Lions International Objects: •To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. •To Promote the principle of good government and good citizenship. •To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. •To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. •To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members. •To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors. Lions Code of Ethics: •To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service. •To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part. •To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself. •Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubts against myself. •To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. •Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means. •To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy. •To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.
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Message from the International President: Building Bridges to Children at Risk! An article I had finished reading in a news magazine upset me greatly. It described how hundreds of thousands of children, millions in fact, were living in unspeakable conditions -- on the streets of cities worldwide, lacking medical attention, proper nutrition and shelter, with little hope for a better life and, of crucial importance, without the one thing they need most of all: love. They constituted the most poignant example of child ren at risk, those who are commonly referred to as "street children," youngsters to whom Lions around the world need to build bridges in order to reach across the widening gulf and give them hope and assistance if they will be able to lead fulfil ling and productive lives; indeed, if they are to even survive. Lions are in a perfect position to exert their influence and dynamics to help rescue these children from a life of misery, exploitation, disease and, in many cases, an early death. Lions, there can be no compromise in our dedication to building bridges to street children, reaching out and helping them escape the conditions that have made them innocent victims of the worst society can thrust upon them. There are a number of paths we may take. First of all, Lions need to enter into partnerships with governmental, professional and private organizations in order to address the pressing needs of these young people. Medical assistance is a principal example. Clubs and districts can join in cooperation with local clinics, hospitals and medical personnel to bring not only needed, but often life-sustaining care to youngsters who have known precious little of it over the years. Drug and alcohol abuse is rampant among these street children and we can participate in and, in many instances, initiate programs to combat this mounting human calamity. Establishing shelters is critical for these homeless boys and girls and Lions in many nations have already done so or are supporting many excellent homes both financially and with personnel involvement. Food, clothing and water are constant needs of street children and Lions worldwide can share in programs to bring such services to youngsters who sorely lack these necessities of life. Among the numerous organizations, public and private, Lions can join with in this crusade is the United Nations Children's Fund. Lions have, for years, worked closely with regional UNICEF offices. Recently, our collaborative efforts were clearly defined in a joint Memorandum of Understanding which stresses the develop ment of close cooperative relationships on the national level. There are really a multitude of ways Lions may come to the assist ance of these unfortunate young people. One manner that has met with considerable success is to organize vocational training projects. Among the skills we may offer are carpentry, tailoring, plumbing and automotive. Lions worldwide can also provide destitute children with scholarships for primary and secondary schools and eventually even college. For more information, contact your local Lions club. Lions -- whether our goals are immediate or long term, we can, in cooperation with other organizations, within our own clubs and individually, work to alleviate the terrible, life-threatening conditions in which millions of children at risk are today condemned to live. Building bridges of love and hope to these young people must be among the highest priorities of Lions throughout the world.go to President's Message
For information about Lions Officers see Officers and Directors of Lions Clubs InternationalLions National and International Officers (after this link, please return to our Bluebonnet Lions pages)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lions Clubs InternationalThe Lions Clubs International was founded::: June 7, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois USA
The founder of Lions Clubs International:::Melvin Jones (1879-1961)
The emblem of Lions Clubs International:::The emblem consists of a gold letter "L" on a circular purple field. Bordering this is a circular gold area with two lion profiles facing away from the center. The word "Lion" and "International" appear at the top and bottom. The Lions are meant to face both a proud past and confident future.
The motto of Lions Clubs International:::The association's motto, "We Serve," precisely explains its mission.
The slogan of Lions Clubs International:::"Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety" (LIONS) is the slogan.
The colors of Lions Clubs International:::The official colors are purple and gold -- purple for loyalty and integrity; gold for sincerity, liberality, purity, and generosity.
The address of Lions Clubs International Headquarters::: Lions Clubs International 300 22nd Street Oak Brook, Illinois 60521-8842, USA (630) 571-5466 Fax# (630) 571-8890 e-mail Lions@LionsClubs.org
What is the E-Mail address of Lions Clubs International Foundation? LCIF@LionsClubs.org
Key staff members of Lions Clubs International:::Administrative Officers: Executive Administrator, Mark C. Lukas, ext. 200 Secretary & Treasurer, Elsa Vaintzettel, ext. 210
Division Managers: Club Supplies & Distribution, Ralph Mosner, ext. 251 Convention, June Beverly, ext. 280 Management Information Systems, Robert Haas, ext. 236 District & Club Administration, Kaoru Anderson, ext. 333 Executive Services and International Activities, Stephen Popolizio,ext. 286 Extension & Membership, Thomas Renk, ext. 303 Leadership, Larry Brook, ext. 309 General Counsel, Gary La Petina, ext. 300 Public Relations &Production, Patrick Cannon, ext. 359 Resources, Mary Fran Tieman, ext. 213 Lions Clubs International Foundation, Patricia O'Kelley, ext. 382
Official figures and requirements for membership:::As of October 31, 1996, there were 1,422,696 Lions in 43,333 clubs in 182 countries and areas. Membership is open to men and women of legal majority and good reputation in the community, and is by invitation only. Those interested should contact their local Lions club. If they cannot easily locate one, they can get a referral from the Membership Operations Department, ext. 355.
Lions Clubs International publishes:::30 official editions of The Lion Magazine are published in 20 languages.
The official languages of Lions Clubs International:::Lions Clubs International conducts its official business in the following 11 languages: English, Chinese, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.
International conventions::: 1997 Philadelphia, PA, USA July 1-5 1998 Birmingham, England June 30-July 3 1999 San Diego, CA, USA June 28-July 2 2000 Honolulu, HI, USA June 20-23 2001 Indianapolis, IN, USA July 2-6 2002 Osaka, Japan July 8-12 2003 Denver, CO, USA June 30-July 4 (Exhibitors of products and services are welcome. Contact June Beverly, ext. 280 for information.)
These facts at Facts
Lions Clubs International Foundation
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is the global charitable arm of the association, providing grants to Lions to enable them to answer needs in their communities. Last year alone, LCIF disbursed grants in excess of US$16.7 million to districts around the world. In its nearly three decades of existence, LCIF's growth has been phenomenal and, assured of the growing support of Lions, will continue to expand.
Through humanitarian service grants, LCIF enables Lions to construct and equip workshops and training facilities, thus making it possible for the disabled and disadvantaged to gain expertise in skills that will make them self-supporting and productive members of society.
LCIF supports Lions' long-term efforts to rebuild communities when devastation caused by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and other catastrophies make major reconstruction necessary.
Grants have also made it possible for Lions to build clinics, hospitals, libraries, schools and many other facilities.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship Program is a primary means for LCIF to strengthen its financial base. The fellowship is presented to a Lion or other individual for a personal contribution or as a tribute from a club of US$1,000. Presently, there are well in excess of 145,000 Fellows with 95 Lions clubs having 100 percent of their memberships recorded as Melvin Jones Fellows.
LCIF funds and administers SightFirst, the association's program to conquer reversible and preventable blindness. During the recently completed three-year Campaign SightFirst fundraising effort, more than US$142 million has been documented in cash and pledges, exceeding the US$130 million objective. LCIF is presently disbursing these funds to assist Lions in conducting far-reaching initiatives in blindness prevention. SightFirst encompasses five major areas in its fight against blindness: cataract, onchocerciasis (river blindness), xerophthalmia (Vitamin A deficiency), glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. The early results of SightFirst have been tremendous. Thus far, more than 850,000 individuals, living mainly in developing countries, have had their sight restored through cataract surgery. Also, an intensive campaign is now underway to attack river blindness in those areas of the world, primarily western Africa, where the disease is prevalent.
The devastating effects of glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are now being addressed in developed areas of the world where they most occur. A successful pilot program, called the Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP), conducted by the Lions of Multiple District 22 (Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia), in conjunction with the National Eye Institute in the United States, not only tested hundreds of individuals most at risk for these diseases, but provided informational material of their symptoms. It has now been adapted for implementation throughout the United States and in other developed areas of the world, notably Japan.
"Recreating this progam," says Past International Director Clement F. Kusiak, LEHP national program coordinator, "will bring Lions one step closer to reaching their goal of eradicating preventable blindness around the world." E-Mail Lions Clubs International Foundation at LCIF@LionsClubs.org
This at LCIF
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