DISTRICT 1A GOVERNOR RICHARD MOY’S
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
April 2026
Good afternoon Servant Heroes!
First, I’d like to thank all our Lions Family that attended our District 1A Convention. You all definitely brought your 1A Game and showed our guests from other districts, our friends and family how much we have FUN! I also want to thank our guest speaker for the weekend, PID (Past International Director) Justice
Shea Nickell and his lovely wife Dr. Carolyn Watson for gracing us with their presence and southern charm. First Lady Edith and I truly enjoyed your company, giftsandlaughs over the weekend. Thank you to our visiting Lions Family from other Districts, your time with us is always very valued and appreciated. To our convention committee, thank you
for putting on an exceptional convention weekend. We all may not see what goes on behind the scenes to make things successful, but nevertheless we are grateful for your yearlong efforts.
Congratulations to all our award and recognition recipients from the convention!
Leadership Medal:
Lion Sandy Nedza (Chicago Northwest Lions Club)
Leadership Awards:
Lion Cindy Meyer (Chicago Ridge Lions Club)
Lion Lavetta Beauzile (Bellwood Lions Club)
District 1A Lion of TheYear:
Lion Lea Agaton (Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club)
Richard J. Daley Citizen of the Year: Eagle Scout Jimmy Sullivan (Sponsored by Orland Park Lions Club)
Lion Carla Mae Haverland (Chicago Nurses for Diabetes Lions Club)
Lion Theresa Kusta (Chicago Ridge Lions Club)
Lion Erlinda Refugio (Chicago Filipino American Lions Club)
Progressive Melvin JonesFellow 1
Diamond:
Lion Lea Agaton (Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club)
Lion Elizabeth Legaspi (Chicago Filipino American Lions Club)
Progressive Melvin JonesFellow 2
Diamond:
Lion Lani Lagudas (Chicago Filipino American Lions Club)
Congratulations to our newly elected leadership for District 1A. Congrats to DGE (District Governor Elect) Ben Zoleta, FVDGE (First Vice District Governor Elect) Karl “Cowboy” Schulz and SVDGE Lionel Valencia. You gents will certainly lead the charge for our District and I’m so happy to support you all for years to come. Have FUN while EXPECTING the UNEXPECTED.
Melvin Jones Fellows:
Onto March Madness Challenge!
Many of our clubs have made great strides bringing innew members for thismonth’s challenge andIwantto congratulate you all for bringing in new hearts of service. Membership is always a challenge, but it’s only when Lions accept that challenge and simply Just Ask. I’m a firm believer that we are more impressionable to our communities and potential Lions when we invite them out to our service projects or events or celebrations. Giving them a face to what we do and who we are during ACTION will empower them to seehow their own passions of service can be a benefit to our clubs and association. So, keep sending out those invites and keep asking if they would like to be included in all that we are doing. And even if we don’t get them to join our family right away, keep inviting them out, keep posting on social media what you’re doing, because it could be that next event or celebration that they gravitate to that will hit that homerun for them in wanting to join. Persistence and Patience will always pay off.
focus to our state convention. This May 15-17th is our MD1 (Multiple District) Convention. The theme is Hong Kong Nights and it’s a theme to get us all ready to have FUN in Hong Kong for our International Convention. Our speaker for the weekend is none other than PIP (Past International President Brian Sheehan and his wonderful wife Lion Lori Sheehan. For those of you that have met Brian before, you know he BRINGS IT! If you think I’m full of energy for Lions, this man truly blows the doors off having FUNandTHAT’SAFACTJACK! Ifthis is your first time attending, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know your family from all stretches of Illinois. The state convention is where you truly get to build relationships. I’d be remised if I didn’t say that many of my great friendships have come from attending the state convention. The state convention committee has been working tirelessly for the last 8 months to ensure they bring the FUN to MD1! REGISTER yesterday!
Lions of District 1A! Now that our convention is done, we turn our
Lions, I’m off my soapbox, I’ll see you all in April!
Asalways, letscontinue tohaveFUN
GO LIONS GO!!
Yours Always in Service,
Richard A. Moy VCC MD1 (Vice Council Chair of
Multiple District 1)
District Governor 1A
Results of New Members in District 1 A – March 2026
The following table summarizes the new membership growth by club during March Madness:
The Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club added the newest members (12) during March Madness and has won the Championship Prize as outlined above. Congratulations on the job well done Lions!
Congratulations to the Willow Springs Lions club for adding three new members during March Madness and the Willow Sprins Lioness Lions Club on adding two new members!
Membership
Drive Going into the Future
Our district is going to continue working to have all clubs in the district add new members to their clubs. By adding new members will give our clubs the opportunity to serve more people in need. Training plans and other opportunities will be offered to help us learn better ways to attract new members to our ranks. Lets work hard to have all clubs add new members this year!
District 1 A New Member Information for March 2026
New Members of the Club
The following is the recruitment report for the district, ranked from the highest to lowest number of new member additions:
• Chicago Healthcare Alliance (155164): 12 new members
• Willow Springs (000092): 3 new members
• Willow Springs Lioness (143691): 2 new members
• LaGrange Highlands (000064): 1 new member
Total District New Members: 18
Sponsors of March 2026 New Members
The following table details the sponsors, their respective clubs, and the number of members they brought into the organization during this period:
SueGrantland Willow Springs Lioness 1
Tammi Phelan Willow Springs Lioness 1
• Total New Members Reported: 18
• Total Unique Sponsors: 15
District 1 A Drops Information for March 2026
This report shows the total number of members who left each club, categorized by their specific reason for dropping. Lions
The above list shows the details of the clubs in District 1 A that have a net Gain in membership during March 2026. Congratulations to the 20 clubs!
District 1 A has 23 clubs without a net change in membership!
Illinois Lions Membership
MD-1 Illinois Membership as of 04/01/2026
The District added 18 new members to clubs in March.
District 1 A Club Report as of 03/31/2026
MD-1 Membership Information
MD-1 Cumulative Membership Report as of 03/31/2026
The Multiple District has a goal of 12 clubs for the year. As of April 1, 2026, Cairo had 18 charter members added into the system on the way to having their initial 20 charter members. Congratulations to District 1 CN on your progress in chartering a new club.
District MD-1 Cancelled Clubs 07/2025 – 01-2026
Our Multiple District lost 2 clubs that disbanded in August 2025 losing 26 members and three Clubs in December 2025 lost 14 additional members for a total of 31 members.
Tips for Improving Membership in Your Clubs
Here are 10 ways to jumpstart your club’s recruiting efforts.
This is taken from LCI’s Mission 1.5 Website resources:
1. Do amember satisfaction check.
Before going out to recruit, look inside. How’s your club doing? Are your members happy? Do you have a positive club culture? Happy members who enjoy being a Lion are more likely to successfully recruit friends, family and others to your club.
Tools forsuccess: Membership Satisfaction Guide
2. Connect your club membership and marketing chairpersons. Does your club have a membership chairperson? How about a marketing chairperson? If not, you’ll want to fill these roles because marketing and membership growth go hand in hand. If you already have these chairpersons in place, make sure they’re working together to promote your club and recruit new members.
Tools forsuccess: Marketing Matters webpage, Club Membership Chairperson webpage
3. Get social.
social media is one of the most powerful tools you have for recruiting members. The more you promote your club’s incredible work, the more visible you’ll be and the more opportunities you’ll have to connect with people looking to serve. So, use social media to invite people to join your club for a service project or attend one of your events, and be sure everyone in your club is sharing, tagging and reposting stories about your club.
Tools forsuccess: Social Media Kit
4. Don't forget traditional media.
Social media isn’t the only way to get your club noticed. Local newspapers, magazines and newsletters are also great ways to promote your club. Make connections with your local media and other organizations and community groups to discover opportunities to get the word out.
Tools forsuccess: Lions Press Center, Brand Advance Kit
5. Apply for theLionsInternational Marketing Award.
Marketing is critical for recruitment, but it’s also a fun way to collaborate with your club and be creative. So why not embrace a little friendly competition by taking your shot at global recognition and great prizes? Your club can apply for the Lions International Marketing Award by creating a marketing campaign focused on member recruitment. Gather your team, plan your marketing campaign, and go out and get some new members.
Tools forsuccess: Lions International Marketing Award webpage, Marketing Matters webpage
6. Recruit whileyou serve.
One of the best ways to recruit is by doing what you do best serving. So invite people to serve with you and see what it’s like to be a Lion. Wear Lions-branded clothing to your service projects for visibility and bring promotional materials to hand out to people you meet while out in the community.
Tools forsuccess: Brand Advance Kit, Lions Shop
7. Host amember recruitment event.
Service is our focus, but bonding and having a good time is also a big part of the Lion experience — so don’t be afraid to show off that side to potential members! Consider hosting a member recruitment event that’s more of a social gathering. It could be a happy hour, picnic, ice cream social,
game night or whatever works for your club. Promote the event on social media and encourage everyone in your club to invite at least five people.
Tools forsuccess: Social Media Kit, Brand Advance Kit
8. Write and share your Lion stories. Every Lion has a story to tell about their member experience. But is every Lion in your club ready to share theirs? Consider a club activity where everyone writes their story. It doesn’t have to be long it can be as simple as jotting down why you joined or why you love being a Lion. Once your stories are ready, find creative ways to share them on social media or your club’s website. Or, simply use them while talking with prospective members.
Tools forsuccess: Lions Get Social webinar, Lions Blog
9. Make connections in your community. It's not always what you know, but who you know. Consider ways you can expand your network, like meeting local business owners or getting involved in community events. Participate in a golf outing, volunteer at a hospital or school, or even attend another group’s pancake breakfast. The more you’re out and about, the more people you’ll meet — so think of creative ways to make new connections. These connections just may become new partners, supporters or even new members.
Tools forsuccess: Developing Local Partnerships
10. Just Ask!
There are lots of different ways to find new members. But at the end of the day, one of the easiest and most effective ways to recruit is to simply ask people to join. Imagine if every Lion brought one new member to your club think of how many more people you could serve. All it takes is asking one family member, friend or neighbor.
Tools forsuccess: Just Ask Guide
Take some time to look over some of the resources we have available to us that will help us serve more of our friends in need!
Application for Membership
An application for membership can be downloaded using the link shown below. It is a fillable pdf file that can be either printed to be given to prospective new members or sent electronically for a new member to fill-in online and email back to you.
The file can be accessed using the following link: https://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/79863797
Pre-printed Applications are available from Lions International. If your club would like some assistance with getting new members or updating your social media platforms, please to not hesitate to reach out for assistance
Going Forward
A detailed program to help revive/reinvigorate clubs struggling is available to all clubs willing to commit to evaluating and attempting to improve those clubs with retention issues and attracting new members. The program attempts to evaluate the current clubs, mission, demographics, opportunities and impediments in its path to improving the club. We also have a rejuvenation plan utilizing Asset Based Community Planning as discussed at the last Growth Workshop Series held recently. We would like to help any club in our district by scheduling a meeting to discuss how we might be able to help your club. Our GAT team would love to help you out.
Good Luck to all clubs with the March Madness Membership challenge!
Respectfully Submitted,
Tom Elsey, District 1A Global Membership Team (GMT) Chairperson thomas.elsey@gmail.com Westchester Lions Club
LCIFREPORTON 3/21/2026
SubmittedBy:LionLeaAgaton and PDGLionAustinD’Souza
We have made headway toward reaching our goal of $60,834. I am proudtoreportduetoyoureffortwe are currently at 45% of our goal raising $27,326 in donation to LCIF. Per member Average Donation $15.22. Based on last week’s count there were 1,770 members from our 69 clubs in District 1A. If we calculate how much each member should contributeto meet ourgoal for the year, each member needs to donate$34.37, which isachievable ifwe allputourheartsinto sharing ourblessingstothoseinneed. We are on a $33,508 gap to our fund-raisinggoal. The 2025-2026 Lion year closes 6/30/2026. There is still time to donateforthisyear. These were the meetings and events we attended to educate Lions and Non-Lions about LCIF. WewereabletoselltheLCIFpins.
1. Visit to The Forest Kala Sampath Lionsmeetingon1/3/2026
2. Region5meetingon1/22/2026
3. LCIFZoommeetingon1/28/2026
4. Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Clubmeeting2/21/2026
5. Mid-Year Leadership Forum on 1/7/2026
6. Visit to Chicago Nurses for DiabetesLionson12/13/2025
7. Chicago HealthcareAlliance Lions HolidayPartyon12/7/2025
8. ChicagoGlobalLionson12/7/2025
9. District 1A Cabinet Meeting on 12/14/2025
10. Kabankalan Lions Club –11/27/2025
11. ChicagoAsianAmerican Lions on11/22/2025
12. Chicago Ridge Lions on 11/21/2025
13. Berwyn Lions Club on 11/20/2025
14. Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lions Club Education event –11/15/2025
15. District Cabinet Meeting on 11/15/2025
16. Region3Meeting – 11/13/2025
17. LCIFCoordinator’sMeetingon 11/8/2025
18. Berwyn Lions Club hunger program – 11/8/2025
19. ChicagoAsianAmerican Lions ClubMeeting – 11/8/2025
20. Special Olympics at Wintrust SportsArenaon11/5/2025
21. Chicago Global Lions Club Sayawit – 10/25/2025
22. Annie’s Restaurant and Pancake House Meeting with Different Lions Club members –10/24/2025
23. Region 1 meeting on 10/24/2025
24. Region 3 meeting on 10/20/2025
25. Chicago Global Lions on 10/19/2025
26. Chicago Healthcare Alliance Mental Health Awareness and Meetingon10/11/2025
27. Convention Committee Meetingon10/8/2025
28. AbbVieemployeesmeetingon 10/7/2025
29. Region 4 meeting on 10/1/2025
30. CouncilofGovernorsmeeting on9/27/2025
31. Cordillera Adivay Lions Club Induction and Governor’s Night –9/19/2025
32. Candy Day Jamboree on 9/10/2025
33. LCIFCoordinatorsTraining –
34. 9/5/2025-9/8/2025
35. Region2Meetingon9/5/2025
36. Chicago Healthcare Alliance meeton8/30/2025
37. CabinetMeetingon8/29/2025
38. LCIF Coordinators Zoom Meeting – 8/27/2025
39. Chicago Healthcare Alliance meeton8/23/2025
40. District 1A PDG’s meet on 8/20/2025
41. District 1A Golf Outing on 8/5/2025
42. Chicago Healthcare Alliance Lionsmeetingon7/19/2025
Our goal is to reach out to more clubs, whether it’s in person or virtual. We will be outreaching companies who may want to donate.
Hello District 1-A Lions,
Greetings from the VOICES team, the Charitable Arm of District 1-A.
Do not forget our “Run for the Roses” fundraiser which will take place May 2, 2026, at Bourbon Street which is in Marionette Park. This is really a fun event, contact PCC Steve Anton for reservations santonlions@comcast or 708-5144215.
Remember all funds collected are used for hearing aids & glasses for our clients in the “OPEN AREAS”.
At our annual VOICES meeting at the District 1-A convention (Saturday 3-21-26), VOICES acknowledged those individuals and clubs that have supported VOICES at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, $500.00, $750.00 and $1000.00 Dollars. Weawarded 7
Patron Awards to be distributed this year. Those Patron awards were given to the following clubs and individuals.
BRONZE AWARD $500
Westchester Lions Club
Thornton Lions Club
PCST Dawn Grogan
FVDGE Karl Schulz
SILVER AWARD $750
FIL/USA Lions Club
GOLD AWARD $1000
Tinley Park Lions Club
Orland Park Lions Club
The VOICES Foundation is currently solvent fortheyear 20252026. Wecontinue to help those in need in the “OPEN AREAS” community with hearing aids and glasses with the support of our Clubs and Donors. We cannot do it without your help. Please accept sincere thanks from our Directors and Consultants for your continued support.
Have a blessed Easter!
PCC Gail Anton VOICES President
