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Beeton Lions Club may be forced to close

March 13, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The Beeton Lions Club is in serious danger of folding.

Established in 1999, the six current active members are seeking support from the community to keep this service club alive. In order to do that, the Beeton Lions must increase their membership by at least five new members by June 30, 2013.

Lions members meet twice a month at the Beeton Legion. The first meeting includes a dinner, which is provided, followed with business on the agenda. The dinner meeting usually lasts two hours (7 – 9 p.m.)

The second meeting is business and fun. “Someone is responsible for planning an activity on the second meeting,” said Beeton Lions Club president George Stamper. Activities can be anything – from wacky hat night to mini putt.

“Anyone 19 and over, male or female can join us,” Stamper told The Times. “And we’re hoping that they will.”

The Beeton Lions aren’t the only ones having a problem either. Other area clubs are on the decline as well, a problem that keeps Stamper up at night. “What we need is an infusion of new people and new ideas,” he said.

The not-for-profit group leads with the motto, “We Serve”., and all profits from any Lions Club activity goes right back into the community.

“So if we’re always serving others, people might ask, ‘what’s in it for me?’” said Stamper. “Well, there are many advantages of joining – from getting to know the people in your community, to gaining experience in leadership and expanding your social circles.”

Stamper fears that the requirement of paying dues may be scaring people off. Lions Club members pay an annual fee of $72 (plus meal costs on the first meeting of the month). Payments can be made in installments if required. New members can also join as affiliates for a reduced cost. Other than that, Stamper can only speculate on the reason the club is having a hard time drawing in new members.

“We started raising awareness about the Beeton Lions Club closing about a year ago,” said Stamper. “I can only assume that people are either exhausted, not home enough or already working with other service clubs, and that’s why we’re having a tough time getting new members.”

Once the Beeton Lions Club is gone, it’s gone for good. “If it folds, it’s not coming back,” said Stamper. “And what has this community got to lose?” A lot.

The Beeton Lions plan to continue to operate, business as usual, until the June 30th deadline. By then, if there hasn’t been a “significant increase in membership” the doors will close and members wishing to continue on with the Lions Club work will be forced to seek out other area clubs.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Beeton Lions or joining the group can call Beeton Lions Club president, George Stamper, at 905 778-9597.

By Wendy Soloduik

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