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Ilko gets second turn to lead Rancho Bernardo Lions

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Bob Ilko has be elected again to serve as Rancho Bernardo Lions Club president.

His first time in the leadership position was in 2009-10.

His stated goals include having the club pursue its fundraising activities so it can continue providing financial support to charitable organizations that assist the visually impaired and provide scholarships to local high school graduates. In addition, Ilko said he wants to get more people involved with the club.

“We have about 30 to 35 members who unfortunately are ... getting older, but we have been finding some newer, younger members in the last couple years who are in their 20s and 30s,” Ilko said. “We need to find more.

“Like any other service organization, (we recruit) by word of mouth,” he said. “If they enjoy (the club) they will talk about it with their friends and business partnerships and get them to come along to a meeting.”

Ilko, a Scripps Ranch resident for 26 years, said he joined the Rancho Bernardo club in 2007 because there was no club in his community. “I went up to learn more about the RB club, was invited to lunch ... and stayed.”

The fact that the club is not focused on serving as a business networking opportunity appealed to him, as did its efforts to help those who have lost or are losing their sight due to diabetes and other sight-related issues, he said.

“They’re doing for others and not themselves,” Ilko said. “I was looking to do something for the sight-impaired, because sight is something you take for granted until you don’t have it anymore.”

Ilko said he has been reviewing notes he made during his first stint as president to see what his goals were then, if they were overly ambitious and how he can incorporate what he has learned about the organization since then.

He also plans on mentoring Greg Cody, a relatively new member, who is in line to become the club’s 2017-18 president.

“Next year will be the 100th year for Lions International and he really wants to be a part of that,” Ilko said.

One way the club is trying to attract new members is by holding a monthly evening meeting, which it did on Tuesday and plans to continue through September. During this pilot program, it will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Olive Garden in Carmel Mountain Ranch. Depending on its success, it might alternate its twice a month meetings, which have traditionally been lunchtime gatherings on the second and fourth Tuesdays.

“Maybe a mix of evenings and lunches, for the older and younger sets, the art of the compromise,” he said. Club leadership is also considering a venue change.

In addition to having a way to help others, Ilko said Lions say they enjoy the meeting speakers, who address a wide variety of topics. “They are across the spectrum, from elected officials to those dealing with blindness and sports figures,” he said. “They are interesting and have inspiring things to say.”

The club’s largest annual fundraiser is occurring this fall, when members will stand outside Albertsons in Rancho Bernardo and Ralphs in Carmel Mountain Ranch to collect monetary donations during its Oct. 28 and 29 White Cane Drive.

The club also sponsors the Leo clubs at Bernardo Heights Middle School and Rancho Bernardo High School. Members often assist the teens with their community service projects and fundraisers, and the teens likewise often volunteer to help the Lions.

Annual dues are $100, with meals paid for separately. Those interested in joining can contact Ilko at 858-243-1235 or srilko4@aol.com.

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