LEO'S

Leo clubs are an official activity of Lions Clubs International that encourages young men and women to serve others in their community and around the world. Leo clubs are sponsored by local lions clubs and may be either school-affiliated or community based. Leo club activities include regular meetings, service projects and social functions. The Leo motto - Leadership, Experience, Opportunity - is fulfilled as members work together in response to the needs of others.

What's in it for me?

                -    Leadership Experience                                -    Organization

                -    Social Skills                                                -    Self Esteem

                -    Decision Making Skills                                -    Teamwork

                -    Problem Solving Skills                                -    Career Possibilities

                -    Fun

What's In it for the Community?

-    Creates Awareness of Community Needs

-    Helps Improve community and youth relationships

-    Enhances community development

-    Improves quality of life for recepients and givers

-    Helps the quality of life of others

-    Opportunity for youth to volunteer service

Typical Leos Projects

Who Benefits from Leo Clubs?

Young People:
Participation in Leo activities and projects helps young people prepare for the future by developing leadership, organizational and social skills. Members experience increased self-esteem and personal growth as they meet challenges and accept responsibilities.

By volunteering their time and talents for the benefit of others, Leos learn firsthand the value and rewards of service. Leo club involvement can start young men and women on a lifetime of helping others.

The Sponsoring Lions Club:
By sharing in service activities, a Leo club can increase a Lions club's effectiveness in helping others. Leo projects within the community also contribute to a Lions club's visibility and good reputation. Working with young people can help Lions club members experience renewed interest and enthusiasm for projects and activities. If Leos are sons or daughters of Lions, club involvement becomes a "family affair".

Who Can Be a Leo?

Leo club membership is open to young men and women between the ages of 12 and 28. Membership is divided into two groups, the school based Leos are generally between the ages of 12 and 17 whereas the community based clubs have members ages 18-28.

Young people of high moral standards who wish to serve others are eligible to become Leos. School administrators, Lions, friends of Lions and community leaders can provide names of potential members. Candidates may also be recruited through public announcements.

What is the Leo-Lion Relationship?

The success of a Leo club depends on a close partnership with its sponsoring Lions club. The Lions' role is to offer support, guidance and counsel while the Leos are responsible for planning and implementing their own activities, financing their projects and maintaining the smooth operation of the club. Leos have their own club officers and constitution.

The Leo club advisor (a member of the sponsoring Lions club) serves as the chief liaison between the Leo and Lions clubs. Duties of the advisor include offering constructive suggestions to the Leos, reporting on their activities to the Lions club and promoting a cooperative relationship between the two clubs.

The Privileges of Leo Membership?

As a sponsored activity of a Lions club, Leo clubs are entitled to many services and benefits offered by Lions Clubs International. Informational and club materials include new member kits, guides for service activities, leadership aids, ideas for fundraising, club supplies and international newsletters.

Leos can participate in the annual Lions Clubs International Convention, attending their own functions. Leos are also entitled to receive official awards and recognition for their achievements.

Because of the international scope of Leo clubs, members enjoy the global identity of a worldwide organization. International programmes such as club twinning, youth exchange and youth camps enable Leos to connect with and learn from other young people around the world.

What About School-Based Clubs?

Leo clubs can be formed in state or private schools. The supervision by the sponsoring Lions club is exercised in full cooperation with the school authorities. The Leo club is subject to the regulations and policies established for all student organizations and activities. A faculty advisor, usually a member of the school's staff or administration, serves as a liaison between the school and Leo club. The faculty advisor also works closely with the Leo club advisor.

How Do We Begin?

• Suggestions for organizing a Leo club;
• Information brochures for prospective Leos;
• Leo club constitution;
• Handbook for Leo club advisors;
• Application for Certificate of Organization;
• Membership application blanks

Leo Membership

When you join LEO's you become a member of a worldwide organization with more than 5500 LEO Clubs and a membership in excess of 140,000 operating under the sponsorship of Lions Clubs in 138 nations.

Leoism in Sri Lanka _ The first ever Leo club in Sri Lanka was sponsored by the Lions Club of Wattala in 1969 and was called the Leo Club of Wattala. Today there are over 115 Leo clubs in Sri Lanka in all three districts 306 A, 306 B and 306 C, with membership exceeding over 3000 Leos.

How Much Time will it take?

Your involvement in Leos depends on the amount of spare time you can afford.

The most important thing to remember about Leos is that:

-    Leos help people in need.

-    Leos help their club grow.

-    Leos help their fellow Leos.

-    Leos have lots of fun.

 Leo Clubs history 

Forty-five years ago, Coach Jim Graver started the Leo ball rolling. Chances are, that ball was a baseball.

Back in 1957, Graver was the coach of the Abington High School, Pennsylvania, USA, baseball team. Graver was also an active member of the Glenside, Pennsylvania, Lions Club.

With fellow Lion, William Ernst, Graver talked about starting a service club for high school boys. "The Kiwanians had their Key Clubs and the Rotarians had their Wheel Club (since changed to Interact Clubs)," Ernst is quoted as saying in an October 7, 1976 newspaper article in "The Evening Bulletin."

Leo Adviser 

Every Leo club has a sponsoring Lions club. A Leo club advisor is appointed to serve as liaison between the two clubs. The advisor is a member of the sponsoring Lions club. School-based Leo clubs often require a teacher or school administrator to serve as co-advisor. The advisor (s), along with two other appointed Lions, form the Leo club advisory committee.

The role of the advisor includes that of motivator, educator, counselor and role model.

All advisors are adults who help guide the Leos as a club. The qualities of a successful Leo club advisor include:

Because LEOs Care!

For More Information Contact

  leonegombo@yahoo.com