About Leo

History

The first Leo Club was founded in 1957 by Jim Graver, the coach of the Abington High School,Pennsylvania baseball team. He was an active member of the Glenside Lions Club. The club was founded with the help of William Ernst, another local Lion. It adopted the high school's colors of maroon and gold. The club also created the acronym Leadership, Equality, Opportunity for the word Leo. The word equality was later changed to experience.

In 1964 the Leo Club program became a sponsored program of the Lions district. It grew beyond Pennsylvania and the United States of America. By 1967 the program had grown to over 200 clubs in 18 countries and become an official youth program of Lions International. In the following year, the Leo program spread rapidly, more than quadrupling in size, to 918 clubs in 48 countries by the end of 1968.

What is Leo?


Leo clubs are an official activity of Lions International that encourages young men and women to serve others in their community and around the world. Leo clubs are sponsored by local lions club and may be either school or affiliated or community based. Leo club activities include regular meetings, service projects and social functions.




What it takes to be a Leo?

Leo Club membership is open to young men and women between ages of 12 and 30 with high moral standard and dedicated to community services and not members of other service club.

Alpha club membership is for youth between 12-18 years of age and focuses on individual and social development.

Omega club membership is for young adults between 18-30 years of age and focuses on personal and professional development.

The Leo Emblem

The emblem of the Leo Clubs consists of two gold heads facing outwards from each other. Dividing the Lions is a vertical maroon bar with the letters “LEO” in gold from top to bottom.

The emblem is highly significant. It represents a Lion, looking in every direction of an opportunity to give unselfish service. Symbolically, the Lions face both past and future, proud of past and confident of the future.

The colours of the emblem – maroon and gold – carry meaning as well

MAROON: Loyalty to the country, to friends, to one’s self, and for integrity of mind and heart.

GOLD: Sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgement, purity in life and generousity in mind, heart and purse towards humanity.




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 touch

I pledge of my ears,

To hear another’s out-cry

My eyes

To see the plight of others,

My knowledge

To bring a man closer to his dreams,

I pledge of myself,

For the bettement of my community and my country

Leo Motto

Leadership

Develop skills as organizers, time managers and motivators of their peers.

Experience

Learn the importance of cooperation through the performances

of community service.

Opportunity

Provides a chance to excel, to develop character traits and

receive recognition for their contributions 

to the community.

Objective Of Leo Club

To provide youth of the world opprotunity develop and

contribution,individually and collectively as responsible,

members of the local, national and international community.

To stimulate among its members acceptance of high 

ethical standard.

To develope experiences through service to community.

To promote an opportunity to promote

international understanding.

What's In For The Community

* Creates Awareness of Community Needs
* Helps Improve community and youth relationships
* Enhances community development
* Improves quality of life for recipients and givers
* Helps the quality of the life of others
* Opportunity for youth to volunteer service

Leo Main Projects

* Fun - Hearing

* Environment - Citizenship

* Drug Awareness - Public Service

* Youth Welfare - Youth Exchange

* Health - School Support

The Sponsoring Lions Club

By sharing in service activities, a Leo club can increase a Lions club's effectiveness in helping others. Leo projects within the community also contribute to a Lions club's visibility and good reputation. Working with young people can help Lions club members experience renewed interest and enthusiasm for projects and activities. If Leos are sons or daughters of Lions, club involvement becomes a "family affair".

The Benefits of Being a Leo

*Leadership Experience
*Organisation
*Social Skills
*Self Esteem
*Decision Making Skills
*Teamwork
*Problem Solving Skills
*Career Possibilities
*Fun

The Amount Of Time Taken

Your involvement in Leos depends on the amount of spare time you can afford.

The most important thing to remember about Leos is that :
*Leos help people in need.
*Leos help their club grow.
*Leos help their fellow Leos.
*Leos have lots of fun.

Because LEOs Care !