BLC Meeting Recap – Thursday August 14th, 2025
Call to Order by Lion President Jon Fontenot
“If it’s Thursday … it’s LIONS CLUB!
Lion Members Present: Chris Gregg, Jennah Gliha, Brendan Brown, David Shaw, Mike Matthews, Jon Fontenot, Karen Stagner, Billy Conway, Jennifer Ramirez, Rob Potts, James Harrison, Mac Hickerson & Damian, Keith Cook
Lion At-Large Members:
Guests: Ron Ducharme (speaker)
Song: Lion Jennah Gliha
Pledge to US Flag: Lion Billy Conway
Pledge to Texas Flag: Lion Keith Cook
Prayer: Lion Rob Potts
Joke: Lion Brendan Brown – waiting for prom, florist, photos, check-in, food, restroom, then punch line … there was no punch line.
Plate Spin: World Renowned Plate Spinner Lion Mac Hickerson
Exercise: Lion James Harrison
August Lion Birthdays: Mike Matthews (8/3), Malinda Golden (8/23)
Lion James Harrison inducted our newest member – Brendan Brown – WELCOME!
Announcements
– MD 2-X3 Cabinet Meeting, August 9th, recap – our Club is in great shape – informative Cabinet meeting.
– LIONS on the LEON (a little less than 2 months out)
– Sponsor handout – challenge each member to bring back at least one sponsor at ANY level. We NEED sponsorships to offset cost to hold the event – printing, signs, prizes & awards, carnival games & prizes.
– Mail-out and emails to Belton Businesses and past sponsors (200 businesses) out last week.
Three (3) cash sponsors so far: Smoke Eater Guitars, Cochran, Blair & Potts and RVOS Insurance; plus Woodhouse Day Spa, Goodnight Loving Vodka & H-E-B as in-kind; and one Vendor – Christy’s.
– 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 –Our fliers in runner packets for Community Connection 5K & Nolanville 5K Foxtrot. We are posted on Running in the USA and on RunGuides; as well as Run Sign-up. We already have runners signed up.
– Need flyers and stuff for Swag Bags (75) and also for Bib Raffle (12).
– Silent/Bucket Auction – we have three (3) baskets so far.
– 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
– Belton U Event for Belton Employees, Bawcom Center, Thursday, August 28th. … promote the Wacky Boat Race, Picnic in the Park, 5K too – as well as Club Membership. Lion Karen Stagner planning to attend. After discussion about the number of members involved in Belton U, it was suggested and voted to NOT have a lunch meeting on August 28th.
– 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. Karen has reached out the Lisle Meeker for possible dates, locations and times – TBD
Program: Ron Ducharme, President of Rescue Magazine and Consultant for Bell County Animal Shelter and along with his side kick, Princess Leia. From collecting food, toys, and all the supplies needed for animals in the shelters..he makes it look easy. Thank you for all he does for the animal community.
Future Programs:
August 21* – Open Board Meeting Date – there will be CAKE
August 28 – David Leigh – NOTE: the Mayor is scheduled to be at Belton U. CANCELLED
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 Committee Assignments – Sign-up Sheet – Thank you for Volunteering
– 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, 254-939-0731, 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!
– 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
