Women LionsRecruitment and RetentionPresented by the MD 21 MERL Team: Women Lions Recruitment and Retention Presented by the MD 21 MERL Team


PURPOSE AND GOALS: PURPOSE AND GOALS What’s Past is Past – Looking at the Future Most clubs with women grow in size, have more new diversified service activities, and embrace more new fund-raising efforts.


Why Focus on Women?: Why Focus on Women? Amendment passed in 1987 Today - 229,469 women Lions (as of June 30, 2004) - 16.8% of Lions membership Comparison: - Lions – 16.8% women - World – 52% women


Tools to Succeed in 2005-2006: Tools to Succeed in 2005-2006 'I am a Lion' Brochure District Governor’s Award Women Chairpersons


“I am a Lion”: 'I am a Lion' Purpose - Used by Lions to recruit women members Function - Development, content, tone, and emphasis guided strongly by results of Lions Women’s Workshop Communicating to Women: Brochure


“I am a Lion”(Continued): 'I am a Lion' (Continued) Design - High impact Strong visual presence Appeals to quality women Lions seek Over 170,000 brochures were distributed in Fiscal Year 2004-05


Women’s Membership Development and Participation Chairpersons: Women’s Membership Development and Participation Chairpersons 401 chairpersons appointed in 2004-05 Position: 3-year term 77% of districts had Women Chairperson Average net increase of 23.8 women members for districts with Women Chairpersons


Results: Results Over 60,000 women recruited as Lions in 2004-05 A net increase of more than 25,000 women Lions


MD Women Chairpersons: MD Women Chairpersons What worked Working as member of MERL team Appointing sub-district Women’s Chairperson Working closely with the two to develop strategic plans and improve current activities Presenting programs and conducting seminars Publicity Booths at health fairs and other public events Social/informal meetings, inviting community women leaders to participate


Women Chairpersons: Women Chairpersons Challenges and Solutions Providing information and presentions to clubs, districts and multiple districts Changing mind set of male clubs to add women Encouraging new clubs to be formed Cliques in Clubs – rotate seating Lack of club leadership – organizing leadership training


Women Chairpersons: Women Chairpersons What is being done differently this year? Expand on the work done last year Increase number of club visits to raise awareness and initiate plan for women growth Conduct more panels at conferences/conventions, featuring new women Lions


Women Chairpersons: Women Chairpersons What is being done differently this year? (Continued) Increase focus on retention of current and new members Encourage all MERL teams to include women chairperson


POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES FOR MAINTAININGINVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST: POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES FOR MAINTAINING INVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST Strong leadership at club and district levels Effective orientation sessions Great meetings – interesting Efficiency (no time wasted) New/innovative ideas


POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES FOR MAINTAININGINVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST (CONT): POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES FOR MAINTAINING INVOLVEMENT AND INTEREST (CONT) Community-oriented fund raisers Hands-on community service Acceptance by all members Sponsor fulfillment of responsibilities Immediate involvement in areas of interest


Positive Attributes: Positive Attributes Open/friendly, no cliques Cost – dues are a bargain Open to family/spouse participation Value added training in useful skills Fun Solid Budget/Finance Members treated like family


What Do You Think?: What Do You Think? Is your club better off today, than a year ago? If more women were in leadership positions… would more women become Lions? How do we attract more individuals, regardless of gender, to be Lions? What should the goals of Lions Clubs International be?


What’s New in 2005-06: What’s New in 2005-06 International Officers’ Growth Initiative (IOGI) Symposium Continuation of District Governor and Women Chair Recognition


IOGI = International Officers Growth Initiative: IOGI = International Officers Growth Initiative Created to increase membership worldwide by 5% (68,400 net gain) Team – 6 Lion Leaders (IOGI officers), all (33) members of International Board, 746 district governors, 46,000 club presidents, and 1.4 million Lions IOGI goal will be surpassed if every Lions club has net gain of two


What Do You Think?: What Do You Think? What is the next step for LCI? What are you going to do? What are you waiting for?


Thank YouTHE END: Thank You THE END