HEARTBEAT

The Official Newsletter of Leo District 306 A2 Sri Lanka

September/October 2012 | 2nd Edition

In this issue

Leo Membership Growth Month & Leo Mass Induction 2012

A Chat with Past Multiple District President Leo Sadeepa Palliyaguru

Connecting the Dots, Live in Faith Everyday

The Leo District 306A2 is one of the leading Leo districts in Sri Lanka. Its sponsored by Lions District 306A2. Currently 24 Leo clubs are actively serving the community. Activities conducted by Leo District 306 A2 include Childcare, Elders, Sports, Environmental, Healthcare and Leadership Development Projects. Being a Leo Club member is a great way to serve your community, develop leadership skills and make new friends. In total, more than 144,000 young people in 139 countries are proud to serve others in their local communities and to call themselves Leos.

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Ride for a Better Future, Together as One

Message from District President

Friendship, not Politics

Leo Mass Induction 2012 - Saturday, 27th of October at Chartered Institiute Auditorium,Colombo 07
Members are the greatest asset of any club or organization. So it is obvious that Leos are the key stakeholders of Leo club as well as the lifeblood of the future generation in Leoism. The month October is Leo Membership Growth Month. October is also a month which has always had 31 days, one of the most consistent months over the centuries. So we believe that the new generation of Leo movement who linked their hearts with this fraternity of talented youth during this month will have a consistent contribution towards the betterment of community and people. October is generally seen as a harvest month and it always reminds us all that new Leos and their potential and desire to serve the world is the harvest of this great endeavor. Leo Mass Induction is the pinnacle of membership growth month, October. This time Leo Mass Induction 2012 was taken place on Saturday 27th of October from 9.30 am onwards at the Auditorium of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. It was jointly organized by Leo District 306A1, A2 and C2. International Director Lion Sunil Watawala MJF was the Chief Guest of the ceremony and Guest of Honour was Multiple District President Leo Dhanushka Ramanayake. The event was ended up with a great success, inducting over 100 new Leos to the movement. Leo Clubs of Horana Metro, Moragahahena and Ingiriya United joined their hands in organizing this event on behalf of 306 A2.

District President 306 A2 Leo Isuru Senadheera

Most often, when a group of people got to work together, they tend to build internal politics. Today internal politics can be seen at every organization. In most of the time, when we closely inspect why people tend to bring politics, the core reason can be found as lack leadership skills. When a problem arises, they try to get-together with a set of people and control it through indirect ways, without facing it directly and address in a friendly manner. You need far superior leadership skills to handle issues, to talk face to face, and to resolve problems even during stressful situations while keeping good hearts. Leos, we are working in a volunteer organization. It is very important to have friendship at all levels, because people work here through their self-motivation. That is why bad politics is very harmful for our sustainability. At Leo District 306 A2, we believe in grooming leaders who can deal with issues, still keeping the friendship with all. Our strength is based on the level of friendship we have today.

Leos inducted in Mass Installation Ceremony with International Director

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Chat with Past Multiple District President

Leo Sadeepa Ravinath Palliyaguru

What motivated you to venture into Leoism?
I had to be a Leo as my father wanted to start a Leo club. So I had no other option but to join Leo club of Polgasowita.

What were the challenges that you faced as a Leader of Leo District?

Limited Membership, lack of strong clubs and mainly the limited number leaders and experienced Leos

Grab each opportunity to be a leader....

By conducting orientations and starting new Leo clubs. Also I mentored some of the Leos and ensured that they are motivated

How did you overcome those challenges?

What are your values in Leoism?

Respect and assist Leaders., Innovate and Strive for betterment of the organization, Learn from the past and apply them for the future.

What is the energy you see in Leoism that should be improved for the betterment with your experience?

Fellowship is the most important thing. All of us are volunteers. We should have an interest in what we are doing. So I think all of us are working together as friends and also members of one loving family. Smart work, commitment and dedication are the other things.

How did the experiences from Leoism help you in your studies/carrier?

I have been an introvert and was not good in public speaking and project organization. Leoism has helped me to discover the speaker within me, and has helped me to speak confidently in front of audiences. This was immensely useful in my job. I am a trainer and conduct much knowledge sharing sessions for work. I carry the experiences of leoism everywhere I go.

What made you achieve this prestigious award?

Leadership. We have to take the Leo Leadership to the next level. I think we should give more and more training and empower Leos to demonstrate more and more leadership and gain more skills.

What is your message to Leoism as a Leo who climbed to highest Leoistic positions in Sri Lanka?

A limited number of people get the opportunity to be Leos and out of those very few gets the opportunity to become the Leaders. Today Sri Lanka needs more and more leaders be it political, community, work or religious life. So make sure that you develop the leadership skills. Grab each opportunity to be a leader. Becoming a Leader is not only holding a position, but in everything we do as a Leo club member.
Interview done by: Leo Ishara Weerasinghe

Leo Club of Ingiriya United Organizes a Project on Elders Day

Leo club of Ingiriya United organized Sinawaka Digasiri commemorate elders day, an enjoyable evening with the elders in the Kindelpitiya village with entertainment events performed by the elders including singing and dancing events. Gifts were distributed by us to all the elders who were present at the occasion.

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Congratulations

You are the Future 2012

Leo Club of University of Moratuwa organized an orientation program for the Leo prospects
Leo Club of University of Moratuwa organized You are the Future - 2012, an Orientation program for the prospects on 30th October at University premises. It was a huge success with the participation of more than 100 prospects.

A former Leo club member and also a sister of past presidents Nimesha Mayadunne and Jansiha Mayadunne, Madusha Mayadunne of Leo Club of Kalubowila was selected as the second runner-up at the 52nd Miss International 2012 pageant held in Okinawa, Japan on 21st of October. A warm congratulations from Leos of district 306 A2. You made us proud.

Message from Cheif Editor

My Dear Leos, Lions and Well wishers I am really honored and proud to be the chief editor for the September/October Edition of this Leo District 306 A2. As the editor my given task was to spread the Leo spirit with the Editorial Team. As this year, it is a very busy year to all of the leos as we have a hectic programme full of projects where we leos extend and open our hands to those in need, our ears have been unblocked to hear anothers outcry, the knowledge to bring a man close to his dreams and for the betterment of our community and the country. I together with the Editorial Team have done our best to accommodate everything possible which was done in our Leo District 306 A2. We Hope you all enjoy this edition, we wish each one of you a successful and a vivid Leoistic future ahead. Wish you al the very best. Leo Kesari Senevirathne MJF

Leo Sajith conducting a session during the orientation program

Inter School Debate Compitition

Leo Club of University of Moratuwa organized a debate compitition commemorating their past president Leo Mahesh Abewikrama
Leo Club of University of Moratuwa organized an inter-school debate competition on 29th September in commemorating their past president Leo Mahesh Abeywikrama. Eight school debating teams were invited & winner of the competition was Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa.

The Editorial Team

Chief Editor (July/Aug Issue): Leo Kesari Senevirathne MJF Editors: Leo Lochana Mahawatta, Leo Kalhari De Soyza, Leo Ishara Weerasinghe, Leo Dilan Samarakkody Newsletter Designed by Leo Themiya Bandara.

Snap taken during a debate

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Club News

Clubs Installations on September/October

Leo Club of Ingiriya United Installation was held on 23rd of September.

The installation ceremony of Leo Club of Bulathsinhala was held on 2nd of September.

Leo Club of Bokundara and Leo CLub of Kesbewa Jointly organized their installation on 30th September.

12th anniversary celebration and installation ceremony of Leo Club of Polgasowits was held on 15th of September.

Officers of Leo Club of Madurawala were installed on 2nd of September.

Outgoing president of Leo Club of Matugama addressing his fellow Leos at their installation ceremony on 29th September.

Officers of Leo Club of Piliyandala was installed on the 16th of September on their installation ceremony held at Ranlee Hall, Kesbewa. The installation ceremony of Leo Club of Horana Metro was held on 23rd of September at Leo Lochanas Residence

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Leo Club Officers Workshop

Secretary Session & Tresurers Workshop

Blood Donation Campaign

More than 120 blood donors donated blood during the campaign organized by Leo club of Polgasowita
A Blood Donation Campaign was organized by Leo club of Polgasowita by holding hand with Vishwakala Sa.Na.Sa as a joint effort. This was held on 21st of October 2012 at Sanasa Piyasa, Vishwakala Mawatha, Mampe, Piliyandala for the requirements of cancer patients at National Cancer Hospital (NCH) Maharagama for the 4th consecutive time. 122 blood donors have donated blood during the campaign. Leos of Polgasowita work hand in hand with the staff of the blood bank and members of Vishwakala Sa.Na.Sa. to make the event a success.

30th of September at Nadijith Acadamic School of Computing (NASA) - Rajagiriya

Secretaries Session of annual Leo Club Officers Workshop was held on 16th September at Saman Hall, Boralesgamuwa. Role and responsibilities of a club secretary, reporting and district contest guideline were taken into the discussion in this workshop. The session was organized by Leo Clubs of University of Moratuwa and Katuwawala on behalf of the district council. Leo District 306 A2 took a new initiative to empower Club Treasurers with a professional qualification in basics of accounting this year. Leo club Treasurerss session was held on 30th September at a reputed institute conducting CIMA classes - Nadijith Academic School of Accounting (NASA) at Rajagiriya. More than 30 Leo leaders completed the short course on Preparation of Financial Statements for Nonprofit Organization and received certificates from NASA institute.

Environmental Projects

Organized by Leo Club of Ingiriya United and Leo Club of Polgasowita

One of the Leos donating blood

On 21st of October Leo Club of Ingiriya United organized a herbal, vegetable and fruit plant selling project in Ingiriya town. Objective of this project was to raise funds for the club while promoting tree planting to the society. (Left Picture) Leo Club of Polgasowita organized a joint tree plantation project with 3 other Leo clubs worldwide. (Right Picture)

Treating the blood donors with cool drinks

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Connecting the Dots

Live in Faith Everyday
Are you frustrated, confused or even angry with yourself at the moment you read this? Perhaps you may feel that nothing in life make sense or even you may be worrying about not having a significant contribution to your future as well as to the world. Also it may be the reason that you joined Leoism and enjoy fraternity while adding values and a meaning to your life. Yes it is true, you have came across roads, bridges, cliffs and may be mires in your life and you will not find a destination such early as there are several miles to go. And when you look back along the path you came, you will see there is nothing other than the milestones you have passed and the investments you have done for the future. However the most important thing that we should not forget is Success is a journey, not a destination. What comes to your mind when someone says about connecting dots? Is it about something related to a graph or an idea similar to constellations of the zodiac? Yes, it may be, because it is something about a graph and stars. But not in the ordinary way that you thought, it is all about the path connecting stars or dots in the graph of your life. Certainly you all have heard the life story of this well known person who have thousands of success stories, and the one who was invited to deliver the commencement address at one of the finest universities in the world though he never graduated from college. A boy lived with his adoptive parents enrolled in a college for higher education but dropped out of the college after the first six months. Few years later this young boy decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do a beautiful hand calligraphy that he saw in posters and labels of drawers. He found it fascinating and learnt many things about different combinations of letters and typography. However none of them seems to be a help in his practical life for a decade till it all came back to him. Finally the boy caught the fish. He is Steven Paul Jobs best known as Steve Jobs the Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. But if he had never dropped in on that single course the Mac would have never give a birth to such a creative little baby in the family of personal computers. And also because of that he has a story to the whole world. It is the story of connecting dots. In his words You cant connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. We will never achieve success without failures and setbacks. Some of the dots in our life may be challenging but may be positive or negative. However we should focus on the good that can come out of the challenge. Connecting the dots will give you a roadmap for success in your life. The following quote of an American author and a philosopher Thoreau will definitely be a perfect addition to what Jobs said. If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours. Living life is all about creating dots but it is not necessary to worry about the way they connect. Dear Leos, Live in Faith Everyday and when you feel like giving up remember the story of dot.
Written by: Leo Sajith Senevirathna

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Leo Trip 2012

Leo Trip is the most happening event in the Leoistic calendar next to the Leo Camp and the Leo Conference. This year, Leos of 306 A2 visited Udawalawa National Park on 6th of October. Trip was organized by Leo Clubs of Bokundara, Bulathsinhala, Piliyandala and Polgasowita on behalf of the district council. Over 60 Leos enjoyed an unforgettable Jeep safari watching wild elephants in their natural tropical surroundings while experiencing the best of wildlife.

Leos watching wild elephants in their natural tropical surroundings.

During the Jeep safari on the way to watch elephants.

All the participants of the Leo Trip 2012.

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