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.

 

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.