District Convention
DISTRICT 27-B1 LIONS
48th Annual Convention
NOVEMBER 10 & 11, 2023 Radisson Hotel and Convention Center, Fond du Lac
The Lions and Leos of 27-B1 hosted the 48th Annual Convention of District 27-B1 at the Radisson Convention Center in Fond du Lac. International Director Edward Guy Hollander from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky addressed the audience. 177 attended the convention, which is down about 25 from our average for the past couple of years.
Friday night hospitality was a beach theme as we gathered by the pool. Music and dancing was provided by The Bobby Allen Show. Raffles and flying beach balls entertained the crowd.
Saturday, opening ceremony began at 8:30 with a flag presentation. A remembrance ceremony and nominations for offices took place before lunch along with a "power hour" of presentations from Dogs to Dog Tags, the new Fox Valley Lions Medical Locker, Restoring Hope Transplant House and LCIF. The day continued with lunch where ID Guy spoke on the flooding disaster in Kentucky and how the Lions and LCIF handled the event.
A Birch-Sturm Fellowship was awarded to IPDG Dave Brinkman by the clubs of the district. The Chilton Lions presented DG Greg Kubichka with a Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Presidential Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to Lion Greg Garton, Sr. and Lion Rick Jackels from the Chilton Lions Club and one was also presented to the Fond du Lac Evening Lions Club for 50 years of service.
IPDG Dave Brinkman and ZC Mary Jo Abler were presented with the LCIF's Chairperson Medal for their outstanding work getting clubs to donate to LCIF.
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation presented PDG Dave and Sue Lee from the Appleton Noon Lions with a Volunteer Service Award for all their time and efforts given to vision screening in the Fox Valley.
Once again PDG Len Quinn's cowboy hat was auctioned off. The hat's high bid went to the Ripon Lions. Proceeds will go to Leader Dogs for the Blind. The Lion Bank was awarded to the Fond du Lac Evening Lions for donating $6,250 to numerous Lions Projects. New this year was a ceramic Lion and a Lion picture which were both auctioned. Lion BJ won a wagon load full of prizes at a previous convention and auctioned it in a unique way. People held up $5 bills in the air and after a predetermined time, the last person to donate won the contents. Everyone was thoroughly thrilled as the bidding progressed.
Afternoon seminars were given by Member/Retention GMT Bert Freeman and Zone Chairman Bill Fletcher, Dogs 2 Dog Tags, Eye Bank Transporters, Lions Camp, the new Lions Portal and Lions Reporting, the new Medical Locker and the Van Dyne Volunteer Fire Department who demonstrated the Jaws of Life by dismantling a car and provided hands-on fire extinguisher demonstration. The highlight of the outdoor events was a visit from the Theda Star Helicopter. See the photos by clicking on 2023 below.
Every club was asked to bring a gift or two to be included in our annual “Bucket Raffles”
The day was finalized with a banquet with guest speakers and voting results.
The District Raffle results are:
1st: Stef Brusse, Cascade, $922.00
2nd: Shan Bergeon, Two Rivers, $691.50
3rd: Bill Heus, Chilton, $322.70
4th: Larsen-Winchester Lions, $230.50
5th: Charles Harsh, Montello, $92.20
6th: Valders Lions, $46.10
Voting results are as follows.
District Governor Elect, Dave Holschbach, Mishicot Lions
First Vice District Governor Elect, Roxanne Wendt, Van Dyne Lions
Second Vice District Governor Elect, Barb Leichtfuss, Van Dyne Lions
Brianna Gaedke from New Holstein Middle School won the Peace Poster Contest.
The #2 pin entry also won.
The Best Western Premiere in Oshkosh was the choice for the 2025 district convention.
The convention site for 2024 will return to the Radisson in Fond du Lac.
Convention History Convention Pins
Convention Photos
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