The Induction Ceremony is the symbolic
beginning to a member’s service as a Lion. It is also a key
element in the lifelong retention of a member. A thoughtful
induction, followed by a thorough orientation and meaningful
involvement in the club’s activities will keep a new member
interested and engaged in the club.
While it is customary for the club
president to induct new members, it is certainly appropriate to
have a former international or district officer, the Membership
Committee chairperson or a well-respected senior Lion conduct
the ceremony.
Suggested Presentation Wording
Following is suggested wording for the
different facets of the Induction Ceremony as described in the
Suggested Ceremony Order above. Feel free to change the wording
as necessary to reflect local customs, add further information
or reflect the presenter’s communication style.
1) Call to Order
We are about to begin our New Member
Induction Ceremony, in which we will induct _______ new members
into our club. At this time, I would like to call each of the
new members and their sponsors. As their names are called, will
the sponsors and new members please rise and come forward.
Please hold your applause until all the names are announced.
Thank you. (Insert new member names and sponsor names.)
2) Welcome
Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the
officers and members of the __________________ Lions Club, I
want to express our sincere pleasure at your presence at this
meeting. You have been invited to become members and we are all
extremely proud that you have accepted membership in our club
and Lions Clubs International. Membership in a Lions club is a
privilege. You have joined the world’s largest and most active
service club organization; a group of approximately 1.3 million
men and women in __________________ clubs in ____________
countries and geographical areas around the globe, who are
dedicated to making a difference. Through your membership, you
will help our club reach out to people in need in our community,
and throughout the world.
3) Lions Clubs International History
You are becoming part of a distinguished
service history that dates back to 1917, when Lions Clubs
International began as the dream of Chicago insurance man Melvin
Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their
horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of
their communities and the world at large.
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 new group took
the name of one of the groups invited, the “Association of Lions
Clubs,” and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA
in October of that year. Thirty-six delegates representing 22
clubs from nine states were in attendance. The convention began
to define what the association was to become. A constitution,
by-laws, objects and code of ethics were approved.
Since that humble beginning, Lions club
members have volunteered their time and talents to meet needs
wherever they exist. Lions are especially dedicated to serving
the blind and visually impaired, a commitment made after Helen
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 dedication to helping those in need
felt by Lions worldwide. Your membership in the
____________________ Lions Club will help us carry on this
tradition of service for many years to come.
4) Local Club History
Our own club was founded in ____________
(year). For _________ years we have been tirelessly serving
those in need in _________________ (your town). With projects
ranging from ________________________________
to_____________________________________, the
____________________ Lions Club is committed to bringing the
unparalleled services of Lions Clubs International to our
community. (Add additional relevant information about your club
and the exemplary work it has done within your community.)
Your club belongs to Lions Clubs
International, the world’s largest service organization founded
in 1917 and comprising of approximately 1.3 million members
belonging to 45,000 Lions club worldwide. Throughout its proud
history Lions Clubs International has brought unparalleled
humanitarian services to more than 200 countries and geographic
areas around the globe and all continents.
You will find that membership in our Lions
club will offer many opportunities for personal growth. Not only
can you experience the incomparable feeling you receive from
volunteering, but you will also have the chance to hone
leadership, communication and organizational skills. You can
develop friendships that last a lifetime, meet other Lions from
all corners of the world and contribute ideas that will help our
club be an even more valuable part of our community.
Your membership in the ___________________
Lions Club will allow us to reach more people in need, in both
our local and world communities. The officers and members of
this club are thrilled that you have chosen to help us continue
the legacy of Lions Clubs International by improving the lives
of the less fortunate and making our community an even better
place to live.
5) Choose One of the Following Suggested Pledges
“Since you have expressed a desire to
affiliate with this club, and with Lions Clubs International, I
now ask that you repeat after me the Obligation of Membership: I
do hereby accept membership in the _____________________ Lions
Club knowing that such membership encourages me to participate
in functions of the club. To the best of my ability I will abide
by the Lions Code of Ethics, and contribute my share to the
programs of my club, district and Lions Clubs International.
You are now officially a member of the
________________________ Lions Club. Your sponsor will now
present to you the Lions emblem pin, which signifies
membership.”
Pledge 2
“Since you have expressed a desire to
affiliate with this club, and with Lions Clubs International, I
now ask that you respond to my words with a simple ‘I do’ or ‘I
will.’
Do you hereby accept membership in the
_______________________ Lions Club knowing that you are
encouraged to participate in functions of the club?
- I do –
To the best of your ability will you abide
by the Lions Code of Ethics, attend meetings whenever possible
and contribute your share to the programs of your club, district
and Lions Clubs International?
- I will –
You are now officially a member of the
______________________ Lions Club. Your sponsor will now present
to you the Lions emblem pin, which signifies membership.”
Pledge 3
“I, ___________________ in the presence of
the members of the _____________________ Lions Club, take this
solemn obligation to abide by the constitution and By Laws of
the club and that of Lions Clubs International, to attend all
meetings regularly, to support and further the interests of the
club in all its undertakings, and to contribute my fair share
towards the financial support of the club.
I further declare that I will assist in
maintaining, building, and strengthening the membership of the
club. Furthermore, I will help the club by actively serving on
committees and in other capacities where my efforts are needed,
and that, I will practice the principles of the Code of Ethics
and the Purposes of Lions Clubs International.
By the power vested in me by Lions Clubs
International I now declare you as having been inducted as a
Lion in Lions Clubs International.
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 about the club, its
officers and constitution;
• Arrange for orientation sessions for the new member;
• Be ready and willing to answer any questions that might arise;
• Encourage the new member to discuss with you any problems and
offer possible solutions;
• Assist the new member in developing into an outstanding Lion?”
- I will –
7) Closing Statement
“Fellow Lion ______________________ (insert
new member name), wear this emblem with pride, for it represents
your membership in the world’s largest service club
organization; an association that has a distinguished legacy of
meeting needs worldwide.
Let me congratulate you and welcome you to
the greatest of all service club organizations … The
International Association of Lions Clubs.
On behalf of the club, I now present you
with your official Certificate of Membership and a New Member
Kit, which will help you get off to a good start in your life as
a Lion.
We are all extremely proud and happy to
have you as a member of the ___________________ Lions Club.”
