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

When a loved one reaches a 90th birthday, we usually can proudly say he or she has lived a rich, full life. This year we celebrate the 90th anniversary of something near and dear to all of us - Lions Clubs International, founded in 1917 in Chicago by businessman Melvin Jones. Yes, we’ve had a rich, full history, marked by service unmatched by any other service club. But the best is yet to come.

I witness firsthand in my travels around the world the stunning energy and vitality of Lions. In small towns and big cities, we are out in the community aiding youths and the elderly, providing vision and hearing screenings, collecting and distributing eyeglasses, offering food, water and blankets after floods and tornadoes, and teaching job skills to those with disabilities. We do serve. And we will serve for generations to come.

But we will be tested and we are facing challenges. We can’t stand pat and do what we always do because that’s how we’ve always done it. We need creativity, inspiration and ingenuity, not mere imitation or repetition. What worked decades ago or even a decade ago may not work today. Even if it works today, it may not work tomorrow. What we need is a willingness to be flexible, to embrace a paradigm shift if necessary. We have to be willing to do is nothing less than a club renewal, a reinvention of our club if that’s what’s needed.

If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, of course. If your club is flourishing, then be satisfied and stay the course. But if you think you or your club can serve your community better, then go ahead and raise your hand at the next club meeting and get the process of change started. You may be the one who comes up with the next great idea to invigorate your club, district or even the association as a whole.

I’m not suggesting a radical transformation of Lionism. We will always be Knights of the Blind. But it’s the little things that count such as how clubs recruit members, hold meetings, publicize accomplishments and engage members in service. Clubs need to regularly assess how they do business and be ready to drop less successful practices and adopt new ones after careful study and planning.

It’s important to know that you are not alone in your quest for club betterment. International Headquarters has an array of effective, efficient programs to jumpstart your renewal and help guide it. Our new Baby Boomer recruitment methods and Family Lions Club program are two great examples of innovative initiatives to energize clubs and districts.

We’ve come a long way since 1917, never resting on our laurels or settling for second-best. Thanks to all the Lions who came before us, we are positioned for continued success. Let’s blow out the candles, grab the piece with the extra whipped cream and then return to our lives of service.