Are Lions doing enough for the community?

[nicseow]

Have you wonder whether Lions are doing enough for the community? Do Lions do survey on what the community needs?

[Vincent]

Dear Lions,

I would like to voice up as a Leo.. I would like to say that the Lions in our district do not do anything to help the community enough. Sometimes, we do not know what ppl want. Some Lions here join Lions Club just to get PJK, PJM or whatever (some not all) which make me or other Leos and ppl feel uncomfortable.

Besides, I will wonder why the Lions can work with the Lioness so well, but not the Leos. They always feel we cant go ahead them. Actually the young power are much more powerful than those elder. We are rather to devote our times to the Lionism, but sometimes i got disappointed with some Lions attitude that do not really want us to improve and treat us like a slave. I am really waiting one day that the Lions can work with the Leos closely to work more for the community.

Some Lions like to say" This is Lions Project, Not Leos Project" I would like to share some stories from a Leo from Australia. If a dad who sell meat, has a son. One day, his son has the ability to do big business like a franchais. Then I would like to ask those ppl, should the Dad be angry, or Happy on the achievement of the son?

This story told us that, I would like the Lions to let the Leos take the risk and try something new and try not to be so close minded. This will really help to improve the achievement of Lions in the district.

I am so sorry if i hurt someone on my msg. It is just to tell some Lions who did that, not every Lions. Perhaps i really meet some kind and good Lions here. My intention is hope the Lionsism will be better.

Leo Vincent

[nicseow]

Hi Vincent,

Welcome on board. How's your Peace Poster Contest project? Hope everything turned up great.

I was a Leo before becoming a Lions and I believed that there are quite a number of ex-Leo is now a Lions, example...you know who la right?

We did faced the same situation when we were in Omega, and now there are quite a number of ex-Alpha Leos would like to form Omega Leo Club but always tried to avoid their ex-Sponsoring Lions Clubs to sponsor them. The reasons could be what you have mentioned in your post.

The Lions-Leos relationship is very important, Lions supposed to Advise and Guide the leos and not to fully control the leos. Perhaps those Lions have forgotten what the purpose of Leo Clubs is.

Some ppl think that students join Leo Club is to participate in Youth Exchange programme. Of course, to some leos that is their main objective, but that's not the Leo Clubs purpose is.

There are things that we can't change, especially people mindset. We have to live with it. Life is full of choices, depends you are choosing the left or the right.

Now that you have seen the way some Lions work. Make full use of what you have seen, learn from them. Don't follow the bad examples and improve on the good ones.

Have a wonderful journey aheads.

[amn1717]

Good point Vincent! I agree that there are many people who join an organization (in fact, almost every organization and not only Lions) for personal rewards. We cannot control this, and sometimes we also need these kind of people who are willing to be generous in return for some publicity (or face!). So let's not talk about them. As long as you realise this yourself, you do not become one of them.

As for Lions doing enough for the community... a resounding NO!! Unfortunately Lions, Leos and Lionesses are volunteers and not fulltime workers. If one wishes to do more, one has to work fulltime in a charitable organization (like Cheshire Home, Salvation Army etc). I usually tell people that at most I am a middleman, between those who have and those who have not. If someone who has a need comes to my club, I pass on the need to those who I feel can help (be it finance, products, services or connections). For doing this service, the Lions name is honored (e.g. thanked by the beneficiary or recognized by the media). The positive publicity will ensure that the next time I ask, donors already know me (or the name "Lions"), making it easier to get what is required. So, don't worry about not doing enough. If you do your part (no matter how little it may seem), it makes a big difference to the people who benefitted!!

As for the Lions-Leo relationship, if we consider the good works done by Leos and Lionesses, some of them are much better than Lions. So, some jealousy exists. If the rapport between sponsoring Lions club and the Leo or Lioness is good, there is no problem. If there are heart problems, every single good act can also result in unproductive counter-acts and bitterness.

As young people, views will always differ from the elders. Some disagree but quietly follow the parent's advice and guidance. One day, they grow up and become independant (as in becoming Lions), then they can do what they want. However, since they are young and need parental care, then they have to listen and obey.

There are also some children who behave as if they are independant and forget their parent. I know Leos are creative and energetic (my club has two Leo clubs, another one on the way and others lining up!). As a father, I will always encourage my children to be better, to do greater things. But I am also aware of the dangers and pitfalls (having been a youth before) and if my children misbehave, I have to be stern and sometimes mete out discipline. I hate to do this but it is for the ultimate good of the child.

One other factor Leos must consider is the changes Leo membership go through every year. With new members, there may be new ideas, but also same old problems. The Leo Advisor will have to repeat the same cycle of reminding the Leos of their responsibilities and accountability to the sponsoring club.

So, the bottom line to all these... good relationship by both sides. If the Lion President and Leo Advisor can interact with the Leos more often and the Leos inform the sponsoring club of every move or plan, then I am sure both clubs will enjoy a strong partnership to help the community. I always tell myself and those who know me: I do my part to be nice with everybody. If the other person does not treat me nice, it is his/her problem, not mine. When I took over the helm of presidency, those who were inactive returned to activeness, even offering to do projects. The secret? Good PR: Personal Relations!

[Vincent]

Dear Amn1717,
Thanks for your advise. Actually we Leos are not want to like leave the sponsoring club behind and do our own things. Is just like what u say, jealousy make something cant works. We want to work together with the Lions Club, but they dont want. so what to do? hehe...

[Vincent]

And sometimes i feel, once we join any organization, we have the RESPONSIBILITY to do the best, is not just join for fun. Maybe less people will think that, but i think that. Yes, we are volouteers, but if one organization, the volounteers are LAZY (not mean anyone), then no use also. Some ppl always said even Omega Leos always said they are busy of work, no time! and etc. Actually this is just an excuse. Even student, their work is to study, but why they can? it is just because they feel they are responsible on what they join.

[amn1717]

Hi Vincent

Everybody has commitments and it is a matter of Priorities. It's just that some people place Lionism higher than other priorities. To me, Lionism is a hobby and among my hobbies, it is no. 1. Others may place Lionism on a lower scale, for example, below golf. Then if there is a golf game and a Lions activity at the same time, golf comes first.

Secondly, involvement in all things is about Passion. Do we love Lionism? Are we willing to sacrifice for it? I am passionate about food but I would give up a good nasi kandar meal if there is a Lions meeting. What about an expensive "monk over the wall" dinner? Is one passionate enough to give up one for the other? Do we eat, sleep & talk Lionism wherever we are? So some people are less passionate about Lions than others.

Thirdly, for some it may be about Price. The world revolves around money. If the same time I use for Lionism can be converted to cash, I'll be a billionaire! Some people are not willing to give up their time because it is golden. Their excuse is that if they make more money they can do more charity!

Then there is the matter of Position, Protocol, Publicity.... so many reasons for someone who does not have the Lions Spirit to use against active Participation!

Don't worry... it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round! Just be happy and do the best you can.

[Vincent]

hehe... what a good advise. i get what u mean and i really learnt about it.. Maybe i should look things in more aspect then i will not so "sad"..haha

[summerboy_pg]

Ah, Vincente'..I wanted to point out me points to you !! Ok, Relationship between Lions and Leos. Put it this way....there some elements of truth in what you stated. I agreed. Now, I've to add in this fact : When you become a Leo President, it depends on your "luck" if during your term, you have a supportive Sponsoring Lion President...wait, there's more....the standard of the lion-leo advisor assigned to you
--greatly depends on his experiences, supportive characteristic and his knowledge on Lionism and the Leo Programme !! Remember, you may fool some of the people all the time, all the people sometime, but definitely not all the people all the time !!! hahahaha. Generally, when as an advisor, one must 'get down to the level' of thinking as the leos..i.e., if they boogie, you boogie. Don't know how? ,then learn from them....Likewise, you intoduce them some of the lions ways...so that their eyes are 'open' and experience the adults way of thoughts and feelings...
If an Advsior show the leo the respect accorded to them I don't see why the leos can't open up to their advisor !!.
In short, if you are in a lucky term, then you get on by...If you face 'uphill task' and "winds blowing against you"...find ways around them, not into them. Or, the latest in-thing- Get a Honorary Advisor ( different from a lion-leo advisor)...it will certainly help alot...Believe me, it has happened before.
Cheers...
` Summer King