More Information About Leo Clubs Leo Membership Leo Club Activities Leo Leadership Awards and Recognition How to Organize a Leo Club Just For Advisors Information for Chairpersons Updates For Leos Leo Conference Grant Program Leos at Convention

Preliminary Procedures

1. Request a Leo Club Organization Kit (Kit 830) from the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters. The kit includes:

• Leo Club Program Handbook (Leo-65): which includes the Standard Leo Club Constitution and Bylaws (Leo-5), Leo Club Officer Installation and New Member Initiation (Leo-8), Application for Membership (Leo-50), Leo Club Organization Report (Leo-51)
• Leo Clubs: Access the Future brochure for Lions (Leo-46)
• Alpha Leo recruitment brochure (Leo-57a)
• Omega Leo recruitment brochure (Leo-57o)
• Leo recruitment poster

2. Arrange a meeting with Lions club members to explain the responsibilities of Leo club sponsors. Explain that every Leo club must have an advisor. This advisor must be a Lion who enjoys working with young people. School-based Leo clubs often require a teacher or school administrator to serve as co-advisor.

3. Sponsoring a Leo club also involves a financial obligation. The Leo club organization fee is US$100 or the national currency equivalent. This one-time fee includes:

• the costs involved in processing the Leo club application
• a certificate of organization
• a Leo club officers' kit
• a Leo club sponsor kit
• 20 Leo new member kits (including lapel pins, membership cards, and certificates, a welcome letter, and Leo decals) for the first 20 members of the club.
  NOTE: If there are more than 20 originating members in the new Leo club, each additional member is assessed the new member fee of US$5 and provided with a new member kit. This fee is charged to the sponsoring Lions club at the time of certification (in addition to the US$100 Leo club organization fee).
  Lions clubs are also responsible for the annual Leo club sponsor levy of US$90 or the national currency equivalent. The levy pays for Leo Club Program materials, mailings, club record maintenance, communications, awards, and Web site maintenance. The annual sponsor levy is prorated for clubs certified within the fiscal year.

4. Appoint three or more Lions to serve on a Leo club committee

5. Determine if the new Leo club will operate in conjunction with a local school, church, or other community group. Often, outside agencies require the appointment of their own club leader or advisor. This agency must agree to fulfill Leo Club Program responsibilities

6. Obtain the names of potential Leos from schools, houses of worship, youth groups, and friends and relatives of Lions club members

Organizing a new Leo club

1. Announce the day and date for a Leo club formation meeting. Inform local young people about this meeting through notices sent to schools, religious youth groups, community programs, and the local media.

2. The organization meeting should explain the philosophy of the Leo Club Program. Lions should be prepared to answer questions concerning: requirements for Leo club membership, the relationship to the sponsoring Lions club, and activities undertaken by Leos.

3. Distribute the Application for Membership (Leo-50). Leo leaders can then submit: a signed Leo Club Organization Report (Leo-51) and the Leo club organization fee of US$100, or national currency equivalent, to the Youth Programs Department at international headquarters. Only registered Leo clubs will receive a Leo club charter and Leo membership materials.

4. After review of the applications by Lions, the new Leos can vote to accept:

• the original members
• the Leo Club Constitution and Bylaws (Leo-5)
• club officers
• a specified amount of money for member fees
• a day, place, and time for club meetings

Launching the club

Officer kits are sent from the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters once the club is certified.  When the officer terms have ended, the material provided in these packets needs to turned over to the newly elected officers for their use.  

The Lions club sponsor kit (Kit 820), for Leo club Advisors, includes:

• Leo Club Program Handbook (Leo-65)
• Catalog supply sheet
• Leo club sponsor banner patch
• International Activities Division Publications Order Form (IAD 0002)

The Leo Club Officer Kit (Kit 840), for the Leo club President, includes:

• Leo Club Program Handbook (Leo-65): which includes Application for Membership (Leo-50), Leo Officers and Membership Report Form (Leo-72) and Report of a Successful Leo Club Project or Activity (Leo-SPA)
• Catalog supply sheet
• Leo recruitment poster

New member kits are sent once the club is certified.  As the club grows in membership, more kits can be ordered for US$5.00 each from the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters.

The Leo New Member Kit (Kit 810), for each Leo member, includes:

• membership card
• membership certificate (Leo-R)
• Leo pin
• Leo decal

Together, the Leo club officers and Lions on the Leo Advisory Committee plan the Leo installation ceremony as outlined in the Leo Club Officer Installation and New Member Initiation (Leo-8).

During the ceremony, the highest-ranking Lions official presents the Leo Certificate of Organization to the club officers. The Leo club members also receive their new member kits during the ceremony.

Invitees to the ceremony should include:

• Lions club members
• parents and friends of the new Leo club members
• representatives of outside agencies such as schools, religious youth groups, or community programs
• Lions and Leo district officers
• local media representatives

To order service programs publications, including Leo Club Program publications, click here.