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Home Resource Center Specialty Clubs Program
 

Specialty Clubs Program

Specialty clubs give Lions with common interests a great way to connect and serve what they’re most passionate about. Clubs around the world can be formed around a hobby, profession, culture, cause, or anything else that brings a group together. There’s no limit to what your specialty club can be.

Answering a special call to serve

 

Start a new specialty club

Specialty clubs are one of the fastest-growing ways in which Lions serve their communities. And joining or starting a specialty club allows you to turn your passion for service into successful community projects bringing together like-minded Lions under a common interest — all while strengthening our organization of 1.4 million members, and expanding our spirit of volunteerism. Check out the resources below to find out how to start a new specialty club of your own.

Start a New Club webpage — Learn the process of creating a new club, including a step-by-step approach to new club development, sponsoring a new club and more. Specialty clubs follow the same chartering process as other Lions clubs, but they allow you to identify a special category for your club.

Specialty Clubs Program PowerPoint — Find out how you can promote the Specialty Clubs Program and build specialty clubs in your area.

Specialty Club Model Mapping Worksheet — Complete a club needs assessment to map out the needs and resources required for your specialty club.

Join Together club application — Join Together is a partnership program encouraging community-based, charitable organizations to join our organization by starting a Lions club or creating a club branch to help expand their service impact. Get started by filling out the Join Together club application or the Join Together club branch application.

Workshops — Complete the Specialty Clubs Program workshop form to organize a workshop. Hosting a Specialty Clubs Workshop is a great way to help your district charter new clubs and support membership goals. Workshops feature resources from Lions International to help you be a successful specialty clubs facilitator, and they can be conducted in every constitutional area.

Please note that requests must be made at least six weeks prior to the start of the workshop, and require the approval of the council chairperson or district governor.

Why specialty clubs work

Global Extension Team Coordinator
"Since 2018, our district has chartered seven new specialty clubs, with two more in the pipeline. Turning our shared passions into rewarding service means more hands to serve!"
Thelma R Batilo
District 4C6, USA
District Governor
"I have started 31 specialty clubs in total, and I encourage Lions to also start specialty clubs and help make a difference. I'm fortunate to work alongside dedicated Lions."
Shailesh Agrawal
District 3223C, India
Past Club President
"Recruiting specialty club members makes a significant difference in people’s lives by helping them find and join a club that aligns with their interests, skills and passion for service."
Tayebwa Smith Bamwesigye
District 411B, Uganda

See how specialty clubs are serving

 

Lions specialty clubs: Overview

Lions specialty clubs: Cause

Lions specialty clubs: Retiree

Lions specialty clubs: Culture

Lions specialty clubs: Sports

Sutton Racing Lions Club

Frequently asked questions

 

Find the answers you need to some frequent specialty club questions.

What are the requirements for starting a specialty club?

Specialty clubs are chartered in the same way as traditional Lions clubs. All new club approvals and policy-based organizational requirements must be met. During the application process, a club can choose a specialty category if they want to be identified as a specialty club.

What types of specialties can a specialty club have?

A specialty club can focus its specialty on any common interest shared by club members. Some specialty examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Cause-specific:
    • Childhood cancer
    • Diabetes
    • Disaster relief
    • Environment
    • Humanitarian
    • Hunger
    • Vision
    • Youth
  • Cultural
  • Life stage/experience such as:
    • Academic focus
    • Profession
    • Retiree
  • Partnerships with organizations such as Special Olympics (Lions Champions Clubs)
  • Sports or hobbies
How do I select or change my club’s specialty?

You can select your club’s specialty when completing and submitting a new club application. If you want to change or remove your club’s specialty, your club officers may do so online in MyLCI.

What costs are associated with starting and being a member of a specialty club?

This guide will help you figure out your charter and membership costs. Note that Lions International also provides liability insurance coverage to all Lions clubs, including specialty clubs.

Can a club branch become a specialty club?

Yes, you can convert your club branch to a self-standing specialty club. There are three things to consider: (1) where the club will be located, (2) the unique characteristics of the members and (3) what the special service focus of the club will be.

 

Awards and recognitions

 

Membership Awards — Learn more about Extension Awards given to Lions in recognition of their work to support membership growth.

Club Excellence Award — See how clubs can be recognized for excelling in the areas of membership, service, leadership and organizational excellence, and marketing.

Contact us

If you have questions about the Specialty Clubs Program or need additional information or resources, contact us at specialtyclubs@lionsclubs.org.