JULY MINUTES at 7:00 p.m. on July 16, 2026.
The program was Lion Jeff Sayler. Mr. Sayler is an optometrist involved in the payment of exams and glasses with the four Sioux Falls Lions clubs. His comments included the process that the Sioux Falls clubs use and the amount they allow for exams and glasses and a shared amounts paid by the recipient.
Discussion about payments amounts for exams and glasses were on the agenda but with no current requests it was agreed to move discussion to the August agenda.
As per instructions from the last meeting, Lion Olson purchased a used 5' x 8' trailer and screening material. A can trailer was assembled, primed, painted and signs were attacked. The total spent on the trailer remodel was $1,209.35. The painting and signs were extra. The finished trailer has been placed in the Huset’s south driveway. The following worked on the remodel:
Lion Olson worded 49 hours Total worked 3
Lion Klutman worked 9 hours Total hours 75
Wayne Fletcher worked 17 hours
Lion Olson submitted a grant application for $1,200.00 to the Alliance Communication Keep- the-Change program. Their Alliance Board meets on June 27th to act on the grant request so we should know the results by the end of the month.
A resignation letter was received from Lion Fred Sprenger. He joined Lions in 1964 and was in several different clubs in South Dakota until transferring to the Brandon Lions Club in 2006. He indicated that he is no longer physically able to attend meetings. He included a check for $100.00 to do with as the club wishes.
Lion Olson moved Lion Peiper seconded to make Lion Sprenger a Member-at-Large for life. A Member-at-Large is a member of a club who is unable to regularly attend club meetings but desires to retain membership in the club. During his tenure in the Brandon Club he was an active Lion. The check sent will be used to pay his annual District and International dues and when that money is used up, the Club will continue to pay for his membership for life. Motion carried.
Project Reports:
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on June 25, 2026 Lions Martin, Olson and Klutman sold 401 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.80 per pound for a total of $320.80. All three worked 2 hours.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 22 bags of plastics that totaled 252.9 pounds to Sioux Falls on June 25, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex on behalf of the Garretson Lions Club Branch. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 6 hours.
Lion Olson reported delivering 23 bags of plastics that totaled 257.5 pounds to Sioux Falls on June 18, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 10 hours.
Golf Course Ad Sign Project:
Lion Olson reported that invoices were sent out and 17 of 18 have been paid. Expect payment on the last due soon.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on June 28, 2026, he delivered 101 pairs of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare to the south side Walmart for shipping to Lions International. He also delivered 9 cases to the Foundation to pass on to the Sioux Falls Sioux Rise Club for the homeless. Olson worked 2 hours.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Lions Club Branch will not have a meeting in July. Their next meeting will be on August 24, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill. They lost Lisa and Guy Johnson as members, they moved out of town.
Lion Peiper won the drawing. She was present. The next meeting of the Brandon Lions Club will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
At 8:15 p.m., having no further business, Acting Lion President Martin declared the meeting ended.
Brandon Lions Club Minutes for June 18, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on June 18, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions were in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Greg Holland, Lance Klutman, Marie Kuhnert, George Martin, Mark Meyer, Dennis Olson, Alice Peiper, Daryl Schubert and Sherry Stroh.
Lion Klutman opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion Kuhnert lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lion Beaird moved Lion Stroh seconded to approved the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the May 21, 2026 meeting were presented. Lion Martin moved Lion Klutman seconded to approve. Motion carried.
It is the suggestion of Lions International to referred to what we call the Community Fund should be called the Activity Fund. Lion Treasurer Olson reported that the change has been made.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of June 15, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $1,063.81. The Activity checking account showed a balance of $2,920.71. New claims and revenue include:
Activity Account Debit Credit
Clark Insurance, Golf Ad Fee,............................... $150.00
TJN, can sales,..................................................... $103.03
Administration Account
Drawing,............................................................... $ 8.00
Pizza Ranch, Meeting Meals,.................... ........... $101.03
Dennis Olson, Dues,............................................. $150.00
Mark Meyer, Dues,............................................... $150.00
Christopher Martin,. Dues,.................................. $100.00
Tom Lemonds, Dues,........................................... $100.00
Lion Meyer moved Lion Martin seconded to approve the report including current revenue and claims. Motion carried.
There was conversations and motions at the last meeting to finance and a club donation for the new can trailer and donation to the SDLF to help purchase an eye screening machine. It was mentioned that there are several organizations in Brandon that have grant programs for such purchases. Those are: Sioux Valley Energy, First Interstate Bank, Alliance Communication and the Brandon Community Fund. Lion Martin moved Lion Klutman seconded to presume these grant opportunities for the trailer and sight machine. Motion carried.
The club discussed the amount of money we pay for examinations and glasses. There was an active discussion but was agreed to postpone a decision until the next meeting.
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on May 26, 2026 Lions Olson, Holland, wife Dianne and Klutman sold 394 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.75 per pound for a total of $315.20. Each worked 2 hours.
Lion Olson, Christopher Martin and his son Noah repaired the shingles on the can shed on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Each worked 3 hours. Lions Klutman supplied surplus shingles.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 22 bags of plastics that totaled 252.7 pounds to Sioux Falls on June 11, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. Lions Olson worked 11 hours and Peiper worked 10 hours.
Golf Course Ad Sign Project:
Lion Olson reported that invoices were sent out and 15 of 17 have been paid. Only Service First & Marv’s have not paid. Both have new signs ordered and6expects to receive payment from both.
Eye Screening:
The Celebration United Methodist Church in Brandon sponsored a Carnival event to be held on May 22, 23 and 25 of May in McHardy Park. The Brandon Lions Club had the Eye Screening Van at the event from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2026. Lion Martin (4 hrs), Klutman (3 hrs), Olson (4hrs) and Kuhnert (2 hrs) worked the event. They screened 27 kids with 5 referrals.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on May 11, 2026, he delivered 104 pairs of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare for shipping to Lions International. He also delivered 26 cases to the Foundation to pass on to the Sioux Falls Sioux Rise Club for the homeless. Olson worked 2 hours.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Lions Club Branch had a meeting on June 22, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill. They discussed a screening at the Blue Dragoon Academy screening 83 with 8 referrals and the Jesse James Celebration screening 69 with 12 referrals. They discussed making the Garretson Historical Society becoming an affiliate club. There will not be a July meeting.
Lion Sivertson won the drawing. He was not present. The next meeting of the Brandon Lions Club will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, July 15, 2026.
At 8:05 p.m., having no further business, Lion President Kuhnert declared the meeting ended.
Brandon Lions Club Minutes for May 21, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on May 21, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions were in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Lance Klutman, Marie Kuhnert, George Martin, Mark Meyer, Dennis Olson, Alice Peiper, Daryl Schubert and Sherry Stroh.
Lion Schubert opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion Kuhnert lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lion Beaird moved Lion Peiper seconded to approved the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the April 16, 2026 meeting were presented. Lion Meyer moved Lion Klutman seconded to approve. Motion carried.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of May 18, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $1,063.81. The Activity checking account showed a balance of $2,920.71. New claims include:
Pizza Ranch, meals for April 16, 2026 paid with ATM card,.......... $116.23
Brandon Valley Media Group for “Thank You” ad for GC & Cans, $140.00
Jones Family Eyecare for two Exams and Glasses,..................... $590.00
SD State Treasurer Annual Report, ............................................. $ 10.25
First National Bank for new checks,............................................. $ 41.44
Lion Klutman moved Lion Martin seconded to approve the report and claims. Motion carried.
The South Dakota Lions Foundation is preparing an LCIF Vision Grant application to replace our broken and end-of-life KidSight vision screening devices. These grants are matching grants, which means that whatever grant amount we request from LCIF, we must raise the other half through SDLF and participating Lions Clubs.
In the last fiscal year the Brandon Lions Club preformed 1,349 screening. Lion Olson moved Lion Meyer seconded to commit a contribution of $1,000.00 toward matching funds. Five hundred dollars to be paid immediately and an additional five hundred dollars will be paid when the Golf Course project funds and the can sales funds are colleted in 2027. Motion carried.
Lions Kuhnert and Olson spoke with Doug Johnson with Huset’s Speedway. We discussed a can collection trailer to be placed on their south parking lot entrance of their property. He agreed to allow a collection trailer.
Lion Olson presented a proposal to purchase a typical 5'x8' lawn mower trailer, add appropriate four foot high side screening with access at the rear to accommodate the removal of cans. The estimated cost is $1,200.00. The trailer would be completed except for painting.
To protect the Community Fund from being depleted with a $1,200.00 expenditure, Lion Olson volunteered to fund the trailer and to be paid back at $50.00 from each can sale made. Sales occurs about once a month. There will be no interest fee. Lion Peiper moved Lion Martin seconded to approve the trailer purchase with the necessary alterations and to review the repayment plan in a year to see if funds in the Community Fund are available. Motion carried.
The Celebration United Methodist Church in Brandon is sponsoring a Carnival event to be held on May 22, 23 and 25 of May in McHardy Park. The Brandon Lions Club will have the Eye Screening Van at the event from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2026. Volunteers to work are welcome.
As part of the Lions Multi District Marketing Project, District 5SE was awarded grant money to provide a display banner to each club. We are asked to choose one of two banners available. One is a retractable 33.5"x78.7" banner with a case, the other an 8.5"×14" size banner. With a raise of hands the Club overwhelmingly chose the larger banner.
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on May 1, 2026 Lions Martin, Olson and Klutman sold 291 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.75 per pound for a total of $218.25. Each worked 2 hours.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 21 bags of plastics that totaled 288.3 pounds to Sioux Falls on April 23, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. Lions Olson worked 11 hours and Peiper worked 10 hours.
Golf Course Ad Sign Project:
Lion Olson reported the invoices for the 2026 golfing season were sent. Fourteen of seventeen have paid.
Loyalty Day Parade:
The Brandon Loyalty Day Parade was held on May 3, 2026. Lion Klutman pulled the can trailer in the parade. Lion Kuhnert wore the Lions costume. Child sunglasses and small lions were given away. Expenditures were $145.55. Those participating were: Lions Klutman, Olson with grandson Lucas, Kuhnert and Beaird. Hours worked were Klutman 3, Kuhnert 3, Olson 2, Lucas 2 and Beaird 1.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on May 11, 2026, he delivered 104 pairs of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare for shipping to Lions International. He also delivered 26 cases to the Foundation to pass on to the Sioux Falls Sioux Rise Club for the homeless. Olson worked 2 hours.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Lions Club Branch had a meeting on June 1, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill. Brief minutes. They discussed the upcoming eye screening with Blue Dragon Academy on June 18, 2026 and the events on Jesse James' Days on June 20 & 21, 2026. Lions Guy and Lisa Johnson will be moving to Stewartsville, MN as their new school Superintendent.
The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 22, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill.
Future Events:
The Carnival event to be held on May 22, 23 & 25, 2026 in McHardy Park. The Brandon Lions Club will have the Eye Screening Van at the event from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2026. Volunteers to work are welcome.
The MD5 Convention will be on May 28-30, 2026 in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Lion Meyer won the drawing. He was present. The next meeting of the Brandon Lions Club will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
At 8:10 p.m., having no further business, Lion Klutman moved Lion Beaird seconded to declared the meeting adjourned.
Brandon Lions Club Minutes for April 16, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on April 16, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions were in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Greg Holland, Lance Klutman, Marie Kuhnert, George Martin, Mark Meyer, Dennis Olson, Alice Peiper and Sherry Stroh.
Lion Peiper opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion Kuhnert lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Lion Stroh cleaned and ironed the flag display. It looked great, thanks.
Lion Beaird moved Lion Meyer seconded to approved the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the March 19, 2026 meeting were presented. Lion Peiper moved Lion Martin seconded to approve. Motion carried.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of April13, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $227.73, the Community checking account showed a balance of $4,188.09 and the 2026 Spring Forum checking account showed a balance of $1,135.18. Lion Beaird moved Lion Stroh seconded to approve the report. Motion carried.
The Club discussed the 2026 Spring Forum that was held in Brandon on April 10 & 11, 2026. There were 53 registered participants. The following Lions worked the event: Lions Beaird, Holland, Klutman, Kuhnert, Martin, Olson, Peiper. Stroh, Jan Martin and Gabriel Kniech.
All agreed it was a very good event. The financial report was reviewed. A surplus of $135.18 will be given to the South Dakota Lions Foundation. Holland moved Peiper seconded to approve the report. Motion carried.
Lion President Kuhnert presented Lion Meyer with his twenty year of service chevron. Lion Stroh brought a cake in celebration of Lion Peiper’s twenty years of service. She will receive her chevron in August.
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on March 31, 2026 Lions Martin, Olson, Meyer and Dianne Holland sold 443 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.75 per pound for a total of $332.25. Martin and Olson each worked 4 hours; Meyer and Dianne Holland each worked 3 hours.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 22 bags of plastics that totaled 258.2 pounds to Sioux Falls on March 31, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 11 hours.
Lion Olson reported delivering 26 bags of plastics that totaled 268.3 pounds to Sioux Falls on January 29, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. Pictures were sent to the Garretson Branch for filing credit. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 13 hours. Lion Koob worded 1 hour.
Golf Course Ad Sign Project:
Lion Olson reported that 9 of 17 ad clients have paid.
Lion Martin moved Lion Peiper seconded to place “thank you” ads in the Journal for the golf course ad project and the aluminum can project. Motion carried.
Loyalty Day Parade:
The Brandon Loyalty Dy Parade will be held beginning at 1:00 p.m. on May 3, 2026. Lineup will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the high school parking lot. Lion Klutman will pull the can trailer. Lion Kuhnert will wear the Lions costume.
Lion Stroh moved Lion Klutman seconded to authorize Lion Peiper to purchase $100.00 of kids sun glasses to pass out at the parade. Motion carried. Small lions made from a 3-D printer will also be past out at the parade.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Lions Club Branch had a meeting scheduled for April 27, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill. A formal meeting did not take place because of a lack of attendance. A request for a screening from the Blue Dragon Academy was discussed.
The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 27, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill.
Future Events:
Zone 7 Service Project. Big Sioux Cleanup on April 25, 2026 at 10:00 am at Legacy Park at 7001 West 12th Street. Meet at the canopy near the restroom.
Dell Rapids Lions Pancake Breakfast on April 26, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church at 608 E 8th Street, Dell Rapids, SD.
The Celebration United Methodist Church in Brandon is sponsoring a Carnival event to be held on May 22nd, 23rd and 25th of May in McHardy Park. Lion Peiper moved Lion Beaird seconded that the Brandon Lions Club will have the Eye Screening Van at the event from 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m on Saturday, May 22, 2026. Motion carried. Volunteers to work are welcome.
The MD5 Convention will be on May 28-30, 2026 in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Lion Martin won the drawing. He was present. The next meeting of the Brandon Lions Club will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
At 8:10 p.m., having no further business, President Kuhnert declared the meeting adjourned.
Brandon Lions Club Minutes March 19, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on March 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions were in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Greg Holland, Marie Kuhnert, George Martin, Dennis Olson, Alice Peiper, Daryl Schubert, and Sherry Stroh.
Lion Holland opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion Martin lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approved the agenda. Motion carried.
Minutes of the February15, 2026 meeting were presented. Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve. Motion carried.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of March16, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $653.74, the Community checking account showed a balance of $1,350.38 and the 2026 Spring Forum checking account showed a balance of $1,078.40. Lion Beaird moved Lion Stroh seconded to approve the report. Motion carried.
A letter from the Brandon Fire Department requesting funds for operations. Lion Beaird moved Lion Stroh seconded to give a donation of $200.00. Motion carried.
Club visitations were reviewed. The following Clubs were visited to promote the 2026 Spring Forum to be held in Brandon on April 10 & 11, 2026. Brookings, Sioux Falls Empire, Tea, Dell Rapids, Sioux Falls Downtown, Madison, Lennox, Alcester and Sioux Falls Siouxland. Only one scheduled visit remains to Sioux Falls Sunrise on April 6, 2026.
The Celebration United Methodist Church in Brandon is sponsoring a Carnival event to be held on May 22nd, 23rd and 25th of May in McHardy Park. Lion Peiper moved Lion Beaird seconded that the Brandon Lions Club will have the Eye Screening Van at the event from 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m on Saturday, May 22, 2026. Motion carried. Volunteers to work are welcome.
Lion Beaird moved Lion Schubert seconded to approved the following officers for 2006/2027 year. Motion carried.
2026-2027
President,...................... Lion Marie Kuhnert
First Vice President,..... Lion Greg Holland
Past President,.............. Lion Marie Kuhnert
Secretary,...................... Lion Dennis Olson
Treasurer,..................... Lion Dennis Olson
Membership,................ Lion Lance Klutman
Tail Twister,................. Lion Lance Klutman
Program Coordinator,.. Club
Club Activities,............ Open
CIF Coordinator,.......... Lion George Martin
Trustees,...................... Lions: Roy Beaird, George Martin, Dennis Olson,
Alice Peiper and Marie Kuhnert.
The following will head the Club’s major projects:
Can Project: Lion George Martin
Eye Glasses Project: Lion Alice Peiper
Grocery Bag Project: Lions Alice Peiper and Dennis Olson
Golf Course Sign Project: Lion Dennis Olson
Programs and Zoom Broadcast: Lion Roy Beaird
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on February 26, 2026 Lions Martin, Olson, Stroh, Holland and wife Dianne sold 390 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.75 per pound for a total of $292.50. Martin and Olson each worked 2 hours; Holland and wife Dianne each worked 2 hours and Stroh worked 1 hour.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 17 bags of plastics that totaled 175.2 pounds to Sioux Falls on February 26, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. The total to date from September 28, 2026 is 1,139.3 pounds. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 9 hours.
Status: We have 531.0 pounds of bags delivered in 2025 which I confirmed will be credited for two 250.0 pounds drawing tickets for last year. We also had 270.8 pounds delivered in the first quarter for a third drawing ticked and delivered 258.8 pounds delivered in the first quarter for a fourth drawing ticket. And 268.3 pounds were delivered in the first quarter for a drawing ticket in the first quarter for the Garretson Club.
Golf Course Ad Sign Project:
The clients for the Golf Course Ad Sign Project have been billed.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on March 3, 2026, he delivered 168 pairs of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare to the south side Walmart for shipping to Lions International. Olson worked 1 hour.
Exam and Glasses:
One exam and a pair of glasses were paid for in March for $235.00 for a total of ten for the current fiscal year.
The Club discussed the 2026 Spring Forum to be held in Brandon on April 10 & 11, 2026. Setup will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Cleanup will be on Saturday after closing.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Club did not have a meeting on March 23, 2026.The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 27, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill.
Future Events:
2026 Spring Forum on April 10 & 11, 2026 in Brandon, SD. Setup on Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Especially need cleanup help on Saturday after closing at 4:30 pm.
Lions Pancake Days in Sioux Falls. April 14 & 15, 2026. Advanced tickets are $10.00 at the door $12.00, kids under 6 are free. Tuesday the 14th eat between 4 pm to 8 pm. Wednesday the 15th eat between 6 am to 8 pm.
Zone 7 Service Project. Big Sioux Cleanup on April 25, 2026 at 10:00 am at Legacy Park at 7001 West 12th Street. Meet at the canopy near the restroom.
Dell Rapids Lions Pancake Breakfast on April 26, 2026 from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm at St. Mary Catholic Church at 608 E 8th Street, Dell Rapids, SD.
Lion Klutman won the drawing. He was not present. The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
At 8:36 p.m., having no further business, President Kuhnert declared the meeting adjourned.
Brandon Lions Club Minutes for February 19, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on February 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions were in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Greg Holland, Marie Kuhnert, John MacArthur, George Martin, Dennis Olson, Alice Peiper and Sherry Stroh.
Lion Beaird opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion Martin lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hearing no objections, the agenda was approved as presented.
Minutes of the January 15, 2026 meeting were presented. Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve. Motion carried.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of February 16, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $736.56 and the Community checking account showed a balance of $1,480.43. The 2026 Spring Forum checking account showed a balance of $685.00. Lion Peiper moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve the report. Motion carried.
The Club discussed the proposed Charter sponsorship. The original proposal was to sponsor the Scout Troop at the Brandon Elementary School but the VFW was given that sponsorship. The new proposal is to sponsor a troop at Inspiration Elementary School on east 41st Street in Sioux Falls. Lion Peiper moved Lion Beaird seconded to reject the new proposal but would seriously consider the sponsorship of a club at the new elementary school to be built on the east side of Brandon. Motion carried.
New member Lion John MacAuthur was presented with a vest, name tag and a Lion pin by his sponsor Lion President Kuhnert. Congratulations!
Lion Fred Sprenger earned his 25-year award. Lions Fred originally join Lions in 1964 but moved several times and did not get credit for all the club that he belonged. Lion Sprenger transferred to the Brandon Club in 2006. Being unable to attend he was mailed his Milestone Chevron Award. Congratulations!
Lion Peiper moved Lion Martin seconded to approve payment to the Brandon Post Officer for the 2026 box rent for $106.00. Motion carried.
The Club received 40 raffle tickets to support LCIF. Each ticked is for $20.00. Lion Martin moved Lion Stroh seconded to have the Club purchase 20 tickets for a total expenditure of $200.00. Motion carried.
Aluminum Can Project:
Lion Martin reported that on February 5, 2026 Lions Martin, Olson, Stroh, Holland and wife Dianne sold 618 pounds of cans to TJN. The Club received $.75 per pound for a total of $463.50. Martin and Olson each worked 5 hours; Holland and wife Dianne each worked 4 hours and Stroh worked 3 hours.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 18 bags of plastics that totaled 188.2 pounds to Sioux Falls on January 29, 2025 for shipping to NexTrex. The total to date from September 28, 2025 is 964.1 pounds. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 9 hours.
NexTrex is redoing their web site so the last two trailer loads have not been reported to NexTrex.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on February 3, 2026, he delivered 61 pairs of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare and Lion Holland to the south side Walmart for shipping to Lions International. Holland and Olson each worked 1 hour each.
2026 Spring Forum, Meeting Report:
On February 17, 2026, Olson, Beaird, Kuhnert, Peiper and Stroh attended a Forum Committee meeting at the Brandon Lutheran Church. Setup will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10th. Clean up will begin after the Forum concludes at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11th and will continue until finished.
Future Events:
Club visitations will begin on March 2, 2026.
Lions Pancake Days in Sioux Falls on April 14 & 15, 2026. Advanced tickets are $10.00, at the door $12.00, kids less than six are free. Tuesday the 14th pancake will be served between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Wednesday the 15th pancake will be served between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Garretson Lions meeting at 6:30 p.m. on March 23, 2026 at the Gulch Bar & Grill in Garretson.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Club did not have a meeting on February 23, 2026.
Lion President Kuhnert won the drawing. She was present. The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, March 19, 2026. There will be a Forum Committee meeting after the regular meeting. All interested are welcome to attend.
At 8:10 p.m., having no further business, Lion Peiper moved Lions Beaird seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Brandon Lions Club Minute for January 15, 2026
The Brandon Lions Club met in a regular session on January 15, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch, Brandon, South Dakota. The meeting was called to order by President Lion Marie Kuhnert. The following Lions where in attendance:
Roy Beaird, Holland, Marie Kuhnert, Dennis Olson and Alice Peiper.
Lion Olson opened the meeting with a prayer and Lion President Kuhnert lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Hearing no objections, the agenda was approved as presented.
Minutes of the November 20, 2025 and December 18, 2025 meeting were presented. Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve. Motion carried.
The Treasurer's Report was presented as of January 12, 2026. The Administration checking account showed a balance of $1,251.18 and the Community checking account showed a balance of $2,521.12. Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve the report. Motion carried.
Executive Director Erin Nosal from the Sioux Council Center for Scouting was the speaker. She requested that the Brandon Lions Club become a Charter Sponsor for a Pack at Inspiration Elementary School in the Brandon Valley School District.
Charter Organization responsibilities are:
1. Serves as a main link between the chartered organization and
the Scouting unit.
2. Ensures leadership is in place and supports the unit’s success.
3. Communicates between the unit and the organization.
4. Approves adult volunteer applications.
5. May attend district or council meetings (optional but encouraged).
6. Annual Charter Fee of $100.00 & COR fee of $89.00.
7. Provides a meeting space or help secure one.
The Club discussed the proposed Charter sponsorship. The discussion was that the Pack will be centered at the Inspiration Elementary School that is about as far way from the City of Brandon as it could be yet located in the Brandon Valley School District. No one knew where the school was located and did not know anyone in that area. The original proposal was to sponsor the Brandon Elementary School but the VFW was given that sponsorship. There will soon be a new elementary school built on the east side of Brandon, perhaps that would be a better fit. They agreed to make a decision at the next meeting.
Lions President Kuhnert attended with others from Zone 7 in serving meals at the west side Banquet on January 6, 2026. She worked four hours.
Lion Beaird moved Lion Peiper seconded to approve payment to the Brandon Chamber for the 2026 due for $175.00. Motion carried.
Lion Martin moved Lion Beaird seconded to approve payment to Jones Family Eyecare for five exams and glasses for a total of $1,175.00. Motion carried.
Aluminum Can Project:
It was the plan to take cans to TJN to sell on Friday January 2, 2026. The can shed was overflowing so we got the can trailer and filled it up with the overflow from the can shed, then headed to TJN to unload. They were closed! We headed back to Brandon. Thanks to Lions Peiper, Stroh, Olson, Schubert and Holland for showing up to work. Each worked an hour.
Lion Olson reported that on January 7, 2027 Lions Holland & wife Diane, Olson, Schubert and Stroh sold 519 pounds of cans to TJN. We received $.60 per pound for a total of $311.40. Each worked 2 hours.
Plastic Bag Collections:
Lion Olson reported delivering 24 bags that totaled 244.9 pounds to Sioux Falls on January 6, 2026 for shipping to NexTrex. The total to date is 775.9 pounds. Lions Olson and Peiper each worked 12 hours.
Eye Glasses Collection:
Lion Olson reported that on December 16, 2025 he dropped off 65 pair of glasses from Jones Family Eyecare to the District Office for processing. Olson worked 2 hour.
Future Events:
It was agreed that a planning session for the April 11, 2026 Spring Forum will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Lion Olson’s residents at 205 Seth Street, Brandon, SD. Pizza and beverages will be provided. All members are welcome.
There will be a District 5-SE cabinet meeting on January 24, 2026 at the District Office in Sioux Falls. Lion Olson has ask that those attending to stay afterwards to review an agenda and registration form draft of the Spring Forum.
Garretson Lions Club Branch Meeting:
The Garretson Club had a meeting on January 26,2026 at the Gulch Bar and Grill. They heard reports on the Spring Forum, Nextrex changes and attracting new members.
Lion Peiper won the drawing, she was present. The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Brandon Pizza Ranch on Thursday, February 19 , 2026.
At 7:50 p.m., having no further business, Lion Beaird moved Lions Peiper seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
