Lions Club International History
Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, asked a simple and world-changing question – "What if people put their talents to work improving their communities?" Almost 100 years later his question would be answered. The Lions Clubs International was formed and became the world's largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs and countless stories of Lions acting on the same simple idea: let's improve our communities.
Lions Club Objectives:
- To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the people of the world.
- To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.
- To take an active interest in the civic, culture, social and moral welfare of the community.
- To unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, fellowship and mutual understanding.
- To provide a forum for open discussion of all matters of public interest provided that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.
- To encourage service minded men and women to serve their community without personal financial reward and encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in industry, commerce, professions, public works and private endeavors.
Greensboro Gate City Lions Club History
Under sponsorship of the Greensboro Lions Club (Host), The Gate City Lions Club was organized Thursday night, March 12, 1953, at the local YMCA with Norman Trueblood, State Secretary presiding. At this meeting eighteen from various professions and businesses from the city signed for membership and elected a full slate of officers, which included Herbert F. Dumaresq, president, and Ward F. Voight secretary.
On April 27, 1953, the club received its official charter from Lions International and was signed by 25 charter members. Official presentations made by E. O. Lane, Governor of District 31 C at a charter night banquet, which was attended by prominent Lions from around the area. International counselor, Hugh Mitchell of Statesville was principle speaker for the event.
Gate City Lions Club was the second club to be organized in Greensboro, which now has about ten clubs in the greater Greensboro area. The club has always been well represented in the district, state and several members have held offices in the district and state, including District Governor, District Vice Governor, Region Chairman, Zone Chairman, and Committee Chairman.
The success of the Gate City Club over the years is due in large measure to the active support of the Lady Lions. They have given of their time and efforts with many of the projects of the club and they have been supportive in many area. Currently we have four ladies who have joined us as regular members. As usually happens, these ladies are hard workers and are challenging all of us to do more.
