AS EYE SEE IT "South Dakota Association of the Blind, Inc."  Volume 8 Issue 3  July – September 2005              Editor: Dawn LaMee

 

Lions Abandon the Blind! By Dawn LaMee, Editor

Why would the SD Lions Foundation make a decision that will ultimately damage a partnership and cause so many people to question the integrity of a Lion’s organization? This is a question that people who are blind (and their supporters) from around the state are asking themselves after recently learning the SD Lions Foundation sold the building located at 800 West Avenue North in Sioux Falls which houses the Rehab Center for the Blind. Do the Lions from around the state fully understand the impact that this decision will have on their commitment to being Helen Keller’s “Knights of the Blind” or maybe they really don’t care? I believe with the sale of the building the SD Lions Foundation and in turn the Lion’s Clubs of South Dakota will no longer have any substantial programs that impact or support the lives of people who are blind. By operating the Lion’s Rehab Center for the Blind building the Lion’s played an important role in providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals who are blind to gain the skills needed to deal with a future without sight.  I realize the Lion’s will try to dispute this claim but when you look at the major programs associated with the SD Lions Foundation, like Diabetic support, eyeglass collection, and the Mobile Screening Unit, they all promote sight restoration. The only thing that remotely supports people who are blind is their “White Cane Day” educational program. I’ve read the information (articles to follow) distributed by the SD Lions Foundation to justify why they feel they had the right to abandon the blind and sell the Rehab Center for the Blind building. I’ve heard all about how they feel they have fulfilled their commitment, and about all the money they put into the upkeep of the building, and about the lack of support received from the State agency who leased the building, and about how much they helped the Industries for the Blind; but when everything is said and done, the SD Lions Foundation is the only entity that received any money from the sale of the building. They received over a million dollars and the blind received nothing… not a dime and now the agency (SBVI) entrusted to help the blind must start over again to build a new Center to help the blind. When the Rehab Center agreement was entered into over 35 years ago there were many entities involved in the partnership including leaders of the blind community, agencies committed to supporting the blind, other agencies, consumer groups (SDAB and NFB) and many Lion’s clubs from around the state.  I know that when that agreement was made, those entities never imagined there would come a day when the SD Lions Foundation would abandon the blind, and those left behind would be forced to pick up the pieces and go to all the effort again to establish a new Rehab Center for the Blind. More importantly, I am sure they would have never imagined a Lions organization would make a decision that would destroy a trusted relationship.   Now that this decision has been made, the SD Lions Foundation Board members are spending a great deal of time trying to “mend relations” with the blind community, but in my opinion it is a little late. I encourage everyone to talk with his or her local Lions to explain the impact the sale of the building will have on your future involvement with Lionism.

 

Info from the Lions Foundation, The following letter was sent to the SDAB to explain the Foundation’s decision. June 15, 2005, Dear South Dakota Lions, After a great deal of study and contemplation, your South Dakota Lions Founda­tion Board has unanimously voted to sell the Foundation building to the Sioux Council Boy Scouts. In 1965, the mission of the SDLF was to provide a facility "occupied by staff of the Division of Service to the Visual]y Impaired with initial purpose of providing adjustment to blindness, training and work for clients of the agency and the area surrounding Sioux Falls." It also provided for a commitment "to house a rehabilitation program for a minimum of 20 years." Since 1970, South Dakota Lions have honored this partnership and extended it another 15 years. In 2002, a visioning retreat was held by the SDLF Board of Directors, which led to our current mission statement, “Partnering with Lions and Lions Clubs to assure a legacy of vision” and hearing related services for South Dakota citizens." The current mission statement now directs our efforts. The proceeds from the sale of the building will be invested with our existing Foun­dation dollars to help assure a legacy of vision and hearing related services for South Dakota citizens. All programs including Mobile Screening, Specific Assis­tance, Susan Miles Diabetic Assistance, Summer Reading for visually impaired youth, and eyeglass and hearing aid collection will continue without interruption. Opportunities for new programs and services will be considered as well. The SDLF Board of Directors will have a retreat before the end of the year to refine and enhance our partnership with Lions and Lions clubs.  The Foundation office will remain in the building, leasing space from the Boy Scouts. The Lion Sculpture at the entrance will remain the property of Lions and stand until an appropriate location is determined. We know this is a big decision and change in direction. Based on our mission statement, we believe it is a good decision. It allows us to focus on program delivery and growing the endowment of the Foundation. In Lionism, Irma Beukelman, President MJ Knobe, Executive Director

 

Lions Foundation, The following article is reprinted from the SD Lion in volume 34, number 2, August 2005.

From your SD Lions Foundation Board of Directors: Top 7 questions asked of SDLF Board members

Question #1: SDLF recently sold our building in Sioux Falls. What impact did the subsidy grant­ed the State of SD and the SD Industries for the Blind (SDIB) have on blind and visually impaired citizens in our state. ­

Answer: The Lions of South Dakota organized the SDLF in 1964 with the challenge of raising funds for land and a building to house a rehabilita­tion center for the blind and visually impaired. The goal was reached in 1970 and the building was leased to the State of South Dakota. In 1979, an ad­dition was completed specifically to accommodate the State-supported Industries for the Blind. SDLF believed this a worthy cause and leased the space for approximately half the going rate of commer­cial office light industry space. What has this lease meant to the State and SD? Governor Bill Jan­klow answered this question in 1995 when he offi­cially proclaimed March 6-12 "Lions Week" in SD. In the proclamation, he recognized "the men and women in Lions Clubs who have worked so hard for this great state." In his address to the SDLF membership, he said that because of the contribu­tion of the Lions, the State saved $250,000 every year. That would equate to over $8 million in sav­ings to the State over the past 35 years (not ac­counting for inflation.) Additionally, SDLF granted SDIB $40,000 in start-up money when it priva­tized. Over the years, SDLF has purchased equip­ment for these programs to enhance services to the blind and visually impaired. Conservatively, these purchases have added up to more than $40,000.

 

Question #2: Why did we sell the building? Answer: SDLF went through the following considerations in making the decision to sell: 1. SDLF had fulfilled its 20-year obligation (pro­viding subsidy to the State of SD) in 1990. SDLF had continued to serve the State and the privatized SDIB for an additional 15 years.

2. Because of the nature of the lease with the State of SD, not all costs associated with operating the building and repairs/replacements, could be re­covered in the lease negotiations. Subsidizing the State including SDIB programs, although worthy, took its toll over the years. SDLF has a fiduciary responsibility to the Lions clubs and its member. That responsibility is to build a legacy (the endow­ment) that will provide monies to Lions clubs and its members to better serve their communities.

3. The cost of subsidizing the State and SDIB depleted our finances that at one time could be used to support Lions clubs and our members. The building is no longer financially viable. The oppor­tunity to sell the building gave SDLP the option of getting out of the property management business and back to raising funds that would support our Lions mission. It is the responsibility of the Execu­tive Director and the SDLF Board of Directors to maximize the return on our assets for the better­ment of the organization.

SDLF has updated its mission statement three times over the past 40 years. In 2002, the strategic plan included the following update: "Partnering with Lions and Lions Clubs to assure a legacy of vision and hearing related services for South Dako­ta Citizens." This update will move the Foundation toward its legacy mission through endowment fund development.

 

Question #3: Who bought the building?  Answer: The Sioux Council Boy Scouts of American will be the new owners. The SDLF ­Board of Directors and the SCBSA Executive signed an agreement that will transfer ownership of the building. As Sioux Council leadership explored options for construction of a new Scouting center to replace their current facility, they approached SDLF. They were aware of our great facility and determined our building could uniquely meet their needs for increased space.

The SDLF building was never listed for sale. No formal intent to purchase or purchase agree­ment was received prior to the Sioux Council's. It was obvious to our board when approached by the Sioux Council that this was a perfect use for the building in future decades. The building provides the square footage required for their critical needs, including office space, training/conference rooms, secure storage for records and supplies, warehouse space, ample parking, retail space for a Scout Shop, and a planned Scouting Museum. SDLF received the appraised value for the prop­erty. The closing is scheduled for September.

 

Question #4: Where will SDLF go? Answer: We will stay where we are. The office space may move within the building, but SCBSA has assured our Board that professional office space will be provided with reasonable access for our Lions members. As part of the sale, SCBSA will lease office space to SDLF for 15 years.

 

Question #5: Will the marble Lion statue stay? Answer: SCBSA will provide adequate time for SDLF to find the lion a new home. Your SDLF Board of Directors would like suggestions from you as to where you think the lion's new home should be. PLEASE contact any SDLF Board member or call the office at 1-888-735-4667. We would like to hear from you! Question #6: Where will the money go from the sale of the building?

Answer: The SDLF Board of Directors and staff will go on retreat in September to chart the fu­ture of SDLF. There will be new 5, 10, and 15-year strategic plans developed, and from these will come a solid map of the future! Your leader­ship will present this plan and the opportunity for comment at the State Convention in Watertown.

 

Question #7: Once we receive the funds from the 'building sale, what will SDLF do to maximize our finances (the endowment funds) to give us the highest return on our investment so we can assist our Lions membership. Answer: SDLF has a fiduciary responsibility to maintain an office and develop a legacy. Money from the building's sale will support SDLF and its legacy programs for decades. Details for use of funds will be discussed and options prepared at our September board retreat. The SDLF Board and staff recognize each and every one of our Lion members for their generous support over the years and declare our dedication to "Partner with YOU to assure a legacy of vision and hearing related ser­vice for our South Dakota citizens."

 

MAKE YOUR PLANS!

The Program Committee has finalized the plans for the 2005 State Convention.  Please take a look at the agenda found elsewhere in this newsletter.

When:  October 28-29, 2005

Where:  Ramkota Inn and Event Center in Watertown, SD at (605) 339-2000

Room rates: $71 plus tax (state rates available). The block of rooms will only be held until OCTOBER 7th so make your reservations ASAP.

Special Entertainment: During the SDAB Convention on Saturday, October 29, 2005 those attending will be entertained by the “Karaoke Krooner” – Marlin and Sara Olson who have an unique entertainment style. Not only do they sing a variety of music but they have costumes too.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Dawn Brush at 605-229-4129.