HISTORY OF LIONISM
GROWTH OF LIONISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INDIA

JAN, 13, 1879 : Melvin Jones is born to Capt. Calvin Jones and Lydia Jones at Fort Thomas, Arizona, U.S.A.
March 13, 1913 : Melvin Jones is inducted as a member of a group of Chicago business and professional men, the Business Circle, whose sole intention is to help its members through mutual assistance. Melvin Jones rejuvenates the dying club with his dynamism and soon the membership rises to 200. He is made as Secretary.
1961 : Secretary Jones, with permission from the Directors of Business Circle and moved by the conviction that the members of his club could utilize part of their talents and abilities for the benefit of the community, corresponds with the office bearers of similar organization with the intention of community and humanitarian services.
June 7, 1917 : Twenty two delegates representing clubs in different parts of the United States meet at the Hotel La Salle in Chicago and decide, after lengthy deliberations, to form an ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS. No concrete explanation can be given for meaning the new body LIONS, although one of the clubs represented at Chicago had this name. At the end of this historical meeting, Lionism is born. Melvin Jones is named as Acting Secretary.
Oct. 8-10, 1917 : The first Convention of the Association is held at the Adolph's Hotel at Dallas, Texas, and is attended by 36 delegates and 9 alternates representing 22 of the 27 member clubs. At this convention, a set of Constitution and Bye-Laws is adopted, the Code of Ethics and objects are drafted and the official colours (purple and gold) approved. Dr. William P. Woods of Evansville, Indiana, the first President of the Association and 9 Directors ask Melvin Jones to continue as Acting Secretary (Later Jones is named as Secretary/Treasurer).
Nov. 1918 : Secretary-Treasurer Melvin Jones publishes the first issue of the Lions Club Magazine (later renamed as "THE LION") to commemorate the first anniversary of the founding of the Association and reports that, despite the war and influenza epidemic, the number of clubs have nearly doubled to 48 and that association has a net balance of the funds at the end of the first year of existence.
July 9, 1919 : At luncheon on the first day of the third Convention in Chicago, Halsted Ritter a young attorney from Denver, Colorado speaks on the Opportunities of Lionism. The name "Lions", he says 'Spells not only the kind of beasts, typifying all the qualities we love to extol; it stands not alone for fraternity, good fellowship, strength of character and purpose, but above all, the combination of letters L-I-O-N-S heralds to the country. The true meaning and basis of citizenship, Liberty-Intelligence-Our Nation's Safety.... 'This ends, once for all the controversy over the name to be chosen for the Association and his interpretation of the letter L-I-O-N-S is later adopted by the Board of Directors at the Association's Official Slogan.
March 20, 1920 : Lionism becomes International with the organization of the first Lions Club in Canada, (Windsor, Ontario).
May 1920 : Okalahoma, U.S.A. holds the first District convention within the International Association of Lions Clubs.
Dec. 31, 1921 : The International Board of Directors approves and adopts the Lions emblem as designed by Maurice Blink of Santa Barbara, California.
June 29, 1925 : At the Opening Session of the 8th International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., Helen Keller urges Lions to become "Knights of the Blind". The Delegates accept the challenge, thereby beginning an era of selfless service on behalf of the blind by Lions Club. Later, the association becomes one of the leading organizations of the battle against blindness. SIGHT CONSERVATION AND WORK FOR THE BLIND is given top priority.
1926 : Lionism comes to Asia with inauguration of the Lions Club of Tientsin, China.
July 21, 1926 : The first ever Necrology Ceremony (memorial service for decreased Lions) is held during the first Plenary Session of the 10th Annual Convention in San Francisco, California.
1930 : Thirteen years after its founding, Lions International achieves a strength of 2,200 clubs and 80,000 members. The International Headquarters, till now functioning in the cramped insurance office of founder Melvin Jones and looked after jointly by him and his wife, is moved to a rented office in McCormick Building in downtown Chicago and employs 33 full time staff.
1937 : International Board establishes Melvin Jones Week to be observed in January. Later the whole month is designated as Founder's and Rededication Month.
July 23-25, 1940 : Lions International Convention goes outside North American Continent for the first time in 1940 as Havana. Cuba hosts the 24th Convention. Second World War erupts.
1943 : Lions are urged to establish post war stabilization committees. Lions International joins the Global efforts to aid war devastated countries and people. One of the Most significant of these efforts is the collection, by Lions and their families, of thousand of truckloads of clothes and emergency drugs.1945 : Early in the year, Melvin Jones attends the Washington Conference for the preliminary planning of the united Nations. In April, he and other officers of the Association participate in the deliberations which finally gave birth to the U.N. and Lions International is included among the 42 world bodies that are given consultative status. As desired by the founder, R.Roy Keaton is appointed as Assistant Secretary - General of the Association. CARE comes into being and Lions International becomes a regular donor and supporter (through Lions Club) of its projects worldwide. Secretary General Melvin Jones is awarded the Order of Merit and Honor of the Cuban Red Cross. No Convention is held this year owing to the war. International leaders assemble at the Headquarters for a solemn ceremony.
1947 : Lions International is given permanent consultative status as a non-government organization of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the five major organs of the U.N.
1948 : Europe welcomes Lionism as the Lions Club of Stockholm in Sweden is organised.
1949 : With the formation of the Lions Club of Manila (Host), the Philippines becomes the second Asian nation to find a place on the Lions map. The Lions Club of London (Host) is the first club in Great Britain.
1950 : The International Board calls for entries from all over the world, for selecting a motto for the Association's membership crosses the 40,000 mark the Board confers upon Melvin Jones the title "SECRETARY GENERAL FOR LIFE". The board also restructures the Council made up of a Chairman and Director General, a Treasurer and a Secretary, together with Secretary General Jones.
March 4, 1952 : A long cherished dream of the Founder and of all those who worked for Lionism is fulfilled as the Closing Session of the 36th International Convention in Chicago witnesses the dedication of the Association's newly acquired, magnificent, own building on Michigan Avenue, Chicago to serve as the living symbol, for the next 18 years, of the world's most important and largest Service Clubs Organization. (The International Headquarters become fully functional in the new site by 1955).
July 19, 1954 : At the close of the 37th International Convention in New York City, delegates vote to adopt WE SERVE sent in by a Lion from Canada as the Official Motto of the Association. Tragedy comes to the founder Melvin Jones when his wife Rose Amanda passes away, plunging him into sorrow and loneliness.

FEB.3, 1956 : Lionism comes to the shores of India, through Lions Club of Bombay with Noshir N. Pundole as Charter President. The formation of the first Lions Club in India was the result of the untiring efforts of Noshir Pundole, Hoshir N. J. Khan, Commdr. Keiki B. Godrej and Shafiq A. Monsour assisted by Robert Williams of Lions Club of Saxton, Pennsylvania, U S. A., which sponsored the Loins Club of Bombay and Delhi. The club in Delhi was inaugurated on February 11.
June 21, 1956 : Lilliam M. Radigan the charming cultured and friendly neighbour of Melvin Jone, who helped and pacified him during the sad lonely days following the loss of his wife, becomes Mrs. Melvin Jones at a simple, but solemn ceremony.
July 1, 1956 : Lions Club in India are formed into District 304 and Noshir Pundole has been nominted as District Governor for 1956-57. He serves District Governor for two more terms 1957-58 and 1958-59.
Feb 1, 1957 : Lions Club of Kolkata, the 10th Club in India, was sponsored by Lions Club of Bombay and came into existence on 1.2.1957. At the 3rd District convention held at Delhi in April, 1959, it was resolved to elevate District 304 in India with 4 sub-district namely 304N (North), 304E (East), 304W (West), and 304S (South) with effect from lionistic year 1956-60.
District 304E (East) Comprised of entire eastern states of India, i.e., Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and other eastern states of India, Late Lion Dawoodi E. Dawoodi had the honour of being the first District Governor from 304E, in 1959-60 from Kolkata (W.B.).
1958 : International Board of Directors confers the title FOUNDER AND SECRETARY GENERAL on Melvin Jones.
Aug 21, 1959 : Lions Club of Jamshedpur was the 44th club in India and was chartered on 21.08.1959.
Nov 26, 1959 : Lions Club of Dhanbad was also sponsored by Lions Club of Kolkata. Lions Club of Dhanbad was the 45th club in India and was chartered on 26.11.1960.
Lions Club of Ranchi, the 90th Club in India came into existence and were sponsored by Lions Club of Jamshedpur. Lions Club of Ranchi was chartered on 26.11.1960
Jan, 13, 1961 : The Chicago (Central) Lions Club, which was the Business Circle prior to 1917, honours its greatest member, LION MELVIN JONES, on his 82nd birthday, presenting him with a scroll and the establishment of a perpetual scholarship fund in his honour.
Founder Melvin Jones passes away. Hundreds of thousands of Lions and their families, civic leaders, governmental dignitaries, pay their respect to the great visionary as he lies in state and during the funeral on June 5. The International Board designates January 13th, his birthday, as Day of Memory and January as Melvin Jones Memorial Month. June 19-22, 1963 : Pin trading becomes an interesting pastime during the 46th Convention in Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
April 1964 : Alarmed at the increasing number of droppings in members worldwide, International Board adds Retention as integral part of Membership Development.
July 1964 : On July 11, at the close of the 47th International Convention India gets its first International Director in the form of Noshir N. Pundole who is elected for the 1964-66 term to represent the Africa and South Asia area Director Pundole moots the idea of an Area Forum.
July 1966 : Again in the lionistic year 1966-67, the District 304E was divided further into two District namely District 304E1 and 304E2. The District 304E1 comprised of Bihar and Nepal.
1967 : The Association celebrates its Golden Jubilee after 50 years of creditable existence. Lions International can boast of over 2,100 Lions Clubs 8,50,000 members in 135 countries. A world Peace Essay Contest is held with the theme SEARCH FOR PEACE. The first prize is won by A Russel Wodell, an 18 Year old School boy from Cranbrook, British Columbia.
July 3, 1968 : The Leo Club program is officially approved by the International Board. With the formation of District 304-w3, in West India, the member of Districts in India rises to 8. The Leo Club of Jamshedpur inaugurated on July 3, is the first Leo Club of India. LIONS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION (LIF) is formed to serve as Lionism's vehicle of global assistance.
July 1969 : District 304N is divided into N1 and N2 taking the number of District in the country to 9. History made as Lion Neil Armstrong Lands on the moon on July 21 and becomes the first man to put his feet on the celestial body.
July 4, 1970 : At the close of the 53rd Convention in Atlantic City of New Jersye, U.S.A. newly elected International President Dr. Robert D. McCullough announces the establishment of a WORLD LIONS SERVICE DAY on October 8, the anniversary day of the Association, when "each Lion in the world is urged, as humanitarian, to share himself person to person, heart in some manner, for the personal service of the less fortunate people".
July 1971 : International President Robert J. Uplinger announces for the first time the 100% Club President's Award Program. Lions International Headquarters moves into the newly constructed building on York and Cermark Roads in Oak Brook, a suburb of Chicago, llinois. The property on North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, is sold at a considerable profit.

Feb. 1973 : Lionism achieves the ONE MILLION mark in membership. Barney Gill of Verginia Beach (Oceana) Lions Club in Virgina, U.S.A. is the 10,00,000th member.
In the year 1973-74, the District 304E1 comprising of Bihar and Nepal, was renamed as DISTRICT 322A without any change in its area of operations,
June 30, 1973 : In the year 1973-74, the District 304E1 comprising of Bihar and Nepal, was renamed as DISTRICT 32A without any change in its area of operations.
June 30, 1973 : During the third Plenary Session of the 56th Convention in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. the 1,00,000th Member, his Sponsor and his Club Officers are honoured by the outgoing International President. The newly redistricted Multiple Districts and Districts of India come into being as :
Multiple Dist 321 : Dists 321-A and 321-B
Multiple Dist 322: Dists 322-A, 322-B and 322-C
Multiple Dist 323 : Dists 323-A, 323-B, 323-C and 323-D
Multiple Dist 324 : Dists 324-A, 323-B, 324-C, 324-D and 324-E
Presently three are 42 Districts within the four multiple Districts in India Midlands, England, is the Association's 29,000th club.
March 1, 1976 : The Lioness Clubs of Agra and Vishakapatanam are India's first Lioness Clubs.
Jan 20, 1977 : Lions of the world rejoice as 100% past District Governor Jimmy Carter of the Lions Club of Plains, Georgia, is elected 39th President of the United State of America.
June 21-24, 1978 : During the First Plenary Session of the 61st Convention in Tokyo Japan, 1977-78 International President, Joseph M. McLoughin, annouces that, the Government of India has permitted transfer of part of liquid funds blocked in the country to the Headquarters in Oak Brook at the rate of US $ 2.50 per member per year. He also recalls that, for the first time in the history of Lions International Foundation, the annual contributions have exceeded US $ 1,00,000.
Feb. 1980 : The Lioness Program with 63,000 members and 2,500 clubs, becomes the number one Ladies Services Club Organisation in the world.
March 24, 1980 : United Nations honours the Association by observing Lions Clubs International Day at its Headquarters in New York. Lions Clubs International is the first organisation of its kind to be honoured thus. (This becomes and annual feature and the day is renamed Lions Day at the U.N.)
April 1981 : In the District convention held in Kathmandu, Nepal in April 1981, it was resolved that with effect from Lionistic year 1981-82, District 322A would be bifurcated into 322A and 322E with a change of area in their operation.July 9, 1986 : The International Association of Lions Clubs honours Mother Teresa of Calcutta with the Humanitarian Award during the First Plenary Session of the 69th International Convention New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. The award is accompanied by an amount of US$ 25,000 (about Rs. 3,15,000) from the Association's Vehicle of Global Assistance, Lions Clubs International Foundation.The District 322A comprised of the following Area : "Revenue District of Singhbhum, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawadah, Palamau, Giridih, Rohtas, Deoghar and Jamtara Sub-division of Santhal Parganas in the State of Bihar and Jharkhand in India." The rest of Bihar and Nepal were consolidated in District 322E.
June 20, 1981 : The Third Plenary session of the 64th International Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. sees the first ever Lions from Asia Assuming the Presidentship of the association in the person of Karou "Key" Murakiami of Kyoto, Japan. President Murakami advocates planting of trees as symbol of peace. The success of this programme brings the Association the first ever and most coveted Environmental Leadership Award. President Murakami also initiates a program to achieve a membership target of 1.5 million by June, 1983 (which unfortunately, was not reached)
July 1981 : Lion S. K. Poddar (member of Lions Club of Ranchi East) had the honour of being the first District Governor of District 322A coming into effect from lionistic year 1981-82. He took over this District 322A with 43 clubs being in his area. Hereafter, this District 322A continues to be in existence with its Area of operation remaining unchanged.
June 1982 : At the close of the 65th Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., newly elected Lions Club International President Everett J. "Ebb" Grindstaff, asks Lions Clubs to take up Drug Awareness and Diabetes Awareness as special emphasis programs.
Subsequently, the International Board adopts and initiates other new programs the Keep'em Program aimed at retaining Lions Clubs members and the LIONS JOURNEY FOR SIGHT, to be undertaken to create awareness among the public about the activities of Lions Clubs on behalf of the sight-impaired and also augment funds for the same. LIONS JOURNEY FOR SIGHT is also adopted by the International Board as an annual event all over the world.
Jan. 24, 1983 : The first WORLD PEACE DAY is observed by Lions clubs all over. This becomes an annual feature.
March 1983 : An important milestone is achieved in Lionism in India as the number of Lions in the country exceeds the 1,00,000 mark.
June 1983 : The Government of India decided to allow transfer of Lions funds from the country to Oak Brook at the rate of US $ 6.00 per member per year, and also of the entire blocked amount over a ten year period.
March, 1986 : "Lions Day at the United Nations" becomes "Lions Days with the United Nations"
July 1987 : History is made during the Third Plenary Session of the 70th Annual International Convention in Taipei, Republic of China. Delegates approve by over whelming vote, to amend the Constitution of Association by the removal of the word "male" from the requirements for becoming a Lions Club member, thereby making Lions Club International, the first among the organisations of its Global stature, to throw open membership in its ranks to ladies also.
Dec. 14, 1988 : Lionism enters a Communist Nation. International President Austin P. Jennings inaugurates the Lions Club of Budapest in Hungary, sponsored by the Lions club of Helsinki, Mamaneimi, Finland.
June 7, 1990 : To further the Lions Clubs International Objects and Lions Code of Ethics, SIGHT FIRST Lions Clubs International's new global sight initiative, is launched at the 73rd International Convention. Over US $ 100 Million will be spent through Sight First to eliminate blindness around the globe. Lioness Club Programme changes from sponsored activity to an officially recognised program.
June 23, 1992 : First Indian Lion Rohit Mehta, of Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India was elected president of the International Association of Lions Clubs of the 75th Annual Convention, held in Hong Kong, June 23-26, 1992.
1995 : Recipient of 1995 Humanitarian Award is Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.
1997 : Kingdom of CAMBODIA and the Republic of BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA are the newly added countries to Lionism. Lions Clubs are now active in 183 Nations and Geographic Areas.
July 1997 : The Affiliate Member Category was introduced at the Philadelphia Convention.
April 19, 1998 : The Lions Club International and Junior Chamber International entered into a cooperative agreement to enhance service to local communities throughout the world.
October 8, 1998 : World Sight Day was launched to demonstrate how Lions worldwide are answering human needs of the most crucial nature.
Jan 1, 1999 : A special charter fee waiver program for Lioness and Spouses of Lionses was launched.
July 4, 2003 : Past International Director Ln. Ashok Mehta of Mumbai is elected 2nd Vice-President of Lions Clubs International at the 86th Annual Convention held at Denver (U.S.A.). He is the 2nd Indian to be elected as a International Vice President.