New leader takes "pride" in big year ahead
By: Lacey Korevec
Rick Burke took the Cranbury Lions by the mane when he was sworn in as the club’s new president in July.
During this monumental year for the Lions, its 75th anniversary year, Mr. Burke, has big plans for steering the organization in the best direction.
"It’s coincidental that our 75th anniversary year happens to be a year in which Lions International has adopted a theme of renewal," he said. "We’re finding younger people are stepping up with their family members to become more involved in serving the community in a well-established, internationally recognized club as the Lions."
Increasing the club’s number of members and demographics is one of Mr. Burke’s main goals, he said.
"We used to have a membership drive in September each fall," he said. "This year, we have an ‘open door policy’ to engage Cranbury residents, including high school students who need community service as part of their high school resume."
Mr. Burke, who has been a Cranbury resident for 16 years and a member of the ‘Lions Club for three, said recruiting more women and students to become part of the club is one of his priorities.
"My first objective is to help the community understand that Lions International, in general, is attracting younger, community service oriented men and women by implementing creative programs and by putting the fun back in fundraising,’ " he said.
"We understand that people are very busy and they have other commitments," he said. "So, we’re looking for as much as they can contribute, when they can contribute it."
Mr. Burke was a member of the CARE committee in 1996 and the Cranbury Board of Education from 1996 to 1999. He also spent time on the Cranbury Education Foundation.
"One of the benefits of being in such a small community is you can just jump right in," he said.
Mr. Burke also works as a Realtor for Weichert Realtors in Princeton but said he doesn’t mind sometimes having to juggle his work schedule with his presidential duties.
"I knew it would be a lot of responsibility, especially in the 75th anniversary year," he said. "And while a lot of the meetings and events occur during the hours when I’m essentially open for business as a real estate agent, I still feel it was an important step to take for the privilege of being president in such a milestone year."

