News

March 2008

Woolard pins to be more recognizable

The North Carolina Lions Foundation has approved a change in the design and color of the William L. Woolard Partner-In- Service lapel pins, making them more recognizable based on the level of giving.

The board of directors also approved the creation of a Woolard patch that can be displayed on club banners. Clubs that have at least one Partner-in-Service will receive the patch.

The design and inscription will remain the same on the pins, but a new colored banner will encircle the image of Woolard, past president of the International Association of Lions Clubs. The designated color will identify the level of partnership.

• Founder, light blue band
• Supporter, red band
• Friend, green band
• Patron, white band
• Ambassador, dark blue band
• Knight, orange band
• Partner, purple band

Inscriptions will continue to be displayed in gold.

The new banner patch will be similar in design to the Jack Stickley Fellowship patch; 3 ½ inches in diameter with a gold band encircling Woolard’s image. "Partner-in-Service" will be embroidered within the gold band.

As more Lions enroll in the program, tabs will be supplied to the clubs for each five members who become partners-in- service. More than 150 clubs currently qualify for the banner patch, with at least 35 clubs having between five and 20 members enrolled in the program.

Since the start of the Lions’ year, $8,000 has been contributed to the program, with $2,000 transferred into the NCLF budget and $6,000 put into the William L. Woolard Endowment. The program has a goal of $10,000 for the year.

This year’s emphasis is two-fold: to encourage all Lions to be enrolled in the program and to encourage those previously enrolled to advance a level periodically until they reach Partner level.

When this happens, White Cane will receive a tremendous boost because 25 percent of receipts go into the current Foundation budget. The remaining 75 percent is permanently endowed, providing interest income to provide the same.

For information contact the NCLF office at 800-662-7401 for an enrollment form. More information can be obtained through the Web site www.nclf.org.

White Cane, a critical look

By Harvey Whitley, Humanitarian White Cane State Chairperson

Our Humanitarian/White Cane numbers through Jan. 31 are only about $19,000 behind last year’s giving. We realize many clubs typically send funds in later in the year. So why are we concerned?

The concern is that we fell short of budget last year. If we are behind last year’s giving we are on track to fall short again? I pray that we won’t.

What happens if we come up short of budget again? What happens if this trend continues?

If we individually do not meet our personal income expectations, we are faced with decisions of where to cut. Our White Cane budget is the same.What would we eliminate or reduce?

Would we have to reduce the number of campers or weeks of camp?

Would we have to park the vision van for part of the year?

Would we have to reduce or eliminate matching funds?

Would we have to discontinue supporting the VIP Fishing Tournament?

Would we have to eliminate support for the Deaf/Blind Retreat?

These are a few of the services that might be severely impacted.

The White Cane funds we raise are the heart and soul of services we render. That heart needs to continue to beat strongly.

Examine your club’s White Cane giving. Are you doing all you can? The thousands we serve are depending on us.

Sweeping Changes to Organ and Tissue Donation

With the passage of the new “Heart Prevails” legislation the way we as Lions will promote Organ and Tissue Donation will change dramatically. Under the new legislation the North Carolina Donor Registry changes from one of intent to one of consent. This means that if you have a heart on your North Carolina Drivers License or state issued ID, your wishes cannot be overturned by family members.

Since the 1950’s the Lions have been involved in donation. In the early years our focus was on the donation of eye tissue. Working with the North Carolina Eye Bank the Lions have served as Directors, provided financial support and help educate thousands of individuals of the benefits and need for donation.

A new Position Statement was adopted by NCLF Board of Directors on November 14, 1999. The North Carolina Lions Foundation shall be the education arm for the humanitarian acts of organ donation, procurement and transplantation of eye tissue. With the adoption of this statement the Lions will work with the state’s three donor recovery agencies; NC Eye Bank, Carolina Donor Services, and LifeShare Of The Carolinas.

Currently the only way to sign up as a donor is to go the DMV. In the near future donors will no longer have to wait for their driver’s license to expire to do so. By April a new online registry will be available. This will enable you to become a donor at any time by simply logging on the new web site. By making it easier to register as a donor online, there will be an increase in the number of people who will become donors.

With the new registry and legislation we will no longer solicit individuals to sign donor cards. Information for the Clubs is being prepared and should be ready in a few months. We are waiting on the new registry to be completed before we finalize our new procedures. Even though our role as Lions will change, it is still a very important one. The need to educate, inform and encourage individuals in our communities to become donors is critical to insure that there are organs and tissue available to save sight and lives.

Campaign for 2nd Vice President

It is hard to believe that in just a few months we will be on our way to the election in Bangkok, Thailand, at the International Convention. Judy and I are excited about what the new year will hold for us and the Lions of North Carolina. As your candidate for 2nd vice president of LCI, I want to thank each of you for your support, your financial contributions, and your prayers as we travel around the world meeting Lions and seeing the projects they support.

Please visit our web site at www.sidscruggs.com to keep track of our travels. Many have asked how you can help at the convention. Vice District Governor Mike Schwartz, my web master, has produced a form on the convention page of the web site that will allow you to sign up for a specific job.

The committee chairs are listed so you can see who you will be working with in Bangkok. We look forward to having each of you share in the excitement of the election whether you are present in Bangkok, or cheering here at home. Each of you is an important part of the team!