Information for Hearing Chairpersons

Information for Hearing Chairpersons

Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf became an official program of Lions Clubs International in 1971. In 2009, the name of the program was updated to Hearing Preservation, Awareness and Action. This page provides the following information for Hearing Chairpersons:

Program Mission Statement

Role of the Chairperson

Online Resources

International Resources

Award for Multiple District and District Chairpersons

Program Mission Statement

To demonstrate concern and respect for the dignity and independence of people who have hearing or speech challenges, with the goal of improving their quality of life.

Role of the Hearing Chairperson

The council chairperson and district governor respectively appoint a Lion to serve a one-year term as multiple district and district Hearing Preservation, Awareness and Action Chairperson. The chairperson helps to organize and implement projects that allow people to volunteer for the deaf. Lions provide assistance to aid people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairments. The chairperson provides motivation and support needed to encourage club, district and multiple district participation in hearing and speech-related projects. Chairperson responsibilities include:

• Setting goals. Evaluate the effectiveness of current club, district and multiple district-level hearing and speech volunteer projects. Develop goals and a  plan, including procedures required to fulfill the plan. Upon the district governor's or council chairperson's approval, post and promote the plan via the Web site, an open letter in the newsletter, e-mails, personal letters, telephone calls, or personal visits.

• Incorporating new project ideas contributed by clubs. Generate participation through new projects and activities, while also enhancing the existing local, regional or national programs. Work with local health care professionals and organizations to determine community needs and provide the most appropriate services.

• Arranging seminars and workshops to provide educational resources and information about hearing loss and its prevention and assisting individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech challenges. Invite health care professionals as speakers to help motivate clubs to participate in hearing and speech-related projects.

• Informing clubs about district and multiple district hearing and speech-related resources available for children and adults.

• Reporting hearing and speech-related activities to the multiple district council or district cabinet and to the local media through communications with the public relations chairperson.

Chairpersons should be familiar with:

• Lions board policy as it pertains to Hearing Preservation, Awareness and Action.

• Prevention of hearing loss, information on deafness, speech impairments and medical or technological advances in hearing and speech.

• Lions Hearing Aid Recycling Program.

• Opportunities for Lions to create and contribute to hearing and speech-related projects, including hearing screenings and recreational camps for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• District and/or multiple district rehabilitation, vocational or support services for those who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech impairment.

• Criteria for the chairperson award, as outlined below.

• Hearing Ear Dog Schools.

Online Resources

• Sight & Sound Newsletter provides news and information about both the Hearing and Sight programs.

• Lions Newswire: stay up-to-date with the latest Lions announcements and program information.

• Lions Learning Center: online courses to develop skills for a successful leadership role.

• PR Tools: public service announcements (PSAs), fill-in-the-blank press releases, print ads and other tools can help raise public awareness of your club and district activities.

• Lion-2-Lion: resource assistance database provides Lions with an effective way to communicate locally and internationally, enabling them to collaborate on humanitarian projects and exchange information.  Lions can offer to donate or submit requests for resources, supplies and volunteer assistance. 

International Resources and Information for Hearing Chairpersons

Chairpersons are encouraged to use the Internet as an international resource, which provides continually updated information about deafness, hearing impairments and speech impairments. Lions Clubs International includes the following information as a service.

• (US) National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
• (US) Gallaudet University – National Deaf Education Center.
• (US) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
• (US) Hearing Loss Association of America.
• (US) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf (AG Bell).
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA).
• International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH). 
• Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID).  
• World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). 
• World Health Organization (WHO).

Award for Multiple District and District Hearing Preservation, Awareness and Action Chairperson

On behalf of the Association, the council chairperson and district governor may present an award to the multiple district or district hearing chairperson who has shown outstanding leadership in furthering the Hearing Preservation, Awareness and Action Program by meeting the multiple district or district award criteria, respectively.

For More Information for Hearing Chairpersons

Chairpersons are encouraged to submit information and photographs of successful hearing and speech-related projects to the Health and Children's Services Department. For more information, please contact us.

For information on how to volunteer for the deaf and hearing impaired, contact us.