In
1917, Melvin Jones (and insurance agent) brought together a group of business and
professional men in a Chicago hotel to explore the possibility of merging a group of
independent luncheon clubs (his luncheon club Business Circle of Chicago and the
Association of Lions Clubs, were two of the groups) into something both larger and more
focused. Since the concept of the service club was not new, what was it that motivated
him?
He was motivated by a vision. He saw there was an
element missing in the clubs of his day, an element that would, in his words, "give
something back to the community." That missing link was an emphasis on humanitarian
action. While existing organizations performed some community service, their primary
function was what we would now call "networking." While Jones certainly saw the
value of enhancing the business and professional lives of members, he felt that for many
this would not be enough.
Eighty-five years later, we are the largest
service organization in the world - a living, growing, thriving embodiment of Jones'
idea. Yet except for our continuing commitment to humanitarian service, we have changed in
many and even fundamental ways. We are Lions Clubs International.
We began as a group of Chicago businessmen.
Today, we welcome men and women of all nationalities and professions. Once, we met weekly
only for lunch. Now, we meet at all hours of the day; sometimes weekly; or twice a month
on a schedule to suit our members' needs.
In 1925, we began a crusade - heeding the call of
Helen Keller - to help the blind. Our goal is to eliminate blindness itself. And
while our own communities still come first, we now project our service to the world
through LCIF.
LIONISM IN GEORGIA
Lionism is all over Georgia. The first
Lions clubs were founded in Georgia during the 1920's. The State of Georgia is located in
District 18. All of Georgia clubs come under the umbrella of Multiple District 18 Georgia.
Multiple District 18 Georgia is divided into six sub districts with a total of 267 Lions
Clubs, 10 Lioness Clubs; and 20 Leo Clubs. The districts are: District 18-A; District
18-B; District 18-C; District 18-D; District 18-E; and, District 18-F. The Atlanta Metro
Lions Club are a part of District 18-A which is located in Northwest Georgia. The Lions of Georgia's first and foremost goal is Dedication
to Quality in all that we do.
