International

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International
www.lionsclubs.org
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How Lions Began
Lions Clubs International began as the dream of a
Chicago business man Melvin Jones. He believed
that local business clubs should expand their
horizons from purely professional concerns of the
betterment of their communities and the world at
large. Just three years after its formation, the
organization became international when the first
club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada was establisher
in 1920. Perhaps the single event having the
greatest impact on the associations service
commitment occurred in 1925 when Helen Keller
addressed the Lions at the international
convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. It was there
that she challenged Lions to become knights of
the blind in the crusade against darkness.
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How Lions Began (contd)
Broadening its role in international
understanding, the association helped the United
Nations form the Non-Governmental Organizations
section in 1945, and continues to hold
consultative status today. Each year, during the
Lions Day with the United Nations ceremonies, an
award is presented to the grand prize winner of
the Lions International Peace Poster Contest,
itself a significant program which draws over
350,000 entries annually. Another significant
event in the associations history occurred in
1987, when Lions Clubs International became the
first major service club organization to admit
women as members. Since those first years, the
association has grown to include nearly 1.4
million men and women in more than 44, 000 clubs
located in 196 countries and geographical areas.
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At a Glance

• Founded 1917 in Chicago, Illinois
• Founder Melvin Jones
• Motto We Serve
• Official Colors Purple and Gold
• Slogan Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations
  Safety
• Primary Activity Blindness Preventions and
  Sight Conservation
• Membership Nearly 1.35 million men and women
  in approximately 196 countries areas
  worldwide

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Lions Mission Statement
TO CREATE AND FOSTER a spirit of understanding
among all people for humanitarian needs by
providing voluntary services through community
involvement and international cooperation.
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Lions Objects
TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding
among the peoples of the world. TO PROMOTE the
principles of good government and good
citizenship. TO TAKE an active interest in the
civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the
community. TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of
friendship, good fellowship and mutual
understanding.
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Lions Code of Ethics
TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation
by industrious application to the end that I may
merit a reputation for quality of service. TO
SEEK success and to demand all fair remuneration
or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit
or success at the price of my own self-respect
lost because of unfair advantage taken or because
of questionable acts on my part. TO REMEMBER
that in building up my business it is not
necessary to tear down anothers to be loyal to
my clients or customers and true to myself.
WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or
ethics of my position or action towards others,
to resolve such doubt against myself.
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Lions Code of Ethics (contd)
TO HOLD friendship as an end not a means. To hold
that true friendship exists not on account of the
service performed by one to another, but that
true friendship demands nothing but accepts
service in the spirit in which it is given.
ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a
citizen to my nation, my state and my community,
and to give them unswerving loyalty in word, act
and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor,
and means. TO AID others by giving my sympathy
to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my
substance to the needy. TO BE CAREFUL with my
criticism and liberal with my praise to build up
and not to destroy.
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Membership Categories
There are several classifications used to
identify Lions. Active member is entitled to
all the rights and privileges and subject to all
obligations which membership in a Lion Club
implies. At Large Member has moved out of the
community and is unable to regularly attend
meetings and functions and desires to retain
member sip in the club. Can not hold office or
vote at conventions and must pay dues. Life-Long
Members The club honors this Lion of 20 or more
years (or 15 years and over the age of 70). Life
members pay a one-time payment to the association
in lieu of future dues. They have all the rights
of membership.
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Membership Categories (contd)
Privileged A member who as been a Lion for 15
years or more and because of illness,
infirmities, or advanced age or other legitimate
reasons, must relinquish his or her active
status. May vote but may not hold
office. Associate A member who holds primary
membership in another club, but maintains
residence or is employed in the community of the
club in which he/she attends. Can vote on club
matters, but may not serve as a delegate nor hold
office. Affiliate An individual who is
currently unable to fully participate in the club
but wishes to support the club. May not hold
office, nor be a delegate. May vote on club
matters.
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InternationalOrganizational Chart
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Lions Learning Center
To develop your Lion Leadership skills visit the
Lions Learning Center on-line at
www.lionsclubs.org and click on Resources and
then click on Visit the Lions Learning Center.
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What are Forums?

• Forums have the purposes of
• Promoting the principles and objectives of Lions
  Clubs International
• Training, educating and motivating district and
  club officers
• Providing for exchange of information and
  discussion of service activities, including
  opportunities for cooperative service projects
• Advancing the interests of the Lions Clubs
  International Foundation
• All Lions in the constitutional area in which the
  forum is held are invited to participate.

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Forums

• Area Forums
• USA/Canada Forum
• OSEAL Forum
• Europa Forum
• India, South Asia, Africa Middle East
  Forum
• Latin American Caribbean Forum

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International Convention
Lions from across the globe have gathered
together annually since 1917 to celebrate the
International Convention.  For many Lions and
their families, attending the convention has
become a yearly tradition.  The convention offers
an ideal setting for reuniting acquaintances and
making new friends.  Lions also learn about other
club and district projects, participate in the
parade and elections, attend seminars and make
personal connections with international leaders
and representatives from headquarters. Why
attend? Only at the International Convention can
Lions from nearly 100 countries and geographical
areas with different languages and backgrounds
march side-by-side down the streets of the host
city.  And only at the International Convention
can 18,000 members come together to celebrate the
true meaning of Lionism.
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Supplies
Lions Clubs International has a complete on-line
catalog of supplies. For apparel to trading pins
they have it all! Visit their website
at http//www2.lionsclubs.org/LionsClubsSuppliesS
tore
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Magazine

• THE LION Magazine is the official publication of
  Lions Clubs International, and is published in 21
  languages.
• THE LION Magazine Online features select
  articles from the printed version of the
  headquarters edition.

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Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is
the grant-making arm of Lions Clubs
International. LCIF is Lions helping Lions serve
others. It's the only Lions' foundation that
serves the entire world and the nearly 1.35
million Lions. Working with Lions, LCIF prevents
blindness. It provides food and clothing to
victims of natural disasters. It also gives youth
the tools to succeed through Lions-Quest,
empowers the disabled through vocational
training, and promotes health by equipping
clinics and hospitals.
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LCIF (contd)
LCIF is an efficient and effective charity.
Administrative costs were 10.8 percent in
2003-2004, a low ratio for a non-profit. Every
dollar donated to LCIF goes to a grant. LCIF
receives no club dues. LCIF has awarded US
356.9 million in grants since it began in
1968. For more information about LCIF visit
their website at http//www.lionsclubs.org/EN/con
tent/lions_lcif.shtml
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LCIFWhat is the SightFirst Program?

• As Knights of the Blind, Lions from around the
  world united to create a program that would fight
  the major causes of preventable and treatable
  blindness. As a result of this effort the
  SightFirst Program had its beginning in 1991.
  During the next fifteen years, the program has
  helped save or restore the sight of 24 million
  people. Through the SightFirst Program, more
  than 4.6 million cataract surgeries were
  conducted and 65 million treatments for river
  blindness have been distributed. This success
  far exceeded all expectations.
• In 2005, planning began to insure that the
  fight against preventable and treatable blindness
  continued. Campaign SightFirst II was designated
  to raise a minimum of US 150 million to continue
  the work which had its beginnings with the
  SightFirst Program. Campaign SightFirst II is a
  three year commitment providing all Lions and
  Lions Clubs through the world to continue to work
  to fight blindness.
• For more information, contact your sponsor,
  your Club President, or your District Governor.