1. All About Lions History Organization  Membership Service
Welcome to our seminar. (Personal introduction)
Many of you in attendance are new to Lions, but you have expressed an interest in knowing more about our association. We will take some time today to provide you with an overview of Lions Clubs International, and then we will have an opportunity to hear the personal stories of a number of fellow Lions members.
At the end of the session, there will be time for you to ask questions.
First, allow me to examine some general information about Lions that future Lions leaders, and in fact any active Lion, would want to know.
I will specifically address the areas of:
Lions history – How the association came to be and some of the historical highlights over the years
Organization – How the association is structured to provide support and leadership for the individual clubs
Service – The wide variety of services that Lions provide to their communities and to the world are too many to mention, but we will examine a few notable efforts
Membership – The programs that exist to make sure our clubs continue to grow and prosper
 Membership
Service

2. Founded
Lions Clubs International began as the dream of Melvin Jones, an American businessman who belonged to a club named the Business Circle of Chicago.
Melvin Jones believed that local business clubs should expand from purely professional concerns to working for the betterment of their communities.
In 1917, he contacted members of similar independent organizations around the country, and invited them to a meeting. Most agreed to merge as one association of clubs, taking the name of the largest of the groups, the Indiana-based Association of Lions Clubs.
The first convention was held in October in Dallas, Texas, where the constitution was adopted and the first president, Dr. W.P. Woods, was elected. Jones was elected secretary, beginning a 44-year career with the association.

3. “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for someone else.”
Melvin Jones
Melvin Jones explained his reasoning for the concept of service to the community with the saying “you can’t get very far until you start doing something for someone else.”
That saying has proven to be true, and over the years, Lions have done so much for so many.
We’ll talk about some of the good works Lions do in a few minutes.

4. Historical Highlights
In 1920, Lions Clubs became international when the first club in Canada was chartered in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and since then steady growth has continued around the world.
Today Lions Clubs International has nearly 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 193 countries or areas of the world.
1920

5. Historical Highlights
Helen Keller was an American author and lecturer, who, having overcome considerable physical handicaps, served as an inspiration for other afflicted people. When she was 19 months old, she was stricken with an acute illness that left her deaf and blind. She overcame these setbacks to earn a college degree with honors.
Throughout her life she worked and raised funds for the American Foundation for the Blind, and she traveled and lectured in many countries, including England, France, Italy, Egypt, South Africa, Australia, and Japan on behalf of the physically handicapped.
An early milestone in the Lions’ history occurred in 1925 when Helen Keller addressed the association at their International Convention in Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become her "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness."
Ever since, the primary mission of Lions Clubs International has been to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness and provide services for people who are already blind or visually impaired.
1925

6. Historical Highlights
                                                                 
Lions work with the blind was in its early stages, but Lions clubs were already emphasizing ways to help prevent blindness and were actively promoting services for the blind. In fact, in 1930, the club president of the Peoria Lions Club in the United States saw a problem and developed a solution that has spread throughout the world.
Lion George A. Bonham observed a blind man trying to cross a busy street as traffic whirled about him. The man tapped furiously on the pavement with his black cane, but no one understood his problem. Lion Bonham came up with the idea of supplying blind people with white canes to alert others, and he introduced a resolution to the city of Peoria to give the right-of-way to any blind person using a white cane. From this humble beginning, by 1956 every state in the United States had passed white cane safety laws which included those blind persons employing the help of guide dogs.
The white cane has become an international symbol and a blessing to those without sight.
1930

7. Historical Highlights
We Serve
As you know, our organization's motto is “We Serve.” At the international convention in 1954, this simple phrase, submitted by Lion D.A. Stevenson, was chosen from more than 6,000 suggested mottos.
It symbolizes the moving spirit of Lionism: to help others and to tear away the shrouds of ignorance and distrust that separate one human being from another.
The dominant theme of Lionism for more than fifty years, “We Serve” is translated daily from words to living reality on every continent.
1954

8. Historical Highlights
On December 5, 1957 the Glenside Lions Club in Pennsylvania chartered the first Leo club for young people.
The circle of junior service clubs began to expand. In October 1967, the board of directors of Lions Clubs International adopted the Leo Club Program as an official program of the association. Open to males and females, the objective of the Leo Club Program was (and still is):
"...to provide the youth of the world (with) an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community."
Today, the Leo Club Program is stronger than ever. Community service remains the cornerstone of the program. Like their Lion counterparts, Leo club members enjoy serving their neighbors and watching positive results unfold.
1957

9. Historical Highlights
SightFirst
Lions Quest
Grants
                                                                                
Lions Clubs International Foundation was begun in 1968 to take our service to new levels by tackling global problems as well as assisting Lions with local humanitarian projects too big for them to do on their own.
Among its services are:
The SightFirst program
Lions Quest
And the issuance of a variety of grants
1968

10. Vision & Hearing projects Habitat for Humanity
500 Grants Annually
Health Clinics
Training Centers
Vision & Hearing projects
Habitat for Humanity
The Lions Clubs International Foundation administers 500 grants annually, including health clinics, training centers, vision & hearing projects, and Habitat for Humanity collaboration.
Since its first grant of US$5,000 in 1972 for flooding, LCIF has given out US$332 million in grants to improve the lives of people worldwide.
In , LCIF has provided millions of US$ to assist the victims of the tsunami in South Asia.

11. In 1973 the foundation’s highest honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, was created.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the backbone of LCIF, providing 70 percent of its revenues. A recognition of humanitarian work, a Melvin Jones Fellowship is given to those who give US$1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others.
1973

12. Historical Highlights
Another historical highlight in the history of Lions Clubs International is the inclusion of women as members in 1987.
Today, women comprise almost 17% of our total membership and bring a wealth of ideas, energy, and skill to our clubs.
These few historical highlights represent only a small fraction of the wonderful history of Lions Clubs International, and now you will also become a part of that history through your participation.
1987

13. Organization Member Club Zone Region District Multiple District
International Board of Directors
The organization of Lions Clubs International begins with you, the member, and with your club. But, like all large organizations, there are a number of levels each of which supports the others.

14. Organization
Member
Take a good look at the target on the screen. Imagine you are holding a bow and arrow. Take aim at the target. Where are you aiming? Most likely at the center. This target represents the structure of Lions Clubs International. To begin our discussion we’ll focus on the center of our target.
The Lion member is at the center of the Lions Clubs International organization. Lion members begin the chain of service that permeates the organization’s structure. Currently there are nearly 1.4 million Lions.

15. Organization
Club
Together Lion members make up the Lions club. There are currently approximately 46,000 clubs within the association. Club members elect club officers.

16. Club Structure Club president Immediate past president Vice presidents
Secretary/treasurer
Membership director
Board of Directors
Other elected chairpersons
Lion tamer
Tail twister
Club officers include the president, immediate past president, vice presidents, secretary, membership director, other elected chairpersons, as well as a Lion tamer. Lion tamers are responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club such as flags, banners, gavels, etc.
Some clubs also elect a tail twister, who is responsible for promoting harmony, good fellowship, life and enthusiasm at club meetings.

17. Club President Responsibilities
Calls club board meetings & club meetings
Creates agendas & plans with board
Conducts club meetings
Appoints committee chairpersons
The club president plays a key role in the success and well-being of the club. The president calls meetings of the board and the club, creates agendas and plans with the other club officers, and conducts effective meetings. The president also appoints committee chairpersons.
It is important to remember that the club president’s authority depends on the directives of the club board of directors.

18. Organization
Zone
The next ring of the Lions structure is the zone. Zones consist of 4-8 Lions clubs within a geographical area. Delegates of the clubs within the zone may elect a zone chairperson, but the district governor more typically appoints them.
Zone chairpersons act as advisors, help solve problems and identify opportunities for their clubs. They also play an active role in organizing new clubs.

19. Organization
Region
Zone chairperson activities are coordinated at the regional level. The region chairperson is responsible for leadership in the region and guides zone chairpersons in their efforts.

20. Organization District
The next ring in the association is the district. Our association is divided into approximately 750 Districts, each led by a district governor.

21. District Structure District governor Immediate past district governor
Vice district governor
Cabinet secretary/treasurer
Region & zone chairpersons
District committee chairpersons
The governor leads the district cabinet, which includes the immediate past district governor, the vice district governor, the cabinet secretary and/or treasurer, and zone and region chairpersons. Some districts have additional members, depending on their constitution and by-laws.
Districts are typically made up of at least 35 clubs and 1,250 Lions members in good standing.

22. We have approximately 1,300 members.
District 46
Our club is in District 46, which is comprised of 51 clubs and 1 branch club.
Our District covers the entire state of Nevada and parts of California.
We have approximately 1,300 members.
Our District is one of the few “Single” Districts throughout the world. That means we are not part of a “Multiple” District in which individual districts are supported by the multiple organization in areas such as training, membership and administration.

23. District Governor Responsibilities
Represent the association in the district
Supervise district cabinet members
Promote association’s activities
Promote LCIF’s programs
Protect association’s registered trademarks
Preside at district meetings
The district governor has many responsibilities that are listed and described in the District Governor Manual. Here are some important responsibilities.

24. District Governor Responsibilities (cont.)
Ensure clubs function according to Constitution & By-Laws
Ensure clubs are active & strong
Supervise organization of new clubs
Monitor club payments
In addition, the district governor has these responsibilities.

25. District Primary Service Programs
Camp Dat-So-La-Lee
Lions Quest
Student Speaker Foundation
These are the three primary programs supported by our district and are included in our district constitution. Each has its own foundation and officers.

26. District Major Service Programs
Blind Center of Nevada
Lions Burn Center
Canine Companions
Lions Eye Foundation
City of Hope
Lions in Sight
Eye Glass Recycling
SightFirst of So. Nevada
Flag Day
Peace Poster
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Washoe Sight Conservation
Hearing Foundation
White Cane Days
Helen Keller House
Youth Exchange
Leader Dogs for Blind
Nevada Prison Project
These are a few of the service programs supported by the district. Each program has a chairperson and may have several members. These persons are appointed by the District governor and often include representatives from each of the four regions.

27. Organization Multiple District
The next ring of support for the Lions member is the multiple district. Multiple districts are formed by two or more districts within a territory defined by the International Board of Directors. Districts within multiple districts are usually referred to as sub-districts.
Some districts are not part of a multiple district. These stand-alone districts are generally called single districts.
Annual district and multiple district conventions allow Lions to elect officers, share best practices such as successful service projects and sharpen leadership skills.

28. Organization Board of Directors
The outer ring of the Lions Clubs International structure is the International Board of Directors, which includes the officers and directors of LCI.

29. International Board of Directors
President
Immediate past president
1st vice president
2nd vice president
International directors
Board appointees
Administrative officers: executive administrator, treasurer, secretary
The members of the board include the president, immediate past president, first vice president, second vice president, international directors and selected Lions leaders who serve as appointees.
Full time administrative officers who serve on the board include the executive administrator, treasurer, secretary and such others as may be designated by the International Board of Directors.
The duty of all officers is to further the purposes and objectives of Lions Clubs International.

30. Constitutional Areas USA, affiliates, Bermuda & the Bahamas Canada
South America, Central America, Mexico, Caribbean
Europe
Lions Clubs International is organized into 7 constitutional areas including:
United States of America, its affiliates, Bermuda & The Bahamas
Canada
South America, Central America, Mexico & Islands of the Caribbean Sea
Europe

31. Constitutional Areas Orient & Southeast Asia
India, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia & Islands of South Pacific
Orient & Southeast Asia
India, South Asia, Africa and The Middle East
Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia & Islands of the South Pacific Ocean

32. Even-numbered years Directors elected from:
Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and islands of the South Pacific
Orient and Southeast Asia
Europe
South America, Central America, Mexico and Islands of the Caribbean Sea
USA, its affiliates, Bermuda and the Bahamas
In even-numbered years, sixteen directors are elected to serve two year terms. They will consist of :
(1) From clubs in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and islands of the South Pacific
(3) From clubs in the Orient and Southeast Asia
(2) From clubs in Europe
(3) From clubs in South America, Central America, Mexico and Islands of the Caribbean Sea
(7) From clubs in the USA, its affiliates, Bermuda and the Bahamas

33. Odd-numbered years Directors elected from:
India, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Canada
Europe
Orient and Southeast Asia
South America, Central America, Mexico and Islands of the Caribbean Sea
USA, its affiliates, Bermuda and the Bahamas
In odd-numbered years, seventeen directors are elected to serve two year terms. They will consist of :
(2) From clubs in India, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East
(1) From clubs in Canada
(3) From clubs in Europe
(2) From clubs in the Orient and Southeast Asia
(1) From clubs in South America, Central America, Mexico and Islands of the Caribbean Sea
(8) From clubs in the USA, its affiliates, Bermuda and the Bahamas

34. International Headquarters
The entire Lions organization is supported by our headquarters staff in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.
At any time you may hear someone speaking one of the 11 languages Lions Clubs International currently supports: Chinese, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.
At the April 2005 International Board Meeting a twelfth official language was added, and soon we will also be able to support Lions who speak Hindi.

35. We Serve
As we consider this entire structure, and think of all of the people who are devoting their time to advance Lionism, we must go back to the reason for all of it…our motto, “We Serve.”
We have already talked about service when we examined the fine work of the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Now, let us look a little closer at the wide variety of projects and programs that our members currently undertake to help those in need.

36. Adopted Service Program Categories
Community services
Diabetes awareness
Environmental services
Hearing/speech and work with the deaf
International relations
Opportunities for youth
Sight conservation and work with the blind
At the April 2003 Lions Clubs International Board of Directors’ meeting, it was decided to organize Lions programs into the following seven categories:
1. Community Services
2. Diabetes Awareness
3. Environmental Services
4. Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf
5. International Relations
6. Lions Opportunities for Youth
7. Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind
These seven categories do not represent the full picture of all services that Lions clubs perform, but they do represent those services for which Lions Clubs International can provide information and organizational support when called upon.

37. Community Services Building Homes Cultural and Community Activities
Lions community services includes a wide range of projects - from building homes for the blind or disabled in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity International, to health fair participation, to arts festival sponsorship.
Some examples are:
The Lynden Lions, Washington, USA, organized a community project to restore a windmill. The mayor of Lynden presented the Lions with the Outstanding Citizen Award for their restoration effort.
2. The Lions of District 103-CE in France organized a music contest for young musicians.
3. Throughout secondary schools in District 24-E in Virginia, USA, Lions clubs organized a scholastic competition. The winning school competed in the National Scholastic Competition.

38. Diabetes Awareness Education Diabetes screening
Lions Eye Health Program
Recreational camps
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among people between the ages of 20 to 74. The Lions Diabetes Awareness Program was introduced in 1984 to encourage Lions to conduct diabetes awareness activities. It includes:
Community Education – Lions can obtain a number of LCI brochures on diabetes and distribute them to local health clinics, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies.
Diabetes Screening - Lions can work with local health officials to organize screenings for the detection of diabetes.
Lions Eye Heath Program (LEHP) is an educational program that emphasizes the importance of regular eye exams and timely treatment to prevent diabetic eye disease and glaucoma.
Recreational Camps for Persons who have Diabetes - Some Lions clubs arrange recreational camps for people with diabetes while other clubs provide financial support or volunteer their time.
The Lions of District 8-L (Louisiana, USA) worked with the American Diabetes Association to organize diabetes screenings for local residents.
2. In Brazil, the Sao Paulo (Belem) Lions purchased a mobile health unit for diabetes screenings.
3. Lions in District 4-L6 (California, USA) support a local camp for persons with diabetes. In addition, the Lions entered into a joint project with the Lions of B-1 (Mexico) to conduct diabetes screenings in Mexico.

39. Environmental Services
Recycling
Anti-Pollution
Tree Planting
Environmental projects
Leos and Lions are encouraged to implement environment projects on United Nations environment Programme (UNEP) World Environment Day, June 5. The universal environment motto is: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Recycle paper, aluminum, glass, plastics, telephone books, batteries, or oil products.
Anti-pollution efforts can include clean-up campaigns of local highways, waterways, or shorelines. Lions can organize public seminars on topics such as noise pollution, acid rain, or the depletion of the ozone layer.
Tree plantings can include the creation of a Lions memorial forest or the planting of fruit trees and the donation of the harvest to needy persons.
Other environment projects can include building a shelter for wildlife, organizing an ecology club, creating a community compost pile, or protecting an ecosystem or an endangered species.
Some Lions clubs have done the following:
1. The Lions of District A-5 (Ontario, Canada) sponsored the “Environment and Me” poster contest in 27 schools for students in grades one through eight.
2. In Georgia, USA, District 18-A Lions support the “Adopt-A-Stream” program. The Lions monitor water conditions and report their findings to water reclamation engineers.
3. The Lions of District 108-Y (Italy) continue to sponsor an educational program about protecting the Mediterranean Sea from pollution.

40. Hearing/Speech & Work with the Deaf
Communication Devices
Hearing Aid Recycling
Hearing Ear Dogs
Hearing Screenings
Recreational Camps
Support Services
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to aid persons who are deaf as well as those who are blind. Since that time, Lions have developed many projects for persons who are deaf and hearing impaired. Some of these include:
Communication Aids / Assistive Devices - Lions clubs can support Sign language classes, provide hearing aids, or help train hearing dogs.
Hearing Aid Recycling Program (HARP) - Approved in October 2001, HARP encourages Lions to donate used hearing aids for reconditioning and recycling.
Hearing Ear Dogs - Lions clubs support schools that raise and train service dogs for the deaf. The animals alert their owners to the sounds of crying babies, alarm clocks, doorbells, telephones, and smoke detectors.
Hearing Screenings - Lions clubs often arrange for medical personnel to administer hearing screenings for the public.
Recreational Camps for Persons who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired - Lions clubs or districts have organized or aided others in establishing recreational camp programs for persons who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Support Services for Persons who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired - Lions can support temporal bone banks, provide college scholarships for students who are deaf or hearing impaired, or assist local theaters for the deaf.

41. International Relations
Club twinning
Int’l Relations Month
Lions’ Day at the U.N.
Interclub Assistance
Stamp Exchange
World Peace Day
Lions provide international aid to others in need through the official Lions international relations friendship and international assistance programs. The programs include:
International Club Twinning is a voluntary and mutual agreement of friendship between clubs in different countries.
International Relations Month is celebrated in October. Lions are encouraged to initiate an international relations project such as entering into a club twinning relationship, or organizing an international night with ethnic foods, music, and entertainment.
Lions Day with the United Nations (UN) is an annual event held at UN Headquarters in New York City, and in other locations, to celebrate the historic relationship between Lions and the UN. Lions founder, Melvin Jones, helped develop the non-governmental organization (NGO) charter of the UN.
Lions Interclub Assistance Programs provide club-to-club health, welfare, and educational assistance.
Stamp Collection and Exchange includes more than 450 Lions from around the world who collect new stamps and donate used stamps to charities as a fundraiser.
World Peace Day is celebrated annually on January 24. On this day, Lions are encouraged to promote world peace according to local customs.
Here are some things clubs are doing:
1. The Lions of Australia entered into a joint project with the Lions of District 411 (Kenya, Africa) to build a permanent shelter for street children.
2. In Illinois, USA, the Lions of District A-1 hosted a boy’s choir from Germany. The Lions provided transportation and room and board for the 42-member choir.
3. Lions and Leo clubs in District 20-R2 (New York, USA) continue to raise funds for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) School-in-a-Box (Edukit) Program. Each kit includes enough supplies for the teaching of math, reading, health, nutrition, and safety information for 40 students.

42. Opportunities for Youth
Leo clubs
Peace Poster Contest
Youth camps
Youth exchange
Services for Children
Lions-Quest
The mission of Lions Opportunities for Youth is: To provide the young people of the world with opportunities for achievement, learning, contribution and service, individually and collectively, through sponsorship of activities identified as best practices in the field of youth development.
Just a few of the youth programs are:
Leo clubs – To provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community.
Peace Poster Contest – For children ages The grand prize winner receives US$2,500 and a trip (includes two family members and the president of the sponsoring Lions club) to the award ceremony held at Lions Day with the United Nations in New York, USA.
Youth camps -- Lions clubs and districts invite young people, ages , who have been sponsored by a Lions club, to participate in an organized camp program.
Youth exchange – For young people ages 15-21, Lions provide a unique cultural learning opportunity. Most Lions youth exchangees remain in the host country for four to six weeks.
Services for Children -- Lions clubs are encouraged to work with local organizations to improve the health and education of children.
Lions-Quest -- The life-skills curricula teach young people about character education, prevention, and service-learning.
1. Every year, Lions clubs in Italy invite hundreds of young people to attend their 16 or more Lions international youth camps.
2. In , the Lions of Japan sponsored 500 young people and hosted 500 young people for participation in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program.
3. More than 1,000 young people received either the Lions Young Leaders in Service Gold Award (for 100 hours of volunteer service) or the Silver Award (for 50 hours of volunteer service) from the Lions of District 323-B, India. The young people reported a combined total of 163,850 hours of community service.

43. Sight Conservation & Work with the Blind
Assistive devices
Vision screening
Eyeglass recycling
Eye banks
SightFirst
Lions are recognized internationally for their service to persons who are blind and visually impaired. The programs listed on the slide are just a few of the many programs Lions sponsor throughout the world as the “champions of the blind.”
Assistive devices – like Braille books, translation software, wrist watches, board games, talking thermometers, talking currency identifiers, beep sports balls, magnified reading glasses, easy-to-read telephones, and television screen magnifiers to aid persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Vision screening -- Lions clubs often conduct free vision screenings with the cooperation of local eye care professionals.
Eyeglass recycling -- Lions collect used eyeglasses and send them to one of the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers. There, the eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired, and classified by prescription. Then, Lions and other volunteers distribute the eyeglasses to needy persons in developing countries.
Eye banks -- There are more than __#_____ Lions eye banks operating in __#__ countries (Presenter: check LCI website for current statistics on the number of eye banks and the number of countries.). The facilities provide surgeons with eye tissue for cornea transplants, research, or other medical treatment.
SightFirst -- Lions have raised US$143 million to finance a cooperative effort among blindness prevention experts, blindness prevention organizations, governments, and Lion volunteers. The program has included 625 projects in 79 countries.
Three examples of clubs that have participated in sight-related projects are:
In the USA, members of the Cape Girardeau Lions Club, Missouri, worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation and an Eagle Scout candidate to develop a nature trail for sight-impaired hikers. The trail features a rope handrail and signs written in Braille.
2. On World Sight Day, the San Carlos Centro Lions, Argentina, worked with VISION 2020 to provide free vision screenings for local residents.
3. Lions in Indiana, USA, conduct an annual mission to Mexico to provide eye exams and eyeglasses to needy people.

44. International Activities & Program Planning Division www.46lion.org
The Lion Magazine
Lions chairpersons
International Activities & Program Planning Division
We have covered many aspects of service in a short time, but we have only scratched the surface of what Lions do everyday throughout the world.
If you would like to know more about any of the programs we examined, or if you wish to learn more about Lions service projects in general, there are a number of resources available for you:
The Lions Web site includes information about both Lions clubs and Lions service projects.
THE LION Magazine often contains articles about successful Lions service projects.
Lions chairpersons are valuable resources for Lions. They often have years of “hands-on” experience in the implementation of service projects.
International headquarters can supply additional information concerning service projects ideas, Lions publications, or awards.
District 46 website provides current information about the district and member clubs as well as forms and other resources.

45. Healthy clubs = Greater service
Why Membership Growth?
Healthy clubs = Greater service
We come to our final topic, membership growth. This is truly an important topic for the Lions of China, since the opportunity to grow is so great and the opportunity to serve those less fortunate is even greater.
Membership growth means healthy Lions clubs, filled with enthusiastic and able individuals, who bring a variety of skills and ideas…but share a common purpose to make life better for others.
The greater our numbers, the more we can do.

46. 3 phase approach to membership growth
New member recruitment
New clubs
Retention of current members
The growth of Lionism requires all of us to focus on three separate phases, all of the utmost importance:
New members bring fresh ideas as well as an extra set of hands to do the work that must be done
New clubs can expand the scope of our service to people in regions where no help has existed for them
Retaining our current members keeps our clubs and our association on course toward the goals we set, and ensures that the legacy of Lions will remain in our communities

47. Tips for recruiting new members
Look to your friends
Look to new members
Embrace diversity
In our short time together today, I would just like to ask you to make new member recruitment a priority, and I would like to give you a few ideas to help you along.
Lions clubs are a great source of fellowship, so give your friends and family the opportunity to join you in this experience.
Another idea is to encourage the new members you have already accepted to invite their own friends to join as well. Your new members are eager and excited about being a Lion, and they will want to share that enjoyment with their own circle of friends.
Finally, consider the benefits of bringing people of diverse backgrounds and interests together in your clubs. This variety will often bring powerful results. So, look to the women of your community, to the younger people who are just beginning to face their own adult challenges, and to potential members who may not have the same career or educational experiences as you have, but who may have a whole new set of skills and ideas to offer.
By constantly bring new members into your club, you are ensuring that the projects you undertake will continue and that the legacy your club builds in your community will live on.

48. Opportunities for creating new clubs
Campus Lions Clubs
New Century Lions Clubs
Leo Lions Clubs
Traditional Clubs
Club Branches
As Lionism grows, many new clubs will be formed. Some of these will be in new geographical areas, but often you will find the opportunity is right to form clubs where others already exist. To illustrate the possibilities, let us look at the different types of Lions clubs.
To reach the bright young people in our universities, a Campus Lions Club can be a way to introduce young leaders to the benefits and the experience of being a Lion through a club format designed for their peer group.
Many young adults have different schedules and needs at this stage of their lives. The New Century Lions Club is designed provide an opportunity for younger career minded individuals (through the age of 35) to become involved in Lions through a club format designed for their peer group that fits their busy lifestyles.
A new focus is the Leo Lions Club, a pilot program launched in 2003, in selected countries (Germany, Turkey and Italy) to allow members to retain their identity as former Leos while enjoying the autonomy of being a Lions club.
The backbone of the association is the Traditional Lions Club. Lions can focus on reaching new communities and new locations like urban areas, ethnic communities, small towns, corporate settings, professional groups and more with traditional clubs suited to their unique situations
Finally, to reach those who may not be able to support a fully chartered club or an area that would like to get a project started quickly, the Club Branch is actually affiliated with another club. Many times these branches become fully chartered clubs in a short period of time.

49. All About Lions History Organization  Membership Service
So, we have examined a little information about the history, organization, service, and membership of Lions today. I hope this presentation was helpful in presenting an overview of our proud association.
Now, I would like to introduce you to some of your fellow Lions who have come here today to share some of their personal experiences with you.
 Membership
Service

50. I am sure that some of you have been thinking of questions you would like to ask of me or any of our guests. Please raise your hand and we will come to you with a microphone.

51. Thank you and good luck!