1. Who are the Lions? Almost Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Lions but Were Afraid to Ask Mouse Click on screen or page down to advance Right click to choose full screen

2. Lions History Melvin Jones started with the Business Circle of Chicago. Melvin Jones started with the Business Circle of Chicago. Melvin believed that the club should expand from personal concerns to the betterment of communities. Melvin believed that the club should expand from personal concerns to the betterment of communities. The Association of Lions Clubs was formed at a convention of business groups in 1917. The Association of Lions Clubs was formed at a convention of business groups in 1917.

3. The constitution, by-laws and code of ethics were approved at that convention The constitution, by-laws and code of ethics were approved at that convention A key feature of the code of ethics was that “no club shall hold out the financial betterment of it’s members as its object.” A key feature of the code of ethics was that “no club shall hold out the financial betterment of it’s members as its object.” The greatest impact on the association was when Helen Keller spoke at the convention, charging Lions to “...become Knights of the Blind.” The greatest impact on the association was when Helen Keller spoke at the convention, charging Lions to “...become Knights of the Blind.” Another significant event occurred in 1987, when Lions Clubs International became the first major service club to admit female members. Another significant event occurred in 1987, when Lions Clubs International became the first major service club to admit female members. (See pages 13 - 15 of the Orientation Guide) Lions History

4. Lions Clubs International Organization at a Glance Lions Clubs International ~1,300,000 + Members in 202 countries Multiple District MD5M ~24,000 Members in 12 Districts in USA and Canada District 5M-1 1950+ Members in 49 Clubs in SE Minnesota Local Lions club ??Members

5. Let’s Look at the Base- Lions Clubs International Official Name: The International Association of Lions Clubs Official Name: The International Association of Lions Clubs Motto: “We Serve”, adopted in 1954 Motto: “We Serve”, adopted in 1954 Slogan: “Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety” Slogan: “Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety” Emblem: Emblem: Looking forward, Looking back (See page 25 of the Orientation Guide)

6. LCI Organization Board of Directors (32 members), one-half elected each year at the international convention Board of Directors (32 members), one-half elected each year at the international convention Executive Committee Executive Committee –President, Immediate Past President, two vice presidents, and one other member of the board Executive Administrator works with the headquarters staff of which there about 290 workers in 11 operating divisions Executive Administrator works with the headquarters staff of which there about 290 workers in 11 operating divisions (See page 26-27 of the Orientation Guide)

7. International Projects and Programs Lions Club International Foundation Lions Club International Foundation –Charitable arm of LCI –Disaster relief –Grants for high-impact service projects –Prevention of blindness LEO Club program LEO Club program Lions Youth Outreach Lions Youth Outreach –Youth Exchange –Quest Lions Magazine Lions Magazine International Convention International Convention Other Programs no less important Other Programs no less important ( See page 28 – 31 of the Orientation guide)

8. Multiple District MD5M 683 Clubs ~23,000 Members 12 Districts

9. MD5M Twelve Districts, each with their own DG Twelve Districts, each with their own DG –Districts 1-9 are entirely in Minnesota. –Districts 10 and 11 are international, extending into Canada. –District 13 is entirely in Canada. Council Chair (Bob Jechorek), elected by the VDGs from the DGs Council Chair (Bob Jechorek), elected by the VDGs from the DGs Executive Secretary (Bob Harms) Executive Secretary (Bob Harms)

10. The twelve district governors meet four times each year (July, October, March and at the MD5M convention) to carry on the business of the multiple district. Those meetings are presided over by the Council Chair, are open to all Lions, and attended regularly by the various MD5M program chairs. MD5M

11. MD5M Projects and Programs Minnesota Lions Eye Bank Minnesota Lions Eye Bank –Children’s Eye Clinic –Macular Degeneration Center (MAC) MD5M Hearing Foundation MD5M Hearing Foundation Youth Exchange/Youth Camp Youth Exchange/Youth Camp Leader Dogs for the Blind Leader Dogs for the Blind Minnesota Hearing and Service Dogs, Inc. Minnesota Hearing and Service Dogs, Inc. Other programs, no less significant Other programs, no less significant

12. District 5M1 Goodhue Dodge Houston Wabasha Winona Fillmore Mower

13. In the Beginning Winona Noon -1935 Rochester Host – 1938 Rushford – 1942 Austin Noon – 1944 Mabel - 1944 Preston – 1944 Kenyon 1945 Red Wing – 1946 Harmony – 1947 St. Charles - 1947 The clubs above were actually chartered in a different district – probably 5M6. MD5M was redistricted in 1978, creating what are now 5M1, 5M2, and 5M3.

14. District 5M1 Organization District Governor (Clair Mrotek) District Governor (Clair Mrotek) Vice District Governor (Ron Norton) Vice District Governor (Ron Norton) Cabinet Secretary – (Rosie Wadewitz) Cabinet Secretary – (Rosie Wadewitz) Cabinet Treasure – (Mark Marreel) Cabinet Treasure – (Mark Marreel) Three Regions – (Barb Ernster, Jolene Schuldt, John Augustine) Three Regions – (Barb Ernster, Jolene Schuldt, John Augustine) Six Zones (David Laechel, Larry Jerviss, Dave Hoot, Ross Heusinkveld, Ron Norton, Mike Shultz) Six Zones (David Laechel, Larry Jerviss, Dave Hoot, Ross Heusinkveld, Ron Norton, Mike Shultz) Forty-nine Lions clubs, two LEO clubs, four Lioness clubs Forty-nine Lions clubs, two LEO clubs, four Lioness clubs

15. District Governor District Secretary and treasurer Vice District Governor Three Region Chairs Zone Chair ClubClubClubClub

16. Wabasha Winona Fillmore Region I Zone 1 (4) (3) (2) AlturaKellogg PlainviewSt. Charles Winona Winona Sun-up Branch Winona Rivertown Winona Sunset Region I Zone 2 BrownsvilleCaledonia EitzenHokah HoustonLa Crescent LanesboroMabel RushfordSpring Grove

17. Goodhue Dodge Fillmore Mower (3) (2) (2) Region II, Zone 3 ChatfieldGrand Meadow RacineRochester ’76 Rochester Host Rochester Morning Pride Stewartville Stewartville Morning Stewartville Lioness Olmsted Region II, Zone 4 AdamsAustin Noon Austin MorningAustin Evening Branch HarmonyLyle OstranderPreston WykoffLyle Lioness

18. Goodhue Dodge (3) (2) Region III, Zone 6 Cannon FallsGoodhue Lake CityMazeppa Red WingZumbro Falls Goodhue Zumbro Falls Goodhue Lioness Lioness Lioness Region III, Zone 5 ByronDodge Center HayfieldKasson- Mantorville KenyonPine Island WanamingoZumbrota

19. District 5M1, Continued In total, fifty-four cabinet positions (including co-chairs), covering all of the major district programs and Campaign SightFirst II 5M-1

20. District 5M1 Projects and Programs $ Camp Winnebago $ Diabetes Education $ Emergency Relief fund $ Habitat for Humanity $ Hearing and Service Dogs $ LCIF $ Leader Dogs for the Blind $ LEO Clubs $ MD5M Lions Hearing Foundation $ Minnesota Lions Eye Bank $ Special Olympics $ Youth Exchange $ Lions Quest $ Peace Poster Long Range Planning Long Range Planning 5M1 Convention 5M1 Convention Newsletter Newsletter Public Relations Public Relations USA / Canada Forum USA / Canada Forum Women’s Membership Women’s Membership Campaign SightFirst II Campaign SightFirst II MERLO Team MERLO Team Environment Environment Internet Internet Liberty Day Liberty Day

21. Your Lions Club The primary reason for a Lions Club to exist is to help the community. Fundraising Senior Citizens Parks Schools and Youth Leadership Service Projects

22. Your Lions Club Meets at least two times monthly Meets at least two times monthly –Board of Directors –Total Club Meetings are: Meetings are: –Prompt and organized –Fun –Informative – good programs

23. Your Club Has a Has a –Constitution –By-Laws Is incorporated!! Is incorporated!! Has two separate bank accounts Has two separate bank accounts –Administrative (dues, meals, postage, etc.) –Project (Fundraisers, Service projects, all donations) Has committees Has committees

24. Some possible club committees Diabetes Awareness Diabetes Awareness Drug Awareness Drug Awareness Environment Environment Hearing Conservation Hearing Conservation International Relations International Relations Sight Conservation Sight Conservation Youth Outreach Youth Outreach Attendance Attendance Constitution and By- Laws Constitution and By- Laws Convention Convention Finance Finance Greeting Greeting Lions information Lions information Membership Membership Programs Programs Public Relations Public Relations

25. Your Club Officers President President One to three vice presidents One to three vice presidents Secretary Secretary Treasurer Treasurer 2-4 Directors 2-4 Directors Tail Twister Tail Twister Lion Tamer Lion Tamer Membership Chair Membership Chair Newsletter Editor Newsletter Editor Other (e.g. Peace Poster, etc.) Other (e.g. Peace Poster, etc.)

26. Membership Categories CategoryDuesHold OfficeVoteRepresent ActiveYesYesYesYes Member at LargeYesNoYesNo HonoraryClub paysNoNoNo PrivilegedYesNoYesYes Life$500+ClubYesYesYes AssociateYesNoYesNo AffiliateYesnoYesNo (Source: LCI Constitution and By-Laws)

27. Dues International Dues (includes Lions Magazine)$39.00 MD5M dues$8.30 ($3.00 of this drops off by 2009) District 5M1 Dues$9.00 Total, not including LOCAL dues$56.30 (1/2 billed semi-annually in July and January)

28. You --- Have joined a Lions club that serves its community Have joined a Lions club that serves its community The club is a part of a district that has served its communities The club is a part of a district that has served its communities The district is a part of a multiple district that serves Minnesota and Canada The district is a part of a multiple district that serves Minnesota and Canada The multiple district is a part of Lions International that serves the world. The multiple district is a part of Lions International that serves the world. You have joined the biggest and best service organization in the world!! You have joined the biggest and best service organization in the world!!