My Fellow Lions,
When I first began writing my newspaper column, no one acknowledged my column or me for several years. I felt like hanging a sign on my typewriter (Yes, typewriter) asking, “Is anyone there?”

No one else has weighed-in on the late fees issue. Perhaps you are busy with other matters. I can understand that. Perhaps you do not want to cause any dissatisfaction. I can understand that. But, I have begun to wonder, “Is anyone there?”

So, presently, I am leaning toward doing what has been done in the past; we take what we get. I guess I lean this way because of what I think could be a que and cry from our Lions when the registration form is published in the magazine.

Walk-ins will still be $30. We’ll give no ground on that. However, I am still open to comments before closing the chapter on this issue at week’s end. Please, speak up.

I cannot find amethod to attach several forms Lion Betsy has forwarded to me. Thus, I will e-Mail them to you. Each form deals with registrations. I will let Lion CC Ron do his Excel sorting, by alphabet and by district, for me. He can then send it on to all of us, if he chooses. (In advance, thanks, Lion CC Ron.)

Contractually, we were to have 25 room nights at the Hotel. Here is what our Hotel said yesterday:

“Good afternoon! Attached is the most current list of guests who have made reservations within the Lions of Illinois room block. Currently, there are 61 room nights reserved out of the 25 room nights contracted. YEAH!! You are over your room block. The cut-off date for reservations is October 31, 2008. As of today, the Hotel still has plenty of rooms left to sell on the weekend of your event so getting extra reservations is not a problem at this point. Please let me know if you see any discrepancies on the list.
Thank you and have a great day!
Malinda Beagles
Event Manager
President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center
701 East Adams
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 544-8800 Ext. 4156
mbeagles@PresidentAbrahamLincolnHotel.com”

Such news makes me glad; as I am sure, it does you. However, we have to get attendance up or we will have a big food bill. And we will not break even. Presently, as you will see by the attachments, we are 89 away from the 200 goal. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!! If we try hard enough.

Has anybody thought of a way to light a fire in the bellies of the Lions to get them to the Forum?

In my district’s newsletter (yet to be out) I noted there are three fears when starting out. Fear of loss. Fear of failure. And fear of success. Let us strive for fear of success.

Have a good day.

Lion Larry

Cc: Lion SST Betsy
CC Ron Belcher
08 – 09 Council