This is a simple and generic step by step explanation of what a project is and how to run it for the first time.   Clubs that wish to share a Project with clubs around the world are welcome to create a Project Notebook page at LionWAP.   Clubs all over the world are welcome to view these Project Notebook pages at LionWAP to get ideas; but also to search for clubs at LionWAP to get on-line advice on the success of their efforts.  For instance, if a club wants to run a Christmas Tree Sale; they can review the instructions on how that project is run (if this Project Notebook page was made) then use the search feature at www.lionwap.org to view a list of clubs that show this in their Activity field of their website.  

If you wish to create a description of your project, I recommend that you carefully write up the project completely first, then begin to make your Project Notebook page at LionWAP.  It is free, easy and fun to share with Lions all over the world. 

Write the project up like a cookbook recipe; using simple, but fully descriptive sentences, and a list of ingredients. This style will be easy to read, and can provide a checklist to the reader that may use your project idea. Use this outline:

Resources Needed: Indicate special equipment, vendors and outside resources need to accomplish the service.   Indicate the potential cost if items or equipment needed.  Whenever possible, provide links to internet resources that will help guide a club to vendors and other services that are needed.  A link to the Lions International on-line catalog of Lions Supplies and item number is a good idea. 

Manpower Requirements:  Indicate how many people are need to organize the Service activity.  Indicate the Chairman, and sub chairman that helps make the project a success. 

Time frame:  How long will the service take to set up, and how long will the service be provided.  Is it a one day event; repeated quarterly; or does this service run continuously throughout the year. 

Number of People Served:  Is this a service that is provide to a single person, family or the entire community.   Many clubs like to serve as many people as possible; while other clubs like to find that gaps that may be provided by other service organizations or government services. 

Getting Started:  Take your time to describe the steps needed to proceed.   A large project might even include a schedule of planning meetings, as the service project is prepared.   Do not forget the publicity factors in your project description.  Lions Clubs should not work in secret, but become well known in their community. 

Write the project up like a cookbook recipe; using simple, but fully descriptive sentences, and a list of ingredients. This style will be easy to read, and can provide a checklist to the reader that may use your project idea. Use this outline:

Resources Needed: Indicate special equipment, vendors and outside resources need to accomplish the service.   Indicate the potential cost if items or equipment needed.  Whenever possible, provide links to internet resources that will help guide a club to vendors and other services that are needed.  A link to the Lions International on-line catalog of Lions Supplies and item number is a good idea. 

Manpower Requirements:  Indicate how many people are need to organize the Fundraising activity.  Indicate the Chairman, and sub chairman that helps make the project a success. 

Time frame:  How long will the fundraiser take to set up, and how long will the service be provided.  Is it a one day event; repeated quarterly; or does this fundraising project run continuously throughout the year. 

Earning potential:  Be sure to give some figures on how this project can make money.  For an advertising book, you might indicate that a book that contains 20 ads may cost $300 to print, so if ads sell at $20 each, the book could earn $400 in gross sales, but net a profit of just $100.  It is OK to indicate some figures; as another club may chose a higher or lower price to sell the item for.  If a club is properly armed with the financial information, they can make more informed decisions about proceeding with a minimum of risk. 

Getting Started:  Take your time to describe the steps needed to proceed.   A large project might even include a schedule of planning meetings, as the service project is prepared.   Do not forget the publicity factors in your project description.  In many cases, clubs purchase some advertising for their fundraisers.  Free advertising in a hidden part of a newspaper may not be as visible as a PAID advertisement. 

Unlike regular Lions Club web pages at LionWAP, a Project Notebook page only the few Required fields and the Activities field in the LionWAP form.  You only need to fill out the RED colored fields.  The Administrators at LionWAP will be very happy to help you to make your Project Notebook page. 

Look at www.lionwap.org/projectnotebook for details and contacts on making a Project Notebook web page.