The mission statement of the Lions Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf Program is: 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.
The district governor appoints a Lion to serve as district Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf chairman.

This Lion should be familiar with:

• medical or technological advances in hearing and speech
• Lions board policy as it pertains to the Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf Program and news from International Headquarters;
• the responsibilities of district chairmen (outlined below)
• opportunities for Lions to create and contribute to hearing projects
• requirements for the District Hearing Chairman Award.

District chairmen are responsible for project planning

• Begin by setting goals. Evaluate the effectiveness of current club-level and district-level hearing and speech projects. Outline an overall district plan. Include procedures required for fulfilling the plan. Submit the plan to the district governor for approval.

• Communicate these goals and project ideas to club chairmen through: an open letter on the district Web site; an open letter in the district governor's newsletter; e-mails, personal letters, telephone calls or personal visits.

• Incorporate new project ideas contributed by clubs. Do not duplicate local, regional or national programs. Work with local healthcare professionals to provide the most appropriate service to the community.

• Arrange hearing and speech seminars and workshops for club chairmen. Invite health care professionals such as otolaryngologists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, or local hearing and speech center professionals to present information. Seminars and workshops often help motivate clubs to participate in hearing and speech projects.

• Report activities to the district cabinet through the District Hearing and Speech Action Chairman's Report Form (IAD 116) and to the local media through communications with the district public relations chairman. Chairmen are encouraged to submit reports and photographs of successful hearing projects to:

Program Development Department
Lions Clubs International
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842
USA  

District Hearing Chairman Award

Outstanding chairman who meet the following criteria may qualify.

• Submit the District Hearing and Speech Action Chairman's Annual Report Form (IAD-116) (with the signature of the district governor) to international headquarters no later then September 1 following the close of the fiscal year.

• Fulfill two of the following requirements:

1. Motivate at least half of the clubs in the district to participate in an     existing Lions hearing or speech project.
2. Introduce a new district-level hearing or speech project.
3.  Publicize the district's hearing and speech program.