PDG David Rich

Service, Commitment, Personal Satisfaction

“We Serve” is the Lions Motto.  It is a nice catch phrase but what, when asked, do you tell a perspective member about why your serve? 

So often we focus on just asking new people to be members of our Lions Club with no idea of their use to us except as to increase our membership numbers. When I was in school there was a phrase we used “Form follows function and Function follows form" An example would be a hammer, its shape is dictated by its function and objects of a similar shape could accomplish the same job. If we apply this to a Club the saying would be “members’ shape the projects and the projects shape the members". Why don’t we use our projects to recruit members that add value to our projects and clubs? They are recruited with a specific purpose in mind; they have an immediate sense of ownership and belonging as well as working together towards a common goal.

This means that the clubs and members will have to prepare themselves for the new members and may even have to come up with a new project. They would also need to access their current projects to see their true relevance and need in their community. In other words, look at their club with the eyes of an outsider to truly see the successes and barriers to new as well as existing members. When we see ourselves as others see us we can affect the changes we need too implement in order to welcome new Lions into a long lasting relationship

One way I have found that makes it easier for our local clubs and members to do first is to look at your own club first.  Ask yourself, why do they stay? You stay because you have discovered the benefits that you personally receive from SERVICE.  We need to share that opportunity with others. So often we focus only on our accomplishments and not the reasons we do them. Few people want to give up a night or weekend to work at a food sale just to raise money. They will work at that same food sale to raise money for a cause they feel is worthy. It is the personal commitment and rewards that make the difference.  We also need to ask ourselves what we want the new members for?  If their only value is to increase your clubs numbers so you can take it easy, then don't be surprised if they stay away. If you have a specific purpose that they are needed for and can convince them of their importance to your club, then you will have involved Lions