LEO Clubs is a youth organization of Lions Clubs International, which in its own existence seeks to serve people in need with special emphasis and focus on children, and while different clubs around the world dedicate their efforts to diverse underprivileged segments and developmental aspects, each and every club shares the same vision and passion to service.
Though LEO Club Members, who are called LEOs, come from a substantially sundry background, they adamantly share universal bylaws and follow similar meeting, fundraising, and project leading patterns. Politics and Religion, while extensively accepted and respected, are exempted from LEO Clubs worldwide, as members are drawn together without perception to one's origin, religion or personal beliefs.
Though LEO Club Members, who are called LEOs, come from a substantially sundry background, they adamantly share universal bylaws and follow similar meeting, fundraising, and project leading patterns. Politics and Religion, while extensively accepted and respected, are exempted from LEO Clubs worldwide, as members are drawn together without perception to one's origin, religion or personal beliefs.
About LEO Clubs
LEO Clubs is a youth organization of Lions Clubs International, which in its own existence seeks to serve people in need with special emphasis and focus on children, and while different clubs around the world dedicate their efforts to diverse underprivileged segments and developmental aspects, each and every club shares the same vision and passion to service.
Though LEO Club Members, who are called LEOs, come from a substantially sundry background, they adamantly share universal bylaws and follow similar meeting, fundraising, and project leading patterns. Politics and Religion, while extensively accepted and respected, are exempted from LEO Clubs worldwide, as members are drawn together without perception to one's origin, religion or personal beliefs.
As much as we would like to share with you everything about LEO Clubs, it is virtually impossible to describe the enormous, heartening and inspirational LEO spirit, but you can read more interesting information and facts about the LEO movement by choosing from the menu tabs on your left... ENJOY!
LEO Club's Objective and Motto
In October 1967, the board of directors of Lions Clubs International adopted the LEO Club Program as an official program of the association. Open to males and females, the objective of the LEO Club Program was (and still is):
"...to provide the youth of the world (with) an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community."
The LEO club motto is...?
Leadership - LEOs develop skills as organizers, time managers and motivators of their peers.
Experience - LEOs learn the importance of cooperation through community service.
Opportunity - Membership provides young people with a chance to excel, to develop positive character traits, and to receive recognition for their contributions to the community.
Today, the LEO Club Program is stronger than ever. Community service remains the cornerstone of the program. Like their Lion counterparts, LEO club members enjoy serving their neighbors and watching positive results unfold.
History
In 1957, Coach Jim Graver, who was the baseball coach of the Abington High School, Pennsylvania, USA, founded the first LEO Club there was. 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. So they asked their fellow Lions for support. Without hesitation, the Glenside Lions agreed that a Lions youth group was a good idea. Graver and Ernst set to work.
On December 5, 1957, the Glenside Lions presented a charter to the Abington High School LEO Club whose members were mostly made up of the high school's baseball team.
As the world's first LEO club, the group created the LEO acronym - Leadership, Equality, Opportunity (Equality was later changed to Experience.) And, the group chose maroon and gold - their school colors - to serve as the LEO club colors.
Over the years the LEO Club organization grew amazingly and as per December 2007 there are more than 5,500 clubs in more than 130 countries. The total number of LEO members exceeds 140,000. In the summer of 2007 a big 50th anniversary party was celebrated during the International Lions Convention in Chicago. Many LEOs from all over the world attended this convention.
Main activities of a LEO Club
LEO Clubs share to a great extent, similar activities, which can be categorized into the following:
1. Fundraising: LEO Clubs plan, organize and execute fundraising activities in order to raise money for a perceived project/s.
2. Community Care: LEO Clubs dedicate a significant time and effort to serving a segment of the underprivileged in their community.
3. Main Club Project: Each LEO Club annually plans, organizes and executes a main project directed at a specific cause and/or developmental need.
4. International Liaisons: LEO Club members connect with LEOs around the world, throughout global conferences, forums, workshops and events, during which, LEOs share their experiences and establish acquaintances and friendships in different countries of the world.
