Project Refresh “Club Growth” Programme With thanks to MD 201 Australia, Past International Director Ken Bird and the Lions Club of Howick

A programme presented by the District 202 K MERL Team With grateful thanks to MD201 Australia and International Director Ken Bird for their wonderful Project Refresh Programme that we have adapted for use in our District

FACTS  Most Clubs treat membership recruitment as a low priority when planning their Annual Activity Plan  Most Clubs use the “ask a friend” method to recruit new members.  Most Clubs put a real recruitment programme into the “too hard” basket.

 Most Clubs are satisfied if they end a Lions year in a “status quo” situation  Most Club Management and Club Members are not aware that there is a programme available that, if followed, will enable them to, easily, and considerably, grow their membership

*** There is a Proven Answer*** The Project Refresh Club Growth Programme

Strategy to Implement a “Club Growth” Process “Club Growth” Process

The district 202K MERL Team has recognised a real need to rejuvenate the clubs in our District. The district 202K MERL Team has recognised a real need to rejuvenate the clubs in our District. We believe that this can only be done by each Club going through a process of renewal We believe that this can only be done by each Club going through a process of renewal

Summary of the “Club Growth” Programme

Issue 1000 Invitations to attend an Information Evening Issue 1000 Invitations to attend an Information Evening Clubs could also run a “think tank” of members and list as many prospective members as possible Clubs could also run a “think tank” of members and list as many prospective members as possible Issue personal invitations to those people named by the “think tank” Issue personal invitations to those people named by the “think tank”

It is recommended that this programme is run over a 9 week period It is recommended that this programme is run over a 9 week period It is essential that this programme become the “baby” of 1 member with the direct support of a very active committee and the full commitment of all members of the club It is essential that this programme become the “baby” of 1 member with the direct support of a very active committee and the full commitment of all members of the club

Obtain the endorsement of the clubs board of directors and sell the “Club Growth” Programme to all members of the Club Obtain the endorsement of the clubs board of directors and sell the “Club Growth” Programme to all members of the Club

Action Required 9 weeks before: 1. Book venue for an Invitation Meeting 2. Confirm attendance of any special guests 3. Apply to NZ Post for reply paid Service envelopes 4. Select streets in which you want the invitations delivered

6 weeks before: 1. Confirm approval permit from NZ Post for use of reply paid service 2. Print reply paid envelopes 3. Print Invitation Letter and RSVP Slip 4. Print Envelopes for invitation letters 5. Confirm speakers for the Information Night

4 weeks before: 1. Place folded Invitation, RSVP and reply paid envelope in the Distribution Envelopes 2. Place Invitations etc. in personally addressed envelopes for those people from the “think tank” 3. Construct a street delivery plan for delivery 4. Allocate delivery areas for the club members

3 weeks before: 1. Delivery of Invitations by club members 8 days before: 1. Expect replies from approx 5 – 10% of those invited 2. Telephone those that have accepted to confirm the date of the Information Meeting 3. Confirm that a number of current members will be present at the information meeting

4 days before: 1. Send out confirmation letters to those who have accepted and invite them to bring any other person they would like to come 2. Enclose a completed name badge

Information Evening

It is important that a significant number of Club Members are in attendance to mingle with the invited guests before the meeting starts It is important that a significant number of Club Members are in attendance to mingle with the invited guests before the meeting starts Members should wear club shirts. The meeting will be held in an informal manner Members should wear club shirts. The meeting will be held in an informal manner

Make sure that Club Members arrive at least 30 minutes before the meeting starts Make sure that Club Members arrive at least 30 minutes before the meeting starts Allocate each Member an Invited Guest to greet and host for the evening Allocate each Member an Invited Guest to greet and host for the evening Station a Club Greeter at the entrance of the venue who can introduce each guest to the allocated club member Station a Club Greeter at the entrance of the venue who can introduce each guest to the allocated club member

Set out the seating in theatre style Set out the seating in theatre style A lectern must be available for the use of the speakers A lectern must be available for the use of the speakers A microphone System if thought necessary should be available A microphone System if thought necessary should be available Display the Club Banners, Club Charter and Flag Set Display the Club Banners, Club Charter and Flag Set

Display Club photographs, scrap books etc Display Club photographs, scrap books etc Tea, Coffee and a light supper should be available before the meeting and must be available after the meeting. Perhaps a piece of Lions Christmas cake would be appropriate for the occasion Tea, Coffee and a light supper should be available before the meeting and must be available after the meeting. Perhaps a piece of Lions Christmas cake would be appropriate for the occasion

Have a supply of Membership Application Forms available Have a supply of Membership Application Forms available Have copies of the Lions Objects and Ethics. These can be read by a carefully chosen Club member sometime during the meeting Have copies of the Lions Objects and Ethics. These can be read by a carefully chosen Club member sometime during the meeting It is recommended that an experienced presenter be used for the information address It is recommended that an experienced presenter be used for the information address

Suggested Agenda for the Information Evening

Club President Club President 1. Welcome 2. Introduction of Lion to read Lions Ethics 3. Introduction of Lion to read Lions objects 4. Introduction of Presenter

Presenter Presenter Information Address utilising the Power point Presentation and the prepared script At the conclusion of the presentation the Presenter will ask for those who are interested in joining the club to raise their hands. These people should be congratulated, handed a membership application form and invited to the next meeting of the club

Those who do not make an immediate decision are handed information on Lions and informed that they will be contacted in the near future to be invited to a Club Meeting All present are invited to stay for supper. Club Members should mingle with the guests

If you follow the proven programme you can make it happen