LIONS CHILDREN FIRST. Program Activity Guide

Transcription

1 LIONS CHILDREN FIRST Program Activity Guide

2 INTRODUCTION Thank you, Lions, for your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of children one child at a time. Each and every day Lions are answering the call to serve children in need throughout the world. Your projects give children hope for the future and help them grow up safe and healthy, with the opportunity to reach adulthood. Current statistics reveal that millions of children make their way through life impoverished, abandoned, uneducated, malnourished, discriminated against, neglected and vulnerable. The need for health and education services is constant and universal. A glimpse at these numbers may create an impression that so many children cannot be helped. However, the sight of a child suffering in our midst always creates a deeper impression this child must be helped! More and more, Lions are meeting the distressed, yet hopeful, gaze of the children nearest them. Lions have demonstrated care and compassion by putting children first. Rooted in communities across the world, Lions are helping through food and clothing drives for children in poverty, recreational activities for children with illnesses, camps for children with special needs, reading programs for children and countless other projects. By responding to the specific needs of children in their respective communities, Lions are making a difference, one child at a time. Lions everywhere are encouraged to organize hands-on service projects to address essential needs, where perhaps no services exist. Through Lions Children First, you can mobilize the community to build awareness and join in our association s efforts to provide hope and help to underserved children. Lions are needed now more than ever. This guide provides your club with a step-by-step approach to determine the needs of underserved children in your community. You ll find guidelines to form a committee, establish local partnerships where needed, set goals and organize your service project. Please use this guide and information packet to begin your Lions Children First project today! If you have any questions or need further information, staff at Lions Clubs International Headquarters will be glad to assist you.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Lions Children First Information Kit 3 Why Organize a Lions Children First Project? 4 Program Resources 5 Getting Started: Step One: Community Needs Assessment 6 Step Two: Plan Your Project 10 Step Three: Publicize Your Project 11 Implement your Project 12

4 Lions Children First Information Kit The kit includes essential information to help you organize a Lions Children First project: This Activity Guide Program Brochure 25 Project Ideas to Serve Children Project Idea Sheet: Organize a Food Drive to Alleviate Hunger Project Idea Sheet: Organize a Children s Clothing Drive Project Idea Sheet: Collect Suitcases for Foster Care Children Project Idea Sheet: Organize a Hearing Screening for Preschool and School Age Children Community Poster Certificate of Appreciation Sample News Release Materials Order Form The cost of the Lions Children First Information Kit is US$5 and can be ordered from the Health and Children s Services Department. More information about the kit is on the association s Web site at

5 Why Organize a Lions Children First Project? As a member of the world s largest service organization, your Lions club has an amazing opportunity to make a significant impact on the children you serve. You can develop effective service projects that: benefit needy children in your community. increase awareness about children s essential needs. build a community network of support. provide rewarding experiences for your members. attract new members to your club. Lions Children First provides you with resources to develop hands-on service projects in the following areas: Food/shelter: to ensure that children have safe and healthy places in which to live and receive adequate nutrition to fight off illness and develop healthy minds and bodies. Health: to provide children in need with adequate health care, to ensure their future growth and development. Education/Literacy: to ensure that children receive their right to education. Education transforms lives and breaks the cycle of poverty. 4

6 Program Resources The following resources can help your club start a successful children s service project. A sample of each is available in the Lions Children First Information Kit (KITCF): Lions Children First: Program Brochure (IAD 253) provides a summary of the program and how Lions can help. Lions Children First: 25 Project Ideas to Serve Children (IAD 257) provides a list of simple, easy-to-do projects to serve children. Lions Children First: Sample Projects Idea Sheets each sheet contains a sample project your club can do: Organize a Food Drive to Alleviate Hunger (IAD 258) Organize a Children s Clothing Drive (IAD 259) Collect Suitcases for Foster Care Children (IAD 260) Organize a Hearing Screening for Preschool and School Age Children (IAD 261) Lions Children First: Community Posters (IAD 254A & IAD 254B)) eye-catching promotional pieces that can be displayed in public areas to announce your club s service project for the benefit of children in your community. Posters include space for your club s name and contact information. Lions Children First: Certificate of Appreciation (IAD 255) an attractive certificate, suitable for framing, to honor club members, community partners and other volunteers for their contributions and spirit of service. Lions Children First: Sample News Release (IAD 256) gives your club the recognition it deserves and attracts community support for your upcoming project. Lions Children First: Materials Order Form (IAD 251) contains a listing of all program materials to help you develop your project. You can also download the publications and certificate at the association s Web site at: Lions Children First Program Activity Guide 5

7 GETTING STARTED Step One: Community Needs Assessment Lions around the world are actively involved in helping youth and children thrive, especially those who are facing adverse circumstances. Lions are accustomed to putting children first enabling them to grow, learn and enjoy a better quality of life. Whether assisting with a food drive, healthcare screening or local reading program, Lions are dedicated to making a difference, bringing hope and help especially to children in need. Before choosing a project, it is important for your club to determine what kinds of volunteer services are needed for children in your community. How can Lions help? A Community Needs Assessment will help your club answer this question and determine the services that would most benefit children in need. It will also help your club identify the individuals and organizations concerned with meeting the health and education needs of children, a process that may lead to future collaboration. Furthermore, by completing this assessment and initiating a project for children, your club will demonstrate the leadership skills that promote club pride, build team spirit, and attract new members. Take the following steps to assess the healthcare, education, and food/shelter needs of children in your area: 1. Discuss Assessment with the Board Present the importance of conducting a needs assessment with your club s board of directors. Discuss the idea of developing a project for children, emphasizing the important role Lions can play in providing services to children in adverse circumstances. Propose to them the goal of conducting a community assessment of children s needs. Explain how the assessment will help the club identify and focus on a project that provides health and/or education services to children in serious need of assistance, and how such a project would excite and interest the club s members. 2. Appoint a Committee After receiving approval from the board, discuss the importance of conducting the community needs assessment at a club meeting, asking members for their ideas and suggestions. If members agree to the assessment, appoint a committee to conduct the assessment. 6

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10 3. Identify Key Individuals in the Community to Contact Before beginning the assessment, your committee should identify the individuals who can best evaluate the needs of children in your community. Make a list of individuals to contact. The list should include specialists in the fields of health and education. Here are examples of individuals to be contacted: Health Services Education Services Youth Services Hospital administrators, doctors, nurses Administrators and teachers at local schools, library directors and personnel School counselors, social workers, student leaders, managers of youth programs and activities, police, fire fighters, park district coordinator Once you have obtained the addresses and telephone numbers of the individuals listed, the assessment can begin. 4. Conduct a Survey Call the individuals on your list to see if they will participate in the assessment. A sample questionnaire is included for your convenience at the back of this publication. Explain that the questionnaire can be answered by , over the phone, in person or by postal mail. Use the method of contact that best fits the situation of each contact. If the individual prefers to be surveyed by mail, then mail the questionnaire with a cover letter (see sample at the back of this publication). Indicate a return address on the back of the questionnaire or include a stamped, self-addressed envelope to increase the likelihood of a reply. If the individual prefers a telephone survey, proceed to the questionnaire. 5. Analyze Survey Responses Once the questionnaires have been completed, the committee can begin reviewing and analyzing the results. Try to answer the following questions: In your community, what health and education services do children need the most? Who are the potential community partners your club can work with? How can your club help to ensure that children receive these services? Are other clubs and organizations providing these services? Would these groups be interested in collaborating with your club? In summary, what are the specific needs and how can your club help? Lions Children First Program Activity Guide 9

11 6. Share the Results with Club Members Ask the committee to share the assessment results at a club meeting. Get feedback from club members and discuss how your club might address the specific needs of children in your community. Invite fellow members to give their opinions. Open up the floor to new ideas and decide which project the club can do. You may wish to contact the following district chairpersons for assistance. They may be able to provide additional information and resources for your project: Lions Services for Children Chairperson Diabetes Chairperson Sight Chairperson Hearing Chairperson Public Relations Chairperson Also, if you have learned about children s needs outside of your club s service area, consider informing the district governor. Finally, inform other clubs in your area about the project your club is planning, as these clubs might be encouraged to conduct their own community assessments of children s needs. 7. Follow up with the Survey Participants Send a message thanking respondents for participating in the survey. Let them know how their input helped your club to develop a project to serve children in need in the community. Ask them if they are interested in working with the Lions and invite them to attend the next club meeting. Step Two: Plan Your Project Form a Planning Committee Once your club has decided on a service project, you will need to identify volunteer leaders and form a Planning Committee. This committee will be the backbone of your service project. The Planning Committee can share the work and help to motivate your members to participate. They will also set goals and track progress. Use a handy Planning Committee Worksheet to compile a list of committee members and contact information. (See sample at the back of this publication.) 10

12 Develop an Action Plan Planning is the key for a successful service project. The plan should have the following: Goals Action steps Time frame Local partners Volunteers needed Public relations plan Resources needed Share the plan with your club. Welcome help and suggestions from other members who would like to become involved. Plan meetings that strengthen your team and engage your club members. See a sample action plan at the back of this publication. Step Three: Publicize Your Project The Lions Public Relations Chairperson s Guide (PR-710) and District Public Relations Chairperson s Guide (PR-730) contain valuable information for developing your public relations plans. They are available on the association s Web site. You may also consider the following: Invite local media. Send news releases at least three weeks in advance. Contact the news editors or directors again the week before the event. Prepare a news release for the media (a sample is provided in the Lions Children First Information Kit). Enlist the help of a respected local celebrity or governmental official. Ask Public Service Directors at local radio stations for assistance with promoting your project. You may select from a variety of public service announcements available on the association s Web site. Contact your community s public access television station. Publicize your project in local newspapers, community newsletter, your club or district s Web site or other social networking sites (such as Facebook). Use the community posters included in the Lions Children First Information Kit.

13 Implement Your Project Involve your club members! Reach out to prospective members and individuals who are interested in the success of your project, to let them know the progress that your club has made. Invite them to get involved. Encourage participation from neighboring Lions and Leo clubs, family members, friends and co-workers. Remember to reward successes. Adherence to Local Laws and Customs Lions Clubs International is committed to promoting the safest possible environment for all participants in Lions activities. LCI highly recommends that the participating Lions clubs verify and follow local laws and customs dictating the provision for background checks for adults working with children and youth. Obtaining Support from the Community An important part of your Lions Children First project is the involvement of local businesses and organizations. They can provide valuable support to your project. Some examples are: Health providers Schools Libraries Police and fire departments Pharmacies Youth centers Children and youth organizations Governmental offices Scout troops Grocery stores Large wholesale stores 12

14 Be sure to send thank you letters to those who participate. Present certificates of appreciation where appropriate. You may wish to use the Lions Children First Certificate of Appreciation, or refer to the Lions Clubs International Club Supplies Catalog for other recognition awards. Service Day for Children s Projects You may wish to promote a special day in your community to implement a Lions service project for children and/or youth. More information about commemorative days for children s projects can be found on the association s Web site. Just type Lions Children First in the search box at Insurance Lions clubs or districts can obtain a copy of the association s liability insurance from the Legal Division at International Headquarters, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL , USA. Information is also available on the association s Web site. Lions Emblem The Lions emblem is available from the Lions Web site. The logo can be used to create a Lions Children First banner for your project. The Lions emblem should be used with all publicity, including stationery, flyers and posters. Related Sites World Health Organization (WHO) UN Children s Fund (UNICEF) Lions Children First Program Activity Guide 13

15 STEP ONE: LIONS CHILDREN FIRST S A M P L E C O V E R L E T T E R : C O M M U N I T Y N E E D S A S S E S S M E N T To be attached to the questionnaire and mailed to community leaders. Date Name of Community Leader Title Address Dear (Name): To provide better service to (name of community), the (club name) Lions Club is conducting a survey of resourceful people and those with expertise in the community. Our goal is to clearly identify health and education services which we as a service club could provide to children and young adolescents in need. We hope you will help us identify areas of need within our community. By completing the attached questionnaire, you will help us to determine children s needs in the specific areas of health and education. Please feel free, however, to comment on any service needs which you feel would benefit our community. We also encourage you to forward a copy of this questionnaire to any other person whose comments you believe would be helpful to our survey. Please return the completed questionnaire by (date). After we have compiled our data, a representative of our club will provide you with a summary of what we learned from the assessment and how we might work together. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (phone number and/or address). I will be happy to hear from you. Sincerely, (name of Lion) (name of Lions club)

16 STEP ONE: LIONS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE Name: Job position: Address: Business Telephone: Fax Number: Area of Expertise: Health Services Education Services Youth Services Other 1. Can you identify successful service projects in your field that provide health and/or education services to children in your community? Yes Please list below. No 2. If you answered yes to question one, why do you think the community service projects you listed are successful? 3a. Can you identify a specific children s need in your field that, if met, would especially benefit the community? Yes Please describe below. No 3b. How do you think this need can best be met?

17 Lions Services for Children Community Needs Assesment Questionnaire (continued) 4a. Do you know of any volunteer groups that currently address this need? Yes Please name the groups and describe their activities below. No 4b. How can volunteer groups work to complement each other and avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts in addressing this need? 5. Do you feel that residents in this community are adequately aware of the health and education services available to children? Yes No Please comment below. 6. In your opinion, is there room for more volunteer projects to address the needs of children in your service area? Yes Please comment below. No Additional Comments: Signature Date Please return completed questionnaire to: Thank you for your participation.

18 STEP TWO: LIONS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN PLANNING COMMITTEE WORKSHEET Planning Committee Members: Name Phone No. Project Responsibility Community Partners: Name Organization Phone No. Other club members/interested individuals: Name Phone No. Project Responsibility

19 STEP TWO: LIONS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN ACTION PLAN Action Steps Time Frame Volunteers Needed Budget/Resources Goal: Overall budget: Fundraising strategies: Public relations strategies: Community Partners:

20 For More Information Visit the Lions Clubs International Web site. Or, contact: Health and Children s Services Department Lions Clubs International 300 W 22ND ST Oak Brook IL USA Telephone: (630) Fax: (630) children@lionsclubs.org Web: IAD-252 EN 5/10