Governor’s Newsletter District A-12 District Governor Len Day
October 2016
My LionsFamily
Ways to Recruit New Members
As District Governor I am suppose to motivate the members of District A12 but as the year progresses I find that the members are motivating me to be a better Lions member. Our Lions are positive and optimistic that our goals will be achieved. Our lions are finding ways for kids to go to camp, finding ways to help the blind, looking after the environment and feeding the hungry. Our Lions are helping the Lions of the world reach our new goal of serving 200,000,000 people. A12 is Climbing New Mountains everyday as we continue lead though service to connecting our clubs to our communities and we invite people to make us make a bigger impact locally and globally. Lions Clubs international have many great programs that need our support like the Peace Poster and Essay contest, the Effective speaking contest, the Environmental Photo contest and the youth exchange program. These are just some of the project that Lions do while we Give a Hand Up. If you want more information on the different projects contact one of our district chairs for more information or for help to get involved. “We Serve” is not just our motto it is what we do as Lions. The Lions listen to our internal voice that says yes I can and don't stop until the job is done. All our projects are important and every club sets its own list of what they want to do that is why our organization is the best in the world because we can work together for a common good and we can do things that are specific to our own community. Our Lions live their passions and follow their dreams every day to ensure that the needed service is always provided no matter where. I am inspired by what the Lions do locally and around the world I hope this also inspirers you to provide more service. I am asking you the Lions of A12 to provide more service to our communities and to the world. You have inspired me and I know that you inspire your club members. It is time we inspire the people that want to be Lions to become Lions. Thank you Lions for accepting the challenge to climb a New Mountain, to find ways to Give a Hand Up to those that need it. Thank you for motivating the people that we need as Lions so we can lead through service for another 100 years. Always be proud you are a Lions member, of the work you do and the friendships you make as you give a Hand Up in Life in your community and around the world.
Lions are dedicated to service. Our motto, “we serve,” says it all. Each new member impacts the lives of 70 people annually, so the more we invite the more we can serve. Below are recruitment resources your club can use to help invite for impact this Lions Year. From webinars to brochures, Lions Clubs International have a variety of assets to help you get started! 1. Just Ask! Imagine if every Lion asked just 1 person to join their club – think of how many people we could serve. All it takes is asking one family member, friend or neighbour. Download the Just Ask Guide today and see helpful tips to ask one! http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/EN/pdfs/me300.pdf 2. Engage through Service Host a project in your community that addresses visual impairments, such as a vision screening. Be sure to have flyers, membership applications and brochures available for community members to learn more about your Lions Club. 3. Host a Membership Drive PCC Ron Seybold recently told webinar listeners all about how his multiple district conducts membership drives. Listen to the whole webinar https://vimeo.com/184744156 and find the useful resources below: Sample Invitation Letter Prospect List Proposed Agenda Membership drive checklist 4. Keep Members Happy Everyone has a different reason for joining a club; make sure you’re nurturing your members. Review our Membership Satisfaction guide for more information. http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/EN/pdfs/me301.pdf 5. Create a Campaign of “100 Reasons to be a Lion” When you’ve talked to your members using the Membership Satisfaction guide and learned why they became a Lion, consider creating a list (as suggested in our Ways to Celebrate flyer) of 100 reasons to become a Lion. Share the list on your club webpage and social media. Here are a few reasons to become a Lion: · Help impact lives all over the world · Make an impact on your community · Meet new friends (and maybe your future spouse) http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/EN/pdfs/lions100/CN T9.pdf
President’s Message The Meaning of Lions Same Today as Before The pages of LION Magazine during the early years of Lions in the 1920s were filled with stories such as “The Purpose of Lions,” “The Meaning of Lionism” and “The Value of Lions.” A businessman’s club dedicated to service was still a novel concept, and it was as if Lions had to convince themselves that they were on the right track. The uncertainty led Lions to question whether Lions Clubs would even survive. “During my lifetime I have seen organizations formed with the highest ideals flourish for a time, then drop into comparative unimportance. Will that be the fate of Lionism? I hope not,” wrote District Governor A. Baker of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in January 1922. But Lions stayed the course. They stuck with service. Fellowship was part of membership. But service was paramount. “Activities Make the Club” was the headline for a column in 1927 by International President Irving Camp of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. “Show me a club that simply meets and eats, and I will show you a club that has failed to respond to the call of service as invited in the very principles of our great, unselfish organization,” he wrote. Rapidly approaching our Centennial in 2017, we now know that our forebears were right. Service is what makes a Lion. It’s what we do. It’s who we are. That has never been more evident than over the past couple of years. We set a goal to serve 100 million people by June 30, 2018. The four campaigns have been Engaging Youth, Sharing the Vision, Relieving the Hunger and Protecting the Environment. We wondered whether we’d reach the goal because clubs typically had reported to Lions Clubs International serving 8 million people annually (but we knew the true figure was higher). I’m elated to tell you that in early September we reached our goal of serving 100 million people. Take pride in being part of an association that lives up to its amazing ideals. Like Lions of yesteryear, we put service first. But unlike them, we are confident we will be here for a long, long time! Thank you for all you do as a Lion, and I hope to see you at the 100th International Convention in Chicago June 30-July 4, 2017.
Chancellor Bob Corlew Lions Clubs International President
District Governor Lion Len
Our new A12 District Pin available from your friendly District Officer
Where’s the news from all the A-12 Clubs?We want to spread your news and photos to all Lions in A-12 and beyond. Send Stories and Hi-Res Photos to: newsletter@a12lions.org by the 15th of the month.