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1Bk Newsletter - Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead - December 2025
Dec-01-2025 |
How Are Lions Growing, Giving, and Making an Impact This Season?
Explore this month’s updates, opportunities, and ways you can help spread gratitude and joy!
- Use the Winter wisely. Nourish our roots and plan for spring planting!
- Save The Date: Our District Forum date is set! All important info is in the newsletter.
- Is your club happy?
- Grow your club. Every new member is full of energy and ideas.
- Make your plans to attend the 1BK 2026 Convention on March 6-7 in Bradley.
- What's the best way to "toot your horn"?
- 1BK Silent Auction - have anything to donate?
- Get your LEO starter kit - they are our future.
- To Affinity and Beyond - Market your club with Canva's new design suite.
- Learn, Share and Connect - Attend the District Forum.
- How can you spread Warmth and Joy this Christmas?
- More hands = more impact. See how every Lion counts.
- The Hunger Week of Service is January 3-11.
- What foods should you donate?
- Consider making a club donation to the 1BK scholarship.
- See what your neighboring clubs are doing.
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Peace Poster Submission #2
Nov-08-2025 |
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Peace Poster Submission #1
Nov-08-2025 |
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1Bk Newsletter - Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead - November 2025
Nov-03-2025 |
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Discover how Lions across the district are growing, giving, and preparing for the season of gratitude. Don’t miss this month’s updates, opportunities, and ways to make an impact!
- Celebrate the Harvest
- What does a zone chair do? Learn more!
- File your clubs tax form by November 15! See details.
- Take a minute to fill out the marketing survey.
- Urgent! District Form suggestions needed.
- See how an attitude of gratitude can help your membership
- Thanks for your participation in Mental Health week.
- See what foods your club should donate this holiday season.
- Help build a lasting legacy. Start a LEO club.
- How can your club help students achieve their dreams.
- See what your fellow clubs have done over the past month.
- Strengthen your support for LIF!
- Sight and Sound Sweepstakes tickets are great for holiday giving.
- Keep making a difference through the LCIF raffle. See how!
- Check out the upcoming events from your neighboring clubs.
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Peace Poster Entry Deadline is Fast Approaching
Oct-31-2025 |
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Posters will be voted on at the November 9, 2025 District Cabinet meeting.
Bring them to the meeting in person.
October 31 is the mail in deadline if you are not able to make the meeting.
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1Bk Newsletter - Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead - October 2025
Oct-04-2025 |
Highlighting the wide range of work happening across the district, helping strengthen collaboration and community. Please enjoy.
- Steps to prepare for the next season of service.
- New Tax Regulations list. Forms are due on November 15!
- October 8 - World Sight Day.
- Who is your zone chair?
- Check out this cool AI tool to help market your club.
- 1BK Global Action Team needs your help!
- Learn the three R's.
- Mental Health and Well Being Week - Oct 4-12!
- What can you do for the District Scholarship Program?
- What's happening around the District.
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Have You Seen LionsUSA.org Yet?
Oct-01-2025 |
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The Lions of the USA have been branding together the last couple years. Check these resources ou for all Lions and Clubs!
www.lionsusa.org
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BEWARE OF FAKE EMAIL FROM DG DENISE LOWE!
Sep-28-2025 |
LIONS BEWARE OF eMAIL MESSAGES impersonating our District 1-BK Governor Denise Lowe. Her email has not been hacked. Rather, the bad guys make a new email address that sounds and looks official (e.g districtgovernor@gmail.com) and put her name on it. Many times, the mail message indicates she is in need of gift cards right away to be sent somewhere.
Pls note that Lion Denise's real email address is liondenise22zc@gmail.com. When in doubt, call her at 815-295-5059. Email impersonation attacks are constant all year long, year after year. ALWAYS STAY ALERT!!
Thank you!
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1Bk Newsletter - Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead - September 2025
Sep-06-2025 |
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The 1BK newsletter is an invaluable tool for showcasing the diverse work happening across the district, fostering collaboration and a stronger sense of community.
What's inside:
- Plant the seed and share your growth!
- Meet your district zone chair.
- October 1 is the deadline for LIF Fellow nominations.
- Learn how to market your club with Canva.
- Member recruitment tips.
- Reporting is important for grants and growth!
- Focus on Mental Health and Well-Being – October 4-12, 2025.
- See what's happening with your neighboring clubs.
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LAST Call for LION & LEO CLUB EXCELLENCE Award Applications for 2024-2025
Aug-31-2025 |
LAST CALL for District 1BK Lions and Leo Clubs to submit your applications for Club Excellence for the 2024-2025 Lion Year that just finished on 6/30/2025. We have 58 Lions Clubs and 3 Leo Clubs in our District. Applications to are due to IPDG Tom Drez in the next 2 weeks so I have time to review and sign them and get them to Lions Int'l by the August 31st deadline! Fresh copies of the forms can be found on our district website at www.1bklions.org in the HOT NEWS and FORMS sections. Pls review, complete and return to me at tom@drez.net.
Thank you for being an Excellent Club and for letting LCI know you are an active, excellent club that embodies our WE SERVE motto!!!
Lion Tom
Immediate Past District Governor
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District 1-BK has a new YouTube Channel!
Aug-28-2025 |
District 1-BK has a new YouTube Channel! This will be the home for all videos and news from the District.
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Curtis L Orr Award 2026 Qualifications, Guidelines and Application
Aug-17-2025 |
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The Curtis L. Orr Lion of Distinction Service Award is presented annually to a deserving Lion in District 1-BK who exemplifies and reflects the ideals and principles of District 1-BK's own Past International Director Curtis L. Orr. PID Orr served Lions Clubs International with distinction as an International Director in 1986-1988, while a member of the former District 1-B. The Curtis L. Orr Lion of Distinction Service Award is presented annually during the District 1-BK Convention.
Recipients of this prestigious Award will receive a special medallion engraved with the year and recipient's name, a plaque, and a formal letter from the district.
Clubs may nominate no more than one Lion from their club each year. A Lion can be nominated more than once if not selected in previous years. A club, and the Lion being nominated for this Award, should consider the recognition as a great honor.
See the attached forms below.
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Fllanagan Annual Pork Chop Dinner in the Park
Aug-02-2025 |
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Join the Flanagan Lions Club for their
Annual Pork Chop Dinner in the Park
When: Saturday, August 2 - Serving from 4:00-7:00pm or until sold out. So come early!
Where: Artesian Park - North shelter.
What: Bone in pork chop, green beans and potato salad
CARRY OUTS AVAILABLE!
In case of inclement weather (heat or rain) the even will be moved to the American Legion Hall (Check the park first.)
$10 donation
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RSVP Now! Join us for Club Officer Training on August 2.
Aug-02-2025 |
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Officer Training
August 2 from 1:30pm - 3pm
If your club officers were not able to attend the trining in Dwight last month, here is your chance!
The place to be is:
Beecher Community Building
673 Penfield Street
Beecher
RSVP TO: PDG John Whalen
(309)830-6267 or
jmwhalen56@aol.com
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1Bk Newsletter - Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead - August 2025
Jul-31-2025 |
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Informing, supporting, and inspiring!
Please share your activities with us to help others learn from your club's successes and all owing us to acknowledge the fantastic work you're doing in your neighborhoods.
- To Infinity and Beyond ... Orlando was a launchpad.
- Standing tall. A sunflower's story.
- Get your Club Excellence Award forms in.
- The first "Week of Service" is fast approaching. How can you participate?
- Want some grant money to help your club?
- Sharpen your Focus with help from the Global Service Team.
- Hey Club Secretaries - No more monthly District reports!!!
- Did we mention to get your Club Excellence Award forms in?
- School is starting soon. Donate to the Scholarship Program.
- What's happening around the District?
- Sprout and Shout in Atlantic City.
- LIF Roar-In' Car Show registration is open.
- Mark You Calendars with these upcoming events!
Your stories and updates fuel this newsletter ... keep them coming! Let’s grow this like a sunflower!
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Beecher Lions Club Annual Golf Outing on July 18th
Jul-18-2025 |
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Our annual golf outing at Tuckaway Golf Course in Crete, IL!
Join us on a Friday afternoon for golf, putting contests, closest to the pin and a chance to win on a "Hole-in-one"!
Includes lunch and dinner and several raffles!
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The Buzzz! District 1Bk July Newsletter
Jul-15-2025 |
Informing, supporting, and inspiring!
Please share your activities with us to help others learn from your club's successes and allowing us to acknowledge the fantastic work you're doing in your neighborhoods.
A new year of Lionism with DG Denise.
Plant some Seeds of Lionism.
Check out the upcoming calendar of events.
ALL CLUBS - See how to apply for the Club Excellence Award!
What are the ABS's of Lionism?
How do you get involved in the District Scholarship program?
Looking to recruit Lions?
When are this years weeks of service?
What's happening around the District?
Register now for USA/Canada!
LIF Charity Golf registration form.
Join fellow Lions for some baseball.
Did you win the Sight and Sound Sweepstakes?
Get in on the LCIF Raffle!
Keep submitting your info to keep this newsletter growing!
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YOUR FEEDBACK IS REQUESTED on this EDUCATIONAL FORUM SURVEY (closes July 15)
Jul-15-2025 |
o: ALL LIONS CLUBS and LIONS of ILLINOIS
The District Governors Elect have created a survey to collect feedback on the state education Forum for next Lion year. They want to hear from all of us. You can complete the survey online at the link below or print the survey and US Mail it back to state office. You can also get the Word doc version of the survey from state website at www.illinoisliondmd1.org and email it back to sst@illinoislionsmd1.org.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GH8ST7L
Thank you for taking the time to send in your feedback so we can provide the best educational event possible for all of us.
DG Tom
#WeServe
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The Lions of Texas can use our help!
Jul-15-2025 |
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The Lions of Texas can use our help, but more importantly please keep them in your prayers and thoughts. We are all family when tragedy affects one of us.
Anything that can be done is helpful.
In the wake of the devastating flooding in Kerrville and surrounding areas, we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support and compassion from Lions across MD-2. Your willingness to help—whether through service or donations—is a powerful testament to what it means to be a Lion.
Many of you have asked how you can help—and here’s how:
Monetary donations are urgently needed and can be sent directly to:
Kerrville Host Lions Club Foundation
P.O. Box 290972
Kerrville, TX 78029
Please make checks payable to “Kerrville Host Lions Club Foundation” and write “2025 Flood Relief” in the memo line.
The Kerrville Host Lions Club is in direct and ongoing contact with first responders and community leaders. All donated funds will go entirely to immediate relief, clean-up efforts, and supporting impacted families. As conditions stabilize, the club will conduct a formal community needs assessment to determine how best to serve in the longer term.
We are grateful for the strength and unity of our MD-2 Lions family. Thank you for standing with Kerrville.
With appreciation and Lion-hearted service,
Dr. Kathy Summers
Council Chair, District MD-2
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Lions Death Notice: Gibson City Lion Glenn Cothern, PDG
Jul-07-2025 |
We have been informed of the passing of Gibson City Lion Glenn Cothern, PDG. Please see the obituary and services information at the link below. Please keep Lion Glenn, his family and the Gibson City Lions in your thoughts and prayers.
https://www.rosenbaumfh.com/obituaries/Glenn-Cothern?obId=43077313&source=fb0&fbclid=IwY2xjawLYx5tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFnOGNYczh5YVRoODJOallqAR47FKChRqns01iW-IbSh_i8XeqlzLM9kxUvFLK8oJqjeZppc3uz4VlKS3uv0g_aem_iJ4jABnH6B83HBpRawCIKQ
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19th Annual Beecher Lions 5K on July 4th
Jul-04-2025 |
Our 19th annual 5K run / walk! The race starts and finishes at Firemen's Park in Beecher, IL.
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MD1 Lions of IL July 2025 eMagazine
Jul-03-2025 |
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MD1 Lions of IL July 2025 Events & Fundraisers Info & Flyers
Jul-03-2025 |
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Chip In! Birdies for Charity Is Here! July 2-6
Jul-02-2025 |
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The annual Birdies for Charity drive has begun for the year 2025.
To participate, all you and / or your club need to do is guess how many birdies will be shot
at the John Deere Classic Golf Tournament, July 2-6, 2025. Pledge an amount ($20
minimum) and go as high as you wish.
John Deere Charities will add a percentage (usually 5-10%) to it and will remit the total to
our Lions of Illinois Endowment Fund.
Prizes are available for those who guess the correct number of Birdies shot. Guessing the
right number does not guarantee a prize. *
Birdies Chair Dick Bark is available to come to your club to explain this program further if you wish.
Select the link below to find more information and the pledge form.
You can make copies of the pledge form to pass out. You can also find information on the Lions Foundation website – lionsofillinoisfoundation.org
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LCI Marketing Grant Program
Jul-01-2025 |
Attention to all clubs in District 1-BK
The Marketing Grant Program has opened for this year. See the Lions International webpage for more information and how to apply:
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LIONS CLUBS VERY IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS RIGHT NOW!
Jun-30-2025 |
LIONS CLUBS VERY IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS RIGHT NOW!
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Hello District 1BK Lions Clubs,
Our Lion year is all but over. Here are some vert importannt action items right now for your club:
Please enter your new club officers for the new Lion year into the LCI system, even if they have not changed at all from this year. If you prefer the district to enter them for you, please send them to me right away. We want to be sure that email is flowing to new officers from Int'l, state, and district and to get properly listed in our District Directory for 2025-2026.
FUTURE LEADER EDUCATION IS COMING in August, the 15th - 17th at state and district expense. We have two types of education: for those interested in becoming a Lions Club President (Emerging Lion Leadership Institute-ELLI), and another class for those that have already been a Lions Club President (Regional Lions Leadership Institute-RLLI) and are seeking higher roles within the district. Our district can send 2 Lions to each training session. PLEASE share with your club Lions and let me know if anyone is interested in attending either of these sessions.
Submit Club Excellence Applications due Aug before Aug 15th to IPDG Tom Drez at Tom@drez.net.
All Clubs, thank you for your attention to these items to plan accordingly for your club to make a smooth transition to the new Lions year. I appreciate your time and efforts!!!
Any questions, let me know!
Thank you.
DG Tom
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1BK and Lions of IL Metrics/Goals Progress (through Juen 30 2025)
Jun-30-2025 |
As this Lion year ends today and I become an Immediate Past District Governor in about 11 hours, I leave you with some final stats on the year as of right now in the Lions Int'l system for our District 1BK as well as all Lions of Illinois. Final numbers will likely still continue to change for the next couple of weeks before LCI and LIF close their periods. But, this will give you a good idea on our progress this year across service, membership and leadership overall.
It has been a great year! I appreciate and thank everyone for their continued support!
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2024-2025 Lions & Leo Club Excellence Award Application DUE BY AUG 15th to IPDG Tom Drez
Jun-30-2025 |
tom@drez.net
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Illinois Lions Clubs Corporate/Charity & Tax Filing Information
Jun-30-2025 |
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Tax filing in Illinois:
All Lions clubs and districts that conduct any solicitation in Illinois must register with the Illinois Attorney General, Charitable Trust Bureau, unless otherwise exempt under the Solicitation for Charity Act. Use the link below to read a letter from Lions General Counsel David Kingsbury for important information regarding your annual Illinois Charitable Trust Act registration obligation. The link also provides additional tax filing information.
https://app.e.roar.lionsclubs.org/e/es?s=94443966&e=1982157&elqTrackId=320bc4c47118450db330ff5e51511b5f&elq=3f4c4a68a39d42d4acca02c99484e091&elqaid=37976&elqat=1&elqak=8AF5223123C5E700C094E3FBA49C68AFC0A3A088BFF5C777F97BC464F5D1B16B983F
ILLINOIS Attorney General Filing and Reporting Requirements for Charitable Organizations
https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Consumer-Protection/Charities/Building-Better-Charities/Charity-Registration/
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1BK July 2025 Newsletter
Jun-29-2025 |
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