by Jimmy M. Ross
President, The International Association of Lions Clubs

Lions clubs must continually grow, to never cease reassessing the manner in which they relate to their communities. Consequently, it is vital that every club engage in a periodic renewal, a time to revitalize itself. In doing so, the club will be energized to both provide services that are relevant to the community and meet the personal needs of not only the current membership, but men and women who are considering an opportunity to give of their time and talents in voluntary service.

Let us make 2006-2007 the Year of Club Renewal and, in a word, “reinvent” ourselves through new ways of thinking and conducting business. If we are to move forward and enhance our image as the community’s premier service club organization, we must, when necessary, replace old assumptions and attitudes that have outlived their usefulness and develop new ideas and approaches to community service that do, indeed, promise success. I encourage every Lions club at its very first meeting to closely examine everything that it does…service projects, membership growth, relationships with other community leaders and organizations, the way meetings are conducted…anything that relates to the strength and future of the club. There are, in fact, three precise steps to identify how to most effectively meet the needs of both current and prospective members.

First, determine which of your activities are successful and create enthusiasm within the club. These should obviously be continued and, whenever possible, expanded. Also, I know that Lions dislike the thought of abandoning a project, especially one that has been a part of the club’s calendar for many years. However, if, on serious examination, it no longer answers community needs and is unsuccessful, it simply must be dropped and replaced with a new program. All this is essential to what I call the Paradigm Shift. 
 
We cannot maintain activities and practices that are outdated and of little value. It is our responsibility as Lions and as community leaders to continually develop and implement innovative service projects and workable strategies to bring in new members. The best strategy for growth, I assure you, is to implement activities that members, and potential members, consider serious and important. In this way, and only this way, will we strengthen our clubs through membership growth. However, it demands a rigorous self-evaluation of where our clubs are and where we want to go.

Let us permanently leave behind the concept of  “but that’s the way we’ve always done it!” This absolutely has to be stricken from our method of operation. New ideas must replace those that no longer work, and this can only occur when club members participate in open and constructive discussion. This is the open path to club renewal and development, and it will happen when Lions come together to honestly evaluate their situation and determine a course of action for tomorrow. This can only be achieved at the club level; it cannot be established from above. Each club must set its own targets for success, in both activities and membership growth. Analyze what is best for your community and for your fellow Lions, and then judge how you can go about reaching these objectives.

A serious evaluation of your club is the key. Employ the three-step approach for club renewal and there is no question that you will be able to look forward to a bright and positive future.