Start a new club
Starting a Lions club offers you the opportunity to create the club you want to see in your community and serve the causes you care about with the service-minded people you care about most.
Benefit your community
By introducing service projects and offering more community members the opportunity to serve, you create good by chartering a new club.
Starting a new club also benefits your Lions district. You will expand the reach of Lions Clubs International in your area and encourage membership growth. A new club creates potential—potential leaders, potential service, and potential recruitment—for your district.
New Voices Start a Leo Club (for members 12-30 years of age) Specialty Clubs Order Club Materials and Applications Membership Grants
How do I start a new club?
The resources below will help guide you through club creation, from the steps included in new club development to existing clubs sponsoring a new club. Click on the links below to learn about these steps and how to get started with your new club.
New Club Development Guide Workshop PowerPoint
This PowerPoint follows the 4-step process on how to start a new club.
New Club Development Guide
This guide follows the 4-step process on how to start a new club.
New Club Development Training Support Guide
The purpose of this guide is to help prepare you to effectively facilitate the new club development training, by providing you with an important background information, tools, and resources.
New Club Development Workshop
The New Club Development Workshop is designed to train and assist your district in the development of new clubs. Trainings are available in Canada, the United States, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Sponsoring a New Club Guide
This guide details the requirements and responsibilities for clubs looking to sponsor a new Lions club.
Workshop tools
The links below contain everything you need to start a new club or club branch.
New Club Development Community Assessment PDF
Before deciding if a community would be a good place to start a new Lions club, conduct a Community Needs Assessment to determine what needs a Lions club can meet there.
Informational Night Meeting PowerPoint
The informational meeting PowerPoint highlights what it means to be a Lion and can be customized to meet the needs of each community.
DIY New Club Development Workshop PDF
This document provides an outline of topics and agenda items for hosting a new club development workshop.
Organizational Meeting PowerPoint
The organizational meeting takes place after the informational meeting. It is where the club members will elect officers, determine the club name, and plan the first service project. This PowerPoint can be customized to meet the needs of each new club.
Charter Night Planning Guide PDF
Charter Night is a special event celebrating the beginning of a new Lions club. The information in this guide offers suggestions to help you plan a meaningful and successful Charter Night.
Application documents
The links below contain printable applications for new clubs and new members.
Lions Club Charter Application Worksheet
Use this charter application worksheet as a guide for obtaining all information to complete the charter application on MyLCI.
Membership Dues and Fees Chart
This chart provides current dues and fees for clubs and members along with information about any special certification requirements.
Report of Charter Members Worksheet
Use this form to collect member information and enter in MyLCI.
Charter Member Transfer Form
Use this form to transfer a member from an existing club to become a charter member of a new club.
Branch Conversion Form
Complete this form to convert a club branch to a new club. Please submit with the Lions Club Charter Application Worksheet and the Report of Charter Members Worksheet.
Recruiting tools
The links below contain handouts and brochures to help you recruit and advertise your new club.
New Hello brochure
This printable brochure covers the benefits of being a Lion and our mission.
New recruiting poster
This printable poster can be hung around the community to help in the recruiting process.
Club chartering awards
Starting a club supports the growth of Lions International, and you may qualify for certain awards as a result! Awards and recognition for starting a new club include District Governor Extension Awards, Extension Award Recipients, or a Sponsoring Club Patch.