Inviting People Into Lions 

Recruiting doesn't need to be difficult or uncomfortable. You don't need to convince someone to become a Lion.

The first goal is simply to get someone one step closer to Lions.

Don't recruit a Lion. Invite someone to experience Lions.

1. Identify People Who Might Enjoy Lions

Potential Lions are everywhere.

Think about the people you already know through work, family, friends, neighbours, community groups, sport, schools, local businesses and other activities.

Look for people who enjoy helping others, like being around people, have skills or ideas to contribute, care about a particular cause, are new to the area, have recently retired or are looking for more connection with their community.

Don't ask yourself:

"Who can I convince to join Lions?"

Ask:

"Who do I know who might genuinely enjoy this?"

2. Make the Invitation Easy

Don't make the first invitation a big commitment.

Instead of:

"Would you like to join Lions?"

Try:

"We're doing this project next Saturday. Would you like to come along and help?"

Or:

"We're having a social night next week. Why don't you come along and meet everyone?"

Or simply:

"You'd actually be really good at this. Want to come and see what we do?"

The first goal isn't membership.

The first goal is experience.

3. Your Lions Elevator Speech

At some point somebody will ask:

"So what actually is Lions?"

You don't need to give them the history of Lions International or explain every project your club has ever done.

Keep it simple. Features tell, benefits sell.

10-second version

"Lions is a group of people who get together to help their community through fundraising, hands-on service and projects they're passionate about."

30-second version

"Lions is a group of people who get together to help their community. We raise money that goes back into the community, but we also do hands-on service projects and support all sorts of different causes. And if there's something you're passionate about, Lions gives you people and support to help make it happen."

4. Find Their Thing

Don't start with what your club needs. Start with what interests them.

Ask questions such as:

"What sort of things do you enjoy?"

"Is there a cause that's important to you?"

"Is there something you'd love to see happen in the community?"

Someone may be passionate about youth, animals, homelessness, disability, the environment, mental health, older people, community events or something your club has never even considered.

Lions can give people a way to turn something they care about into something they can actually do.

Find their thing, then help them find their place in Lions.

5. Make the First YES Tiny

Don't make the first step bigger than it needs to be.

Instead of asking someone to join, ask them to try something.

Invite them to help with a project, come to a social event, hear an interesting guest speaker, attend a meeting, help for an hour or simply come along and see what Lions is like.

A small yes is easier than a big commitment.

See us. Talk to us. Experience Lions. Enjoy it. Come again. Join.

6. Everyone Can Contribute Differently

Not everyone will contribute in the same way, and they don't need to.

Some people will attend almost everything. Others may help with one particular project, contribute from home, use a specific skill or simply help when they have time.

Someone who can give two hours once a month may be just as valuable as someone who is involved every week.

Don't measure someone's value by how often you see them.

Contribution matters more than attendance.

7. Every Lion. One Invitation.

Membership growth doesn't belong to one person or one committee.

Every Lion knows people the club doesn't know.

If every member invited just one person to experience Lions, imagine how many new people would get the opportunity to see what Lions is really about.

They don't all need to join. That's not the point.

The aim is simply to open more doors.

8. The Club Has a Responsibility Too

Recruitment isn't only about finding new members. Clubs also need to be places people actually want to join and stay.

Look at your club through the eyes of someone walking in for the first time.

Are they welcomed?

Do people introduce themselves?

Is it clear what's happening?

Are there opportunities to contribute?

Are new ideas genuinely welcomed?

Can people participate in ways that fit around work, family, health and other commitments?

Getting someone through the door is only the beginning.

The club needs to give them a reason to come back.

9. From Recruitment to Retention

Recruitment doesn't finish when someone fills in a membership form.

That's when retention begins.

Help new members build relationships, understand how the club works and find meaningful ways to contribute.

Check in with them. Ask how they're finding things, what they've enjoyed and what they'd like to become involved in.

Don't assume silence means everything is fine.

Recruitment gets someone through the door. Belonging gives them a reason to stay.

The Membership Journey

SEE → INVITE → EXPERIENCE → CONNECT → BELONG

Don't recruit a Lion. Invite someone to experience Lions.

Recruitment gets someone through the door. Belonging gives them a reason to stay.