Our Beginning

Written by Rob Unsworth Tuesday, 24 February 2009 04:59

THE BEGINNINGS:

The International Association of Lions Clubs started as a dream in the mind of a young Chicago Insurance Agent. This man was MELVIN JONES - The dream was the consolidation of several independent clubs already in existence, into one strong influential unit for Service to Humanity; and was presented to the leaders of various independent groups at a meeting in Chicago Illinois on June 7th 1917. From that meeting came a call for the Association's Annual Convention, which was held October 8th-10th 1917 in Dallas Texas, with twenty-three clubs participating. Thus was conceived and founded the world's largest, most active and most representative service club organisation.

The Association did not become International until 1920, when the first Lions Clubs were organised in Canada. Then followed China, Mexico, and Cuba in 1926 and 1927, with Central America in 1935 and the first South American Club in 1936. The first Club in Australia was organised at Lismore on July 1st 1947, whilst the first European Club was at Stockholm Sweden on March 24th 1948. Today our Association is in practically every country of the world.

THE NAME and EMBLEM:

The Lions proper name is The International Association of Lions Clubs.

On the emblem a large letter "L" stands for Law, Liberty, Labour, Loyalty, Love, Life, Lions - in a circle representing the Lions and Lions Clubs all bound together into one - Lion profiles looking two ways, representing a Lion looking in every direction for an Opportunity to give unselfish service; with the word LIONS at the top representing the Association, and the word INTERNATIONAL at the bottom indicating that it is an International Association. It is the unwritten obligation of every Lion to wear and display this emblem with pride.

THE COLOURS - PURPLE and GOLD:

To Lions - Purple stands for Loyalty to Country, Loyalty to friends, Loyalty to ones self and to the Integrity of mind and heart. It is the traditional colour of strength, courage and tireless dedication to a cause.

Gold symbolises sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgement, purity in life and generosity in mind, heart and purse toward one's fellow man.

THE SLOGAN :

Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations Safety.

THE MOTTO :

We Serve.

Lions believe in Club meetings where good fellowship and harmony prevail - in developing projects and activities geared to the needs of their communities - in broad participation in an International programme of brotherhood and fellowship, based upon service wherever the need exists, without personal reward - in service to humanity without thought to race, creed, nationality, religion, or politics - in the ultimate leadership of Lionism, but not at the expense of or in conflict with the programmes of other organisations which, with different methods seek the same goal of unselfish service to mankind.

You will find here among your fellow members a sense of friendship and brotherhood - a deep and sincere desire among our leaders and members alike to search out ways of helping people less fortunate than we, and - above all - there is the true and sincere desire to establish peace and trust filled with friendship among the peoples of the world, so that our nation may have the peace we search for, and that we may live among the other nations of the world in harmony.