Coningsby & Tattershall Lions Club

What are Leos ?

International Leo Clubs History

Coach Jim Graver started the Leo ball rolling in 1957 and chances are that ball was a baseball. Graver was the baseball coach of the Abington High School in Pennsylvania, USA and an active member of the Glenside Lions Club. With help from his fellow Lion, William Ernst, the first Leo club was charted on December 5, 1957.

As the world's first Leo club, the Abington High School Leo Club created the Leo acronym – Leadership, Equality, Opportunity – and chose their school colors, maroon and gold to serve as the Leo club colors. Later, Equality was changed to Experience.

In October 1967, the board of directors of Lions Clubs International adopted the Leo Club Program as an official program of the association.

The Leo Club Program has continued to grow within the last 50 years. Leos now constitute an international network of over 6,500 clubs in over 140 countries. Community service remains the cornerstone of the program, fostering a lifetime commitment to helping others. Like their Lion counterparts, Leo club members enjoy serving their neighbors and watching positive results unfold.

Link to Lions International site Leos information

Coningsby and Tattershall Leo Formation Celebration September 2017

Our first 12 Leos !

District Governor presenting charter certificate to Leo President Luke Frost

Lion President Patricia `pins` the first Leo

Lion President Patricia and Leo President Luke

They are already making a name for themselves in the local community (for all the right reasons of course!) and the formation of Coningsby & Tattershall Leo Club has now been recognised with a formal celebration at Tattershall Village Hall which included the presentation of their official charter, membership certificates and pins.

Coningsby & Tattershall Lion President Pat welcomed the Leos and all their guests including local councillors, the Lion District Governor and Zone Chair, local Lions and proud parents. Speaking of how proud and thrilled Coningsby & Tattershall Lions are to have finally formed this club, Lion President Pat went on to explain to everyone what a Leo Club is all about. A Leo Club is a young version of a Lions Club with the focus on the individual and social development of members. The Leos make friends, have fun and learn about team work whilst serving their community. The Leos have already made their mark with IT support sessions and gardening as well as helping the Lions with several activities and you can be sure you will hear more about them soon. In fact they have already agreed to help with some future Lions projects, including the panto. Oh yes they have!

Lions Sylvia and Judy were also recognised for their dedication and hard work in forming and developing the Leo Club, but the real stars of the evening were our young Leos – may they go from strength to strength!