"The last Māori president was Nick Tichbourne and that was about 20 years ago at least.
"I've been in the club for five years now. There's never been a Māori in there.
"From what I am hearing from a lot of people out there they think it [the club] is a European thing.
"But I am hoping people see me and say 'there's a Māori in there and he's president'."
He intends to diversify the membership but believes it is tricky.
"I am going to try and increase our membership by getting more Māori, Islanders, Indians.
"I will be talking to some of the members, some who have been here for more than 30 years, and see what they would like to do.
"We are also going to try and attract the younger generation to the club. We are the largest voluntary organisation in the world. The trouble is young ones don't like the word 'voluntary'."
There are plenty of reasons for people to join up, he says.
"We have good hospitality, the money we make goes back into the community.
"If there's any disaster, the Lions are there. The Lions were there to help when the Christchurch Mosque shootings happened."
Dewes is an avid community worker and has a history of getting involved with different community organisations.
"I am a member of the Hastings Community Patrol, and I started up with Heretaunga Māori Wardens, then helped set up the Central Hawke's Bay Māori Wardens, and then helped set up Flaxmere Māori Wardens where I am currently a warden."
Dewes will officially be sworn in on June 17 at the Community Centre, Havelock North.