ORIENTATION FOR LEO MEMBERS

ORIENTATION FOR LEO MEMBERS

WHAT IS “LEO”?

LEO is a programme of The International Association of Lions Clubs.

PART 1 – BACKGROUND

WHAT IS “THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS”?

Community Service Clubs Grouped Under an International Organization

‘The International Association of Lions Clubs ®’

In short

‘Lions Clubs International ®’ or ‘Lions International’

The world largest service organisation with

MOTTO: WE SERVE

EMBLEM: L : Law, Liberty, Labor, Loyalty, Love, Life & Lions

Circle Surrounding L : ONE United Body for Lions

LIONS : Name and Slogan of the Organization

INTERNATIONAL : An International Organization

Two Lion Profiles Facing Away From Center : Proud of the Past and Confident of the Future, & Looking in All Directions for Services to the Community

THE SLOGAN: L - Liberty, I - Intelligence, O - Our, N - Nation’s , S - Safety

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF “LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL ®”?

Over 45,000 Lions Clubs in 200 countries or geographical areas in the world.

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF “LIONS CLUB’?

They are 1.3 million volunteer men and women believe and commit that by working together they will accomplish far more than would be possible as individuals and therefore, grouped under Lions Clubs, where they enjoy fellowship, develop their leadership capacities, and dedicate part of their free time to help those in need all over the world, while making their individual communities a better place to live in. They are called “Lions” and practising a common philosophy called “LIONISM”.

WHAT ARE INPORTANT ELEMENTS MAKE UP “LIONISM”?

􀃟 Lions International Purposes

􀃟 Lions Code of Ethics

􀃟 Mission Statement

PART 2 – LEO CLUB

NOW, WHAT IS LEO PROGRAMME?

Lions club can provide training of youth by forming LEO clubs in local schools or community and continuously sponsoring it.

WHAT IS A LEO CLUB?

A Leo club is a group of young people banded together to promote service activities especially among the youths.

A Leo club must be sponsored by a Lions club, which take this programme as one of their activities for the youth. The Lions club has to pay US$100 to LCI to form a LEO club, after which the Lions club will pay a levy of US$90 yearly to LCI.

BRIEF HISTORY

The first Leo club was formed in Abington High School, Pennsylvania, USA in 1957.

Lions Cubs International officially adopted the Leo club program as an activity of the Lions clubs in 1967.

Total world population of Leo 140,000

The first club formed in Malaysia was the Anderson High School in Ipoh on 2nd September 1970.

Total population of Leo in Malaysia Peninsular is 9,800 where District B2 has 5,100 and District 308 B1 has 4,700.

TYPE OF LEO CLUBS

LEO clubs can be in two classifications:

1. Alpha Leo club, members are Leos from the school ages from 14-18 years old.

2. Omega Leo club, members are Leos ages 18-28 years old.

Each Leo club has a Leo Advisor who is appointed by the sponsoring Lions club. The Leo Advisor encourages, guides and helps the Leos in every way possible in line with the policies of LEO programme.

In the case of a school-based, a teacher from the school acts as Faculty Advisor working hand-in-hand with the Leo Advisor.

WHAT IS THE OBJECT OF A LEO CLUB?

The object is to provide the youth of the world an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively as responsible members of the local, national and international community.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LEO CLUB?

Leo club has being formed with a purpose to promote services activities among the youth of the communities which will develop the individual qualities of LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE and OPPORTUNITY’.

LEO ORGANISATION CHART

WHAT DOES “LEO” SIGNIFY?

L – E – O

Leadership – Experience - Opportunity

LEO EMBLEM

The emblem of the Leo Club consists of two gold Lion’s head facing outward from each other, divided by a vertical maroon bar with the letters LEO in gold from top to bottom. The emblem is highly significant. It represents Leos looking in all directions for opportunities to give unselfish services. Symbolically, the lion faces past and future – proud of the past and confident of the future.

THE COLOURS: MAROON AND GOLD

􀃟 Maroon stands for loyalty to country, friends, to one’s self and integrity to mind and heart. Also for strength, courage and tireless dedication to a cause.

􀃟 Gold symbolises sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgement, purity in life and generosity in mind, heart and purse to those in need.

PART 3 - LEO

WHO CAN BECOME LEO?

If you…

• Are between the ages of 14 years to 28 years (Male or female) and of good moral character.

• Care enough to serve the less fortunate and those in need.

• Are willing to work to eradicate illiteracy and hunger.

• Have the vision to see another’s problem, and the heart to care about it.

• Want to make the society a better, safer and cleaner place to live in.

• Prepare to participate in the programmes of the Leo club

LEO MEMBERSHIP - OATH

“I take on this solemn obligation to abide by the constitution and bylaws of the Club to attend all meetings regularly to support and further the interests of the Club in all its undertaking and to contribute my fair share towards the financial support of the Club. I further declare that I will assist in maintaining building and strengthening the membership of the Club by actively serving in committees and in other capacities where my efforts are needed and finally that I will develop in myself those qualities of cheerfulness, service and loyalty which should characterize a Leo Club member at all times.”

LEO PLEDGE

“I pledge of my hands, extended and open, to help those in need.

I pledge of my heart, reach for it and it will be touched.

I pledge of my ears, to hear another’s outcry

My eyes, to see the plights of others

My knowledge, to bring a man closer to his dreams

I pledge myself, for the betterment of my community and my country.”

PART 4 - LEO ACTIVITIES

WHAT DOES A LEO CLUB DO?

􀃟 Besides carrying out its own administrative work, board meetings, regular meetings, the club also carry out projects and activities and they should be important to the membership, to the beneficiaries and to the community.

􀃟 LCI encourages Alpha Leo clubs to concentrate on the following:

Character Development - Team building - Community service in an education context

􀃟 LCI encourages Omega Leo clubs to concentrate on the following:

Professional Development - Leadership Skills - International Contacts - Community service

District 308 B2 provides the continuous Leo development programme for the Leo clubs to participate.

LIONS / LEOS BOND

Lions educate, supervise and organise seminars for Leos

Lions provide proper guidance and counsel to Leos

Leos to participate in Lions projects and activities

Leos invite lions to participate or attend Leo activities

Leos to send regular reports to the Leo Advisor and the District office.

Leos to plan and complete projects and report to Leo Advisor, LCI and District office.

Leos to operate the club within the policies and guidelines of LCI.

GUIDES TO ACTIVITIES

Health Services

• Blood donation

• Awareness and Prevention of diseases e.g. diabetes, glaucoma, health screening, etc.

• Health screening

Educational Services

• Organise vocational training programmes

• Career guidance course

• Give study awards to needy and deserving students

• Cultural Activities

Social Services

• Visit welfare homes regularly

• Collect used toys, magazines, for the less fortunate children

• Provide needy people or disaster victims with aid in food, clothing and medicines.

Public Services

• Organise Road-Safety campaign

• Promote anti-vandalism campaign

• Construct bus stop shelters in needy areas

Recreational Services

• Organise a sports meet or picnics for the handicap or the elderly.

Environmental Service

• Organise a beautification programme

• Organise tree planting

• Recycle facilities

• Organise clean up

International Services

• Participate in or sponsor a youth exchange programme

• Attend a Leo forum, international youth camp or international club twinning

• Exchange club newsletter with other Leo clubs.

Fund-Raising activities

• Jumbo sales, food sales

• Walkathon, Jonathon, climbathon