District 23-B, Connecticut, USA....................

Information about organizing a new Leo club is contained in a free Leo Club Organization Kit available from the Youth Programs Department at International Headquarters or on the Lions International Web site: www.lionsclubs.org

Lions club sponsors must pay a one-time Leo club organization fee of US$100.00. This fee covers:

• 20 Leo new member entrance fees (includes Leo new member kit complete with lapel buttons and membership cards)
• Certificate of Organization
• Leo club officers' kit
• Leo club sponsor kit

If there are more than 20 members in the new Leo club, Lions can purchase additional new member kits for US$5 each. A Lions club can pay these fees when applying for Leo club certification or the association can bill the Lions club account.

To cover the administrative costs of the Leo Club Program, every Lions club sponsor is assessed a US$90.00 annual Leo club levy. This levy is billed on the account of the Lions club sponsors in August. The levy for newly organized Leo clubs is prorated depending upon the quarter of the year in which the club was certified.

Once the prospective Leos agree to form a new club (it is suggested that new Leo clubs have at least 15 members), they elect their club officers. The president of the sponsoring Lions club then submits a completed Leo Club Organization Report (Leo-51 form) to the Youth Programs Department. Usually, the new club's official certification date is the date that this report is received at headquarters.

Yes. Leo club members must be between the ages of 12 and 30. Within this age range, Alpha clubs are for members between the ages of 12 and 18 and Omega clubs are for members between the ages of 18 and 30.

No. Leo club membership is open to any young person of good character. Eligibility is determined by the Leo club committee of the sponsoring Lions club.

Yes. With written approval of the district governor, two or more Lions clubs may jointly sponsor a single Leo club. The Lions club sponsors will have equal representation on the Leo advisory committee. One Lions club sponsor should be designated to serve as the permanent liaison with International Headquarters concerning Leo club billings and administration. There is no limit to the number of Leo clubs that a single Lions club can sponsor.

No. Only Lions clubs can sponsor Leo clubs. Branch and Lioness club members can serve as co-advisors for Leo clubs.

The sponsor Lions club is responsible for guiding and counseling its Leo club. By working closely with Leos, Lions ensure that their sponsored club operates within the policies of Lions Clubs International. Lions supervise Leos in an open, constructive manner.

In consultation with the Leo club, a Lion is appointed to serve as an advisor for the Leo club. This individual should be someone who enjoys working with youth. The leadership provided by an advisor often affects the success of a Leo club. The advisor, along with two other appointed Lions, forms the Leo club advisory committee.

Often, school-based Leo clubs are required to have a faculty member as an advisor. If the faculty member is not a Lion, a Lion co-advisor should be selected to maintain close rapport with the Lions club.

The Leo club advisor and one or more members of the sponsoring Lions club should attend each Leo club and board of directors' meeting. In addition, three representatives from both clubs should meet monthly to review the action of the Leo club and its board of directors. If arranging this meeting is difficult, Leos should submit a copy of their club or board meeting minutes to the Lions club for review.

Yes. Leo clubs are an official Lions club activity. Therefore, Leo fees and levies can be paid from the Lions club's activity and/or administrative account. Likewise, either account may fund the administrative expenses of the Leo club.

Indirectly. A sponsor Lions club is responsible for all fees and levies relating to its Leo club. However, some Leo clubs choose to repay their sponsor Lions clubs for these items.

As a sponsored activity of a Lions club, a Leo club does not have an account with the association. When purchasing items from International Headquarters, Leos can send a US dollar check or money order. Leo club purchases can be billed to the account of the Lions club sponsor if advance authorization is given.

Yes. Leo club secretaries should submit monthly membership reports to International Headquarters using the LeoMMR, an online database system. Incoming Leo officers should be reported by May 15. Leo officers' packet is mailed on or about April 1 to the Leo club advisor. Name or address changes for Leo advisors and officers should be immediately reported to the Youth Programs Department.

Leadership, membership and extension awards are available for Leos and Leo clubs. A complete list of Leo awards is available on the Lions Web site - www.lionsclubs.org. In addition, Leo awards are available for purchase through the Official Supplies Catalog for Lions Clubs.

No. Status quo does not apply to Leo clubs. If a Leo club becomes inactive, the Lions club sponsor can choose to continue its sponsorship in anticipation of eventual reorganization. The Leo club retains its active status until the international office receives a written notice from the sponsor Lions club to cancel.

If the Leo also happens to be a Lion, he or she may serve on the Lions district cabinet, if appointed.

When there are six or more officially certified Leo clubs in a Lions district, the district governor can approve the formation of a Leo district. The territorial boundaries of the Leo district must match those of the sponsoring Lions district. All Leo districts must follow the guidelines stated in the Standard Leo District Constitution approved by the International Board of Directors.

When there are ten or more Leo Clubs in a Lions multiple district, a Leo multiple district may be organized. Leo membership within the multiple district must exceed 100. The council of governors must approve the formation of a Leo multiple district. The Standard Leo Multiple District

Yes. The sponsoring Lions district must approve of the following: scheduling of the annual Leo district conference, the actions of Leos district conferences, per capita Leo district taxes, and Leo district accounts. In addition, sponsoring Lions districts may terminate Leo districts after submitting a written notice of their withdrawal of sponsorship.

A Leo club is not immediately affected when its sponsor Lions club is placed in status quo. If the sponsor Lions club is subsequently canceled, the Leo club is granted a 90-day "grace" period to find a new Lions club sponsor, before the Leo club is canceled as well.

Yes. The policy names Leo club members as insured. The policy covers injuries sustained by third parties as well as damage to property owned by third parties to a limit of US$1 million per occurrence if the Leo club is held legally responsible. However, the policy does not apply to damage to property used by Leos, or in their care, custody or control. The policy does not provide personal or individual accident insurance. A copy of the policy can be viewed on the Lions Clubs International Web site - www.lionsclubs.org,

No. The Leo emblem is a registered trademark of the association. Strict board policy prevents the use of association trademarks on items sold to the public.

The Fundraising Seal is available for use on fundraising items. Use of this seal requires written authorization from the Legal Division at International Headquarters before entering into a contract with a manufacturer.

LEO33.EN 11/09