The Perry Lions Club welcomed Lion Allen Zobel to the Aug. 27 meeting at the Hotel Pattee. Zobel is the second vice president of District SW9 and a trustee of the Iowa Lions Foundation.
Perry Lions Club President Dr. Harlyn McGuire introduced Zobel, who spoke about many topics related to Lions Club activities in the district and state, beginning with the club’s decline in membership. Zobel said new members are needed, and one way to get new members is to begin a Leo Club for high school students.
Zobel outlined all of the activities that Lions Clubs support and the amount of money needed to maintain the activities and goals of the Iowa Lions Clubs. He wants each club to sign up one new member per quarter.
He also suggested that local clubs set up a Facebook page to let members of the community know what the local club is doing and promote the activities of the state organization.
Zobel discussed the successful Kids Sight program and the cost to run this needed service for preschool children of Iowa. The Lions Club cost for this program is $8 per photo, and local clubs send the photos to Iowa City for evaluation. The Perry Lions Club screens about 125 pre-school students per year at no charge to the parents.
If local clubs did not provide this service, the families would have to take their children to a professional eye doctor.
Zobel also gave members of the Perry Club a two-page sheet listing all of the activities of the State Lions Clubs and the cost of operating each activity. This paper is on file with the secretary.
McGuire presented a certificate of appreciation to Lion John Andorf for his service to the club. Andorf served his second term as club president from July 2017 to July 2018. McGuire said the members of the Perry Lions Club greatly appreciate the time and energy Andorf gave to the organization.
Lion Dave Wright reminded members that the group will start a subscription drive to get more Perry citizens into the Flags over Perry program. Wright also asked the club to consider purchasing flags of other nations to display for various occasions.
Upcoming Perry Lions Club events include the Sept. 10 meeting and meal with spouses, which will be at the Carnegie Library. Nature photographer Ty Smedes will make a presentation. Smedes is a graduate of Woodard High School and now resides in Urbandale. He has written three books and many magazine articles, appearing in publications such as Iowa Outdoors, The Iowan and Our Iowa. His program will cover his trip to South St. Georges Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
McGuire then led an initiation ceremony for the newest member of the Perry Lions Club, Eldon Morris. Morris was given his membership pin and certificate and his sponsor, Lion Richard Saemisch, received a sponsor’s certificate and sponsor’s pin.
