engaging women & families in the future of lions

Engaging Women and Families in the Future of Lions

Lions Clubs International Convention

July 7, 2013

Hamburg, Germany

History of Women & Family in Lions

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History of Women & Family in Lions

•1917: Lions Clubs International was founded.•1975: The Lioness Program began.•1987: Women were approved for Lions membership.

LCI was the first service club organization to admit women.

•2003: The women’s initiative began. Women made up 14% of members and 9% of DGs. Worldwide Women’s Workshop took place; results:

o Adopted gender neutral language.o Developed the symposium program.o Introduced the women’s membership

development and participation chairperson position.

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History of Women & Family in Lions

•2006: LCI added a family focus on family involvement to the women’s chairperson position (renamed family and women’s chairperson).

•2007: The Family Membership Program dues rate began.• 2010: Lions Family Cub Program was

developed to encourage families to volunteer together.The Cub Program gives children the

opportunity build a lifelong dedication to helping those in need.

Cubs are divided into three age categories:○ Level I: Under age 3○ Level II: Age 4-7 ○ Level III: Age 8-12

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History of Women & Family in Lions

•2010-11: Regional Women’s Workshops took place to gain regional ideas for growing women, family and young adult membership in LionsEurope: May 2010Japan: November 2010Latin America: January 2011Australia: September 2011

•2011-12: Past International President Tam developed the Women’s & Family Membership Development Task Force.

•2012-13: International President Madden continued the Task Force.

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Membership

•Women’s Membership = 342,955 (25%)

•Family Membership = 242,304 (18%)

•Total Membership = 1,371,406

As of May 31, 2013

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Women's Membership Growth Worldwide

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Family Membership Growth Worldwide

Family membership in Lions continues to grow

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25%

Percentage of Women/Family Membership by Constitutional Area

18%

2011-12 Task Force Recommendations

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International Initiative Recommendations

1. Service:• Promote service initiatives that interest women

2. Membership• Share membership statistics (“the facts”) and success stories.• Commission areas to hold a women/family symposium• Require DG’s to set women’s membership goals• Develop messaging to encourage Lionesses conversion• Encourage GMT to appoint women’s specialists and

reintroduce as a position tracked by LCI.

1. Communicate to area leaders the importance of women’s participation and encourage mentoring women and younger members and giving them a voice.

• Communicate to the GMT/GLT to start new clubs if existing clubs are reluctant to accept women

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Progress

Service:Revising the I Am a Lion brochure to focus on service projects

that interest women

Membership:Developing a History of Women in LionsHeld women’s/family seminars at all area forumsAt a record high of Family & Women’s Symposiums held the last

two fiscal yearsDeveloped the Regional Women’s Workshop ProgramDeveloped the Family & Women’s Specialist GuideFocusing on reaching GMT/GLT leaders about the importance of

women and family involvement

Growing Family & Women's Involvement in the ANZI-Pacific

Engaging Lionesses

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Why Lionesses?

Lionesses have:ExperienceCommitmentA reputation for setting goalsA reputation for accomplishing goals

Lionesses embrace:Community service TeamworkHard work

Lionesses value putting others

first!

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Bringing Lionesses into the Family Guide

• Inside:Understanding LionessesTips:

○Know your LCI history○Become familiar with the Lioness

Bridge Program○Understand your local community○Promote change as needed

Messaging○We need you!○Being a Lion opens new opportunities○Your commitment is fully recognized○There are membership options to fit your needs

Family & Women's Specialists

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GMT Structure

GMT Constitutional Area Leader(7 + Africa)

GMT Area Leader(43)

Multiple District GMT Coordinator(133)

District GMT Coordinator(753)

District Membership & New Club Growth Team

District Campus Specialist

District Family & Women’s Specialist

District CEP Specialist

District Club Success Team

District Community Service Specialist

District Member Satisfaction Specialist

District Rebuilding Specialist

MD Club Success Team

MD Specialist

MD Specialist

MD Specialist

MD Membership & New Club Growth Team

MD Family & Women’s Specialist

MD Specialist

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Family & Women’s Specialist Responsibilities

•Oversee the recruitment of women and family members

•Establish goals & action plans

•Take direction & guidance from the district GMT coordinator and DG

•Assist clubs in establishing goals

•Develop service projects of interest to women and families

•Plan & conduct a symposium or family involvement event

•Work with GLT to promote leadership training programs

*Check out the Family & Women’s Specialist Guide (GMT-701)

Growing Family & Women's Involvement in ISAAME

Embracing Women as Leaders

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Use the inherent quality of women who are wired differently than men

Why Women Leaders

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•They possess the soft skills required to lead in todays world.

Why Women Leaders

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•They advocate women’s and family needs and interests.Women are most

moved by programs aimed at improving the lot of women and children

Why Women Leaders

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•To inspire other women Lions

Why Women Leaders

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•To inspire non-Lion womenPersonal referrals

work best with women

Women attract women

Why Women Leaders

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•The ripple effect

Why Women Leaders

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Why Women Leaders

Let us make our organization one where women leadership thrives!

Family & Women Symposium & Women's Workshop Programs

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Family & Women Symposium Program

Symposium purposes:1.Identify new projects

2.Identify new members

3.Promote Lions clubs

4.Charter a new club

Funding:• Up to US$2,000 per symposium

Typically approved for US$500-US$1,000

1.An area may not receive funding two consecutive years

1.Up to US$4,000 per constitutional area per fiscal year

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Regional Women’s Workshop Grant Program

Workshop Purposes:

1.Explore factors surrounding recruitment and retention

2.Devise local strategies

3.Create action plans

Funding:• Up to US$2,000 per symposium

Typically approved for US$500-US$1,000An area may not receive funding two consecutive years

• Up to US$4,000 per constitutional area per fiscal year

Germany's 5,000 Women

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How can we attract women to join Lions?

1. PR for MD, District and Club

2. Networking – Social Media

Germany’s 5.000 Women

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„More women to Lions!“

Workshop for MD, Districts and Clubs

• Who are they?• Where do we find them?• How can we attract them?• What support is needed?• Do we have to change?

Germany’s 5.000 Women

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Germany’s 5.000 Women

•Women motivate women ! •Women support women !•Formula for success

Questions