The other day, a Lion approached me to say that even though he is a leader, he still has many things to learn about the different ways a Lions leader should be. Even though a successful businessman himself, he said that the way he runs his business and his staff is entirely different from the way our Lion leaders run our club's 'business' and our members. He didn't mean it in the negative way, and was in fact, awed with the differences and perspectives. As such, he wanted to learn more. I applaud such a positive attitude and hope to contribute a little to similar Lions' knowledge.
The basic fact is that no Lion is a paid employee that one can instruct or direct in a dictatorial manner. Secondly, most Lions are adults, usually successful in their personal endeavors. Thirdly, each Lion has his/her own reason(s) or motivation(s) to learn or to take action. As such, the ability to mobilize or educate (and eventually lead) a fellow Lion is a dedicated art in itself. I put it down to how much one cares for the other person and how, as a leader, one sets a good example for others to follow. As frequently said, respect is not bestowed, it must be earned. If a leader sets a bad example or do not care for his followers, the onus is on members whether to follow or not. In the Lions movement, each club is autonomous and a member can chose not to obey an outside leader (e.g. a Cabinet officer) and the leader cannot punish the member.
In the same manner, a Lion cannot and must not dictatorially instruct a Leo or Lioness just because the Lion is a paying member of Lions Clubs International, and the Leo/Lioness, being the member of an affiliate program, is not. Everyone is a human being and should be treated with dignity. Invite, not call; ask, not instruct; suggest, not direct; advise, not tell; counsel, not scold.
A legacy of our Lions clubs is the administrative procedures that make us different from other clubs, associations or societies. Take protocol as an example. During a Lions activity where protocol is required, we do things the way Lions have been doing for 90 years and throughout the world. We follow the same Order of Precedence regardless where in the world our club is located. Take our 'Project Account' as another example. I have not come across another organization where we clearly and publicly distinguish between our administrative funds and funds raised from the public.
As such, we should instill a spirit of learning and an environment that supports training for Lions, old and new. Have sensible leaders teach the right Lionistic ways of doing things. As modified from our Lions Purpose, "provide a forum for open discussion of all matters of Lionistic interest." I remember the Region 1 Lions Discussion Group back in the late 80s. Those interested would gather once a month for fellowship. Various topics were aired, views taken, suggestions accepted and passed to clubs as practical advice to follow.
Today in our District, there is hardly a good response to any learning activity. Organize a seminar and see how many turn up (without resorting to threats!). New Lions and leaders rely on their (oft erroneous or irrelevant) experience to carry out any assigned task or elected duties. Or they deem themselves 'knowledgeable' enough not to necessitate further learning.
And when learning and training (the core of any growing organization) stops, the decline and fall of the organization is not far beyond!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Leos
I have just returned from the 34th MD308 Leo Forum. Over 1,000 Leos (together with more than 50 Lions & Faculty Advisors) from Malaysia and Singapore converged for three days in Penang. The forum, graced by the Chief Minister of Penang at the opening, had two dynamic speakers: Dato Lawrence Chan (of PDL fame) and Mr Billi Lim (of Dare to Fail). Their presentations were relevant not only to the young delegates but to all present as they touched on continuing to love ourselves and to love others, and that the ability to bounce back from failure is more important than success. Dr Ben C Ng and I were privileged to be involved as speakers for the school for key officers.
Among the programs were the award presentations by respective Districts. It was a delight to see the happy faces of the young leaders receiving an appreciation for their hard work over the year. The forum also highlighted the fact that we have trained so many young people to continue our heritage of service but will lose them over the next few years. More concrete steps are needed to retain Alpha Leos through Omega clubs, and from Omega Leos to Lions and Lioness clubs. Sad...
While it is never easy to organize a major event for more than a thousand persons, here is one organized by a group of young people for other young people. Not only was it so, it was carried out by Leo leaders coming from as far as Klang Valley, Ipoh and Alor Setar with the majority from Penang. Inexperienced showed, mistakes were made, oversights and miscommunication happened. But these happen even in professional and international-standard events. Therefore, it is important to keep a LEO objective in mind: organizing the event provided opportunities to learn leadership skills and gain experience. I was happy to note so many positive responses from the Leos I worked with over the last three months: the gratitude for lessons learned, appreciation for the finer points of Lionism & life, and great relief when overcoming fears of failure and disappointment.
I hope some of those involved would have learned about 'master of ceremony' (pengerusi majlis) which is different from 'compere' (juru-acara) where there is already a presiding officer (pengerusi majlis); Lions protocol (including speech, seating, recognition, even attire) is different from government or other protocol; 'fellow' is used for someone in the same grouping (e.g. as a Leo, you can say 'fellow Leos' other Leos but not 'fellow Lions' to Lions); 'review meeting' is very different from 'post-mortem' (after-death: where you have to find out what caused the person [or forum] to die - it did not!!); among other nuggets of knowledge that comes from a thirst to know.
Obviously, there were some complains, but what irked me was the high-handed manner some of the complainers used. So what if you had paid for the forum: five-star treatment? The whole show was put together by volunteers who gave not only their energy but time and money to make others happy. The same applies for Lions conventions. In an earlier blog, I mentioned about professionalism so I am not giving the organizers excuses for falling short in certain areas. If a Leo failed in his/her duty, I am sure he/she would have realized and regretted the mistake and would learn from it. What I am certain is that most, if not all, these organizing Leos had sacrificed greatly to make the forum a success. They absolutely deserve our cheers not jeers!
On the other side of the fence, one of the complains the organizers had was about Lions, especially 'leaders' who walk in as if they are 'entitled' to benefits and privileges because they are a Lion or because of their position. While registration can still be done up to the opening of the forum, it has become a habit of Lions who did not care to register earlier or simply will not do so! The Forum Organizing Committee had foreseen this and set the policy of recognizing and seating only those who registered. It was agreed that latecomers and non-registrants, no matter how high their ranking, will simply have to be left out. But when it came time to act, 'face' had to be considered and some quarters given. Yet these very people did not appreciate all the efforts required by the Leo-in-charge to set (and reset) the seating and address according to protocol!
And there's the one about not being informed (i.e. time, venue, attire etc). As adults, I believe we have all the faculties on us and facilities around us to find out. With all the busyness of the committee members, it is simply an impossible task to call every Lion to remind him/her about every detail. Do not expect to be spoon-fed! The onus is on the attendee to ask if unsure (as did the vast majority).
As such, when complaining, please be fair: for the young people, this is part of an ongoing learning process. And be professional too in criticizing: highlight areas for improvement by giving positive solutions - don't just criticize or scold because personal expectations were not met, if an ego was bruised, or when no solution is possible. And if it is something beyond the control of the organizers, don't blame them! Except when there is need for autocratic authority or discipline (e.g. Leos getting out of hand), shouting at the Leos in public over a simple miscommunication issue does them no justice. Neither will threatening the Forum Advisors, District Governor or Council Chairperson!
Sadly, I often hear of adults (and worse still, Lions) doing just that!
Among the programs were the award presentations by respective Districts. It was a delight to see the happy faces of the young leaders receiving an appreciation for their hard work over the year. The forum also highlighted the fact that we have trained so many young people to continue our heritage of service but will lose them over the next few years. More concrete steps are needed to retain Alpha Leos through Omega clubs, and from Omega Leos to Lions and Lioness clubs. Sad...
While it is never easy to organize a major event for more than a thousand persons, here is one organized by a group of young people for other young people. Not only was it so, it was carried out by Leo leaders coming from as far as Klang Valley, Ipoh and Alor Setar with the majority from Penang. Inexperienced showed, mistakes were made, oversights and miscommunication happened. But these happen even in professional and international-standard events. Therefore, it is important to keep a LEO objective in mind: organizing the event provided opportunities to learn leadership skills and gain experience. I was happy to note so many positive responses from the Leos I worked with over the last three months: the gratitude for lessons learned, appreciation for the finer points of Lionism & life, and great relief when overcoming fears of failure and disappointment.
I hope some of those involved would have learned about 'master of ceremony' (pengerusi majlis) which is different from 'compere' (juru-acara) where there is already a presiding officer (pengerusi majlis); Lions protocol (including speech, seating, recognition, even attire) is different from government or other protocol; 'fellow' is used for someone in the same grouping (e.g. as a Leo, you can say 'fellow Leos' other Leos but not 'fellow Lions' to Lions); 'review meeting' is very different from 'post-mortem' (after-death: where you have to find out what caused the person [or forum] to die - it did not!!); among other nuggets of knowledge that comes from a thirst to know.
Obviously, there were some complains, but what irked me was the high-handed manner some of the complainers used. So what if you had paid for the forum: five-star treatment? The whole show was put together by volunteers who gave not only their energy but time and money to make others happy. The same applies for Lions conventions. In an earlier blog, I mentioned about professionalism so I am not giving the organizers excuses for falling short in certain areas. If a Leo failed in his/her duty, I am sure he/she would have realized and regretted the mistake and would learn from it. What I am certain is that most, if not all, these organizing Leos had sacrificed greatly to make the forum a success. They absolutely deserve our cheers not jeers!
On the other side of the fence, one of the complains the organizers had was about Lions, especially 'leaders' who walk in as if they are 'entitled' to benefits and privileges because they are a Lion or because of their position. While registration can still be done up to the opening of the forum, it has become a habit of Lions who did not care to register earlier or simply will not do so! The Forum Organizing Committee had foreseen this and set the policy of recognizing and seating only those who registered. It was agreed that latecomers and non-registrants, no matter how high their ranking, will simply have to be left out. But when it came time to act, 'face' had to be considered and some quarters given. Yet these very people did not appreciate all the efforts required by the Leo-in-charge to set (and reset) the seating and address according to protocol!
And there's the one about not being informed (i.e. time, venue, attire etc). As adults, I believe we have all the faculties on us and facilities around us to find out. With all the busyness of the committee members, it is simply an impossible task to call every Lion to remind him/her about every detail. Do not expect to be spoon-fed! The onus is on the attendee to ask if unsure (as did the vast majority).
As such, when complaining, please be fair: for the young people, this is part of an ongoing learning process. And be professional too in criticizing: highlight areas for improvement by giving positive solutions - don't just criticize or scold because personal expectations were not met, if an ego was bruised, or when no solution is possible. And if it is something beyond the control of the organizers, don't blame them! Except when there is need for autocratic authority or discipline (e.g. Leos getting out of hand), shouting at the Leos in public over a simple miscommunication issue does them no justice. Neither will threatening the Forum Advisors, District Governor or Council Chairperson!
Sadly, I often hear of adults (and worse still, Lions) doing just that!
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