History of Lions Clubs International.

The Lions are the world's largest service organisation with more than 1.4 million members in over 40,000 Lions clubs worldwide. It doesn't matter what language they speak, or what religion they practice or what political party they follow all Lions have one thing in common - they are dedicated to finding and helping those in need.

In 1917 an Insurance Agent called Melvin Jones convinced his Chicago (USA) luncheon club - called the Business Circle of Chicago - to form a common national organisation from other independent clubs; and these clubs would then be dedicated to the improvement of the community has a whole. This was at a time when our World was caught up in the clutches of World War I. Melvin Jones was looking forward to the future - peacetime - and how people could come together in a common cause.

Clubs Melvin invited were those from the Association of Lions Clubs led by Dr. W. P. Woods which had its headquarters in Evansville, Indiana. On June 7^th 1917 there were several Lions clubs already in existence, some having been organised in 1916. They were from a fraternal organisation called the Royal Order of Lions.

The Business Circle and the other clubs all agreed to meet under the Lions Clubs name, and the first convention was called for October in Dallas, Texas. 36 delegates from 22 clubs from 9 U.S. states heeded the call, approved the "Lions Clubs" name and Dr. Woods was elected the first president. Melvin Jones was named the acting secretary. His association with Lions lasted until his death in 1961.