The International Headquarters office is the administrative centre of Lions Clubs International. Located west of and approximately a twenty minute drive from Downtown Chicago, in Oak Brook Illinois USA, the modern two story building stands on four hectares of landscaped grounds and green lawns in a parkland atmosphere. At the front right hand side of the building is located five flagpoles. This is highlighted by a changing display of flags from the nations of Lionism.

Oak Brook is a planned corporate community and has grown to become one of the most important business and commercial centres in the United States.

The Headquarters building has an interior space of fourteen thousand square metres, with state-of-the-art furnishings and equipment. The exterior is clad with bronze tinted glass and pre-cast panels with quartz aggregate facing.

International Headquarters Services

The offices are geared to the efficient handling of all Lion business, and to helping each club conduct local and international humanitarian programs.

Headquarters functions are divided into twelve major areas. These divisions provide a variety of services to members, clubs and districts, as well as to the general public. Services include:

• the preparation and distribution of thousands of Lion publications, most prepared in all ten official languages;
• coordination and shipping of club supply items,
• record keeping,
• planning and housing services for the International Convention,
• administration of membership awards,
• service and extension programs,
• internal and external public relations efforts,
• legal services and
• administration of the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Location of Divisions

 

The various divisions are located on three levels:

 

The Top Floor contains the offices of The International President and Vice-Presidents plus Offices of the Executive Administrator, Secretary and Treasurer, General Counsel, Conference Rooms and Divisions of Public Relations, Executive Services, Production and Communications, District and Club Administration, Convention, International Activities and Program Development, Extension and Development.

The Main Floor is where guests are welcomed, and contains the Offices of Resource, Data Processing and Records, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Club Supplies and Distribution Divisions plus rooms containing Historic Memorabilia.

The Ground Floor contains a complete Printing Plant and Graphics Department, the Mail Room, Shipping and Receiving Facilities, and the Employees Cafeteria. A feature of the cafeteria is that it opens on to a peaceful Japanese Garden - a favourite with staff and visitors, and a gift from the Lions of Japan.

Overseeing these divisions and all day-to-day operations is the Executive Administrator. He leads over three hundred staff members of forty different nationalities, including sight and hearing impaired persons, who are employed at the headquarters office.

The offices also include areas of special interest. For instance the MELVIN JONES Room and President's Room contain historical memorabilia honouring the founder and past Presidents of the Association. The Lions Clubs International Recognition Room features a brief presentation on the history and goals of the Foundation and a computerised display of all Melvin Jones Fellowship Award recipients. The club supplies display area gives visitors a closer look at the many items available with the Lions Emblem.

An International Visit

Each year, hundreds of Lions and their families, as well as community groups take guided tours of the building. Visitors find no language barriers, as guides are available who speak each of the ten official languages of Lionism.

Visitors to the International headquarters are always made welcome, however it is appreciated if advance notice is given of the planned visit. A guided tour of the building will be made available to all visitors and in all probability the flag of the visitors country will be displayed on one of the flag poles at the front of the building.

At the conclusion of the tour each visitor is presented with an envelope containing a booklet on the International Headquarters, a copy of the Objects and Ethics of Lions Clubs International, International Bannerette, International Pin and a message from the International President commemorating the occasion of your visit.

The staff and facilities of your International Headquarters are designed to Serve You - making it easier for Lions, Lioness and Leos to serve those in need around the globe.