Leo Advisors

A recent incident highlighted the importance and heavy responsibility of a Leo Advisor. Some Leos, assuming it is 'initiative' and 'good leadership' decided to do things without informing their respective Leo Advisors. Instead they were given a scolding by the Lion President when he was informed at the last minute about some decisions the Leos had made and which would involve some financing by the Lions club.

There was also the disappointment by some Leos that, despite the hard work they had put in, they were not recognized for their efforts during the recent Leo Forum and to add salt to wound, those who didn't do much (as compared to others) were given numerous awards. It turned out that the Leo Advisor had not attended any of their meetings, did not advise them nor sign their award nomination forms. A new BOD told me that they had no idea how their Leo Advisor look like!

As the vital connection between an active Leo club and the sponsoring Lions club, the Advisor has quite a big responsibility. Some Leo Advisors think that this responsibility should lie with the school. However, the Faculty Advisor, being appointed by the school, merely sits in to make sure the Leos don't do anything silly but other than that, most Faculty Advisors will not make any effort to add to their already heavy school burdens.

Perhaps it is time our District examine what some Districts are doing - making the Leo Advisor a certified position. Send them for training and mark their involvement. Take their attendance at their Leo activities and meetings and count that towards awards. Make the Leo Advisor and Faculty Advisor not just the link but the main 'cable' in all correspondence. Direct all phone calls, emails and text messaging from the District Chairperson (DC-Leo) or Regional Committee Chairperson (RCC-Leo) to the Advisors instead of directly to the Leo clubs.

On the other hand, the Leo club is an affiliated program of the sponsoring Lions club. It's duties and services should be within the scope assigned by the Lions club (and if an Alpha Leo club, approved by and within the school). Sometimes, an overzealous DC-Leo or RCC-Leo, instead of assisting or advising the District Governor on all matters pertaining to the Leo program, would instruct the Leo clubs to carry out activities or projects that have no use to the community or school. As the 'DG for Leos,' he/she would use this as a criterion for awards later. The poor Leo club, not wanting to disobey their 'DG' or in seeking to gain such recognition, would carry out the project or activity without meaning, and sometimes the sponsoring club is caught unaware or grudgingly go along for not wanting to disappoint the Leos.

What do you think?