Overview of Lionism-Part 1

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++FROM HUMBLE BEGININGS TO GLOBAL REACH
IN 1917, a Chicago insurance agent name Melvin Jones convinced his luncheon club, the Business Circle of Chicago, that it should ally itself with other independent clubs to form a national organization that would be dedicated not only to networking for business and social purposes, but to the improvement of the community as a whole.
-Among the groups invited was the Association of Lions Clubs, headquartered in Evansville, Indiana and led by Dr. W.P. Woods.
-The Business Circle and other clubs agreed to rally under the Lions name, and a convention was called for October at Dallas, Texas. Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from nine states heeded the call and approved the “Lions Clubs” designation, and elected Woods as the first president. Guiding force and founder Jones was named acting secretary, that began an association with Lions that ended only with his death in 1961.
-A constitution and by-laws were adopted, the colors of purple and gold approved and a start made on the Lions Club Objects and Code of Ethics.
-Remarkably, considering the materialism of the era, both Objects and Ethics encouraged Lions to put service ahead of profit, and to uphold the highest standards of conduct in business and the professions.
-Community leaders soon began to organize clubs throughout the United States. The association became “international” with the formation of a club in Windsor, Ontario Canada in 1920. Clubs were later organized in Mexico, China and Cuba. By 1927, membership stood at 60,000 in 1,183 clubs.
-In 1935 Panama became home to the first Central American club; the first club in South America was organized in Columbia the following year. Sweden, then France, brought Europe into the association in 1948. Japan had clubs by 1952, and the so-called “Eastern Bloc” was unblocked in 1989 with clubs formed in Hungary, Poland and Estonia. In 1990, a club was chartered in Moscow and today hundreds of Lions clubs are demonstrating the value of service in countries once closed to voluntary action.
++YOUR LIONS CLUB. THE LIONS CLUB is the most important single element of Lionism: It is the clubs, after all which carry out the programs and activities that have made your association what it is today — the world’s premier humanitarian service organization.
-Membership is by invitation only, and is open to persons of legal majority who have demonstrated a commitment to community betterment.
-A typical Lions club is governed by a board of directors consisting of a president, three vice presidents, the immediate past president, a secretary, a treasurer, the Lion Tamer (custodian of club property), the Tail Twister (who adds fun to the meeting), and four or more directors.
-Assisting the board are the various administrative and activity committees appointed by the president. In many clubs, every member is assigned to a committee.
-Each club sets its own entrance fee and annual dues. In addition, the club collects both the district and international dues (the latter, scheduled to increase to $39 per year by FY2005-06, is the lowest of the major service clubs organizations.
-Entrance fees and dues are used to pay the club’s administrative costs. Money raised from the public for activities must never be used to defray administrative expenses, but only for legitimate community or public needs.
++CLUB MEETINGS. LIONS CLUBS ARE required to meet at least twice each month. Originally, most clubs met weekly at noon. But, as social and business patterns changed in some areas, many clubs found the needs of their members were better served by an evening, or even breakfast meetings.
-The important thing is to try to attend meetings of your club. It is at the club meeting, after all, where the bonds of friendship are formed that contribute so much to the ultimate success of the club. Important business takes place as well, including votes on projects and expenditures, approval of new members, planning for future events, and reports of committees.
-You can and are encouraged to attend a club board meeting, a region or zone meeting, the meeting of another club, or a meeting of one of your club’s committees. Your club secretary has additional details.
++MEMBER AWARDS. KEY AWARD. Bringing other good men and women into Lions should be one of your primary goals. Members who sponsor new members become activated into the program and are recognized by receiving one of the various Key Awards in multiples culminating with the 500 Member Key.Chevrons. Chevrons are “service stripes” which may be attached to the Lion lapel button. There are two types. CHARTER MONARCH CHEVRONS for charter members who have maintained continuous membership for 10 years, and MONARCH CHEVRONS for Lions who have maintained continuous membership for 10 years. Chevrons are then added for each additional five years of continuous membership. (Continued by clicking on, "OVERVIEW 2...