The first Leo Club was sponsored by the LC Ipoh Host in 1970. Leo
club gives the youth the opportunity to serve the less fortunate in their
community at an early age and to develop in them leadership quality for their
future roles. Compared to many other districts, the Alpha (school-based) Leos
were extremely active and knowledgeable as was evidenced by their performances
during their Leo Forum.
In the fiscal year 1980 - 1981, I was appointed the District
Chairman for Leos Clubs by the then District Governor Jeffrey Quah. By rotation
of the districts 308A and 308B and it was district 308B's turn to carry out a
Multiple District 308 Leo Forum. I was privileged to be involved in organizing
the event. The theme for the forum, "Leos - the Future Lions" once
again dawned on me to start another Lions club, this time with the “maturing”
Leos. The Leos who have exceeded their age limit of 28 have to be dropped and
they were certainly “ripe” to graduate to become Lions. We must keep them in
our Lions family!
AN
OPPORTUNITY LOST
In my 50 years as a Lion, I did lament the many sacrifices and
missed opportunities. In 1982, I was invited to give a talk on the Leo Program
at the LCI Convention in the United States. I was extremely delighted to be
given such an honour. However, I had to decline the invitation due to the
expensive air tickets and I was still working then.
MEMBERSHIP
IN THE WORLD
Back in the 60s, I seldom heard Lions talking about membership
drives as members just keep rolling in. Membership in a Lions Club in the
public eye was seen as prestigious as it was an international club. In fact,
there was a queuing up for new intakes! By the 1980s, the Lions' membership had
touched 1.4 million and Lions were given little round stickers to boost the
membership to 1.5 million. This campaign was about to become farcical as some
leaders had resorted to recruiting every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the street.
Years later, the membership chart declined. Why? It became a case of “the more the merrier” but we tend to overlook
the factor of sustainability and retention. My take is we needed to recruit
quality Lions, members who genuinely subscribe to our Lions’ oath and charter.
And the club must acknowledge that every new Lion is a potential bonus to his
club. Thus, it is our imperative duty as Lion members to ensure our newbies
immerse themselves in the norms and activities of the club. Rightly the newbies
must feel needed – wanted – and welcomed. As simple as that!
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