BLC Meeting Recap – Thursday July 31st, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President Jon Fontenot
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!
Lion Members Present: Sam Listi, Jennah Gliha & Chris Gregg, Jon Fontenot, Danny Dossman, Karen Stagner, Billy Conway, David Shaw, Mike Matthews, Rob Potts, Keith Cook, Wayne Carpenter, David Tuma, Mac Hickerson & Damian, Clint Bailey, Luke Potts
Lion At-Large Members:
Guests: Joe Dyer (City of Belton Parks & Rec Director), Christina Waits (City of Belton PR), Paul Romer (City of Belton Director of Communications), Susie Marek. “Friends for Life” (guest of Karen Stagner)Song: Lion Mike Matthews
Pledge to US Flag: Lion Billy Conway
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion Keith Cook
Prayer: Lion Rob Potts
Joke: Lion Danny Dossman – Bathroom – same and different – you had to be there.
Plate Spin: World Renowned Plate Spinner Lion Mac Hickerson
Exercise: Mike Matthews
July Lion Birthdays: Keith Cook (7/6), Jennah Gliha (7/15), and James Harrison (7/30)
Announcements
– BLC Committee Assignments – Sign-up Sheet – Thank you for Volunteering
– MD 2-X3 Cabinet Meeting, August 9th,
7:45a-1p, Harris Center, hosted by Temple Belton Ladies Lions, we need to support our District Ladies Lions in our backyard – need lots of BLC attendees. Sign-up Sheet – Club will pay registrations.
– LIONS on the LEON
– Sponsor handout – challenge each member to bring back at least one sponsor at ANY level. Mail-out and emails to Belton Businesses and past sponsors will go out next week. First Sponsor came in today: Smoke Eater Guitars.
– Picnic in the Park – Jay White and the Blues Commanders –Thank you to Judy Garrett
– Captain “D” Dash for Sight – 5K Fun Run/Walk – handout – route has been finalized – promotion to Run Clubs, runners begins this weekend. Thank you to JoJo Guzman for finalizing the route for us.
– Judy Garrett has asked that we set up a booth at the Thursday, August 28th (?) Belton U Event for Belton Employees at UMHB again this year … maybe take the “baby” and/or “mini” pearl?? … promote the 5K too – as well as Club Membership.
– LEO Club – the Club has been asked to join with Temple Breakfast Lions to support their existing LEO Club – this is a liaison commitment request; not monetary. We need a member to volunteer to be our Club liaison with Dr. Ponder and Dorree Collins. Please consider volunteering to meet with Dr. Ponder and Dorree to get more information– who’s up for it?
Program: Lion Sam Listi provided an update on the City of Belton – Growth, Development Trends, Investments, MUD Districts, Water Resources; Joe Dyer presented on Parks and Rec – updates & Phase 2 expansion at Heritage Park is scheduled for 2027; Fire Chief Lion Jon Fontenot presented on the Fire Department – updates and improvements; and the Club presented our annual Heritage Park partnership check in the amount of $5,000. (group photo w/club members)
Future Programs:
August 7 – John Corsi – Stephanie Newell, District Attorney
August 14 – Jennah Gliha
August 21* – Open Board Meeting Date (was Jon Fontenot)
August 28 – David Leigh
September 4 – Mike Matthews
September 11 – James Harrison
September 18* – Open Board Meeting Date (was Rob Potts)
September 25
Meeting Close – Where there’s a NEED … there’s a LION!
Keep on the Front Burner/Mark Your Calendar:
– BLC Fundraiser Cruise – March 1-8, 2026 from Galveston onboard the Regal Princess – with stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan – includes all port charges, round trip transportation to the pier in Galveston and a breakfast on the charter bus. Your Travel Agent, 254-939-731, yourtravelagent@hot.rr.com
– Bell County Senior Expo, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8am-1pm, Cadence Bank Center – Entertainment hosts; Speaker hosts; Greeters; & Emcee. Sign-up Sheet is FULL. Thank you!
– Temple Founders suggestion regarding Kerrville needs (email); and Lion Chief Jon Fontenot will be keeping us updated in the weeks to come.
– Our Club will be selling the People’s Choice tickets and our Plate Spinning Contest at Belton, Bacon, Blues and Brews, September 27
– October 4th, LIONS on the LEON, Captain “D” Dash for Sight, 8:30am; Picnic in the Park, 10a-1p; Wacky Open & Cardboard Boat Race, People’s Choice Judging starts at 11am, race heats start at 1pm.
– October 10 & 11, Belton Polka on the Square, Save the Date – at this time, we’re unaware if we will be serving or helping.
– October 11 & 12, Rescue Magazine Pet Adoption Extravaganza, 10am-5pm – Save the Date – possibly lending the Black Pearl again.
– October 18th, District Cabinet Meeting, hosted by Harker Heights Lions
– November 1st, 2-4pm, CTCS, 14 Annual Fall Festival for families of children with special needs
– November 20 – Thanksgiving Basket Delivery
– December 11 – Christmas Basket Delivery (note – earlier date)
– December 18, (set up at 1pm), 5-8pm, Harris Center, Pictures with Santa for families of children with special needs.
– January 31st, District Mid-Winter Conference (Lorena), hosted by the Robinson Lions Club
– April 11th, District Convention, hosted by the Palestine Lions Club
– Lions Field @Smith and West 5th could use some updates. Jon Fontenot will get Parks & Rec to explore options – tabled until we have more information.
– The Club plans to participate in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Keith Cook will take the lead during the 2025-26 school year.
– 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
– Girl Scout Troop 8121 Silver Award Project – The Board agreed to sponsor the Hammock Garden for $456. at the Belton Early Childhood School (BECS) Outdoor Learning Center Project. Instead, we have sponsored the actual garden – same price; Hammock Garden was already sponsored.
