1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 1930 White canes introduced as a symbol of the blind
Did you know that the white cane was a Lions project?
Mt Hutt?

6. 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

7. “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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. (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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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!

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 1.40M Lions in 47,000 Clubs in 210 countries

24. 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”

25. 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

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

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

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