March 1, 2005 (Tuesday) 6:30 pm: Regular Meeting at Maria's Family Restaurant, 81-83 Essex Street, Haverhill, MA. Guest speakers District 33N VDG Louise Wojtkiewicz and Mary Noyes From VIP (Visually Impaired People) - A Group Of Legally Blind Citizens In Haverhill. Please click here for map and directions to Maria's Family Restaurant.

Please click here for larger photo.		Please click here for larger photo.
Meeting Highlights: The first Guest Speaker of the night was 2004-2005 Vice District Governor Louise Wojtkiewicz. VDG Wojtkiewicz spoke about: The Mid-Winter Conference held at the Wyndam Hotel in Andover, Massachusetts on January 21, 22, and 23, 2005. The theme was "TEAMS" and how we can "share success through service". The District 33N Membership Meeting to be held on March 21, 2005 at the Marriott Hotel in Woburn, MA. VDG Wojtkiewicz stressed that membership retention and new memberships are vital to the success of any Lion Club. Announced that District 33N has a new Leo's Club in Reading, Massachusetts and that there is a potential for two more Leo Clubs forthcoming at the college level. The District Governor Testimonial to be held at the Wyndam Hotel in Andover, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 23, 2005. For more information, please contact VDG Wojtkiewicz at (978) 263-3493 or lion.louise@juno.com. The District 33N Thirteenth Annual Journey for Sight Walkathon to be held on Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 10 a.m. at Horn Pond in Woburn, Massachusetts. Participating and raising donations for the Walkathon is one on the ways that Lions can help fight to prevent blindness. Donations will help fund research for: Baby Blindness, Diabetes, Macular Degeneration and other causes of blindness. VDG Wojtkiewicz provided brochures including sign-up sheets to all interested Club Members. VDG Wojtkiewicz indicated that for more information, to please contact Lion Deborah McDonald at (978) 777-1740 or pelts@comcast.net. The second Guest Speaker was of the night was Ms. Mary Noyes from VIP (Visually Impaired People) - a group of 15 legally blind citizens in Haverhill. Ms. Noyes explained VIP’s mission is to bring awareness of the daily challenges that face legally blind people. She said that there were over 350 legally blind residents of Haverhill. VIP’s goal is to explain to people "the meaning of a white cane". VIP meets monthly at the Haverhill Citizens Center and that one of their activities is to enjoy audio books. Click here for American Council Of The Blind - History of White Cane Safety Day by Philip Strong. Click here for United States of America George W. Bush's Proclamation for White Cane Day on October 15, 2005. Ms. Noyes indicated that her group would like to know "what Lions do" and expressed they would enjoy an exchange of guest speaking appearances with our Club. 2004-2005 Haverhill Lions President/PDG John Pettis, Jr. and Eyeglass Chairperson Doug Fowler volunteered to participate in for the Club. Haverhill Lions President/PDG John Pettis, Jr. reminded the Club about our Annual Street Collection scheduled for Saturday, June 4, 2005. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND PARTICIPATE. We need all Club Members to make this event successful. Haverhill Lions President/PDG John Pettis, Jr. read a letter to the Club from the Leader Dogs for the Blind from Michigan asking the Club to help with the airfare to transport a Haverhill resident their guide dog. The Club voted to make a $200.00 donation. Haverhill Lions President/PDG John Pettis, Jr. reminded all Members to that we be taking nominations for next year's officers during our April 5, 2005 regular meeting. He has asked that all Past Presidents consider "stepping-up-to-plate" in either an officer's or director's leadership role for next year. IPP Jane Sweeney gave a update on the comedy night that will be in the Spring 2005. Date will be April 8, 2005 at Pat's Beef House, Haverhill, at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm. East Coast Marketing, the firm representing the Haverhill Lions Club, is having a successful campaign and that the Club as already received $3,000.00. Lion Daniel Hickey, Jr. read a letter to the Club from the Haverhill High School "Model United Nations Debate Team" asking the Club for a donation to sponsor their school trip to National High School Model United Nations (UN) Competition in New York City, New York on March 9 though 15, 2005. Their Team consists of 13 Haverhill High School Students that compete around New England. The Club voted to make a $500.00 donation.