All About Lions History Organisation Service Understanding the history, organization, service, and membership of Lions Clubs International is important for all Lions. Embracing these fundamentals of our association is what will ensure our future as the largest humanitarian service organization in the world for many years to come. Service

1917 Melvin Jones establishes the Association of Lions Clubs in Chicago. Lions Clubs International began as the dream of Melvin Jones, an American businessman who belonged to a club named the Business Circle of Chicago. Melvin Jones believed that local business clubs should expand from purely professional concerns to focus on working for the betterment of their communities. In 1917, he contacted members of similar independent organizations around the country and invited them to a meeting. Most agreed to merge as one association of clubs, and they took the name of the largest group, the Indiana-based Association of Lions Clubs. The first convention was held in October of that year in Dallas, Texas, USA, where the constitution was adopted and the first president, Dr. W.P. Woods, was elected. Jones was elected secretary, beginning a 44-year career with the association.

1917 This is the first recorded photograph of the foundation Lion members. I guess many would not have believed how their dream grew to what it is today. In 1917, the founding members of Lions Clubs gather in front of one of the Chicago Art Institute’s famed lion statues.

1925 Lions become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” Helen Keller Guest speaker at the 1925 International Convention. Challenged the Lions to be Knights of the Blind Eye care has been the major focus of Lions for almost 100 years Closer to home. Eye clinics in Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa Recycled glasses (Hatea) Papakura club grades and cleans the glasses.

1930 White canes introduced as a symbol of the blind Did you know that the white cane was a Lions project? Mt Hutt?

Lions Clubs International at the signing of the United Nations Charter 1945 Only NGO that has seat on the United Nations $650 million 500 million man hours Lions Clubs International at the signing of the United Nations Charter

“You can’t get very far until you start doing something for someone else.” - Melvin Jones Melvin Jones explained his reasoning for the concept of service to the community with the saying, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for someone else.” For almost 100 years Lions around the world have proven Jones’ saying to be true by serving local, national, and global communities.

Lions (1917) L = Liberty I = Intelligence O = Our N = Nations S = Safety Lions acrynom Lions was formed in 1917 during the concluding of WW1 – reason for Our Nations Safety being part of the acronym.

Lions (2010) L = Loving I = Individuals O = Offering N = Needed S = Service Possibly a more modern version? PIP Syd Scruggs 111

1987 Today, women comprise approximately 27% of the association’s total membership and bring a wealth of ideas, energy, and skills to our association. NZ closer to 50% Women become LIONS

All About Lions History Organisation Service We’ll now look at the structure of the organisation Service

Organisation Member Club Zone Region District Multiple District International Board of Directors International Headquarters But really, it is you, the member, the centre of the organisation that is LIONS – you make up the Club & LCI. Without you, LCI would not exist & the world would be poorer. Internationally 1.4 million MD202 – 10,208 202K – 1,774

Organisation Clubs Together Lions members make up the Lions club. Currently there are over 46,000 clubs within the association in over 200 countries. Our newest Lions club – American Samoan Community College Lions Club (ASCCLC) – the only Campus club in CA7 NZ 378 clubs 202K 83 clubs + 6 Leos & 5 Lioness

(NZ & Islands of the Sth Pacific) Organisation Multiple District MD202 (NZ & Islands of the Sth Pacific) Annual district and multiple district conventions allow Lions to elect officers, share best practices, sharpen their leadership skills, and enjoy fellowship and fun. Council of Governors EMC Dawick EO Dawick GLT/GMT Me & Cliff Treasurer Steve Legal Portfolios ID Eric The seven DG’s make up the MD202 Council of Governors.

Club Structure Club President Vice President/s Secretary Treasurer Membership Director Project Chairs……….. Health, Youth, Leo’s, Community Lion Tamer – Club property Tail Twister – Humour and fun A typical club structure All members of the Board - Some clubs have dispensed with Boards

District A geographic group of Clubs - under a District Governor We are District 202K District 202K is one of the seven Districts in NZ & the Pacific Islands, that make up Multiple District 202 Each club is part of a district, our district is 202K All linked to Int. Pres. Jitsuhiro Yamada

Seven Districts of MD202 - NZ & the Pacific Islands 7 districts Tonga has been added since the presentation was completed Fiji 7 clubs – Fijian Indians Samoa 1 club – Samoans Tonga 1 club – Tongans with an American Secretary Am Samoa – Mixed

District 202K which includes the Pacific Islands Our District 202K Very unique in the world The only district with 5 Countries 5 Cultures 5 Languages + Maori 5 Currencies

District (Cabinet) Structure You have your Club. The District Cabinet is similar to your Club but is run by the District Governor. Roles are very similar but on an over-arching District level!

3: South America, Central America, Mexico & Islands of the Caribbean Constitutional Areas 1: United States of America, Bermuda & the Bahamas 2: Canada Lions Clubs International is split into 7 constitutional areas (or groups of countries) which include: United States of America, its affiliates, Bermuda & the Bahamas Canada South America, Central America, Mexico & Islands of the Caribbean Sea 3: South America, Central America, Mexico & Islands of the Caribbean

4; South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 7: Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia & Islands of the South Pacific Ocean 5: Europe Europe The Orient and Southeast Asia South Asia, Africa and the Middle East Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia & Islands of the South Pacific Ocean Each area is represented on the LCI Board by an International Director (currently Eric Carter) 6: The Orient and Southeast Asia

Lions Clubs International LCI Headquarters; Oak Brook, Illinois The final component of Lions Clubs International structure is Lions Clubs International Headquarters located in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, where nearly 300 employees provide resources and support to the 1.4 million Lions club members.

1.40M Lions in 47,000 Clubs in 210 countries

Summary……… “We Serve” Member Lion members are part of a Club Club Zone / Region District Multiple District LCI Lion members are part of a Club The Club is part of a District (202K) The 7 Districts in NZ & the Pacific are part of a Multiple District (MD202) Multiple Districts are part of Lions Clubs International (LCI) Lions Clubs International is still the largest service club in the world. “We Serve”

Training Lions offers its members a huge range of training … Orientation District Training Public Speaking & Presentation Training Leadership Training – Club & District Regional Lions Institutes Emerging Lions Leadership Institutes (ELLI) Advanced Lions Leadership Institute (ALLI) Faculty Development Institutes (FDI) VDG & District Governor Training

Let’s invite our friends & family into Lions “Will there be Lions for me to join?”

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with a group.”

We’ll conclude with this is a powerful message from a fellow Lion