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Excerpted from the July District 36-R Newsletter with apologies to Newsletter Editor Lion Victor De'Prey: Oregon Lions Youth Exchange Need Hosts Each year the Oregon Lions Youth Exchange is in need of both host families as well as securing motor homes to take incoming youth on an excursion. Additionally we ask that every club, zone, region and district do their best in promoting this worthwhile activity. Club and individual donations to the MD-36 Lions Youth Exchange are most welcome so we can sustain this program, whose only aim is "to promote understanding amongst the peoples of the world!" It also appears we will have to cancel the excursion this year - too few motor homes or folks willing to assist! We have to place a number of incoming youth this year - the list follows. They will be arriving sometime between June 22-30, mainly weekends, and departing for home August 2-10. I am asking that you each bring this to the attention of your clubs and friends; host families do not have to be members of a Lions club, although they have to be 'vetted' in some fashion. The Oregon Lion newspaper has outlined some of the responsibilities as well as the rewards for hosting! Donations should be sent to the MD Office, Lions Youth Exchange, 1075 Washington Street; Eugene, OR 97041. I would hate to ask these kids to not come or to make other plans for the Summer after they have met all the qualifications! Please help us find host families! Thanks! Hood River Lion Paul Zastrow, tel: 541.354.1002(R) Club Officer - Cabinet/Committee Training It may seem like July is a long way off and we needn't consider planning that far ahead. But, as PDG George DeHart likes to say, "people, this is important!" On July 12th, starting with 8 a.m. coffee & registration (programs begin promptly at 9 a.m.), the 36-R 2008-9 Leadership Workshop will be held for all presidents, secretaries, treasurers, other club officers, district committee chairs and other district officers. This will be a hands-on practical workshop for everyone, including seasoned old Lions. There is always something new and challenging to learn. There will be a general session followed by breakout meetings for the various club offices. According to PDG George, "This is the most important activity 36R holds for the support, training and leadership development of club members. We can document that attendance at this workshop does make a difference in club success." This event takes place at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince Street, Florence [about 2 blocks south of Hwy. 126, one block east of Hwy. 101]. A nominal fee, around $10., will be assessed for this session.
July 12: Yachats Lions Annual Smelt Fry Eat-A-Thon. Yup, it's time again for those delectable little fishies who came ashore just so you can enjoy them in Yachats. In addition to the all-u-can-eat crunchy vertebrates, your meal includes fresh cole slaw, butter and rolls, beverage and ??? for only $10/adult, $5/12 or under. You'll also be able to enjoy a slice of pie and beverage for $3. As usual, Waldport's Lions will have kielbasa sausage available as an alternate meal for only $5. Feeding frenzy starts at 11 a.m. and ends at about 3 p.m. Free entertainment, plus, tickets for the multi-club Chrysler PT Cruiser raffle will be available. All the information you'll ever need on this perennial event is available from Lion Mike Matychuck, 541.547.3265,
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. July 23: Elkton Pig Roast It's one of the most anticipated fund raisers in our district. Lions from every corner of 36-R and from points beyond, gather at a lovely spot along the Umpqua River to enjoy fresh pit-roasted pig, corn-on-cob, tater salad, fresh fruit and more. Admission is free, the meal is free. However your generous donations since this great event started, have generated more than $3,450,000,000,739,000,002.18 ((;--) more or less) for our awesome Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. The food line starts at around 5:30 p.m.; but come early and schmooze with some of the greatest Lions in MD-36. Non-alcoholic beverages available or b.y.o. beer & wine. By the way, there is no shame in car-pooling, or, like the Eugene Downtown Lions, hire a "fun" bus. At the intersection of Hwys. 38 and 138, follow the signs and balloons to the Beckley Family Farm Park.
SWEP (Summer Work Experience) The SWEP program is an opportunity program for visually impaired teens to learn basic work skills through summer jobs. It is a readiness program with a 75% success rate for youth who participate with many becoming gainfully employed in the specific programs in which they have had summer work experience. To be eligible, you must demonstrate the ability to benefit from a work experience program, with motivation to complete and travel independently to and from the worksite. Information can be obtained from the web site: www.cfb.state.or.us (in the left pane, click on "Services for Youth") or by calling toll free to Portland Headquarters of the Oregon Commission for the Blind at:1.800.202.5463. Field offices are also located in Eugene, Salem and Medford. If Lions know of any youth who may benefit from this program a referral to the Oregon Commission for the Blind could easily be the breakthrough in an independent life for a young person ready to move into adult life and society as a productive citizen. [contributed by Scio Lion Susan Forbes; although not a Lions sponsored program, SWEP may be considered as an "opportunity for youth"] 36-R Convention, January 16-17, 2009 Break out your Palm Pilots, PDAs, digital calendars and other record keeping devices. DGE Jack Stoops has arranged to host your 36-R Lions District Convention at the new 3 Rivers Casino Resort, Florence; room rates are only $79. Over the next few months your convention committee will be busy lining up great programs, entertainment, food and more to ensure this will be a positive, memorable event for you. There are 90 plush rooms at the hotel and we hope our Lions and their families fill them all. Complete details will be published as they become available. If you've always driven through Florence on your way to another destination, if you've never done more than buy groceries in Florence, then link over to the Florence Chamber of Commerce to see what this wonderful coastal community has to offer.
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