The Guthrie Noon Lions Club

The Guthrie Noon Lions Club (“The Club”) is one of the largest and historic civic organizations in the State of Oklahoma. The Club was formally initiated on November 10, 1919. The Club is a member of Lions International and the Lions of Oklahoma, and promotes the ideals found in the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation. The Club also supports and is a member of the Oklahoma Lions District 3-H.

Presented in this paper is a Vision and Roadmap, within the framework of a strategic analysis, for the Guthrie Lions Club as it looks toward the next decade, and maintains its place as one of the premier civic organizations in the State of Oklahoma. The Guthrie Lions Club Board of Directors has participated in discussion and analysis of Club programs, priorities and support activities. This dialogue serves as the healthy self-appraisal required for any group to fully evaluate a course for the future, thereby always striving to achieve the long term goals and objectives of the organization.

Vision Statement

The Guthrie Noon Lions Club, employing principals of leadership, fellowship, and financial management, and supporting the ideals of Lions International ,the Lions of Oklahoma, and the Motto that “We Serve”, should be viewed as one of the preferred civic organizations in the State of Oklahoma; projecting a sense of community spirit and pride, and embracing programs that will provide a positive impact, benefit and value to the Club, its members, the Logan County and Guthrie community, and the State of Oklahoma. The Club will work to promote ideals of Lionism, through leadership programs and incentive for youth, which will serve to encourage personal welfare and growth.

The Foundation of this Vision

There are several key guiding mission principals of the Guthrie Lions Club that serve as the foundation for the concepts put forth in this Vision Statement:

• A growth-oriented membership who demonstrate Pride in being a Lion and Pride in being a member of the Guthrie Lions Club.
• Promotion of a Club mission and annual projects that support our “Commitment to Serve”!
• Provide challenging opportunities to Club members in a lucrative, self-rewarding, fun, and family-friendly quality of life environment.
• Inclusion of experiences for Oklahoma youth, with emphasis on service, commitment, integrity, physical health, and an incentive to grow their career with an objective to remain in the State of Oklahoma.
• Present a “positive Life-Style” program, encouraging members and participants to make the most of their natural talents for a better personal tomorrow and a better Oklahoma.

Assumptions

Following are assumptions regarding the current status of the Guthrie Lions Club, which are inferred from discussion in development of a Vision and Roadmap for the Club:

• The Guthrie Lions club will always support and embrace the ideals and objectives put forth by Lions International and the Lions of Oklahoma.
• It is the intent of the Club, through their membership and programs, to bring overall value to the Logan County and Guthrie community.
• The Club, as it currently exists, is one of the finest and recognized civic organizations in the State of Oklahoma. Members of our Club continue to hold State office.
• The programs and priorities already embraced by the Club should be continued, yet evaluated for their value on annual basis by the Board of Directors.
• The Guthrie Lions Club will celebrate the 90th Anniversary of its founding in November 2009. This event should mark a historic milestone, and set a stage for a Centennial Anniversary in 2019.
• The Club should not try to take on a larger mission or agenda than what the membership is capable of executing in a quality manner. We must be realistic in our expectations and programs.
• The Club financial position is excellent. Our fundraisers, donations received, and dues program are adequate for the current level of Club activity.

Current Programs

The following programs and annual projects, which meet the current goals and objectives of the Club, should continue and be planned on an annual basis:

Lions International Programs
Campaign Sight First II
Diabetic Eye Disease Screening
Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program
Health Screening Van
Melvin Jones Fellowships
Cowboy Cadillac (Oklahoma Lions Foundation)

Guthrie Lions Club Programs
Margaret Joyce Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Student of the Month
Business of the Week
Christmas Party
Back to School Ice Cream Social
Boys ranch shoes for Christmas
89ers Day Float
Guthrie High School Scholarships
Promotion of the Leo’s Club

Fund Raisers
Pancake Dinner
Fruit Sales
Fish Fry

Priorities for the Future

No statement of mission, goals and strategies can stand on their own. The value of any planning exercise depends on whether the plan is realistic and can actually be put into action. At the industry and government level, this calls for a seamless integration with national, state and business priorities and budgeting processes. At the Guthrie Lions Club level, this calls for a seamless integration into the overall priorities of Logan County, the City and community of Guthrie, the Chamber of Commerce, Logan County Economic Development, the Guthrie School Board and System, other civic organizations, and finally, the people of the community. While Lions International goals and objectives should always be integral to our process, we suggest that the maximum return on our investment in Lions will occur through commitment to community issues, goals, and objectives.

Guthrie Lions Club performance measures should be synchronized with a realistic situational outlook and awareness of our Oklahoma world. We have listed below five key performance measures and feedback loops for our strategic analysis and roadmap. Achievement of a degree of success in these five areas would ensure the Club is part of the bigger set of processes and priorities ongoing in the region and the state.

Membership:

The Guthrie Lions Club membership, currently at approximately 100 members, has been the largest of all Lions Club’s within the State. It is our intent to continue recruitment of members to grow above that number. A realistic goal for each year should be determined by the Board of Directors.

A key objective of the Club will be the continued recruitment of women and young adults. Recruitment of women may be accomplished through family associations and invitation to members of the business community to meetings, with continued involvement of members in persuading them to join the Club.
Recruitment of young adults, from the “X” and “Y” generations and Millenials, will require Club membership to be mindful of their generational priorities. Recruitment can also occur from business and the local community.
The Club Membership Chairperson, and a Committee, should, through the Board of Directors, have a plan for annual recruitment goals.

Annual Events and Projects:

Above and beyond the mentioned annual projects, programs and fundraisers already promoted annually, following are specific recommendations, with minimum investment required, for new Guthrie Lions Club programs to initiate within the next 2-3 years. Coverage of costs associated with any new programs would be encouraged through donations, or would be planned into the annual budget of the Club.

• Partner with the United Way in Guthrie for a community Needs Assessment
• Take a lead role with other community civic organizations, churches, agencies, and interested businesses in networking and/or leading annual meetings to determine how the networked organizations can work together to meet community and regional objectives. Show willingness to partner with local and state agencies such as the American Red Cross or Emergency Management offices.
• Lions Quest International as a potential Club sponsorship. Coordinate during 2008 with the Guthrie School Board to sponsor 2-3 teachers to attend the summer 2008 Lions Quest Workshop in Oklahoma City. Costs for this sponsorship in 2008 would be via business donations. If feedback from this workshop is positive as to motivation, leadership and value to teachers and students, and in the best overall interest of the School System, look to sponsoring a fall 2009 Lions Quest Workshop in Guthrie. The prospective cost for this workshop would be accrued through donation, grants obtained by Lions Quest from the State organization, and/or through the annual Club budget.
• Expansion of support to the Central Christian Camp and/or the Blind Camp. This is inclusive of more than financial support. Objective to hold a Lions sponsored event or day at the Camp, such as a cookout or a carnival. A key part of this event could be sponsorship by the Guthrie Leo’s Club.
• Provide the incentive and initiate contact toward new or expanded Lions Clubs in either South Logan County or the City of Langston. This would be a “reach-out” program that we would promote in the best interest of Lionism.
• Promote Technology Insertion through an upgraded and up-to-date Guthrie Lions Club web-page. Ensure that Club officers continue to communicate monthly with the membership via email.
• Take on a “Green Project”, that will provide in a small way some priority to national-level environmental causes.

Promotion of Lionism and Leadership within the Club:

Following are 15 specific recommendations to promote Lionism within the Club, to incentivize new members, and retain membership:

1. Place pictures and biographical summaries of members on our web-page.
2. Pick a “Lion of the Month”.
3. Tail Twister gives recognition for the Lion member who may have greeted the most people at a Friday meeting.
4. Tail Twister is more demanding as to rule violations.
5. Annual survey of Club members as to interests, matching people to committee’s, feedback on changes the Club may make.
6. Appoint sponsors and mentors to new members; to sit with them at Friday meetings.
7. Email minutes to Club members.
8. Promote a monthly newsletter.
9. Promote the wearing of vests and pins to Friday meetings.
10. Recognize those who recruit new members, to include an award annually to a the individual who recruits the most new members.
11. Create a brochure to provide new members information on Guthrie Lions Club annual activities.
12. Host a new member ceremony quarterly. Make this a big deal!
13. At the Christmas Dinner, present awards for special recognition to members.
14. Follow-up with those members who do not attend Friday meetings to cultivate their active participation.
15. Have Lions members with businesses showcase a Lions sign in their window or in a visible location.

In addition, there are also specific recommendations to promote leadership and knowledge of Lions and what it means to members and the Guthrie community:

1. Create a committee that introduces new members in a side-session to the ideals of Lionism and the Guthrie Club. Talks about our annual programs and projects, about our membership, our financial goals, and goals of the organization. Determine the individual goals of new members as to participation in the Club.
2. Create a public relations committee or position to promote the Club within the community and maintain a relationship for promotion and marketing of the Club with the media, including the Guthrie News Leader and the Oklahoman.

Promotion of Youth:

A key objective of the Club is always to promote youth, and instill in them the ideals of good citizenship, integrity, and clean living. This will continue through our Students of the Month programs. New student recognition programs may be investigated via the Leo’s Club.
We must build the recognition and incentive of our Leo’s Club through regular meetings with members, adult advisors, and Guthrie School system members. Our objective, through the Leo’s Club, is to incentivize students and youth to join, especially with the invitation to attend weekly meetings.

Funding our Mission:

Guthrie Lions Club funding is through monthly dues, fund-raisers, donations, grants that may be received, and inclusion of events within the annual budget. The Club has financial responsibility also to Lions International and Lions of Oklahoma.

At present, these budgeting sources are adequate for Club programs and activities. A marked increase in Club program events may incur additional and unacceptable cost requirements. The Board of Directors will, on an annual basis, continue to evaluate plans versus budget available.

Consideration by the Board should be given to a Guthrie Lions Club Endowment which would include funds are key priorities and activities such as a Scholarship Fund or Sight First programs. This endowment fund can be established, with appropriate recognitions to donors, for those businesses, families, agencies, or individuals who contribute.

The Board will also continue to investigate the possibility of annual fundraisers for the Club. It is significant that the Club must remain aware of financial resource availability in making decisions as to additional programs and events for sponsorship.

Implementation of a Strategic Plan

The Board of Director’s has the responsibility to evaluate the programs and ideas put forth in this strategic plan. While all the possibilities and ideas presented are viable, the Board and the Club must be wise in their consideration of priority. This is always due to the realization of limited resources such as dollars and people.

The Guthrie Lions Club has already been established as a premier organization in the region. The honor of remaining in that lofty position should require evaluation of the ideas put forth in this paper.