Membership Committee
Growing a club is a team effort — never a one-person job. A short, interactive tour of the membership chair's role, the committee that supports them, the membership types available, and the practical tools that turn recruitment into lasting retention.
If membership is what we're talking about — growing each of the clubs — without the membership chair and a committee, you can't do it alone. It's a team effort.
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Explain the role of the club membership chairperson.
- Describe how to identify and organize other membership committee members.
- Identify the recruiting tools and resources available to the committee.
- Understand how membership growth and member satisfaction work together to keep a club healthy.
The membership committee's duties — mind map
Six duties define the job. Tap any branch to reveal what it actually involves.
Without a membership committee, growing the club falls entirely on already-busy club officers. A dedicated committee — even just two or three extra people beating the bushes — makes recruitment dramatically easier.
Building the committee
The membership chair
A member of the club's Global Action Team. Often the club's immediate past president, though not always. The board of directors should meet with potential candidates for the role.
The committee itself
Two or more members alongside the chair. Lions International recommends including last year's chair, next year's potential chair, and members interested in recruitment or satisfaction.
Meet at the outset of the year — even before the club year begins on July 1 — to get organized. If you're replacing a previous committee, meet with them to learn what worked and what didn't.
The support network
The membership chair never works alone. Tap any box to see who's there to help.
Materials can be downloaded free from lionsclubs.org/membershipchair, or ordered by contacting Membership Development directly.
Membership types
Not every Lion fits the same mold — understanding the options helps you match new members to the right fit. Tap a type to learn more.
Whichever type a new member chooses, make sure they understand club, district and multiple-district dues ahead of time — many clubs split dues into quarterly or semi-annual installments to help members who can't pay it all upfront.
Retention & member satisfaction
The new-member checklist
- Have I made the new member feel welcome?
- Have I given them responsibilities that match their goals at the time of joining?
- Have I valued and respected their input and ideas?
- Have I made them feel like part of the family?
Tools for measuring satisfaction
Available at lionsclubs.org/membershipchair: the How Are Your Ratings survey, new member orientation resources, the Lions Mentoring Program, and a community needs assessment. Submit a member satisfaction report to club officers each month.
Mentoring
A sponsor is often a mentor too, but not always — some sponsors aren't comfortable in that role. If not, find another Lion who is, and have them stay with the new member for months or even a couple of years, keeping them informed of what's new in Lionism.
Members on the edge often don't last more than 18 months unless kept busy. Find out what a new member wants to do as a Lion, then let them run with it — and keep in close touch.
Recruiting tools
The "Just Ask" guide leads a club through a four-step recruiting process.
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Prepare your club
An unprepared club doesn't feel welcoming, and recruits won't stay. Make sure the club is genuinely ready for new members before you start recruiting.
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Create your club's growth plan
Set a goal, even a modest one — one or two new members a year is still growth. Present the plan to the board of directors for approval and support.
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Implement the growth plan
Ask members for prospects, promote the club at service events, attend zone and district meetings, and build a club website.
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Welcome new members
Share dues programs and membership categories so they can choose what fits, and use a recruiting-event report to track prospects and follow-up notes.
Club branches
Start a branch to reach people who can't attend regular meetings because of timing, distance, or format preference — including virtual meetings. Branch members count toward the club's overall membership and service reports.
New member emails
Since July 2017, Lions International sends emails to new members to educate, inspire and encourage engagement — but only if the club secretary keeps their contact information current.
Awards & recognition
- Given to a Lion who has brought in two or more new members
- Simple, quick to recognize new recruiting effort
- Begins at the 10th year of membership
- An additional hash mark every five years after that
- Present it in a fun, memorable way — the president usually gives it, sometimes a visiting zone or cabinet Lion
Simple recognition works too — a certificate of appreciation, or contributing to LCIF or a Melvin Jones Fellowship in a member's name — as long as accomplishments are vocalized regularly, not just at year's end.
The membership chair's planning calendar
Spread the work across the club year, quarter by quarter.
July – September
Create a membership development plan covering both retention and recruitment. Identify key community calendar events where you can promote member recruitment throughout the year.
October – December
Connect with members who haven't attended a meeting or activity in a while. Conduct a membership survey (How Are Your Ratings or similar), report findings to the club, and create an action plan to improve satisfaction.
January – March
Begin planning for Worldwide Induction Day in April. Consider starting a new club branch to attract a different segment of your community. Keep collaborating with the club secretary to keep rosters current.
April – June
The last quarter of the club year. Welcome new members on Worldwide Induction Day, celebrate successes, and record what worked and what didn't to help next year's committee plan ahead.
Check yourself
Eight quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- Does your club have a membership chair and a committee of at least two more people — not just one person carrying it all?
- Do you have a written growth plan for this year, approved by the board?
- Have you checked in personally — by phone, not just email — with members who've been absent lately?