Subject: Lions - Club Officer

Subject: Lions - Club Officer - Monthly E-letter

Dear Club Officers,

Unless you are an accountant or a mathematician, you may think that numbers are boring. Most people think they have better things to do than listen to someone quote a string of statistics – and if you are a Lion, you do!

But I have some numbers to share with you that I think are very exciting and I think you will, too. For the first time in many years, all measures of recruitment and retention show a positive trend. Through January 2008, LCI shows a net membership increase of 4,283, which is the best first six-month period we have experienced in many years. Most importantly, all constitutional areas and most districts are showing great improvements over historic trend.

Due to the many community service projects that are conducted in the first half of the calendar each year, membership traditionally grows by the thousands between January and June, it will be truly exciting to watch the membership total as it is documented by our new, timely reporting system. With your help, I believe that we will be able to have an increase in overall membership. What an outstanding legacy that would be for our leadership year!

But achieving this goal will not be easy and it requires that you take action immediately. The next two months have traditionally been a time for club recruitment drives. I urge you to take the next two months as an opportunity to intensify your efforts to bring high quality new members into your club. By now I am sure that you realize that the projects you have identified and planned will benefit greatly from additional hands to share the work. A successful effort this month will enable your club to take part in Worldwide Induction Day in April, which in turn will be an excellent way to create even more interest within your community.

As you work to strengthen your membership, please remember that we have successes on which to build.

The number of women and family members has reached an all-time high of 240,000, due largely to the innovative family membership program. These groups should remain a primary focus of your recruitment efforts.

I am proud to say that more districts will be receiving awards for establishing new clubs than any time in recent memory. Through January, the number of new clubs worldwide stood at 570. Keeping in mind that the majority of new clubs are reported in between January and June, I am confident that we can establish more than 1,250 by the end of our leadership year. Nurturing the potential for new Lions Clubs, Club Branches, Campus Club, and even Leo Clubs is an important part of contributing to our worldwide extension. The excitement surrounding the formation of new clubs can also help to energize and expand your own club.

These are wonderful numbers and clear evidence that our membership initiatives are achieving results. But even more important is what the numbers represent. They show that Lions and Lions Clubs are brimming with new confidence, eager to accomplish our mission and proud to show the world that, “We Serve.”

I am grateful for the part your leadership has played in establishing this new confidence.

Sincerely,

Mahendra Amarasuriya

International President

CSFII News: Lions have surpassed CSFII’s minimum goal!

During our last Worldwide Report Day on February 20, 2008, CSFII coordinators reported that more than US$157.9 million had been raised by Lions worldwide for CSFII! Thank you for all that your club has done to surpass CSFII’s minimum goal. Now, your club can join Lions around the world as we pursue CSFII’s US$200 million “Vision for All” challenge goal!

As a club, be sure to:

Send all funds and pledges to LCIF
Encourage club members to designate MJFs to CSFII and continue to raise funds toward CSFII’s “Vision for All” challenge goal
Save the date: Lions are selecting one day as “Campaign SightFirst II

Day” during the week of May 12-16, 2008 to act for CSFII.

CSFII by the Numbers:

More than US$147 million officially recorded
Less than 115 days remain to reach and exceed CSFII’s minimum goal
2,709 Model Clubs are ensuring CSFII success

* Please be sure to review your monthly statements regularly. It is recommended that all Clubs send payments within the terms established by the Association. To become familiar with the rules to avoid Financial Suspension, you may visit the Association’s website @ http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/pdfs/new-suspension-policy.pdf.

LCI Web site Links

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_invite.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_mbrret.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/pdfs/mmr_process.pdf

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_wwday.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_women.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_family.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_start_newclub.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_newclub.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_branch.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_campus.shtml

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_leolion.shtml