account – $9,844.85
Foundation Account – $33,261.43
Edward Jones – $23,754.96
Raymond James – $11,699.00

Old Business:

– BLC Constitution and By-Laws – suggesting a Board Member take the Lead on this to work with the Committee. From the meeting, July 25^th, the Committee consists of: Larry Berg, James Harrison, Jennah Gliha, Wayne Carpenter & Karen Stagner. Karen will email the files to committee members and suggest 2 dates for a meeting after one of our Thursday lunches.

– America’s Best invoices for eyeglasses – Five (5) invoices for $79.95 each to America’s Best have been paid during 2024.  We received a new one for payment mid-December; then received 2 additional invoices. America’s Best # 5037 has been advised that the one received last week would fall within our 2024 budget. The 2 additional will be paid from the 2025 budget.

– Lions on the Leon AAR Meeting –update from Belton City Council about a beer & wine permit in Heritage Park?  Danny and Patti to meet with City Council. Wine and Beer permit update postponed until next meeting.  After discussion of the $1,000+ cost for timing; and considering that the Run did not make the Cen-Tex Race Series because they already have 2 events in October, the Board agreed to continue the 5K Run/Walk as a fun run. Parks and Rec would like to talk to us about having a trail run.  

New Business:

Storage Shelving for the Belton Storage Unit – Karen Stagner requested approval to purchase a shelving unit for the Storage Building.

Todd Schiller motion to approve; 2^nd by Mike Matthews.  After discussion about a $75-$80 shelving unit; the request was voted and approved. 

Holding to a Later Date:

– Membership Milestone Awards – Will we be presenting these at Christmas?  The Board agreed that Milestones will be in five (5) year increments; starting at 10 year membership. – John Corsi and Jennah Gliha.  Secretary has provided a Report of each member’s length of membership. – No discussion at this meeting

– Update on Cadence Bank – CD and other – on hold
– Belton Lions Wall at Heritage Park – James Harrison coordinating
– LEO – Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity

– Tara Cotton (Belton) email to Lions International – daughter needs behind the ear hearing aids for bone conduction – insurance won’t cover the cost – pending family fundraising efforts to supplement any donations – to be updated in 2025.

– Lions on the Leon AAR Meeting – is there an update from Belton City Council about a beer & wine permit in Heritage Park?  The 5K run did not make the Cen-Tex Race Series.

Motion to close: 1:25pm

Submitted by Belton Lions Club Secretary Karen Stagner

BLC Meeting Recap – Thursday, January 16, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!”

Members Present: Jennah Gliha, Mike Matthews, Jon Fontenot, Karen Stagner, Billy Conway, Todd Schiller, Wayne Carpenter, Mac Hickerson, Sam Listi, Keith Cook, Larry Berg,

Guest: Chris Gregg (no meal); Buddy Hickerson (Club Guest); James Grant (speaker)
Song: by Lion (forgot to write it down)
Pledge to US Flag: Lion (forgot to write it down)
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion Keith Cook
Prayer: Lion Sam Listi
Joke: Buddy Hickerson – something about a bar and a tuba
Plate Spin: World Renowned Plate Spinner Lion Mac Hickerson
Exercise: Lion Mike Matthews

Lion Birthdays: January – date not known/listed with LCI as January 1st : Blair Williams; Michael Reyes, Griffin Lord, Matt Gunter, & Lou Griffin.  Actual Birthdays: Larry Berg (1/22), JT Grimm (1/9), Clint Bailey (1/22) 

REMINDERS and ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– Board Meeting After Lunch

– MD2X3 Mid Winter District, Saturday, January 18, Gober Party House, Temple, Hosted by Temple Founders Lions. So far, Jennah, Chris and Karen are going.

– BLC 2^nd Quarter Dues billing – please pay promptly

– Flag Program Billing – done …Thank you Danny Dossman for replacing so many flags over the weekend.

– Stampede Bike Ride 2025 Date – Update & Handouts

            Email sent to 176 past riders

            Posted on WheelBrothers – Stampede on the Chisholm Trail – All up to date 2025 Texas bicycle rides in one location

            Posted on BLC facebook and website

            Need to start soliciting 2024 sponsors & raffle contributors for 2025 ride.

            Members were asked, if able, to try to contribute one item for the Bib Raffle.

– Members took up a collection for Tabatha’s birthday; presented it to her; and sang Happy Birthday.

– Wayne Carpenter advised members of an upcoming Library Fundraiser, February 22, at Christ the King Catholic Church – featuring writer Lisa Wingate. (information attached).

Future Programs:

January 23 – Billy Conway – Chief Deputy Chuck Cox, Bell County Sheriff’s Department
January 30 – Keith Cook, LBHS Entrepreneurial Department – Shark Tank
February 6 – John Corsi
February 13 – Danny Dossman
February 20 – Jon Fontenot – Board Meeting after
February 27 – Jennah Gliha

Thank Guests for Coming!  Remember, where there is a need, there is a Lion!

Keeping on the Front Burner:
– Belton Lions Wall at Heritage Park – James Harrison coordinating
– LEO Club – future interested LEOs can help with events, as they further their plans.
– Tara Cotton needing special hearing device for her daughter. We are currently waiting to hear back from the Mom about her school, church and family fundraising efforts to supplement any BLC donation.