1. New Club Development Guide

2. Why Organize a New Lions Club
To serve
To make a difference
To assist those in need
To introduce new projects to local communities

3. District Benefits
Fulfill unmet needs in communities that are not currently served by Lions
Attract families, women and younger members
Rejuvenate and grow membership

4. Choosing a Club Format Traditional Lions clubs Campus Lions clubs
Lioness Lions clubs
Leo Lions clubs
Club branches
Special interest clubs

5. Steps to New Club Development
Once you find a need,
it's easy to charter a new club!
To organize a new Lions club, you will need:
20 or more charter members
A sponsoring club, region, zone, district cabinet or district committee
Completed charter application and report of charter members
Your district governor’s approval
Appropriate charter fees and certification forms
Increase sustainability by 70% by chartering with 25 or more members!

6. To organize a club branch, you will need:
A minimum of five branch members
Elected branch president, secretary and treasurer
A sponsoring club and branch liaison
Your district governor to be informed
Completed notification form

7. Step One Determine Areas of Opportunity
Size of the population
Current service clubs and community organizations
Local project possibilities and benefits for the area
Groups of people who are not currently being recruited by another Lions club
Young adults, women, ethnic communities and other underrepresented groups
Location of nearest possible sponsoring Lions clubs

8. Step Two Develop Your Team
Team members should be:
Hardworking
Committed to the development of the new club
Passionate about being a Lion

9. Sponsoring Clubs Support the guiding Lion(s)
Ensure chartered club has proper orientation into Lions
Co-host Charter Night
Encourage district participation
Encourage interclub functions
Support the club’s activities
Provide guidance without interfering

10. SUB-TEAMS
Once your team is established, consider dividing the members into the following four sub-teams:
Responsibilities
Qualities
Lead Team
Contact Lions’ network via phone and
Research key leaders
Set up appointments with leaders
Organized
Tech-savvy
Comfortable on telephone
Strong writing skills
Field Team
Develop plan for outreach to key community business leaders
Visit business leaders and ask them to join Lions or attend informational meeting
Post informational flyers in high-visibility areas and at businesses
Social
Professional demeanor
Quick thinker
Strong interpersonal skills
Ground Team
Develop plan for outreach to community members
Set up promotion stations in the community
Response Team
Conduct follow-up with prospective members
Keep new members informed about meeting times and updates

11. Lead Team Responsibilities
Build a Lions’ network  
Research key community leaders
Conduct Lions’ network outreach
Conduct key leaders outreach

12. Field Team Responsibilities
Develop a plan for outreach
Visit business leaders
Post informational flyers in high-visibility areas

13. Ground Team Responsibilities
Build a Lions’ network  
Develop an outreach plan
Contact businesses
Get promotional materials
Conduct outreach

14. Response Team Responsibilities
Build a Lions’ network  
Create a database
Conduct follow-up
Keep everyone informed

15. Step Three Conduct Site Development Research
Contact Community Leaders to discuss their needs
Community leaders
Chamber of Commerce executive director
Mayor and other community leaders
School administrators
Officials from law enforcement agencies, fire departments, human service agencies and business groups
Community Needs Assessment

16. Step Four Promote the New Club to the Community
Identify your potential members.
Develop a campaign which highlights targeted message.

17. Step Five Recruit Charter Members
The number one reason why people don’t join is simply because they were never asked.
Who will we recruit?
Community leaders
Residents

18. RECRUITING WHEEL

19. How Will We Recruit? Canvassing Limited recruiting Group conversion
Ground recruiting
Branch development

21. Recruiting Tips Dress appropriately. Turn your phone off.
Start at the top.
Overcome obstacles at the front desk.
Don’t wait more than 10 minutes.
Don’t carry too much literature.
Get clues from their office.
Anticipate responses.
Always be positive and leave them smiling.
Always ask for referrals.

22. Compliment the individual and thank them for their time.
Recruiting Script
Introduce yourself and explain that you are recruiting new members for your Lions club in their community. Ask if they are familiar with Lions clubs.
Compliment the individual and thank them for their time.
If they are not familiar
Explain that your Lions club is a service group of men and women interested in improving their community.
Ask what they know about Lions. Explain that your Lions club is a service group of men and women interested in improving their community.
If they are familiar
Explain that there will be an informal meeting for the club in their community. Invite person to come and learn more. Give the date, time and location of the meeting.
Explain the time commitment and cost of joining the club.

23. Recruiting Script

24. Recruiting Materials Better Communities. Changed Lives (EX-511)
Charter Member Application (TK-188)
Recruiting Flyer (EX-109A)
Lions Make a Difference (ME-40)
Family Membership Brochure (MPFM-8)
I Am a Lion (ME-37)
Be Part of Something that Matters Brochure (EX-801)
Lions Pocket Card (ME-33)

25. New Club Development Materials
The following kits are available:
Traditional Kit (KITEXT)
Special Interest Lions Club Flyer (EX-544)
Champions Lions Club Guide (EX-547)
Champions Lions Club Brochure (EX-546)
Campus Lions Club Kit (KITCC)
Lioness Lions Club Kit (KITEXT + Lioness Brochure MKLP-1)
Leo Lions Club Kit (KITEXT + Leo to Lion Program Brochure LL-1)
Club Branch Kit (KITBR)

26. Leads Put leads into five categories: Category Action Taken
Category
Action Taken
Action Needed
Group 1
Charter Members
Completed an application and paid the charter fee.
Send a letter of congratulations with the date, time and location of the first club meeting.
Group 2
High-Interest Prospects
May come to a club meeting but did not complete an application.
Send a letter inviting them to the meeting.
Group 3
Other Prospects
May be interested but could not attend a club meeting.
Keep on the mailing list and contact them following the first meeting with an update on the club’s progress. Continue to invite them to get involved.
Group 4
Possible Prospects
Listed names of people who may be interested.
Determine a time to contact them in person.
Group 5
Not Interested
Expressed no interest in joining at the current time.
Keep on the mailing list for future projects and events of the new club.

27. Step Six The Informational Meeting
First meeting for prospective members to find out more about Lions and the new club
Begin to build the new club’s membership
Prepare for a successful organizational meeting

28. Meeting Preparation
Set up for fewer people than expected and have some light refreshments.
Lions should dress professionally (not Lions vests).
Have name tags with attendees’ names prepared in advance.
A Lion should be at the entrance to welcome attendees.

29. Conducting the Meeting
Welcome
Introductions
Present overview
Discuss community
Inquire about projects
Verify upcoming meeting
Collect club membership applications
Start on time, and end on time. The meeting should last 60 minutes or less.
Emphasize that 100% of the money collected from the public goes directly to helping those in need.
The club should meet every week until the club is formed.

30. Post-Meeting Follow-up
The next day, send a thank you letter to all attendees and send meeting information to those that did not attend.
Contact recommended individuals and others in the community to invite them to the next meeting.
Update any flyers or promotional materials for the next meeting.
Before the next meeting, make phone calls to members and prospective members to confirm their attendance.

31. Step Seven The Organizational Meeting
Elect officers
Plan the first service project
The set-up for this meeting
is the same as the
informational meeting.

32. Conducting the Meeting
Welcome new and past attendees with a recap of last meeting.
Explain a charter club application or branch application.  
If all agree, conduct elections and complete charter application.  
Set-up a date, time and place to hold the next meeting.

33. Post-Meeting Follow-up
Meet with club officers to begin new training.
Motivate members to promote club and extend invitations for upcoming meetings/service projects.
Maintain contacts and follow-up with interested individuals who could not attend meeting.

34. Step Eight New Club Application
Naming the new club
Other naming restrictions
Dues
Completing the Club Branch Application, if appropriate

35. Available Charter and Dues Discounts
Family membership
Student members
Leo Lions and young adults

36. Step Nine Charter Approval
Once approved, materials will be sent to the new club’s guiding Lions.
The Charter will be presented during the Charter Night celebration.
Districts who charter ten or more new clubs in a fiscal year must provide verification that the new clubs will be supported for long-term growth.
June 20th deadline
for chartering new clubs in same fiscal year.

37. Step Ten Continued Club Development
Sponsoring club assistance
Guiding Lion support
Transition of power

38. New Club Development Awards
Extension Awards
District Governor Extension Award
Family Membership Banner Patch 
New Club Sponsor Banner Patch
Campus Banner Patch 
Campus Award Pin 
Club Branch Banner Patch 
Club Branch Award

39. Questions?

40. Membership & New Club Development Department
Phone: