about
LIONS INTERNATIONAL
Lions Clubs
International
Triumph of
an Idea
The International
Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago
insurance man
Melvin Jones, who wondered why local business clubs -- he was an
active member of one --
could not expand their horizons from purely business concerns to
the betterment of their
communities and the world at large.
Jones' idea
struck a chord within his own group, the Business Circle of
Chicago, and they
authorized him to explore his concept with similar organizations
from around the United States
. His efforts resulted in an organizational meeting at a local
hotel on June 7, 1917.
The 12 men who
gathered there overcame a natural sense of loyalty to their
parent clubs, voted
the "Association of Lions Clubs" into existence, and issued a
call for a national convention to be
held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of the same year.
Thirty-six
delegates representing 22 clubs from nine states heeded the
call, approved the "Lions
Clubs" designation, and elected Dr. William P. Woods of Indiana
as their first president.
Guiding force and founder Melvin Jones named acting secretary,
thus began an association with
Lionism that only ended with his death in 1961.
That first
convention also began to define what Lionism was to become. A
constitution and
by-laws were adopted, the colors of purple and gold approved,
and a start made on Lionism's
Objectives and Code of Ethics.
One of the objects was startling
for an era that prided itself on mercenary individualism, and
has
remained one of the main tenets of Lionism ever since. "No
Club," it read, "shall
hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object."
Community leaders
soon began to organize clubs throughout the United States, and
the
association became "international" with the formation of the
Windsor, Ontario, Canada Lions
Club in 1920. Clubs were later organized in China, Mexico, and
Cuba. By 1927, membership
stood at 60,000 in 1,183 clubs.
In 1935, Panama
became home to the first Central American club, with the first
South American
club being organized in Columbia the following year. Lionism
reached Europe in 1948, as clubs
were chartered in Sweden, Switzerland, and France. In 1952, the
first club was chartered in
Japan. Since then, the association has become truly global, with
clubs in more than 170
countries and geographical areas worldwide.
The Name
The proper name
of the association is "The International Association of Lions
Clubs." Many
Lions, however, prefer the use of the shorter form of "Lions
Clubs International."
The Emblem
Throughout the
world, Lions are recognized by the emblem they wear on their
lapels. It
consists of a gold letter "L" on a circular purple field.
Bordering this is a circular gold area
with two lion profiles at either side facing away from the
center. The word "Lions" appears at
the top, and "International" at the bottom. Symbolically, the
lions face both past and future --
proud of the past and confident of the future. Lions wear their
emblem with pride.
The Motto
The motto of every Lion is
simply "We Serve." What better way to express the true mission
of
Lionism?
The Slogan
The slogan of the association is
"Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety (LIONS).
Official Colors
The royal colors
of purple and gold were selected as the official colors when the
association was organized in 1917.
Purple stands for
loyalty to friends and to one's self, and for integrity of mind
and heart.
Gold symbolizes
sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgment, purity in life and
generosity in mind, heart and purpose toward humanity.
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