living and serving with the Lions.
The Stanton Lions Club held its annual installation dinner Thursday, June 27, in the “Milt Blumenthal Hall” named in honor of their long-time member by that name, who is in his 97th year of
living and serving with the Lions.
The Stanton Lions Club held its annual installation dinner Thursday, June 27, in the “Milt Blumenthal Hall” named in honor of their long-time member by that name, who is in his 97th year ofStanton resident Barbara Dotson was installed as the club's president for her sixth consecutive term. Dotson is not only the first woman to ever hold the office of president with the Stanton Lions Club during its nearly 67-year history, but she is the only president to ever serve six times consecutively in that office.
Dotson is the daughter of former Stanton Mayor, Harry Dotson, for whom the Stanton’s “Harry Dotson Park ” is named.
New 2013-2014 officers are: President Barbara Dotson , First Vice President Jim Box, Second Vice President Isabelle Parikh, Treasurer Pam Schoonover, Secretary David Parikh, Lion Tamer Fran Daigle, Tail Twister Al Ethans, Board Member Gene Wilkins, Board Member John McShane, Board Member Sheryll Seymour.
Wilkins, a soon-to-be 52-year Lions member, did the honors of installing the new officers for a second year.
“First, I'll de-install all of you and remove you from office and then it will be my pleasure to reinstall all of you,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins then spoke to each board member individually, further explaining their job.
“Sheryl, as a board member, you are to try and help other board members and the club, to make the right decisions and keep them going in the right direction,” he said. “Al, as the Tail Twister, you are the enforcer of fines and you help the president keep order.
“Fran, as the Lion Tamer, you are to make sure the club equipment is in place for the meeting and when visiting clubs show up, that they don't take off with equipment (it's a known thing that other clubs will visit and lift some club items and then ransom them back to the original club to make money for charity). Daigle received a water gun and handcuffs with which to do her job.
“David, as the secretary, you have the most important job, next to the president. David Parikh received a large note book and very large pen, to complete his job.
“Isabelle, as vice president, you stand in for the president when she cannot do so," said Wilkins. Isabelle Parikh received a magic wand.”
Treasurer Pam Schoonover received a Pay Day candy bar and a Cup of Gold chocolate bar as well.
“One of these days, Barbara's going to get it right and then she won't have to serve as president,” Wilkins jested, as he handed her a wand with a lavender crown to match her lavender top.
“I'm looking forward to a super year with a 'team-presidency’” Dotson said. “I'm the president only by name; I look to the board and members for guidance and we work as a group.”
From Dotson's notebook given to her by her father: “Why be a volunteer?”
“It’s not for money, not for fame, not for any personal gain; it’s for love of fellow man, to lend a helping hand, to give a tithe of self – that’s something you can’t buy with wealth, it’s not medals won with pride, it’s for that feeling deep inside; it’s that reward down in your heart, it’s feeling that you’ve been a part of helping other – far and near, that makes you be a volunteer.”
Field Representative Calvin Sung, with Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva's office representative, presented all of the retiring officers a certificate of recognition from the California Legislature Assembly, which read, “In honor of your continuing commitment for the advancement and well-being of the Stanton community.”