Salute The Heritage . . . Reward the Effort
Steady, consistent recruitment efforts are essential to a club's continued success. New members help to reinvigorate a club, not only by providing more hands to help those in need, but also by providing fresh ideas, perspectives and enthusiasm. Membership Key Awards acknowledge the importance of effective recruitment in membership growth by recognizing the number of new members a Lion has sponsored.

Each of the 17 Membership Keys is designed to reflect the number of new members sponsored. Keys are automatically issued by International Headquarters, based on the Monthly Membership Report statistics submitted by club secretaries, with a sponsoring Lion appropriately credited after a new member has remained a Lion for a year and a day.

Membership Key Awards
Each key is a lapel pin with a clutch backing. For the Key of Nations (recognizing 100 members) and above, the lapel pins are complemented by a distinctive medallion and presentation ribbon.

Rules of Eligibility
1. A new member must remain a Lion for a year and a day before the name may be used as credit toward a key, to be issued the 13th month; except where the sponsored member dies, transfers or moves from the community before the expiration of a year and a day.
2. The name of the new member, with the sponsor’s name, member number, and club number, must be reported on the club’s monthly membership report. (For existing clubs only.)
3. Charter, transfer, and reinstated members cannot be used as credit for a key.
4. Only one sponsor per new member can receive credit for a key.
5. No sponsor shall receive more than one key of the same type.

The Membership Key Program Brochure (ME-36) is available here or by contacting the Membership Operations Department at International Headquarters by phone (630) 571-5466 ext. 340; fax (630) 571-1691; or e-mail memberops@lionsclubs.org.