27-D1 District Cabinet Meeting - January 11, 2026 VIRTUAL meeting and will begin at 1100 AM.
Cabinet Meeting Minutes
1) The Cabinet meeting was called to order at 11:00 AM by District Governor Jim Klubertanz. DG Jim welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. There were 32 Lions in attendance.
2) Pledge of Allegiance (FVDG Tony)
3) Words of Wisdom (SVDG Adam)
4) Invocation (FVDG Tony)
5) Secretary report from the October Cabinet Meeting (Lion Bruce) - The October Minutes were emailed to everyone and available on the District webpage. There were no questions or corrections.
✓ Motion by PDG Jeff Winkler to accept the minutes as presented. Second by PDG Bob Faliveno. Motion carried.
6) Treasurer's report (Lion Bill) - The Treasurer's Report was emailed to everyone and available on the District webpage. Lion Bill summarized the posted reports. Any questions should be directed to Lion Bill.
✓ Motion to accept the report as presented by IPDG Ron Wright., second by GMT Tim Meier. Motion carried.
7) Website Proposal (FVDG Tony) - Information has been sent to the new website designer. Anyone can see what the basic design of the website will look like by visiting the A1 website. Current information from taken from the current webpage.
8) Committee Reports - Posted on District webpage.
a) GAT Team - Reports online - Tim Meier reporting for GAT
GET- Madison Northside Club is moving forward. Madison North Lions Facebook page has been developed. Six members confirmed. An information Zoom Meeting will be held on January 14 with a PowerPoint presentation.
GLT- Starting to plan for the leadership workshops, selecting dates and locations. GAT team would like to involve the Zone Chairs in this process.
GMT- As of 1/2/26, D1 has 38 members for a total of 2034 members. District lost a few at calendar year end as clubs dropped members prior to dues statements being issued. MD27 is at plus six, D1 leads all Districts. Received positive feedback on the Regional meeting training.
GST - PDG Al Johnson - 1 Leo Club reporting service. 82% of District Lions Clubs are reporting. Clubs are not currently reporting: Broadhead, Mineral Point, Orfordville, Monroe, Platteville, and Potosi-Tennyson.
b) GMA - Lion Tammy Rockenbach -Club Rebuilding, is available in the Lions Learning Center. Clubs should review: it contains ideas to change and strengthen your club. Lion Tammy is available to come to your club. MD27 GAT will be holding a Wisconsin Lions Workshop in August 2026, this is for grassroots Lions.
c) PCC Tammy asked that anyone attending the 2026 International Convention in Hong Kong let her know as she would like to recruit your help.
d) LEBW Report (Lion Erica) - Report Online.
e) RHTH Report (PDG AL) - Report Online. The new roof is completed. The front porch project is next. Most important need is dollars - monetary donations can be put to the current need. The new sign is up and looks great.
f) USA/Canada Forum Report (PDG Tammy) - Report Online
g) Children's Vision Screening (Lion Milo) - Report online. The new Plus Optics S20 is ready for use. Verona Lions will house the camera for use around the district. Lion Milo recommends viewing the online seminar (link in his report) prior to using the S20 as the layout is different.
h) Adult Vision Screening (PDG Bob) - The $2000 approved in October has not been used as the repairs for the current Humphrey machine is too expensive. Lion Bob will be looking for used equipment to purchase. 40 people were screened at the Latino Health Fair and 12 screened at he Stand Down for Vets event with about a 50% referral rate. DG Jim added that one of the northern districts has 3 Humphrey units that are not being used and may be available.
i) UW Campus Club (Lion Bob read the report from UW Lion President Trevor) Currently at 15 paid members. They are working with the Eye Bank on thank you letters and are looking at other service opportunities. Thank you to District D1 for the $500 subsidy to their administrative account.
j) District Convention (Lion Andrea) - The Convention is March 13-14, 2026, at Ho Chunk. There will be Vision Screening Training and Lensometer Training on Friday, March 13 followed by the Cabinet Meeting and Hospitality. Speakers and Seminars on Saturday, Online Registration is open now as well as paper registration forms. Ads for the Convention Program are due by February 1 to PDG Bill Clausius. LOY and SPOY nominations are due to PDG Al Johnson by February 15, 2026.
k) Peace Poster (Lion Andy) - Twelve clubs participated this year, 13 Peace Posters were submitted. Evansville submitted this year's winning poster. The poster also won the MD27 contest and has been submitted to International. This is the fourth year in a row that D1 has won the contest. There is also a Peace Poster Essay contest for visually impaired. Please promote.
l) Youth Exchange (Lion Crystal) - No Report Youth Exchange week will be in in Augst 16-23, 2026.
m) WLF Report (PDG John, Lion Jim) - Report online
• Lion Brad Behren has taken over as Executive Director of WLF as of January 1, 2026
• Status of John Deere Gator Fundraiser -enough money raised from Survey Fundraiser to purchase one gator. The father a Lion Camp camper works for John Deere an asked John Deere if they could help - John Deere donated a second gator to the Camp.
• Enough money was raised on Giving Tuesday to purchase 3 Lensometers. One will replace an old unit at Stanley Prison.
• Kid Raffle 2026 tickets are available and will be distributed over the next few weeks and at District Convention, D1 sold the most tickets last year.
n) LCIF Report (PDG Conrad) - Report online
o) Diabetes Report (Lion Jill) - No Report
p) Leader Dog (Lion Patty) - No Report -DG Jim reminded everyone that Leader Dog is always in need of donation and looking for puy raisers.
q) Childhood Cancer (Lion Julie)- Report Online - DG Jim reported that the COG and FVDG's approved a proposal to apply for a matching grant from LCIF in the amount of $100,000 to purchase specific equipment for Marquette University to aid their research of certain proteins to help cure childhood cancer. Districts are asked to raise funds for this based on $100 per club. District should bank the funds until the grant is approved. Donations should be sent to the District 27D1 (Lion Bill Severon) with 'Childhood Cancer' in the memo line.
r) Birch Sturm (Lion Greg) - Birch Sturm Foundation is on track to give $400,000 to Lions Camp this year. Reminder that for a $1000 cumulative donation to the Birch Sturm Foundation, you can name a Birch Sturm Fellowship. Anyone interested in serving on the Birch Sturm board can apply to Executive Director Brad Behrens.
s) Leo (Lion Brenda) - Report online -PDG Al Johnson was able to provide Lion Brenda with contact information for all the Leo Advisers. Emails have been sent offering help, club visits, etc. to all but no responses. Marshall Lions only club to indicate they will be attending the District Convention.
t) Environment - No Report - International Week of Service for the Environment is April 19-26, 2026. District Day of Service will be April 25, 2026. Please report on your projects in the Lion Portal.
u) Lions Missions (Lion Jeff) -Report Submitted - (Action Requests)
• Wisconsin Missions has requested a $600 contribution from each District each year to support the cost of the trailer, insurance, and expenses, etc.
✓ Motion by PDG Jeff Winkler to donate $600 from the District Missions account to Wisconsin Missions to support the request received by PDG Winkler. Second by PID Peter Cerniglia. Motion Carried.
• Wisconsin Missions Surgical mission has requested $450 per district for $3000 surgical equipment for cataract surgeries (b scanner, autoclave, and battery backup).
✓ Motion by PCC Tammy to donate $450 for surgical equipment for Wisconsin Missions Cataract Surgery Program for upgrade and replacement of surgical equipment. Second by PDG Bob Faliveno. Motion Carried. Donation to be earmarked 'Wisconsin Missions Cataract Surgery Program'.
v) New Voices Report (SVDG Adam) - Cabinet will be needing a replacement for SVDG Adam for the New Voices position for 2026-27. DG Team will be looking at the New Voices Awards for District Convention.
w) Hearing (Lion Lauri) - No Report
x) LCIF District and Club Community Impact Grant Application (SVDG Adam)- PDG Jeff Winkler, PCC Tammy Rockenbach and SVDG Adam Corwson have been working on the CGI application to equip the proposed Mazomanie satellite center with two Lensometers plus storage units and tables & chairs.
Background: A second center will be in Beloit -Dr will run a center out of his office. Dr received one of the Lensometers from the Giving Tuesday donations. Launched Tuesday, 1/13/26. His staff will train area Lions to use the Lensometer. Will eventually need a second camera. Grant is specifically for Mazomanie. CGI Grant - When donations are made by District Clubs to LCIF, the District receives about 15% which the District can use for humanitarian projects. Currently $33,000 in this account. The Grant Application would be for $28,000 to include the cost of two Lensometers, storage equipment, tables, and chairs for the Mazomanie facility. By submitting the application now, approval should be received by March/April and approval for ongoing rent and expenses can be addressed at the next Cabinet Meeting, Program could then launch by July 2026. Training - Training at District Convention. Lion Roxy Johnson, Mazomanie Lions, has been trained and approved by WLF (Keith Mueller) to train and oversee the program. Several more people are needed to be trained by WLF to serve in supervisory roles.
✓ Motion by PID Phil Ingwell to approve the application for the LCIF District and Club Community Impact Grant in the amount of $28,000 for two Lensometers, storage units and tables & chairs for the Mazomanie facility. Second by SVDK Adam Crowson. Motion Carried.
y) WLF is working with PID Art Marson to get a matching grant to purchase 20 lensometers (2 per district). If a district agrees to purchase one lensometer at $13,100, they will receive a second through the matching grant. Districts need to respond by February 1, 2026, so the grant request can be considered at the LCIF May board meeting. D1 needs two units in Mazomanie and a second one for Beloit, for the Broadhead office. How do we come up with the funds as none of the project funds have sufficient funds - Solicit Clubs for donations, Emergency Fund, Missions Fund. Must consider the cost of rent and operational costs for the Mazomanie center.
✓ Motion by PID Peter Cerniglia to approve the participation in the WLF/ MD27 Lensometer matching grant by purchasing a lensometer at $13,100. Second by PDG Jeff Winkler. Motion carried.
z) Lion Brenda Steele is requesting District support to help grow Lion CARe Cruise. Five Clubs are currently participating, working together for a common cause. In the past five years, the CARe Cruise has raised over $80,000. The last four years CARe Cruise has benefited the Miracle League of Dane County which allows kids with physical and mental disabilities from 4-19 years old to play baseball on a specialized field at Bakken Park in Cottage Grove. This past summer over 300 kids participated. They are using the Miracle League to promote Lion Camp by passing out information, etc. with at least five new kids attending camp. The goal is to marry the Miracle League and Lions Camp to benefit both. Future plans include fields in Sun Prairie and Verona.
✓ Motion by PDG Bob Faliveno the 27D1 Cabinet endorse and promote the Lion CARe Cruise to benefit the Miracle League of Dane County. Second by PDG Jeff Winkler. Motion carried.
9. Upcoming Events
a) District Bowling at Ten Pin Alley on January 31, Info on District Webpage
b) Lions Sate Bowling in Wausau, February 28-March 29.
c) District Convention, March 13-14, 2026, at Ho Chunk, Wisconsin Dells
d) State Convention, May 14-16, 2026, at Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee
16. Adjournment
✓ Motion to adjourn by PDG Bob Faliveno, second by FVDG Tony Sobczak, Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 2:17 PM
Reports:
January Agenda
October Cabinet Meeting Minutes
Treasurers Report - Activities (pdf)
Treasurers Report - Administration (pdf)
Accounts Summary (pdf)
Children's Vision Committee Report (pdf)
Children's Vision Kid Sight Training Report (pdf)
Children's Vision Plusoptix Help (pdf)
Children's Vision Screening 2025-2026 Summary
Global Service Team Report
LCIF District and Community Impact Grant Application
LCIF Report
Leo Report
Peace Poster Report
Region 2 Zone 2 Report
Restoring Hope Transplant House Report (pdf)
USA Canada Forum Report
Ways To Give (pdf)
Wisconsin Lions Foundation Report (pdf)
Wisconsin Lions Mission Report
Note: some reports are PDF format. You may download the most recent free Adobe PDF reader at Adobe.