ABOUT Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders
In addition to these member and partner testimonials, we highly encourage you to check out our Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Podcast, TOBY Talk, on SoundCloud. Hear from teens as they share their volunteer stories and get inspired by our podcast hosts as they offer service-learning and leadership tips! “Think of others before yourself,” is at the core of the Lion’s Heart philosophy and the TOBY Talk Podcast serves as a free resource for anyone looking to get involved in their community.
No, Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders is not a faith-based program and welcomes members from all walks of life to get involved in service and community leadership. Members who elect to participate in volunteer opportunities hosted by religious organizations may log service hours from these experiences as long as they are not focused on faith-based instruction or study. For example, participating in a food drive or building homes with your church group may qualify as community service but hours spent instructing a Bible study session are not applicable. For more information on community service categories, click here.
Yes, teens must be registered members in order to create a profile, access the Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders volunteer opportunity calendar, attend group meetings, qualify for awards, and participate in Lion’s Heart leadership programs. Members may begin to log service hours in their Lion’s Heart profile immediately upon registration. Service hours performed PRIOR to joining Lion’s Heart are not eligible to be logged.
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders members who enroll or renew starting April 1, 2020 will be required to complete 25 service hours each membership year to maintain their membership status. This will help motivate teens and groups to try new experiences and feel accomplished in meeting their goals!
When a member logs 25 service hours, they will receive a Digital Achievement Badge and will be eligible to participate in Lion’s Heart awards programs. Members who fail to meet the minimum hour requirement by their annual renewal anniversary date will be archived and will not be eligible to reenroll for at least three months. *If paid through graduation, you must wait 3 months to be reactivated. If archived for not meeting this requirement, please understand that your group could be full when you re-enroll or are *reactivated (*Paid through graduation only). No refunds.
I just finished enrollment and am now a Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Member. Now what?
ENROLLMENT AND DUES
For new members, there is a one-time $75 enrollment fee and annual dues are $100.
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders is a non-profit that connects teen members (ages 11-17) with age-appropriate volunteer opportunities in their area through a digital platform that also helps them track service hours, earn awards (including the President’s Volunteer Service Award), interact with peers, and build a strong service portfolio that can be used for college/scholarship applications. Enrollment fees and annual dues support production of the digital platform and other collateral materials; cultivation of volunteer opportunities, awards, and sponsorships; programs that complement member volunteer experiences; facilitator trainings; and overall community support. All of these features provide members with the tools they need to develop vital service-minded leadership skills that empower them to achieve their lifelong goals.
The one-time enrollment fee includes a Lion’s Heart t-shirt mailed to you (ships on the 5th of every month), and for your account to be set up. You will immediately have access to volunteer opportunities near you with local non-profits, along with college scholarship opportunities. You will be able to start today logging in and tracking your volunteer hours, and on your way to earning awards. You will see your personalized volunteer, leadership and awards portfolio grow every day which you can share with your school, National Honor Society, potential employers, and colleges!
Every teen should have the opportunity to participate in Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders and grow their skill set while making a positive difference. We offer a limited number of hardship discounts for those who qualify. If you would like to be considered for a full or partial discount, complete the Hardship Assistance form on our website. To continue receiving your hardship discount for annual dues, you will need to re-submit a Financial Assistance form annually at least two weeks prior to your renewal date (which can be found in your member Portal under “My Info”).
Yes! Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders dues are tax deductible. The Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Federal Tax ID number is 26-2781977. If you would like to make a donation in support of teens making a difference, click here. For questions related to member fundraising programs, see the Programs and Nonprofits section below.
For new members, Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders offers a 24-hour grace period to request a refund of enrollment dues, after 24 hours dues are non-refundable. To request a refund within 24 hours of enrollment, please fill out this survey and we will be in touch ASAP.
It is important to make sure your contact information is up to date in your Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders profile. Log in to your Member Portal at any time to update your contact information, school information, and more. If you need assistance, you can contact our Volunteer Services Manager.
GROUP MEMBERS
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders groups are a great place for teens looking to achieve their volunteering goals with peers. Groups are required to host at least six meetings during the Lion’s Heart year (May 1 - April 30) and members are responsible for attending at least 4 of the 6 meetings. Group members elect officers to serve as the teen leadership team for their group--these members receive service hours comparable to the role they serve.
Groups are required to schedule six meetings per Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders year (May 1 through April 30) and members are required to attend at least 4 of the 6 meetings in order to maintain their group membership status. For new members who join a group after the month of May, attendance requirements will vary depending on assignment date. See table below for reference.
Class Coordinators are responsible for recording meeting attendance and overseeing the teen-led meetings. Members who do not fulfill their meeting requirement will have their status updated to Individual Member. Group members have meetings to get to know each other, share ideas, learn Robert’s Rules of Order, and plan service activities. Most Lion’s Heart groups have found that meetings held on Sundays in the late afternoon or early evening have the best attendance. Click here to download a sample meeting agenda.
Once a member is assigned by their Chapter President, you will receive an email notification that includes the Class Coordinator name and group name. Make sure you have noreply@lionsheartservice.org added to your contacts so that Lion’s Heart membership notifications arrive in your inbox.
Groups contain a minimum of 3 members and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. One parent volunteer must serve as Class Coordinator (facilitator) in order for a group to form. Members can volunteer with anyone any time but need to attend meetings with their assigned group. Groups may have a maximum of 20 members. Currently, group types are arranged by grade level. We offer girls groups, boys groups, and COED groups.
Members are allowed to transfer groups up to two times per Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders year (May 1 - April 30). Contact your Chapter President to request to be transferred. If your requested group is full, your membership status will be set to pending. Members who move 30+ miles away may request to be assigned to a new group pending availability.
Yes. Contact your Chapter President or the Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders' Volunteer Services Manager anytime.
Yes! You can order free brochures through our online shop at shop.lionsheartservice.org. You may also contact us at marketing@lionsheartservice.org to request a digital flyer (PeachJar or PDF) for your school.
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders' groups are formed with the same age group in either a boys group, a girls group, or a COED group providing members an environment to grow and learn free from social pressures. While at school most teens will attend classes and other activities in a co-ed environment, the Lion’s Heart group format provides the opportunity for boys and girls to practice leadership in a safe environment among peers who share a similar age. Groups are certainly encouraged to collaborate and work together to plan projects and volunteer!
When Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders was first founded in 2004, the organization primarily focused on providing teen boys with a free space where they could plan meetings and community service projects with the support of a mentor. As the organization continued to grow, Lion’s Heart was proud to introduce similar program opportunities for girls. Now in 2020, our team is excited to announce the launch of COED groups.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Individual Membership is the perfect option for the busy teen who wants to participate in volunteering and leadership development experiences on their own schedule. Individual members enjoy the freedom of not having any meeting requirements and may set their own service goals. Typically, Individual Members are not considered for the Torchbearer Award®, which is a peer-voted award for Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders groups. Individual Members are encouraged to apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Congressional Award.
Yes! If you are a pending member waiting for a group, you are active as an Individual Member until you are able to join a group. If you are a Founding Member of a chapter or group and are interested in inviting others to join you, be sure to order free brochures from our online shop.
An Individual Member may contact their Chapter President to request to be transferred to a group at any time. Keep in mind that there is a two transfer limit per member, per Lion’s Heart year (May 30 - April 1). The member will be assigned to their requested group if there is an opening. If their requested group is full, they will remain a pending member until a spot opens.
RENEWALS
Renewing your membership will allow you to continue to have access to local volunteer opportunities, scholarships, awards, and Lion’s Heart programs & resources. You will also be able to continue to log and track your volunteer hours and access your personalized service portfolio which you can share with your school, National Honor Society, potential employers, and colleges.
Annual Plan: Standard pay-per-year rate of $100.
Through High School Graduation Plan:One-time payment uniquely prorated through June 30 of your high school graduation year. This is a great plan for members looking to prepare for their college and/or career experience(s) without fear of missing their annual renewal deadline. Avoid re-enrollment fees with ease! (NOTE: High School Juniors renewing after January 1 will be required renew through this prorated plan.)
Simply log in to your Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders portal and click on "membership" to renew! You can also select renewal from the membership drop down menu. You may elect to renew at an annual rate of $94 per year or at a prorated rate through your high school graduation. The steps are outlined below:
- Log-in your member profile.
- Select the “My Info/membership” tab.
- Select the green “Membership” button.
- Beginning 60 days prior to your renewal date, you will see a blue “Renew My Membership” button appear on this page above your membership profile.
- Click on the “Renew My Membership” button, select your desired plan, and follow the steps to complete your renewal payment.
You may renew your Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders membership each year on the same date as your original enrollment. For example, if you joined Lion’s Heart on September 20, 2017 your annual renewal deadline will be September 20 by 11:59pm (PST). You will receive renewal reminders as your deadline approaches. We highly recommend renewing your membership through your high school graduation date to avoid missing any deadlines.
If you miss your renewal deadline and wish to continue your Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders experience, you will need to re-enroll (there is a $15 re-enrollment fee). If you were in a group, your spot is now vacant and will remain so until you re-enroll or another member fills the vacancy. Group spots are always filled on a first-come, first-serve basis so it is very important to keep track of your renewal deadline! Please note that there are additional fees if you wish to re-enroll after missing your renewal deadline. If you wish to re-enroll, you will need to click on the “Join Now” button at the top of this page and select the “Former Member” green button to continue with re-enrollment. This process will allow you to unlock your archived membership.
Please complete the renewal process to ensure your membership is current and then contact your Chapter President or our Volunteer Services Manager for assistance with updating your membership status.
Members may cancel their membership at any time. Please note that Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders does not process refunds for renewals.
Archived and graduated members may request a pdf of their volunteer log after they have ended their Lion’s Heart Teen Volunteers and Leaders experience.
If your account has been archived for less than 5 years, you can go to the Lion’s Heart Teen Volunteers and Leaders website > click on Chapter/Groups > State > Your chapter > Group, and then click on + archived member hours. Click on your name, and select which hours you would like to view.
If your account has been archived for more than 5 years, please contact us at the Lion’s Heart office at 800.894.8877 or info@lionsheartservice.org to request your transcript and volunteer log from when you were a member of Lion’s Heart.
I continued to volunteer even after my membership was archived. Can I re-enroll and log those hours?
No. Service hours that were performed outside of an active Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders membership may not be added to the service log.
LION'S HEART - TEEN VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERS SHOP AND T-SHIRTS
Yes! Visit our online retail shop at shop.lionsheartservice.org to explore more products you can purchase to show your Lion’s Heart pride! Plus, order free brochures you can use for member recruitment and partnering with nonprofits.
PROGRAMS AND NONPROFITS
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders is the perfect complement to your volunteer experience. In addition to providing one convenient location for you to track your service hours, we also provide a variety of programming opportunities to supplement your skill-building and leadership development goals:
- Group Volunteering Experiences - Serve as an officer in a group, plan service activities, and work on a team
- Service Project Resources - Access service project toolkits and resources for a variety of causes
- Awards - In addition to being a certifying organization for the President’s Volunteer Service and Congressional Awards, Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders also offers additional awards opportunities for teens to earn as they achieve their goals
Parents who serve as Class Coordinators (CC) are essentially the facilitators of their group’s meetings and activities. While the group’s activities are predominantly teen-led, the CC fills the essential role of general supervisor and mentor. CCs may also call upon fellow parents for support with specific group needs. All parent volunteers are background screened prior to assignment and have access to a manual and online trainings for support. Teen members who serve as officers in Lion’s Heart groups also have access to online training modules to support their leadership development.
The Class Coordinator (CC) is an adult parent volunteer or teacher who helps to facilitate group meetings and activities. While the majority of Lion’s Heart programs are teen-led, having an adult mentor available to guide members is essential. The CC is also the first-point of contact for members and their parents when they have questions. A group is required to have approved (background screened) CC in order to form and continue with activities. Online trainings and manuals are available for those who step up to the role.
The Chapter President (CP) is an adult volunteer position that oversees the general activities of the members in their chapter. Chapter Presidents (CPs) are not required to host service events, but rather support CCs and members as they achieve their service and leadership goals. CPs are encouraged to host a Pride of Lions Awards event if their chapter has 150 members or more. The CP is a great resource for CCs, members, and parents who are looking for support with their Lion’s Heart experience. The CPs also work closely with the Lion’s Heart Volunteer Services Manager to provide recruitment support and member assignments. Online trainings and manuals are available for those who step up to the role.
Non-profit organizations request volunteers through this online form. Then, these opportunities are displayed on the Volunteer Opportunity calendar for members to sign up. Plus, our dedicated Volunteer Outreach team is always on the hunt for additional service opportunities that match the interests of Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders members.
Here are examples of volunteer experiences some of our members have participated in:
- Downtown Library Move In (Arlington, Texas)
- Lovebugs Rescue Super Adoption (Irvine, California)
- ZooTeen Program (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Ridgewood Older Adult Center Support (New York, New York)
- Disaster Preparedness and Canyon Clean-Up (Silverado, California)
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer (Stamford, Connecticut)
Already have an organization or cause you volunteer with? No problem! You can always log hours performed with any volunteer experiences you discover on your own.
The Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Blog is a place for volunteer stories, resources, and articles of inspiration! Looking for tips for service projects? Leadership lessons? Want to get the latest news related to Lion’s Heart activities and operations? Be sure to visit our blog to learn more. Interested in submitting an article for the blog? We would love to feature your volunteer story and are always looking for guest bloggers. If you are a Lion’s Heart member, earn up to 2 hours of service if your story gets published! Visit the SHARE YOUR STORY form to begin.
TOBY Talk is a Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders podcast program for all things teens and volunteering. The name is inspired by Toby, our mascot, and also is an acronym--Think of Others Before Yourself. Listen on your favorite podcast platform today! Episode topics include volunteering tips, nonprofit highlights, volunteer stories, self-care support, goal setting activities, service project ideas, and more! Interested in being a guest or guest host? We’d love to have you! Visit the SHARE YOUR STORY form to connect with our podcast team.
Yes. Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders offers internship experiences for Juniors/Seniors in High School during the summertime (June - August), with additional opportunities throughout the year depending on project availability. Interns are expected to serve office hours at the Lion’s Heart Irvine, CA location. The experience not only involves hands-on work with key organizational operations, but also includes a group project. Interns are awarded volunteer hours for their service as well as school credit, where applicable. Follow us on Instagram for the latest application information.
Yes! We offer a student board position where a Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders member may serve on the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity--sharing the teen perspective on important issues that face our organization. Students selected to serve on the board may do so for a 2-year term. An application is required and high school juniors in good standing are encouraged to apply. Follow us on Instagram for the latest application information.
Yes! Members each have a unique referral code that is located in their Member Portal. You may share this code with friends to give them $5 off of enrollment. In return, members may add 30 minutes of service to their log. An instagram referral toolkit is also available in the Member Toolkit. If you would like to order free membership brochures, visit our online shop.
We would love to help your nonprofit connect with qualified, passionate volunteers. Go to the REQUEST VOLUNTEERS page to get started.
The Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders experience focuses solely on giving one’s time to important causes. Teens are discouraged from collecting monetary funds on behalf of other organizations. Members may support fundraising events, but are not to solicit donations or handle dollars--for example, a member may escort event guests to their seats at a gala or pass out water at an outdoor walk-a-thon.
We would love to hear about your volunteer experiences and are always looking for member stories to share on our blog, podcast, social media accounts, and more. Access the SHARE YOUR STORY form to get started.
We have an amazing Board of Directors who help us succeed in bringing important service leadership programs to teens across the country. If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to be on the Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Board of Directors, get in touch with us to schedule a phone call.
AWARDS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Volunteering is so important and you can make a big difference in your community by giving the time you have. We encourage Lion’s Heart teens in their volunteer journey by celebrating special milestones. Members who reach 25 service hours each year will receive the digital 25-Hour Achievement Badge via an email from Credly that they can share on social media.
The Torchbearer Award® is the highest earned award attainable through Lion's Heart for high school age members. Members will earn this award by completing 100 hours of service in at least four dedicated cause areas, which include human service, environmental, animals, arts and culture, education, international, and health. Once 100 hours are completed, they will submit, organize, and complete an approved service project to earn the distinguished Torchbearer Award®. Learn more.
The Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders Golden Lion Award is very special award only high school seniors who have been a Lion's Heart member in good standing for at least six years, without interruption. The Chapter President presents a gold medallion key fob to all recipients in their chapter at their year-end awards event and celebration. Members who have been active for more than six years but have some membership gaps (less than six months) may still be eligible for this award.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime. Learn more.
Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders submits member information to the PVSA office for certificate processing. Certificates are then mailed directly to award recipients. For questions about Lion’s Heart and the PVSA, contact our Awards Manager.
The Congressional Award is a national program for young people that provides opportunities to set and achieve challenging goals related to four key areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
There are six levels of the award--Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates as well as Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level is cumulative, meaning time spent on one award is carried with you to the next level. Those who earn medals will have the opportunity to participate in a special ceremony with Members of Congress. Plus, Gold Medals are presented annually in Washington, D.C.
The Congressional Award is a great way for Lion’s Heart - Teen Volunteers and Leaders members to continue making an impact in their community while achieving personal goals. Learn more.
If you need support regarding The Congressional Award, please contact the Congressional Award National Office. Emails and telephone calls from participants, advisors, and validators are welcome at any time. Please email information@congressionalaward.org or call (202) 226- 0130.
They also host webinars, once a month for participants and advisors.
Pride of Lions Awards events are a great way for chapters to celebrate the accomplishments of your members at the end of the year as well as recognizing outstanding volunteers and nonprofit partners. Hosting a Pride of Lions Awards event is highly encouraged for chapters with 150 or more members with a Chapter President. Our Lion’s Heart Awards Manager will support you with everything you need for a seamless event--from reserving a location to preparing a script and preparing award certificates. Ideally, chapters who host a Pride of Lions event are encouraged to form an event committee comprised of adults and Lion’s Heart teens who are prepared to plan and host the event in your community. For awards support, contact our Awards Manager.
For chapters with less than 150 members, the Chapter President or Class Coordinator is encouraged to present the awards at a group meeting or year-end celebration during the summertime.
Have additional questions?
Reach us M-Th 9am-4pm (PST) by calling 800.894.8877 or send us message on our Live Chat feature here on our website.
Contact Us
- Mailing Address (Not physical location)
5753 Santa Ana Canyon Rd Ste-G #195 Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 - info@lionsheartservice.org
- 800.894.8877
- lionsheartservice.org
Business Hours
- Monday-Thursday: 9am to 4pm
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed