Lions Clubs International
The World's Largest Service Club Organization
Lions Clubs – Ready to Help, Worldwide
Our Motto: Our Slogan:
We Serve Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety
Whenever Lions club members get together, problems get smaller. And communities get better. That’s because we help where there is a need – in our own communities and around the world – with unmatched integrity and energy. With about 50,000 clubs and 1.4 million members, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization. We’re also one of the most effective. Our members do what is needed to help their local communities. Everywhere we work, we make friends – with children who need an eye exam or eyeglasses, with seniors who don’t have enough to eat and with people we may never meet.
Lions Clubs International has expanded its focus on global service, from its original challenge to serve the visually impaired, to additional causes of particular interest around the world. These global causes present significant challenges to humanity, and we are at work to meet them and make a difference.
Vision
We serve to prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Diabetes
We serve to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.
Hunger
We serve to ensure all community members have access to nutritious foods.
Environment
We serve to sustainably protect and restore our environment to improve the well-being of all communities.
Childhood Cancer
Lions and Leos provide support for the needs of children and families affected by childhood cancer through impactful service activities.
Humanitarian
We serve to identify the world’s most crucial needs and provide humanitarian aid where it’s needed most.
Disaster Relief
We serve to meet immediate needs and provide long-term support for communities devastated by natural disasters.
Youth
Provide young people with the support they need to make positive choices, lead healthy and productive lives, and become the next great generation of service leaders.
Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) was founded in 1968 as the charitable arm of LCI to assist Lions with humanitarian projects. It empowers Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners worldwide to improve health and well-being, to strengthen communities, and to support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globaly, and encourage peace and international understanding.
We’re united as Lions in global service to areas of need.
How Lions Club began
In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. 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 a code of ethics were approved.
Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we’ve earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We’re a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission, and a long – and proud – history.
