Leo Clubs In District 105EA

Ely Leos Maldon Leos

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The history of Leos

Coach Jim Graver started the Leo ball rolling in 1957 and chances are that ball was a baseball. Graver was the baseball coach of the Abington High School in Pennsylvania, USA and an active member of the Glenside Lions Club.  With help from his fellow Lion, William Ernst, the first Leo club was charted on December 5, 1957.

As the world's first Leo club, the Abington High School Leo Club created the Leo acronym – Leadership, Equality, Opportunity – and they chose their school colors, maroon and gold to serve as the Leo club colors.  Later, Equality was changed to Experience.

In October 1967, the board of directors of Lions Clubs International adopted the Leo Club Program as an official program of the association.

The Leo Club Program as been growing strong for over 50 years.  Community service remains the cornerstone of the program.  Like their Lion counterparts, Leo club members enjoy serving their community and watching positive results unfold.

Leadership – Experience – Opportunity

Those are just a few of the rewards young people gain from participating in Leos. They also happen to be the values that create the acronym of our club name.

In total, more than 144,000 young people in 139 countries are proud to serve others in their local communities and to call themselves Leos. These young community leaders are friendly, active and dedicated to creating new and exciting opportunities by participating in their local Leo clubs. Social and professional connections are an additional benefit for Omega members (age 18 and older).

Common Questions About the Leo Club Program

How do you organize a Leo club?

Contact your district Leo Club officer who will give you more information or you can find information about organizing a new Leo club in the free Leo Club Organization Kit available from the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters.

What costs are involved in Leo club sponsorship?

Lions club sponsors must pay a one-time Leo club organization fee of US$100. This fee covers:

4 20 Leo new member entrance fees (Leo new member kits

complete with lapel buttons and membership cards);

4 a Certificate of Organization;

4 a Leo club officers’ kit;

4 a Leo club sponsor kit.

If there are more than 20 members in the new Leo club, Lions can purchase additional new member kits for US$5 each. A Lions club can pay these fees when  applying for Leo club certification, or the association can bill the Lions club account.

To cover the administrative costs of the Leo Club Program, every Lions club sponsor is assessed an US$90 annual Leo club levy. This levy is billed on the account of Lions club sponsors in August. The levy for newly organized Leo clubs is prorated depending upon the quarter of the year in which the club was certified.

Are there age limits for Leos?

Yes. Leo club members must be between the ages of 12 and 28. Within this age range, Alpha clubs are for members between the ages of 12 and 17, and Omega clubs are for members between the ages of 18 and 28. Lions multiple districts, and single districts that are not part of multiple districts, may adopt age groups within the 12 to 28 age range, e.g., 16 to 23.

Can more than one Lions club sponsor a Leo club?

Yes. With written approval of the district governor, two or more Lions clubs may jointly sponsor a single Leo club. The Lions club sponsors will have equal representation on the Leo advisory committee. One Lions club sponsor should be designated to serve as the permanent liaison with International Headquarters concerning Leo club billings and administration.

There is no limit to the number of Leo clubs that a single Lions club can sponsor.

Can Lioness clubs sponsor Leo clubs?

No. Only Lions clubs can sponsor Leo clubs. Lioness club members can serve as co-advisors for Leo clubs.

What awards are available for Leos?

Leadership, membership, and extension awards are available for Leos and Leo clubs. A complete list of Leo awards (Leo-204) is included in Leo new member, sponsor,

and officers’ kits. The list is also included in the annual Leo president/secretary mailing.

In addition, Leo awards are available for purchase through the Official Supplies Catalog for Lions Clubs.

Can Leos serve on the Lions district cabinet?

If the Leo also happens to be a Lion, he or she may serve on the Lions district cabinet, if appointed.

What are Leo districts?

When there are six or more officially certified Leo clubs in a Lions district, the district governor can approve formation of a Leo district. The territorial boundaries of the Leo district must match those of the sponsoring Lions district.

All Leo districts must follow the guidelines stated in the Standard Leo District Constitution approved by the international board of directors.

When there are 10 or more Leo clubs in a Lions multiple district, a Leo multiple district may be organized. Leo membership within the multiple district must exceed 100. The council of governors must approve the formation of a Leo multiple district. The Standard Leo Multiple District Constitution approved by the International Board of Directors governs all multiple districts.

Do sponsoring Lions districts have authority over Leo districts?

Yes. Sponsoring Lions districts must approve of the following: scheduling of the annual Leo district conference, the actions of Leo district conferences, per capita Leo district taxes, and Leo district accounts. In addition, sponsoring Lions districts may terminate Leo districts after submitting a written notice of their withdrawal of sponsorship.

Are Leo club members and their volunteers covered under the association’s comprehensive general liability insurance program?

Yes. The policy names Leo club members as insured. The policy covers injuries sustained by third parties as well as damage to property owned by third parties to a limit of US$1million per occurrence if the Leo club is held legally responsible. However, the policy does not apply to damage to property used by Leos, or in their care, custody, or control. The policy does not provide personal individual or accident insurance.