The Bellville Herd

 

NEWSROOM

 

A Brahma Video Productions Student Newsroom

Susan Balke
LEO Coordinator
Email: sbalke@bellvillebrahmas.org

Meeting Information

When: First Tuesday of each month during Flex Time
Where: Bellville High School Library
Sponsor: Susan Balke
Email: sbalke@bellvillebrahmas.org
Room: Library

The Leo Club gives students opportunities to serve their school and community while developing leadership skills. Working with Lions Clubs International and its local Lions Club sponsor, members organize volunteer activities, fundraisers, donation drives, and other service projects. Contact the Leo Club coordinator for information about membership, meetings, upcoming projects, and ways to participate.

  • Community-service projects
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Fundraisers and donation drives
  • Meetings and upcoming activities
  • Student officers and leadership activities
  • Partnerships with the local Lions Club
  • Member and club accomplishments

Covering the LEO Club Beat

Start Here

  1. Introduce yourself to Mrs. Balke and explain that you are covering the Leo Club for the BVP Newsroom.
  2. Confirm that the club meets on the first Tuesday of each month during Flex Time in the library.
  3. Ask how she prefers to be contacted and how far in advance interviews and coverage should be arranged.
  4. Request a calendar or list of planned service projects, fundraisers, donation drives, meetings, and deadlines.
  5. Ask for the names and contact information of the Leo Club’s student officers.
  6. Ask which local Lions Club sponsors or works with the Bellville Leo Club and who serves as its contact person.
  7. Check with Mrs. Balke and the student officers regularly for updates, schedule changes, and new activities.
  8. When you discover a possible story, submit it as a pitch before beginning full coverage unless your teacher tells you otherwise.

Your Responsibilities

  • Check for Leo Club updates at least once each news cycle.
  • Maintain contact with Mrs. Balke and the student officers.
  • Keep track of upcoming meetings, service projects, fundraisers, donation drives, and deadlines.
  • Watch for activities that could become stories.
  • Pitch promising stories to the newsroom.
  • Arrange interviews and coverage in advance.
  • Confirm names, dates, locations, donation amounts, fundraising totals, and participation numbers before publication.
  • Follow up after each activity to obtain final results, photographs, and reactions from the students involved.
  • Include the voices of student volunteers and, when appropriate, the people or organizations receiving assistance.

Important

Service projects may involve people facing financial, medical, or personal difficulties. Do not publish private or potentially embarrassing information about the people receiving assistance. Ask Mrs. Balke before identifying or photographing recipients.

Fundraising totals, donation amounts, participation numbers, and project results should be officially confirmed before publication. Clearly distinguish between a project’s goal and its final result.

Reporting Your LEO Club Stories

Possible Story Ideas
  • Leo Club begins or completes a community-service project.
  • Members organize a fundraiser, donation drive, or volunteer event.
  • The club assists a local family, nonprofit organization, school group, or community program.
  • A project addresses a particular need at Bellville High School or in the community.
  • Members collect food, clothing, school supplies, toys, eyeglasses, or other needed items.
  • Leo Club partners with a local Lions Club on a project or event.
  • The club works with another student organization or community group.
  • Members reach a fundraising, donation, participation, or volunteer-hour goal.
  • A student leads an important service project.
  • Leo Club elects new officers or recognizes student leaders.
  • A member receives an award or recognition for leadership or service.
  • The club introduces a new project or holds an activity for the first time.
  • Members attend a Leo or Lions Club conference, training, or special event.
  • The club begins a membership drive or welcomes new members.
  • A service project has a measurable effect on the school or community.
  • The club reaches an anniversary, membership, or service milestone.
  • An upcoming service opportunity is open to other Bellville students or community members.
Signs There May Be A Story

Pay attention when:

  • The club announces a new service project, fundraiser, or donation drive.
  • Members begin collecting items or recruiting volunteers.
  • A project involves a large number of students or community members.
  • The club is doing something for the first time.
  • A project addresses an urgent or unusual community need.
  • Members reach or exceed an important goal.
  • A student takes a major leadership role.
  • A member or the club receives recognition.
  • Leo Club works with the Lions Club, another school organization, or a community group.
  • A project produces visible results, such as collected supplies, completed work, or people assisted.
  • A deadline, fundraiser, volunteer event, or special activity is approaching.
  • You hear that a member has gone beyond what was expected.
  • Someone explains that a project had an unexpected or especially meaningful effect.
  • Members return from an event with photographs, awards, results, or an interesting experience.
  • Students outside the club are invited to participate, volunteer, or donate.
Questions to Ask: The 5 W's and 1 H

You will not necessarily ask every question below. Select the questions that fit your story and ask follow-up questions whenever an answer is unclear or incomplete.

Who was involved?

  • Which Leo Club members participated?
  • Who organized or led the project?
  • Which student officers were involved?
  • Who benefited from the activity?
  • Was a local Lions Club involved?
  • Did other school organizations or community groups participate?
  • Who should be recognized for making the project possible?

What happened?

  • What did Leo Club members do?
  • What was the purpose of the project or event?
  • What need was the club trying to address?
  • What responsibilities did the students have?
  • What was collected, donated, raised, completed, or accomplished?
  • What made the project important or unusual?
  • What were the final results?

When did it happen?

  • When did the activity or project take place?
  • When did planning begin?
  • How long did the project last?
  • Is there a donation, registration, or volunteer deadline?
  • Is another related activity planned?

Where did it happen?

  • Where was the project or event held?
  • Did it take place at Bellville High School or in the community?
  • Where were donations collected?
  • Where were the collected items or funds delivered?
  • Where can students volunteer, donate, or learn more?

Why does it matter?

  • Why did Leo Club choose this project?
  • Why was this need important?
  • Why did students decide to participate?
  • Why should other Bellville students care?
  • What difference did the project make?
  • What was especially meaningful about the experience?
  • How does the project support Leo Club’s service and leadership mission?

How did it happen?

  • How was the project organized?
  • How did members prepare?
  • How were responsibilities divided?
  • How were donations or funds collected?
  • How much was collected, raised, donated, or completed?
  • How were recipients or partner organizations selected?
  • How did the project benefit the school or community?
  • How can other students become involved?

Questions for Leo Club Members and Officers

  • What was your role in the project?
  • Why did you decide to participate?
  • What was the most difficult part?
  • What was the most rewarding or memorable part?
  • What did you learn from the experience?
  • How did people respond to the project?
  • What does being a Leo Club member mean to you?
  • How has Leo Club helped you develop as a leader?
  • What happens next?
  • What would you tell another student interested in joining?

Questions for the Leo Club Coordinator

  • Why did the club choose this project or activity?
  • How did students help plan and lead it?
  • What need was the club trying to address?
  • What were the project’s goals?
  • Did the club reach or exceed those goals?
  • How did the activity benefit the school or community?
  • How did the local Lions Club or another organization assist?
  • What made the students’ work stand out?
  • How does this compare with previous Leo Club projects?
  • What comes next for the club?
  • How can other students join or participate?
People You May Need to Interview

Depending on the story, consider interviewing:

    • The Leo Club president or another student officer
    • The student who organized or led the activity
    • Members who participated in the project
    • Leo Club coordinator Susan Balke
    • A representative of the sponsoring Lions Club
    • Representatives of organizations working with Leo Club
    • Students or community members who benefited from the project, when appropriate
    • Volunteers from outside the club
    • Members of another student organization involved in the activity
    • Teachers or administrators who supported the project
    • Parents or community partners, when appropriate and approved
    • A new member who can explain why they joined

    Do not interview only the coordinator or an adult organizer when students are the focus of the story. Include the voices of the Leo Club members who planned, led, or completed the work.

    Ask Mrs. Balke before identifying or interviewing people receiving assistance.

    What You Need to Collect

    Before writing or producing the story, collect:

      • The complete and correctly spelled names of everyone involved
      • Each student’s grade level
      • Each student’s Leo Club position or role, if applicable
      • The official name of the project, fundraiser, drive, or event
      • The date, time, and location
      • The purpose of the activity
      • The need the project was intended to address
      • The number of students and volunteers who participated
      • The project’s original goal
      • Verified totals for money, donations, volunteer hours, or people assisted
      • The name of any organization or group that received assistance
      • An explanation of what students did
      • Information about how the Lions Club or other partners were involved
      • An explanation of how the project benefited the school or community
      • What happens next
      • At least one useful quote from a Leo Club member or officer
      • At least one useful quote from Mrs. Balke or another adult involved
      • A quote from a partner organization or recipient, when appropriate and approved
      • Photographs or video of students participating
      • Photographs of collected items, completed work, or project results
      • Identification of everyone shown in photographs
      • Relevant flyers, schedules, announcements, receipts, or official documents
      • The name of the person who confirmed the totals and results
      Before You Leave

      Ask yourself:

      • Do I have the correct spelling of every name?
      • Do I know each student’s grade level and role?
      • Do I know exactly what happened?
      • Do I know when and where it happened?
      • Do I understand why the project was needed?
      • Can I explain what Leo Club members actually did?
      • Have all fundraising, donation, participation, and volunteer totals been officially confirmed?
      • Did I clearly distinguish the project’s goal from its final result?
      • Do I know who or what organization benefited?
      • Do I know what happens next?
      • Did I interview at least one Leo Club member or officer?
      • Do I have a strong quote—not merely “It felt good to help”?
      • Do I have usable photographs or video?
      • Did I identify everyone shown in my photographs?
      • Did I get permission before identifying or photographing anyone receiving assistance?
      • Do I have Mrs. Balke’s contact information?
      • Is there another student, volunteer, partner, or organizer I should interview?
      • Have I protected private or potentially embarrassing information about the recipients?