President's Message: Rooted in Service with International President Mark S. Lyon

Being an effective leader isn’t about telling others what to do. It’s about inspiring them to act — and to be leaders themselves. By understanding your district’s needs, you can focus on opportunities for improvement and motivate the right people to help drive success.

Growth is essential to building strong clubs, expanding service and strengthening communities — and we have tools that work. Now is the time to put them into action. Monitor your district’s progress by regularly reviewing MISSION 1.5 leadership and service reports, addressing roadblocks as they arise, and refining your action plans by December 31, 2026, based on what is — and isn’t — working.

Here are more ways to energize your clubs:

• Promote the power of service – Point clubs to the Service Journey webpage for tips and tools on amplifying service impact and encourage service activities that align to your global causes and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

• Highlight Weeks of Service activities – The Vision Week of Service is currently taking place October 8-18, so be sure to shine a spotlight on the projects in your district.

• Emphasize community engagement – Hosting open houses, community events or service projects are great ways to make clubs more visible and attract new members and partnerships.

• Promote proven resources – Remind clubs to use the GMT/GET Toolbox which is packed with helpful information to attract and retain members.

• Target community needs – Encourage clubs to use the New Club Community Needs Assessment to identify any local service gaps so they can serve where it’s needed the most.

• Inspire excellence – Remind clubs to strive for the Club Excellence Award, honoring clubs for outstanding leadership, membership growth, service and humanitarian contributions.

  
  

The club level is where amazing things happen, so make sure that your district is energized, motivated — and rooted in service.

In friendship and service,

Mark S. Lyon

International President

Get the Recognition You Deserve

This year’s awards highlight excellence in several key areas, so find out how you can earn recognition for the commitment and dedication you bring to your district.

• Presidential Awards Initiatives – Be recognized for chartering new clubs, growing your district and strengthening the membership experience.

• Growth and Impact Awards – New this year, these awards recognize meaningful progress in membership, leadership and service.

• Jessie Robinson Growth Cup – Honors the top-performing district in each constitutional area for percentage of net membership growth.

  
  

Review the criteria, rally your district and make this an award-winning year!

Help Lions Promote Their Clubs Like Pros

When clubs have a solid marketing strategy, they gain more visibility, more members and more service impact. Encourage your clubs to use the tools below.

• Club marketing webpage – Members can access essential resources, including a campaign planner, brand guidelines and social media kits.

• LION AI (Ellie) – Club members can use conversational prompts to brainstorm marketing ideas, create headlines, draft fundraising emails and much more. No AI expertise needed!

• Advocacy webpage – Lions and Leos can discover strategies to raise awareness, build relationships and inspire action around the causes they care about.

  
  

Encourage your clubs to put these proven tools to work and watch their service and membership grow.

Updates:

• Learn the keys to great leadership by taking the Servant Leadership online course in the Lions Learning Center (LLC). Access the LLC through Learn in the Lion Portal.

• The SVDG Virtual Seminar begins in November and registration opened October 1. Please confirm with your SVDG that they are registered and receiving communications about their SVDG training program. Contact vdgtraining@lionsclubs.org with any questions.

• Larger grant awards are now available through the LCIF District and Club Grant (DCG) program, with greater unrestricted giving this Lion year. Watch this video to learn more.

• Discover new ways to promote your LCIF-funded grant project with a helpful new resource designed to increase awareness and share your impact.

  
  

Join LCIF’s recurring giving community and help Lions respond faster, strengthen communities and support those in need. Make your monthly or yearly donation now.