Inclusive Membership
District 24-A
Using all of human potential to FULLY serve humanity
District Key Goal 3: Achieve an overall
net growth of 2% by June 2011. Year
end growth to exceed net +37 members,
25 of which are women.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
2
“Charity begins at home”
Spouses, partners and family members. These
individuals already participate in our activities. They
know our philosophy and what it takes to be a Lion.
They are the friends and family members of Lions.
Remind spouses reluctant to impede on “boys night
out” that they can join different clubs or work on
different projects within the same club.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
3
General Membership Tips
 Prepare and Practice “Elevator
Speech”
Just Ask “Are you interested?”
Don’t have preconceived notions of
who a Lion is-be self reflective
Do you have to “like” the person?
Focus on Lions service projects
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
4
Ways to reach new members
•Word of mouth.
•Information tables at community events.
•Presentations to community groups.
•Recruitment meals. These could be potluck dinners or
breakfasts that include presentations about your club’s
activities.
•Flyers, posters and brochures. Be sure the flyers are 8 1/2"
by 11" so that they can be easily mailed or posted on bulletin
boards.
•Articles or press releases in local and community
newspapers. Write a one- or two-page press release
describing your club and the need for volunteers, and include
a high-quality black and white photograph.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
5
Address issues most specific to women members
•Advertising and brochures should show diverse
demographics. Consciously try and take photos that are less
staged with members of both genders interacting.
•Information tables at community events should be manned
by cross section of club members when practicable.
•Be flexible and forgiving with missed meetings and eventsparents will always need to take care of their children’s
needs first.
•Post advert in craigs list, volunteer match, etc. encouraging
all to participate.
•Consider changing some social events to allow children, (i.e.
less formal Christmas Party, Summer Picnic.)
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
6
“Charity begins at home”
Identify and overcome the barriers that may deter women from
joining Lions, which may include:
•Cultural myths and perceptions that Lions is for older, white men. Lions was the
first service club to allow women members.
•Lack of confidence in their ability to contribute — inability to translate their life
experiences and skills to a particular program's needs. Ask them to attend a
service activity, assign meaningful work and be sure they feel included.
• Lack of time/childcare issues. Assign tasks that can be fit in during the day or
done with kids such as sorting glasses ore preparing mailings. Include family
members of all ages in service projects and social events.
•Financial issues, including concerns that expenses associated with joining may strain
their already limited financial resources. Consider having some meetings at public
place where food purchase is not required. Remind that dues can be paid
quarterly.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
7
Embrace technology and social networking
• Web pages. Make sure your club has a presence on the web.
Encourage computer savvy members to get involved and update
calendars routinely. Include photos of you club service activities
with a mind toward photos that show diversity and the fun nature of
Lions. If computer savvy is lacking in your club enlist a family
member to set up a Facebook account for your club.
•Utilize on line volunteer matching sites such as
volunteermatch.com
•Create a database of non-lion volunteers, stay in touch and be sure
to ask them to join!
•Prepare information sheets about your club in electronic format to
email to prospective members. Ask for email addresses during fund
raisers when practical.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
8
Alignment to reach all
Generations of Women
Gen X (approximately age 25-40)
• Provide flexibility in roles and schedules, casual attire, and a
comfortable environment (i.e. complementary coffee)
• Offer technology-centered tasks as well as one-on-one
interactions to choose from
• This group is very attuned to terminology related to identity.
Consciously engaging the use of language when describing
gender, sexual orientation, class, ethnic groups and political
orientation is critical — even use of the term "Gen X" itself is
often deemed offensive.
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
10
Boomers (approximate ages 46-60)
• Repackage the way volunteer opportunities are presented.
Focus on the work to be done and the skills needed rather than
the volunteer status
•Design and manage volunteer positions more like paid
positions — with job descriptions, training, supervision and
benefits
•Emphasize the needs and characteristics of future volunteers
•Consider volunteers skills and interests
•Show the personal and community impact to the volunteer
•Pair volunteer opportunities with education or part-time work
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
11
Post-Career (60+)
• Change the image of aging. Use designations other than
"older," "senior," "retired"
• Provide work that is meaningful and challenging — work that
can make a definable difference in the community
• Focus on skills and experience and legacy
• Create opportunities for mentorship and leadership
• Provide occasions for networking for the organization —
getting out into the community and telling the story
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
12
Outreach
Generations
Recruitment Ideas: Gen X (approximately age 25-46)
•Use the Internet (bulletin boards,
chat rooms, Web sites) for
recruitment and e-mail for contact
•Highlight the need/impact
•Limit service hours
•Post artistic fliers in cafes, diners,
video stores, bookstores, and other
art/media centers
•Graduate student unions/local
Public Interest Research Groups
(PIRG) branches
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
14
Recruitment Ideas: Boomers (approximately 47-60)
•Use high-profile media and
technology
•Relationships with corporations and
business associations
•Help prepare volunteers for second
careers
•Outplacement agencies for shorterterm and episodic opportunities
•Skill development centers, e.g.,
technology training facilities
•Armed forces branches
•Gyms and health/fitness businesses
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
15
Recruitment Ideas: Post-Career (60+)
•Shopping centers and
supermarkets during daytime
hours
•Targeted television and radio
•American Association of
Retired Persons (AARP)
•Health care facilities and
institutions
•Seek out larger businesses
to introduce volunteer work to
those employees near
retirement
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
TITLE OF PRESENTATION
16