Project RefreshProject Refresh““Club Growth” ProgrammeClub Growth” Programme

With thanks to MD 201 Australia, With thanks to MD 201 Australia,

Past International Director Ken Bird and the Past International Director Ken Bird and the

Lions Club of HowickLions Club of Howick

A programme presented by theA programme presented by the

District 202 K MERL TeamDistrict 202 K MERL Team

With grateful thanks to MD201 Australia and International Director With grateful thanks to MD201 Australia and International Director Ken Bird for their wonderful Project Refresh Programme that we Ken Bird for their wonderful Project Refresh Programme that we

have adapted for use in our Districthave 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 Most Clubs are satisfied if they end a Lions year in a a Lions year in a “status quo”“status quo” situationsituation

Most Club Management and Club Most Club Management and Club Members are not aware that there Members are not aware that there is a programme available that, if is a programme available that, if followed, will enable them to, easily, followed, will enable them to, easily, and considerably, and considerably, grow their grow their membershipmembership

*** There is a Proven Answer****** There is a Proven Answer***

The Project Refresh The Project Refresh Club Growth ProgrammeClub Growth Programme

Strategy to Implement Strategy to Implement aa

“ “Club Growth” Club Growth” ProcessProcess

The district 202K MERL Team has The district 202K MERL Team has recognised a real need to rejuvenate recognised a real need to rejuvenate the clubs in our District. the clubs in our District.

We believe that this can only be We believe that this can only be done by each Club going through a done by each Club going through a process of renewalprocess of renewal

Summary of the Summary of the

““Club Growth” Club Growth” ProgrammeProgramme

Issue 1000 Invitations to attend an Issue 1000 Invitations to attend an Information EveningInformation Evening

Clubs could also run a “think tank” of Clubs could also run a “think tank” of members and list as many members and list as many prospective members as possibleprospective members as possible

Issue personal invitations to those Issue personal invitations to those people named by the “think tank”people named by the “think tank”

It is recommended that this It is recommended that this programme is run over a 9 week programme is run over a 9 week periodperiod

It is essential that this programme It is essential that this programme become the “baby” of 1 member with become the “baby” of 1 member with the direct support of a very active the direct support of a very active committee and the full commitment committee and the full commitment of all members of the clubof all members of the club

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

Action RequiredAction Required9 weeks before:9 weeks before:

1.1. Book venue for an Invitation Book venue for an Invitation MeetingMeeting

2.2. Confirm attendance of any special Confirm attendance of any special guestsguests

3.3. Apply to NZ Post for reply paid Apply to NZ Post for reply paid Service envelopesService envelopes

4.4. Select streets in which you want the Select streets in which you want the invitations deliveredinvitations delivered

6 weeks before:6 weeks before:

1.1. Confirm approval permit from NZ Confirm approval permit from NZ Post for use of reply paid servicePost for use of reply paid service

2.2. Print reply paid envelopesPrint reply paid envelopes

3.3. Print Invitation Letter and RSVP SlipPrint Invitation Letter and RSVP Slip

4.4. Print Envelopes for invitation lettersPrint Envelopes for invitation letters

5.5. Confirm speakers for the Confirm speakers for the Information NightInformation Night

4 weeks before:4 weeks before:

1.1. Place folded Invitation, RSVP and Place folded Invitation, RSVP and reply paid envelope in the reply paid envelope in the Distribution EnvelopesDistribution Envelopes

2.2. Place Invitations etc. in personally Place Invitations etc. in personally addressed envelopes for those addressed envelopes for those people from the “think tank”people from the “think tank”

3.3. Construct a street delivery plan for Construct a street delivery plan for deliverydelivery

4.4. Allocate delivery areas for the club Allocate delivery areas for the club membersmembers

3 weeks before:3 weeks before:

1. Delivery of Invitations by club 1. Delivery of Invitations by club membersmembers

8 days before:8 days before:

1. Expect replies from approx 5 – 10% 1. Expect replies from approx 5 – 10% of those invitedof those invited

2.2. Telephone those that have accepted Telephone those that have accepted to confirm the date of the Information to confirm the date of the Information MeetingMeeting

3.3. Confirm that a number of current Confirm that a number of current members will be present at the members will be present at the information meetinginformation meeting

4 days before:4 days before:

1.1. Send out confirmation letters to Send out confirmation letters to those who have accepted and invite those who have accepted and invite them to bring any other person they them to bring any other person they would like to comewould like to come

2.2. Enclose a completed name badgeEnclose a completed name badge

Information Information EveningEvening

It is important that a significant It is important that a significant number of Club Members are in number of Club Members are in attendance to mingle with the invited attendance to mingle with the invited guests before the meeting startsguests before the meeting starts

Members should wear club shirts. Members should wear club shirts. The meeting will be held in an The meeting will be held in an informal mannerinformal manner

Make sure that Club Members arrive at Make sure that Club Members arrive at least 30 minutes before the meeting least 30 minutes before the meeting startsstarts

Allocate each Member an Invited Guest Allocate each Member an Invited Guest to greet and host for the eveningto greet and host for the evening

Station a Club Greeter at the entrance Station a Club Greeter at the entrance of the venue who can introduce each of the venue who can introduce each guest to the allocated club memberguest to the allocated club member

Set out the seating in theatre styleSet out the seating in theatre style

A lectern must be available for the A lectern must be available for the use of the speakersuse of the speakers

A microphone System if thought A microphone System if thought necessary should be availablenecessary should be available

Display the Club Banners, Club Display the Club Banners, Club Charter and Flag SetCharter and Flag Set

Display Club photographs, scrap Display Club photographs, scrap books etcbooks etc

Tea, Coffee and a light supper should Tea, Coffee and a light supper should be available before the meeting and be available before the meeting and must be available after the meeting. must be available after the meeting. Perhaps a piece of Lions Christmas Perhaps a piece of Lions Christmas cake would be appropriate for the cake would be appropriate for the occasionoccasion

Have a supply of Membership Have a supply of Membership Application Forms availableApplication Forms available

Have copies of the Lions Objects and Have copies of the Lions Objects and Ethics. These can be read by a Ethics. These can be read by a carefully chosen Club member carefully chosen Club member sometime during the meetingsometime during the meeting

It is recommended that an It is recommended that an experienced presenter be used for experienced presenter be used for the information addressthe information address

Suggested AgendaSuggested Agenda

for thefor the

Information EveningInformation Evening

Club PresidentClub President

1. Welcome1. Welcome

2. Introduction of Lion to read Lions 2. Introduction of Lion to read Lions EthicsEthics

3. Introduction of Lion to read Lions 3. Introduction of Lion to read Lions objectsobjects

4. Introduction of Presenter4. Introduction of Presenter

PresenterPresenter

Information Address utilising the Power Information Address utilising the Power point Presentation and the prepared point Presentation and the prepared scriptscript

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

Those who do not make an immediate Those who do not make an immediate decision are handed information on decision are handed information on Lions and informed that they will be Lions and informed that they will be contacted in the near future to be contacted in the near future to be invited to a Club Meetinginvited to a Club Meeting

All present are invited to stay for All present are invited to stay for supper. Club Members should mingle supper. Club Members should mingle with the guestswith the guests

If you follow the proven If you follow the proven programme you can programme you can

make it happenmake it happen