Membership is the
foundation for the work and services performed by the members of Lions clubs.
This foundation is comprised of three segments: Recruitment of new
members, Retention of existing members and the development of New
Clubs (Extension). Each is equally important to maintaining the health of a
club and growth of our association. This section of the Lions Web site provides
materials on programs to help with these three aspects of membership growth.
Membership Programs
includes: Year Round Growth, Orientation, World Wide Induction Day, individual
Lioness Bridge Program and Membership Key Program.
Retention of Members
includes: Lions Mentoring Program, President's Retention Campaign and Club
President Connection.
New Clubs (Extension)
includes: materials for organizing Traditional New Clubs, New Century Lions
Clubs, Campus Clubs and Club Branches. You can also obtain details on the
Lioness Bridge Program and Certified Guiding Lions Program.
The Benefits of
Joining a Campus Lions Clubs
Leadership
Ability
Whether you lead a meeting, launch a fundraising program or
organize a service project, you will have the opportunity to develop leadership
skills that you can use throughout your life.
Business Skills
First-hand experience in budgeting, planning activities and
motivating others will enhance your professional abilities. The club can provide
opportunities to gain experience that relates to your field of study. You will
also have the chance to improve your public speaking and presentation skills
while you communicate important social issues to others.
Networking
Campus Lions clubs provide an opportunity to get to know
other students, faculty members and business leaders on a more personal level.
Since Lions clubs can be found in nearly every community, if you choose to
relocate after graduation you will have the opportunity to meet the members of
the Lions club wherever you decide to move.
Certified Guiding
Lion
International
President Kay K. Fukushima is so convinced of the necessity for orientation that
he has instituted precise strategies and new awards for participation. The
president's strategy is for each district to organize a two-member Orientation
Team, the goal of which is to meet with every club in the district to help
prepare and implement a quality program of orientation. A second element in his
overall plan to enhance membership and club strength is for each district
governor to establish a Certified Guiding Lion Team for newly-organized clubs.
Also consisting of two members, this team should be developed to assist each
newly-established Lions club by providing guidance and training, thereby helping
to ensure its success and viability as a force for voluntary service in the
community
Club Branch
Program
A new way to help
Lions expand service beyond the boundaries of their current club, the Club
Branch Program gives Lions clubs the tools they need to reach into new
communities and locations.
What is a Club
Branch?
A club branch is a small group of people who become members
of an existing "parent" Lions club, but who hold meetings and conduct service
activities at a location that is separate from the parent club. Branch members
are full members of the parent Lions club, with all privileges and
responsibilities.
In many communities, it is difficult to reach the 20-member
minimum necessary to charter a new club. Club branches can solve this problem.
Because branches may be formed with a smaller number of members, they can
flourish where chartered clubs cannot be established: small towns, remote rural
areas, ethnic neighbourhoods, business parks and medical complexes.
Any Lions club may establish a branch in any area of its
district not currently served by Lions. A club may form more than one branch;
however, the district governor must be notified that each branch is being
formed.
Clubs are encouraged to explore the possibility of branches
wherever quality members can be found.
Lioness Bridge
Program Linking a Proud Past to a Promising Future
The Opportunity
The Lioness Bridge Program
makes it possible for Lionesses to honour and acknowledge their proud past while
enjoying all the benefits, rights and privileges associated with Lions club
membership.
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Use of "Lioness" in Club
Name: Effective immediately, Lions
clubs may be chartered with the word "Lioness" in their name. When naming the
new Lioness club, the word "Lioness" is always placed before the words "Lions
Club" to read as "Lioness Lions Club." The complete club name, using Oak Brook
as an example, would be the Oak Brook Lioness Lions Club. If the club uses "of"
in the name, the word "Lioness" still comes before the words "Lions Club," for
example, the Lioness Lions Club of Oak Brook. If a club branch is formed, the
branch would be known as the Lioness Branch of the Oak Brook Lions Club.
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Lioness Fee Waiver Program:
The Lioness Fee Waiver Program has been reinstated from November 30, 2001-June
30, 2003. This program eliminates the entrance fee for former and current
Lionesses who join an existing Lions club, and eliminates the charter fee for
Lionesses (both current and former) who form new Lions clubs or convert their
existing Lioness groups to Lions clubs or club branches.
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Lioness Conversion Program:
The Lioness Conversion Program, which began in January 1996, credits Lioness
service years when Lionesses become Lions or charter a Lions club.
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Special Lioness-Lions Pin:
Lionesses who become Lions receive a special Lions pin featuring the Lioness "L"
logo to recognize their past service. This is the perfect symbol of the bridge
built between the Lionesses' proud past and their promising future as a Lions
club member.
The Benefits
Lioness Lions clubs can
continue to work alongside their sponsoring Lions club, if they wish,
collaborating on projects and serving their communities. However, they will now
have a voice in the association by having the ability to send a delegate to the
international convention to vote for members of the board of directors and on
constitutional amendments. The administrative support of International
Headquarters will also be at their disposal, and the contributions they make to
their districts will be enhanced. Members will enjoy new leadership
opportunities because they can serve as a club officer--or even pursue zone,
region, district or international office.
This opportunity is not
limited to those Lioness groups still in existence. Former members of the
Lioness program may take advantage of this opportunity as well.
Chartering Requirements
For chartering a Lioness Lions
club, the same requirements apply as for chartering a traditional Lions club:
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20 or more charter members
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A sponsoring club
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District governor's approval
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Completed Charter Application
If the Lionesses do not have
the minimum number of charter members, they can form a branch of the sponsoring
club. A minimum of five members is recommended to form a club branch. Club
branch members have all the same rights, benefits and privileges as members of
their parent club
New Century Lions Clubs
The New Century Lions Club gives adults
through age 35 the ability to create a Lions club that fits their lifestyle and
need for flexibility. Providing hands-on projects and more extensive use of
technology to ease club administration, New Century Lions Clubs is an exciting
new endeavor that offers members:
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the same rights, privileges
and responsibilities common to all Lions clubs members.
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empowerment to choose service
activities based on individual interests and community needs.
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the knowledge and strength of
more than 44,600 Lions clubs worldwide.
What kinds of activities might
a New Century Lions Club choose to pursue? Anything from building housing for
disadvantaged people to environmental projects or working with young people --
projects that will help their communities and ignite their volunteer spirit.
Choice and flexibility are important elements of a New Century Lions Club.
Quality individuals in your community: young
professionals, emerging community leaders, current and former Leos, young
parents and children of Lions are looking for ways to give back to their
community. You can share the benefits of Lions with the young adults in your
community by sponsoring a New Century Lions Club.
New Century Lions Club
Facts
Club Name and Insignia--New
Century Lions Clubs have a special emblem on their club charter, memberpins,
member certificates and other materials relating to the new club.
Membership--For
seven years following the club's charter date, only men and women through age 35
may be invited to join. There is no requirement for members to leave the club
when their age exceeds 35. Members have all rights, privileges and
responsibilities common to all Lions members.
Charter Requirements--The
New Century Lions Club must have:
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enrollment of 20 members
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endorsement of a sponsoring
club, district cabinet or district committee
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approval of the district
governor
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other requirements applicable
to the chartering of a Lions club
A New Century Lions club
branch may be formed if recruiting 20 quality young adults is impractical.
Dues--New
Century members pay annual international dues of US$24, plus appropriate club,
district and multiple district dues, if any.
Entrance Fee Waivers--Current
and former Leos receive an entrance fee waiver. Other entrance fee waiver
programs apply, when in effect.
Internet--New
Century Clubs are encouraged to use the Internet to submit membership reports
every three months.
Length of Program--Seven
years from the club's charter date the club may recruit adult members of any
age. The club may continue to use the name New Century Lions Club.
Traditional New Club
A Simple Idea That Has
Changed the World
Lions Clubs
International has been built on a simple philosophy - bring community-minded
people together, give them the opportunity to make a difference and great things
can happen. For more than 85 years, local Lions Clubs have applied this
philosophy to meet humanitarian needs wherever and whenever they exist. While
more than 1.4 million Lions in tens of thousands of clubs worldwide strive to
build a better tomorrow, there are still people to reach and new challenges to
be met.
Your club can help meet these
needs by chartering new Lions clubs in areas where none currently exists or an
additional club would further assist the community. What better way to honour
our proud past than by sharing our tradition of service with a new community?
Share the Benefits of Lions
Clubs Membership
In addition to securing the
continued health and vitality of our association, chartering a new Lions club
has benefits for your club as well. Building a new club will instill a sense of
pride and accomplishment in your club members. Just imagine the impact a new
club will have to those in need . . . and to your club, your district and the
international association. It will be a positive growth experience for all.
There are no limits to the
number of Lions clubs that can be established in an area, or where they can be
organized. Wherever a community need exists, a new Lions club can help. While
traditional communities may top the list of new locations for Lions clubs, think
beyond municipalities to consider business parks, major corporations, medical
complexes and shopping centers as well.
Member Orientation
Effective Orientation:
Essential to a Healthy Club
New
Lions have joined your club, men and women eager to become involved in community
service and to enjoy the fellowship as members of the world's largest service
club organization. Their sponsors have explained the basics of the association,
the activities of the club they are joining and what their responsibilities will
be. Still, although this information is valuable, these individuals still are
not aware of the magnitude of the structure and programs of their club and the
association and the true extent of their participation. For this reason, an
effective orientation is necessary, provided by members totally familiar with
the objectives and workings of their own clubs and of Lions Clubs International.
This orientation should be
conducted as soon as possible after induction. It doesn't matter if this
orientation is provided for one or more new members; the format can be
structured appropriately. What is crucial is that every new Lion becomes totally
familiar with this opportunity to assume a leadership role in the community, and
it is the responsibility of the club's leadership to ensure that this
orientation is factual and inspiring.
International President Kay K.
Fukushima is so convinced of the necessity for this manner of orientation that
he has instituted precise strategies and new awards for participation. The
president's strategy is for each district to organize a two-member Orientation
Team, the goal of which is to meet with every club in the district to help
prepare and implement a quality program of orientation. A second element in his
overall plan to enhance membership and club strength is for each district
governor to establish a Certified Guiding Lion Team for newly-organized clubs.
Also consisting of two members, this team should be developed to assist each
newly-established Lions club by providing guidance and training, thereby helping
to ensure its success and viability as a force for voluntary service in the
community.
Three Orientation Formats
Three specific formats have
been outlined for Lions clubs to conduct their new member orientations. These
orientations are highly interactive and, in addition to the trainers, can
include the sponsors, membership chair and other interested club members. One
can be selected which best meets the needs of the club and adapted, if required,
to be most effective. The essential difference in these formats is the number of
sessions and length of time devoted to each element of the subject matter.
Each of these orientation
formats includes time for questions and answers and a short review to determine
how well the participants have learned the material.
Welcome to the President's Retention Campaign!
This Lions year marks a
renewed emphasis on member retention with the President's Retention Campaign,
spearheaded by International President Kay Fukushima. It's a strong campaign
built for you, the club president. It faces the three most common threats to
good retention, provides field-proven answers, and gives club presidents, for
the first time, a high tech connection to every Lions club president around the
world.
Why Members Drop
We've all seen lists of
reasons given by members who leave their clubs. Club evidence spotlights these
three as the most serious. All of them are influenced greatly by you, the club's
president and leader.
Lengthy/Boring Meetings:
Always one of the chief reasons given for leaving a club. Interesting and
productive meetings are very important to the efficient functioning of your
club. They are also important to your members. You want these members to feel
like they are spending their time on something worthwhile. Planning and running
effective meetings that follow a well prepared agenda will help accomplish this.
Focus on Meetings
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Club Politics/Cliques:
Are politics getting in the way of club business? The evidence says they are in
too many cases. Do cliques within the club snub new members, making it difficult
for them to feel a part of the group? Breaking down the cliques and politics
will make your club environment welcoming and productive. All members will feel
more interested and involved.
Focus on Club Dynamics
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Lack of Involvement:
Once your club inducts new members, be sure to engage them in activities that
interest them and allow them to take on leadership roles. Members who see they
play an active, important part in the club are far less likely to drop out.
Focus on Involvement
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Retention is an ongoing team
effort, led by you, the club president. Keeping your club efficient, productive,
and meaningful to your members will result in many benefits:
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a club that is a vital,
respected part of your community
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the ability to help people in
need locally, and globally
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a club that offers personal
and professional growth opportunities for members
Year Round Growth Programs
Don't Miss Another Opportunity
Now Lions can earn awards for bringing in new members every month of the year
How It Works
The Year-Round Growth program replaces the
October Growth and Legacy of Lions programs. This strategic change encourages
all Lions to participate throughout the year to strengthen their club by
sponsoring quality individuals to become members. Both Lions and their clubs are
recognized for their successes on several levels.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Certificates bearing the international
president's signature will be presented to Lions who sponsor one or more new
members during a Lions year (July 1-June 30). The certificates are distributed
to sponsors as follows:
President's Bronze
Certificate of Sponsorship
Second new member-
President's Silver
Certificate of Sponsorship
Third new member and higher-
President's
Membership Excellence Certificate
President's Membership Excellence Pin
Lions who sponsor three or more members during
a Lions year will also have the honour of wearing this pin, which changes every
year to reflect the international president's theme.
Club Banner Patches
These patches, also designed according to the
international president's theme, are awarded to clubs that strengthen their
membership during a Lions year. To receive this award, clubs must recruit a
certain number of new members, based on the club's size. These categories and
requirements are:
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Clubs with 41 or more members--recruit eight
or more new members
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Clubs with 22-40 members--recruit five or
more new members
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Clubs with 21 or fewer members--recruit three
or more new members
Flag Set
In each constitutional area, clubs with the
highest number of new members recruited during a Lions year will receive a Lions
Clubs International flag set. One club from each constitutional area will
receive a flag set in each of the following categories:
All awards are based on the number of new
members recruited during the Lions year, July 1-June 30. Certificates and pins
are awarded by the district governor; patches and flag sets are distributed by
International Headquarters after the end of the Lions year.
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