Marcellus Lions Club
Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6pm
Patch & Remington
Present: President Estela Beaugrand, Vice President Marie Breseman, Secretary Sarah Engstrom, Allen and Pat Butchbaker, George Gearhart, Sherry, Aidan and Shannon Durden, Tony Ruacho, Jimmy Shannon
Guest: Alice Kring District Governor Elect, Marshall Johnson
Absent: Treasurer Joel Bartram, Stephanie Bender-Breseman, Bart Poulsen, Mike Durden
1. Prayer, pledge, and meeting called to order at 6:03pm.
2. Treasurer’s Report, Sarah for Joel
a. Deposit – Farm Bureau Annuity Payment received and deposited.
3. Secretary’s Report, Sarah
a. White Cane Day – Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9a-1p. Hand out canes and mints.
Locations and assignments:
Terrill’s Market – Estela and Jimmy
Lawson’s – Allen and Pat
Amy’s Fabulous Diner – George
VFW Car Show – Tony
4. President’s Report, Estela
a. Alice Kring, District Governor Elect – Alice is a member of the Buchanan-Galien Lions Club and selected “Let your dreams blossom” as her motto during her term as DG beginning in July. She discussed several topics during the meeting.
1. Leo Club – Be sure to log meeting times of younger members into the portal as helps to obtain grants through the Lions Foundation. Work with Marcellus Community Schools to bring both public school and home school students into a club.
2. Peace Poster Contest – Each year Lions International holds a contest for 5th – 7th grade students. Clubs must order the kit that has the theme and rules of the contest. She explained that her club usually teams with the Middle School art teacher and buys supplies. The winners from District 11-B2 schools will present their poster at Projects Night. The winner selected will then move on to advance through the contest which is international. This is a great way to involve community youth.
3. Youth Exchange Program – This program allows students from other countries, who typically have parents who are Lions members, to stay with a host family for 3 weeks. One week is at a weeklong camp which is being held at Camp Amigo in Sturgis this year.
4. Banner Exchange – Our club will receive an invitation to attend this event in which the outgoing District Governor, Karen Joy Bouwman from Benton Harbor, will exchange the DG banner to Alice.
5. Niles Lions Club – This club was the first to enter District 11-B2 and is the oldest club. They are celebrating their 100-year anniversary.
6. 50th Anniversary of District 11-B2 – The 2027 convention will celebrate this anniversary and is scheduled for April 10, 2027 at the Lawton Old Winery.
5. Officer’s Meeting Update, Estela/Sarah
No meeting held in May.
6. On-Going Initiatives, Group
a. Community Involvement
1. The yardwork idea suggested at the last meeting will be rescheduled to the fall when leaf cleanup is needed. It was suggested that a committee be created for this project.
2. Eyeglass Collection – Cheater glasses are no longer accepted by Lions International. The club can sort these out and put a display together at the food pantry.
3. Hard Sided Glasses Cases – These are no longer accepted by Lions International. Some clubs will clean the cases that are in good condition and create hygiene kits with them.
b. Community Exposure
1. Decals and License Plate Frames – Sarah looked at Lions Club website and prices are reasonable. Alice said there is usually a discount given during the month of June and to look for that.
2. T-Shirts – Marie’s granddaughter made several shirts sizes L – 2XL. Make checks payable to Marie.
3. Village Limit Signs – Alice suggested buying Vinyl adhesive signs and layover the metal signs. It’s cost effective and doesn’t age too quickly.
c. Increasing Membership – Lull in membership, but no members lost.
d. Youth Members/Leo – Amy Thackson is the State Leo Chair. Sarah emailed her for ideas on getting club active again.
7. Christmas in July Ice Cream Social, Group
Tentative date is Saturday, July 18th from 2-4pm. Estela received a discount from Hudsonville. Joel still needs to speak to the owner of MooMoo’s for a possible partnership.
8. Scholarships, Sarah
a. Recipients – The committee selected Noah Bohan, Carlyn Deer and Rachael Drauch
b. Senior Award Night Presentation – Tony reported that the presentation went very well.
9. Fundraising Ideas – Estela/Group
a. Culver’s – Idea on hold for now
10. Next Meeting Planning, All
a. Change of Monthly Meeting Day – After discussion, a motion made by Tony and supported by Marie was made to move the monthly meeting back to the 4th Thursday of the month, 11 Ayes, 0 Nays, Motion Carried.
11. Additional Items – None
Upcoming Events
Next Regular Meeting – Thursday, June 25, 2026
Patch & Remington: Dinner at 5:30pm, Meeting at 6pm
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm by Estela, supported by Allen. 11 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion Carried.
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