Award eligibility, criteria and achievement narrative
All official district and multiple district YCE chairpersons are eligible for the Top Ten Youth Camps and Exchange Chairperson Award. Immediate past council chairpersons and immediate past district governors are encouraged to nominate an extraordinary YCE chairperson that served during the camp and exchange period in the previous fiscal year. Some considerations for this award include:
- Being registered in Lion Portal as YCE Chairperson for the award year
- Being nominated by their Immediate Past Council Chairperson (District or Multiple District YCE Chairpersons) or Immediate Past District Governor (District YCE Chairpersons only)
Nominations are weighed considering the following criteria and answers to prompts.
Criteria
- Number of outgoing and incoming youth participants
- Geographic diversity (number of regions/countries represented)
- Promotion of peace, international understanding and goodwill
- Inclusion of Lions service and global causes
- Program innovation and development
- Prioritization of positive participant experience, including youth safety
Achievement narrative
- “Describe why you’re nominating this chairperson for the Top Ten Youth Camps & Exchange Chairperson Award.”
- “How did this chairperson integrate service into their YCE program?”
- “How did this chairperson effectively engage or integrate their community as part of their YCE program?”
- “Describe how this chairperson facilitated a cultural, educational, and innovative experience for all participants of their YCE program.”
- “Describe how this chairperson prioritized youth protection, safety, and a positive experience for all participants of their program.”
Nominate your YCE chairperson
If you know a YCE chairperson who meets the criteria for the award, consider nominating them using our easy-to-use form. Nominations can be submitted from July 1 to August 15 each year.
2024-2025 YCE top ten chairpersons
The following individuals were selected by the Lions International Board of Directors Service Activities Committee for their service in positively impacting the lives of young people around the world and fulfilling the Lions Clubs International mission to encourage peace and international understanding through Lions clubs.
"A significant aspect of serving as YCE Chairperson is traversing the state of Michigan, visiting various districts and clubs, meeting new Lions members, and getting to know Lions from other countries and parents of our participants."
Elvira Marfil
Multiple District 11 (United States)
"The YCE program enables young people to participate in social service abroad and learn about the global service of Lions Clubs, truly living out the spirit of 'We Serve.'"
Tan-Hua Yang
District 300B 6 (China, Taiwan)
"One of the most memorable moments is seeing the impact on returning exchange participants as they share how the program broadens their cultural understanding and builds lifelong friendships."
Amritveer Singh Sohal
District 301 C (Philippines)
"What I love most about the YCE program is when we Lions can say at the end of camp every year that twenty youngsters came as strangers and they are leaving as friends."
Christian Rathmann
District 111NH (Germany)
"The YCE program is always memorable. Bringing together young people from all over the world and giving them experiences that they will cherish for the rest of their lives is one of the things I am most passionate about. Building a spirit of understanding also comes through getting to know others who are so different yet so similar in their dreams, hopes, and interests."
Paola Forneris
District 108IA3 (Italy)
"From exchange youth, visiting youth, host families and camp staff, I heard that although they were anxious at first, they felt deep bonds and the stimulation of different cultures. They were truly glad they participated in the YCE program."
Yuichi Nakata
District 334 E (Japan)
"Serving as YCE chairperson has been a truly rewarding journey, opening doors to global connections, meaningful learning, and unforgettable friendships while experiencing the powerful unity of youth across borders."
Shalini Bhargava
District 3233G2 (India)
"The main purpose of the YCE program is to cultivate young leaders, which is very meaningful for society. It provides opportunities for young people from around the world to engage in global service. This is a very important and unforgettable experience for the growth of young people."
Yumi Pui Yu Leung
District 303 (China)
"What I love most about the YCE program is listening to the young people as they prepare and welcoming their concerns, emotions, curiosity, and excitement ... it's like hearing someone call you 'mom' for the first time."
Sandra Becostrino
District 108 L (Italy)
“The greatest joy for me is to continue promoting the expansion of the program to families overseas and the opportunity to meet friends with whom we can maintain lifelong connections.”
Hideo Dan
Multiple District 335 (Japan)
