Member Motivation
Why do Lions serve — and how do you keep them inspired for years? You can't hand someone motivation, but you can create the conditions where they find their own.
You can't buy a motivation capsule at the pharmacy — motivation comes from within.
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Define what motivation really is — and where it comes from.
- Outline three classic motivation theories and how they apply to Lions.
- Match members' activities to their interests and strengths.
- Keep members involved, communicating and evaluating along the way.
- Recognise members in ways that actually mean something to them.
Can you motivate anyone? Yes and no
You can motivate yourself — but you can't pass that motivation on directly, and there's no capsule for it at the pharmacy. What a leader can do is choose behaviours and create the stimuli that lead others to motivate themselves. Motivation is internal to each person; it arises from their own feelings about what's around them.
The big picture — mind map
Tap any branch to reveal its key ideas.
Three theories, one club
You don't need a psychology degree — just the useful idea inside each theory.
Maslow's hierarchy
Needs stack from survival up to self-actualization. A Lions club satisfies the higher ones: belonging, self-esteem, and being the best you can be.
McGregor's Theory Y
Lions are 'Theory-Y' people: motivated by real responsibility and the resources to deliver, a share in decisions, and recognition for a job well done.
McClelland's three needs
People are driven by achievement, affiliation or power. Give achievers challenging goals and feedback; give affiliators teamwork; give the power-driven a leadership role.
Putting it into practice
Motivation is a cycle — it starts before someone joins and never really stops.
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Match activities to interests
Use an interest inventory — for new and existing members alike — to learn what each Lion loves and how they like to be recognised. Interests evolve, so update it yearly.
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Get them involved immediately
Assign every new Lion to an active committee right away — even before they formally join. A responsibility gives a reason to show up.
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Acknowledge service and mark progress
Recognise what the club does at every meeting, recall past accomplishments, and celebrate benchmarks on long projects so they never feel endless.
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Communicate, evaluate, and have fun
Use each Lion's preferred channel, review projects honestly to see if they still fit — and keep it fun, because clubs that enjoy themselves don't burn out.
Be upfront about the time and financial commitments before someone joins — dues, meals, ticket quotas, meeting times, fundraisers. It feels like a lot of detail, but it's far better than a new Lion having to resign because the reality surprised them.
Recognition that means something
Different Lions value different rewards. Tap each idea to learn more.
The most meaningful recognition often isn't from the front of the room — it's a peer. Don't leave thanks to the president or a committee alone: a handwritten note, call or email from a fellow Lion, acknowledging them as an equal, can matter most. And make sure every member is recognised at least once a year.
Check yourself
Five quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- Do we actually know what each of our members enjoys — or are we assuming?
- Which member has given a lot lately without a single word of thanks?
- Is our club fun enough that people look forward to the next meeting?