LEO CLUB EXCELLENCE AWARD - 2006-2007
Clarke
Middle School
LEO Club
In The News - CMS LEO Club's Roaring Achievement By Summer Faust
Clarke
Middle School
students. For members of the Leadership Experience Opportunity (LEO) Club, Saturday mornings are perfect for picking up litter alongside a local road, cutting through the overgrowth in a neglected cemetery, or fixing up the school's sports fields in the name of school spirit and service. For students' volunteer efforts, the Clarke Middle LEO Club recently received the LEO Club of Excellence award from Lions Club International for the 2006-2007 school year. Out of 31 LEO clubs in
Georgia
and over 5,500 worldwide, the CMS LEO Club was one of three in
Georgia
and 40 worldwide to receive this prestigious honor. "It's an honor to be recognized," says CMS Guidance Counselor and club sponsor Jamie Tuttle. "We would not have received this if it was not for the kids and their dedication to serving the community." Stephen Helwig, regional LEO Clubs Chair and liaison between the Lions Club and CMS LEO Club, says the CMS club won the award by demonstrating superior performance in, "serving others, developing and executing creative fundraisers, exercising effective leadership, enhancing the public image of LEO clubs, and timely completion of administrative operations."
LEO Club members meet before school every two weeks to discuss upcoming projects and to hear updates from committees in charge of various service activities the club completes throughout the year. With the help of CMS faculty, families, and the local Lions Club, the CMS LEO Club collects prescription eyeglasses for the underprivileged around the world, gathers old cell phones for recycling, and conducts a popular "Peace Poster" contest at their school. The kids realize that its not just serious stuff. "You can have a good time and get to know all sorts of people and a very diverse group of students," says Tuttle. Along with these service projects, students have traveled to
Waycross
,
Ga.
for a weekend to do repairs at a camp for the blind. Students have also assisted in a major clean-up of the
Brooklyn
Cemetery
, an African-American cemetery in
Athens
dating back to the mid 1800s. The cemetery was so overgrown by vines and bushes that headstones were covered. LEO Club members and other students removed 20 tons of debris during a cleanup project. "It is important for kids to get out and support the community," Tuttle explains. "It is one thing to stand up in front of a classroom talking about helping the community, but it"s completely different to actually do it."
With 30 members and growing, the CMS LEO Club plans to continue community service projects while focusing on service in the school, such as cleaning up the schools sports fields. "This club is about supporting each other and listening to others ideas, helping each other reach our goals,
and getting kids involved in the community as much as possible," Tuttle says.
"WE SERVE"
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Happy 50th Anniversary to the Leo Club Program! Since 1957, when the first was organized, the Leo movement has grown to more than 5,500 clubs in more than 130 countries with approximately 140,000 members. Joining a Leo club is a great way to
become involved in your community, serve as a leader to your peers and make friends. Click one of the links below for more information
about Leo clubs.
* Leo Membership - to find out about joining a local Leo club visit the Leo Directory and search for a club near you.
* Lions clubs interested in sponsoring a Leo club can learn how by contacting Lion Steve Helwig.
* Leo members can view the Leo Photo Gallery, read news about the Leo club program, and visit the new Web page Leos at
Convention.
Leos are both generous and creative when implementing community service projects. Listed below are a few examples of successful
LEO projects:
>
Onekama Leos
,
Michigan
,
USA
, planted 900 daffodil flower bulbs in an 80-acre public park.
> Members of the Albion Leo Club, Indiana, USA, scrubbed moss, mold, and tree sap from 110 headstones in a local
cemetery.
> Clarke Middle LEO Club,
Athens
,
Georgia
along with these service projects, students have traveled to
Waycross
,
Ga. for a weekend to do repairs at a camp for the blind. Students have also assisted in a major clean-up of the
Brooklyn Cemetery, an African-American cemetery in
Athens
dating back to the mid 1800s. The cemetary was so
overgrown by vines and bushes that headstones were covered. LEO Club members and other students removed 20
tons of debris during a cleanup project.
Clarke Middle School LEO Club new member induction ceremony CMS LEO Club Bake and Cookie Sale
CMS LEO's at Brooklyn Cemetary Clean-up Mr. Karl Scotty CMS Science Teacher Cemetery African-American Veteran's
Project Coordinator with CMS LEO Club members final resting place recognized
Flag's donated by Athens Lions Club and CMS LEO Club and honored on Veteran's Day
CMS LEO Club at Athens Christmas Parade
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Lions Clubs International maintains official partnerships with the following youth organizations.
America 's Promise: Committed to helping youth, the association joined this consortium of 250 businesses, organizations and government agencies in 1997. The concept of
America
's Promise has been replicated in the
United Kingdom
and
Canada
. Interest in creating a similar program exists in
Germany
, the
Philippines
, the Organization of
American
States
and
Taiwan
. Visit www.americaspromise.org .
Scouts: The association maintains a cooperative relationship with both the Boy Scouts of
America
and the Girl Scouts of
America
.
For more information about Boy Scouts of
America
, visit www.scouts.org .
Youth Service
America
(YSA): More than three million volunteers in 26 countries participated in the first YSA Global Youth Service Day and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people, ages five to 25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. As a national affiliate, the International Association of Lions Clubs promotes (
US
) National Youth Service Day and Global Youth Service Day among Lions. Visit www.ysa.org .
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LEO Program News
Marketing/Branding Project = Your Input is Needed!
Two new concepts for Youth Programs are being considered:
1. The creation of a two track Leo Club program: one track for Alpha Leos and one track for Omega Leos - both designed to address the
characterisitics and needs of each of its members while connected through the larger Leo community united by its common purpose to Leadership,
Experience and Opportunity. In developing this concept, Youth Programs will specifically be looking at what key program aspects each potential track
should have and to what degree the two programs would be connected.
2. Developing an on-going Leo/Lion Advisory Panel composed of Leos and Lions who would work in an advisory capacity to help shape the
future of the Leo program. In developing this concept, Youth Programs will be focusing in on the panel's composition, size, meeting format, etc. To
Leo Awards
Leo of the Year Award = applications for the 2008 Leo of the Year Award are due June 1, 2008 to the Youth Programs Department at International.
One Leo from a Lions multiple district can be nominated or one Leo from a single district that is not part of a multiple district.
Leo Club Excellence Award = applications for the 2008 Leo Club Excellence Awards are due August 15, 2008. All districts (single or sub-districts)
may endorse one Leo club per district to receive the prestigious Leo Club Excellence Award patch.
Applications for both awards were mailed to district and multiple district chairpersons in February. Applications and award criteria are available on www.lionsclubs.org, click: Youth Programs, Leo Clubs, Awards and Recognition, Leo and Leo club awards and recipients.
Youth Camp and Exchange Program Update
New and Improved Directory
The new Youth Camp and Exchange Program Directory is organized in alphabetical order by country (USA is broken down by state) and includes all reported camp and chairperson details (from submitted Annual District/Multiple District Youth Camp and Exchange Reports). The directory is updated
bi-monthly and lists youth camps, and names and contact details of youth camp and exchange (YCE) chairpersons.
Youth Camp and Exchange Chairpersons are able to use the new directory in order to establish direct contact with chairpersons in other districts and
multiple districts. To update or include your camp or chairperson details in the directory, please submit the Annual District/Multiple District Youth Camp
and Exchange Report form sent to all district governors and council chairpersons in July/August) to the Youth Programs Department. For more information
Youth Camp and Exchange Program Participant Application
The revised participant application (formerly "youth exchange visitor application") is available in two formats, Excel and as a PDF. The PDF can be used
as in the past. The Excel version allows the form to be filled out electronically and e-mailed to youth camps and exchange chairpersons, host Lions clubs.
A European version of the application is also now available on-line, as some countries require a European version of the application. You can find all three applications on the Youth Programs Web page by clicking: Youth Programs, Youth Camps and Exchange, Youth, participant application form.
Lions Services for Children Program
An excellent tool that Lions can use to determine how they might best serve children in need is the Community Needs Assessment Form (IAD-304).
It will also help to identify collaboration opportunities with individuals and organizations concerned with meeting the health and educational needs of children. Visit the "Youth Programs" pages of the website at www.lionsclubs.org to download this assessment form.
Other News
2008 World of Children Awards
The World of Children recognizes and elevates selfless individuals who make a difference in the lives of children across the globe. Each year they honor
select leaders, and grant them funds to support the proven, high-impact programs they have created.
Humanitarian Award - recognizes an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the areas of social services, education or humanitarian services. Award recipent will receive grant funds up to $100,000.
Health Award - recognizes and individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to child in the fields of health, medicine or the sciences.
Award recipient will receive grant funds up to $100,000.
Founder's Youth Award - recognizes a young person under the age of 21, who is making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children.
Award recipient will receive grant funds up to US$25,000. The grant funds will be donated to the proven, sustainable programs created and managed
by the award recipient.
Take the time to nominate a young person in your community you feel is worthy of being honored for their dedication to the betterment of children. The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2008. Visit www.worldofchildren.org for more information about the awards, past honorees, and to access the
online nomination form. If you do not have access to a computer or are unable to submit a nomination online, call (925) 399-6411 to request a hard
copy nomination form and general information.
Peace Poster Contest
To get involved in the 2008-09 contest "Peace Begins with Me" order a kit today. Lions clubs can order Peace Poster Contest kits (one kit per contest sponsored) from Club Supplies Sales. Kits are US$7.95 each, plus shipping and handling. Please note the deadline to purchase kits is October 1, 2008.
Social and Emotional Learning The Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as "processes through which
children and adults develop fundamental emotional and social competencies to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively." Years of research now shows us that children need a safe, caring environment where the needs of the whole child are addressed, in order for academic achievement to be realized. The Research Brief for Schools, from the , describes SEL and highlights a new meta-analysis revealing that SEL can improve academic performance by at least 11%.
As the Brief explains, SEL is most effective when it becomes an organizing framework for all school activities. When integrated into the entire
school experience, improvements in attitudes, behaviors and performance can be obtained. SEL can be incorporated into existing youth program efforts and infused into lessons from a variety of subject areas.
An article by Lions Clubs International's Jay Copp (The Lion, September 2007) illustrated the efforts to teach schoolchildren to act responsibly and to respect themselves and others, as demonstrated by near. After implmenting Lions Quest in the fall of 2006 discipline problems plummeted and student attitudes soared. Students became less judgmental, reached out to others and learned how to get along with their own families.
In 2003, the Illinois Children's Mental Health Act required the state Board of Education to create SEL standards for school districts to address. The New York State Assembly has voted for the development of student learning standards in SEL as well. The New York State Department of Education will be recommending guidelines for social and emotional development for voluntary implementation by October 2008. Find out more about the NY legislation at http://casel.org/standards/policy.php.
solves environmental issue at Fowler When students in learned that rainwater runoff from their school parking lot was carrying pollutants to a nearby creek, they wee concerned. That's when the students researched and discovered rain gardens. Rain gardens are shallow depressions in the ground that capture rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces. Rain garden offer several benefits:
* The flowers, grasses and shrubs that are incorporated into these gardens absorb the pollutants contained in runoff.
* Water collected in rain gardens filters through the soil and replenishes ground water.
* During heavy rain, rain gardens reduce flooding by capturing and containing runoff that would normally be directed to local waterways.
With curiosity and motivation Fowler students took on the rain garden project. First, utility crews used a water truck to treat them to an artificial rainstorm
in the parking lot. The students measured the size of the drainage area, timed how long it took water to infiltrate soil, and calculated the size of the rain
garden needed. Finally, with the help of Clean Water Services crews, the rain garden became a reality. For their initiative and hard work, Clean Water
Services recognized the students as Clean Water Heroes.
Research, Stats and News
7th grade students report practicing refusal skills - During their 7th grade year, 92% of students surveyed claimed they had practiced how
to stay away from cigarettes or alcohol, and 90% also reported practicing how to stay away from illegal drugs. The Social Development Research Group at the conducted the survey of the Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence year-two participants. In addition to improved refusal skills, these students reported better communication with family, fewer friends using drugs, and increased school opportunities for involvement.
World of Children Inc., announces call for nominations
The deadline for nominations for the 2008 World of Children (WOC) Awards is April 30, 2008. Created in 1998, WOC has grown to encompass three awards, the Health Award, Humanitarian Award, and Founder's Youth Award. WOC seeks to identify individuals across the globe who advance the rights and well being of children. The Founders Youth Award recognizes youth under the age of 21 who are making extraordinary contributions
to the lives of other children. For more information or to access the online nomination form, visit http://www.worldofchildren.org/ .
NHTSA focuses on drug/alcohol-free prom and graduation celebrations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Organizations for Youth Safety are encouraging young people to partner
with the community to p[lan safe prom and graduation parties this year. Last year, seven in tem prom-age teens said they would attend
an after party. Read A Guide to Safe and Sober Event Planning to learn how to help your community "Make Your Parties Rock...Substance
Free."
Lions Quest service-learning workshop planned at
District 36-R Lions clubs are partnering with OLSHF, Oregon Commission for Action and Service, LCIF and to provide up-to 50 teachers from
throughout with a free service-learning seminar. Graduate credit is also being offered by WOU for participation in the workshop. Contact
Sandy O'Lear at LCIF for more information, or to get ideas for how your club can get involved in sponsoring a teacher workshop.
Lions Quest presenting and exhibiting at a convention near you!
We have a busy spring planned, showcasing our support of young people through our research-based life skills program, and Lions are leading
the way. Districts 26A-2 and 19C hosted Lions Quest booths at their conventions earlier this month. MD17 Lions will be exhibiting and presenting
at the Kansas State Department of Education Conference in May. In addition to the NACLF conference in April, LCIF will be exhibiting and presenting Lions Quest at conventions held by MD 16, MD 20, MD 2, MD 1, MD 14, and the PTA National Convention in San Diego this June!
US Eases 'No Child' Law as Applied to Some States
