Membership resources
- New Member Information Booklet
Many club members tell me that they are involved in their community and that people in their community know about their Lions Club. I am sure that is true. But I wonder if being known in the community is the same as being involved with the community. For example, the Guelph Lions Club made a donation to the Guelph Public Library. A picture appeared in the local electronic newspaper and hundreds or even thousands of people may have seen it. That is good publicity and it lets people know that the Lions Club is supporting the community. But how many of those people would be more likely to become Lions because they saw the picture? Probably not very many.
So what is missing? I think part of what is missing is trust and a personal connection. Most of us don't join an organization simply because we have heard of it. Usually we know something about it, feel comfortable with the people involved and think we would enjoy being part of it. Quite often there is a person involved as well. Someone we know asks us to help with a project, come to an event or attend a meeting. We trust that person, so we say yes.
That is why I think community involvement and membership are so closely connected. There is a difference between doing something for the community and doing something with the community. Writing a cheque to a community organization is a service. Running an event for the community is a service. But when Lions work side by side with other people from the community, something else happens. We get a chance to talk to them and they get to know us. They see what Lions actually do rather than simply reading about it. Most importantly, we start to get to know each other.
That doesn't mean everyone who helps with a Lions project is going to become a Lion, and that shouldn't be the reason we hold a service project. But it does give people a chance to experience Lions before anyone ever asks them to become a member.
So here is something I would like you to think about. How many people who are not Lions have actually worked alongside your members during the past year? If the answer is very few, perhaps that gives us an opportunity. Maybe we could invite friends, neighbours, coworkers or family members to help with a project. Maybe we could work with another community organization on something they are already doing.
Maybe gaining a new member doesn't start by asking someone to join Lions. Maybe it starts by asking someone to join us in doing something for our community.
Garry
District A15 GMT
Garry Ransom
519-835-3170
Hi Everyone
Last night I sat in on the Canadian Conversation. It was a bit different this time as PIP Patti Hill broke the 55 attendees from across Canada into breakout rooms and we discussed ways that we need to increase membership and retention. There was not a lot of time discussing the outcome of the breakout rooms but there was a recorder for each room and that person was asked to put the room comments into the chat.
Following is an AI summary of the chat.
Garry
Summary — Ideas for Attracting New Lions Members
The strongest message was that membership recruitment should begin with service and community involvement rather than asking people to attend meetings. Clubs should invite prospective members to participate in a service project, let them experience Lions firsthand, and then ask them to join. Service projects should address genuine community needs and, where possible, be done in partnership with schools, community organizations and other local groups.
Main themes
1. Invite people to serve first
- Invite prospective members to help with a project.
- Give them something meaningful to do rather than simply inviting them to a meeting.
- After they have participated, ask them to join if they haven't already expressed an interest.
2. Become more visible in the community
- Lions need to be out in the community and talking with people.
- Partner and volunteer with other organizations.
- Work with schools through programs such as Peace Poster and Lions Quest.
- Wear Lions vests, shirts or other recognizable club clothing so people know who is providing the service.
- Promote projects through Facebook and other social media.
- Use photographs showing Lions actively serving and having fun.
3. Give new members ownership
- Established members need to be willing to accept new ideas.
- Give newer members opportunities to chair projects and activities.
- Allow a new member to choose or develop a project that interests them.
- Encourage newer and younger members to invite their friends.
4. Make membership more flexible
- Don't require everyone to participate in Lions in the traditional way.
- Some people may be interested primarily in service projects and fundraising rather than attending regular meetings.
- Clubs should accommodate different levels and types of involvement.
5. Make Lions enjoyable
- Bring fun back into club activities.
- Even small activities can strengthen relationships among members.
- Make sure photos and promotion show that Lions enjoy working together.
6. Ask people personally
- Several comments came back to a very simple idea: just ask.
- Encourage every existing Lion to bring or recruit one person.
- Talk about Lions when interacting with people in the community.
- Give interested people a simple business card or other small takeaway rather than overwhelming them with material.
7. Look beyond traditional recruitment
- Invite former members back because their circumstances may have changed.
- Approach employers about paying Lions dues for employees as part of their community-engagement programs.
- Ask younger members or students to help develop the club's marketing and social-media approach.
The overall message
I would summarize the discussion in one sentence as:
One thing I find particularly noticeable is that very little of the discussion was actually about conventional membership recruiting—membership nights, brochures, membership drives, etc. Most of it was about creating an environment in which recruitment happens naturally through visible community service and personal relationships.
Retaining Lions Members – Breakout Room Summary
The breakout groups shared many ideas about retaining members, with a common message that people are more likely to stay when they feel involved, appreciated and connected to their club.
- Find each member's interests and get them involved. When someone joins, learn what interests them and connect them with a service project or activity they will enjoy. Give all members a voice and an opportunity to bring forward new ideas.
- Provide good onboarding and ongoing support. A sponsor's responsibility shouldn't end at induction. Sponsors can help new Lions meet people, become involved and understand the opportunities available within Lions. A personal welcome and regular follow-up can make a difference.
- Keep members active through meaningful service. Clubs should offer a variety of achievable service projects that address community needs. Members are more likely to remain engaged when they can see that their efforts are making a difference.
- Stay in touch. If someone stops attending meetings or activities, reach out personally and ask how they are doing. Don't wait until they resign. Members going through personal challenges should also know their club is there to support them.
- Recognize members and have fun. Appreciation can be as simple as thanking someone at a meeting. Celebrate successful projects, birthdays and anniversaries, and provide social activities that include families and friends. Lions should be enjoyable as well as productive.
- Ask members how the club is doing. Membership satisfaction surveys can identify what members like and what needs to change. Clubs should use that feedback to set specific goals and make improvements.
- Learn why members leave. Exit interviews can provide valuable information about problems that may need attention. In some cases, someone from outside the club could conduct the interview to encourage more open feedback. Former members can also be invited back periodically, as their circumstances may have changed.
- Create a positive club environment. Clubs need to address conflict and bullying, respect different ideas and be willing to change. Younger and newer members should be encouraged to participate and take on responsibility.
- Maintain connections with Leos and younger members. When Leos move away for school or work, help connect them with Lions in their new community and stay in contact. This can create an opportunity for them to become Lions later.
Overall Message
Retention is not one activity or program. It is the result of members feeling welcomed, involved, appreciated and connected. Clubs need to notice when someone begins to disengage and reach out before that member decides to leave.