LioNS MAD MINUTE

Lions Mad Minute (LMM) is an impromptu in-classroom public speaking competition aimed at senior primary classes leading into a competition between schools.

It helps students develop important life skills and raises awareness of Lions.

Background

The Lions Club of Mount Gambier was alerted to a lack of understanding of Lions when senior students were approached to participate in Youth of the Year.

Consultation with the SA Education Department Regional Office and teachers expert in language and communication led to LMM being introduced within the primary curriculum. 

Mechanics

Students speak for one minute on a Challenge subject or Super Challenge proposition drawn at random.

Two Lions judges award medals and cash prizes. All students receive Participation Certificates and up to eight receive Merit Certificates judged by the teacher.

Teams of three from each school then meet in a Grand Challenge using the same format but competing for perpetual trophies, and prizes for the best three individuals.

See Introduction for Classroom Teachers for more information.

Impact

LMM was trialed in 2012 with three schools. In 2023, 34 schools (54 classes) participated and more than 1000 students received certificates. More than 10,000 certificates proudly displaying Lions have now been presented, greatly improving awareness of what Lions does and stands for.

This Lions' initiative is the first of its kind, with Lions working in partnership with schools to develop the fundamental skill of being able to talk confidently in public.

Students are well aware of sporting competitions where medals and ribbons are awarded. Elevating public speaking to the same level has seen a different cohort of students gain school and public recognition.

Holding phase one of the competition in schools in class time adds enormous credibility while dovetailing the event into the Year 5/6 curriculum.

Having Lions members in the classroom supporting the competition shows Lions in a new light with our future generation of leaders.

Offering Lions Mad Minute to more than 30 schools across the Limestone Coast requires the active participation and financial support of 11 Lions Clubs in the region.

Lions Mad Minute will have an enduring impact on a generation of students.

Almost all students in all but two schools in the region have now been involved for up to 11 years. Every student has experienced an exciting and uplifting interaction with Lions. They recognise us as being part of developing a fundamental life skill.

Lions Mad Minute is a partnership supported at the highest level by the Education Department in the region and at school level by classroom teachers who are very much part of the competition. 

The competition has wonderful support from parents, particularly in the Grand Challenge phase where significant travel is involved in bringing students together in one of two locations (Mt Gambier and Lucindale) to compete.

It is remarkable to think that over the past 11 years more than 10,000 LMM certificates have been handed to students in an environment of celebration and championing success. 

But it's not just the students that have gained: teachers, school administrators and parents have all seen this valuable Lions Community Service first-hand. The event is a feature on school social media pages and is also covered by online and other regional media, especially print outlets. Winners have also been interviewed by local media.