Wayland News

The Wayland Lions Club met at the Wayland Community Center on Nov. 18, with 15 members and five guests present. The meeting was called to order by President Tim Egli who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Meyer gave the Invocation thanking God for all the gifts he has bestowed on the Wayland Lions Club Members, the Wayland Community and WACO Leos.

A special thanks was given by all in attendance for Wayland Lion Chad Hudson's returning to health due to the care of the medical staff at the University of Iowa Hospital, where he spent 54 days in ICU. Chad thanked the Wayland Lions Club for their donation and prayers, along with the many communities and their residents for their gift of prayer for his recovery.

After the dinner break, President Egli acknowledged for another delicious meal catered by Alice Hofstetler. The minutes of the last meeting and the treasurer's report were given and approved.

Carole Martins, WACO Leo faculty advisor and Leo representative for the Lions Club gave an overview of the WACO Leos? activities for this year. Carole announced that this year's Leo Club is comprised of 51 members. She introduced the Leos present at the meeting: President Paige Holmes, Secretary/Reporter Roman Kiefer and Publicity Officer, Katelyn Thomson.

Egli announced the annual fruit sale would be held on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Wayland Community Center.

The Lions Club Christmas party will be held at the Wayland Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Lion Ron Marsh is coordinating the entertainment with the WACO Leos for a choir singing Christmas songs.

President Tim Egli called for a portion of each meeting to be dedicated to positive events, where people have been observed helping one another. Such positive actions of serving one?s fellow man demonstrates the Lions Club Motto: "We Serve!"

District Governor Debbie Doty was the featured speaker who chronicled upcoming events as follows:

? 2015 Mid-Winter Leadership Conference to be held Jan. 9-10 at the Holiday Inn Airport, Des Moines. Featured speaker will be Lions President, Joe Preston.

? Jan. 10-16 is Service Week where activities of service can be performed toward the goal of 100,000,000 volunteer service works performed as part of the 2017 Centennial Challenge for the 100 years since the Lions Club was founded by a Chicago businessman, Melvin Jones. Personal and Lions Club activities will be submitted for tabulation on a Lions Clubs International Data Base toward the Challenge Goal.

? April 10-11 is the District Convention to be held at the Gateway Church on Route 92 in Oskaloosa.

District Governor Debbie Doty encouraged all to attend these events to further their Lion experience, attend interesting seminars and have fun meeting with Iowa Lions.

Next on the agenda, the District Governor inducted John Mitchell into the Wayland lions Club. He was sponsored by Lion Brian Pattyson. John Mitchell and his wife, Jean, are the founders of the "On His Path" organization. John said he joined the Lions due to the work they do around the world, which matches his dedication through "On His Path" providing help to the disadvantaged countries, such as Guatemala. John related his experience of providing eyeglasses to those who could not afford them. He said, "One elderly lady, after trying on several glasses, found a pair that matched her vision requirements and saw clearly. She thought it was divine intervention ? a miracle!?

Lion Brian commented that John Mitchell is the epitome of what Lions strive to be. District Governor Debbie Doty awarded President Tim Egli with a Lions Clubs International 10-year Chevron, which marks his 10 years of dedicated service to his community and humanitarian projects.

The Wayland Lions Club welcomes all who are interested in learning about Lions Club International, to come to a meeting and experience the friendship, rewarding experience of serving your community and learning about the accomplishments of Wayland's only service club that was chartered 56 years ago on April 10, 1958.