2025-2026 Excellence Awards updates
These prestigious awards are available at four levels—club, zone, region and district.
Clubs must earn a Club Excellence Award as a prerequisite for Excellence Awards at the zone, region and district level.
Applications will not be necessary for the 2025-2026 award cycle. Awards will be distributed by Lions International to clubs that meet the updated criteria and eligibility requirements. You will find these listed below.
Club Excellence Award criteria
The Club Excellence Award acknowledges the dedication and legacy of service within individual clubs and is the foundation for excellence awards presented to Zone Chairpersons, Region Chairpersons and District Governors.
Membership
- Induct a minimum of two or 20% new members, whichever is greater (not including transfer, reinstated or charter members). Eligibility is determined based on the club’s membership count on June 30th of the previous Lion year.
- Or sponsor a new Lions club.
Service
- Report a minimum of four (4) service activities to Lions International. Three (3) must align with the International Weeks of Service around Mental Health, Hunger and Environment. These service projects can be completed throughout the 2025-2026 Lion year.
Leadership
- Report newly elected club officers in Lion Portal by May 15 of the current Lion year.
- A minimum of 10% of the club’s members complete any three courses in the Lions Learning Center.
- The club president for the current Lion year must not have served more than two consecutive terms.
- A minimum of two or more club officers (president, vice president, secretary or treasurer. Of which, one must be the club president) complete Club Officer Training (online with the Lions Learning Center or in-person as reported by a GLT coordinator in Learn) between May 1 – December 31.
Donations
- Contributed to LCIF a minimum of the club’s membership total on June 30th of the previous Lion year, multiplied by US$20.
Zone, region and district criteria
Earning the Club Excellence Award is key to becoming eligible for the Zone, Region and District Excellence Awards. These awards will be distributed based on meeting criteria for each category.
Zone Excellence Award
The Zone Excellence Award recognizes outstanding Zone Chairpersons who cultivate growth and excellence within their clubs. To qualify, 60% of the clubs within the zone must earn the Club Excellence Award.
Region Excellence Award
The Region Excellence Award honors exceptional Region Chairpersons and regional success. To qualify, 50% or more of the clubs within the region must earn the Club Excellence Award, highlighting commitment to fostering high-performing, service-driven clubs.
District Excellence Award
The District Excellence Award recognizes District Governors who drive exceptional growth, leadership and community impact. To qualify, 50% or more of the clubs within the district must earn the Club Excellence Award, demonstrating commitment to Lions International core principles.
The road to excellence
Increase your chances of earning an award by increasing your level of service through engagement in activities that promote Lions excellence.
Participate in Weeks of Service
Amplify your club’s impact by participating in the global Weeks of Service. This initiative, which takes place in three non-consecutive weeks throughout the 2025-2026 Lion year, unites Lions and Leos worldwide to address the critical issues of mental health and well-being, hunger and the environment.
Invite new friends
New members are critical to the club’s success, so spread the word about why you love being a Lion. Whether it’s the community, sense of belonging or joy of helping others, serving as a Lion is always more fun with a friend. Plus, every time you invite a new member, you are helping us reach our MISSION 1.5 goals so that we can serve even more people!
Empower service around the world
With 100% of donations going towards grants and programs, your generosity to LCIF allows us to serve people in need. Please consider donating to the Lions Clubs International Foundation today and thank you for your support!
