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1BK Scholarship Program Requirements and Application
Aug-12-2025 |
Click the link below to link to the website and download the information for our 1BK Scholorship program.
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1BK D2024-2025 District Directory (w/updates through Feb 9, 2025)
Jun-30-2025 |
The updated PDF is included. The attched supplement shows the changes that were made.
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Illinois Lions Clubs Corporate/Charity & Tax Filing Information
Jun-30-2025 |
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Tax filing in Illinois:
All Lions clubs and districts that conduct any solicitation in Illinois must register with the Illinois Attorney General, Charitable Trust Bureau, unless otherwise exempt under the Solicitation for Charity Act. Use the link below to read a letter from Lions General Counsel David Kingsbury for important information regarding your annual Illinois Charitable Trust Act registration obligation. The link also provides additional tax filing information.
https://app.e.roar.lionsclubs.org/e/es?s=94443966&e=1982157&elqTrackId=320bc4c47118450db330ff5e51511b5f&elq=3f4c4a68a39d42d4acca02c99484e091&elqaid=37976&elqat=1&elqak=8AF5223123C5E700C094E3FBA49C68AFC0A3A088BFF5C777F97BC464F5D1B16B983F
ILLINOIS Attorney General Filing and Reporting Requirements for Charitable Organizations
https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Consumer-Protection/Charities/Building-Better-Charities/Charity-Registration/
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2024-2025 Lions & Leo Club Excellence Award Application AVAILABLE NOW!
Jun-30-2025 |
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BEWARE OF EMAIL IMPERSONATION ATTACKS FROM DG TOM DREZ
Jun-30-2025 |
LIONS-BEWARE!! ANOTHER IMPERSONATION ATTACK!!
I have been informed this morning by a few Lions that an email message supposedly from me is making its rounds to Lions asking for something I would not normally ask for. My email has not been hacked but rather it is another impersonation attack that we have seen throughout our state in the last couple of years.
Look at the FROM and REPLY-TO email addresses. Someone made a fake email address to try and be me and that is what they are using to impersonate me.
My real email address is tom@drez.net. I has never changed in 30 years. My cell phone is 630-240-5024. WHEN IN DOUBT, PLEASE ALWAYS CALL ME, and I can tell you something that only I would know about you to prove it is me.
Please spread the word to all Lions to beware of messages supposedly from me, and to be on high alert for impersonation attacks of me, all District Governors and others -- especially those Lions that handle money!
THANK YOU for STAYING ALERT!
DG Tom
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REGISTRATION Now Open for State Lions Convention @ Springfield May 2-4
May-02-2025 |
See ttached PDF with links included to convention registration and hotel reservation!
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Lions of IL (MD1) NOTICE: 2025-2026 State Committee Chairpersons Applications Now Open
Apr-26-2025 |
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Our Annual District LCIF Raffle Fundraiser Flyer - ON SALE NOW!
Apr-12-2025 |
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We are conducting our annual district raffle to support our Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and their Environment Services Program to help the environment through a variety of conservation and restoration projects.
Drawing will be held on April 12, 2025 at the 1-BK District Convention.
Contact
PDG Shelia Perkins
or
DG Tom Drez
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District Convention: Announcement & Press Release on April 11-12 @ Bolingbrook Holiday Inn
Apr-11-2025 |
Lions of Illinois District 1BK Announcement and Press Release
Lions--Mark your calendars now for the annual District Lions Convention to be held April 11-12, 2025 at the Bolingbrook Holiday. Our special guest speaker will be International Director Chris Carlone of the Louisiana Lions. Please see attached press release and mark your calendars now. Invite all the Lions in your club, too!!
This will be convention of "Superheroes for Service"!
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District Convention: 3 ASKS of All Lions Clubs From DG Tom Drez
Apr-11-2025 |
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Our annual district convention (GIANT MGE) will be a GIANT AFFAIR on April 11 & 12 @ The Bolingbrook Holiday Inn to CELEBRATE ALL 59 of our clubs and nearly 1,800 Lions members, including Leos. Our theme is SUPERHEROES FOR SERVICE, and we are going to celebrate all of our superheroes.
#1 PLEASE: All Lions and Leo Clubs are encouraged to BRING YOUR CLUB BANNER for proud display at our annual District Convention at the Holiday Inn in Bolingbrook on April 11th and 12th.
#2 PLEASE: Also, BEFORE THE CONVENTION, Governor Tom also wants to COLLECT GROUP PHOTOS and any other photos you want to send of “Lions in Action” serving our communities through projects and fundraisers ahead of the convention for presentations and table decorations, and throughout the convention proceedings.
#3 PLEASE: One more ask: All clubs are encouraged to submit an ad to the convention ad book to share with other clubs
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RECAP OF ** EXCELLENT ** LIONS CLUBS GROWTH 3-part WEBINAR SERIES
Mar-31-2025 |
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DG Tom's MAR 2025 Schedule
Mar-31-2025 |
Here is my District Governor's schedule for MARCH:
MARCH
2 - Attend Virtual Lions of IL ALL-THE-GOVs Meeting
3 - Club Visit to Minooka Lions Club
4 - Club Visit to Ashkum Lions Club
6 - Club Visit to Crete Lions Club
8 - Attend Lemont Lions St. Pat's Day Parade
14/15 - Attend 1F District Convention/Mundelein
15 - Attend Bolingbrook Lions Annual St. Pat's Dinner
22 - Attend 1BK Annual BOWLING EVENT @ Morris Lions!!!!!!
24 - Attend virtual 1BK Zone Chairs Monthly Meeting
25 - Attend 1BK Leadership Team Monthly Meeting @ tbd
30 - Attend MD1 virtual DG's Monthly Discussion Time
Thanks for all the invitations to come visit. Please keep them coming!!
DG Tom
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Don't Miss Out! Register Now for the 1BK Lions Bowling Event!
Mar-22-2025 |
District 1-BK Bowling Tournament
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Echo Bowling Lanes
220 Bedford Road
Morris, IL 60450
(It’s not just for Lions only, bring a friend or your spouse or significant other)
Cost: $20.00 per person
CHECK IN AT 12:00 P.M. - BOWLING STARTS AT 1:00 P.M.
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1BK Proposed Resolution to Amend District C&BL to Match LCI - Cabinet to Vote at April 12th Cabinet Mtg
Mar-20-2025 |
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Team 1BK,
Please see attached message and proposed resolution from PID Bud, our District C&BL Chairperson. I am sending this to my email lists and CS Ken is sending to his lists to be sure we get the message to everyone. I apologize if you receive it more than once (better than none). This will be a business item on our Cabinet Meeting agenda at the upcoming district convention, April 12, for the Cabinet Members to review and approve, if they are so inclined. No surprises here. We were expecting this may be the likely outcome at LCI board meeting this week.
I will also post to our website and Facebook page.
Thank you.
DG Tom
-----------------------------------------------------------
From: Bud Wahl <pidbud@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2025 11:52 AM
To: Tom A Drez <tom@drez.net>; 1bklion@sbcglobal.net <1bklion@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: BK C&BL
Dear DG Tom and CS Ken,
I have been informed by LCI Legal Counsel David Kingsbury that the LCI Board of Directors approved my suggested revisions to the LCI Standard C&BL, eliminating the need for the certified delegates at a district convention to select the next year's site. As a result, I have the following suggested procedure to follow:
1) I have attached the proposed Resolution to Amend our District Constitution & By-Laws
2) I suggest CS Ken email the Resolution out to all District 1-BK Cabinet Members and Clubs ASAP
3) Obtain the full support of the District 1-BK Leadership Team during its meeting next week
4) As per the 5th WHEREAS in the Resolution, the District Cabinet can vote to adopt the Resolution at any Cabinet Meeting
5) Ballot voting is only required on Election of Officers, and NOT required on this Resolution, so I propose the Cabinet perform a hand vote for its adoption at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting during our District Convention
6) If adopted by a majority hand vote during the Convention, it would take effect immediately, eliminating the need to vote on VDG Denise's convention site
7) This Proposed Resolution was included in my January 25 District Cabinet Meeting report so it meets the 30 notice to be given
Thank you,
PID Bud
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District Convention: Ad Book Letter & Silent Auction Flyer to All Clubs!
Mar-15-2025 |
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Attached is initial information on our District convention at the Holiday Inn in Bolingbrook on April 11th and 12th. I hope that I will see many of you there. The convention committee has started making plans to make this convention a complete success. But we need your help.
Attached is information for placing ads in the convention booklet. This is a great opportunity to congratulate incoming Club and District officers, honor club members (alive or passed), and brag about your Club and its service activities. Maybe even promote your partnerships and businesses in your community. The convention program books is also an attempt to maintain costs of the convention which is the annual convention of all clubs in the District dictated by Constitution and Bylaws. The District would love seeing your club represented both in person and in the program booklet. We ask that you "Make your Mark" and be a "Superhero for Service".
Other District convention information will be sent in the next month or two as discussions by the convention committee are finalized. This will include nominations for fellowship awards that will be presented at the convention from nominations received and voted upon at the next Cabinet Meeting in Lemont on January 25th. That information will be sent out ASAP once final drafts are completed. This will be "time sensitive material" so don't delay in a response if you have any members that you feel are deserving.
In any case, please be aware that there will be many information items sent in the near future that will require responses in a timely manner. Your timely and reasonable responses are greatly appreciated in order to make this convention successful. Please contact me with any questions or needs that you might have.
Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Lion Ken Novak
BK-GST & Interim District Secretary
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Is Your Club';s Charitable Foundation or Trust LCI-Legal-Approved?
Mar-14-2025 |
Lions Clubs, as you may be aware, all charitable foundations, trusts or other Lion entities operating under a club, district or multiple district must be approved by the Legal Division of Lions Clubs International to use the association's name and emblem. There is a list that LCI maintains and uses. Please make sure you are on that list, as appropriate.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Legal Division directly at legal@lionsclubs.org.
DG Tom
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ALL CLUBS: IL & IRS INFO -- IS YOUR CLUB CURRENT?
Mar-14-2025 |
ALL CLUBS need to be sure their information and records with the State of Illinois and IRS are up to date and current:
1. Your club is a registered business entity in IL. Is your official AGENT still accurate, usually the Club President or Secretary. Be sure it is accurate so the state can mail you documents when necessary. You don't want to miss the receipt of any official documents or notices. https://apps.ilsos.gov/businessentitysearch/3. Is your club current on its annual tax returns to IL and FED? All Lions clubs are required to file yearly a federal 990N, 990 or 990EZ. Information on this form is necessary to satisfy the Statea of IL reporting requirements. 990N, 990 or 990EZ tax forms must be filed electronically.
4. Lions clubs must also file an annual financial report and an AG990-IL each year to Illinois Attorney General Charitable Trust Bureau. See page 20 in 1BK District Directory (attached).
Review online information on websites and be sure your club's records are current. As club officers, do not allow your club to become delinquent. Rectifying problems after the fact with the state can be time consuming and expensive not to mention disruptive to club operations and fundraising activities.
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Scam Alert: Fake Texts from District Governor Tom Drez Asking for Gift Cards
Mar-11-2025 |
Please be aware of a scam circulating via text message, falsely claiming to be from District Governor Tom Drez and requesting you to purchase gift cards for veterans. This is not a legitimate request—please do not respond or click any links. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious messages immediately.
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ATTENTION: The District Has Community Impact Grant Funds for You - See attached
Mar-08-2025 |
ATTENTION: Lions of IL District 1BK Lions Clubs
The District has grant money available for our clubs under our new Community Impact Grant Program. This grant program is funded by money from LCIF based on the donations that our clubs make to LCIF all year long. THIS IS MONEY AVAILABLE TO THE CLUBS FRO PROJECTS. See attached guidelines and consider projects where you could put that money to good use!
DG Tom
#WeServe
#1BKLions
#SuperheroesForService
#MakeYourMark
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March 1BK Make Your Mark Newsletter
Mar-01-2025 |
Get ready to dive into 69 pages of excellence!
This edition is packed with everything you need to stay informed, inspired, and engaged. From exciting events like our Bowling Tournament and 1BK Convention to opportunities for learning, giving, and making an impact in our communities, there’s something for every Lion in this issue. Be sure to check out what is happening around the District and see what your fellow Lions are doing to make a difference.
Whether you're looking to connect, grow, or serve, this newsletter has the tools and stories to fuel your passion for service.
Thank you to Lion John Joseph for his commitment to the District by putting this fine newsletter together.
Together, we are stronger!
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MD1 March 2025 State Lions eMagazine
Mar-01-2025 |
Please see attached eMagzine, Events & Fundraisers and 2023-2024 Lions of IL Financial Review.
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Crete Lions Club $500-a-day Raffle
Mar-01-2025 |
Every day in March 2025, the Crete Lions Club will be at a different local business each day, picking a winning raffle ticket!! Our calendar of businesses and times is on our Crete Lions Facebook page. We will be doing the drawing live on Facebook. Good Luck to all who have purchased a $50 ticket!! A second chance prize from each business will be chosen after the winner of the $500 is picked.
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The Anatomy of a Lion Club Standard Club Structure Chart - 2025
Feb-17-2025 |
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2024-2025 Club Monthly Activities Report BLANK FORMto District (as of 1-31-2025)
Jan-31-2025 |
in Word and fillable PDF formats.
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JUST ARRIVED---DONATE to RECEIVE YOUR LCIF Supporter Pin!
Jan-31-2025 |
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See attached flyer for the 3 levels of pins. I have all 3. eMail ne at tom@drez.net to get yours today!!
DG Tom
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All Clubs & Lions Can Post to 1BK Website
Jan-31-2025 |
1BK Lions:
All clubs and Lions can add information and events to the 1BKlions.org website HOT NEWS section. Go to the home page and click the ADD YOUR CLUB EVENT button at top right. You can add events flyers or any kind of news or announcements at any time. Anything you post will be available immediately to everyone and it will be included in the next Monday Morning email update emailed to all 1BK Lions.
To keep out the bots, you need to enter and id and password. We all share the same id and password to make it east. The ID and PASSWORD are both: "1bklions"
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1BK 2024-2025 Clubs & Towns Demographics (as of November 2024)
Jan-31-2025 |
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Hurricanes & Wildfires Relief Update
Jan-31-2025 |
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I wanted to share the latest information we have regarding Hurricane Helene and the recent California wildfire relief efforts. I hope you find this information helpful as you speak to clubs and your communities.
The Wake of Hurricane Helene: LCIF’s Response to the Devastating Storm
In late September 2024, families were plunged into darkness when Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States. This storm was the deadliest to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, causing severe destruction and heartbreak.
Knowing these victims had a long and painful road to recovery ahead of them, LCIF approved 14 grants totaling US$380,000 in response to Hurricane Helene. This includes 12 Emergency Grants of US$15,000 each across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, plus two Major Catastrophe Grants of US$100,000 each awarded to North Carolina and Florida. These grants helped Lions provide things like water, food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, flashlights and linens.
The essential supplies and physical assistance go a long way in rebuilding the community, but for many, the emotional support can be just as effective. District 35-I District Governor Patty Jean Strong says, “It’s not just about the material goods because those things are transient. They need humanity and empathy, and that’s what we give.”
You can read the full story in LION Magazine. (click the link “read the full story”)
Raging wildfires in California destroy entire communities
- Several destructive wildfires swept through the Los Angeles area of California in the United States are devastating entire communities.
- More than 28 people have died, and more than 180,000 people have been evacuated.
- The fires have burned over 50,000 acres and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, including homes, displacing countless families.
- When a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude strikes, we, as Lions, are ready to help. Right beside us is Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), our global foundation.
- LCIF is mobilizing funds, including 2 Emergency Grants awarded and disbursed for $15,000 each for immediate relief supplies and a US$100,000 Major Catastrophe Grant, to empower Lions in California to help their communities recover.
- Lions in California continue to develop plans.
All of these grants are made possible by our generous donors, including many of you. Did you know we reached a new Planned Giving milestone? We hit the US$10 million mark, with 275 donors joining the Lions Legacy Society. These gifts, along with other contributions, play a significant role in funding our grants.
Anyone interested in supporting California efforts should make gifts to LCIF's Disaster Fund, noting that their gift is intended for California wildfire relief. LCIF is tracking all gifts made for the California wildfires.
Local Lions are in the process of assessing needs and donations will be used to support their relief efforts. Donors may not restrict donations for a specific club or district.
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Tips & Tools to grow your club and start new clubs
Jan-31-2025 |
LIONS OF 1-BK – JOIN LEADERS FROM ACROSS GLOBAL ACTION TEAM AREA 1E (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, & Kentucky) TO LEARN TIPS & TOOLS YOU CAN USE TO START NEW CLUBS & GROW MEMBERSHIP IN OUR EXISTING CLUBS.
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ACTIVELY SEEKING MEMBERS to Join a New Online Club
Jan-31-2025 |
ACTIVELY SEEKING People That Are Service-Oriented and Community-Minded...
THAT DO NOT HAVE TIME to Attend Club Meetings....
BUT ARE INTERESTED in becoming a Lion...
As a member of a new online club...
If you are interested in learning more, please contact me.
ONLINE clubs are also great for Lions that might relocate or otherwise leave their physical club. You can stay an Illinois 1BK Lions by joining our District online club!
tom@drez.net
630-240-5024
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