V2 District Development Update

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MEMBERSHIP AND RETENTION

Chairman Jim Kent reports:

The September results indicate an improvement to the downward trend in district membership experienced during July and August with the year to date figures being reduced from seven down to three down on last year’s final result. Indications are too that we can expect a significant increase in October with one club alone to induct 6 new members. Well done the 13 clubs who, to date, have already achieved our Plus One or Better target for the year. Sadly though we have 16 clubs who have fallen below their June 30 total.

The several clubs that I have visited recently are very enthusiastic in their efforts to both recruit new members and retain their existing membership. They are truly building for both the future of their club and their community.

Details relating to the Family Membership Dues Rate are now available on the WEB along with the Family Unit Certification Forms. The certification MUST be completed by the club secretary and submitted BEFORE November 30, 2006 for the reduced family dues to commence from 1 January 2007. For those clubs without access to the WEB I can supply a master copy of the certification form for copying. Apparently Lions Clubs International will be offering more than just reduced dues to its members, but also special programs, activities and opportunities to Lion Families.

Clubs conducting membership recruitment/information sessions are reminded not to forget those people who cannot, for some reason or another, attend the information session but express an interest in Lions. It is important that contact with those people is maintained. A visit perhaps, or a phone call – why not invite them to a dinner meeting?  A folder of local Lions Club information together with an appropriate card is also a good idea as a follow up, delivered personally. I also believe that it is a good idea to –

• · Personally contact people who have not responded to your invitation to attend an information session or meeting.

• · Contact those who have accepted the invitation, a day or so before the day, to ensure that they are aware of the meeting time and venue, and to ask if they would like transport.

An important consideration when conducting an information session, and one that is too often over-looked, is to ensure that the partner and family of those invited are also asked to attend. This is particularly important if we are to develop the Family of Lions Concept to its fullest.

There are still a lot of country areas, smaller communities mostly, who do not have the benefit of a Lions Club. While those areas might not be large enough to sponsor a fully chartered club they could be the location for a Club Branch. I would like all clubs to embrace a Look Wide Concept in spreading the value and the benefits of Lions to such areas, perhaps even as a joint effort by two or more neighbouring clubs.

I was recently a guest at Regional Chairman Wendy Hellebrand’s combined zone meeting at Forrest, on a Sunday morning with a barbecue lunch to follow, and I must commend Wendy and her Zonies on a very successful function with a great attendance from clubs. This is the second picnic type combined zone meeting that I have attended and the support for both indicates that members are happy with the format. Perhaps other regional chairmen should talk to Wendy,

Keep building for the future – your club and your community

District Membership Update - October 2007