Membership – News Letter Article – March 2011 "Membership, Retention, Extension Roundtable"

During the recently held Roundtable, some common issues emerged. One was - what is a Quality Lion and how do you identify a person who has the potential to become a Quality Lion? A Quality Lion has the following attributes. A Quality Lion has a genuine desire to serve their community and a willingness to support the Club. The individual readily accepts a personal commitment to LCI and Club causes and is willing to contribute, evaluate, and/or accept new ideas. To determine the needs and potential quality of a potential future Lion requires good open communications. In discussions with the candidate, ask about their personal interests in becoming a Lion. This is the ideal opportunity to conduct a "pre-orientation" to insure the individual is more fully informed about Lions in general and specifically about your club's meetings and service/fund raising projects. Ask about the individual's available time to commit to service and projects. Insure the candidate understands the Club's dues structure. The more knowledgeable a potential member is, the better equipped they are to make the personal commitment that comes with being invited to join the Club. These initial discussions will enable the sponsor to evaluate the individual's potential to become a Quality Lion prior to providing an application for membership. Once the application and dues are submitted, the new member should be encouraged to sign up for Lions for Life. Lions for Life operates under the philosophy: A new member who is properly educated, oriented and motivated will remain a member of your club and will bring in new members. Lions for Life resources are available at: www.lionsmd19.com>Lions for life. This will initiate the process of getting the new member involved. How do we get new members involved? New member orientation, assign them to committees, make sure they are invited to all events and projects, take them on visitations, have events with spouses, and give them a chance to share ideas are a few ways to insure the new member is an active, contributing Lion. Remember - A new Lion is a valuable asset to your club!!!