The speech of 3rd international vice president Kajit "KJ" Habanananda
at the Hamina annual convention 8.6.96


Here's a picture of Kajit Habanananda giving his speech

Council Chairman, International Director, Past International Director, District Governors, Lions Dignitaries, Ladies and Gentlemen

May I extend to all of you warmest greetings from my fellow officers and members of the Lions Clubs International Board of Directors, as well as "Sawatdee" from the 12.000 lions of MD-310 (Thailand).

I also wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Council Chairman and District Governors for inviting me to attend this Convention. This is my first trip to the beautiful country of Finland, one of the very active Lionistic countires in Europe, and where it is evident that many worthwhile projects and activities for the community and less fortunate alike have been implemented through the Lions's hand.

As Third Vice President, my job entails me to trek the world frequently and extensively, and I find travelling in this present age quite different from that of Melvin Jones' time when it took over a month to get from Bangkok to London by way of steamship. Back then, the world seemed like such a big, big place to live in -- what with excruciating month-long voyages to far-flung countries thousands of nautical miles away. Now the Bangkok-London jaunt only requires 12 hours and a Boeing 747. Although the distance is just as great, modern technology makes one realize what a small world we live in after all.

And, indeed, our world does get smaller and smaller as our Lions community grows bigger and bigger. This world of the 21st century - it is amazing! With the explosion of information technology, global knowledge can be stored in a single diskette that can be recalled at any time. Our required knowledge is stored in this incredible 25-cent chip that i easily accessible at all times.

Under the circumstances, it is important that we, the Lions, adapt to the times. Man is historical. His way of life is strongly influenced and shaped by the chronological timeframe that he happens to be in. And we, my fellow Lions, we will be plain history if we do not take the initiative and anticipate the transitions brought about by our perennially changing world. We will survive only when we have learned to adapt ourselves accordingly.

So, we must think ahead, think globally, and think hard. And, in the process, let us think big as well. Let us talk about expansion. Before we can persuade others to take part, we must first discover our own flaws and improve them. Here lies our first concern -- our IMAGE.

An image is not a shallow reputation. It is a brief, in-depth glimpse of what we are. And, we Lions, we care how people see us which is normally through our movements, our media coverage and the bearing of our club members and leaders. People must see the very essence of our Club and promoting a good image comes from proper preparation and good planning. Remember that the Organization is only as good as its leaders.

All Districts and Clubs must have both short- and long-term Public Relations plans in conjunction with Lions projects or other important functions. We should participate in community programs where possible and, perhaps, in cooperation with other service organizations. We must launch direct advertisement campaigns through the media. How about seeing a Lions emblem on CNN? Or in TIME magazine? Or at airports? Our goal is to make the public aware of the Lions and our activities on a continuous basis. It would be ideal, indeed, if Lions could be a household name. We are, after all,an international organization. We should be proud that we have 1,5 million members from 181 countries and geographical areas. It is quite a feat that such a large number of people as ourselves is united and working towards the same goal.

Thus, enters our second room for improvement -- MEMBERSHIP, the backbone of our organization. We have gained a very small number of members during the last 15 years -- worldwide at that. In fact, there is a large decrease in North America.

Leadership in the United States is seriously attempting to improve the situation worsened by a generation gap among our constituents. We need to concentrate on the younger generation. With technology on our side, we can now reach any target group at any time through computer networks worldwide. Information concerning Lions should be circulated and disseminated to various professional groups to make them aware of our existence. This could be done through global network like Internet or through educational institutions. And apart from members introducing newcomers, we ought to look into a full-time, continuous recruitment program handled by one expert who will meticulously plan the extension of our new Lions clubs in areas where it is needed.

Perhaps, if we look at Lions as a commodity, we will have to set up a marketing strategy as follows: Extension is wholesale; membership development is retail; membership retention is customer service; leadership is planning/training; and Lionism is packaging. The success of the project depends on every aspect of the above.

Only when we pay full attention to membership can we grow in quality as well. In fact, several membership development courses are being organized throughout the levels to prepare our members for this mammoth task. Granted it, this will not be an easy task. It will take all effort frome very one of us to reach our goal.

Despite our membership problems, we are presently the largest service club in the world and of course, greater number means greater service, but we would be even prouder if we were the best.

And with this comes the third factor -- LEADERSHIP, our International President's theme this year. Lions leadership is a lot different from the usual. It is often said that there is no problem in "membership", but there is a problem in "leadership". It takes a certain kind of motivation and appeal when dealing with volunteers.

Our Association is an international one which needs leaders who are truly international. These leaders are dynamic with charisma and a global vision. They must be very understanding -- in both technological and human levels. Good leaders are willing to change with time, to be open-minded and flexible. And, most important of all, a good leader must have the ability to make good decisions based on the information available to him no matter how scant. As the saying goes, "Leaders are like eagles, they don't flock, you find them one at a time".

It is important that leadership training be set up at all levels in the Association, especially at club level. Afterwards, one will see how the leaders reap the crops of carefully-cultivated memebers. and only after thoroughly concentrating on these three most importans aspects, IMAGE, MEMBERSHIP and LEADERSHIP, can we remain No. 1 in community service.

It is wonderful, isn't it? To be part of such an extraordinary Association. What makes us so unique is that each and every one of us is a volunteer with the interest of others, and not our own, at heart.

It would be such a shame to let go of such an altruistic, noble vision simply because we did nothing to keep it alive. Let us keep working together despite of superficial racial barriers like language, geography and ethnic background. We are one as we serve our community. We are the Lions and Service is our middle name.

I wish you success in you deliberation as you procedd with the Convention. Thank you again for allowing my wife and me to be a part of this important Multiple District Annual Convention.

Kajit "KJ" Habanananda, Int'l III VP

siissalo@funet.fi