Lions Clubs International History
The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large.
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 code of ethics were approved.
Among the objects adopted in those early years was one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object." This call for unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets.
Just three years after its formation, the association became international when the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion continued as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Broadening its international role, Lions Clubs International helped the United Nations form the Non-Governmental Organizations sections in 1945 and continues to hold consultative status with the U.N.
In 1990, Lions launched its most aggressive sight preservation effort, SightFirst. The US$143.5 million program strives to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness by supporting desperately needed health care services.
In addition to sight programs, Lions Clubs International is committed to providing services for youth. Lions clubs also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world.
Lions Clubs International has grown to include 1.4 million men and women in 44,600 clubs located in 190 countries and geographic areas.
The Lions Club Objective for Leos:
"To provide the youth of the world (with) an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community."
The Leo club motto is:
Leadership - Leos develop skills as organizers, time managers and motivators of their peers.
Experience - Leos learn the importance of cooperation through community service.
Opportunity - Membership provides young people with a chance to excel, to develop positive character traits, and to receive recognition for their contributions to the community.
For more about Lions Clubs, go to www.lionsclubs.org
Lions Club of Muzaffarpur Central
Lions Club of Muzaffarpur Central Inaugurated with 26 Members on 26th January 1995 and got Chartered on 20th February 1995. This club was sponsored by Lions Club of Patna Vishal and this Club started with President Lion Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary Lion Kanwaljeet Singh & Treasurer Lion Anil Bharartiya. This club is thankful to Lion V.K. Luthra (then DG of Distt 322E) who guided us time to time.
This Club obserces several Projects such as :
- Teacher’s Day
- Mother Teresa Day
- White Cane Day
- Children’s Day
- World Literacy Day
- Health Check-up Camp
- Eye Screening Camp
- Blanket Distribution for Poor.
- Melvin Jones Day
- Tree Plantation
- Oxygen Bank
- Heart Check Up Camp
- Kanwariya Seva Shivir
- Special Olympiad
In year 2012-13 Club has taken a Permanent Project under Presidenship of Lion Yashaswee Alok - Leo Club -Omega for Childrens above 18 years and below 30 in the Name of Leo Club of Muzaffarpur Central; Leo Aaditya Banka had become Charter President of Leo Club and it is matter of pride for all of us that he had been nominated as District President. Distt 322E for 2013-14 and to supervise then Lion Rakesh Kumar had been nominated as Leo Advisor. Later Leo Pranav Raj of Leo Club of Muzaffarpur Central being elected as District President for Leo, Distt 322E. In the same year Club got Club Excellence Award which happened to be the Single in the Distt 322E and our club President Lion Yashaswee Alok got Excellent President Award. It was proud moment for club that Lion Yashaswee Alok got Outstanding President Award as Multiple District 322 during Multiple Convention at Guwahati.
In 2013-14 club has decided to conclude the Presidentship of Lion Yashaswee Alok and this club sponmsored a New Club Lions Club of Muzaffarpur Jagriti with 25 members, to nurture the new club 10 Members (including Region Chairperson Lion Ratan Shankar Parasar) being 5 Family Units were transferred to this club.
Another Feather in cap for this Club was selection of Lion MJF Ajay Choudhary as Assistant Governor with Lion Rakesh Kumar as District Chairperson - Fund Raising & Lion Yashaswee Alok as Zone Chairperson & Guiding Lion for New Clubs Lions Club of Muzaffarpur Jagriti & Lions Club of Muzaffarpur Bharti for 2014-15.
Club is also planning to sponsor a New Club during 2014-15.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
