ABOUT US
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL
In 1917, Melvin Jones was a 38-year-old Chicago business leader who 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 organisational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago to form the first Lions Club.
The Lions motto is
“We Serve”
The LIONS acronym also stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations’ Safety.
The Lions colours of Purple and Gold stand for loyalty to country, loyalty to friends, loyalty to one’s self and to the integrity of mind and heart.
In Australia the first Club was formed in Lismore in 1947. Since then Lions Australia has grown to be Australia’s largest service club organisation with a strong history in community service and commitment to improving the lives of others.
This year, 2022, Lions in Australia celebrate 75 years of service to the community.
The first Lions Club in Queensland, on the Gold Coast, was chartered in 1952. The next club in Queensland, City of Brisbane Club, was formed in 1952 and received its charter from then International President Edgar M. Elbert, in 1953 at the old Lennon’s Hotel. The City of Brisbane proved a fertile source for new clubs chartering fifteen clubs.
ETHICS
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 unfair advantage taken or 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 on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.
Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, 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.
PURPOSES
To Organise, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.
To Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.
To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.
To Take an 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.
TESTIMONIALS
Scouts Queensland Agoonoree
Thank you so much for your amazing contribution to Agoonoree 2024. Because of your donation, we have over 55 young people with special needs who will be able to attend this year's camp.
Principal, St James College, Spring Hill, Brisbane.
Lions YOTY program provides extraordinary opportunities for students. Its broad nature of encouraging leadership, service and citizenship knowledge facilitates strong personal growth in our students. In addition, the chance to present a speech and respond to impromptu topics, promotes the voice of our youth, empowering them to understand their impact and reach to the society at large. Over the years, I have seen many students compete in the competition, who have then stepped into careers that have had the seeds for their future success strongly planted through the Lions initiative. It is truly an accolade to Lions and their commitment.
Bruce Barker
Trek2Health