HISTORY OF LIONISM

Lions trace their beginning to 1917 when a Chicago insurance man, Melvin Jones, was inspired to expand the scope of the local businessmen's club into activities to improve conditions in the community and the world at large. His idea was accepted by his club and other business groups and that same year they organized the first convention in Dallas , Texas with 22 clubs represented. At that first meeting work was begun on objectives and a code of ethics. Where as members of business associations had prided themselves on mercenary individualism this new organization held that no club shall have as its purpose the financial betterment of its members.

By 1920 the Association of Lions Clubs had become International with the formation of the first Canadian club. Subsequently clubs were organized in Cuba , Mexico , and China and by 1927 there were over eleven hundred Lions Clubs worldwide.

The Lions involvement with blindness had its roots in a presentation by Helen Keller at a Lions convention in 1925. She asked the Lions to become the Knights of the Blind. Thus began an active and growing involvement in service to the blind and visually impaired. In 1990 the Sight First program was initiated with a goal of striving to rid the world of preventable blindness. Lions worldwide have funded this effort with over 200 million dollars.

Lions Clubs and their International organization are also involved in youth programs, community betterment projects, diabetes education, hearing programs and other activities for the betterment of mankind. Through their foundation Lions are able to provide disaster relief in the United States and around the world.

At present there are over 1.3 million men and women in 45,000 clubs from 200 countries working toward the goals of Lionism. For additional information link to the International site and click on The History of Lions Clubs International or visit the Lions Learning Center .