Our Foundation
Our Mission, Our Meeting Schedule, Our Trustees and Officers
The Trustees and Officers of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation.
RMLEIF's Mission
Today the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation (RMLEIF) continues its mission by:
Helping support the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute’s new equipment needs.
Paying a portion of the exam costs of needy patients who are evaluated at the Eye Institute’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic, a clinic that helps visually impaired people use their remaining vision more efficiently to enhance their independence and their quality of life. At the clinic, patients are evaluated to determine which low vision devices will best help them meet their goals.Â
Facilitating access to care by providing financial assistance with transportation, lodging, and meal costs for needy eye and vision patients and a family member while the patient undergoes examination and/or treatment outside their home area because necessary care is unavailable locally. Working together with Lions Clubs across Colorado and Wyoming, the Foundation receives referrals from local Lions clubs, which share in the cost.
The Foundation's eleven-member Board of Trustees is made up of two members elected by the Lions in each of Colorado's four Lions Districts and three members elected by the Lions in Wyoming's single Lions district. Trustees serve 3-year terms and can serve up to two consecutive times. The Foundation's officers are elected annually by the Board of Trustees; officers are selected by the Board and can be either trustees or non-trustees. The Board of Trustees meets three times per year at the Eye Institute in Aurora, Colorado, once annually at the Colorado or Wyoming state Lions Convention, and meets in special session when required. Committees meet more frequently using internet video conferencing services.Â
2024-2025 Meeting Schedule
The Trustees of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation meet six times per year. All Wyoming and Colorado Lions are welcome to attend. Please contact us before attending a Trustee meeting by sending an email to Lions@RMLEIF.org to let us know you are coming. Unless otherwise indicated, the Board meets at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute in Aurora, CO. Our 2024-2025 Trustee meetings are scheduled as follows:
July 12 & 13, 2024 Friday-Saturday, Board Orientation and Board meeting
September 14, 2024, Saturday
November 16, 2024, Saturday
January 11, 2025, Board meeting by Zoom, Saturday
March 15, 2025, Saturday
April 26-26, 2025, Friday-Saturday, Annual Membership Meeting and Board of Trustees Annual Meeting at the Wyoming State Convention in Torrington, WY.
In addition our annual meeting with all Wyoming and Colorado Lions is on May 4, 2024 Saturday in Akron, CO
2024-2025 Trustees and Officers
Trustees are elected to 3-year terms at Lions Conventions, take office soon after election, and can’t serve 3 terms in a row. Officers are elected annually by the Trustees. Make a difference, become a Trustee!
Officers
President John Harper, Wyoming
CO Vice President Wayne Wells
WY Vice President Gary Roadifer
Secretary Dave Orr, Wyoming
Treasurer Steve Allen, CO Dist. 6C
Committee Chairs
Communications: Ted Peterson
Finance: Steve Allen
Program: Betsy Denney
Trustees
Dianne Pape CO District 6C, 1st term ends 2027
Ted Peterson CO District 6C, 1st term ends 2025
Scott Nasman CO District 6NE, 2nd term ends 2026
Ken Schwols CO District 6NE, 2ndterm ends 2027
Betsy Denney CO District 6SE, 2nd term ends 2026
Danielle VanEsselstine CO Dist 6SE, 1st term ends 2025
Larry Donathan, CO District 6W, 1st term ends 2027
Wayne Wells CO District 6W, 1st term ends 2025
Dave Orr WY District 15, 2nd term ends 2026
Janell Lewis WY District 15, 1st term ends 2027
Craig Thompson WY District 15, 1st term ends 2025
*Term ends in 2025.
PDG Betsy Denney, Trustee, Colorado 6SE
Lion Danielle VanEsselstein, Trustee, Colorado 6SE
Lion Scott Nasman, Trustee, Colorado 6NE
PID Ken Schwols, Trustee and VP, Colorado 6NE
Lion Larry Donathan, Trustee, Colorado 6W
Lion Wayne Wells, Trustee and VP, Colorado 6W
Lion Steve Allen, Treasurer, Colorado 6C
PCC Ted Peterson, Trustee, Colorado 6C
PDG Dave Orr, Trustee and Secretary, Wyoming
PDG Gary Roadifer, Wyoming VP
PDG Craig Thompson, Trustee, Wyoming
PID John Harper, President, Wyoming
Lion Janell Lewis, Trustee, Wyoming
Lion Dee Pape, Trustee, Colorado 6C