Page 24 - Kings and Queens October 2023 Edition
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USA/CANADA LEO FORUM 2023
The Voice of a “First Timer”
“If being a part of the world’s largest service
organization has not yet struck you as a cause for
excitement, then the USA/Canada Leo Leadership Forum
will leave you in awe with the power, privilege, and
potential we hold as Leos.
My winning submission to the 2023 District 20-K1 Leo
Climate Change Essay Contest, discussed reducing
waste. I earned the opportunity to attend this year’s
Forum in Rockford, IL. Almost 100 other Leos had
access to acquiring valuable leadership and
Leo Anaya volunteers at “Feed My Starving communication skills from the many workshops. Among
Children”
them, was “Public Speaking” facilitated by Lion Fern
Rashkover. The workshops were led by both Lions and
our Leo peers.
As a group, we volunteered at the ‘Feed My Starving
Children’ a packaging facility where we prepared meals
that will feed 98 children for an entire year! (see photo)
The Forum created space for tremendous new
connections among Leos, not only from across the U.S.
and Canada, but also from nations such as Curaçao and
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Lion Dimple Willabus, 2 VDG Pablo Romano,
Lion Adina Callender, Chairperson of Leos Aruba. I was inspired by the originality of ideas
Leadership Forum, Lion Lyn Lyon, Partner-in-Service exchanged about each club’s service activities. But I was
of 3 VP Mark Lyon, Leos David Farquahar, equally motivated by similarities in our approaches to
rd
Brandon and Anaya Willabus service. The friendships we made at the Leo Forum
developed a foundation for collaboration and fellowship
in our future endeavors as individual clubs and
representatives from our district.
I am glad that I took advantage of the opportunity to
attend with my brother Brandon who is also a Leo. We
both learned a lot and were very excited to share what
we learned with our Leo club members and other friends.
We cannot wait to attend next year’s USA/Canada Leo
Leadership Forum and look forward to playing a more
active role, as well.
Lions and Leos at Leo Leadership Forum
Written by,
Leo Anaya Willabus
