Chartered with Children?

1. Chartered with Children? Now what do you do?

2. Answer • Incorporate the Lions Family • Cub Program!

3. Lions Family Cub Program

4. What is the Lions Family Cub Program? • This special program, designed just for kids, teaches them the joys of volunteering. • It encourages families to volunteer together and gives children the opportunity build a lifelong dedication to helping those in need.

5. What is the Lions Family Cub Program? • Cubs are divided into three age categories: • under age 3 • age 4-7 • age 8-12 • Age appropriate activities fill the new Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide. Coming Soon! *Cubs will be distinguished with age specific patches.

6. Why the Cub Program?

7. Why the Cub Program? To supplement the Family Membership Program and women’s initiatives.

8. Family Membership Program & Women’s Initiatives • The family initiative and introduction of the Family & Women’s Membership Development Chairperson began in 2006 • Focuses on family and women’s involvement in Lions

9. Family Membership Program & Women’s Initiative Percentage of Family Members in Lions • Growth of Family Membership June 2007 June 2008 May 2009

10. Family Membership Program & Women’s Initiative 19.6% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% • Growth of Women in Lions • May 2009 month’s end totaled 275,457 women Lions - 20.7% of membership 18.3% 16.9% 16.8% 14.8% 13.7% 13.2% 2001-2002 186,182 2002-2003 186,182 2003-2004 201,000 2004-2005 230,000 2005-2006 224,000 2006-2007 235,561 2007-2008 255,399

11. Why the Cub Program? To support family oriented Lions clubs and encourage families to join and start family-friendly Lions clubs.

12. Benefits of Family-Friendly Lions Clubs BABYSITTER

13. Benefits of Family-Friendly Lions Clubs Adds new energy to club activities Encourages the tradition of volunteering Provides an avenue for quality family time

14. Why the Cub Program? To target the single age category untapped by LCI’s sponsored programs.

15. Lions Club Membership Programs • Age 12-18*: Alpha Leo Clubs • Age 18*-30: Omega Leo Clubs • Age 18* +: Lions Clubs • Branch • Campus • Leo Lions • New Century • *Note: Age of legal majority may vary

16. Keys to a Successful Cub Program

17. Keys to Success • Planning • Supervision • During meeting and outings • More needed for younger children • Older children can help • Set expectations • The Cubs can help

18. Keys to Success • Responsibility • Provide age appropriate activities • Ask the Cubs for their service and activity ideas • Motivation • Give rewards • Making connections • Cultivate empathy

19. Cubs Age 3 and Under • Task ideas: • Pick up items • Set a table • Carry items • Sort items • Choose between two things • Toddlers are eager to help • However, their “help” may not always be much help • Praise kids for their efforts nonetheless

20. Cubs Age 4-7 • Desire to be independent • Task ideas: • Carry the flag • Help with yard work • Prepare meals • Assist with younger children • Greet members

21. Cubs Age 8-12 • Can handle increased responsibility • Task ideas: • Conduct simple money transactions • Lead others • Make decisions • Plan projects

22. Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide

23. Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide • Divides Cubs into the three age categories • Offers an array of Cub activities with step-by-step instructions: • Age group • Materials • Time needed • Supervision • Instructions

24. Lions Family Cub Program Activity Guide • Includes helpful Cub activity resources: • Sample activity/field trip permission form • Activity planning form • “Learning About My Lions Club” activity form • Puzzles • Coloring sheets • Certificate of participation

25. Activity Example: Learning About Blindness • Age group: Cubs age 4-12 • Materials: • Blindfolds • Plates • Forks • Snack • Assorted objects • Time: 20 minutes • Supervision: One adult; older Cubs can help younger ones

26. Activity Example: Learning About Blindness • Begin by asking the Cubs what they know about blindness, and then read the following: • Blindness is the inability to see. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 45 million blind people and 135 visually impaired people in the world. Most of those people – 90 % -- live in developing countries. Developing countries are countries that do not have modern resources, such as water, gas and electrical service and residents generally have a low standard of living. • Have you ever thought what it would be like to be blind? How do you think it would feel?   • Have the Cubs break into small groups, mixing the ages so there are older kids in with the group to supervise younger kids.

27. Activity Example: Learning About Blindness • Have some of the Cubs wear blindfolds so they can’t see. They can try three activities: • Put a snack on a plate at the table. Put spoons and forks into a brown paper bag. Have the “blind” Cub pick out a fork from the bag by feeling for the right one. He/she can now eat a snack with the blindfold on. • Have a blindfolded Cub choose an object out of a bag. See if he/she can figure out what it is by using his/her other senses. If he/she is having difficulty, have them ask his/her partner questions about the object until he/she can correctly guess what it is. • Have the children guide each other around the room – one blindfolded and the other overseeing.

28. Activity Example: Learning About Blindness • Have the other kids that aren’t blindfolded help the “blind” Cubs with their tasks. Then, they can take a turn. • When the activity is finished, ask the Cubs: • How they felt being blind • How would they adapt if they were blind • How they think they could help those who can’t see

29. Activity Resource Example:

30. Family Cub Program Opportunity • LCI is in the process of looking for a series of names to give to each of the three age categories. • You can submit your Cub name ideas at the Extension & Membership Booth or to memberprog@lionsclubs.org.

31. Questions?