Wyoming Lions convention roars in to Saratoga

Nearly 100 Lions Club members from throughout Wyoming are expected to convene in Saratoga this weekend for the annual Wyoming State Lions Convention, Saratoga Lions Club president Gilbert (Gib) Blumenthal announced.

The local service organization is hosting the state-wide event at the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 11-13, with at least half of the 45 Lions Clubs in the state sending delegates plus representatives of the Eye Bank and Eye Institute Foundation Board and a few members from Colorado Lions Clubs, according to information released this week by Bob Lauman, both state and local club secretary.

Friday’s activities include registration, Allen H. Steward Lions Camp for the blind board meeting, Lions of Wyoming Foundation board session and Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Band board gathering all at PVCC. A 7 p.m. welcoming social is scheduled for the Saratoga Room of the Hotel Wolf, followed by an after hours hospitality room at the Riviera Lodge Conference Room.

Events Saturday morning include meetings, reports, updates and “Community Development Partnerships” presentation by Saratoga Lions Club past president and former long-time treasurer Joe Glode. Lunch speaker will be Joe Legerski, women’s basketball coach at the University of Wyoming. State Lions Past District Governor Dave Orr will follow with the annual report and the parade of checks. Afternoon programs include “Vision Related Projects” and “Protecting Your Club” offered by state and international officials plus election of officers.

Saturday evening features a convention social hour and dinner with banquet keynote address to be delivered by International Director John A. Harper, invocation by the Rev. Susan Dyer, of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, and entertainment by local Cowboy Poet Chuck Larsen.

Sunday’s schedule features brunch, positive energy talk, District 15 awards presentation, state-wide election of officers results, celebration of service, wrap-up session, cabinet and summit committee members meeting, and convention evaluation and preparation for 2014-2015 state convention.