MERL TEAM GOALS 2003-2004

(Thanks to Lion Richard LaScola)

  The Membership, Extension, Retention, and Leadership teams have taken on the task of restoring our numbers after several years of decline in the state.  They made an immediate impact as last year the net loss was less than the number of Lions who passed away.  That means, if none had died last year, we would have had a positive year. This was quite a reversal and the beginning of a trend.

This year, the Ohio MERL team consists of PID Floyd Newberry, PDG Homer Rice, PDG John Stalder, and Lion Paul Nutter. The team has established several goals for themselves and the clubs in Ohio. 

     1.  MEMBERSHIP

1. Each club is to hold a membership meeting for prospective members using the Ohio Plan
2. Each club is to be visited by a MERL Team member who will present a program about the services that the MERL Team has to offer
3. Each district’s goal is a net membership gain overall

2. EXTENSION
   1. Establish Zone projects to start new clubs
   2. Each district’s goal is two new clubs

3. RETENTION
   1. Each club is to hold an annual orientation meeting
   2. Each club will use exit interviews
   3. Each district’s target is to reduce preventable losses

4. LEADERSHIP
   1. Identify future leaders through succession planning
   2. Include Zone Chairs as de facto members of the MERL Team
   3. Train each MERL member and Zone Chair to be able to help clubs set up a new membership meeting
   4. The goal is to have each club enabled to hold its own new membership meeting

Some of the districts are putting a special emphasis on recruiting and inducting women this year.  Others are focusing on bringing in young members.  With the use of the Ohio plan, the goals expressed are conservative and achievable.  If you want to learn more about the MERL teams, contact your deputy district governor, or the MERL chair in your region or district.