We’re on a mission
Membership growth
The more we grow, the more we can give. With MISSION 1.5, all Lions have the opportunity to be recognized.
Growth and Impact Awards
More growth means more impact. These awards recognize Lions who are expanding our reach and strengthening our future.
New club development
We do not grow by acting alone. Start early, finish strong, be recognized as a Lion.
Member retention awards
Kindness guides us. Earn pins, plaques, and patches for your service and dedication to MISSION 1.5.
MISSION 1.5 awards
Every mission has its rewards.
In the case of MISSION 1.5, the ultimate prize will be the lasting effect a growing membership has on our capacity to serve those in need.
But along the way, there will be opportunities to earn unique signature pins, plaques and banner patches in recognition of specific MISSION 1.5 milestones and achievements.
Membership growth
The biggest change begins with you. You bring special talents and unique skills to our service. And so will every new member you proudly add to the ranks of your local club.
MISSION 1.5 Membership Rockstar Award
Lions do more than serve together – we grow together. The top Lions sponsors worldwide will be recognized with a special MISSION 1.5 Membership Rockstar Pin and Plaque.
Qualifying criteria
- Be one of the 150 people who sponsor the most new members during each Lion year. Each constitutional area will have at least 5 winners per year.
MISSION 1.5 membership rockstars will also be recognized on lionsclubs.org, in LION Magazine, and at international convention.
Past winners
MISSION 1.5 Growth Champion Pin
Past officers never stop demonstrating their generous commitment to keeping Lions strong. As such, each year past international presidents, past international directors, and past district governors will have unique opportunities to earn exclusive Gold and Silver Growth Champion Pins, with the year inscribed, throughout MISSION 1.5.
Qualifying criteria
- Silver MISSION 1.5 Growth Champion - Sponsor at least 2 new members in a Lion year
- Gold MISSION 1.5 Growth Champion - Sponsor at least 5 new members in a Lion year
MISSION 1.5 Sponsor Pin
In addition to the traditional sponsor pin, Lions who sponsor a new member during MISSION 1.5 will also receive a special MISSION 1.5 Sponsor Pin designed to celebrate the achievement of welcoming a new member to your Lions club.
Qualifying criteria
- Sponsor a new member during MISSION 1.5
All new members and charter members who become Lions during MISSION 1.5 will receive a special member pin in addition to the traditional new member or charter member pin.
Growth and Impact Awards
Growth and Impact Awards recognize Lions who are driving meaningful progress in membership, leadership and service. Participants can earn Leadership Medals and Presidential Medals for reaching key milestones that advance Lions’ global impact.
Membership Growth and Impact Award
Recognizes district achievement in membership recruitment growth.
Once a district qualifies, the district governor may nominate a Lion from their district who has made an outstanding contribution.
Qualifying criteria
- 25% recruitment target achieved — Leadership Medal
- 75% recruitment target achieved — Presidential Medal
- 100% recruitment target achieved — Presidential Medal and Leadership Medal
Awards may be earned again at each additional 25%, 75%, and 100% recruitment target milestone achieved beyond 100% (i.e., 125%, 175%, 200%). For a complete breakdown of district milestone recruitment targets, please refer to our comprehensive district milestone spreadsheet.
Leadership Growth and Impact Award
Recognizes district GLT excellence in club officer training completion.
Qualifying criteria
- 95% club officer training completion — Presidential Medal will be presented to the first 10% of districts within each constitutional area to achieve this milestone.
- 75% club officer training completion — Leadership Medal will be presented to the first 10% of districts within each constitutional area to achieve this milestone without reaching 95% completion.
District GLT coordinators are eligible to receive only one medal, not both. If the district GLT is ineligible to receive this recognition, they will be able to nominate someone on their behalf. All activities must be reported by June 30, 2027 to qualify.
Service Growth and Impact Award
Recognizes district GST who led district-wide service projects supporting Lions Weeks of Service.
Qualifying criteria
- Three qualifying district-wide service projects completed and reported — Leadership Medal
- Projects must support the designated Weeks of Service initiatives focused on Youth, Vision and Environment.
- Four qualifying district-wide service projects completed and reported across four global causes — Presidential Medal
- Includes the three designated Weeks of Service projects plus one additional project aligned to any other Lions global cause.
District GST coordinators are eligible to receive only one medal, not both. If the district GST is ineligible to receive this recognition, they will be able to nominate someone on their behalf. Projects may be completed at any time throughout the fiscal year. All activities must be reported by June 30, 2027 to qualify.
New club development
Committing to the creation of new clubs is an essential part of membership growth. We are stronger together. Always.
MISSION 1.5 Extension Champion Pin
Past officers are proven leaders. Because of this, each year past international presidents, past international directors, and past district governors will have unique opportunities to earn limited-edition Extension Champion Pins, with the year inscribed, during MISSION 1.5.
Qualifying criteria
- Charter a new club during MISSION 1.5
MISSION 1.5 Extension Excellence Pin
Club organizers who charter new clubs deserve recognition. These special edition MISSION 1.5 Extension Excellence Pins will be awarded at the chartering ceremony of the new club each recipient helped establish.
Qualifying criteria
- Charter a new club during MISSION 1.5
MISSION 1.5 Extension Excellence Banner Patch
The Extension Excellence Banner Patch has been specially designed for MISSION 1.5. When you sponsor a new club and add this limited-edition patch to your own club banner, it says to the world you understand – the more we grow, the more we’re able to give.
Qualifying criteria
- Charter a new club during MISSION 1.5
Member retention awards
MISSION 1.5 is your opportunity to emerge as a Lion leader, put your club on the map and show that serving side by side means growing stronger together.
Premier Club Award
MISSION 1.5’s Premier Club is a four-tiered, progressive award system with Premier, Silver, Gold, and Diamond levels. There is an opportunity to advance one tier every Lion Year, but to reach Diamond status by 2027, Premier Club status must be achieved in the first year.
Qualifying criteria
- Gain a new MISSION 1.5 Premier Club award tier each year by achieving 100% retention (excluding drops for reason of “deceased” only), 10% growth, with a minimum of 5 new members.
Premier Club Award winners at and above the Silver Tier will also be recognized in LION magazine and at international convention.
Platinum Club Award
There is a special place reserved at the top of the MISSION 1.5 mountain. It’s an elite level only the most dedicated Lions clubs can attain. Lions always rise to the occasion. This is the occasion.
Qualifying criteria
- Retain 100% of existing membership (excluding drops for reason of “deceased” only) and double club size by adding at least 20 new members.
Platinum Club Award winners will also be recognized in LION Magazine and at international convention.
Target achievement
A little change goes a long way, and global change starts with local efforts. By achieving membership targets, you’ll qualify for additional MISSION 1.5 awards.
MISSION 1.5 Hero Award: Mid-Year Milestone
Heroes lead by example. And Lion leaders who oversee specific areas that achieve their membership target will receive a true hero’s reward – these Mission Hero Plaques.
Qualifying criteria
- Awarded to district governors, district/MD coordinators and GAT area leaders meeting 50% of their established membership target by December 31 each year of MISSION 1.5 with at least one new club formed.
- District governors must also personally sponsor at least 5 new members
- GAT area leaders and GAT district/MD coordinators must also have all of the districts in their purview reach half their targets and personally sponsor at least 5 new members or form a new club
Districts achieving their targets will be recognized on lionsclubs.org at the end of each year.
Past winners
MISSION 1.5 Hero Award: Year-End Milestone
Elite MISSION 1.5 Hero Award Medals will be presented to qualifying district governors, GAT area leaders, GAT district/MD coordinators, zone chairpersons and region chairpersons who have truly gone above and beyond MISSION 1.5’s call of duty by the end of the Lion year.
Qualifying criteria
- Silver Medals – awarded to leaders achieving 75% of the membership target and sponsoring at least 5 new members or forming a new club (Silver medals are not available to zone/region chairpersons)
- Gold Medals – awarded to leaders achieving 100% of the membership target and sponsoring at least 5 new members or forming a new club (See below for specific zone and region chairperson requirements)
Gold medalists will also be recognized on lionsclubs.org, in LION magazine and at international convention.
Zone chairpersons of zones with at least 4 clubs and region chairpersons of regions with at least 8 clubs will receive the Gold Medal if the zone/region had overall growth and the zone/region chairperson sponsored at least 5 members or formed a new club.
Past winners
Additional resources
Explore the links below to learn more about making MISSION 1.5 a success.
- Awards Presentation: This MISSION 1.5 awards presentation is a great way to get Lions excited about the mission and the recognition they can earn.
- Global Membership Approach
- Global Membership Approach FAQ’s
- Start a New Club
- Just Ask! Recruitment Guide
Questions?
Send us an email at [email protected]. or visit the MISSION 1.5 page for more information.