Lion Ray Dix introduced Bronte Cameron, an Executive member of the Australian Lions Drug Awareness Foundation and a Director of Australian Lions-Quest Youth Institute Ltd, as the guest speaker at our November 16^th Luncheon meeting. Bronte’s topic was Lions Quest, comprehensive social skills programs for children and adolescents which, in Australia, are supported by many Lions clubs and implemented with success in primary and secondary schools in all states. We thank Bronte for supplying us with a copy of his PowerPoint presentation, a summary of which we reproduce below. Bronte was ably and appropriately thanked by PDG Brian Carter.

Lions-Quest K-12 programs are comprehensive social and emotional learning programs offered by the Lions Clubs International Foundation to thousands of schools and millions of young people throughout the world. These programs aim to develop the following social and emotional skills in our young people:

·         Self-confidence and self-discipline

·         Responsibility and good judgment

·         Interpersonal communication

·         Decision-making and problem solving

·         Managing emotions & resolving conflicts

·         Strengthening relationships

·         Resisting negative peer pressure

·         Higher order thinking and goal setting

·         Engagement in community

·         Service to others

They promote these important values:

•         Self-discipline

•         A healthy, drug-free lifestyle

•         Respect for self and others

•         Commitment to family

•         Kindness

•         Responsibility

•         Honesty

•         Courage

•         Service to Others

The Lions-Quest Skills for Growing program, covering ages 5 – 10, specifically addresses:

•         Social and emotional learning

•         Resiliency-building

•         Ideas and strategies for building and maintaining a supportive learning environment

•         Age appropriate materials for all primary grades

The Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence covers ages 11 – 15 and promotes:

•         Social and emotional skills

•         Focus on peer and adult relationships

•         Skills for resisting negative behaviour

•         “Yes” to positive behaviour

Lions-Quest Results

•         Increased knowledge of risk of alcohol and other drug use

•         Lower reports of using alcohol and other drugs

•         Increased scores on standardised academic tests

•         Professional & personal growth for participants

Benefits to Youth

•         Strengthening personal character and responsibility

•         Ongoing interaction with caring adults

•         Exposure to positive role models

•         Building coping and communication skills

•         Learning how to avoid destructive behaviours and make positive choices

•         Developing a lifelong commitment to serving others

Benefits to Communities

•         A united and focused effort by families, schools and local citizens

•         Progress in reducing youth involvement in alcohol and other drug use, and violence

•         Improved educational environment in local schools

•         Increased youth involvement in community service and volunteering

Benefits to Lions

•         Direct involvement with young people through service projects and classroom activities

•         Forming an ongoing relationship with local schools

•         Educating the next generation about the value of service and the goals of     Lionism

•         Building Lions membership by inviting parents, administrators, and teachers to join our clubs

•         Connecting to business and civic group leaders dedicated to youth  & service

6 EASY STEPS

•         Visit your Local Schools and talk to the staff, Principals, Youth Counsellors and Youth Workers and pass on the brochures.

•         Book a workshop date and venue

•         Work with the Lions-Quest office to promote the workshop to schools

•         Assist with workshop catering and organisation

•         Give yourself a pat on the back and feel satisfied that you’ve made a big contribution to developing RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE AND RESILIENT young people in your community.