About Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service

Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service is a non-profit general welfare corporation that serves the citizens of Middle Tennessee with aid in the restoration of vision.
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Our History

Lions Clubs International, then called the Association of Lions Clubs, was formed in 1917 as a service club of businessmen. In 1925 Helen Keller addressed the Lions at their International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged the Lions to “become Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness”. The challenge was accepted, thus began a century long mission of Lions to work in vision-related areas.

Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service Inc. was initially chartered on January 29, 1964. Originally, the group was known as Middle Tennessee Lions Eye Bank and Sight Service. On May 11, 1987, the entities split, with Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service, Inc. continuing its work to help the visually impaired and needy.
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Dianne corlew 80

Dianne Corlew, Executive Director

Dianne accepted a position as the Executive Director of Middle Tennessee Lions Sight Service in August 2021. Dianne is a retired Physician Assistant who worked for 35 years in Pediatrics. Dianne has always felt blessed to be able to provide medical care for children and to assist their families. She was a member of the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants where she served in several positions of leadership. She retired early to travel with her husband and serve Lions full time during his term as an Executive Officer for Lions Clubs International.

Dianne and her husband, Bob, have five children, three daughters, and two sons. They have nine grandchildren, four grandsons, and five granddaughters. 
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Our Board Members
 

Current Officers

  • Lynn Wright, President
  • Chris Ross, Vice President
  • Ashea Dearing, Secretary
  • Brenda Butler, Treasurer
  • Beverly Webster, Immediate Past President
  • Dianne Corlew, Executive Director

Board Members from District 12 I

First Year Directors
  • Celia Anderson
  • Phil Barnes
  • Tommy Goetz
  • Chelsea Jones
Second Year Directors
  • Bobbye Kassing
  • Thom Smelser
  • Wade Wilson
  • Emily Wright

Board Members from District 12 S

First Year Directors
  • Tawyna Buster
  • Daryl Justice
  • Tashena Martinez
  • Gary Overman
Second Year Directors
  • Carl Hirlston
  • Tom Irwin
  • Colin Lawrence
  • Tony Webster
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Our Committees and Members
2022-2023
 

Executive Committee

  • Lynn Wright,  President
  • Chris Ross, Vice President
  • Ashea Dearing, Secretary
  • Brenda Butler, Treasurer
  • Beverly Webster, Immediate Past President

Nominating Committee

  • Emily Wright, Chair
  • Gary Overman
  • Phil Barnes
  • Tawyna Buster

Promotion & Publicity Committee

  • Thom Smelser, Chair
  • Bobbye Kassing
  • Chris Ross
  • Chelsea Jones
  • Barry Watts – NB*
  • BJ Blankenship – NB*

Investment Committee

  • Chris Ross
  • Brenda Butler
  • Phil Barnes

Fundraising Committee

  • Tony Webster, Chair
  • Beverly Webster
  • Tashena Martinez
  • Linda Maggart – NB*
  • Bill Dearing – NB*
  • Patrick Scott – NB*
  • Carolyn Blankenship – NB*
  • Steve Falk – NB*

Application Review Committee

  • Tom Irwin (12S)
  • Wade Wilson (12I)
  • Daryl Justice (12S)
  • Tommy Goetz (12I)
  • Brenda Butler, Treasurer
  • Dianne Corlew, Director

Low Vision Committee

  • Celia Anderson
  • Carl Hirlston
  • Tawyna Buster
  • Marc Majors – NB*
  • Francis Scott – NB*
  • Al Lyon – NB*
*NB = Non Board member