WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MJF/PMJF

Melvin Jones Fellowships

The Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) recognizes donations of US$1,000. It is the backbone of LCIF, providing 75 percent of the foundation's revenue. As recognition of humanitarian work, an MJF is an honor presented to those who donate US$1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others.

Contributions can be made by individuals (including non-Lions), clubs or districts. Donations may be in one sum, or in instalments of a minimum of US$100 over a five-year period. Melvin Jones Fellows receive an attractive lapel pin, a plaque and a congratulatory letter.

It is possible to make a donation and choose the MJF recipient later. Write "Melvin Jones Fellow to be named later" on the check or bank draft. When an individual's or group’s personal donation(s) are accumulated for a club's or district's use to select a Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient, LCIF needs the signed consent. Please include such documentation with the completed MJF application that is sent to LCIF Donor Services.

Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowships

The Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship (PMJF) program is a way for donors to extend their commitment to LCIF. There are 54 recognition levels beyond the initial US$1,000 MJF contribution with a unique pin for each giving level.

After contributing US$100,000, donors become Humanitarian Partners.

MJF Facts

• The Fellowship was established in 1973 and the Progressive program began in 1986 in response to Lions' request for a way to extend their commitment to LCIF.
• Donations through MJFs provide 75 percent of the Foundation's annual revenue.
• There are 54 levels in the PMJF program.
• As of the end of October 2012, there are 342,670 MJF recipients and 64,301 PMJF recipients worldwide.
• All MJFs are invited to the annual luncheon held at the convention (ticket purchase required). The MJF luncheon began in 1984 and has been held at each convention since then.
• The names of MJFs are displayed on a computer in the LCIF Room at the International Headquarters.

Signature Projects for Lions Clubs

http://resources.mdalions.org/lions_material/CC3_Signature_Projects.pdf

For Lions of 411B, the information herein will assist you to determine your project and advance it as necessary. Please do fill in Form MK 9 for directions.

Purpose: To identify a major community project with a Lions club, zone, region, or district so that the project is associated with the Lions club, zone, region, or district.

By definition, a Lions Signature Project is:

A distinctively Lions initiative.

A community project which identifies Lions.

A project which is visible throughout the community.

A “hands-on” project.

A project which is relevant to community needs.

A project which helps to build the reputation of the Lions club.

A project which attracts the attention of quality members of the community.

Lions Signature Projects vary according to community needs. Before planning a Signature Project, Lions clubs should complete the Lions Community Needs Assessment (MK-9).

Lions Signature Projects may address:

• The needs of children;

• Community needs;

• The needs of the elderly;

• Environmental needs;

• Healthcare needs;

• The needs of persons in other countries;

• Human welfare needs.

Examples of Lions club or district Signature Projects:

Lions in MD 109 (Iceland) built Lions Home Hlein for severely disabled young adults.

•The Long Beach (Downtown) Lions Club, California, built the 65-foot (19 meters) tall Lions Lighthouse for Sight.

The Lions of District 14-B (Pennsylvania, USA), built the Lions Diabetes Treatment

Center for their community.

In Egypt, Lions are working with the military to remove World War II land mines.

Every year, the Mt. Vernon (Evening) Lions, Virginia, USA, organize Lions Safety Day.

The Bonita Springs Lions, Florida, USA, award annual educational scholarships.

In 1951, the Springfield (16 Acres) Lions Club, Massachusetts, USA, established the District 33-Y Orthopedic Clinic. The Lions continue to support this eye care facility.

Signature Project Results

As a result of completing a high-visibility Lions Signature Project, others in your community

take notice of the Lions’ willingness to serve, thereby increasing the possibility for attracting

new members. New members bring new ideas. In the end, the local community reaps the

benefits of increased community service.

PID LION DR. MANOJ SHAH SPELLS OUT ACTION PLAN TO STIMULATE 411B GROWTH STATUS

Lion Dr. Manoj Shah got commitment from the members present at the Leadership Seminar on 7th April 2013 to assist the FVDG Lion Wilson Ndesanjo and PDG Lion Majid Khan to ensure 411B membership growth and extension.

He chalked out an ACTION PLAN for the remaining part of the 2012/2013 Lionistic Year.

1. 1 NEW CLUB IN DAR
2. 1 NEW CLUB UPCOUNTRY
3. 1 NEW BRANCH CLUB ANYWHERE ( LION PROTAS TO ASSIST)
4. 5 NEW MEMBERS NET IN 7 CLUBS
5. SIGNATURE PROJECT EITHER BY CLUBS OR COLLECTIVELY.

Lion Yusuf Dalal was assigned to report back to Dr. Manoj on the developments.

MD411A CARRY OUT ROBUST HALF DAY SEMINAR TO IMPART SKILLS TO DAR LIONS

The training seminar to chalk out strategy for membership growth of District 411B was carried out on 7^th April 2013 at Patel Brotherhood Hall.The training was led by PID Dr. Manoj Shah who said that quality members have to be committed and diligent. “Activities carried out based on good vision, planning and focus will always yield successful results,” said Dr. Manoj.PDG Lion Pape, PCC Lion Murtaza, Lion Amarprit and Lion Shezan further imparted great knowledge on the following: Africa on the run towards independent constitutional area. This will give board status, more funding opportunities and recognition.·       Africa strategy is to increase membership;
·       Area that clubs need to focus on:
    o   Improve club experience
    o   Improve service projects
    o   Support to existing clubs and members
    o   Membership growth
·       Tanzania case study advised need to improve:
    o   17 clubs and 469 members covering country of 45ml
    o   664 members were added and 689 were dropped
    o   8 clubs cancelled
·       International Dues:
    o   2012/2013 - $41
    o   2013/2014 - $ 43
·        Multiple District Dues: $3 used for Council travel, PR and meetings
·       District Dues: $22
·       Club recommended to have 26 charter members while minimum was 20;
·       Members urged to go online, carry out courses and embark on Certified Guiding Lions course.
·       Clubs extension to be given priority. This will achieve networking, leadership opportunities, recognition and delivery of services.
·       Africa population noted to be just under a billion with only 23,500 Lions to serve.
·       Signature Projects (Kenya examples) emphasised to attract more members and club focus. 

Lion Pape encouraged Q and A session

Women membership seems to be lagging - Lion Amarprit 

DISTRICT 411B - TANZANIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF LIONISM AS PID LION DR. MANOJ SHAH DECLARES IT HAS A PROUD PAST AND BRIGHT FUTURE

On 6th April 2013, Lions from Dar fraternity celebrated 50 years of its existence. The occasion was gracefully proclaimed and concluded at Serena Hotel. The Chief Guest during the Banquet was PID Lion Dr. Manoj Shah and in attendance were various leaders from both 411B and 411 A.

“From what I have been told and what I knew, Lions of Dar es Salaam have definitely strode forward to carry out interesting projects that have brought improvement to the lives of millions of destitute and needy people in these 50 years of Lionism,” said Lion Manoj. He further mentioned that the record of MJF by membership of a 2.5 year old Tanzanian set during the time of PDG Lion Mushi has remained a world record to-date. “Let us walk out of this hall today and think of what best we can do to deliver community services with more zeal and diligence ” exclaimed Lion Manoj.
" I also take this opportunity to advise that Dar Lions should consider to build a monument or carry out a Signature Project to glorify 50 years of Lionism in Tanzania," pointed out Dr. Manoj.

Entertaining the Lions by TNT Group with
Lion Leaders in the background

TNT Group Entertaining

LtoR Presidents Lion Protas, Lion Rafiq, Lion Shakil,
Lion Nimira, PID Manoj, PDG Majid and  Presdent Lion Babul
before the cake cutting ceremony

Lions cutting cake to mark 50th Golden Jubilee with above team
joined by DG Lion Kiwanuka and President Lion Shanti

Pwani members, other lions and Guests during the Event

Host Club cutting cake as Lion Gangji (3rd from left)
celebrates his 42 years in Lionism while  the
premier club enjoys its 50th  Golden Jubilee.

LIONS 50 YEARS GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION COMMENCES WITH A COLOURFUL PARADE LED BY MAGEREZA BRASS BAND

On 6th April 2013, over 100 Lions from Dar fraternity walked past the streets of Dar es Salaam to celebrate Golden Jubilee of their existence in Tanzania. The colourful Parade was led by Magereza Brass Band and District Governor Lion Joseph Kiwanuka together with his spouse Lion Edith.

Chairman of the Committee overseeing the event, PDG Lion Majid Khan as well as his team reflected their impression to see that the 5 month long hard-work spelled enormous success.

“The Parade is not only a walk but a publicity drive to attract other citizens towards the good work we do,” said Lion Kiwanuka. He further thanked all members who walked and appreciated that the 50 years celebration was worth the existence of Lionism wherein extremely good work has been carried out.

PDG Lion Satish gratified the good work that the preparation committee had done to see through such an important occasion. “I am here today to walk hand in hand with our Lions of Dar and to beam my salutations for that community services rendered, keep it up!, said Lion Satish.

FVDG Lion Wilson Ndesanjo and Lady Florence equally thanked all Lions for the 50 years of hard-work. “The work that replaces tears in the eyes of the destitute with love is what we stand for,” said Lion Ndesanjo.

The Parade was also attended by PDG Lion Vijay, RC Lion Salim from Region C, RC Lion Rizwan from Region D, ZC Lion Naeem Dar, ZC Lion Yusuf as well as other district leaders.

DG Lion Kiwanuka, Lion Edith, PDG Lion Vijay, Zc Lion Naeemdar and
other Lions  at start point

Magereza Brass Band Leading the Parade

PDG and Chairman of the OC Lion Majid Khan, Lion Suresh and
other Lions at Patel Ground

Cross section of Lions at the Parade

PDG Lion Satish and FVDG Lion Ndesanjo

Pwani Club with their Banner during the Parade

Lion Protas enjoying the early morning walk

Mzizima Lions during the walk

Cross section of Lions along Maktaba Street

DG Lion Kiwanuka addressing the Lions and guests.

DG LION KIWANUKA SENDS HIS SYMPATHIES OVER THE DAR BUILDING COLLAPSE

On behalf of all Lions of District 411B, I take this profound occasion to convey my heartfelt sympathies on the tragedy that has occurred in the footsteps of Haven of Peace. 

While we try to meet peace and patience, I pray to Almighty God that he makes it easy for the family of the bereaved.

"I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love."