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 Strong, active clubs focus on bringing new members into their ranks 365 days a year. Members of these clubs know how important it is to be constantly looking for potential new members. They also know never to waste an opportunity to invite someone to learn more about Lions clubs – whether it be a friend, family member, neighbor or acquaintance.
The Year-Round Growth program supports continual membership recruitment efforts by providing support, encouragement and awards for clubs that vigilantly focus on growing their clubs all year long. Since shifting the focus from periodic recruiting drives to a yearlong effort, Lions clubs have seen several thousands of men and women become members.
Outreach Strategies
The Year-Round Growth program has added an optional outreach strategy to help Lions clubs better concentrate their recruitment efforts throughout the year. Some clubs might find this outreach calendar a helpful way to keep their members motivated to continually look for potential new members by suggesting a specific group to target each month:
| July/August |
Women |
| September |
Professional Partners
example: eye doctors, teachers, and Lion Service Project Partners |
| October |
Traditional Membership |
| November/December |
Spouses, Family |
| January |
Leos and former Leos |
| February |
Target Demographic Groups
example: baby boomers, young professionals, ethnic groups, etc |
| March |
Traditional Membership |
| April |
Worldwide Induction Day |
| May/June |
Retention |
Ready, Set, Recruit!
There is an abundance of successful, field-tested methods for identifying prospects and inviting them to become Lions. Download the Best Practices Contest winners from 2004-05. This publication features the winning recruitment ideas from clubs worldwide. These are proven ideas that have yielded positive results for clubs time after time. Your club’s membership chairperson will also have recruitment suggestions from the Club Membership Chairperson’s manual.
In addition to learning successful strategies for identifying and inviting new members, club members should have the proper materials for approaching potential members, such as:
These publications are professional looking and portable. Having a quantity on hand for each member means they will be ready to reach out to a potential new member, any time, anywhere. These materials can be ordered from the Membership Operations Department at Lions Clubs International Headquarters by phone: (630) 571-5466, ext. 356; fax: (630) 571-1691; or e-mail: memberops@lionsclubs.org.
Awards Program
Those who sponsor new members are recognized for their efforts to support, strengthen and grow their Lions clubs. Year-Round Growth Program recognition includes:
- Letter From the International President: Every Lion who sponsors a new member will be honored with a personalized letter from the international president.
- Membership Excellence Lapel Pin: Lions who sponsor three or more new members during the Lions’ year will be awarded the Year-Round Growth Membership Excellence lapel pin.
- Membership Excellence Banner Patch: Clubs that bring in the required number of new members in their size category will receive a Year-Round Growth Membership banner patch recognizing their efforts to strengthen their membership during a given fiscal year. Clubs with 21 or fewer members are required to bring in three or more new members; clubs with 22-40 members need to induct five or more new members; and clubs with 41 or more members need to grow by eight or more members to be eligible for this award.
- International Flag Set: The one club from each size category (see above) in each of the seven constitutional areas that adds the greatest number of new members and exhibits positive net growth during the fiscal year will be presented with an attractive Lions Clubs International flag set to honor their outstanding efforts.
- Membership Key Awards: In addition to Year-Round Growth awards, Lions club members are eligible to earn prestigious Membership Key Awards for their membership growth efforts. (For more information regarding Membership Key Awards, please refer to brochure ME-36.)
Focusing on membership growth year-round will help your club remain a vital part of the
community and enable it to reach out to more people in need. It also allows current club members the opportunity to share their joy for volunteering with others and receive recognition for their efforts to keep their club strong. Click here for more information about the Year-Round Growth Program, or contact the Membership Operations Department by phone at (630) 571-5466, ext. 356, or by e-mail at yearroundgrowth@lionsclubs.org.
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