Postponement of Region 4 (Perak) Joint Installation

Dear All,

It is very unfortunate that the Region 4 LEO Joint Installation has been postponed to a later date. This is inline with the call from the Ministry of Education to avoid unnecessary public gatherings or extra curricular activities that can best be avoided as the status of the Influenza A-H1N1 is pretty serious in our country!

As the District Chairperson for LEO Clubs in our District, I would like to call upon all the clubs in our district to avoid joint projects or carrying out mega/major projects that involve the public or other clubs. This is not the right time to do that. I understand some of you, by now, would be saying... "Chehhh.. last time that Lion Alan asked us to do more cross regional projects and joint projects to create more fellowship amongst all regions... bla bla bla"....

Ya.. please read between the lines.. NOW IS NOT THE TIME. Let's dwell into some info that you might already be aware of, but not necessary taken note of...:

According to Wikipedia....The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, officially named the "new H1N1", first identified in April 2009, and commonly called "Swine flu." It is thought to be a mutation of four known strains of the influenza A virus, subtype H1N1: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.

The outbreak began in Mexico, with evidence that Mexico was already in the midst of an epidemic for months before the outbreak was recognized. Soon after, its government closed down most of Mexico City's public and private offices and facilities to help contain the spread. In early June, as the virus spread globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak to be a pandemic, but also noted that most illnesses were of "moderate severity." The virus has since spread to the Southern Hemisphere which entered its winter flu season, and to many less developed countries with limited healthcare systems. Because the virus was spreading with "unprecedented speed", and many clinics were overwhelmed testing and treating patients, WHO stopped requiring countries to report all cases, but is still monitoring unusually large outbreaks.

The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms, which can last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle or joint pains. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most cases worldwide have been mild so far and most hospitalizations and deaths have been of persons that also had underlying conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system. Then again, Dr Anne Schuchat from CDC thinks, "this is a virus that's capable of causing a spectrum of illness that includes severe complications and death". "It's very important we take this virus seriously".

As the virus spreads easily between people, through the air or surface contact, those who get the flu are recommended to stay home from school or work and avoid crowds to avoid spreading the infection further. WHO does not expect to have a full vaccine before the end of 2009, and vaccines available sooner may be limited and given first to healthcare workers, pregnant women, and other higher risk groups. Two or three injections will be required for maximum immunity from both the swine flu and seasonal flu. There is also concern if the new virus mutates further, it could become more virulent and less susceptible to any new vaccine.

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During this time....it doesnt mean we should take a break from the LEO Clubs. Our Lionistic Hours should continue.. It doesnt mean we should be using the H1N1 issue as an excuse to cut back on LEO activities. When you are a LEO... there's no taking time off! There's also no such thing as a part time LEO.

Here are some suggestions:

1) ONLINE PROJECTS
i) CONTINUATION OF STORY......

Have you ever thought of something as creative as this? I'm not very IT savvy. Perhaps, we can start a story online. Then, people start to contribute ideas. For example.... We give this story 4 main characters. Then, the story passes on from club to club where each club is given the opportunity to contribute not more than 300 words in the continuation of the storyline... After a club is done with that, then, the story moves over to another club... we travel from North to South or vice versa!!!!! Hence, the 4 main characters whom Leo Club of XXYY created, might end up as aliens for that matter... when the project is ended with the Leo Club of PPQQ.

Hahah.. that'll be fun aye? Then, who knows, we can sell the story to some producers and maybe.. the story might be turned into a movie? drama? etc etc?

ii) Fellowship Project Online!

Erm.. go figure something out aye???

iii) Competition/blogging/ etc etc

Create something lah!!!! Anything! Competition... contest.. whatsoever to spread info, love... sharing and caring spirit etc etc etc!!!! Get all your members to be involved. See how far that will take you!!!!

2) Concentrate on your school
Alpha clubs.. this is the time where you can focus on building great ties with your school authorities, teachers, students and everyone @ your school! The Leo Club of SMK Bandar Kinrara assisted the school in the spreading of info on the H1N1 virus and also partially funded hand sanitizers for the students. Such move definitely would create good bonds with the school authorities as they would definitely appreciate all that you do.

Besides that, concentrate on organizing internal activities @ your school. Remember in this year's requirements for Alpha Clubs for awards, you MUST organize or hold a minimum of 10 school services! Exams are coming, have you ever thought of organizing a talk for your LEO members.. for example "Teknik-teknik menjawab soalan PMR"

Imagine this... the Membership Director can do this.. use this as a membership drive! HOW? Well, simple!!! :P All you have to do is hire or invite a speaker for a particular topic related to the up & coming examinations. When that takes place, all you have to do is to open the talk to ONLY LEO members. Design some flyers/posters (printed on recycled or used paper ya!! ahem ahem)... then put a clause there....

Non-Leo members are invited too, but you need to register with a fellow LEO member!!!!! When your friends/school mates who are NOT Leo members come to attend the seminar, take 10-15 minutes to show them what LEO is all about before, or after the Seminar!!!!

OUt of the 10-20 non-Leo members who come, you might just have 3-4 who might stay as Leo members after all!!!!!

There are MANY, MANY School services that you can organize.. hence, during this 1-2 month "peak" period of H1N1 season I should say... stay away from too crowded or packed functions. Try focusing on building your club....!

As the DC for Leo, I can only discourage you from big gatherings, but have no power to stop you from proceeding. All we need is just ONE case of a Leo member attending a Leo function getting sick... just imagine that.. the entire good name of your club.. or the LEO Club events in our District will be tarnished?

Hmmm.....you make the call!

Lion Alan Thoo

District Chairperson for LEO Clubs