Lions: What a diffenence 61 years have made.

The first club in Australia formed at Lismore, New South Wales. 1st July 1947
Approximately 1300 clubs and 27,000 members [2008]

Male members only. [1947]
Both male and female members – we now have twice the opportunity to grow. [2008]

Heavy majority of members working 9 – 5 Monday – Friday.

For many only one vocation area in their working lifetime. [1947]

Just over 8% 9 – 5 Monday – Friday.
Many people now have multiple vocation changes and much shift work. [2008]

Limited range of ex school and home activities for children. [1947]
For most, a huge expansion in activities requiring both parents to share driving and parent duties – less time for Lions. [2008]

Strong support for the Monarch across all age groups. [1947]
Still Monarchical although only minor support from those under 50 years of age. [2008]

God Save the King played at most functions, the pictures, balls and dances, on the radio and later in the mid 1950’s, television. Monarch toasted at many meetings and functions. [1947]
Advance Australia Fair played at limited functions, mainly sporting.
Monarch toasted at less meetings and functions. [2008]

Dress code, meetings were attended in lounge suits or slacks, sports jackets and ties. Formal occasions always in Dinner suits [1947]
Meeting attire has become casual. rarely lounge suits and formal events occasionally dinner suits seen. Open neck shirts slacks and sweaters for men as usual attire. [2008]

Spoken salutations – Mr, Mrs, Sir, Madam, Lion, Past District Governor etc. and men raised their hats to women. [1947]
Bob, Sally, George, Mildred and still Lion and Past District Governor (When members are aware of the greeting) but men generally don’t wear hats now. [2008]

From 1947 onwards for more that 30 years, members came from all adult age groups. [1947]
Average age is now 60 plus. In some clubs most members are in their 70’s and 80’s. Very few are aged under 45. [2008]

While much has changed in the past 60 years, the need for service to others remains. Our mission is to embrace and reflect the change of the past six decades so that in the operation of our clubs we accomplish the following.

· Satisfaction for our current members.
· Satisfaction for future members
· Satisfaction for those we serve

"In the Lions Club of King Island, we aim to value the contribution made by all members in what ever capacity they can serve with what ever precious time they have left in their busy lives. "
[It would be fare to say that this sentiment would be endorsed by all 201T1 Lions clubs.]

This text was taken from the King Island Lions Club Bulletin and penned by then President Linda Payne. The information was derived from the Lions Australia MERL Workshop Melbourne, dated September 2008

Surprise Awards at 49th Change Over Dinner

If there is one thing we all love to see, it has to be the surprised look on some ones face when an award is being handed out. All the indicators were there that could have quite easilly been attributed to a number of members till I personally felt that it was now obvious who was the recipient of the Australian Lions Foundation James D Richardson award. Lion John Matic was stunned, and just a little tearful to say the least, and I must say that no more fitting person would you find to receive it. John is noted for being a mentor to other Lions filling positions that he has served in. He is always available for projects that he can work on. Around town he is known as the Mint King of Burnie for without his cajolling of the membership our sales wouldn't be a high as they are. and last but not least his organisational skills in the collection with two other Lions of recycled spectacles, then forwarding them on to be graded for distribution to third world countries.
Congratulations go to Lion John Matic the "Lord of Grandview" from your fellow Lions members.

The second award was new one from the Tasmanian Lions Foundation. This was awarded to Lion Mark Fishwick who is a relatively new member. Lion Mark has a history of community work throught the years. He was an Apexian where he rose to be National President and a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding between Apex and Lions Clubs International in Perth, WA. in 2002 where Apexians on reaching retiring age could transfer to a Lions Club and still maintain their collective years of service of both organisations.
Mark has demonstrated leadership skills and chaired the successfull project for the past three years of "The Night On The Terrace" on New Year's Eve. Additional to this he has also served on the club's board of directors for at least four years.
Lion Mark like Lion John Matic, you have more than earned your Award. Congratulations from the membership of the City of Burnie Lions Club.

Now how about the Wilfred Campbell Fellowship Award and the Groobing Award. both of these are in house awards and have been in place for many years. Most of the recipients have gone on to become presidents of the club which isn't surprising.
This year the Wilfred Campbell Fellowship Award went to Lion Gloria Deal who amongst other things produces the Bulletin with a bit of help, and with the transfer of Lion Geoff Starik to another club, took on the role of Tail Twister. This coming year sees Lion Gloria filling three roles on the Board of Directors. Bulletin editor with help, Tail Twister, and 2nd Vice President. Our social butterfly and rising star has managed to extract funds from some very deep and tight pockets, and just loves collecting five cent pieces to keep our Treasurer unhappy.

Now we come to the Groobing Award. The recipient of this is also a relatively new member like Lion Gloria Deal but has managed to make her mark on the fabric of the City of Burnie Lions Club. Lion Melissa Bell (a full time working mother of an energetic little boy), has managed to do in one fell swoop, sell a mountain of Christmas cakes last year. Where humanly possible she fronts up at any catering projects, selling Christmas Trees, and this year has become the Assistant Treasurer of the club.

Ladies, we just love you.

Lion Richard [Dick] Strickland.

Isn't it great to be able to help out another member of the Lions family. Lion Dick hasn't had the best of health over the past few months and being resident on King Island just makes things a little more difficult.
PDG Leigh Jones made reference to the grand old Lion from King Island at the recent dinner meeting. A man known to several of our more senior members who have been to MD and District conventions.
He was initially diagnosed as having low iron levels in his blood causing tiredness and was immediately put on a course of tablets. His lot improved only to slip back again and this time was sent for a scan revealing bowel cancer. Trips to Tasmania are not cheap and the airline schedules are very ordinary to put it mildly. So this is where phone calls from a concerned Lion on King Island started the wheels turning. Between Lion John and Betty Packham and myself we picked up and met Lions Dick and Jan and ferried them from and to the Devonport Airport on the first trip. The second trip was the the LGH for his operation 21st July, unfortunately that isn't the end of the drama, he also has a secondary cancer on his liver so things are not a bed of roses for Lion Dick by any means.
Post operation he was visited by PDG's Peter Burke, and Tony Roney at Legana, and PDG Leigh Jones ferried them back to Burnie 29th July. After treatment at the Oncology department at the Burnie Div. NWGH 30th July, they fly out from Devonport on Friday the 31st looked after by Lion John and Betty Packham once again.
Lion Dick told me Wednesday evening that he was going to attend the 40th Charter Anniversary and Change Over no matter what. Not only that, he wants to see an old mate presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. I really do think he will make it, such is the man.
God's speed old mate and take care.
Lion John Medwin. Regional Chairman [North West]
District 201T1

MERLOT What does it mean?

MERLOT

being an acronym for

Membership, Expansion, Retention, and Leadership, Orientation and Training.

Your District this year has built up a strong team to promote all elements of MERLOT and encourage all members to participate in gaining membership and more importantly having gained new members, KEEPING THEM. Encourage them to learn and develope so that all are able to get a sense of achievement from what they have done no matter how small that maybe.

As individuals we do little. Together we work miracles.

World wide the emphasis is now on the retention of our existing membership and trying to stem the flow of our numbers sliding out the back door so to speak. Granted members dying is one area that is impossible to stop, but the rest can be stemmed with care and thought. What I now ask is that you take a little time out to read this post in its entirety. You will learn something from it.

LIONS CLUB Membership Committee: The Winning Formula.

Duties of the club membership committee.

To Select, Recruit, and Retain members.

Depending on the size of the club, its organisation and the members available, a properly constituted Membership Committee will attend to the following duties:

First Year Committee Member will serve as the Chairman of the Attendance Committee.

Second Year Committee Member will serve as the Vice Chairman of the membership Committee, and Chairman of the Program Committee.

Third Year Committee Member will serve as the Chairman of the Membership Committee and as Membership Director on the Clubs Board of Directors.

The Membership Director shall report to the Board of Directors on the following.

1. Membership Development.
2. Club Attendance.
3. Club Programming.

Club Membership Committee, 1st Year: Chairman of the Attendance Committee.

• Watches for any weakness within the club: member interaction, cliques, costs, meals, disenchantment between members, boredom, new motivation.
• Organises programs to boost meeting attendances.
• Takes an active interest in the continuing development of newly inducted Lions
• Contacts all non attending Lions within 48 hours of a meeting in an effort to give a sense of caring.
• Advises persons invited to join the exact nature of their likely financial and time commitments.
• Speaks with all prospective members and confidentially passes on recommendations to the Board.
• Ensures the club recognises in a pre-arranged manner personal matters such as birthdays, special anniversaries, special achievements, births, family sickness or bereavement.
• Arranges for the appropriate honouring of Charter Members, Monarchs and 100% attendance/service when they become due.
• Supervises and encourages Club participation in regular new member programs and International membership programs. This may be achieved via Zone or Regional liaison.
• Maintain and up to date list of prospective members.
• Provide the President and Bulletin Editor with the names of Lions who have missed meeting so suitable acknowledgement can be made.

Club Membership Committee, 2nd Year: Chairman of the Program Committee & Vice Chairman of Membership Committee.

• Creates program for dinner meetings in consultation with President.
• Arranges for appropriate guest speakers and obtains relevant information on the speaker and subject matter for inclusion in the Bulletin.
• Ensures that all members are actively involved during the course of Dinner Meeting, or that agenda items be rotated amongst members each meeting.
• Provide "Thank You" certificates for the guest speakers together with a folder/envelope with Lions fact sheets and club contact details.
• Organises appropriate seating for visitors and guest speakers.
• Assist with greeting all members and guests.

Club Membership Committee 3rd Year: Chairman of the membership Committee & Membership Director on the Board of Directors.

• Assist the Club President in inducting new members with a dignified and impressive ceremony.
• Ensures all membership paperwork is completed and received and any joining fees are are made prior to induction.
• Arranges name badge, certificate and new members kit for the induction night.
• Promotes the Key Membership Programme.