| LIONS
CLUBS INTERNATIONAL:
Lions Clubs International was founded
in the U.S.A. in 1917 when a group of hitherto independent
clubs responded to an ideal presented to them by a young
insurance man, MELVIN JONES.
The ideal was that the members as a group, should provide
service to their fellow human beings, without regard
to politics, religion, race or personal interest to
members.
The ideal was that the members as a group, should provide
service to their fellow human beings, without regard
to politics, religion, race or personal interest to
members.A conference of 25 independent clubs was convened
and from that meeting Lions International was born. |
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It
adopted as itís name and emblem the Lion (seen by the founders
as a symbol representing their ideals, strength, activity,
courage and integrity) and was known from the outset as the
International Association of Lions Clubs or Lions International.
Within
three years the Association had doubled itís membership and
extended to Canada. Within 13 years there were 2,500 clubs
and this figure was approximately doubled each decade thereafter
until world membership exceeded 1,000,000 in 1975 when the
Birmingham (Exhibition) Club became the 29,000th
club in the Association. In
2001 the International Association comprises about 43,000
Clubs in 185 countries
or geographical areas with a total membership of 1.5 million
men and women.
In Ireland there are 117 Clubs with a total membership of
2800. Our District is known as District 105-I. We are part
of Multiple District 105, which comprises the British Isles
& Ireland.
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY:
From
the outset the emphasis has been on service, in all forms,
to the less fortunate sector of the community. Indeed the
Club Constitution (as recommended by the Association) is capable
of being adapted by the local club so as to suit itís own
particular requirements. This degree of autonomy for the individual
club together with concentration on particular service are
among the principal factors in maintaining the Associationís
growth and progress.
INTERNATIONAL
CO-OPERATION:
The
international nature of the organization, with the potential
for contact between the members world wide, based on their
common interest in community service, has always been a feature
of the Association.
MEMBERSHIP:
Individual membership
is available through clubs only.
Lions
Clubs:
Are
open to all by invitation ( to ensure commitment)
Concentrate
on the needs of their local community. Raise funds
for local, national and international projects. Participate
in service activities to all age groups and sectors of the
community. Enjoy
working together in fellowship
The activities and services are entirely voluntary;
their motto is 'WE SERVE'
FIELDS OF SERVICE:
While the identification of the particular
needs of itís own community is a primary duty of a Lion Club,
certain fields of service are common to Lions Clubs worldwide
and approved by the International Association. These include
Sight
Conservation and work for the blind.
Hearing
and speech action and work for the deaf
Drug
Awareness. Diabetes
Awarenes.s Youth
Service and Youth Exchange. Services
for the Elderly. Social
an health Services. Educational
Service.s Environmental
Service.s Recreational
Services. International
Service.s Leo
Club Programme (for young people).
Lions
Club International Foundation (for disaster relief)
The
Association has written a Code of Conduct and International
Objectives.
It's
motto is 'WE
SERVE' |
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