MD 22 Lions Vision Research Foundation, Inc.

Lions Vision Research Foundation, Inc.
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
For
September 29, 2007

Chairman PDG Ted Reiver called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. Everyone participated in the Pledge led by Chm Ted and PDG John Shwed gave the invocation.

Those members and guests in attendance who signed in were:

PIP Clem Kusiak CHPDG Ted Reiver
VCHPDG Bob Muchow Adm Asst Heather Mays
Sec Janet K. Brown Treas Richard Liebno
PCC Clare Newcomer PDG Warren Kellner
PDG John Shwed PDG Ken Watson
PDG Mark Green PDG Bob Paxson
PDG Bill Yoho CCPDG John Lawrence
DG Ted Ladd DG Dick Bloomquist
DG Bob Jones VDG Susan Timmons
VDG John Andrews VDG Bob Daniels
PCT Ann Reiver PCT John Saxon
Lion Bob Bullock Stacey Conrad, Wilmer
Dr. Gislin Dagnelie, LVC Dr. Lin Wang, LVC


Chairman Ted requested that in keeping with our challenge to change this year he would like each speaker to come to the podium where the minutes are recorded for posterity.

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS: Dr.Dagnelia stated that he usually gets to turn on a projector or do a scientific talk. This morning he welcomes all and greets everyone on behalf of Dr. Massof who is on business in Orlando. He is sorry he cannot be with us but he knows important work will be accomplished.
Dr. Dagnelia reports there is important work going on in the Low Vision Center. They’re just not digging deep holes in the ground. The Lions 4 million really got us something along with another couple hundred million thrown in by others. The Wilmer building will be coming out of the ground soon.
He informed us that all is very busy in the Low Vision Center. They are in possession of a group of 4 with retinal implantations that just yesterday three were wearing glasses and going home – very encouraged.
Dr. Dagnelia has been working with a company in Minnesota designing ways to make personal computers function as vision testing instruments. Hopefully this will become a product in about two years.


Dr. Dagnelia called on Dr. Lin Wang to report the exciting development in China.
Dr. Wang gave brief review on the progress of the Low Vision project in China. Previously he had informed us of this Low Vision project to set up a clinic in Hospital in China and that Wilmer will help. The inception of this was in the winter of 2005.
Dr. Wang was prompted to do this as there is little help for Low Vision services in China and also short on expertise. Proposed project is to set up center in Hospital and then eventually become a network which covers many areas in China and help with Low Vision services.
He developed a proposal and submitted it to LCIF and Sight First II for their in input and hopefully get support and funding.
Dr. Wang also needs endorsement from the members of the LVRF board in attendance today to support this project.
After much discussion by our members, and added comments from PIP Clem regarding the great things that will happen with this project. Low vision services throughout the world. If agree on concept, you can get funds. It will work and it can happen. Our friend and partner, Dr. Massof, strongly supports this project. Dr. Wang has excellent working relationships with colleagues at Johns Hopkins, LCIF & MD22.
PDG Bob Paxson made motion to endorse the concept of the project EENT, seconded by CC John Lawrence. Motion carried unanimously.
In the spirit of Lionism, Dr. Wang thanked us and was very appreciative.


Chm Ted called on Stacey Conrad from the Wilmer Development Office.
Stacey greeted all and thanked us for a very successful golf tournament. She was sorry she missed out on this event.
She now needs a new fund raising role as our endowment is completed.
Stacey noted that Dr. McDonnell is creating a fund to support indigent care, the uninsured who need care. There are so many unserved persons. Feel free to get in touch with her for further details.
Also, if you are interested in gift or estate planning get in touch and schedule a meeting.

MINUTES – Sec. Janet hoped everyone received their copy of the minutes and asked for any questions. PDG Bob Paxson made motion to accept the minutes as received, seconded by PDG Ken Wason. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT – Treasurer Richard presented a copy of the balance sheet and a Profit & Loss report as of August 31, 2007. He used the format used by Past Treas Duane. After some explanation and discussion PDG Ken Watson made the motion to accept the reports and file for audit. PDG Bob Paxson seconded the motion. Motion carried.
PDG Mark reported on the Raymond James account, which has an ending balance of $312, 476.67 as of August 31, 2007. PDG Mark feels the finance committee should discuss an investment strategy and present at the next board meeting. He also wants to discuss our account with our financial advisor, Brent Ruhkamp. He isn’t meaning for members to become alarmed; we just need to keep an eye on the account.

COMMITTEE REPORTS –
AUDIT – Treasurer Richard reported that Pat Keine will do the audit.

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS – PDG Bill Yoho informed us that he has items that had been referred to him and he will come up with necessary paper work needed to prepare for the next convention.

DEVELOPMENT – PDG John Shwed welcomed fellow Lions and partners at Wilmer.
He told Chm Ted that he appreciated the opportunity to serve in this capacity and sees that he has been given a very illustrious group of individuals to work with so he thinks we will do great things. He believes the primary function for the development committee is to raise monies and he understands the role of the committee.
PDG John was very interested in the events as they unfolded at the meeting this morning. He heard two very important things that we as an organization can support. The message he wanted to leave us with is courage and heart. Think about the bigger picture and how to approach the bigger picture.
Today, two very worthy objectives were heard- the one originated with PDG Ken several years ago. Lions, not just in the U. S. but all over the world, need to help give care where needed. Many do not have enough monies. We need to go through our budgets and make judgments, excess revenue would help. There is more than one way to go about raising money. We can’t be shy in telling our own Lions, Lioness and Leo’s that we do have a proud partnership with the Wilmer Eye Institute and the Low Vision Center and we are going to try to help people who do not have the insurance coverage or resources to get that world class care. There are ways to get this message out and the way our Lions will respond.
The second item had to do with Dr. Wang’s proposal – PDG John gave Dr. Wang lots of credit as he could have not even brought this topic up to us 5 months ago –he could have been off doing research, but he is one of those guys that decided that he wanted to do something good for people, they happened to be Chinese people. Story could have been the same regardless of the country. But Dr. Wang took the initiative to bring this issue to us, going through the maze on the last page of his report to try to figure out how he was going to get our attention and to listen. It caught the attention of PIP Clem and ID Joe and so he deserves a lot of credit, not giving up and again bringing this issue before us. Before when PDG John spoke and said Dr. Massof felt good enough about this program that he believed he is off trying to figure out how he can get the $54,000 from his own existing funds. That’s good, but maybe some point down the road this Board needs to help Dr. Massof replace that $54,000. We can’t be afraid to say we’re going to do that and if we think that it is a good project and if we think our partner deserves that kind of help. PDG John encourages everyone to think like that.
Even though we have Sight First II out there, we had Sight First I and survived, we survived the 4 million endowment and we will survive these things.
If we are not going to do these things I may as well leave the committee and go home and this Board, if not going to ever take on new projects, you may as well do the same thing. If we are just going to attend meetings and listen to reports and not take any new challenges. That is not what Lions do. I am pleased to serve on this committee but want everyone to know how I stand.
VCHPDG Bob Muchow brought up a #3 project. CHPDG Ted and VCHPDG Bob had talked with Dr. Massof and he has an interest for us to consider endowing a chair to Wilmer. It would be labeled with Lions emblem, number, etc.

GOLF TOURNAMENT – Chm Ted turned in a check in the amount of $1000 made out to LVRF operating funds from the Suburban Lions Club, given to him by IP Joe Gaffigan at the tournament.
Chm Ted reported Lion Angela is on a trip. She was instrumental in running the very successful Golf Tournament.
Chm Ted processed the credit card sales through his personal business and he turned over a replacement check in the amount of $4154. He believes the tournament made in the neighborhood of $15 to $16,000. Great work!

FUNDRAISING – PDG Dal Mann was absent, however, CC John informed us that he had talked with PDG Dal and his wife, Marnie, is seriously ill and they are going to specialists trying to find out what’s wrong. PDG Dal wishes us all well and asked us to keep his wife in our prayers.

VISION DAYS – Chm Ted read a short note from PDG Bill Kircher stating his car cannot go long distances after being involved in an accident coming from Camp Merrick plus wife, Cathy, is not feeling well. No one hurt in accident, just the car.
Vision Days are going well. Some clubs have and will use candy.
Problem he is hearing – why are we still asking for money – Vision Days, etc. We reached our goal on the endowment. He is trying to let Lions know there are still expenses. He says he will be at the next LVRD meeting and loves to serve in Lionism.

LONG-RANGE PLANNING – PCC Clare reports that her committee is planning a conference call meeting soon.

PUBLIC RELATIONS – CC John notes that there is a supply of brochures, help yourself, take what you need, we can always order more if needed. Also for sale are sweatshirts - $35.00, golf shirts $30.00, and neckties.

NEWSLETTER – Chm Ted reports that DG Ted Ladd graciously accepted this task of being newsletter chair again for this year. We all appreciate this gesture, as he will be very busy as 22C District Governor. Thank you DG Ted from us all.
DG Ted did report that the newsletter should be at the printer at this time but is delayed waiting on reports. He does have an article from PDG John Shwed and also from our LVRD Chair Ted Reiver. It will be a good one.

ADVISOR’s COMMENTS – PIP Clem wanted to relate a success story. The Security Exchange Commission is involved with an eye glass collection program, 5,000 employees collecting glasses, ties us in to our World Sight Day coming up.
Washington Host Lions Club was contacted and helped by procuring and delivering collection boxes.
Last year the Company collected cell phones. I suggested hearing aids for next year. (Might cost a lunch.) We’ll see how that goes.
Our association branched out.
While working for indigent people who need help with eye care we need to be concerned with the complete area of our MD. Don’t just do it here since you have Wilmer here. What do we do to work with other eyecare professional groups, use Wilmer as umbrella. Be sure to include other areas outside of Baltimore City.
PIP Clem congratulated DG Ted for an excellent newsletter of communication.

BUDGET – Chm Ted noted that we need to go over the budget and it needs to be accepted. It had been presented earlier by PDG Mark as a work sheet for discussion.
PDG Ken Watson made the motion to accept the budget as presented, seconded by Lion Bob Bullock. Called for discussion, and there were many regarding several line items. VCH Bob informed us of some changes they had made - Income, added $5000 to Golf, decreased $100 from ornaments, $2000 from Raffle, $500 on honorariums and $20,000 from Vision Days. On expense, added $400 to purchase for resale, $500 to miscellaneous, and added new line time for web-site development up-grade.
Driving the discussion, Lion Bob Bullock asked for information on the beef raffle for the past several years for comparison.
In reference to Club Donations, VDG John Andrews state that if we are to raise monies effectively in our Clubs, we need a clear vision. We had a clear vision on the 4 million and we made it, even though it was not in the time frame. He doesn’t think we are going to be as effective if we have this blurred vision – do a little of this – a little of that. Serving is what Lions Clubs are all about. Don’t go and make these clubs feel like they don’t need to do these services and that they don’t’ feel needed. Good point.
After discussion and questions, PDG Mark reiterated that the budget was prepared for discussion by the Board.
PDG Ken Watson again made his motion to accept the budget to include the changes decided, seconded by Lion Bob Bullock, Motion carried.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S COMMENTS –
DG Dick Bloomquist reports it is a pleasure to be a part of this group and wants to attest to PDG John’s comments regarding our building of a partnership.
Reported on 22A’s Adopt-a-School Program. There were 400 eye screened. Lens Crafters works together with them to provide glasses. In two days there were 550 pupils who received glasses. Pearle Vision is now involved to provide their service.
DG Ted Ladd - reports they are holding a Walk for Sight on behalf of LVC on Nov. 3^rd at Prince George Sports Complex. All are invited. The interesting thing is that there are only 20-21 people that show up but bring in about $10,000 from pledges, club donations, etc. DPG Ken is the speaker, he speaks very briefly. So, few people but they have great impact.
DG Bob Jones- states that in the year and a little bit that he has been involved it has been the best and healthiest meeting he has attended. Doing great.
CC John Lawrence – agreed with DG Bob, it has been a great meeting today.
The most important thing I’ve heard today – we have wrapped up this 4 million endowment, we celebrated, and now it’s time to figure out what we will be doing next. Thing about the indigent kids is great, however, I personally believe that it is the Club’s responsibility. If it’s a big expense, that’s different.
I’d like to pick up on what PIP Clem said – people from 22 B coming to Wilmer is full day trip for them and the drivers. Same goes for people coming from Salisbury, Ocean City, Cumberland and Delaware. Ways we could serve these people would be to set up clinics that would be open perhaps twice a week .
Salisbury Metro has brought in a new member who is a Low Vision Specialist. She is preparing a proposal to set up with Lions and Wilmer in helping in this area. Broaden our scope.
Keep u the great work. I hope something good comes out of the Long Range Planning Meeting.
Lion Bob Bullock – stated very healthy meeting. Wanted us to know that 22W will be having Vision Day Banquets on Nov. 3 and 10, at Frederick and Frostburg. Everyone invited. Lion Bob presented memorial and honorarium checks to Chm Ted from 22W, 100.–, 50.–, 25.-.

CC John says go to dinner on Nov. 10^th in 22W so you can attend 22B dinner in Greensboro on Nov. 3^rd. Also asked Lion Bob if the Challenge between the two districts was still on-going. Lion Bob replied that it sure is.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Admin assist Heather reported that the web-site is out there but she doesn’t have access to it due to problem with her computer, but she is working on it. Roster books are out, includes PID Murray’s new address and phone number.

PIP Clem reported that PID Murray is doing better, has much better attitude – doing much better.

Chm PDG Ted reported that in 22D we were having Monster Mile Walk at Dover Downs on October 14^th. $25.- donation you receive a long sleeve T-shirt. Come on over.

NEW BUSINESS – PDG Bob Paxson made the motion to pay all bills, seconded by Lion Bob Bullock and motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT – Chm PDG Ted thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS – 11/17/07, 1/19/08, 3/13/08, 5/17/08

Respectfully submitted,


PCT Janet K. Brown
Secretary

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Last updated: 01/19/08.