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District 14 P Club Number: 0000006379 Pennsylvania, United States  |
HISTORY OF LIONS INTERNATIONAL The Lions were organized on June 7, 1917 at a meeting in Chicago, Ill. — the result of a plan conceived by Melvin Jones a middle aged Chicago business man. The plan called for the consolidation of several independent clubs already in existence to join together into one strong influential organization dedicated to community service. This was a radical departure for the club organization of that day; most businessmen's associations were organized primarily for business purposes, a sort of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours;" and the fraternal organizations such as the Elks, were more or less mutual aid groups. While Lions International was not the first service club group to be organized, it was, thanks to the foresight of Melvin Jones, the first to proclaim service to others — instead of to its members, as its dedicated creed. This idea of service was contained in the original by-laws and later was adopted by many other service organizations The philosophy of Lionism was born in 1917 because of an idea — the idea of unselfish community and humanitarian service. The idea quickly spread to communities, towns and cities; it crossed the boundaries of countries and traveled oceans. It blanketed the free world. The first Lions convention at Dallas, Texas in Oct., 1917, was attended by 23 clubs. By 1920 the membership had doubled and had expanded into Canada. After 10 years it had 1183 clubs and 52,965 members on the rolls, including representation in Mexico and China. Its international growth spread rapidly in the late 30's, but the advent of world war II curtailed the expansion. During the past decade, however, new Lions Clubs, both domestic and foreign, have been organized at the rate of two a day. The overall organization now is divided into 350 districts, each under the guidance of a district governor. The districts are broken into regions with a deputy district governor in charge of each. The regions are then subdivided into zones. At the meeting where the idea of an international service club was conceived several different business men's organizations were present. The titles of these clubs were varied and included such names as the Optimists, the Wheels, Reciprocity clubs, Concordia clubs, Business and Professional men, Vortex clubs and one group with the title the Lions Clubs of Indiana." Melvin Jones, the founder of Lionism had done considerable research into legend, heraldry and zoology. He was convinced that the lion stood for courage, strength, fidelity and vital action. On a secret ballot it was tentatively decided to call the new organization "The Association of Lions Clubs." |
Avon Grove Lions Club serving West Grove, Avondale, New London, Jennersville, Kemblesville, Cochranville and surrounding areas in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania
HOME PAGE Founded in 1950. © 2006 Avon Grove Lions Club Media Consent Form Member Only Access
HOME PAGE Founded in 1950. © 2006 Avon Grove Lions Club Media Consent Form Member Only Access