Membership
(Quality vs Quantity)
Presented by:
- Lion Clayton J.C Tan
Human Resources Analogy in
Lions/Leo Membership Drive …
Corporate
Companies
Voluntary
Organizations
Make a living
Make others live
Not always
Yes
Salary & benefits
Self-satisfaction
Promoted to position
Elected to position
Leadership duration
Until the next move
Annual election
If one dislikes the
leader, he …
Tries to work things
out till there’s an
alternative
May choose not to
turn up until
leadership changes
Exchange time &
effort for money
Gives time, effort &
money
Why did they join?
By Choice?
What’s the reward?
The leader is …
Balance?
Manage this well and corporate people management is easy …
Relative Contribution to the Club
3 key Areas / Phases
(Every Members Experience)
The relative contribution made by a member
to the club depends highly on the area
in which leadership chose to
create a positive experience
for the member.
Engage
Recruit
Develop
Develop
Recruit
Recruit
Part 1
(Recruiting Right)
Presented by:
- Lion Clayton J.C Tan
What is our recruitment
strategy?
- Think through this question …
Quantity?
Quality?
How do you define?
Quantity
Quality
Drives club innovations
Think of ideas & execute
Easily Defined. As long as the
number of members
increases, you’ve got your
quantity!
Develops other members
Organize Projects
Attends Projects
Regular meeting attendance
Pays dues
There are varying levels of quality … define yours!
What Are the Benefits?
Quantity
Quality
More “hands” when all you
needed was a pair of hands
to get things done.
More “brains” that you can
count on when needed.
More reliable.
Be “seen” as a big club.
Better morale (no free-rider)
You still get membership dues
anyway.
Lesser mess in administration
(unknown members in record)
Members can take turns to
“sleep” (remember it’s
voluntary, not priority)
Members are less likely to
require “sleep” as they’re not
stretched to cover quantity.
Membership growth awards?
Outstanding club awards?
The choice is yours …
Recruitment
(Membership Drives)
 How





much time do we focus here?
Come and Join XXX Leo Club!
It’s where we all have fun!
We have so much fellowship!
Even if you’re not active for a start it’s ok,
just join first …
Don’t worry if you can’t attend meetings,
it’s alright …
Typical salesmen doing their job!!!
Dreams Sold …
… Nightmare delivered

It’s where we all have fun!


We have so much fellowship!


Oh yes! So Leo Club is all about fellowship?
Even if you’re not active for a start it’s ok, just join first …


Do we even know what “fun” is for the person we’re “selling”
to?
Do we really mean it? It’s getting dangerous …
Don’t worry if you can’t attend meetings, it’s alright …

Is it really alright? We’re now asking for trouble!
Quantity delivered … Quality disregarded!
What are some of the ways to
recruit quality members?

Member sponsorship



Only member in good standing can recommend
and sponsor new members into the club.
Sponsoring member is responsible for new member
orientation.
Identify area of contribution


Where can the new member contribute in? What’s
his/her expertise? Does it fall within what we’re
looking for?
The new member should share their thoughts with
the membership.
What are some of the ways to
recruit quality members? (Con’t)

Full disclosure



Any prospective members should know about the
pros and cons of being a member and its
challenges.
Upfront expectations need to be managed. It’s a
voluntary organization, not a country club.
“Trial Period”


Prospective members to be invited for activities as
guest and be comfortable prior to committing to
membership.
Recognize that members who lose interest don’t
often quit.
Lesson 1: Quality
membership begins with
recruiting right!
Part 2
(Develop Quality)
Presented by:
- Lion Clayton J.C Tan
How is quality affected?
Can it be developed?
- Think through these questions …
What are the causes of poor
quality membership?
Too many
members
Free Rider
Exists
Can’t focus
& develop
Lack skills /
quality
Can’t keep
Track
Can’t
deliver
Recruit
more
Members
lose morale
Lose
interest
Refuse to
develop
Seeing recruitment as the only way to grow will distort growth …
What do we do when we have
This cost
Quantity without Quality? “morale” too
Corporate
Companies
Voluntary
Organizations
What if we have
surplus headcounts?
That cost us
$$$
Administratively
Confusing … Who’s
still here?
What do we do if we
can’t get rid of them?
Assign them to help
other teams
Leave it … nobody
cares ….
What if they don’t turn
up when needed?
Disciplinary Action
Ignore … Recruit
more!!!
They improve or seek
other employment
They walk away
Coach and guide /
send for training
Either their friends
help or goodbye!
What if you take
disciplinary action?
What if they lack skills
to improve?
Can Leo Clubs learn something here?
Membership
Director
Sponsoring
Member
First 100 days of a new
This is when risk of drop-out is highest!
membership
Share details &
challenges of
the club
Introduce
“Who’s who” &
share relevant
processes /
norms
Checks if new
member is
comfortable.
Encourage to
speak-up.
Continues to
be a good role
model.
Identify Areas
of Interest &
Contribution
Introduce
member to
committee &
assign role
Become guest
to events
Provide
membership kit
Identify
possible gaps
and assign a
“mentor”
NOT the
sponsoring
member
Organize a
simple
fellowship to
mark 100 days!
30 days
Point of Joining
60 days
Presents the member with an opportunity to learn
from someone else; also a new friend.
How can we motivate and
develop further?
What will you say as a leader?: Charity Sales (Target: 25/day)
Date
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
Lunch
Sales
19
23
18
21
18
13
Dinner
Sales
0
0
4
3
20
11
Total
Sales
19
23
22
24
38
24
Something we learn from MLM
scheme …
What’s in it for the Sponsor to
develop the new member?
• Recognition?
• Succession Plan?
• Shared future
responsibilities?
• Pride?
New members aren’t the only ones who needs attention,
your current members need too!
Lesson 2: Quality depends
on leadership, not
membership …
… We’re Leaders
Part 3
(Engagement
enhances Quality)
Presented by:
- Lion Clayton J.C Tan
Does our members
SAY / STAY / STRIVE?
How do we make it happen?
- Think through these questions …
A Typical Corporate
Organization Structure
CEO / Top Management
Senior
Management
Middle
Management
Supervisors
Teams
Teams
Teams
A Typical Leo Club
Organization Structure
President
Board of
Directors
All members are just known as “Ordinary Members” with X
number of years of service which may include “Past
Presidents”, “Past Directors”, so called “Senior Members” …
etc.
However, they do not have any
specific jobs/responsibilities!
When I’m not important, I’m not engaged!
Committee needs to be
recognized!
President
Board of
Directors
Taskforce
Taskforce
Committee
A
Taskforce
Committee
A
Chairperson
Committee
Chairperson A
Secretary
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Secretary
Treasurer
.
Treasurer
. . .
. . .
.
.
Project
Project A
Committee
Project A
Committee
Chairperson
Committee A
Chairperson
Secretary
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Secretary
Treasurer
.
Treasurer
. . .
. . .
.
.
Project
Project B
Committee
Project B
Committee
Chairperson
Committee B
Chairperson
Secretary
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Secretary
Treasurer
.
Treasurer
. . .
. . .
.
.
Every member
is given a role
in a project /
taskforce and
empowered to
propose or
execute
actions
beneficial to
the club /
community.
Will what I learn today help me
in my career tomorrow?
DOCTOR
Community
Needs
IT SPECIALIST
EVENT MGR
Members
Interest
Club’s
Directions
CIVIL ENGINEER
FINANCE
Key Engagement Factor
(If this doesn’t exist, develop it together)
Our Focus Determines our
Leave it to other clubs, we
Results …
don’t have the capabilities
It’s not wrong for the club to
change its direction if that
what the members and
community wants
Community
Needs
You either need to recruit or
develop members with
interest aligned to club
Member doesn’t belong to
a voluntary service org.
Members
Interest
Discontinue the Leo Club
and form some other
organizations?
Club’s
Directions
For club to remain relevant,
it needs to change.
Lesson 3: Quality comes
from interest; Interest
comes from ownership &
responsibilities
Relative Contribution to the Club
Conclusion …
The relative contribution made by a member
to the club depends highly on the area
in which leadership chose to
create a positive experience
for the member.
Engage
Recruit
Develop
Develop
Recruit
Recruit
Lesson 1: Quality membership begins with recruiting right!
Lesson 2: Quality depends on leadership, not membership … We’re Leaders
Lesson 3: Quality comes from interest; Interest comes from ownership &
responsibilities