Beginning 1917:
In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, 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 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 a code of ethics were approved.
Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we've earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We're a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission, and a long – and proud – history.
Melvin Jones asked a simple and world-changing question – what if people put their talents to work improving their communities. Almost 100 years later, Lions Clubs International is 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?
1920: Gone International
1925: Eradicating Blindness
1945: Uniting Nations
The ideal of an international organization is exemplified by our enduring relationship with the United Nations. We were one of the first non - governmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter and have supported the work of the UN ever since.
1950: Great Britain & Ireland joined Lions.
1957: Organizing Youth Programs
1968: Establishing Our Foundation
Lions Clubs International Foundation assists Lions with global and large-scale local humanitarian projects. Through our Foundation, Lions meet the needs of their local and global communities.
1979: Charter of Lions Club of Wanstead & Woodford
On 20th September 1979 the Lions Club of Wanstead & Woodford was formed under the President of Late Narinder Sharma. He came from a diverse group of people and managed to put together 42 individuals from different business backgrounds and profession to set up a new family of Lions.
The Club was always on the forefront to support people less fortunate than ourselves. The club has raised in excess of £ 400,000 over 33 years for charitable purposes.
Enough said the club started losing members through natural causes and demographic movements. Sad to say, the club was left with 4 members in 2013. The then President Lion Satwinder Dhand did not gave up hopes but carried on fighting the odds and one day saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Lion Harbinder Manku and Lion Surinder Rooprai transferred from another Lions Club brought back life and revived the Lions Club of Wanstead & Woodford. The Club has since raised over £80,000 for people less fortunate. Today the Club enjoys a strong membership of 20 and still growing.
1990: Launching Sight First
Today: Extending Our Reach
Lions Clubs International extends our mission of service every day – in local communities, in all corners of the globe. The needs are great and our services broad, including sight, health, youth & elderly.
Today there are over 1.40 million members worldwide spread in over 210 countries.
