Who Are The Lions

Lions Clubs began in 1917 as the dream of a Chicago businessman who believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large.

Jones’ idea struck a chord within his own group, the Business Circle of Chicago, and they authorised him to explore his concept with similar organisations from around the United States. His efforts resulted in an organisation meeting at a local hotel on June 7, 1917.

The 12 men who gathered there overcame a natural sense of loyalty to their parent clubs, voted the “Association of Lions Clubs” into existence and issued a call for a national convention to be held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of the same year.

Thirty six delegates representing twenty two Clubs from nine states heeded the call, approved the “Lions Clubs” designation and elected Dr.William Woods of Indiana as their first President. Guiding force and founder, Melvin Jones was named acting Secretary. Thus began his association with Lionism that only ended with his death in 1961.

That first convention also began to define what Lionism was to become. A Constitution and Bye-Laws were adopted, the colours of purple and gold approved, and a start made on Lionism’s Objectives and Code of Ethics.

One of the objects was startling for an era that prided itself on mercenary individualism and has remained one of the main tenets of Lionism ever since. “No Club”, it read, “shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object”.

Community leaders soon began to organise clubs throughout the United States and the association became “International” with the formation of the Windsor, Ontario, Canada Lions Club in 1920.