As we congratulate educators on the completion of another academic year, we also remind those who will be involved in summer programs that Lions Quest lessons benefit youth in out-of-school environments as well.  Many communities have enjoyed positive results of Lions Quest implementation in after school programs.  With expanded use and demand for Lions Quest curricula out of the traditional classroom, we will be working this summer to develop implementation models for after school use, and researching program support such as curriculum maps and staff development opportunities.

Summer workshops
Summer is a great time to audit a Lions Quest workshop, or invite a teacher to become trained!  Many dates and locations are available with new opportunities added regularly.  Check the workshop schedule at www.lions-quest.org for a location near you.  Registration can be completed online or by calling 1-800-446-2700.  Lions are welcome to audit workshops free-of-charge.  Now available:
June                           July                        August
Tamms, IL                   Rutland, VT             O'Fallon, IL
Rochester, MN            Jackson, TN             Gillett, WI
Morristown, TN           Las Cruces, NM       Sterling, IL
Greensboro, NC                                         Baltimore, MD
Cuba, IL                                                     Cumberland, MD
Lyndonville, NY                                          Many KS locations

Bullying declines in Scottsdale
Adapted from article by Emily Dean, Arizona Republic, 5/7/09

Middle schools in Scottsdale Unified School District have experienced a steep drop in incidents of bullying over the past three years, according to the 2008 Arizona Youth Survey provided by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission.  Dr. Milissa Sackos, executive director of student & community services for SUSD, credited the decline in the number of 8th grade students reporting incidents of bullying, from 21.5% in 2006 to 10.8% in 2008, to district prevention efforts.  With the main goal of creating a safe school environment, SUSD began a comprehensive approach to bullying prevention in 2005, including implementation of Lions Quest.  The curriculum is implemented on a school level, a classroom level, and an individual level.  "We do everything we can to prevent (bullying), but what is extremely important is to be able to acknowledge and be able to intervene appropriately," said Sackos.  Lynne Marion, an elementary school teacher who does volunteer work in bullying prevention, said she dedicated herself to volunteering because she knows bullying can be stopped.  Prevention is important because the impact of bullying is so great, she said.  According to the U.S. Department of Education, one in four children who bully will have a criminal record by the age of 20.

LQ chair training held in NC

On April 30th Lions Quest visited MD 31 on opening day of the state convention to host the first Lions Quest chairperson face-to-face training session.  Lions involved with Lions Quest, Leos, and Campus clubs attended the session to learn specific details about the program.  Topics included Core 4 and promotional grants, finding contacts in the community, approaching schools, workshop scheduling, print and electronic support, and promotion.  Lions Quest trainer Barbara Lancaster and LCIF staff member Sandy O'Lear facilitated the the 3-hour training that ended with idea sharing and planning for the future.  Would you like to host a Lions Quest training in your district or multiple district?  Contact Sandy O'Lear.

Research, Stats & News

New resources for Lions
Skills for Life - The new DVD showcases Lions Quest in action around the world.  Watch it.  Request it.  
Lions Quest Table Runners and Banner Stands - We have worked with our supplier to create an online ordering page for districts to obtain their own LQ table runners and banner stands.  These items are great enhancements to your local conventions and exhibit booths!  Priced affordably, check them out now!

Service-Learning in America's Schools
Late last year, the Corporation for National & Community Service issued a brief summarizing the research report Community Service and Service-Learning in America's Schools (2008).  Research studies show that when young people participate in service-learning, the benefits contribute to students' success and have a positive impact on their social behavior, habits, and attitude.  A number of studies are available to support the need for policies that will build and sustain service-learning programs in schools.  Tufts University's CIRCLE research center provides a working paper on the impact of participation in service-learning on high school students' civic engagement, and a fact sheet that investigates the effect of school-required community service on academic performance.  With youth volunteering on the decline since the September 11 attacks, now is the time to engage young people in service!  Did you know - on average, course-required community service enhanced academic progress by 3.3% (in history) to 6.7% (in reading). Source.

Project Ignition Grants
Deadline: June 30, sponsored by the National Youth Leadership Council and State Farm.  Teams of high school students and community program leaders are asked to create innovative service-learning projects using their choice of media that promote teen driver safety.  Grants will be awarded to a maximum of 25 programs.  The grantee's school will receive a $2,000 grant to implement their program in the fall.  Teams will then conduct their projects and submit a portfolio of their work for judging. 

Core 4 grant apps due!
Lions Quest Core 4 grant applications are due June 18th.  The next application cycle isn't until November 11th, so get your application in now for the next school year!  Need to promote LQ in your area?  Don't forget about our promotional grants.  Applications are accepted the first of each month.  Congratulations to district 7-L, Arkansas, our most recent grantee! 

Free Download
Service-Learning in Community Based Organizations: A Practical Guide for Starting and Sustaining High-Quality Programs