How to Start a New Club, continued...

1. New Club Locations

• Identify the ‘White Spots’

 
2. Develop a Team

• District Leaders
• Certified Lions
• Sponsoring Lions Club members

 
3. Tasks

• Research area
• Promote new Club
• Recruit members
• Identify potential members
• Schedule appointments
• Set up meetings and provide information

 
4. Recruiting Methods

• Canvassing – cold calling
• Leader Board – referrals from others
• Existing Groups – converting

 
5. Who to recruit

• Existing groups could join

 
6. Best Practice

• Develop Extension Team
• Create a Plan
• Invite Key people from public
• Promote family, women and young potential members
• Stress Service Mission with examples
• Follow up interest

 
7. Information Meeting

• Excite potential Lions by;
  • Highlighting the number of lives impacted
  • Discuss Service opportunities
• Where/When will the meeting take place
• Who will lead the meeting
• Audio/Visual resources required
• List materials needed
• What Lions will attend
• Who is going to follow-up.
• How/Wen will follow-up take place.

 
8. Timeline

• Charter can be within 8 weeks with 20 members
• If 20 members not reached form a Branch Club with 5 members or more
• Build up Branch Club to 20 members then Charter

​9. Organise Meeting
When you have prospective members (20 or >5);

• Determine the name of the Club
• Determine meeting dates
• Determine location
• Identify first service project
• Establish Club Dues
• Arrange Charter Celebrations (allow 90 days)
• Encourage other potential members
• Create a Meeting Agenda

 
10. Next Steps

• Set up Club Officer Training
• Identify other Service projects
• Follow up interest from those that could not attend.

 
11. Charter Application

• Submitted electronically by District Governor or Sponsoring Club on My LCI
• Applications made by 20th June are guaranteed their Charter by the end of the fiscal year
• Charter Approval
  • New Club Supplies
  • DG receives Charter
  • Sponsoring Club holds Charter Celebrations

 
12. New Club Support

• DG Team
• Region/Zone Chairs
• District Officers
• Guiding Lions

 
Two Guiding Lions – offer council and advise
Sponsoring Club

• Continual support
• Visit new Club meetings
• Provide assistance
• Meet with new Club Officers
• Encourage new members to participate in District events

 
13. Resources

• New Club Development Guide
• Club Branch Guide
• Just Ask
• Charter Night Guide