Briefly about us
In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones’ group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.
After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the “Association of Lions Clubs,” and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objectives and a code of ethics were approved. And the rest is history.
As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2017, it’s moment to look back on our long and proud tradition of service and the numerous achievements of our association and Lions around the world.
Lions around the world have been changing lives for 100 years through humanitarian service. Our Centennial Celebration is a time to mark this milestone, celebrate our legacy and look forward to the next century of service.
We have 1.45 million members and 47,000 Clubs in 200 countries and we are the largest service organization in the world. Lions Clubs International is the only non-profit organization in the world that participated in the creation of the United Nations and is its equal member. We are also one of the most effective service organizations in the world.
Our mission and objectives
| TO EMPOWER | TO EMPOWERvolunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Сlubs. |
| TO ORGANIZE | TO ORGANIZEcharter and supervise service clubs to be knows as Lions clubs. |
| TO COORDINATE | TO COORDINATEthe activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs. |
| TO CREATE | TO CREATEand foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. |
| TO PROMOTE | TO PROMOTEthe principles of good government and goodcitizenship. |
| TO TAKE | TO TAKEan active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. |
| TO UNITE | TO UNITEthe clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. |
| TO PROVIDE | TO PROVIDEa forum for the open discussion of all matters of publicinterest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members. |
| TO ENCOURAGE | TO ENCOURAGEservice-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 endeavours. |
Code of Ethics
| TO SHOW | TO SHOWmy 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 | TO SEEKsuccess 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 act ion on my part. |
| TO REMEMBER | TO REMEMBERthat in building up my own business it is not necessary to tear down another’s; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true tomyself. |
| WHENEVER | WHENEVERa doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself. |
| TO HOLD | TO HOLDfriendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. |
| ALWAYS | ALWAYSto bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state and my community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor, and means. |
| TO AID | TO AIDothers by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak,and my substance to the needy. |
| TO BE CAREFUL | TO BE CAREFULwith my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy. |
Members Types
As a rule, Lions Club consist of different people. That’s why we offer several types of membership in the club.
Regular Member :
This is our “standard” membership. Regular membership is for community members interested in volunteering, serving the community and making our world a better place. Regular members pay an entrance fee (US$25) or charter fee (US$30) and full international dues (US$43). Additional district, multiple-district and club dues apply.
Student Membership:
Student membership allows students to make new friends and help others in their community at the same time. Students enrolled in an educational institution who are between the age of legal majority and through age 30 pay no entrance or charter fee and half international dues To receive the student-member dues rate, complete the Student Member Certification Form.
Family Membership:
The Family Membership Program provides families with the opportunity to receive a special dues discount when they join a Lions club together. The Family Membership Program is open to family members who are (1) eligible for Lions membership, (2) currently in or joining the same club, and (3) living in the same household and related by birth, marriage or other legal relationship.
Leo Lion Member :
Leo Lion membership allows current or former Leos between the age of legal majority and through age 30, who have been a Leo for at least a year and a day, to continue doing volunteer work with LCI as a Lion. Leo Lions pay no entrance fee or charter fee and pay half international dues. To receive the Leo Lion dues rate, complete the Leo to Lion Certification and Years of Service Form.
Types of Сlubs
Traditional Lions Club
Traditional Clubs are the most common club type, and offer a group of people flexibility when serving their community. Consider chartering a club based on members common interests such as a hobby, profession or ethnicity.
Lady Lions Club
Lady Lions Club this is a kind of Traditional Club, whose members are only women. If you have a team of like-minded people who can implement service programs and projects with you or be volunteers, then this type of club is for you.
Leo Club
Leo Clubs provide young people with an opportunity for development and contribution – individually and collectively – as responsible members of their local, national and international communities.
Campus Lions Club
Campus Clubs make an impact on your local college or university community while connecting students, faculty members and business leaders. Campus clubs offer students the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and build their resume.
Club Branches
A Club Branch allows a small group of people to start a club before they have reached the 20 person charter requirement so they can start making a difference in their community sooner.
Become a Lions
Members of Lions Clubs carry out volunteering to improve their lives in communities around the world. We meet and plan a local project. We are the organizers of the international exchange program for youth. We help those in need. We are building. We repair And all of this we are doing fun.
What are we doing:
carry out volunteer work to improve life around the world
meet and plan local projects
organize international youth exchange programs
helping those in need, building, repairing
.. and we do all this fun
As a Lion you are:
help your community and get valuable skills
help to people – at the local and international level
learn to be a leader in an international organization and in your community
get contacts with business people in the country and around the world
