Highlights of the 2011-2012 International Theme: I BELIEVE

During 2011-2012, districts will be encouraged to believe in and take action to strengthen our membership, caring for fellow members as if they are family.  We will believe and succeed in expanding our service to new heights, propelled by a special campaign to plant one million trees.  We will believe in nurturing our future by involving more young people and Leos in all that we do.  Believe that one person can make a difference. Believe that the entire world can be changed when we come together as Lions.  Believe that changing a life – or the world – starts with each one of us.  In this 2011-2012 Lions year, we should do the following:

»    Believe in Service

We are making a difference like no other service organization.  Believe in our motto “We Serve.”  An important part of our extension of service this year will be caring for the environment.  My goal is to plant one million trees around the world.  Do you believe it can be done?  To do this we will:

• Continue our successful participation in the Global Service Action Campaign
• Encourage clubs and districts to make tree-planting part of their activities
• Report the number of trees planted on the LCI web site every month, and show pride in what we do by wearing “I planted a tree” buttons

»    Believe in Club Members

The strength of our organization lies within our clubs, and our members form the basis of our clubs.  We will make developing our members a priority by:

• Effective member orientation
• Member involvement from day one
• Club leaders who listen more, and speak less
• Nurturing lasting bonds through service, and treating each other like family
• Promoting My Club, My Family program

Leos form a relevant branch to our family tree.  It is time to elevate the significance of Leos with our family of service.  To do this we will:

• Enhance our Leo to Lion program by engaging Leos to gain their perspective, solicit their ideas and better understand their needs
• Hold a Leo/Lion summit at the international convention in Busan, Korea

To recognize our commitment to service and members, details will be shared about various awards including the Believe in Service and the First Believer awards.

»    Believe in Nurturing our Future

Lions Clubs International has a long-standing commitment to children and young adults.  Our programs make growing up a more positive experience.  Believe that each and every child we help will grow-up to be a responsible, caring adult.  To engage our young people we will:

• Promote our Lions Quest program to provide essential life skills to youth worldwide
• Expand youth activities that encourage a positive self image and develop confidence
• Encourage Lions to become role models for children and young adults
• Increase awareness of the Services for Children program to continue meeting education, shelter and health needs around the world

»    Believe in Leadership

Lions Clubs International has great leaders among our ranks.  Leadership should start the day someone becomes a Lion.  To identify and encourage potential leaders we will:

• Listen to the training needs of Lions and provide opportunities to develop and lead through the assistance of the Global Leadership Team
• Promote and encourage use of the Lions Basic Mentoring Program
• Implement practical job training for club officers and zone chairpersons
• Encourage the use of online training resources (Leadership Resource Center/Lions Learning Center)
• Communicate opportunities for leadership development with members
• Encourage participation in local and LCI training programs

»    Believe in Projecting our Image

Service and effective public relations are connected. The internet and social media are having a real impact on the way we do business and reach our internal and external audiences.  This year we will encourage our clubs and districts to not only have web sites, but also have Facebook pages.

»    Believe in Giving Back

In addition to service, Lions give from their own resources. We need to emphasize and increase support of LCIF. To accomplish this, we will:

• Increase the understanding of LCIF’s programs and their impact on individual’s lives
• Promote donations to LCIF from clubs and individuals
• Work with Multiple District and District LCIF Coordinators for donations and promotion

The international theme, I BELIEVE, challenges Lions in districts and clubs to demonstrate their belief by having the courage to make a commitment and take action.  This action will make visible the power of belief in the Lions clubs network of service; making an impact worldwide today and for the future. Download the file (pdf)

Transmission of River Blindness Halted in Ecuador

Atlanta, Georgia, USA, March 3, 2010 — Ecuador has become the second nation in the Americas to halt the transmission of onchocerciasis, according to a press release from the Carter Center, the Atlanta-based sponsoring agency for the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program in the Americas.

The Onchocerciasis Elimination Program in the Americas is a community-based partnership that includes volunteers in the endemic countries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela. Lions Clubs International Foundation supports the partnership effort through funding as well as grassroots volunteer efforts to provide education about the disease and distribute medication in the endemic countries. LCIF has supported 131 million Mectizan treatments to control and eliminate the disease. Other partners supporting the initiative include the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation, Merck and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Acting under a resolution by the Pan American Health Organization, the program has sought to end transmission of river blindness in these six endemic countries by 2012 through health education and the semiannual mass distribution of the anti-parasite drug Mectizan (ivermectin, Merck).

The Ministry of Health has been providing ivermectin to patients in the northern part of Ecuador's Esmeraldas Province since 1990. In 2008, 27,372 ivermectin treatments were administered to more than 16,000 people there, after which epidemiological studies showed that the transmission of the parasite had been stalled.

Colombia was the first of the six nations to break the transmission of onchocerciasis in 2008.

"With only four countries remaining endemic, it's critical that elimination efforts and health education are intensified elsewhere in the Americas to reach the regional goal and to avoid future suffering," Frank O. Richards Jr., MD, director of the Carter Center's River Blindness Program, said in the release.

In order for the World Health Organization to confirm that the parasite has been eliminated, a 3-year surveillance phase will begin in Ecuador this year to ensure that infection does not reoccur in the absence of ivermectin distribution.

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Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with more than 1.3 million members in 205 geographic areas and countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Through SightFirst, LCIF has restored sight to 30 million people. Learn more about LCIF online at www.lcif.org.

Relief for Chile

Lions Clubs International Foundation is committed to aiding communities affected by disasters, including the most recent disaster in Chile. There are four districts in ChileT-1, T-2, T-3 and T-4. Each district has been awarded US$10,000 in emergency funding. District T-3 includes the city of Concepcion, the hardest hit area in the country. Lions Clubs International Foundation awards approximately US$2 million each year in emergency grant funding, in addition to grants for larger disasters.

"Many of you know firsthand how quickly the Foundation acts after disaster," said LCIF Chairperson Al Brandel. LCIF staff is still trying to reach Lions in Chile. As more information is known after contacting the Lions in Chile, it will be posted to this Web page.

The 8.8 earthquake that struck on February 27 is one of the largest ever recorded, and more than 800 people are dead and 2 million people displaced as a result of the devastation to more than 1 million residences. The earthquake hit near the second largest city, Concepcion, and more than 120 earthquake aftershocks have been recorded.

Lions around the world are responding. Lions in Finland have pledged US$25,000 and the OSEAL Forum Committee has committed US$10,000. A designated account has been created for those wishing to make donations specifically for Chile earthquake relief.

Donors can:

• Donate online at www.lcif.org/donate. Select Disaster and include “Chile Earthquake Relief” in the comments section.

• Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Fax the following information to LCIF: name, address, phone number, credit card type, credit card number, expiration date, and amount of the donation. If you are a Lions member, please provide your clubs information. LCIF's fax number is (630) 571-5735.

• Mail LCIF a U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. Make the check payable to Lions Clubs International Foundation, noting "Chile Earthquake Relief" in the memo. Please send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.

• Make a direct deposit of local currency into an existing LCI account. Send a copy to LCIF via fax to (630) 571-5735.

• Do a direct wire transfer. For assistance with this option please contact LCIF Donor Assistance at donorassistance@lcif.org.
• Complete the single or multiple donor disaster donation form.

For questions, please contact LCIF at donorassistance@lcif.org or (630) 203-3836. Board policy states that designated funds are not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship credit. Donors wishing to receive Melvin Jones Fellowship credit may wish to consider instead making a donation to the LCIF general fund. Un-designated donations for MJFs and PMJFs make up as much as 80 percent of the donations to the Foundation's general fund, which supports standard grants, emergency grants and major catastrophe grants.

Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible. Donations from residents of other countries are tax deductible as permitted by the individual's country tax laws.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with more than 1.3 million members in 205 geographic areas and countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Learn more about LCIF online at www.lcif.org.

New Year, New Decade, New Look for LCIF

February 22, 2010, Oak Brook, Illinois, USA – Lions Clubs International Foundation has a new look, which includes an updated logo and repositioned brand image. This refined image is compelling and helps to clearly and effectively communicate the value of the Foundation to both the external community and the Lions.

This repositioning will better define the foundation and its program, enabling both Lions and the external community to better understand and retain our messages. It also better complements the new look and messaging of LCI. This is part of a larger initiative which includes key messages, color schemes, graphics and refreshed logos.

Over the past year, LCIF has sought the input of Lions at all levels through online surveys and in-person sessions conducted at area Forums and the International Convention. The foundation hired Blue Silver, Inc. to assist with strategy, development and implementation. They previously designed the Leo logos and materials, as well as branding for the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) and Lions Quest. They have a strong background in development of a unified brand image and long term strategies as well as an unbiased, outside perspective.

View and download the updated logo online.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with more than 1.3 million members in 205 geographic areas and countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Learn more about LCIF online at www.lcif.org.