MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook
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MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.” Melvin Jones 2009-10 www.nmlions.org Lions Prayer Where Lions meet, be present Lord. Weld our hearts in one accord. To do Thy will, Lord Make us strong, And aid the weak And right the wrong. Lions Pledge I pledge allegiance to my country and to the cause of peace throughout the world. I believe in the principles of Lionism as contained in the Lion Code of Ethics. I am proud to be a Lion dedicated to the services of others. MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.” Melvin Jones 2009-10 www.nmlions.org LIONS CLUBS INTERNAT IONAL MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook The MD40 Lions Orientation Handbook is dedicated to the memory of PDG Bob Callender who provided the inspiration for this effort. Lion Bob strongly felt that a knowledgeable Lion will be an effective and productive Lion. Lion Bryson McCool 311 E. Redwood Ruidoso, NM 88345 Phone 575-257-0363 2nd Printing July 2009 Please check www.nmlions.org for updates. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION LCI Cultural & Environmental Programs 48 Cultural Programs 48 CHAPTER 1 LIONS CLUBS INT’L 1 Environmental Programs 51 Historical Overview 1 LCI Membership Growth Initiatives 52 Melvin Jones – A Profile 2 Overview 52 Helen Keller’s Speech 3 Recruitment 53 The Lions Emblem, Colors, Motto, Retention 59 Vision & Mission 4 Extension 61 The Lions Clubs Objects 5 CHAPTER 2 MD40/D40N & D40N 67 The Lions Code of Ethics 6 Historical Overview 67 LCI Organization 6 MD40 Overview 74 LCI Organizational Structure 6 LCI Headquarters 8 District Organizational Overview 75 THE LION Magazine 8 District Officers 75 LCI Website 9 District Committees 79 MD40 Website & Monthly Publication 88 LCI Vision Initiatives 9 SightFirst 9 MD40 Foundations 89 Eyeglasses Recycling 14 NM Lions Eye Bank 89 Sight Services 16 NM Lions Eye Foundation 91 Sight Awareness Events 20 NM Lions Band Foundation 92 NM Lions reading Foundation 93 LCI Diabetes Initiatives 21 Diabetes Awareness 21 MD40 Signature Projects 95 Diabetes Screening 22 NM Lions KidSight 95 Recreation Camps 23 NM Special Olympics/Opening Eyes 97 World Diabetes Day 24 LCI Youth Initiatives 24 CHAPTER 3 LIONS CLUBS 99 Peace Poster Contest 24 Lions Clubs Administration 99 Youth Camps 25 Club Officers 99 Youth Exchange 26 Club Membership 104 Leo Clubs 27 Club Management 107 Lions Services For Children Program 28 Management Insights 107 Lions Quest 32 Club Elections 110 LCI Hearing Initiatives 33 Attendance Requirements 111 Hearing Awareness 33 Club Reporting Responsibilities 112 Hearing Screenings 34 Club Finances 115 Communication Services 35 Club Budgets & Accounts 115 Support for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 36 Club Members Dues 115 Recreational Camps 37 Family Membership Program 116 Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project 37 Club Taxation Requirements 117 LCI Int’l Relations Programs 38 LCI Liability Insurance Program 118 International Relations Month 38 Financial Suspension of Clubs 118 Lions Day at the UN 39 Awards 119 World Peace day 39 District Awards 119 Club Twinning 39 International President’s Awards 120 Peace Poster Contest 40 Award Presentations 120 International Cultural Exchange 40 Stamp Collecting & Exchanging 40 APPENDIX I MD40 Constitution I-1 LCI Int’l Assistance Programs 41 APPENDIX II MD40 Information II-1 LCIF 41 APPENDIX III NMLEF Screening Lions ALERT Program 47 Handbook III-1 Lions Emergency/Non Emergency 48 APPENDIX IV Lions Forms IV-1 APPENDIX V LCI WMMR Guide V-1 INTRODUCTION Introduction he purpose of this Handbook is to provide Lions in Multiple District 40 with comprehensive information on what Lionism is all about at the T International, State (Multiple District 40), District 40N and 40S, and Club levels. While the information presented here is intended primarily to benefit new members, it is hoped that it will also be a valuable information source for all Lions, regardless of tenure. Much of this handbook has been extracted from the LCI website (www.lionsclubs.org) and the following LCI publications: Club Officers Manual 2009-10 Guide to Club Project Development, LCI Publication TK-10 Lions Club Constitution & By-laws, LCI Publication LA-2 23M Orientation Guide, LCI Publication ME-13 EN The Certified Guiding Lion Program, LCI Publication CGL-1 Please refer any errors or suggested improvements to Lion Bryson McCool, Ruidoso Valley Noon Lions Club, 311 E. Redwood St., Ruidoso, NM 88345. E-mail address: [email protected] LIONS CLUBS INTERNAT I O N A L Chapter 1 Lions Clubs International Historical Overview n 1917, a Chicago insurance agent named Melvin Jones convinced his luncheon club, the Business Circle of Chicago, that it should ally itself with other I independent clubs to form a national organization that would be dedicated not only to networking for business and social purposes, but to the improvement of the community as a whole. Among the groups invited was the Association of Lions Clubs, which was headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, and led by Dr. W. P. Woods. At the time of the meeting on June 7, there were several Lions Clubs already in existence, some of which had been organized in 1916. These Lions Clubs were an outgrowth of a now-defunct fraternal organization called the Royal Order of Lions. The Business Circle of Chicago and other Clubs agreed to rally under Melvin Jones the Lions name and a convention was scheduled for October 1917 in Dallas, Texas. Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from nine states heeded the call and approved the ―Lions Clubs‖ designation. Dr. Woods was elected as the first President. Guiding force and founder Melvin Jones was named acting Secretary, thus beginning an association with Lions that ended only with his death in 1961. During the first convention, the members began to define what the Association was to become. A Constitution and By-laws were adopted, the colors of purple and gold approved, and a start made on developing the Lions Clubs Objects and Code of Ethics. Remarkably, considering the materialism of the era, both the Objects and Ethics encouraged Lions to put service ahead of profit and to uphold the highest standards of conduct in business and other professions. 1 LIONS CLUBS INTERNAT I O N A L Community leaders soon began to organize Clubs throughout the United States. The Association went ―International‖ with the formation of a club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1920. Clubs were later organized in Mexico, China, and Cuba. By 1927, membership stood at 60,000 in 1,183 Clubs. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. 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. In 1935, Panama became home to the first Central American Lions Club with the first Club in South America being organized in Hellen Keller Columbia the following year. Sweden, then France, brought Europe into the Association in 1948. Japan had clubs by 1952, and the ―Eastern Bloc‖ was unblocked in 1989 with the formation of clubs in Hungary, Poland, and Estonia. In 1990, a Club was chartered in Moscow and today hundreds of Lions Clubs are demonstrating the value of service to one‘s community in countries once closed to voluntary action. In 1987, Lions Clubs International became the first major service organization to admit women as members. Lions Clubs International has grown to more than 1.3 million men and women in over 45,000 clubs located in 205 countries and geographic areas. Today, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts, as well as through their international SightFirst Program and Lions World Sight Day, a global partnership of United Nations agencies, eye care and philanthropic organizations and health professionals, held the second Thursday of each October to increase awareness of the need to eradicate blindness. Lions also collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries year-round and especially during May, which is Lions Recycle for Sight Month. In addition, Lions make a strong commitment to young people through youth outreach programs. Lions 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. Based on a recent report of Lions Clubs worldwide, it is estimated that each year Lions clubs donate approximately $449 million and 76 million hours, which is equivalent to 36,500 people working full time for a year! Melvin Jones - A Profile Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879, in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was 2 LIONS CLUBS INTERNAT I O N A L transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm, and in 1913 formed his own agency. He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen‘s luncheon group, and was shortly elected Secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. ―What if these men,‖ he asked, ―who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?‖ Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men‘s clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.