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- The Lions -
We've identified eight key characteristics of Lions.
Lions Clubs are non-political, non-sectarian service clubs composed of the community's leading business and professional people. Membership is by invitation only, but all interested are welcome to attend a meeting. The purpose of a Lions Club is more than good fellowship and club social life, important though these are. It is to recognize community needs and develop means of meeting them, either through its own effort or in cooperation with other agencies. Lionism is an active and efficient medium for national and world service, exerting tremendous influence for national welfare, international amity and peach, and human progress socially, culturally and economically.
The Founder of Lions Clubs International
Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879 in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm and in 1913 formed his own agency.
He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen's luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting
the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. "What if these men," he asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born. It was stipulated that clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests.
Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full time to Lions at International Headquarters in Chicago. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded members.
The association's founder was also recognized as a leader outside the association. One of his greatest honors was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Francisco, California, at the organization of the United Nations.
Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over, died June 1, 1961 at 82 years of age.
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 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 doubt against myself.
To hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not an account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the sprit in which it is given.
Always to bear in mind my obligation as a citizen to my nation, my state and my community, and to give to them my unswerving loyalty in words, 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.
To create and foster a sprit of understanding among the people of the world.
To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.
To take am 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.
