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2008 State Convention

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Rationale: The Lions of PA have been providing service within their communities for nearly 90 years.  If we are to continue and expand this service we must increase our membership. To this end, MD-14 issues the following Membership Challenge to all Districts:

Objectives: A. Recruitment Growth of a net plus one minimum growth per club through the use of:

    1. PA Plan

    2. Lions Awareness Month

    3. '30 Sponsoring Techniques' available from PA Lions State Office

    4. Membership Recruitment Packet

    5. Friendship Nights

    6. Statewide membership Contest

        a. PA Counsellors input as to guidelines

        b. Award presented to an individual Lions Club

            1). Categories based upon number of members in the club

            2). Awarded for greatest net increase

        c. Award presented to an individual Lion for recruiting the highest

            number of new Lions.

        d. Each award to include:

            1). Plaque to be presented at PA Lions State Convention

            2). Two tickets to the International Banquet at the State Convention.

B. Develop a Lions of PA: CD-ROM that includes Recruiting, Orientation and Public

Relations.

C. Retention Challenge to retain all current members within each club.

    1. A minimum of three(3) Lions Project Programs(i.e. Leader Dog, Beacon

        Lodge, etc.) should be presented during each Lions year as club meeting

        programs in an effort to orient, involve & retain both new and current

        members.

    2. The Proud Lion Award should become part of every new Lion Member Packet

        to encourage both the new member and their sponsor to be active members.

    3. Each new member should be assigned to three(3) Club Committees

        a. One of his/her own chosing

        b. Two others that will:

            1). Utilize the Lion's skills and/or expertise

            2). Expose the Lion to the most active/productive committee.

D. Extension Challenge where each District shall conduct a new club organizational

    meeting with potential members, resulting in the formation of a new club or a club

    branch. A "One Year Anniversary" Extension Award(Club remains in good standing

    after one year) shall be presented to:

    1. The District Governor

    2. Two(2) Key Lions

    3. The top District(for number of clubs). Any ties will require that multiple

        awards will be given, with proper acknowledgment through The PRIDE and

        local media.

E. Develop stronger District MERLOW Teams:

    1. Use the Team of MERL + O + W = MERLOW

    2. District MERLOW Handbook to be established by the MD-14 MERL + W

        Committee

        a. Requirements listed for 100% District MERLOW Team Award

        b. Each member of the Team will need to complete certain duties.

Rationale: Do you know that in PA...

1. The Lions recycle almost 1.5 million of eyeglasses per year.

2. The typical Lions Club contributes in excess of $10,000.00 each year to projects

in their community. They conduct eye screenings, sponsor campers to PA Beacon

Lodge Camp, support Eye Research, support Hearing Research, purchase multiple

thousands of eye exams & eyeglasses for those in need, support local/County Blind

Associations & Eye Banks, sponsor youth activities & youth sports teams along

with many other worthwhile community activities.

3. It is now time for those who are not Lions to learn who we are and what we do.

Objectives: A. Establishment of an MD-14 Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator.

    1. Club Sign & Billboard Program. May be done through a MD-14 Grant Program

        with MD-14 Reserve Funds. Districts may apply for $2000.00 funding from LCI

        and then distribute the funding within the District.

    2. Club Brochures

    3. Utilize local media

    4. Utilize the Lions of PA CD-ROM that includes Recruiting, Orientation Public           Relations.

    5. PSA(Public Service Announcements)(ex: Diabetes Awareness Month)

    6. Statewide Lions Appreciation Day

    7. Urge all Districts and Clubs to develop & use their own Website

        a. Assist Clubs without a Website in the development of a Website

        b. Encourage existing and new Websites to be:

            1). Regularly updated

            2). Linked to their local Chamber of Commerce/Organizational Sites

Rationale: Today's society is complex and poses many challenges for our youth. We recognize the need to create a positive impact on the youth in PA; involving them in service, while developing life skills.

Objectives: A. Create a Leo Website

    1. Increase communication between the State Committee,District Leo Chairpersons, Club Leo Chairpersons and Leo Club Advisors.

    2. Establish direct communication to the Clubs.

    3. Leo Website Newsletter; done by the Leos

B. Leo Committee: Implement the Policy already in place including:

    1. Leo Retreat & Conference

    2. Develop a State Leo Organization: with Leo Districts and the equivalent of Leo Governors.

    3. Bridge Program

        a. College Leos

        b. Leos to Lions

C. Lions Quest

    1. Implementation in Schools (within the classrooms)

    2. Complete an Application for a New Grant once the current grant is finished.

D. Increase the Youth Exchange Program

    1. Encourage involvement by each District

    2. Challenge each District to both Host & Sponsor at least one Youth Exchange/year.

E. Club Youth Programs

    1. Student of the Month

    2. Liberty Day

    3. Scholarships

    4. Youth Sports Team Sponsorship

    5. Youth Volunteer Day

    6. Sponsor a Leo Club

    7. Sponsor one or more Peace Poster Contests

    8. HOBY(Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership)

Rationale: The future of Lionism in PA rests within its Club and District Leadership. Effectively training these leaders will enable us to continue providing vital community services.

Objectives: A. Club Presidents' Packets

    1. Welcome Letter from the State Office

    2. Presidents'/Officers' Training Booklet

    3. Goal Setting Materials and a return sheet

B. Zone & Regional Training Packets

    1. Welcome Letter

    2. Description of the training to be done at the MD-14 State Convention

Rationale: Effective Communication is the key to the success of any organization. The growth of Lionism in PA depends on this; in order for us to provide greater service to those in need.

Objectives: A. The PRIDE Magazine

    1. Staff to review and assist with articles; as per Policy already in place.

    2. Letters to be sent; from the State Administrator, with a copy to the Editor of  The

PRIDE; to Committee Chairpersons and Coordinators, Council Chairperson , the

PA International Family and others regarding(as per Policy) article submissions,

which may be submitted to the State Office.

B. Website

    1. Website Coordinator needed to manage the Website

    2. Committees, Chairpersons, Districts & Clubs need to submit information

    3. List the available Marketing materials that are stocked at the State Office

C. Service Projects

    1. Increase the awareness of our membership by utilizing The PRIDE & the State

Website for publicity and promotion of our service activities.

    2. Increased exposure will lead to a greater understanding of the projects.