In the midst of shifting times, the Lions Club, a longstanding pillar of community service, is undergoing a transformation to engage new members, along with younger citizens.

Okmulgee Lions Club Secretary Kelly Baehler shared some of the club’s efforts to evolve its strategies while addressing impending leadership transitions and organizing upcoming events.

One of the primary topics of discussion was the club’s initiative to attract younger members through innovative approaches.

Recognizing the importance of adapting to contemporary communication channels, the Lions Club is now leveraging social media outreach to connect with a wider audience. Additionally, plans were unveiled for a night meeting tailored specifically to accommodate the schedules and preferences of younger individuals, aiming to inject fresh energy into the organization.

The Okmulgee Lions Club holds their regular meetings each Tuesday at 12 noon at Trinity Lutheran Church. For many, the noon session is not ideal if they are employed.

To aid in getting more information about what the Lions organization is and does, a new meeting is being planned for the third Tuesday of the month, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The first session will be held next Tuesday, March 19.

“So we’ve decided we’re going to have a night meeting,” Baehler said, “and it’s going to be a little bit different. We’re just going to do it as a ‘meet and greet’ to let people know what we’re about and the types of things that we do.”

This session is more casual – “the whole vibe is gonna be completely different” – with interested individuals able to chat with current members. Refreshments will be provided.

As the sessions move forward, there may be programs that will be planned similar to the noon meetings.

There are currently about 29 members in the Okmulgee Lions Club. Baehler mentioned some of the newer members that have joined, appreciating their hard work, and hope to have more individuals in the community to join.

The Lions Club remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community.

For more information about the club, contact Baehler at 918-346-3954.