NEW MEMBER Induction Ceremonies - Lions Clubs International

NEW MEMBERInduction Ceremonies

New MemberInduction CeremoniesThe Induction Ceremony is the symbolic beginning to amember’s service as a Lion. It is also a key element in thelifelong retention of a member. A thoughtful induction,followed by a thorough orientation and meaningful involvementin the club’s activities will keep a new memberinterested and engaged in the club.While it is customary for the club president to induct newmembers, it is certainly appropriate to have a former internationalor district officer, the Membership Committeechairperson or a well-respected senior Lion conduct theceremony.Induction Ceremonies will vary depending on local customsor activities of the club and district. Also, it is acceptableand encouraged to adapt the New MemberInduction Ceremony to the affiliate membership category.When planning the ceremony, it is important tokeep in mind that it should be dignified and meaningfulfor the participants.Following are some ideas for creating an appropriate andmeaningful Induction Ceremony, as well as suggestedwording for the presentation.Suggested Ceremony Order1. Begin by inviting each new member and their sponsorindividually by name to the front of the room.2. Welcome all the participants to the ceremony andshare your joy for their attendance.3. Give a brief history of the distinguished history ofLions Clubs International.4. Present a short history about your club and its currentactivities.5. Administer the pledge.6. Present the pin.7. Close the ceremony with a welcoming statement onbehalf of your club and district, the presentation of anew member kit and an explanation of the sponsor’sresponsibilities.Suggested Presentation WordingFollowing is suggested wording for the different facets ofthe Induction Ceremony as described in the SuggestedCeremony Order above. Feel free to change the wordingas necessary to reflect local customs, add further informationor reflect the presenter’s communication style.1) Call to OrderWe are about to begin our New Member Induction Ceremony,in which we will induct _______ new membersinto our club. At this time, I would like to call each of thenew members and their sponsors. As their names arecalled, will the sponsors and new members please riseand come forward. Please hold your applause until all thenames are announced. Thank you. (Insert new membernames and sponsor names.)2) WelcomeLadies and gentlemen, on behalf of the officers and membersof the ________________ Lions Club, I want to expressour sincere pleasure at your presence at thismeeting. You have been invited to become members andwe are all extremely proud that you have accepted membershipin our club and Lions Clubs International. Membershipin a Lions club is a privilege. You have joined theworld’s largest and most active service club organization;a group of approximately 1.3 million men and women in__________________ clubs in ________ countries and geographicalareas around the globe, who are dedicated tomaking a difference. Through your membership, you willhelp our club reach out to people in need in our community,and throughout the world.3) Lions Clubs International HistoryYou are becoming part of a distinguished service historythat dates back to 1917, when Lions Clubs Internationalbegan as the dream of Chicago insurance man MelvinJones. He believed that local business clubs should expandtheir horizons from purely professional concerns tothe betterment of their communities and the world atlarge.Jones’ own group, the Business Circle of Chicago,agreed. After contacting similar groups around the country,an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917,at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The newgroup took the name of one of the groups invited, the“Association of Lions Clubs,” and a national conventionwas held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of thatyear. Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from ninestates were in attendance. The convention began to definewhat the association was to become. A constitution,by-laws, objects and code of ethics were approved.Induction Cerimonies

Since that humble beginning, Lions club members havevolunteered their time and talents to meet needs whereverthey exist. Lions are especially dedicated to serving theblind and visually impaired, a commitment made afterHelen Keller challenged our members to become her“knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”during the 1925 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA.Our motto, “We Serve” perfectly exemplifies the dedicationto helping those in need felt by Lions worldwide.Your membership in the _____________ Lions Club willhelp us carry on this tradition of service for many yearsto come.4) Local Club HistoryOur own club was founded in ____________ (year). For_________ years we have been tirelessly serving those inneed in ____________ (your town). With projects rangingfrom ________________________________to_____________________________________, the_______________ Lions Club is committed to bringingthe unparalleled services of Lions Clubs International toour community. (Add additional relevant informationabout your club and the exemplary work it has donewithin your community.)Your club belongs to Lions Clubs International, theworld’s largest service organization founded in 1917 andcomprising of approximately 1.3 million members belongingto 45,000 Lions club worldwide. Throughout itsproud history Lions Clubs International has brought unparalleledhumanitarian services to more than 200 countriesand geographic areas around the globe and allcontinents.You will find that membership in our Lions club willoffer many opportunities for personal growth. Not onlycan you experience the incomparable feeling you receivefrom volunteering, but you will also have the chance tohone leadership, communication and organizationalskills. You can develop friendships that last a lifetime,meet other Lions from all corners of the world and contributeideas that will help our club be an even more valuablepart of our community.Your membership in the _______________ Lions Clubwill allow us to reach more people in need, in both ourlocal and world communities. The officers and membersof this club are thrilled that you have chosen to help uscontinue the legacy of Lions Clubs International by improvingthe lives of the less fortunate and making ourcommunity an even better place to live.5) Choose One of the Following Suggested PledgesPledge 1“Since you have expressed a desire toaffiliate with this club, and with Lions ClubsInternational, I now ask that you repeatafter me the Obligation of Membership:I do hereby accept membership in the_______________ Lions Club knowing thatsuch membership encourages me toparticipate in functions of the club. To thebest of my ability I will abide by the LionsCode of Ethics, and contribute my share tothe programs of my club, district and LionsClubs International.You are now officially a member of the_________________ Lions Club. Yoursponsor will now present to you the Lionsemblem pin, which signifies membership.”Pledge 2“Since you have expressed a desire toaffiliate with this club, and with LionsClubs International, I now ask that yourespond to my words with a simple ‘I do’ or‘I will.’Do you hereby accept membership in the______________ Lions Club knowing thatyou are encouraged to participate infunctions of the club?- I do –To the best of your ability will you abide bythe Lions Code of Ethics, attend meetingswhenever possible and contribute yourshare to the programs of your club, districtand Lions Clubs International?- I will –You are now officially a member of the_________________ Lions Club. Yoursponsor will now present to you the Lionsemblem pin, which signifies membership.”Induction Cerimonies

Pledge 3“I, __________ in the presence of the membersof the __________ Lions Club, take thissolemn obligation to abide by the constitutionand By Laws of the club and that of LionsClubs International, to attend all meetingsregularly, to support and further the interestsof the club in all its undertakings, and tocontribute my fair share towards the financialsupport of the club.I further declare that I will assist inmaintaining, building, and strengthening themembership of the club. Furthermore, I willhelp the club by actively serving on committeesand in other capacities where my efforts areneeded, and that, I will practice the principlesof the Code of Ethics and the Purposes ofLions Clubs International.By the power vested in me by Lions ClubsInternational I now declare you as having beeninducted as a Lion in Lions ClubsInternational.Congratulations!”6) Pin Presentation(Sponsor presents pin to new member.)“Now, I would like to ask the sponsor, Lion __________to respond to my words with a simple ‘I will.’Will you fulfill the following obligations?• Be a sponsoring ‘mentor’ for your new lion;• Make your new member feel welcome;• Introduce your new member to all club members;• Provide your new member with information aboutthe club, its officers and constitution;• Arrange for orientation sessions for the new member;• Be ready and willing to answer any questions thatmight arise;• Encourage the new member to discuss with youany problems and offer possible solutions;• Assist the new member in developing into an outstandingLion?”- I will –7) Closing Statement“Fellow Lion _________________ (insert new membername), wear this emblem with pride, for it representsyour membership in the world’s largest service club organization;an association that has a distinguished legacyof meeting needs worldwide.Let me congratulate you and welcome you to the greatestof all service club organizations … The International Associationof Lions Clubs.On behalf of the club, I now present you with your officialCertificate of Membership and a New Member Kit,which will help you get off to a good start in your life asa Lion.We are all extremely proud and happy to have you as amember of the _______________ Lions Club.”Membership Operations DepartmentLions Clubs International300 W 22nd StOak Brook IL 60523-8842 USAwww.lionsclubs.orgE-mail: newclubs@lionsclubs.orgPhone: 630.571.5466ME22 EN 10/09