Belton Lions Club

Congratulations to Lion David Shaw – Belton Lions Club Lion of the Year! … for outstanding dedication and service to the Club and to the Belton Community. Lion Shaw was unanimously selected by past Lions of the Year: Danny Dossman, James Harrison and Karen Stagner! Congratulations David!

BOARD MEETING

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Call to Order: Lion President Harrison at 1:00pm

Members Present: President Harrison, Past President Knight, Secretary/Treasurer Stagner, Lion Tamer Hickerson, Tail Twister Danny Dossman

Order of Business:

1. Fundraisers: Stampede, Flag Program, Heritage Park Event. Starting with the Heritage Park Event – we don’t know yet what this event is going to be – looking at the fall of 2021 – Dossman had an idea about a Duck Race in the River – Matt Bates advised that the City does not have oversight on the Leon River, it is Brazos River Authority and Corps of Engineers, and does not flow through Heritage Park. We may look at “other” options for “Ducks”- maybe 500 ducks in the back of a concrete truck – first duck to hit the ground wins … also, maybe a 5K in the Fall … a Golf Ball Drop (from a crane) … or a Yard Sale at Heritage Park – selling “spaces” to others – also set up and sell hot dogs. Possibly get H-E-B involved. Flag Program: maybe consider not picking them up; every quarter letting them know to let us know if the flag needs to be replaced, to let us know.  Raise price to include flag replacement?  Raise price to include a flag pole light so that the flags can be left out all day and night?  President Harrison will check into the pricing for the pole light – possibly charge $50 per year and leave the flags with the participants year round – delivering in January of 2021.  We need to have a meeting to generate a letter to participants about the renewed program – send out in January – basically starting from scratch on our flag list.  The current list is confusing due to the pandemic participation and non-participation.  We can send out email reminders to participants prior to ALL fly your flag days – reminding them that they need to let us know if their flag needs attention.
2. Wall of Honor at Heritage Park: President Harrison presented pricing for the heavy bronze plaques – 24”X36” ($2,300) and 18”x 24” ($1,100) from artisticbronze.net. Discussion about Lions members to be honored. Lion Dossman suggested that the one central long narrow plaque would be the “title plaque”; then other plaques (8 ½”x11”) below honoring individual members. We need to have a special fundraiser to raise about $4,000 to complete this project.  This company deals with Lions Clubs all over the World.
3. Credit Card Machines: A Clover account through First Data – $169.00 start-up/equipment; $4.95 per month; 2.5% Swipe charge; 3.5% keyed charge. Lion President feels that having the ability to charge could possibly help with delinquent dues.  Lion Stagner cautioned that we would need to charge an additional processing fee. Lion Dossman questioned how often we would be using the credit card accessibility.  We have many members who have their dues paid by their employers.  It would be convenient for the bike ride, luncheon guest meals or weekly fundraiser contributions.  The Board made the decision to table the decision – … remaining to keep invoicing items with dues billing.
4. Split Cost of IT for sound and projection at The GIN: The Rotary Club, the Lions Club and The GIN.

The Board is concerned about investing in a purchase for The GIN.  Rather, it may be in the best interest of the Club to purchase (or borrow from Lion Knight or other members) the equipment for the limited times that we would need for our meetings – possibly purchasing our own laptop; and portable sound system for when we really need it.

5. Membership: Reviewing the spreadsheet, most of the At Large members do not attend lunch meetings. The Club is pretty much up to date … we will reach out to members, especially “at-large” members.

Meeting Closed at 1:35PM

BELTON LIONS CLUB
Board Meeting
Thursday, November 5, 2020

Call to Order: Lion President Harrison at 1:00pm
Members Present: President Harrison, Vice-President John Corsi, Past President David Shaw, Secretary/Treasurer Stagner, Lion Tamer Hickerson, Tail Twister Danny Dossman
Order of Business:
1.  Christmas Dinner on 12/17 – 5:30 Social / 6pm Dinner – The GIN

Dinner Menu – Cotton Place: $23.95, plus 20% tip (tip is based on tax added total)
House Side Salad w/Ranch
Entrée: Grilled Boneless Chicken Breast, Chicken Fried Steak, Blackened Catfish
Sides: Home-Style Green Beans, Garlic Roasted Mashed Potatoes
Note: Blacken Catfish is served on a Bed of Rice, not Mashed Potatoes

Dinner Price to Members
Club will pay the usual $14.00; plus the additional $15.00

Dinner Price to Guests
$23.95, plus 20% tip of $5.19 = $29.14 ($30) (tip is based on tax added total)

“Friends” Plaque Presentation to DG Randy Sepulvado nominated by President Harrison,
$25.00 charge paid by the Club (or James Harrison) – approved – Club pays meal.

Room Capacity & Room Set: Health protocols observed – 40ppl max / tables spread out

2. Presentation of Check to Texas Lions Camp – Since we have met our $500 commitment to the President’s Challenge – thanks to our Tail-Twister Dossman, President Harrison is prepared to write a check for the matching $500. We will present the $1,000 check to the Texas Lions Camp at our Lunch Meeting on December 3rd.

4. Stampede on the Chisholm Trail – Committee Members: James Harrison, Karen Stagner, David Shaw, John Corsi – General Duties: Harrison-Sponsors; Stagner-Clerical & Registration; Shaw & Corsi-Mechanics; Harrison-Volunteers.  Going back to original Stampede logo – agreed to add artwork of a bicycle – Header within letter “Cycling through Central Texas”.

5. Accepting Credit Cards – Secretary Stagner would like authorization to talk with the Bank about setting the Club up to take credit card payments. All agreed.

6. Record Keeping: Secretary Stagner presented the Spreadsheets that we now are maintaining to track payments and charges for: Guest Meals, Ball Caps, “Friends”, other Projects and Fundraisers. Overall Financials presented in a handout.

7. Charge for Extra Meals – We want to continue to remind members pay for their guest(s) meal – at $14.28 ($15) plate (original thought $13.20/however, tip is based on $11.00 dinner, plus TAX/then tax backed out of overall bill) – of course, our invited lunch Guest(s) and Speaker(s) would be absorbed by the Club.

We would also ask that any At-Large or Associate member pay (to the Secretary) for their meal if they attend and dine with the Club.  We appreciate our At-Large and Associate members who are continuing to support and participate with our Club, however, the Regular member Club dues will not adequately cover additional lunch meals.  This procedure has been in place with the Club before and it was decided to go back to it.

Board Meeting Adjourned at 1:30pm

October 22nd Meeting Recap:

Meeting was called to order by Club President Harrison.

Attendance: James Harrison, Jon Fontenot, David Tuma, Gary Knight, Danny Dossman, Sam Listi, John Corsi, David Shaw, Mac Hickerson, Rob Potts, Gene Ellis, Karen Stagner

Guest: Mike Matthews, ABC Pest Control – guest of Lion Corsi; Wesley Gilbreath, Belton Asst. Fire Chief – guest of Lion Fontenot

Song by Lion Knight (Yea!) / Pledge by Lion Tuma / Prayer by Lion Listi

Exercise: with and by Lion President Harrison – almost skipped – we took a stand and strained our muscles.

Announcements – 

 – December 17th will be our Club Christmas Party; @ 5:30pm, at the GIN.  Spouses are included in the invitation.  President Harrison has arranged for a keyboard player to entertain.  We will be asking for an RSVP – as seating will be limited.

 – President’s Challenge: For those of you who aren’t familiar with the President’s Challenge – Lion Harrison has challenged the Club to raise $500 in contributions/donations to assist the Texas Lions Kid’s Camp – he will match up to $500 in Club Donations.  Tail-Twister Dossman auctioned a 2020 Belton NNO t-shirt and a 2020 NNO face mask – raising $65.00 to add to the current $239.00 Club commitment; plus a donation from Sam Listi in the amount of $50.00; leaving the match amount currently at $354.00.

 – October Birthdays: Lion Hickerson (10/26) and Lion Dossman (10/28) – birthday singing offered $10 to decline; Lion Dossman declined and paid the $10 toward the President’s Challenge; yet he proceeded forward for the singing of the B’Day song.  (kuddos to Lion Dossman)

 – Friends of Belton Lions – The Club’s first honored “Friend” will be Mayor Marion Grayson – she was nominated by President Harrison and Lion Listi.  President Harrison will present the plaque to Mayor Grayson at her retirement party on November 10th at the Harris Community Center.

 – President Harrison announced that Lion Tuma and Lion Dossman have earned 25 year chevrons; and Lion Reyes has earned a 10 year chevron.  District Governor Sepulvada will present their chevrons at our Christmas Party, December 17th.

 – Secretary Stagner presented a discounted, club personalized ball cap offer offer from LCI.  Based on an email poll, the club is looking to order 12 yellow and 12 blue at $12.95 each.

Joke(s) by Lion Knight; Plate Spin by Lion Hickerson

Program:

Thank you to Lion Listi for arranging for our Guest Speaker – Belton Fire Chief Jon Fontenot. The mission of the Belton Fire Department is to provide the highest level of fire protection and emergency medical services possible. The citizens of Belton deserve to be protected at all times regardless of the threat or danger.

People First – Practice Safety! Chief Fontenot presented the key principles of the Belton Fire Department Leadership’s ethics, values, & philosophy which helps guide the Department toward the future. Thank you Chief Fontenot for teaching and leading by example – We are honored to have you as an active member of the Club.