Restricting complaints to only members of a club

 

This morning, a Facebook friend, Dwayne Min Johnson, taught me a new Chinese phrase "长江后浪推前浪" (cháng jiāng hòu làng tuī qián làng), which translates to "the waves behind drive the waves in front" in English. This idiom carries a rich metaphorical meaning.

This is apt for our discussion on Lions Clubs International sticking with a decades-old system of saying that only members can complain about Lions Clubs flagrantly breaking rules and regulations set up by LCI. This sounds like the club telling LCI, ‘catch me if you can’, knowing that no member will complain to LCI.

 

Restricting complaints to only members of a club or society can lead to significant issues. When only members can voice concerns, critical problems raised by outsiders—such as community members or former participants who may have been expelled unjustly—often remain unaddressed. This can result in a chain reaction of escalating problems. A notable example is the de-registration of the Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu Host, a situation that could have been resolved early but ultimately spiralled out of control due to inaction from LCI. You may read more on the back page of my book. LINK (Click on the link to read the back page)

Over time, unresolved issues tend to accumulate. What may appear as a minor concern can actually signal a larger problem, and neglecting it allows the situation to worsen. For instance, if a former member expresses dissatisfaction with unprofessional conduct, ignoring this feedback can lead to a decline in the overall quality of the organization.

Take the Centennial Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu as a case in point. As the largest club in Sabah, it has a Vice District Governor poised to become the next District Governor. However, the current president (2024/2025) was not duly elected and may transition to past president and cabinet secretary for 2025/2026. This raises questions about the example being set for younger Lions and Leos.

Comments on platforms like Global Lions highlight the challenges faced:

Jon Michael Patterson notes that some members resist losing control and reject new ideas, clinging to outdated traditions. This mentality is evident in the Lions Club mentioned earlier.

While Lions Clubs operate autonomously, it's concerning that some Past District Governors may be swayed by outdated perspectives from external influences, especially when public concerns are at stake. When social media highlights unresolved issues, and the organization dismisses them because they are complaints from non-members and on clubs being autonomous, it can significantly harm the club’s reputation. Negative word-of-mouth can deter potential members and patrons, ultimately leading to reduced participation and support.

Moreover, excluding non-member feedback can result in lost opportunities for improvement. Fresh perspectives from outsiders can illuminate areas where the club could enhance member experiences and attract new audiences. If management remains insulated from this external feedback, it may foster resistance to change and innovation, causing the organization to become stagnant and out of touch with the evolving needs of the community.

Ignoring complaints from outside the membership can also damage relationships with the wider community. This detachment diminishes the club's social capital and limits partnerships with local organizations, which are crucial for events and outreach.

Eventually, unresolved issues will impact members as well. A decline in the club's reputation or quality can lead to member dissatisfaction, prompting internal complaints and creating a cycle of discontent.

In summary, a policy that restricts complaints to members can delay problem resolution, allowing minor concerns to escalate into significant challenges. Adopting a more inclusive approach to feedback can help identify and address issues early, fostering a healthier and more responsive organization.