Lions Strategize For Continuous Development, Excellence Services

Poised to remain the number one humanitarian service organization in the world, Lions Clubs International have continued to evolve new ways of organizing its activities and rendering services in order to achieve its objectives.

Lions Clubs District 404B2 Nigeria, under the leadership of Lion Kayode Oshinuga had recently, in line with its global objectives, organized its First Strategic Retreat aimed at preparing the Clubs leaders and its members ahead on the challenges of leading and driving a 21st century humanitarian and service organization.

At a recent three-day retreat held at Western Sun Hotel, Ede, Osun State, with the theme “Reflect, Rethink Refocus For Development and Excellence,” speakers who spoke at the event took members through on how to inculcate a positive mindset that focuses on Clubs growth, members’ welfare and development, and excellence services delivery.

According to the Retreat Moderator, Past District Governor (PDG) Lion (Dr) Christine Funke Adebajo, while giving insights on the major focus of the Retreat in Ede, “As the theme states, the retreat focused on reflecting, rethinking, and refocusing for excellence.

In an attempt to achieve this laudable goal, she said “the retreat reviewed our District’s current state with the view to charting a progressive path for the District’s immediate and future whereby, our District could attain the best District in the Multiple District in all ramifications.”

Speaking on how the retreat will add value to leadership in the District, she said ”The retreat afforded us to take some far-reaching decisions that are aimed at radically transforming our District positively. Emphasis was placed on leadership development. This includes mapping out a sound succession plan that includes competent and well-grounded leaders.

Leaders that have the capacity for learning and retraining. Leaders with the right vision are capable of placing District 404B2 in one of the best and topmost position among clubs in Multiple District 404 and at the international level.

On what change to see in the nearest future, Lion Christine Funke Adebajo stated,  “I expect many progressive changes including quality membership growth with the aim of the District bifurcating. I expect the District to have its own befitting purpose-built secretariat. I expect us to take on more impactful services in the communities. Such services that will maintain our current best service organizational position in the world as it is presently known. I want to see many signature projects that will project the image of Lions clubs in particular District 404B2.

“I expect us to improve our image by focusing on organizational branding. LEO clubs development is vital in our association’s succession plan hence I expect our District to focus more on the formation of LEO clubs and put in place an effective LEO conversion process. I expect all these changes within the next three years by the special grace of God.”

The District was divided into groups and topics amplifying the theme of the retreat given to each group to present.

In their presentation “Accelerated Membership Growth, Heightened Membership Quality, And Improved Membership Welfare, Satisfaction, And Retention,” Group emphasized the need for accelerated membership growth, improved membership welfare and quality, ensure member satisfaction and retention.

Their goals, amongst others, include: To achieve a net membership growth of at least 500 within the period of One year; To improve quality membership and welfare satisfaction of members and To create specific strategies for membership retention.

The retreat recommended amongst other good Personal traits as key to attracting new members (Charity begins at home), adding that “membership drop should be seriously discouraged and minimized to the minimum of about 5%

According to them, family members should be encouraged (Spouses, family and friends). There should be a process in order of ascension on positions in the district. Quality and robust service activities should be encouraged at all levels. There should be continuity for both club and district levels. Ensure inclusion of every club by the district in all its activities. Clubs should increase visibility through print and social media. Meetings should be productive and precise. Mandatory leadership training for all presidents without which there will be no induction by the district.

They also called on every club to have its constitution and bye-laws and to lay more emphasis on members welfare. The district should revive the district Lions welfare scheme that clubs contribute to every Lions year. Allotment of highest points on membership growth during clubs/Presidents evaluation by the district. Recognition of Presidents of Mega clubs at every district event. To have customized sash/muffler for presidents of Mega clubs for easy recognition and concluded that if these goals are met, it will help the district to be qualified for Bifurcation.

“Image Development, Brand Awareness Partnership” was one of the issues that were looked into. It was harped on the need to change the narratives of concentrating always on the leaders of the association than the association itself.

“We have to change the narratives of concentrating on the leaders of the association than the association itself. E.g, our banners should lay more emphasis on our Logos, the theme of projects, activities, training etc than photographs of members.

“Marketing and Communications Chairpersons in the Club and District should be redefined,” suggesting that “Clubs Fund-raising and Investiture Ceremonies be seen as Club project and not personalized.

“Community Needs Assessment list is important before embarking on an activity or project. In doing this, we will further boost on our image branding,” they stated in the presentation.

They advocated that “Ethics and Disciplinary Committee should be redefined and improve to build our social image as an individual and our association will be better for it.

“Lions Secretariat should be seen as a priority in boosting our Brand image, drive aggressive membership. And this aspect will also yield income for the association through renting of the secretariat Hall.

“Clubs and District should invest in branded Bus project as this will further enhance positively on our brand awareness. We need to partner with vehicle manufacturing companies etc.

“Ensure development of self-discipline to boost the image of Lionism.”

According to them, “Clubs and District to improve on Media I.e,  website page.

“Partnership with a notable and reputable organisation like Twinning projects with other NGOS, Media Organisation etc to expand our image brand awareness.

“Training and Development should be continued for leaders and members on yearly basis.

“Financial Management, Transparency And Accountability,” was also deliberated upon to ensure and maintain enough supply of funds for the organization; ensuring stakeholders of the organization to get good returns; optimum and efficient utilization of funds and creating real and safe investment opportunities to invest in.

It was recommended that any Lion that is not in good financial standing shall not be appointed to any office at Clubs or District level and that all abandoned lions clubs projects should be aggregated and funds raised to complete them so to improve on our image to the outside world.

The issues of saving account for projects be reviewed because of the cumbersome procedures for operating such accounts. The two accounts could be current. “The building of a |secretariat will improve on the image of the District and help raise funds”

The Youth Wing of the Lions Club, LEO Club programme was also discussed.  and LEO-LION conversion.

It was recommended that Town Hall meeting with the leadership of the LEO; called for the inclusion of LEO members in important leadership training such as RLLI; that political crises should be managed constructively; that proper and formal mode of dressing of all LEO and LION be enforced.

The retreat also suggested that the model/mentor be involved in scrutinizing the Lions’ budget and encourage financial reports; that the LEO welfare programme should be encouraged; that NYSC fund/partnership, as well as counterpart funding of dues, be encouraged.

While speaking on the Retreat, the Retreat Planning Committee Chairperson, Lion Wesley O. Kafidiya, commended the participants and the organizers for making the event a reality, adding that “the passion, commitment, sacrifice and discipline displayed by all participants and most importantly the efforts put into the deep intellectual and far-reaching deliberations and outcomes of the Retreat is highly commendable.

“We recognize and acknowledge the generous hospitality of Ede Lions. We promise that all hands will be on deck to harness and harvest the resolutions reached for excellent growth and development of our District.”

The District Governor, District 404B2, Nigeria, Lion Kayode Oshinuga, commenting on the First Strategic District Retreat, commended all and sundry who played one role or the other to ensure the success of the retreat.

According to him, I’ll also thank and appreciate all the leaders, especially our Elders and participants that endured an intensive two days of rigorous brainstorming sessions, to fashion out blueprints for the future of our dear District.

“To the resource persons both within and outside the District, whose presentations set us in the right mood for the critical discussions held, you’re all dearly appreciated.

“To members of Ede Royal Lions Club, I say a big thank you for your generosity and hospitality.

“Having now concluded the retreat with far-reaching decisions and resolutions, the job of transforming our district to a model and a leading district has just begun.

“The next stages of implementation, monitoring and delivery are most important and crucial and would require the involvement of all and sundry,” the District Governor added.