BLC Meeting Recap – Thursday August 7th, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President Jon Fontenot
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!
Lion Members Present: Jennah Gliha, Luke Potts, Jon Fontenot, Larry Berg, Karen Stagner, Billy Conway, Wayne Carpenter, Rob Potts, James Harrison, David Tuma, Keith Cook, Mac Hickerson & Damian
Lion At-Large Members:
Guests: Chris Gregg, Brendan Brown (joining), Blake from State Farm (guest of John Corsi)
Song: Lion John Corsi
Pledge to US Flag: Lion David Tuma
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion Mike Matthews
Prayer: Lion Wayne Carpenter
Joke: Lion James Harrison – daughter joke – magic dog – labracadabredor
Plate Spin: World Renowned Plate Spinner Lion Mac Hickerson
Exercise: Lion James Harrison
August Lion Birthdays: Mike Matthews (8/3), Malinda Golden (8/23)
Announcements
– BLC Committee Assignments – Sign-up Sheet is almost full – Thank you for Volunteering
– MD 2-X3 Cabinet Meeting, August 9th, this coming Saturday
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 went out next week. Two sponsors so far: Smoke Eater Guitars and RVOS Insurance; plus Woodhouse Day Spa & H-E-B in-kind.
– 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, 456 runners sent this week.
– 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 … promote the Wacky Boat Race, 5K too – as well as Club Membership.
– Volunteer Sign Up by area/category/time will be available August 21st – like STAMPEDE – it’s all hands on deck – and kids, and spouses, and cousins – lots of new areas this year where volunteers will be needed
– 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– Lion President Jon volunteered to meet with them to get more information.
Program: Lion John Corsi invited Stephanie Newell, 27th Judicial District Attorney. We’re honored she could join us and share her insight, and we are grateful for the service she continues to provide to Bell County.
Future Programs:
August 14 – Jennah Gliha – Ron Ducharme, Rescue Magazine
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.