REPORT OF GEORGIA LIONS CAMP FOR THE BLIND – LION SCOTT EISENHART:
Lion Eisenhart presented the following printed report.
The first thing to say is that the Camp is currently in “recovery” mode. The crisis has passed, we have qualified candidates to
fill the vacancy of Executive Director, a plan for being solvent at least through the next 2 camping seasons, and that is
without the expected income that will be generate with the new ideas, plans, and grant writing that the new E.D. will bring.
However, that brings me to the points needing addressed. The first is that while we do not have hard numbers, as I haven’t
received them from PDG Paul May, I do know that in the last 2 weeks, the camp has received 2 checks, one from the
Marietta Lions Club in the amount of $1750 and one from the Garden City Lions Club in the amount of $2000. That would
indicated that the trend of withholding monies from the camp while waiting to see the outcome of the leadership changes has
passed and the Clubs are more willing to send their funds. This is important because if WE the Lions of Georgia do not
believe enough to contribute, then how can we expect other individuals and corporations to give us grant money?
That brings me to the second point. At the last Joint meeting, during what ended up being an open personnel committee
meeting, Lion Charles Lauderdale posed a solution to the immediate funding problems facing the camp. His proposal was
simple, and would have not only met, but gone over the needed funds for a full fiscal year. His proposal was that every Lion
in Georgia write a check in the amount between $80 and $100 to the camp. At $100 per Lion, and roughly 6,000 Lions in the
state, not only would we have the $400k needed to “balance the budget” but we would have had extra to repay, and even
build up, the trust fund. I bring this up because while most of u cannot do that on a “regular” basis, just one check a year
would keep the camp in a balanced budget condition and give us money to build the trust fund as well as meet growth and
repair needs. At the last meeting, there were 5 checks written, and even after an appeal was sent to all the Lions of GA, I
don’t believe that anyone else answered the call. So I am making the request again. If you did not write a check at the last
joint meeting, I am asking you to do so today. $100 per-year-is less than $10/month, which is less than what most of us pay
for a cheap lunch or dinner out. ONE time a month.
Finally, to bring us to the best news this Camp has had in a very long time. The personnel committee did their job. They
identified an appropriate number of candidates, created an interview committee, and interviewed the candidates and have
narrowed our choices to the best of the best. I won’t go too far into the process, but I will say that the top 3 candidates all
presented similar ideas on the best way to not only gain solid footing, but to grow in our initial mission of giving recreational
and educational opportunities to blind campers and to become more relevant in the Waycross area with regards to community
service. Their plan would also bring in more revenue in the form of grants, in kind donations, and commercial rental fees.
We are in recovery. Funds are coming in. Employees are being hired, publicity is being readied, and programming plans are
being made. But it is up to the Lions of Georgia, and their leadership, YOU, to quell the rumors of the camp closing, to quell
the divisiveness regarding camp leadership, and to honor the mission and vision of the fine gentlemen who started the camp
to provide recreational and educational opportunities to the blind people of Georgia, and space permitting, the surrounding
areas. I have one final thing to say. Being involved in the Camp brings satisfaction in a way that no other activity can. I’m
not sure if it is the outdoor setting, seeing the campers discover their inner self confidence, or knowing that with the right
leadership, this camp can be here when my grandchildren are old enough to be LIONS and do the work that we are currently
doing. Notice I did not say my children, because my children are already Lions, as are the children of many of you here.
Let’s keep this going so that our grandchildren can have the same satisfaction we get. Like you, I am a LION, and I believe
in the mission of the camp.
DG Hubbard, 18-I, asked about the investment fund of the Camp and why it was not shown on the financial reports. She
stated that Council also was concerned that the Trustees had not met in a few years; and that the trustees should be involved
in the decision to move money from the investment fund to the general operating account. If they have not met, how does
that function happen? Lion Eisenhart stated that the Trustees are meeting this afternoon, and all Trustees are actively
involved in matters of the Camp. PDG Paul May, Treasurer of the Camp, stated that he is a member of the Trustees. He
stated that he would be glad to add a line item to the financial report showing the investment fund. This year the investment
fund was $318,080.05. Interest rolls back over into the account. A month ago it was $312,000.00. A year ago the amount
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