The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin
Jones. He 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' 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, objects and code of ethics were
approved.
Among the objects adopted
in those early years was one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object."
This call for unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets.
Just three years after its formation, the association became international
when the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion continued as clubs were established,
particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar
Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this
time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Broadening its international role, Lions Clubs International helped
the United Nations form the Non-Governmental Organizations sections in 1945 and continues to hold consultative status with
the U.N.
In 1990, Lions launched its
most aggressive sight preservation effort, SightFirst. The US$143.5 million program strives to rid the world of preventable
and reversible blindness by supporting desperately needed health care services.
In addition to sight programs, Lions Clubs International is committed to providing services
for youth. Lions clubs also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct
hearing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world.
Lions Clubs International has grown to include 1.4 million men
and women in 46,000 clubs located in 193 countries and geographic areas.
