The Opportunity The Lioness Bridge Program makes it possible for Lionesses to honor and acknowledge their proud past while enjoying all the benefits, rights and privileges associated with Lions club membership.

Use of "Lioness" in Club Name: Lions clubs may be chartered with the word "Lioness" in their name. When naming the new Lioness club, the word "Lioness" is always placed before the words "Lions Club" to read as "Lioness Lions Club." The complete club name, using Oak Brook as an example, would be the Oak Brook Lioness Lions Club. If the club uses "of" in the name, the word "Lioness" still comes before the words "Lions Club," for example, the Lioness Lions Club of Oak Brook. If a club branch is formed, the branch would be known as the Lioness Branch of the Oak Brook Lions Club.

Lioness Conversion Program: The Lioness Conversion Program, which began in January 1996, credits Lioness service years when Lionesses become Lions or charter a Lions club.

Special Lioness-Lions Pin: Lionesses who become Lions receive a special Lions pin featuring the Lioness "L" logo to recognize their past service. This is the perfect symbol of the bridge built between the Lionesses' proud past and their promising future as a Lions club member.

The Benefits
Lioness Lions clubs can continue to work alongside their sponsoring Lions club, if they wish, collaborating on projects and serving their communities. However, they will now have a voice in the association by having the ability to send a delegate to the international convention to vote for members of the board of directors and on constitutional amendments. The administrative support of International Headquarters will also be at their disposal, and the contributions they make to their districts will be enhanced. Members will enjoy new leadership opportunities because they can serve as a club officer--or even pursue zone, region, district or international office.

This opportunity is not limited to those Lioness groups still in existence. Former members of the Lioness program may take advantage of this opportunity as well.

Chartering Requirements
For chartering a Lioness Lions club, the same requirements apply as for chartering a traditional Lions club:

• 20 or more charter members
• A sponsoring club, zone, region, district cabinet or district committee
• District governor's approval
• Completed Charter Application

If the Lionesses do not have the minimum number of charter members, they can form a branch of the sponsoring club. A minimum of five members is recommended to form a club branch. Club branch members have all the same rights, benefits and privileges as members of their parent club.

The Lionness Bridge Building Kit
To assist Lionesses with this transition, the Lioness Bridge Building Kit is available from the New Clubs and Marketing Department at Lions Clubs International. The kit has all the information and forms needed to charter a Lioness Lions club, including the Lioness Conversion Program form. To order, contact the New Clubs and Marketing Department by e-mail at newclubs@lionsclubs.org or by phone at (630) 571-5466, ext. 306.

Questions
Please direct questions regarding the Lioness Bridge Program to the New Clubs and Marketing Department at newclubs@lionsclubs.org.