What to Expect As a Zone or Region Chair

1. What to Expect As a Zone or Region Chair

2. Know Your Governor You represent the governor Be consious of your actions and comments What are your governor’s goals-convey them Your goal-100% governors award Zone chair can be hardest and most exciting job in Lionism Region chairs position is one of trust and respect

3. Duties and Responsibilities of a Zone and Region Chair Zone chairs should not be used as enforcers You must maintain the trust of your clubs You may advise them,remind or train them, sit down with them, challenge them but try not to be involved with major discipline Region chairs, cabinet secretaries or governor’s will do the heavy work Very late MMR’s, dues past due, etc; Districts do not have to have region chairs Zones then must step up

4. Duties and Responsibilities of a Zone and Region Chair Cost Uniforms, work shirts Conventions Your governor expects you to attend your district convention if at all possible Some districts may comp you but may not your spouse Some may charge you full price- each is different, know your governor

5. Cost (con’t) Visits Many clubs will comp you and sometimes your spouse Few may not-be prepared-have money with you Make an effort and offer to pay but don’t argue Buy raffle tickets and tail twisting if they have it Attend social and fund raisers when possible-again some will comp you some won’t Advise your governor and cabinet of these club events as early as possible

6. Visitations Zone chairsshould make at least three visits to each club The official visitation can count as oneRegion chairsshould make at least two visits with the zone chairs in their region You are liaisons to the district-communicate freely in both directions Communicate club and district activities, social events, needs, wants, governor’s comments and lurking problems in both directions

7. Official Visitation Some governor’s will not do individual club visitations-this is encouraged by international They will do visitations during zone meetings Others WILL do individual club visitations Know your governorZone chairs should prepare club presidents with protocol, agenda, no other program and help them calm down have fun with it-know your governorRegion chairs will confirm everything with the zone chair and president prior to governors arrival

8. Meetings Zone meetingsshould be held quarterly and prior to each pre-cabinet meeting Region meetingscould be at the beginning of the year and just prior to the convention BUT constant communication from you to the zones is VITAL in order to pass on information from international, the governor and youEncourage attendance, have fun, make it entertaining, informative, have speakers, training, student speaker, white cane etc;

9. Cabinet Meetings Region chairswill usually host and facilitate these meetings Choose location early You may need to line up A donut-bagel coffee breakfast (Noah’s Bagels), luncheon, dinner. Some meetings are a few hours-others a few days-hotel rooms, meeting rooms, raffle, exhibit tables, mic, lecture, screens, head table with modesty blanket, hang banners, line up entertainment night before Know your governor Try to have a modesty blanket at head tables

10. Cabinet Meetings (con’t) Be familiar with your budget and costs Put your zone chairs to work They can help with raffle prizes Lining up or recommend a club to do breakfast, lunch or dinner They can suggest a club for entertainment The governor and cabinet secretary will usually line up the training, fliers, agenda and guests, but you may be asked to help with these Who will cover cost for guests The district or governor and/or vice governor? Know your governor What will the cost be to the Lions Don’t be afraid to ask for help or direction

11. Student Speaker Contests Could be Zone chair’s first contest Both region and zone chairs should receive training from the district student speaker chair Make sure club chairs have been trainedNov cabinet meeting is a good place to do this Attend all club contests Obtain your location early (try to stay away from restaurants) Line up five good judges early

12. Student Speaker Contest (Con’t) Get your dates out to the cabinet officers and clubs ASAP Region chairs try not to over lap your dates if possible READ THE BOOKLET-READ THE BOOKLET- READ THE BOOKLET If you see a mistake-stop it and correct it now Don’t be afraid to ask for help Follow the zone winner as far as possible

13. As A Cabinet Officer Raise Your Level Of Thinking What image do you see of LCI? What image do you see of your district? What image do you see of your club(s)? What image do you convey?

14. As A Zone Or Region Chair Build pride in your clubs What attitude do you give to your clubs? “The Buck Stops Here.” Build trust in your clubs People who trust one another don’t hold back Opinions-passion are given freely No fear of back lash No fear of being told to shut up No fear of being told their opinions are worthless Can You Help Your Clubs?

15. Your Job Is To Develop New Leaders Not Followers To encourage others to improve you must: Train your replacement(s) Have self-confidence Control your ego Become a teacher Become a role model Become a communicator Who Helped you along the way?

16. Three Major Reasons Lions Leave Lionism Boring meetings Poor leadership Non involvement

17. Do You Know Your Clubs? Are you proud of your clubs? Do they greet people warmly? Do they involve all members-new and old? What do your clubs need? Do they have guest speakers-programs-tail twisting? What do your clubs want? (ask them) What have they done? What possible problems are lurking?

18. Do You Know Your Clubs? (Con’t) Do members hold the same job for years? Does the club have brochures, a newsletter? Do members have fun and enjoy each other? Do members work together? Do members brag about their club and each other? Do your clubs finish their year with a flourish? Recognition-appreciation-installation dinners- awards

19. What Image Do Your Clubs Give To New And Non Lions? Loud-Rude-Profane-Warm-Fun-Up Attitude?