Families Serving TogetherWhat?Why?How?

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What?What is a Family?

As defined by the Vanier Institute, family is:

“Any group of two or more people that consider

themselves to be a family: parents, children,

siblings, foster parents, grandparents, aunts,

uncles, cousins, friends, and any other who

consider themselves a family.”

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What?

1. What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Clubs?

2. What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Meetings?

3. What Are Some Characteristics of Family Friendly Projects?

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What?

Family Friendly Clubs

• Generational• Younger• Women• Couples• Children come to meetings and help with

projects• CUB program

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What?

Family Friendly Meetings

• Take place at a convenient time• Start on time & end on time• Take place at a suitable location• Activity oriented• Fun for all ages, alternative activities available

for children• Business conducted efficiently

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What?

Family Friendly Activities

• Hands-on, active• Something for everyone to do• Able to be completed in a short period of time• Meaningful and understandable• Have a direct impact on the community

WHY?It’s always easier if you know why you’re

doing it!

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WHY?

Becoming more family-friendly will help grow your club.

• Your spouse and children constitute an untapped source of members

• Your spouse and children have friends who may also become a source of membership growth.

But There’s More…

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WHY?

Your Members & Their Families Will Benefit

• Activities will better fit their need for flexibility

• Families will spend more time together sharing the volunteer experience

• Younger family members will be exposed to the importance and joys of volunteering

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WHY?

Your Club Will Benefit• Your club will become more diverse

Wider age range Increased gender balance

• Diverse membership will bring diverse skill sets Physical energy Organizational skills Technology skills

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WHY?

Your Community Will Benefit• Your club will be exposed to a wider range of

community needs. Closer connection to schools Closer connection to youth activities and needs Closer connection to family needs

• Your club will have an increased ability to meet those needs because you will have more members with more skills

HOW?How do we get from here to there?

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HOW?

Generate Enthusiasm and Acceptance within your club

Make sure members understand the changes that will be necessary

Make sure members understand the benefits to the club and to the community

It’s not right for every club. You may need to consider forming a club branch

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HOW?

Plan For Changes Form a planning committee of Lions

enthusiastic about the concept

Get the Family Friendly Lions Club Concept “How To Guide” (LCI Website www.lionsclubs.org)

Complete the Family Friendly Lions Club Concept Planning Form and Action Planner (Contained in the “How To Guide”)

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HOW?

Make Necessary Changes Meeting time and location Meeting structure

– Consider a casual setting

– Consider cost

– Consider making meetings activity oriented

– Consider alternate activities for children

– Consider providing supervision for children while conducting business

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HOW?

Do Family Oriented “One Day Event” Service Project

• Resources “Steps To Plan A One Day Event” (LCI Website) “Benefits Of Participating in a One Day Event” (LCI

Website) “Family Volunteer Activity List” (LCI Website) www.GenerationOn.org

– A FANTASTIC website with ideas for kids, teens, parents, teachers, & organizations

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HOW?

www.GenerationOn.org

The youth division of the Points of Light Institute

Mission: “To inspire, equip, and mobilize youth to take

action that changes the world and themselves through service”

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HOW?

Consider the Lions Family Cub Program

• Resources

“Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide” (LCI Website)

“Lions Family Cub Activities” (LCI Website)

www.GenerationOn.org

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HOW?

Market The New Club Structure• Publicize your one day event

Local media Social media

• Invite interested families to “try out” the club by participating

• Educate your members about the family concept and how to effectively invite new families into your Lions club

• Publicize club changes and service activities

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HOW?

Do a Community Needs Assessment• Get the “Lions Clubs Community Needs

Assessment” (LCI Website) Contains planning and execution steps Involves community leaders Furnishes service project ideas Facilitates partnering with other community

organizations Lets them know you care!

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HOW?Other Ideas

• Club Family Social or Recreational Event• Community Family Involvement Night

See Family Friendly Lions Club Concept Planning Guide (LCI Website)

• Take it a little bit at a time Change can be stressful Make sure you have club support Keep at it!

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REMEMBER

1. Take it a little bit at a time

Change can be stressful

Make sure you have club support

Make sure all changes and events are well planned and organized

2. Keep at it

Life is a journey, not a destination!