Sacramento Millennium Lions Club

General Membership Meeting

August 22, 2005/Monday/7:00 P.M.

DENNY’S RESTAURANT

7900 College Town Dr, Sacramento, CA 95826-5702 (916) 383-7071

AGENDA

Call to Order CP Lion Sara Lopez-Ramirez

Invocation CT Lion Melita Ksor

Patriotic Song CS Lion Rose Ochoa

Pledge of Allegiance CVP Dr. Martin Ramirez

Tail twisting CS Lion Rose Ochoa

ANNOUNCEMENT & CS Lion Rose Ochoa

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OLD BUSINESS

JDRF “Walk to Cure Diabetes” Project CP Lion Sara Lopez-Ramirez

Individual Member’s Report/Update on JDRF Project

NEW BUSINESS

Governor’s Visitation (Tentative Schedule) CS Rose Ochoa

Motion to Update Club’s By-Laws CP Sara Lopez-Ramirez

Club Retreat & Club Visitation CP Sara Lopez-Ramirez

Annual/Semi-Annual Dues CT Melita Ksor

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN OUR LIONISM TONIGHT,

AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME!!!

2005 Walk to Cure Diabetes
Sunday, October 2, 2005
Check-in Time: 8:00 a.m.
Walk Start Time: 9:00 a.m.
Sacramento
Start/Finish: State Capitol West Steps
Walk Length: 5K
Walk will take place rain or shine.
For more information contact:
Northern California Inland Chapter
916-920-0790
northernca@jdrf.org

Website: http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=100599
Larry Nelson,
Regional Director of Harman Management,
along with the Northern California Inland Chapter
of the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation
invite you to join us at the...
2005 Walk to Cure Diabetes
Team Captain Kick-off Luncheon
Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Location: Hyatt Regency Sacramento
1209 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Time: 12:00 Noon
For further information and reservations,
please call JDRF at 916-920-0790
or you may fax the RSVP card to 916-920-0367
or email to northernca@jdrf.org
Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 3rd

The Northern California Inland Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) serves Northern California from Shasta to Fresno and everywhere in between! The Chapter provides valuable information about juvenile diabetes and research to people with diabetes, their families, and the general public.

The "Bag of Hope" and "Teen Pak" are available free of charge to newly diagnosed children by calling the Northern California Inland Chapter at (800) 650-7714.

JDRF holds successful events including the Walk to Cure Diabetes, Cure Diabetes Golf Tournament, and the Passport to a Cure Gala that raises much-needed funds for diabetes research.
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Slate of Officers for Fiscal Year 2005-2006:

President: Sara Lopez-Ramirez
Vice President: Dr. Martin Ramirez
Secretary: Rose Ochoa (fka: Rose Pruitt)
Treasurer: Melita Ksor
2-Yr Director: Robert ("Bob") Segura
2-Yr Director: Lucy Garcia-Robles
1-Yr Director: Edgar Calderon
1-Yr Director: Robert Velarde
Lion Tamer & Tail Twister: Rose Ochoa
Membership Dev't Director: Sara Lopez-Ramirez
IPP: Dr. Tabby Camasura
Guiding Lion: PDG Bert Melliza

Call for Meeting times to Rose Ochoa @ 916 396-7363
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Real Estate News - Nehemiah gets grant - sacbee.com: "Nehemiah gets grant
By Jon Ortiz -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Nehemiah Corp. of America on Monday announced it has received a $100,000 grant to expand its Internet home ownership education courses and launch a Spanish language version of its Web site.

The Sacramento-based nonprofit said that Western Sierra Bank, based in Cameron Park, donated the funds.

The Web site is an extension of Nehemiah Corp.'s mission to make prospective low-to moderate-income homebuyers aware of down-payment gifts and the benefits of home ownership.

Founded in 1994, Nehemiah Corp. has provided more than $700 million in down-payment gifts to 190,000 families nationwide, according to company figures.

Western Sierra Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Sierra Bancorp, which operates 33 California locations with combined assets of $1.2 billion.

"
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The tsunami disaster in South Asia has prompted a tremendous outpouring of support from Lions around the world, and Lions in the affected countries are working day and night to bring life-saving supplies to victims. Thanks to Lions, lives are being saved and communities will be rebuilt.



LCIF has awarded US$470,000 in grants to Lions in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. This includes US$220,000 in emergency grants for Lions to secure and deliver food, water and blankets and a US$250,000 major catastrophe grant for longer-term relief.



Following is a more complete account of the relief efforts of LCIF and Lions. You will be proud to learn of how important Lions have been and perhaps be even more motivated to offer your support. On behalf of Lions of South Asia, I humbly thank you for your interest and compassion.



Sincerely,



Dr. Tae-Sup Lee

LCIF Chairperson





LCIF Tsunami Relief Update

Bulletin 2 – Jan. 5, 2005


Lions in Action

Supported by LCIF, several thousand local Lions are now providing immediate relief aid such as food, water and clothing from the west coast of India to Thailand and south to Indonesia. Local Lions in hundreds of places are at the scenes of the disaster, helping to organize relief and ensuring that people get vital relief supplies. Lions from nearby nations also have sent volunteer workers. The Taiwan Lions, for example, sent a medical team to Sri Lanka. The service of Lions is enabling communities to take care of their children, elderly, those with disabilities and other especially vulnerable people.



Here are a few examples of how local Lions are helping victims in South Asia:

* In Sri Lanka, Lions are working 16-hour days in organizing relief aid and are a key partner of the government’s relief agency and of the country's president. Enhancing their ability to assist in the relief, Lions hold key positions in the community. The former president is a Lion, as is the current Minister of Housing. District 306-B sent 60 truckloads of food and supplies to several relocation camps. Lions receive police escorts for the deliveries. District 306-A is organizing the installation of tents at new relocation camps in southern Sri Lanka at the government's request.
* In Indonesia, Lions are contributing greatly to relief efforts in some of the hardest hit areas. Thirty clubs near Medan provide logistical support for aid shipments to Bandh Acheh and send out four trucks of materials daily. They also are providing shelter, food, and clothing to refugees who have entered Medan. Lion-doctors from Jakarta and Medan are providing medical treatment. Lions also are making preliminary plans to support the educational needs of orphans.

* In India, 20 Lions’ ambulances and a team of 80 Lions volunteer medical doctors are providing first aid near Chennai. Nearly 70 clubs fanned out in the region from Parassalla to Haripad to distribute food and clothes at the relief camps. Lion-doctors conducted free treatment at relief centers.

* In Thailand, Lions in Bangkok have sent water tanks and trucks loaded with supplies to Phuket. Lions are working with government officials and relief agencies to provide for basic needs at relocation camps.


Generosity of Lions

LCIF’s grants for the tsunami disaster, made possible, of course, by prior donations by Lions, now total US$470,000 and will climb much higher as needs are continually assessed and requests for assistance are made. Additionally, Lions throughout the world are making pledges of support, including US$120,000 from the Lions of Sweden and US$200,000 from the Lions of Korea.



Hundreds of clubs and individuals also have sent funds to LCIF. The Vancouver Metropolitan Lions Club in Canada, for example, sent LCIF a check for US$6,600. Club President Raymond Wong told LCIF, “Everyday we saw on the news that the amount of casualties are increasing by the thousands. We share the same view of most Lions that we have to do something to support the unfortunate people who have to deal with this great tragedy. We hope this small token of donations can bring some immediate help to the people in those regions. In the meantime, I have taken the initiative to ask the other clubs in our district to support this great cause.”


LCIF’s Long-Term Aid

LCIF provides immediate relief and long-term reconstruction after a disaster. LCIF is not only helping people stay alive after the tsunami but it also will rebuild communities for years to come. The real impact of LCIF’s assistance to South Asia will be fully realized in the next several years as LCIF partners with Lions to rebuild homes, schools and community centers. This long-term approach plays to the strength of LCIF and Lions, who belong to their communities, understand local needs and know how to get things done.



LCIF’s prior success with disaster relief in South Asia bodes well for its initiatives in response to the tsunami. LCIF has recently assisted with aid and reconstruction in the aftermath of two major natural disasters in India. In 2001, US$2.5 million was mobilized to assist communities rebuild after the Gujarat earthquake. The funds built 734 homes for people displaced by the earthquake, 20 primary schools, and a general hospital. In 2000, LCIF assisted with almost US$500,000 to assist rebuild areas affected by the Orissa cyclone. A total of 360 homes, nine community centers, five schools, and two orphanages were constructed.

How to Donate

LCIF established the South Asia Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund (#5105) for Lions, clubs, districts and others to assist relief efforts by Lions. The funds are supporting immediate needs such as food and water and will support long-term reconstruction needs.



U.S. donors can:

  Mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami relief” in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.

  Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by calling LCIF at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 554. Call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.



Donors outside the United States can:

* Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by faxing to LCIF the name of your credit card, credit card number, expiration date and amount of donation. LCIF’s fax number is 630-571-5735.
* Mail LCIF a U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami relief” in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.

* Make a direct deposit of local currency into an existing LCI account. Specify “LCIF tsunami relief” on the deposit slip and send a copy to LCIF via fax (630-571-5735).
* Do a direct wire transfer. For assistance with this option or the other donation options, contact Gerry Bara of LCIF Donor Services at gbara@lionsclubs.org or by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 581.



Since this is a donation to a specific initiative, it is not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition. The main purpose of the MJF program is to encourage and recognize Lions who donate unrestricted funds to LCIF to support all of the foundation's grant program and to provide for our annual funding. Allowing MJF recognition for donations to a specific disaster could cause a sharp drop in unrestricted donations and impact LCIF’s ability to fund its many programs.



However, donations for tsunami relief are counted toward an individual’s and a club’s cumulative giving totals to LCIF, which help qualify an individual and club for various recognition programs. Also, the names of individuals and clubs that make significant donations will be posted on a new Web site LCIF is creating on the disaster. All donors will be recognized in special reports in the near future,



Note that LCIF is unable to accept offers of goods such as blankets, clothing or food. It is not logistically feasible for LCIF to process and transport such donations.




Why Donate to LCIF

Lions who donate to other relief agencies or Lions districts that donate directly to another district affected by the tsunami are to be commended for their generosity. But donating to LCIF carries several important advantages.



* Donations to LCIF are a highly efficient and effective way to help people impacted by the tsunamis. Every donated dollar goes directly to relief efforts; LCIF’s administrative costs are paid for by interests on investments.



* The donations empower local Lions who are familiar with the needs of their community to meet the most critical needs of their community. There are 73,000 Lions on the ground in the hardest hit regions of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia who are able to come to the aid of those most in need. LCIF has a long history of disaster relief and filling in the gaps not covered by other relief agencies.



* LCIF’s grants are often matched by grants from other agencies. Thus donations made to LCIF are eventually leveraged by other grants, maximizing the power and reach of a single donation.



* LCIF takes a comprehensive, coordinated approach to disaster recovery, instead of piecemeal solutions. LCIF strategically plans long-term recovery efforts by working with committees of leading Lions and by working with government officials and other non-governmental organizations. Quite frequently, the government officials and non-profit leaders are Lions themselves, immeasurably increasing LCIF’s ability to move projects forward to a speedy completion. In Sri Lanka, for example, the Minister of Housing is a Lion, and the Lions there are actually working in coordination with the government to direct other aid agencies.


Accountability

As a rule, LCIF does not send funding to local Lions districts without knowing precise needs and without assurance that the local Lions are avoiding duplication of efforts. Donors can rest assured also knowing there is strict oversight of grants:



  All Emergency Grants are awarded solely on the basis of a detailed application from the affected district. A specific action plan must be presented and must include which villages and how many people will be helped and what relief items will be purchased.



  Districts provide final reports that must include documentation, receipts and bank account statements for the funds disbursed, along with photos of the relief effort and other details. In South Asia, those final reports are audited and double-checked by LCIF’s office in Bombay.



  LCIF has been awarding Emergency Grants in these countries for 30 years and has vast experience in ensuring proper coordination and accountability.



  The local Lions who are spending the Emergency Grants also use their own funds and in many instances spend double or triple the amount that LCIF awarded them, which speaks to the care in which Lions use LCIF funds.



LCIF will continue to keep you updated through these bulletins. Also, in the near future, LCIF will have a new Web site containing the latest information on the tsunami disaster. Its address will be www.lions-tsunami.org.



More funds will be awarded by LCIF in the coming days as needs are assessed. Your generosity is deeply appreciated and your continued support is desperately needed.


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IE Bugs Now 'Extremely Critical' Jan. 10, 2005
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Stop using Internet Explorer now!
Download FireFox here as a secure free browser!
http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=user/register&r=52689

An unpatched, months-old vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Explorer is now even more dangerous, security firms warn.
By Gregg Keizer
TechWeb News



An unpatched, months-old vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Explorer is now even more dangerous, security firms reported Monday.

Danish security vendor Secunia warned that new exploits of an earlier series of vulnerabilities in IE now let hackers compromise Windows computers without any more work than enticing users to malicious Web sites.

In August and then again in October 2004, Secunia broadcast warnings of similar threats to IE, but at the latter date posted proof-of-concept code which required the user to actually drag and drop a file within the browser to be at risk. The exploits now in the wild, said Secunia and the SAN Institute's Internet Storm Center, are automated and require no user action except visiting a hacker-constructed site.

In response, Secunia upped its assessment of the vulnerability to "extremely critical,' its most dire warning.

The three vulnerabilities noted by Secunia affect Internet Explorer 6.x, including the version bundled with Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), the massive update from last October which was touted by Microsoft as a major security upgrade.

SAN Institute's Internet Storm Center confirmed the vulnerabilities, which "will allow remote code execution on a victim's system just by visiting the [malicious] site."

The Center said it had received e-mail with a link to such a site -- users would still have to be drawn to the site -- and noted that "as of now, there is no patch available."

Secunia has posted an online test that users can run to determine if their browser is vulnerable.

Until a patch is available, IE users should consider switching browsers, said Secunia, or disabling the "Drag and Drop or copy and paste files option in Internet Explorer. Microsoft has posted a document on its support site that explains the process.

Stop using Internet Explorer now!
Download FireFox here as a secure free browser!
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http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=57700320







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Happy 2005 New Year Everybody!

Happy Blogging for the New Year!

I am using a neww posting tool!


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