Families Serving Together What? Why? How?

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 2 What? What is a Family? As defined by the Vanier Institute, family is: “Any group of two or more people that consider themselves to be a family: parents, children, siblings, foster parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and any other who consider themselves a family.”

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 3 What? 1.What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Clubs? 2.What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Meetings? 3.What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Projects?

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 4 What? Family Friendly Clubs Generational Younger Women Couples Children come to meetings and help with projects CUB program

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 5 What? Family Friendly Meetings Take place at a convenient time Start on time & end on time Take place at a suitable location Activity oriented Fun for all ages, alternative activities available for children Business conducted efficiently

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 6 What? Family Friendly Activities Hands-on, active Something for everyone to do Able to be completed in a short period of time Meaningful and understandable Have a direct impact on the community

WHY? It’s always easier if you know why you’re doing it!

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 8 WHY? Becoming more family-friendly will help grow your club. Your spouse and children constitute an untapped source of members Your spouse and children have friends who may also become a source of membership growth. But There’s More…

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 9 WHY? Your Members & Their Families Will Benefit Activities will better fit their need for flexibility Families will spend more time together sharing the volunteer experience Younger family members will be exposed to the importance and joys of volunteering

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 10 WHY? Your Club Will Benefit Your club will become more diverse  Wider age range  Increased gender balance Diverse membership will bring diverse skill sets  Physical energy  Organizational skills  Technology skills

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 11 WHY? Your Community Will Benefit Your club will be exposed to a wider range of community needs.  Closer connection to schools  Closer connection to youth activities and needs  Closer connection to family needs Your club will have an increased ability to meet those needs because you will have more members with more skills

HOW? How do we get from here to there?

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 13 HOW? Generate Enthusiasm and Acceptance within your club  Make sure members understand the changes that will be necessary  Make sure members understand the benefits to the club and to the community  It’s not right for every club. You may need to consider forming a club branch

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 14 HOW? Plan For Changes  Form a planning committee of Lions enthusiastic about the concept  Get the Family Friendly Lions Club Concept “How To Guide” (LCI Website  Complete the Family Friendly Lions Club Concept Planning Form and Action Planner (Contained in the “How To Guide”)

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 15 HOW? Make Necessary Changes  Meeting time and location  Meeting structure –Consider a casual setting –Consider cost –Consider making meetings activity oriented –Consider alternate activities for children –Consider providing supervision for children while conducting business

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 16 HOW? Do Family Oriented “One Day Event” Service Project Resources  “Steps To Plan A One Day Event” (LCI Website)  “Benefits Of Participating in a One Day Event” (LCI Website)  “Family Volunteer Activity List” (LCI Website)  –A FANTASTIC website with ideas for kids, teens, parents, teachers, & organizations

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 17 HOW? The youth division of the Points of Light Institute Mission: “To inspire, equip, and mobilize youth to take action that changes the world and themselves through service”

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 18 HOW? Consider the Lions Family Cub Program Resources  “Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide” (LCI Website)  “Lions Family Cub Activities” (LCI Website) 

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 19 HOW? Market The New Club Structure Publicize your one day event  Local media  Social media Invite interested families to “try out” the club by participating Educate your members about the family concept and how to effectively invite new families into your Lions club Publicize club changes and service activities

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 20 HOW? Do a Community Needs Assessment Get the “Lions Clubs Community Needs Assessment” (LCI Website)  Contains planning and execution steps  Involves community leaders  Furnishes service project ideas  Facilitates partnering with other community organizations  Lets them know you care!

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 21 HOW? Other Ideas Club Family Social or Recreational Event Community Family Involvement Night  See Family Friendly Lions Club Concept Planning Guide (LCI Website) Take it a little bit at a time  Change can be stressful  Make sure you have club support  Keep at it!

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONALFAMILY MEMBERS IN LIONS 22 REMEMBER 1.Take it a little bit at a time  Change can be stressful  Make sure you have club support  Make sure all changes and events are well planned and organized 2.Keep at it  Life is a journey, not a destination!