Short History Of Lions International 

Founder Melvin Jones & History of Lions Clubs International

Melvin Jones (1879-1961)

Founder of Lionism (Born 13-01-1879)

A little over 84 years ago, a man stepped forward to change the destinies of millions of men, women and children around the world. The man was Melvin Jones. The city was Chicago and the year was 1917. As a young businessman, Melvin Jones decided that what the world needed was more Compassion ... more caring about others and less Concern about self. Assisted by his wife, Rose Amanda, Jones began writing letters to other men's organizations of the day - Some of whom held the same philosophy of service to others. Would they be interested in meeting to discuss a new organization, one that would utilize the Resources of businessmen and other professionals to benefit communities and people in need ?

An organizational meeting was held on June 07, 1917, in the old La Salle Hotel in Chicago. While the La Salle has been gone many years -a victim of changing times and the wrecker's ball- Lions Clubs International has flourished even beyond Melvin Jones' dreams... becoming the world's largest service club organization.

What began as the good intentions of a group of civic minded men has evolved into a global force for good -a world class organization of men and women who recognise needs that go beyond their own, who work on behalf of others whom they may never see, speak with or meet.

Jones first became interested in serving humanitarian needs after he became a member of the Business Circle of Chicago in 1913. As a young Insurance Executive, he was, in many ways, like his fellow club members. Jones, however, had a desire to serve more than just his own business interests, and after four years in the business circle, realized he had much more to offer his fellow men. His wife agreed, and they both set out to find others who would join them in their quest to make the world a better place.

Present at the La Salle Hotel were representatives of other service clubs, notably, Dr.william Woods, a physician from Evansville, Indiana, who was serving as president of The International Association of Lions. At the time of the invitation, there were 27 clubs listed as members of lions. Dr.Woods was invited by Jones, according to written records, "with a view to lining up our organization with yours.

Other clubs extended an invitation included the Vortex Club of St.Louis, Missouri, the Business and Professional Men's Association of St.Paul, Minnesota, and the Optimist and Exchange clubs. No representative of the Exchange Clubs attended however.

According to the minutes of that meeting, this resolution was introduced and unanimously adopted by the Business Circle of Chicago.

"That foe Board of Directors of the Business Circle of Chicago enter into negotiations with Dr.W.P.Woods of The International Association of Lions Clubs, and other clubs with reference to the affiliation of these clubs and that said Board of Directors have full power to make and complete all arrangements for said affiliation and any act they do on the premise shall be the act of this club and binding thereon."

The first convention of Lions Clubs was held in Dallas, Texas, October 08-10. Melvin Jones was retained as Acting Secretary, a post he had held since the Chicago meeting the year before and Dr. William P. Woods was elected as the first President of Lions Clubs International.

From our current worldwide perspective, it's difficult to imagine a fledgling Lions Clubs International. Yet, in 1918, those early founders had a vast amount of work to do after each returned home. In addition to helping out in their own communities, Lions were immediately feced with contributing to the war effort.

The United States had entered World War I in April 1917, and helping out the soldiers had gained the support and attention of many Lions Clubs. Selling war bonds and collecting reading materials to be shipped out to servicemen was a national effort at this time, and one that Lions also embraced Another crisis was facing the United States then - the influenza epidemic of 1919 which claimed so many lives. Regardless of the dangers they faced to their own health, Lions cooperated fully with public health officials and hospitals, serving in any capacity in which they were needed in their communities.

Lions were beginning to become well-known for their compassionate and caring activities in hometowns across the land. As more and more men joined the ranks, it became apparent that there was a need for a major communication link between them. THE LION Magazine fulfilled that need - in November 1918, Volume 1, No. 1 was published, with Melvin Jones heading the masthead as editor. Today, there arc 31 separate editions of THE LION, published in 19 languages.

The Roaring 20s

The Roaring 20s were years of growth for Lions Clubs International. The war was over, and a decade of prosperity and confidence lay ahead for the world. As a balance and normalcy returned to a world held captive by a war that spanned continents and claimed countless lives, the collective mood of people everywhere lifted and lightened.

United States Lions extended their hands in friendship to Canada, establishing the Border Cities Lions Club in Ontario. Although its name later was changed to Windsor, the club paved the way for many more to follow. Lions clubs in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario , came immediately after this first chartering of a Canadian club

One of the most famous Lions of that era was Admiral Richard E.Byrd, a member of the Washington, D.C.Lions Club. When they flew over the North Pole on May 9, 1926, Admiral Byrd and noted aviator Floyd Bennett carried the Lions flag with them.

On October 01,1926, China became the third nation of Lionism. The Tientsin Lions Club included 55 members - Chinese, British, German, Italian, French, Japanese, Austrian, Hungarian and American. This was the year that Lions Clubs passed the 1,000 mark.

Mexico came next as an international member nation when the Nuevo Laredo Lions Club was formed in 1927. Shortly after, Havana, Cuba Lions held their first meeting. They remained strong for more than 30 years following their charter, but were forced into inactivity after the Cuban revolution in 1959.

While the world moved ahead with dizzying degrees of progress, one group of citizens faced undeniable walls of prejudice. The handicapped still had not achieved true independence and public acceptance.

In 1925, however, a most eloquent plea from Helen Keller, noted around the world as a symbol of courage and humanity, pointed Lions in a direction that would change the lives of millions.Invited to address the international Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, Keller challenged delegates to become "Knights of the Blind", this extraordinary individual became the inspiration for millions of Lions, past to present.

Indeed, before delegates left Cedar Point, they voted to adopt Sight Conservation and Work for the Blind (later changed to "with the blind") as a major service activity. Of course, many clubs had already been working toward this goal - to make life more comfortable for the impaired. What Helen Keller's moving words did was provide the impetus for every Lion, for every club in the entire association to unite with a common goal -a fight they could win together.

In 1990, Lions launched their most aggressive sight preservation effort to date, "Sight First". The more than U.S.$130 million-plus programme strives to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness.

Since those first years, the association has grown to include 1.4 million men and women in more than 44,000 clubs located in approximately 385 countries and geographical areas.