When Lions Clubs think about youth engagement, programs such as Lions Quest, the International Peace Poster Contest, Leo Clubs, and Youth Camps & Exchange often come to mind. These programs have helped shape generations of young leaders and introduced countless young people to the spirit of service.
However, there is another remarkable youth initiative that remains relatively unknown in many districts and clubs—the Lions Young Leaders in Service Award (YLIS).
Simple to implement, highly impactful, and perfectly aligned with our mission of service, this program offers Lions Clubs an excellent opportunity to recognize, encourage, and inspire young people who are already making a difference in their communities.
What is the Young Leaders in Service Award?
The Young Leaders in Service Award is a recognition program created by Lions Clubs International to encourage young people to develop a lifelong habit of community service. Through the program, Lions Clubs work with schools, youth organizations, community groups, and Leo Clubs to recognize young volunteers for the hours they dedicate to serving others.
The philosophy behind the program is simple:
Young people who serve today become compassionate leaders tomorrow.
By recognizing youth for their service efforts, Lions help build confidence, leadership skills, community awareness, and a commitment to giving back. The award can also strengthen college applications, scholarship opportunities, and future career prospects.
How Does the Program Work?
The process is refreshingly simple:
- A Lions Club partners with local schools, youth groups, NGOs, sports clubs, Scouts, Guides, or Leo Clubs.
- Young participants track the hours they spend performing community service.
- Service hours are recorded over a period of up to 12 months.
- Once the required service hours are completed, participants receive recognition from Lions International.
The official Lions International program recognizes youth who complete:
- 50 Hours of Service – Young Leaders in Service Award
- 100 Hours of Service – Young Leaders in Service Award with higher level recognition
Participants receive certificates, recognition letters, and commemorative award pins acknowledging their commitment to service.
What Counts as Service?
Almost any genuine community service activity can qualify, including:
- Environmental clean-up projects
- Tree plantation drives
- Literacy initiatives
- Helping senior citizens
- Community improvement projects
- Public health awareness campaigns
- Disaster relief activities
- Supporting children in need
- Volunteering at charitable events
- Assisting Lions Club service projects
The focus is not on fundraising alone but on meaningful service that benefits the community.
Why Should Lions Clubs Promote This Program?
Many clubs struggle with one important question:
“How do we engage youth before they become Leos or Lions?”
The Young Leaders in Service Award provides a perfect answer.
Instead of asking young people to join an organization immediately, the program first introduces them to the joy of service. As they volunteer alongside Lions, they experience our values firsthand.
Benefits for Lions Clubs include:
- Increased visibility in schools and communities
- Stronger relationships with educational institutions
- Opportunities to mentor future leaders
- A pipeline of potential Leo and Lions members
- Enhanced community goodwill
- More youth participation in service projects
Most importantly, it allows Lions to influence the next generation through action rather than words.
A Missed Opportunity in Many Districts
Despite its tremendous potential, the Young Leaders in Service Award remains underutilized in many parts of the world.
Every Lions Club has access to schools, colleges, tuition centers, sports academies, youth organizations, and community groups that could easily participate. Imagine if every club identified just 25 young people and encouraged them to complete 50 service hours each year.
The result would be thousands of young volunteers developing a lifelong commitment to community service.
That is a legacy worth building.
An Opportunity for Incoming Lions Leaders
As new Club Presidents, Service Chairpersons, Leo Advisors, and District Leaders prepare for the upcoming Lions year, the Young Leaders in Service Award deserves serious consideration.
Unlike many programs that require significant funding, this initiative primarily requires:
- Planning
- Partnerships
- Mentorship
- Recognition
The resources are already available through Lions International, and implementation can begin almost immediately.
Incoming leaders can make this program a signature project by:
- Partnering with local schools
- Introducing service-hour tracking programs
- Organizing youth recognition ceremonies
- Incorporating YLIS into club service projects
- Creating pathways from YLIS participants to Leo Clubs
Service Today, Leadership Tomorrow
Lions have always believed that leadership begins with service.
The Young Leaders in Service Award gives us a practical way to nurture that belief in young people long before they become Lions. Every hour of service completed by a young volunteer represents a seed planted for the future.
As we work to strengthen Lionism for the next generation, let us not overlook one of the simplest and most impactful youth programs available to our clubs.
The Young Leaders in Service Award may be one of Lionism’s best-kept secrets—but it doesn’t have to stay that way.
The future of service is already among us. Our role is simply to recognize it, encourage it, and help it grow.
I am keen to drive this program as the Leo Advisor of my Club
Really happy to see you here! Do let me how this plan goes, and feel free to reach out if you need any support or clarifications on this.