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DISTRICT 23C GLOBAL 

MEMBERSHIP & LEADERSHIP TEAMS
2012 District Leadership Institute
 

GMT the New Direction

for the Future

PDG Fran Gregoire GMT District Coordinator

 

Membership is critical to the overall success of any organization. An effective membership team provides the vision, guidance and motivation necessary for Lions Clubs International to continue to fulfill its mission of providing quality service to the global community.

 

For the past several years, the primary focus of the association has been increasing membership in existing clubs and creating new clubs. Combined with a solid base of effective leadership, membership growth can be sustained and maximized.

 

In 2008 GMT was initiated by LCI. It provided continuity and flexibility to meet International goals and simplified communication flow between the GMT, multiple districts, districts and clubs. This program has been considered a success as membership has continued to grow.

 

With the replacing of the MERL concept, with (Global Membership Team) GMT and (Global Leadership Team) GLT, GMT will be responsible for Membership, Extension and Retention. The new structure was designed to allow for greater integration of local membership growth efforts and Global Membership Team efforts, maximizing the opportunities for success.

 

A new component of this concept is the Global Leadership Team (GLT), intended to operate as a parallel, mutually supportive specialized team with the GMT. The GLT provides for an enhanced focus on and support of leadership development, which is critical to the success of every LCI program and to the future vitality of the association as a whole.

 

Members of the GMT and GLT work independently but also in concert with one another to identify, develop and encourage opportunities for present and future Lions leaders, and to develop membership through service.

 

By considering historical data, area and culture, and by using the resources of LCI, members of the GMT stand ready to assist in identification of District and Club service opportunities. This will also help in developing membership goals and aid in the rebuilding of struggling clubs.

 

The responsibilities of the GMT District coordinator will be to work under the direction of the Multiple District coordinator; this is PDG DR. Keith Lemire. Also work in conjunction with the Multiple District GLT coordinator IPDG Denise Dudek. The GLT District coordinator is PCC Diane Bielski. All of these Lions are dedicated to the task of increasing membership, helping to start new clubs and strengthening our clubs by means of retention and education. Two (2) teams of three (3) to four (4) Lions each have been appointed by District Governor Ken Tucker. The GMT team at the present time is comprised of Lion George Finlayson and PDG Fran Gregoire. Lions Priscilla Lewis, Sheri Pellerin and PCC Armand  LaFleur comprise the GLT Team.

 

While the GMT and GLT are two independent parallel teams, the positive impact of each will only be realized through a collaborative effort. Collaboration ensures more effective use of individual talents. No individual Lion possesses all of the knowledge, skills and experience required to increase our membership base and improve the quality of our leadership alone. By working together, the effectiveness of the GMT and GLT can be maximized as we take advantage of the special knowledge and skills each represents.

 

The goals of the GMT are as follows:

 

  1. The Global Membership team will set membership, extension, and retention development goals and implement an action plan incorporating the goals and objectives of the District and Multiple District.
  2. The GMT working in conjunction with the GLT through the Multiple District Council will be responsible for the funding of programs for Membership, extension and retention.
  3. The GMT will be responsible to publish membership, extension and retention development plans in the District Newsletters, websites and any other publications.
  4. The GMT and GLT team will plan and conduct workshops and seminars.

Owing to the fact that this is the first full year of this idea, there will be a lot of massaging of the program until all of the kinks are worked out. However, it promises to be a very exciting year for our District, Multiple District and the clubs of District 23-C. Our District Governor has signed off on the program with Lions clubs International.  We are all anticipating a banner year for membership with a large plus in membership by June 30, 2012.

 

When did you become a Lion, really?

 

When did you become a Lion, really? Some of us may say, “Oh, About 10 years ago.” Some of us may even remember the month and the year. I joined the Willimantic Lions club in January of 1996. I really became a Lion nearly 13 years after I joined the club. Two years ago, I visited the Clara Barton Diabetes camp as district governor. Each year, our district sponsors campers to attend the camp with other kids with Diabetes. It was my first time there and I was immediately greeted by a young woman with a bright smile. I instantly felt welcomed. The day was spent touring the camp, visiting the barracks, dining with the campers, and the evening ended with a great camp fire. Throughout the entire day and visit, I was thanked by kids I had never met before, thanked for being a Lion. Kids would spontaneously yell out, “We love you Lions!” as we toured the grounds. Groups of kids would break out in spontaneous cheers and songs, all praising the Lions. I was overwhelmed by the appreciation I felt from the campers. It became very clear to me that day what it meant to be a Lion. It was my “aha” moment if you will. I realized that no matter how small of a contribution, I made a difference. I made a difference to these kids because I was a Lion.

 

It was at that very moment that I said to myself, I am not going to be a Lion only when it is convenient, I am not going to be a Lion only when I have enough time or energy, I am not going to be a Lion only when I have nothing better to do, I am a Lion for Life. I realized that I am a small part of a much bigger picture, but my part really does matter. I realized I will always make a difference in someone else’s life as a Lion. A stranger that I may never meet will receive a gift from me, today and every day, here and around the world.  That day, I re-committed myself to being a Lion.  I promised myself that I would forever offer my talents, my resources, my time to Lions, fully knowing and understanding that there will be times in my life when family, work, health, finances, and time will keep me from always being there.

Then I thought what a great retention program! If every Lion could have that aha moment, the moment you finally get it, we would not have a retention problem at all. When you finally realize that you really do make a difference, you could never possibly quit. Knowing, regardless of your circumstances, that your fellow Lions will always be there for you, you could never possibly quit. Knowing that your commitment comes only with your promise to try your best, never to be judged, you could never possibly leave.  

So, in keeping with our International President’s theme, “I believe”, I have signed a pledge to serve as a Lion for life. 

 

I believe I make a difference in the world because I am a Lion.

I believe that my talents, my resources, my time are valuable to this organization.

I believe that no matter what my circumstance, my fellow Lions will always support me.

I believe that my service, no matter how great or small, is priceless.

I believe I will serve as a Lion, for the rest of my life.

As a reminder of my pledge, I wear a purple ribbon. Whether it is on my lapel, under my pin, or on my vest, it represents my promise to myself and to those I serve. I am a Lion for Life. With this pledge, there comes no worries, no expectations. No matter what, I will never quit.

So, I ask you, when did you become a Lion, really? What was your Aha moment? I am asking you to share your stories with me so that I can share them with everyone. I ask that you re-commit yourself to Lions because you believe in yourself and you believe in this organization.  Sign this pledge and send it to me with or without your story. I will send you a purple ribbon and hopefully by years’ end, every Lion will be wearing a purple ribbon, united and strong.  Our retention problem will be solved, one Lion at a time.

PDG Keith Lemire

33 Shannon Lane

Groton, CT  06340

Lionkeith23c@yahoo.com

(click on link to download pledge)