This is a District, National and European Competition which aims to celebrate the many achievements of young people.

Young Ambassador broadens awareness of community service opportunities and organisations and enables candidates to sharpen interview and communication skills. It also gives them the opportunity to win a bursary for the community project which they have been undertaking.

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Who is it for?

This Youth project takes place every year with youngsters who are at least 15 years of age but under 19 years of age in that Lion year (i.e. not 19 until after the next June).

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What happens at Club level?

There are several stages to the competition.

• A Young person is identified and nominated. They could be from a secondary school, youth club, uniformed organisation or any other organisation to whom they are known.

• The Lions Club agrees to sponsor one Young person as a candidate. This might include meeting with them, helping them to complete the application form and helping them prepare a short speech on their project or volunteering.

• The Lions Club submits the necessary forms to the District Young Ambassador Advisor who will hold a District Competition. At this, there will be a chance for the Candidate to talk to 3 adults (not Lions) and explain the value of what they do. The Competition is held in an appropriate location and a representative of the Club will need to be available to attend the District Competition with their Candidate.

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What happens if a Club Candidate wins?

The winner of the District Competition will be given a bursary of £500 to spend on their community project. This money is paid through the sponsoring Lions Club, so they can ensure it is spent on the identified project. The winner will progress to the Multiple District Final, usually held in February.

 

What happens at the MD Final?

The MD Final follows a similar pattern to the District Competition, but it is held over a weekend residential with representatives from all over the British Isles.  The weekend allows for Candidates to travel on Friday, participate on Saturday and celebrate with a final Presentation of Awards on Sunday morning. It will include social events as well as the Competition itself.

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Who attends the Multiple District Final?

For this weekend, the District Young Ambassador Advisors will be in attendance to chaperone and support the District Candidates. Funding is provided for the Candidates to cover room and meals.  Parents / carers can attend if they wish at their own cost, and it would be good practice to have members of the sponsoring Club present (at least for Sunday morning) to support their Candidate.

 

What can the Winner expect to win?

From the 8 District Candidates, one who is deemed to have leadership development potential will be presented with an opportunity to go on a ‘Tall Ships’ experience known as the ‘Ship Shape’ Award.

The Candidate whose projects and volunteering stands out above others, will win a further bursary of £1000 for their project, again paid via the sponsoring Club.

 

More Opportunities for the Winners

The District Winner will be invited to attend the District Convention.

The Multiple District Winner will be invited to attend the Multiple District Convention.

The Multiple District Winner will also be invited to attend the Europa Forum where the European Competition is held. There they will follow a similar pattern of discussions, socials and presentations, and one winner will be chosen as the European Young Ambassador,

 

My Club is interested, where do we find appropriate Young People?

Lions clubs identify potential young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who are involved in their communities and volunteer in ways that fit with the causes and ethos of Lions Clubs.

The Young People need to have an individual personality, demonstrate leadership qualities or potential and have the ability to speak about their service activities to three judges. They will also to be asked to speak to an audience from their prepared speech.

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These young people can be found in all walks of life within Schools, Youth Groups, Uniformed Organisations, religious and secular groups, medical groups such as St John Ambulance. A good pathway is through Lions Young Leaders in Service.

Some clubs have found candidates by advertising in press articles and social media.

Ideally, Lions Clubs should be on the lookout for these young people all year round.

 

What will it cost my Club?

Of course an investment of time to find, advise and support the Young Person.

Maybe, support for their project, travel to District Competition for a Club representative and their Candidate.

A Club might like to offer some ‘pocket money’ for residential experiences.

If a representative of the Club attends MD Competition, Convention or Europa Forum with their winner, that might incur travel and accommodation costs which a Club may chose to support for their member.

 

Here are some dates for the diary:

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End October / Early November    

Potential candidates need to have been identified by clubs and applications completed.

 

First week of November

Application Forms to be received by the District Young Ambassador Advisor, with the supporting written evidence.

 

Late November

The District Finals will be held. A Venue will be confirmed, relevant to the location of the participating Clubs. (Presentations may be held virtually if it is deemed necessary).

 

February

Multiple District Final, usually held to fit with school half-term holidays, Friday to Sunday.

 

May

The MD Convention is held and the MD winner is invited to attend.

 

October

Europa Forum is held.

 

Application forms and other relevant information can be found on the relevant bookcase on the Young Ambassador pages on

the MD website

Young Ambassadors and Shipshape Awards Winners Programme – Lions Clubs International Member Area