Members

CONCEPT PAPER FOR SETTING UP NEW CLUBS & INCREASING MEMBERSHIP IN UGANDA.

“True to our Mission”

By: Benon Kataate (411B GMT cordinator

 

INTRODUCTION:

GMT means Global membership Team. The Global Membership Team (GMT) provides a global structure for membership development which is continuous, focused, and integrated.

The GMT has a two-pronged Invite for Impact approach:

  1. Extension - Starting new clubs.
  2. Recruitment- Inform club officers and membership chairpersons about the training and tools available to them to recruit and engage members, and get clubs in to action.

District Extension goals 2016/17.

  1. Positive growth of at least 200 members & a member drop rate of no more than 12% of total membership.
  2. To have a minimum of 21 members for those clubs still below 20 members by April 2017.
  3. Charter at least 4 new clubs by April 2017.
  4. Recruit at least 60 women and 60 family members by April 2017.

Why club Extension & member recruitment.

New clubs and recruiting members to existing clubs is important for the following reasons:

  1. There are higher Mountains to climb which requires fresh dedication and energies. As we conclude a century of existence, its apparent there are even greater challenges than we ever imagined. We need to finish with positive membership growth!
  2. The Future of Lions depends on extension.

With new Lions clubs we enable more Lions to continue making a difference.  We support LCIF’ work with funds,but members remain our most sustainable resource in service delivery. The challenges of some communities without a Lions club will be addressed by extension.

  1. To rejuvenate and grow Membership.

Starting new clubs grows active volunteers with enthusiasm, new resources, innovation and better leadership skills.

 

  1. Community is what we make it.

 Starting new clubs gives communities currently without a Lions club the opportunity to respond to their unique local needs. It gives opportunity to community and service-minded individuals to be involved in projects they care about. It avails more hands for service.

  1. To Engage New Member types.

No two Lions clubs are alike, because no two people are alike. A new club allows members to establish a unique club culture using modern communication, gender &family involvement, age groups and shared interests.

 

More People need to become Volunteers than ever before, why?

Voluntarism is on general decline in our places. We need to motivate our fellow citizens to recognize it as beneficial to them. People should volunteer for these reasons among others:

 

1.

 

Feeling needed, important

 

41.

 

Escape from stress and burn out

2.

Enjoying a challenge

42.

Status

3.

Opportunity to be creative

43.

Have fun

4.

Explore career change

44.

New ideas

5.

Gratitude for service received

45.

New friends

6.

Develop skills and experience

46.

Bring about a social change

7.

Update skills and experience

47.

Bring about an organizational change

8.

To share a skill

48.

Identify with a cause

9.

To teach a skill

49.

Be close to the action

10.

Get used to working again after illness

50.

To be a resource

11.

Power

51.

Find a mentor

12.

To learn about community

52.

Be a mentor

13.

Because a child wants them to

53.

Topic of conversation

14.

Networking

54.

Establish peer relationships

15.

Social contacts

55.

Look for a significant relationship

16.

Help a friend or relative

56.

Fulfill a court order (community service)

17.

Release guilt

57.

Peer pressure

18.

Increase skills to add to resume

58.

Potential future job

19.

School/business ambassador

59.

To get to know a community

20.

Public relations for employer

60.

To repay a debt

21.

Cure loneliness and boredom

61.

Religious / faith-based beliefs

22.

Be part of a particular group

62.

To gain leadership skills

23.

Self-improvement

63.

To act out a fantasy

24.

Excitement

64.

Pressure from friend / relative

25.

Use existing skills and experience

65.

To gain free admission

26.

Prepare for retirement

66.

To get give-aways / freebies

27.

To demonstrate commitment to a cause

67.

To get something you can’t buy

28.

To do a civic duty

68.

To be recognized for a talent or skill

29.

Identity

69.

Non-verbal expression

30.

To become an “insider”

70.

To instigate

31.

To be able to criticize others

71.

To report back to someone (spy)

32.

To be part of a team

72.

As a family project

33.

To test yourself

73.

Because it saved your person.

34.

To be a watchdog

74.

To get a day /week off from work

35.

As therapy

75.

To get exercise

36.

To assure progress is made

   

37.

Because of a personal illness

And…

38.

To stand up and be counted

BECAUSE THEY ’RE ASKED!

39.

Because of a personal problem

40.

To test personal limits

   

 

Lions clubs offer the following specific additional benefits:

  • Affiliation to a worlds largest service club organization.
  • Opportunities to travel widely/globally.
  • Leadership opportunities in clubs &through trainings at RLLI and other fora.
  • Family builder through family membership.
  • Immediate benefits to Communities by solving burning problems.
  • Offers quick emergency support in event of disaster, and attracts foreign funding for humanitarian projects in our communities.

 

Credentials of a good Lions recruiter:

  • Be truly passionate about Lionism. Talk to potential lions with passion.
  • Be very knowledgeable on the subject of Lionism.
  • Be willing to sacrifice time/resources to prepare for and do extensions work.
  • Ability to read widely on Lions matters.
  • Sell objectively talking on both benefits and responsibilities.
  • Be consistent in doing follow up after disseminating information.

 

Some recruitment/marketing ideas.

  1. Check all your phone (s) contacts and choose only 20 names to invite to Lionism.
  2. Bring your own spouse in to the fold of Lionism today!
  3. Contact newspapers to write about the Lions programs/advertise Lions work.
  4. Hold volunteer recruitment parties/dinners,b/fast meetings, lunches.
  5. Sponsor a stall at a special event such as Trade and Agricultural shows..
  6. Ask other organizations how they recruit volunteers and follow their examples.
  7. Provide information about your next project and invite people to participate.

Send out flyers. Put flyers where likely volunteers go to:

Shops, Supermarkets, Community centers, Churches, Baraza areas/boards in public places, Libraries, Public notice boards ..etc...

  1. Plan a display when doing a service project, people can see first hand the work you do and at the same time, can inquire about membership, read about Lions and look into serving.
  2. Use the contact information of those who express interest in Lionism in the clubs guests register. Inform those interested in ways to become involved.
  3. Place an ad in school and community/business publications such as a school newsletter.
  4. Invite a local radio station to broadcast live from your next activity/event.
  5. Do Radio Talk shows on Communities issues and invite listeners to join you.
  6. Be visible-Make sign posts, Post billboards/mobile advertising, use town criers.
  7. Ask grocery stores to put info about the LIONs programs in buyers bags.
  8. Place your club in and utilize Yellow Pages/directories.
  9. Use THE LION Magazine. Donate the LION magazine to your public &University library, in doctors, dentists or other offices.
  10. Develop a Web page, whats up.. . Promote your club on the Internet.
  11. Write a news release to tell your community about upcoming club events.
  12. Show audio-visual and power point presentations at installations, Local councils etc.
  13. Recruit one-on-one. Meet with a prospective member individually to inform them about the club. Follow-up with any prospective member inquiries.
  14. Have a guests register book and take it at all activities. Phone call people from list and call to let them know Lionism and what the club is doing for their community.
  15. Invite senior citizens to take part in your activities/ projects.
  16. Write letters and e-mails. Develop a mailing list of people who have participated in previous projects as well as a list of other people you would like to invite as members.
  17. Produce club newsletters. Mail a special edition of your clubs newsletter to prospective members.
  18. Run contests at club, Zone, Region District level. Creating a competition out of Who can invite the most new members?
  19. Conduct a Community Needs Assessment to do community relevant activities.
  20. Keep former members on your list and involve them in functions/activities.
  21. Monitor your member activity; keep in touch if members have challenges.
  22. Conduct old members, new member or prospective member needs appraisal/survey to keep them engaged and motivated to keep in the club.

 

Developing a Membership Marketing Campaign.

Step 1: Form effective club membership committee to plan and commit to recruitment.

Step 2: Identify Your Target Markets.

Step 3: Review and Analyze Previous Programs: Collect information on previous membership growth and retention programs. Scrutinize the effectiveness of each program and discuss ways in which they can be improved. Be sure to include the most effective programs in your new plan.

 

Step 4: Chart your Strategy: Choose a target market and then outline how your club will approach each group. Send announcements explaining a special activity to people who will benefit from the program. Invite them to take part in the activity.

 

Designing a recruitment campaign strategy. (see example)

 

Identify market target

Identify strategy

Action plan

When and by who?

1.Friends

 

 

P.pt presentation

Letters etc

Venue, date, invitations, phone call, presentation

President, MD 1st April

 

This should be supported by a budget/member offers, and followed by evaluation and follow up.

 

Recruitment Campaigns

In practice recruitment should be a year round process. LCI has traditionally set up the months of April and October as recruitment campaign months, but many clubs do not seem to give these months the special recruitment status they deserve.

The recruitment campaign should:

    • Target appropriate audiences.
    • Outline responsibilities and time commitment.
    • Be appealing and enthusiastic.
  • Be year round.
  • Utilize a variety of recruitment techniques.
  • Look at non-traditional sources for Lion volunteers. eg. Senior citizens/retired persons, priests, progressive farmers, teachers, our families, pastors etc.

 

Materials should:

  • Describe the basics of the Lions movement -History, founder, Vision, Mission, objectives, code of ethics/Values, Key achievements over the last 100 years
  • Highlight the need for more Lion members
  • Point out the benefits &obligations of being a Lion.
  • Explain how one can become a Lion/ start a new club.
  • Motivate volunteers to sign-up/make decision to join clubs.
  • Encourage active Lions to refer other known potential Lions in the Communities.

 

The more meaningful, visible, and consistent the recruitment message is, the more lasting the impression will be for potential Lions/volunteers.

 

Direct Recruitment.

Direct recruitment is carried out through one-on-one contact or in group presentations and is the most preferred route. The Membership Director or any active Lions can drive direct recruitment. Because they are speaking on behalf of the club, recruiters should be chosen for their strong interpersonal communication skills as well as enthusiasm and sensitivity.

 

Presentations should clearly state the programs and needs of the Lions clubs; outline the volunteer’s role and responsibilities/obligations. Although flyers, slides, photographs, audio, or visual tools may be used, they should not take the place of the oral presentation. After each direct recruitment appeal, the MD or other recruiter should offer an opportunity for one-on-one interaction and immediate sign-up of volunteers.

 

Ask 1 (one) (Pick from your phone contacts and Ask!

All Lions are required to ask a spouse, friend, relative and other close persons to join Lionism.

Family Membership.

Get as many family members in to the den!

Indirect Recruitment.

Indirect recruitment takes the form of marketing tools, including fact sheets, flyers, press releases and news letters,TV, Radio, internet.  All marketing tools should be followed by personal contact as far as possible. An in-depth discussion of marketing tools can be found on the Lions website Ref www.lionsclubs.org.

 

Who should be Recruited and where?

All age groups above 18 years are eligible Lions clubs. Each age group should be motivated to serve for different reasons (see list above).

Prospective volunteers should have a positive outlook and a love for service in their Communities and able to pay their membership fees!. Candidates that fit this description can be found in a variety of places, including:

 

  • University &Tertially Institutions staff.
  • High Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Dioceses, Churches
  • Social and civic groups
  • Business Centres
  • Local Councils and National Parliament
  • National Teachers colleges, and Grade 3 TTCs
  • Progressive farmers
  • SACCOs & Co-operative Unions.
  • Business Communities, Industrial & Chambers of Commerce
  • Cultural entities- kingdoms,
  • Other Service clubs
  • Tourist camps, Hotels and Community centers

Retention:

Retaining old and new members is critical for growth to be realized. The environment of the club is very important for volunteer retention. New Lions will respond positively to:

      • Well-organized clubs- active engaging leadership, good planners.
      • Communication in language well known by new lions.
      • Experience shows some Lions are motivated by activities than meetings.
      • New areas of learning, and fun in the club.
      • Pleasant meeting surroundings.
      • Clear volunteer involvement/ responsibilities.
      • A positive attitude towards new Lions.
      • Recognition  ..etc

 

Brief guide on starting new clubs/club branches:

  • Identify area to start a new club/club branch.
  • Utilise all contacts and networks of your club members to get initial candidates.
  • Hold maiden presentation/meeting with initial candidates. Introduce subject.
  • Schedule next meeting & Select interim coordinators to do more mobilization.
  • Hold subsequent meetings, select club name, collect entry fee (@US$30).
  • When you have >20 members (5 or more for club branch) download application forms and fill them out.
  • Send filled out forms to the DG for endorsement and submission to LCI.
  • When approved, plan charter night as you await receipt of Club Charter certificate from LCI.
  • Select 3 guiding Lions to nurture new club for at least 2 years.

 

Conclusion:

The year started on 1st July and time is going. We need to create effective membership committees to plan and drive membership programs. Go and extend LIONISM to your neighboring towns and persons today. The tips above are tested to deliver outcomes. Let’s apply them as far as we can. You will be surprised by the positive outcomes by April 2017.

 

Tools and further reading.

  • Lions website- www.lions clubs.org.
  • See these documents on website- New club tool box, Charter application forms, How to organize charter night, GMT and GLT, Guiding lions, forming new clubs, ..etc.
  • DG Vennies hand book for 2016/17.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF 411 DISTRICT (Uganda) RECAP Jne-JULY 2016 &Projections for 2016/17.

KAMPALA HOST 16 23 19 4 49 52 0 0 0 1 0 101
District 411 B 33132 JINJA 5 8 7 1 16 30 0 0 0 0 0 46
District 411 B 35297 SOROTI 1 1 1 0 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 13
District 411 B 49162 MBARARA 20 34 14 20 44 59 0 0 0 0 0 103
District 411 B 51867 KABALE 2 2 1 1 14 27 0 0 0 5 0 41
District 411 B 52964 MASAKA 9 15 13 2 25 32 0 0 0 0 0 57
District 411 B 54198 BUSHENYI 16 60 27 33 36 41 0 0 0 0 0 77
District 411 B 55017 KAKIRA 3 3 3 0 7 36 0 0 0 0 0 43
District 411 B 56506 KASESE 2 2 2 0 15 16 0 0 0 0 0 31
District 411 B 56738 KAMPALA CENTRAL 18 21 17 4 88 91 3 2 1 2 0 179
District 411 B 60243 IGANGA 1 4 1 3 5 11 0 0 0 0 0 16
District 411 B 61853 KAMPALA CITY 1 1 1 0 8 4 0 0 0 0 0 12
District 411 B 65008 ARUA 2 2 2 0 14 17 0 0 0 0 0 31
District 411 B 66539 ENTEBBE 8 8 8 0 25 26 0 0 0 0 0 51
District 411 B 89531 YUMBE 1 1 0 1 5 7 0 0 0 0 0 12
District 411 B 104008 KAMPALA NEW CENTURY 4 4 3 1 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 26
District 411 B 108105 KYENJOJO 0 0 0 0 4 14 0 0 0 0 0 18
District 411 B 116940 BUSIA GREATER 4 4 3 1 11 23 0 0 0 0 0 34
District 411 B 118304 KUMI CENTRAL 8 8 7 1 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 32
District 411 B 119598 Gulu Metropolitan 5 5 5 0 9 13 0 0 0 0 0 22
District 411 B 120435 Ntungamo 30 74 26 48 35 84 0 0 0 0 0 119
District 411 B 120840 Mbarara Central 12 18 12 6 18 38 0 0 0 0 0 56
District 411 B 124540 Sheema 8 15 7 8 8 18 0 0 0 0 0 26
District 411 B 124965 Tororo Host 0 0 0 0 3 9 0 0 0 0 0 12
District 411 B 126210 Kisoro 4 12 4 8 8 25 0 0 0 0 0 33
District 411 B 127549 Ngora 1 1 0 1 8 17 0 0 0 0 0 25
District 411 B 130367 Ibanda Centennial 8 24 11 13 16 24 0 0 0 0 0 40
District 411 B 130793 Lira Urban 0 0 0 0 1 15 0 0 0 0 0 16
MBR0018 Page 1 of 2

Total

Club Ttl.
Male
Club Ttl.
Females

Fam. Unit
1/2 Dues
Fam. Unit
Club Name HH's

Club
District Number

as of April, 2024

Summary of Membership Types and Gender by Club
Student
Total

Leo Lion
Total
Young Adult
Total

Fam. Unit 1/2 Dues
Female Male

Student Members
Female Male

Run Date: 5/10/2024 11:09:56PM

District 411 B 136074 Makerere 1 1 0 1 9 16 0 0 0 0 0 25
District 411 B 136787 Bwambara 13 13 10 3 16 44 0 0 0 0 0 60
District 411 B 137877 Pakwach 0 0 0 0 9 18 0 0 0 0 0 27
District 411 B 139770 Kasangati 1 1 1 0 9 10 0 0 0 0 0 19
District 411 B 140059 Rukungiri 18 55 20 35 27 51 0 0 0 0 0 78
District 411 B 140449 Fort Portal City 0 0 0 0 5 12 0 0 0 0 0 17
District 411 B 141598 Nyapea 1 2 0 2 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 14
District 411 B 141734 Mukono Host 6 10 7 3 22 22 0 0 0 0 0 44
District 411 B 142032 Kampala East 7 7 7 0 32 34 0 0 0 0 0 66
District 411 B 143223 Nebbi 2 2 2 0 9 16 0 0 0 0 0 25
District 411 B 144569 Bushenyi Specialty 3 12 2 10 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 15
District 411 B 146041 Kampala Victoria Luzira 3 3 3 0 36 24 0 0 0 0 0 60
District 411 B 146108 Kanungu 2 5 3 2 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 14
District 411 B 149174 Mitooma 3 3 2 1 8 14 0 0 0 0 0 22
District 411 B 149181 Masaka City 0 0 0 0 8 12 0 0 0 0 0 20
District 411 B 149322 Sheema Specialty 8 19 11 8 15 13 0 0 0 0 0 28
District 411 B 149348 Njeru Nile 2 4 3 1 5 7 0 0 0 0 0 12
District 411 B 150957 Kira Host 1 1 1 0 13 15 0 0 0 0 0 28
District 411 B 150959 Wakiso Host 1 1 1 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 18
District 411 B 151220 Kasangati Greater 7 14 10 4 20 30 0 0 0 0 0 50
District 411 B 151322 Nsambya Kampala 1 1 1 0 9 4 0 0 0 0 0 13
District 411 B 152001 Kamwenge Host 11 41 10 31 11 43 0 0 0 0 0 54
District 411 B 153230 Seeta 3 3 2 1 11 14 0 0 0 0 0 25
District 411 B 153261 Entebbe Road 3 3 2 1 7 15 0 0 0 0 0 22
District 411 B 153614 Hoima Albertine 6 13 5 8 6 15 0 0 0 0 0 21
District 411 B 153713 Soroti City 0 0 0 0 8 10 0 0 0 0 0 18

Total Members:2,067
Total Clubs:

817 1,250 

           

 

 

             
             

 

 

Strategies:

  • Each member be sensitized to recruit at least one member beginning with spouses! All members please own up/Be true to our mission this key duty to grow your association as we cross 100 years of existence.
  • Encourage clubs with less than 21 members to work harder on recruitment use tips in concept paper.
  • Encourage women membership. We expect at least new 60 family & 60 women members.
  • Grow strong clubs with net gain of minimum of 8 members.
  • Minimize member drops- strengthen retention, strengthen zone and club leadership through GLT, more activities, do CEP and strategic review at all clubs/branches.
  • Charter at least 3-4 clubs in the year with minimum of 25 members each.
  • Work directly with Region chairpersons who must actively drive zone and club leaders to achieve targets.
  • Induct members at all DG visits and installation nights.
  • Report all new members promptly.

Challenges to be dealt with:

  • Petty conflicts in clubs need to be addressed.
  • Untimely ,or Non reporting of new members.
  • Uninspiring leadership in some clubs.
  • Costs of travel and time constraints in travelling on club charter missions.

 

Benon Kataate.

GMT Cordinator (Uganda).

Lions Clubs International News
Connect with Us Online