Awards Received
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On October 18, 2002, the Covert Leo Club was awarded the very prestigious
"Leo Club Excellence Award" from Lions International. There are only ten of
these awards given out worldwide each year.
Recently, the Covert Leo Club received a
5 year Charter Anniversary Banner
Patch from Lions Club International.
In Sept. of 2004 Lions
Club International awarded the Covert Leo Club to be recognized in their
international Leo Lions Youth Sponsorship video.
The video was shot at Covert Public Schools
during a regular meeting. Officers and
Members were interviewed personally. The purpose of the video is to
generate more awareness of the Leo Club program and motivating new Leo Clubs to
branch out in communities where there is a need to guide youths in dedication
for community service. Most notedly, the focus is centered on leadership
skills for the betterment of the club and the communities surrounding it, and
highlighting the accomplishments made by the club in hopes to further
community service minded youth into becoming a full fledge Lion or Lioness when
becoming an adult; to expand on the skills, leadership and tools learned to
help cultivate growth in daily life experiences no matter what club, school,
college, church, work, or family setting that their abilities can be applied
to. This award is a very prestigious recognition as only 5-6 Leo Clubs around
the world are given the opportunity to be in the video annually out of the
thousands of clubs around the globe.
Club Motto
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Leadership - Leos develop skills as organizers, time
managers, and motivators of their peers.
Experience - Leos learn the importance of cooperation
through the performance of community service.
Opportunity - Membership in a Leo Club provides young people
with a chance to excel, to develop character traits, and to receive recognition
for their contribution community.
LEO clubs are the world largest youth service organization with over 5,500 clubs
world wide. Their membership is at 140,000 world wide. Leo Clubs are in 139
countries.
Charter and Meetings
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Covert Leo Club was chartered on April 16, 1999 with 15 members sponsored by the
Covert Township Lions Club. Since then the club has grown to 53 members. Covert
Leo Club is the largest in the state and the most ethnically diverse. Open
membership is from August 25—September 30 each year. Membership is open to all
7th graders—12th graders. Regular Meetings are held twice a month on Friday at
2:30 to 3:30 and the Leos that attend the meeting may ride the Elementary bus
home. Regular meetings are held twice a month on the 1st
and 3rd Fridays at 2:30-3:30 in the High School Information Media Center.
Benefits of Becoming a Leo
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Some to the Benefits are tangible while other are intangible. Making new friends
and meeting new people, viewing the world through another’s perspective are tow
of the benefit of Leo service. As community volunteers, Leos often develop
confidence and organization skills thorough this hands on experience. Leos also
benefit through membership by working as a team. Membership also develop
fellowship and camaraderie. As members of a worldwide organization, Leos have
international benefits as well. Leo often participate in the Lions International
Youth Camp and Youth Exchange Programs.
Newsletter
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The Covert Leo Club produces a Bi-Monthly Newsletter, “Covert Leo Pride”.
All Leo newsletter as sent to the State Leo Committee and they select arterials
to feature in the new State Leo Newsletter. Covert Leo Club has been featured in
the last 2 state newsletters.
Election of Officers
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Each year the Covert Leo Club elects a President, Vice President, Secretary,
Tail Twister and Board of Directors. This process in done by nominations in
April and then two weeks later, voting is done after the nominees speak to the
membership as to their qualifications.
Each year, several of the Covert Leo Members attend the Michigan State Leo
Conference were they meet Leos from all over the state. These meetings are held
in different parts of the state each year.
Each outgoing State President chooses
were the Conference will be held, showcasing his/her part of the state.
In the 2004-2005 year, Covert Leos Tiffany McCaffrey is
the Leo State President, and Amanda Halliburton is the Leo State Secretary.
The Conference is a learning experience for the Leos.
They attend
many workshops, attend business meetings and elect State Officers. Covert Leos
have held State office’s in 2000 with the State President, Leonardo G. and State
Sec., Jennifer A. and 2001 with the State Tail Twister, Edgar C.
Activities & Fundraisers
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The Covert Leo Club does many community service project throughout the year
but has one on going one from the Charter year and that is giving two $300
Scholarship to graduating seniors. In the year 2001-2002, the Leo Club made
and sold patriotic pins to raise money to donate $500 to the Salvation Army
at Christmas. We have raked leaves for the elderly, honored the Middle/High
School staff with Morning Treats of Donuts, Rolls, Bagels and Drinks, “Over
the Hump” takes place two times a month. The Leo Club joined with the JROTC
and did visitation to Senior during Thanksgiving and Christmas, volunteered
at the Miss Covert Fashion Show and the Miss Covert Pageant, worked all the
Middle School Athletic events with a Concession Stand. In March, the Leo’s
will be selling Live Roses for $20 a doz. and in April work with Covert
Lions at a Pancake Breakfast. In May, many of our members will be attending
the 4th Annual Leo Conference in Midland, MI. The Leo Club planted a tree in
memory of two staff members who lost their lives in the same year due to
cancer. They donate to the Lions Parade of Checks (the Michigan Eye Bank,
Welcome Home For The Blind, All State Band, LCIF, Leader Dog). The members
also help the Covert Lions Club with many projects: Adopt-A-Highway,
Pancake Breakfast, Holiday Craft Bizarre; they also place benches and bike
racks on the Al-Van Nature Trail. Several Fundraisers are held each year, including: a Mexican Buffet, a Soul
Food Buffet, Carnation Sale, Rose Day Sale, and Caramel Apple Sale.
In 2004-05 year the Leos took over the Adopt-A-Highway clean
up through the MDOT (Michigan Department Of Transportation) clean up program on
M-140 Hwy. A sign with the Covert Leo Club is proudly seen North and Sound
bound 1 mile out of the city limits. They have sold baked goods, buttons, patriotic
t-shirts/sweatshirts and halos during the 2004 Homecoming Celebration at the
high school raising $70.00 for Habitat For Humanity which is the Leo
State Project. Again they sold caramel apples during the apple festival in
Bangor, Michigan. On November 6, 2004 they had a baked goods booth at the Lions
Club pancake fundraiser to again raise monies for Habitat For Humanity. Also on
Nov. 6 State Officers President Tiffany McCaffrey and Secretary Amanda
Halliburton was asked by Lion Leader Dog School For The Blind to do a program
about the Leo Club.
The club was also asked to do a
program for the newly chartered Sturgis Lions Club to drum up support into
opening a new Leo Club Charter in Sturgis. Another fundraiser the
Leos undertook was a chili supper fundraiser on November 20, 2004 to raise
monies for Habitat For Humanity. They have collected coats to donate to
Channel 3 TV "Warm The Hearts" coat drive for needy families. A penny drop
fundraiser called "Pennies From Heaven" to donate funds to other charities such
as sight, deaf/handicap camps. And ongoing pop cans/bottles drive to cash in.
In December 2004 they held a craft booth at the Lions Craft
Bazaar to raise monies for general club projects. They helped with concessions
during the sports games. Helped the Lions during their fundraiser events.
Visited nursing homes during the holidays and donated personal hygiene products
to them. They have rejuvenated the walking trail at the Lions Community Center
and donated bird feeders to welcome "feathered guests" on the grounds. They
collected used eyeglasses. Raised monies by getting donations for the Leos
Lions annual Trash To Treasure Rummage Sale and working concessions during the
sale. These are just a few of the projects and hard work they have dedicated
themselves to doing during the 2004 year. In 2005 they hope to assist in building a home with Habitat
For Humanity.
