A Lions Club President

 "Can anyone be a Lions Club President?". This is a question asked when a club has leadership problems.

It is a "Yes" to me. But most importantly, how will one be an effective Lion Club President?

During the old days, every President was given a handbook (and later an e-book) to read with clear instructions to plan and carry out the duties.

Nowadays, with the advent of ICT, the Lions Clubs International gives the President the authority to view MyLCI to familiarise with the running of the club. It is imperative that the President set the dates for the board and regular meetings in the calendar year as well as chart the types of projects for implementation during his tenure, in particular, the Core Service Projects set by Lions Clubs International.
At the local Lions Convention, Key Officers' Schools are usually held and the Incoming Presidents must make it a point to attend the school. “Workshops for Presidents” are also conducted at the Regional/Zonal level before the fiscal year or at the beginning of the fiscal year. However, the current situation of Covid-19 has deprived physical attendance; nonetheless, video or zoom meetings are conducted. 

If every President was to attend these schools or via zoom with commitment and zeal, I can safely say that the President should be able to perform his/her duties efficiently. Such schools are good platforms to learn good leadership and governance of the club. But, at the end of the day, sad to say, there are still the odd non-performing Presidents.  Therefore, it boils down to my earlier question: "How will one be an effective Lions Club President?"

Being a Lions Club President is not just a prestigious title that is given to a “Captain” of the Lions movement. The President must live up to the expectations of the LCI Charter. The post entails great responsibilities and top leadership qualities.
Obviously, the first thing that comes to my mind is that the Club President must not be a spendthrift. Extravagant projects or irresponsible spending are a definite No-No. The club should spend within its means.

Giving of one's time is all-important to the club. Don’t run for the presidency if you are not willing to devote a lot of time to achieving the goals set for the betterment of the club and the community. The club comes first! In fact, the Incoming President should strive to match or better the good work of his predecessor. That aside, a good President will also need to respond immediately to unchartered appeals. For instance, during trying times such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the menacing floods.

The President’s responsibility is to ensure the team delivers its true potential. To realise this, the President needs to understand and empathise with his members. He has to be approachable, sociable, and knowledgeable. Stay connected with the membership, be generous always, and the President will build trust and a good support base. While we are wowed by the wonders of ICT, nothing beats the human touch!

Be alert and smartly dressed on all formal occasions as we carry the Lions’ brand on our shoulders. Having said that, the President must have a good attitude and dedication. It is also important to be humble (by listening to the views of the members) and be wary of the need to maintain confidentiality. Sometimes, there is a need to tap the views of Past Presidents when it comes to tough decision-making. Whatever it is, a positive attitude always goes a long way!

Finally, it is the duty of the Incoming President to attend the Lions Convention, the OSEAL Forum, and LCI Convention. It is also imperative that the current President groom potential leaders and ensure that there will always be new blood to take over. Mentoring is a proven way to groom leaders.