At Lions International, we know firsthand the power of Leos. Leos work every day to create lasting, sustainable change in their communities. In 2021-2022 alone, Leos aged 12 to 30 completed a whopping 40,000 service projects around the world. Did you know that Leos around the world are also engaging in advocacy just by serving their communities?
At Lions International, we champion advocacy as an important tool in your toolbox to make the change you want to see in your communities. Through the core tenants of advocacy—raising awareness, educating communities on important issues, and creating positive change—Leos are already doing life-changing work around the world to change their communities for the better, and shape the future they want to see.
So, how can you and your Leo club get involved? Here are some ideas to get started.
Start an advocacy service project
Many Leo service projects already fall under the category of advocacy. Leos advocate in their communities by raising awareness of the causes they care about, educating their community members on important issues and creating positive change. How have you advocated in your own community on issues important to you?
Here are service project ideas to help you get started:
Raise awareness
- Organize a book drive to promote literacy
- Organize an environmental clean-up day
- Create flyers on where to locally recycle toxic materials
- Organize a documentary viewing night
- Launch a social media campaign for a cause you care about
Educate your community
- Invite a community leader to your school or club meeting to talk about an important issue
- Meet with local coalitions to understand current advocacy efforts
- Conduct a community forum to educate your club about current needs of your community
Create positive change
- Invite a legislator to your club meeting or service event
- Schedule a meeting in your electoral district so your club can meet directly with your elected officials
- Contact your elected officials by calling or emailing to voice your support or opposition to ongoing legislation or policy
- Attend—or host!—an Advocacy 101 training
- Partner with an existing coalition working on a cause that’s important to you
These ideas are only the beginning. What can your Leo club add to the list?
Helpful Tip! Leos should be sure to communicate with their sponsoring Lions club about their advocacy plans.
Medan Stallion Leo Club in Indonesia (District 304-A2). Photo by: Lion Othmar Fetz, The LEO Book
Join a Lions International advocacy event
Whether it’s held by Lions International or a local Lions club, you can find advocacy events to help you get connected with larger conversations going on in your community.
Lions International just held its annual Lions Day with the United Nations (LDUN) events this spring, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya; New York City, USA; and Geneva, Switzerland. Leos receive discounted registration, and it’s a great way for them to participate in a global event alongside Lions, UN dignitaries and guests from around the world.
This year’s theme was Hunger, Nutrition and Wellness, which are not only critical issues for Lions and Leos, but also an important component of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Leos in attendance heard from Lions, Leos and experts about how Lion and Leo service does incredible work in addressing these pressing issues.
The STEP For A Better World Leo Club from New Jersey, USA (District 16-J) attended LDUN New York on March 3, 2023 and had a memorable experience. “At LDUN, we discussed service projects, ways to serve and current global issues,” said Leo Sanjana Yakkati. “Thank you to @lionsclubs @unitednations for making this an incredible experience and for hosting us!”
STEP For A Better World Leo Club with International President Brian Sheehan and Lion Lori Sheehan at LDUN New York on March 3, 2023. Photo by: STEP For A Better World Leo Club
At LDUN New York, Leo Club President Konstantin Kölmel from the Gaggenau Hohenbaden Leo Club in Germany (District 111-SN) spoke on a panel alongside Lion Barbara Bentley, district diabetes chairperson (District 20-W) and Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, assistant secretary-general for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs at the United Nation’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Leo Konstantin spoke passionately about his club’s efforts to support Ukrainian refugees in cooperation with the Warsaw Lions Club and the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
“We are looking forward to further strengthen the international connections between Leos and Lions and remain inspired by the activities of Lions worldwide,” said Leo Konstantin. “We are proud of having represented our club and ‘LEO Germany’ to show the international community what can be achieved with the power of a young and motivated team!”
Leo Konstantin Kölmel, shown on screen, speaks during a panel discussion at LDUN New York on March 3, 2023. Photo credit: Konstantin Kölmel
Come join us next year! LDUN 2024 events will be announced in early 2024. Keep an eye out for more information on how you and your club can participate and join the global conversation.
Bring advocacy home to your club
Sharing online resources is an easy way to disseminate information back to your club and spread the message. The Lions Advocacy Toolkit is a great starting place to learn about advocacy at Lions International.
Connect with others
Once you start advocating for issues that you care about, the connections between your own community and others around the world will become much clearer. We are all impacted by similar issues, and we can unite together to find common solutions. Connecting with other Leo clubs, and uniting with them in your service, can be an important step in bringing about the change you want to see in the world.
Keep an eye out for more information coming soon
The Lions Advocacy Toolkit page will be getting a refresh later this year, so be sure to check it out. With this update, we will be including more information on how Leos can get involved—so you’ll have more information at your fingertips on how you can get started with advocacy.
We are also excited to unveil a new opportunity that amplifies youth voices. We are adding new positions to our Lions Representatives to the United Nations program, just for Leos and Leo-Lions! This is a pilot program for Lion year 2023-2024 where one or two Leos or Leo-Lions will serve with an agency at the United Nations. Their main role will be to work towards building relationships with the agency and the United Nations by representing Lions International and especially the viewpoints of Leos and Leo-Lions.
No matter what your level of involvement is, there are endless opportunities to work with your club and advocate for change you want to see in your community and the world around us.
Where there’s a need, there’s a Leo. What will you do?
Learn more about what advocacy looks like at Lions International, and how you can get involved today.
What else can Leos do? Check out the About Leos webpage to see how else you can get involved.
Alessandra DeChancie is a global advocacy specialist at Lions International.
