An Introduction to Lions Quest

As a business leader, what are some of the skills you see as being necessary to

work in today’s marketplace?

3

Skills for the 21st Century Workplace

Foundations: Basic Skills — Reading, writing, solving

arithmetic and mathematical problems, listening, speaking

Thinking Skills — Thinking creatively, making decisions, reasoning, solving problems, visualizing, knowing how to learn

Personal Qualities — Displaying responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity, honesty

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Skills for the 21st Century Workplace, con’t

Competencies:

Resources — Identifies, organizes, plans and allocates

resources (time, personnel, money)

Interpersonal — Works with others (team player)

Information — Acquires and uses information

Systems — Understands complex interrelationships

Technology — Works with a variety of technologies

What is Lions Quest?

Overview of Lions Quest

Lions Quest is a school based, positive youth development program encompassing:– Drug and bullying prevention– Violence prevention and conflict resolution– Teaching Social and Emotional skills– Building Character and teaching Values– Using Service as a way to apply topics

learned in the classroom

Lions Quest Programs

• Lions Quest Skills for Growing

(Ages 5 - 10)

• Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence

(Ages 11 – 14)

• Lions Quest Skills for Action

(Ages 15 – 20)

Program Goals

• Engage students, families, the school, and community members,

• Provide opportunities for young people to learn essential social and emotional skills,

• Engage young people in the practice of good citizenship through service learning and philanthropy and

• Strengthen young people’s commitment to their family, positive peers, school, and community.

Life Skills Development

Lions Quest programs emphasize essential life skills such as:

• managing emotions and resolving conflicts,

• self-confidence and self-discipline,

• responsibility and good judgment,

• effective communication,

• decision-making and problem-solving,

• strengthening relationships,

• resisting negative peer pressure,

• higher-order thinking and goal-setting, and

• community and civic engagement.

Five Program Components

1. classroom curriculum to integrate within classes such as language arts, health or social studies or as a stand alone course (includes service-learning projects),

2. parent involvement,3. community involvement,4. a positive school climate (teaching

techniques and subject themes to be integrated into all subjects), and

5. professional development and training.

Training

• Teachers go through a training in order to learn about the curriculum and the student centered teaching strategies

• 2-3 day full program training in SFG, SFA, or SFC

• Examine ways a classroom and school learning community can support the development of healthy young people

• Review program components and materials.• Explore implementation options for the

classroom and school wide components.

Why is Lions Quest Important?

• Research has shown that when students’ emotional needs are addressed, children do better academically. SEL programs can improve academic performance by at least 11%!

• LQ addresses issues such as drugs and violence not in isolation but together in a holistic, coordinated approach.

• LQ teaches 21st Century Workforce Skills – Cultural literacy and global awareness– Higher order thinking and reasoning– Real world application of planning and management– Personal social responsibility– Inventive thinking; creativity

• LQ supports Character Education – teaching values based skills such as ethical decision making and social consciousness.

• LQ uses civic engagement and service learning as a hands-on tool to teach these Character and SEL skills.

Results 41% have improved problem-solving

skills 9% increase in GPA 44% decline in out-of-school suspensions 82% decline of in-school suspensions 57% decline in school absences 47% decrease in bullying Lower levels of school dropout and drug

use Positive attitudes and better

interpersonal skills

Australian Lions Quest Teacher

How is the program used in your school?Has the program been helpful? Have you

seen results?Why did the school originally choose

Lions Quest?

Lucky Richter Director

Comprehensive School

Riedstadt/Germany

How did we get started?

How did we get started in Germany?

• 1991 First knowlege about the program by German teachers visiting the USA

• 1992 Request for an initial evaluation by University of Bielefeld Educational Dpt.

• 1994 Trial sessions in preselected schools• 1996 German Lions Foundation (HDL)

buyout of the licence strictly for use in Germany

• 1997 First issue oft he German teacher’s manual (Third issue in use by now)

How did we get started in Germany?

• Thereafter the message was spread all over MD-111 Germany

• Convince Lions-Clubs to agree to Partnerships with local schools

• Convince headmasters and teachers of the number one program for social learning

• Well trained teachers are the best salesmen• Collect or provide sufficient money for initial or

ongoing funding

How did we get started in Germany?

• Pending problems• Not all Sixteen German States have

signed Contracts with Representatives of Lions Districts to have the Program being implemented in Comprehensive Schools and Schools of different Character.

• There are some Restrictions to freely Incorporate LQ into the schedule, Schools must find a Specific Way to get around.

How did I get started in LQ?

• Attendance of three seminars (basic plus two advanced seminars)

• Presentations in schools and Lions-Clubs • Provision for integration of LQ in the inidividual

mandatory school program• 1996 -1999 Implementation of LQ in a

comprehensive school as teacher• Since 2000 deputy-headmaster in a

comprehensive school with special task for implementation and organisation of LQ and partnership with the local LCs

How did we get started in Martin-Niemöller-Schule

• Conception of Lions Quest at Martin-Niemöller-Schule 

• Embodied into the school program • Annual meeting including reports of masterteachers and

social worker• Internal advanced training at the end of the term for all

new master teachers 5th grade including social worker • Completion with other suitable components: room for

exercises in behavior, class council, smokers reflection, prevention, responsibility for schoolyard and cafeteria, social working group: “Encounter of Generations“, charity run for MS victims

Concept of Lions Quest at Martin-Niemöller-Schule

6

LQ once a week

every second week

together with

social worker;

one week prevention training and LQ

outside of school

7

LQ once a week

with master teacher

special project days

in case of need

8

Mentoring by LQ

for occupational orientation training

social working group (service-learning)

LQ once a week

9

Application and consolidation of

skills

10

Same as 9

5

Advanced training

of master teachers

LQ once a week in one lesson

together with

Social workers

• Good teambuilding• Cooperation with social workers (network)• Better adherance to the rools oft he

school• Easy combination with other educational

components• Enhancement of conduct• Enhancement of working- atmosphere• Extension of items of social studies and

religion

Results

How do I choose a Lions Quest Chairperson?

• who feels responsible for the continuity of working with LQ

• who takes care that new teachers participate in LQ-training

• who initiates the evaluation of the program once a year

• who stays in contact with the local Lions-Club

How do I reach out to schools?

• Go with who you know – educators, school or government administrators

• Meet with your national and then local government education department

• Reach out to the local teacher’s college

• Market through brochures, etc. Send out invitations to a presentation

• Contact afterschool and out of school programs, camps

• Talk with parents

What do I do when a school is interested?

• Contact LCIF (in US) or your country office• Ask the school if they would like to review

materials or what they need to make a decision

• Obtain letters of intent from schools stating they will support the program (financial/in kind support or with a commitment to try to implement)

• Set up a workshop in order to train teachers; purchase materials

How is the program used in schools?

• As a separate course or for the Advisory Period

• Included within a health or civic education course

• The teaching methodologies and school-wide themes are used in all classes

• Involve the parents and/or community members

• Only use the service-learning aspect of the program

How can Lions be supportive once the

program is in the school?• Build a relationship with the school, teachers,

and students • Check in with the school to see what kind of

support they need• Ask teachers/students to give presentations

on LQ or on their service learning projects to the Lions

• Join the students in a service project• Ask teachers if the Lions can give a

presentation on service, civic responsibility or philanthropy to the class

Past International President Rohit Mehta

Why and how should Lions

support Lions Quest?

What resources are available?

Lions: Natural Partners of Lions Quest

• Lions Quest is a practical extension of the service ethic of Lionism

• Local Lions are critical to expanding programs in schools and communities

• Lions Quest complements Leo clubs, youth camps and the Peace Poster contest

• Establishes school partnerships that encourage membership (New: Lions Quest Clubs!)

• Creating a world brand and reputation for Lions and their youth work

Lions Quest Promotional Workshop Grants

• Goal – to assist with new growth and expansion (only new MDs and Ds; not those with current Core 4 grants)

• $1,000 each• No local match needed• 2 max per MD per year• Promotional seminar can be facilitated by trainer,

Lion, local teacher• Focus on curriculum, teacher training, strategies

for approaching school districts, securing partners and funding

Core 4 Grants

• Initiate or expand programs• Up to $100,000 available to Multiple Districts• Up to $25,000 for sub-districts• Commitment of MD/district funds 25% of

total• If increase match, more likely to be approved• Can be used to leverage funds from

government, foundations, etc.

How do I set up a Lions Quest Foundation?

• Lions make a long-term commitment to the program

• District or MD Lions agree to set up a separate organization to oversee Lions Quest

• Steering Committee formed including teachers or education officials

• A structure for the Foundation set up– If at the country level, can have representatives

from each MD or each D– If at the District level, can have representatives

from different parts of the district

Website Resources

• www.lions-quest.org (new site February

2010!)• Curricula Maps• Evaluation Tools• Additional lessons• On-line review

course• Service Learning

projects• Evaluation Studies

Expand Technical Resources –What You Can Do

• Create a website for your country program – network with teachers, parents and administrators

• Join the LQ Facebook page as a “Fan” of Lions Quest

• Upload any videos of workshops or classroom activities to YouTube

Celebrate 25 Years of Lions Quest

Lions are encouraged to Celebrate by:

• Learning about Lions Quest• Wearing a “Celebrate 25 Years of Lions Quest”

button• Talking about the program with fellow Lions or

showing the new LQ promotional video• Making a contribution to the program or to their

local school• Attending, presenting or organizing a Lions Quest

session during area Forums, MD or District conventions

Celebrate 25 Years of Lions Quest

Donations:

• Individuals are encouraged to donate $25, clubs $250 and districts $2500

• Every donation receives a supporter button

What are my first steps?FIRST STEPS:• Write down one way to find out more information• Write down one person you will contact when you return

home• Write one idea you have to involve other Lions

NEXT STEPS:• Write down one idea on how you can approach a local

school• Write down one idea on how to support the program once

it is in the school• Write down one way you can raise funds, create

partnerships or start a LQ foundation

Thank you!