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TEXAS LEOS MAKE HISTORY
On August 1, 2008 the newly appointed State
Leo Chair, Lion “Daisy” Brenda Butz from Kosse, Leo Brandon Sievers from
Del Rio, with Club Advisors (Lions) Ynez Schnaiter from Lago Vista, Kenneth
Sievers from Del Rio, and Joe Rangel from Edinburg, gathered to discuss
the idea of forming the first Texas Leo Council and plans to host the first
Leo led conference in Texas. These discussions occurred after gaining the
approval of the Texas Council of Governors (Lions) in Kerrville, Texas.
Texas Leo history was made when Leos from
all across Texas came together and established the very first MD2 “Texas
Leo Council.” Under the guidance of Lion Daisy, and her newly appointed
Co-Chair Lion Ynez, the Leos, along with their Club Advisors (Lions), attended
an organizational meeting November 8th, in Del Rio, Texas. Thirteen of
the sixteen Districts in Texas were represented. Lion Daisy explained the
council is to provide the Leos of Texas an opportunity to further develop
their leadership skills as ambassadors promoting the Leo Club program at
the local, national, and international level. They would also have the
opportunity to organize their first Leo conference.
The Leo Council elected Leo April Gonzales
of Kosse President of the Council. Leo Aaron Beaman was elected 1st Vice
President, Leo Brandon Sievers 2nd Vice-President, Leo Hillary Cashmer
Secretary, Leo Roxanne Eidom Treasurer, and Leo Nathan Douthit as Membership
Chairperson.
The Leos established their by-laws and
scheduled Council meetings, Leadership Training, Community Service Projects,
and Fundraisers for the year. President April formed sixteen committees
and appointed Chairs for them to assist the Council with the plans for
the Texas Leo Conference to be held in June, 2009. The Council also adopted
an official uniform.
On January 3, 2009 the Council started
the year off with a bang in Waco, Texas having some fun bowling, then got
down to business with Delegate and Advisor Training, as well as helding
Council, Conference Planning Committee, and State Leo Advisory Board meetings,
at the Waco Founders Lion Den.
A delegation of Leos from the council attended
the “60th Celebration of the Texas Lions Camp” dinner in February, 2009
and also attended a special breakfast honoring the camp where they presented
a check to the camp for $250.00 for the purchase of an endowment brick
to be placed in front of the administrative office to commemorate the forming
of the Texas Leo Council.
Their next meetings were held in Austin,
Texas on March 7th – 8th, 2009 during the “Texas Lions Leadership Forum.”
While some of the council members attended the Forum, others went to Lake
Belton and helped at the Skeeter Bass Champs Tournament raising $500.00
for the conference.
Their last meeting before the conference
was again held in Kerrville, Texas at the Texas Lions Camp. The council
gathered together along with the Texas Lions Clubs at a workday to help
prepare the camp for the youth that will be attending camp. They then rewarded
themselves with a day of fun and laughter at nearby Six Flags “Fiesta Texas”
in San Antonio, Texas.
These remarkable youth came together to
make a difference and that they have. They have pledged “their hands, extended
and open to help those in need; their eyes to see the plight of others,
their ears to hear another’s outcry, their knowledge to bring a person
closer to their dreams; and themselves for the betterment of their community,
their country, and the world.” They truly are a positive force to be reckoned
with. |
