January Cabinet Meeting
Lions International Youth Exchange Report
The Lions Youth Exchange Committee has reviewed and accepted 2 applications for our District Youth Exchange Scholarship. Our District Scholarship application includes 3 letters of recommendation and the completion of 3 short essays. Priority is given to scholarship candidates that have a direct family relationship with a member of a Lions, Lioness Club or be a current member of a Leo Club until December 15th of each calendar year. After December 15th, consideration is also given ANY applicant as long as they have a sponsoring Lions club. The scholarship amount for 2015-16 is $1000 per individual.
2016 Scholarship Recipients
Name | Country Preferences (1st choice) | Sponsoring Lions Club |
Sierra Madaus | Germany | Marshall Lions Club |
Madlyn Lyons | Estonia | Cuba City Lions Club |
Along with outgoing youth, we are currently seeking HOST FAMILIES to participate in the program. Our district is responsible for hosting ~5 international youth. Hosting involves integrating an international youth (age 16-19) into your home for about 4-5 weeks (of which one week the youth spends at our international youth exchange camp in Dundee Wisconsin). Hosting in 2016 is from ~July 15th- August 15th. A list of international youth applicants is available at the Wisconsin Lions International Youth Exchange Program web site http://www.wisconsinlionsyouthexchange.org/YEPlacement.htm. The applications are password protected so please contact me directly (contact info below) and I will guide you to the applications.
2016 Wisconsin Lions International Youth Camp Dates July 31 - August 7.
Proposed Policy Change Under Consideration.
It was brought to my attention that our 1st scholarship requirement, “Priority is given to scholarship candidates that have a direct family relationship with a member of a Lions, Lioness Club or be a current member of a Leo Club” is in direct conflict with Lions International Use of Funds Policy. (
http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/EN/pdfs/use_funds_policy_faq.pdf).
19. Our Lions Club wants to establish a scholarship fund for children or grandchildren of Lions members. May we raise funds from the public to support this fund? Use of public funds may not be used to personally benefit a Lion. So long as the member will not personally receive a financial benefit from the transaction, a grandchild of a member who is not a dependent may be eligible to receive public funds from the Club. If the club wanted to establish a scholarship for the public at large, they could include family members as well as the public so long as the recipients meet the qualifications and are selected by a group (such as the school) outside of the control of the Lions Club.
The Youth Exchange Committee will review our currently policy and propose changes that reflect the current use of funds policy as outlined by LCI which will be presented to the cabinet in the fall of 2016, before 2016/17 scholarship applications are solicited.
Finances/Budget
2015/16 Club donations $3359.00. 28 clubs & 1 personal donation
Carryover = $5010.18
Expense = ($52.75) Madison International Festival Vendor Fee
Account total = $8316.43
Estimated Expenses:
Scholarships 2 x $1000
District camp fee $1700
International Festival $52.75
Host Family Stipends $375 ($75/family x 5 families)
27-D1 Madison Field Trip Camp Meal Reimbursement - $200
Total estimated cost for district 2014-15 27-D1 08-09 International Youth Exchange Program = $4380.50
Youth Exchange Club Recognition letters & patches will be given out at District Convention 2016.
Our district committee has 3 representatives: Dave Peltier, Terry Miller Ben August & Dave Easley
It is a pleasure serving on this committee and participating in a program that satisfies the first objective of the Lions “To create and foster a spirit of understanding among peoples of the world”
Lion Ben August ben@klicksights.com (608) 513-2468 Youth Exchange Committee Chair