2013 USA Canada Lions Leadership Forum

Michelle M. Anderson Educational Program Specialist Lions Quest Introductions

Why Lions Quest? It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. —Frederick Douglass

Seminar Goals Learn about Lions Quest program and how it is implemented Learn how Lions fit in. Know how to combat misconceptions. Share experiences/best practices. Discuss opportunities for Lions to become involved. Build relationships with one another. Leave feeling informed, reenergized, and committed

Common Misconceptions and Half Truths about Lions Quest by Lions “Lions go into schools to teach Lions Quest to children.” “Lions Quest sounds like something we should give to our Leos to handle.” “LCIF handles getting Lions Quest into schools.” “The ultimate goal of Lions Quest is to get as many workshops scheduled and teachers trained as possible.” If Lions Quest isn’t on my club’s list of initiatives to support, I can’t support it alone.

Lions Quest Program Life skills program of Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) For students from kindergarten to grade 12 Classroom curriculum that may be integrated into existing courses or taught on its own Connects school, home and community Adapted for culture concerns in each country

What is Lions Quest? Lions Quest is a research-based, K-12 positive youth development program. Responsible decision making Goal setting and accountability Positive relationships Effective communication Service learning

What is Social Emotional Learning? A process through which young people and adults develop the fundamental social and emotional competencies of: self-awareness self-management social awareness relationship skills responsible decision making

What We’ve Learned About SEL? According to a 2011 CASEL meta-study: Students can be taught social & emotional skills. Social & emotional learning does not detract from academics, it enhances them. It is possible to identify effective programs. Results were consistent regardless of gender, race, geography or socioeconomics.

Lions Quest and Service Learning “Teachers must help their students understand our global interdependence, give them the experience of community, encourage them to develop basic social skills, provide them with the opportunities to make contributiona toothers, strengthen their group problem- solving and organizational skills, and encourage them to explore the real political world.” -Sheldon Berman, Educational Leadership

Benefits of Lions Quest 12 Benefits to Youth Increasing academic achievement Building social and emotional skills Developing good character Learning to manage conflict constructively Learning to avoid harmful substance use Feeling valued as members of classroom and community Understanding responsible decision making Developing school-to-work competencies Experiencing service to others

Results with Lions Quest? 47% increase in problem solving skills 14% increase in grade point average 57% decline in student absences 20-37% decrease in bullying/mobbing 72% decline in out of school suspensions 100% increase in connectedness to school

Implementation Certified trainers conduct workshops Teachers, social workers, and community members are trained Staff members receive curriculum materials Implementation is ongoing through the year New staff can be trained each year

Lions Quest Curricula Skills for Growing (K-5) Grade specific curriculum Building community, valuing self and others, building confidence, growing up drug-free Skills for Adolescence (6-8) Three-year middle school curriculum Managing emotions, relationships, better Communication and decision-making Skills for Action (9-12) Four-year high school curriculum 21 st Century workforce skills Service-learning

How is Lions Quest implemented? Staff receives materials Progress is monitored and tracked Program is implemented in schools & community organizations Training of teachers and staff Implementation Cycle: Progress is monitored and tracked Implementation Cycle:

Where do Lions fit in? Staff receives materials Progress is monitored and tracked Program is implemented in schools & community organizations Training of teachers and staff

Benefits to Lions Lions are the Natural Partners of Lions Quest Lions Quest is a practical extension of the service ethic of Lionism Lions Quest is fully owned and managed by Lions Local Lion participation is critical to introducing the program to schools and raising funds Educate the next generation about the value of service and goals of Lionism Increase visibility of Lionism and youth programs

LCIF Support For Lions Three different levels of grant funding 1.Promotional Grants ($1,000 US) 2.Community Partnership Grants ($10,000 US) 3.Core 4 Grants (up to $100,000 US) Program Education Support Implementation and curriculum information Lions Quest videos and brochures LCIF staff support

LCIF Support For Lions August, 2013 – LCIF approved 26 Lions Quest Grants for a total of $1.4 million. The largest total amount ever awarded for Lions Quest programs. Two Lions Quest Core 4 grant awards went to programs in the United States: District 22-A, Maryland - $25,000 Districts 20-S and 20-K2, New York - $100,000

Resources for Lions How-To Guides Lions Quest Videos LCIF Lions Quest grant funds New Lions Toolkit Staff support

Lions Quest Toolkit Toolkit to be organized into 3 parts: 22 LEARN ACTION CONTINUED ACTION Outreach Implementation Ongoing support Learning/Discovering Process details

Promoting Success

What You Can Do Contact LCIF and your District/MD Lions Quest Chair. Encourage Lions in your district/club to learn more about Lions Quest. Think about who you know and who you work with that can be connected to a program like this. Reach out to schools, organizations, after-school programs, businesses. Volunteer at a future teacher training workshop or help organize one in your community. Reach out to teachers that have been trained to gather success stories from the schools implementing the program. Publicize those stories. Plan a recognition event for teachers, students, and Lions that are involved with Lions Quest implementation. Set a date for club members to visit the schools to do a joint service project. Invite a teacher that received Lions Quest training to a club meeting to present how it’s been going.

It Starts With One Get one club to sponsor one school Organize one workshop to train teachers Donate materials to one classroom Start one “Lions Quest Lions Club” with teachers and parents Conduct one Lions Quest awareness workshop

Voices from the field Al Brandel Past International President Lions Quest Advisory Committee Member Long Island Lions Quest Initiative

Voices from the field 1. How did you initially get involved with Lions Quest? 2. What has been the biggest SUCCESS with Lions Quest in your area. 3. What has been the biggest CHALLENGE with Lions Quest in your area and how did the Lions overcome it? 4. What advice would you give to someone just starting to approach schools/school districts?

Voices from the field DeAnne Heersche Past Council Chair Lions Quest Multiple District Co-Chair Lions Quest Affiliate Trainer Lions Quest Kansas

Voices from the field 1. How did you initially get involved with Lions Quest? 2. What has been the biggest SUCCESS with Lions Quest in your area. 3. What has been the biggest CHALLENGE with Lions Quest in your area and how did the Lions overcome it? 4. What advice would you give to someone just starting to approach schools/school districts?

Voices from the field Dick Bloomquist Past District Governor Lions Quest District 22-A Co-Chair Baltimore Lions Quest Initiative

Voices from the field 1. How did you initially get involved with Lions Quest? 2. What has been the biggest SUCCESS with Lions Quest in your area. 3. What has been the biggest CHALLENGE with Lions Quest in your area and how did the Lions overcome it? 4. What advice would you give to someone just starting to approach schools/school districts?

Voices from the field Michelle Anderson Chicago Windy City Lions Club Lions Quest Club Committee Member

Voices from the field 1. How did you initially get involved with Lions Quest? 2. What has been the biggest SUCCESS with Lions Quest in your area. 3. What has been the biggest CHALLENGE with Lions Quest in your area and how did the Lions overcome it? 4. What advice would you give to someone just starting to approach schools/school districts?

Common Misconceptions and Half Truths about Lions Quest by Lions 1.“Lions go into schools to teach Lions Quest to children.” 2.“Lions Quest sounds like something we should give to our Leos to handle.” 3.“LCIF handles getting Lions Quest into schools.” 4.“The ultimate goal of Lions Quest is to get as many workshops scheduled and teachers trained as possible.” 5.If Lions Quest isn’t on my club’s list of initiatives to support, I can’t support it alone.

Seminar Goals Learn about Lions Quest program and how it is implemented Learn how Lions fit in. Know how to combat misconceptions. Share experiences/best practices. Discuss opportunities for Lions to become involved. Build relationships with one another. Leave feeling informed, reenergized, and committed

Are You Ready? If you believe that education is not just during the school hours… If you believe that education must involve the entire community… If you believe that children need new skills for a changing world… If you believe that Lions have a unique role to play in helping youth… Then you can support Lions Quest!

Contact Us LCIF/Lions Quest Department Michelle M. Anderson, U.S. Programs (630) Matthew Kiefer, Lions Quest Program Manager To schedule a workshop or order materials in the United States call: Lions Quest Web site: Joanne McQuiggan, Executive Director Lions Quest Canada, The Center for Positive Youth Development: Contact: ext.