Which Came First, the Member or the Service?

Like many Lions Club across North America, Austin Founder Lions Club is seeing a slow but steady decline in members. As of Feb. 1, the club has 85 members, down from more than 100 members only 10 years ago. LCI research shows that people join Lions Clubs to become involved in community service, and while clubs are successful in recruiting new members, more are leaving, resulting in a net loss. How do we change the trajectory for our club?

Lion Dick Weatherly, a member of the Lions Club of Lago Vista since 2015, has served as his club’s membership chairman since 2016. Through his and the club’s efforts, Lago Vista has maintained membership numbers and has almost 90 on the roll now, with an increase of nine members in the 2024-25 years. The Global Membership Team leader for our District 2-S3 Lions will share his insights about how to successfully recruit and retain new members.

Involving all members in service is a component of member retention. During the meeting, club members will write messages on Valentine’s cards that will be distributed to First United Methodist Church’s homeless women’s ministry on Feb. 14, along with chocolates. This is a service project that every AFLC member can participate in! Lion Ann Ward will lead this activity, and share an inspirational LCI video.

Our club can work to revitalize itself, and get more involved in the community – or not. It’s up to each of us. Come participate in the discussion and get your “roar” on!

About our Speaker:

Lion Dick Weatherly joined the Lions Club of Lago Vista in 2015, and was named membership chairman in 2016. In addition to his success in recruiting and retaining members, Lion Dick was selected as Lion of the year in 2022 by his club, and was selected as a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2024. He also has been awarded the LCI medal for Leadership.