How Are Your Ratings

1. How Are Your Ratings • Club Activities • Does your club schedule community service projects and fund-raisers at least every quarter? • Can every member propose new service projects & fundraisers? • Are your community service projects still relevant & successful? • Do a majority of your club members participate in all projects? • Do you feel you are being asked to do too much? • Does your club publicize its accomplishments, fund-raisers and service projects? • Does the club support district projects?

2. How Are Your Ratings • Personal Satisfaction • Have you been given responsibility for activities? • Have you been given responsibility in your committee? • Are you informed about all aspects of your club? • Do you feel like an important part of your club? • Are you encouraged to participate in international, district and zone functions? • Are you encouraged to visit other clubs?

3. How Are Your Ratings • Conduct a Club Evaluation • Evaluate your member’s opinions about the club using the survey “How Are Your Ratings.” • Tally the Responses. • Present the results to the club--strengths and weaknesses and hold a discussion. • Develop and implement an action plan of improvements. • Report progress to the club on a regular basis. • Do a club evaluation annually.

4. Problem Solving • Conduct a Club Retreat/Problem Solving Session • Select an outside Facilitator/Moderator. • Call a special problem solving club meeting when nearly all members can meet. • Divide your club into small discussion groups (3 to 5 people). • Have each group pick a recorder and a leader. • Leader makes sure everyone has input. • Recorder writes down all points made. • The question is: “What changes do we need to make our club more attractive to new members and to our present membership?” Be honest and to the point. • It is important to first spend time listing those things you could do to improve your club. Do not go into detail. Make a list and be specific and be honest.

5. Problem Solving • b. Once the recorders have all the groups input, the moderator can compile all the information on a white board/sheets of paper so all can see the input. • c. Now, go over what you’ve developed and decide how you want to act on it--what changes you would like to see made. Some changes will be small and easily implemented. Some will require time and research. Form committees, set some time limits and write your action plans for change. Follow up and make sure they are implemented and satisfactory.

6. Club Management Periodically taking a look at your club is a very beneficial exercise. It offers an insight into the state of your club - showing both its strengths and weaknesses. It also allows you to discover little problems and correct them before they become big ones that will need much more time, attention and resources. Plan on conducting an evaluation at least once a year.

7. Club ManagementImportant Club Topics • Club Meetings • Club Atmosphere • Club Goals • Membership Recruitment Activities • New Member Orientation • Membership Involvement and Participation • Membership Retention • Service Activities • Fundraising Projects • Personal Satisfaction and Achievement • Membership Recognition • Club Communication • Public Recognition/Community Support • Leadership Development

8. Keys to Improving Club Meetings • Lengthy/boring meetings are the number one reason former members cite for dropping out of Lions Clubs • Be Prepared--Have an Agenda--More than Needed • Start & End on Time--Manage Time • Maintain Order--No Side Meetings • Cover Most Important Agenda Items First • Limit discussion to agenda items--Stay on track & keep it moving • Give everyone a chance to speak • Use the Tail Twisters • To help keep order with judicious fines • To help promote harmony, good fellowship and enthusiasm using appropriate stunts and games to liven up the meeting if it drags • Try something new every once in awhile • Exercise Leadership, Be Positive & Be Enthusiastic

9. Membership Recruitment • Publicize your club’s activities. • Make club brochures available at public events. • Hold a “Invite a Friend” night at a club meeting or hold a membership Open House. • Challenge your membership to a recruitment goal and offer rewards. • During a club meeting, have your membership complete a “Membership Prospecting List.” • Organize “Membership Recruiting Teams.” • Have buttons or T-shirts made with the words “Ask me about Lions” for your members to wear at community projects. • Do a community calendar project with your club’s meeting time and place and an invite on it. • Organize and sponsor a Club Branch. • Place ads and public service announcements with your local media inviting prospective members. • Make sure your club has a good Membership Chairperson and a three-member committee.

10. Membership Retention • Have new members serve as greeters. • Make sure new members are properly orientated and inducted. • Assign new members a mentor. • Get new members involved in club activities right away. • Keep the FUN in club fund-raisers & projects--don’t let them become stale. • Give praise freely and reward members for a job well done--make them feel good. • Don’t let your club members and activities get stuck in a rut--make some changes. • Pair new members with old-hands as co-chairpersons on committees. • Look for unusual/interesting programs to add a little spice to your club meetings. • Recruit the best Tail Twisters you can find. Keep the membership happy and involved!

11. Lion’s Mentoring Program • Mentoring: a new forward-looking way for all Lions to grow and become stronger. • The Mentoring Program requires four levels of achievement--follow the guide. • To become a stronger and more knowledgeable Lion, another avenue to self-improvement is to become a Certified Guiding Lion. This is a must for Lions starting or mentoring a new club or club branch.