Club Success
What turns an ordinary club into one people are proud to belong to? Leadership, members, meetings, service and clear goals — working together. A short, interactive guide.
If you can dream it, you can do it.— Walt Disney
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Describe the qualities of an effective club president.
- Explain why membership is everyone's job — and how to attract and keep members.
- Run meetings that are focused, welcoming and worth attending.
- Plan service and fundraising that keep the club energised.
- Set goals that turn good intentions into real success.
Run your club like a business — of service
Think of Walt Disney: a vision, clear goals, and leaders who listened to and honoured their people built something that still thrives long after him. A Lions club works the same way — the president is the CEO, and the 'product' is service that makes the community a happier place.
The big picture — mind map
Six pillars hold up a successful club. Tap any branch to reveal its key ideas.
Leadership starts with the president
Tap each trait to see what it looks like in practice.
Enthusiasm — with it there is accomplishment; without it there are only excuses.
— Henry FordMembers: find them, keep them
Membership is everyone's job — not just the membership chair's. Open each card for the practice behind it.
Keep everyone in the loop
Communication is the number-one factor. Use a newsletter, a website, a phone tree, calls and emails. Appoint a 'sunshine' member to mark birthdays, anniversaries and to check on anyone who is unwell.
A welcoming image
Ask yourself the honest question: if I were a guest, would I join my own club? Energy, warmth and a 'no-negativity' attitude keep a club growing. Our work is easy as long as it stays fun.
Welcome, mentor, give a job
The membership committee should both find new members and keep current ones. Orient them, give each a mentor, and give every new member a real job — belonging comes from doing.
Just ask — and keep asking
The easiest way to gain a member is to ask. What's the worst they'll say? If it's 'not now,' put a reminder to ask again in six months. Carry an invitation card, host an open house, and send real invitations.
The membership toolkit — four things to always have ready
As one Lion put it: 'Lions clubs don't die — they commit suicide.' Cliques, bullying and a neglected membership do more damage than any outside force. Keep the club a team that acts like a family, with no cliques.
Meetings people want to attend
Structure and fun are not opposites — the best meetings have both.
Structure: an agenda, on time
Always have an agenda and follow it; start and finish on time. Keep business brief with quick committee reports so it never takes over the meeting.
A minute of Lionism
Spend one minute each meeting on our story — Melvin Jones, our history, our mission — plus an interesting speaker. It keeps members connected to why they serve.
A real welcome
Hold impressive induction ceremonies — ideally led by a district officer — and have members greet each new Lion afterward. Use a rotating greeter so everyone meets everyone, and let a good tail twister add fun (without interrupting the meeting).
Service & fundraising that lasts
Plan the year at the start, refresh a project every year, and involve new members by letting them lead.
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Brainstorm early
Hold a club retreat at the start of the Lions year and set the calendar together.
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Serve across four causes
Spread projects across vision, youth, hunger and the environment — one focus per quarter is an easy rhythm.
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Fundraise as a team
Give every fundraiser a chairperson, a treasurer and a committee — never one person doing everything.
A money rule to remember: proceeds from any fundraiser open to the public must go to the charity (service) account — never to administration. To raise admin funds, keep it in-house, like a members-only auction.
Check yourself
Five quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- If a guest walked into our next meeting, what would make them want to join — and what might put them off?
- Which role in our club has no successor being trained right now?
- What is one goal we could set this year that we could actually measure?