The Impacto Leos (New York, USA) and their advisor, Impacto Lion Digna Cid, volunteered at a Special Olympics event held in a Manhattan park.

Dates to remember

Lions/Leo relationship

Alpha/Omega Leo clubs

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.

The Leo club advisor, and one or more members of the sponsoring Lions club, should attend each Leo club and board of directors meeting. In addition, three representatives from both clubs should meet monthly to review the actions of the Leo club and its board of directors. If arranging this meeting is difficult, Leos can submit copies of the meeting minutes to the Lions club for review.

Leo club advisors should ensure that when new Leo members are brought into the club, they each receive the Leo New Member Kit. An entrance fee of US$5 is charged and the New Member Kit is provided. Please contact Youth Programs to order, leo@lionsclubs.org

Advisors should be aware of the following Leo/Leo club awards:

• Leo of the Year Award - Leos nominated for this award must demonstrate leadership, service, a contribution to the club, distinction outside the Leo Club Program, and integrity. Nominations must be endorsed at the single district or multiple district level. Applications are available through district Leo club chairpersons.
• Leo Club Excellence Award - Clubs nominated for this award must demonstrate community service, successful fundraising, leadership skills, and effective publicity. Nominations must be endorsed at the district level. Applications are available through district Leo club chairpersons.
• 100% Leo Club President Award - The criteria and blank award certificates are mailed to advisors in September. At the end of the fiscal year, sponsoring Lions club presidents and Leo club advisors can present this award to Leo club presidents who have met the criteria.
• Leo Spotlight on Children Award
  Leo clubs who organize projects to help children in adverse circumstances can apply for a banner patch award and individual certificates of recognition. Requirements for the award appear on the application form.
• Leo October Membership Growth Award
  Any Leo who recruits three or more new members in October can receive the Leo Club Membership Growth Award. To obtain the award, Leo club advisors must submit the following information in writing to the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters. The award request deadline is November 30.
      The advisor’s name and mailing address
      The name of the Leo(s) receiving the award  
      The names of the new Leo club members (three or more)
      Authorization to charge the account of the sponsoring Lions club for each new member(US$5 Leo club entrance fee), which includes new member kits.
• Serving Together Banner Patch - Leo clubs that complete a joint project with their Lions club sponsor (a service project, meeting, or participation in each others' activities) can apply for the Serving Together Banner Patch (Leo-ST).  

Awards for Leo club advisors include:

• Leo Club Advisor Five-Year Service Lapel Pin and Certificate of Recognition Leo club advisors who have provided five years of service to a Leo club can apply for this award. To view the list of award recipients, click here.
• Leo Club Advisor Outstanding Service Award - In March, criteria and blank award certificates are mailed with the Leo President/Secretary Kit. At the end of the fiscal year, sponsoring Lions club presidents present this award to Leo club advisors who have met the criteria.

To order Leo Club Program publications, click here.

Reminder: The annual Leo levy (US$90) is billed to the sponsoring Lions club. This fee appears on the Lions club's August statement. If a Leo club is cancelled, a notice in writing must be sent to the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters by December 15 to receive levy credit for the current year only.