MD-4 Convention Feb. 2, 2007 Fresno, CA Member Orientation MD-4 Convention Feb. 2, 2007 Fresno, CA

Why Orient Members? Make new members feel: Reorient existing members Welcome Comfortable Knowledgeable Reorient existing members Keep information base current Lions Information Days

How? One on One meeting Small groups of new & current members Similar to mentoring (with sponsor) Small groups of new & current members Entire club Zone, Region, or District meetings Different locations within District

When? New member prospect before joining One on One As soon as possible after joining club Small Group meetings When 3 to 5 new members are available Club – when needed Zone, Region or District As planned by the Membership Committee

Where? A location that is comfortable and dedicated to the occasion. Quiet No interruptions Convenient Information sources Healthy Club Toolbox (CD) Lions Magazine lionsclubs.org - website Club history (scrapbooks, etc.) District Directory Club Directory Club bulletins Club website

Order of Precedence One on One, Small group or Club Club information Community relationships District structure & activities Lions Clubs International Zone, Region or District meetings District structure & activities Clubs & activities Communities served Lions Clubs International

Structure of Orientations Keep timing as short as practical (1 to 2 hrs) Provide printed material for good retention Maintain dialogue with person/group being oriented Plenty of Q & A Not too many presenters

MD-4 Convention Feb. 2, 2007 Fresno, CA Membership Retention MD-4 Convention Feb. 2, 2007 Fresno, CA

Retention begins and ends at the CLUB !

Why we lose members Boring meetings Cliques Not relevant Politics Clubs not willing to change Are we too late?

Corrective actions Club assessments Listen to everyone! Make meetings more exciting Efficient Informative Important Fun Keep everyone involved Be able to change

Develop a vision What does our community want? What is our image? Community assessments What is our image? Fund raising meals (local) vs. Curing world preventable blindness (Worldwide) Club retreats Break the mold (pattern or fungus)

CHANGE ! IMPROVEMENT CANNOT OCCUR WITHOUT CONTINUOUS CHANGE Manage change Define vision Develop steps to accomplish vision Deal with fear of change Determine actions and responsibilities Measure progress Make course corrections as required Celebrate success (all progress is success)

Love your club Grow the good practices Grow the good members Grow the good projects Grow your involvement Grow the club