|
Lions Clubs International: a brief 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 1960s. 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$202 million program strives to rid the world of
preventable and reversible blindness by supporting desperately needed health care services. Lions have launched Campaign SightFirst
II to raise at least US$150 million to continue and expand the extraordinary work of SightFirst.
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 1.3 million men and women in approximately
45,000 clubs located in 202 countries and geographic areas.
A brief history of Kingswinford & Stourbridge
Lions Club
The club was formed in April 1975 by a group of friends and business men.
It was guided by the Kidderminster Lions Club under the leadership of Lion Maurice Hayes. At its first meeting Mr Joe Woodhouse
a local Bank Manager was elected its First President. Joe remained a member until his death. The oldest surviving member is
Lion Rod Owen who joined the club within three months of it being formed.
The first meetings of the Club were held at The Himley House Hotel moving
in due course to The Summerhill House Hotel, The Birch Tree Inn and eventually to our present meeting place The Stourbridge
Institute and Social Club.
Originally the Club was the Kingswinford Lions Club adding the name of Stourbridge
to embrace the larger area.
The first activities undertaken were of a service and humanitarian nature.
A Static Caravan was purchased from funds raised and sited in the Wyre Forrest to be used by disadvantaged people who were
ferried there by members of the club; this was carried on for a period of about six years. Other activities undertaken were
helping disabled by shopping and attending to their gardens. On lions service day a party of elderly gentlemen were entertained
to a skittles evening and supper. In 1984 a sponsored obstacle Horse Ride was held at Wolverley
The club took part in various events including a raft race sponsored by
the Kidderminster Lions Club and organized a Yard of Ale drinking competition at the White Horse Stourbridge.
A continuing activity is our catering van selling doughnuts & candy
floss, the first caravan was purchased about 25 years ago although of course this has been replaced and updated since.
Our Have a go Day for the severely handicapped persons in the Dudley Borough
was started in 1987and has continued ever since.
Among the many Fund Raising Events organized were the War of the Roses week
end known as The Battle of Broome, a Fashion Show at Hagley Country Club, and the Christmas Sleigh Run going now for over
twenty five years.
Over the years the Club was been twinned with Lions Clubs World Wide, originally
with a Lions Club in Redland Florida and with Sturbridge in the USA through the friendship of two Lions, Spencer Davies and
Robert Briere.In 1982 Lion Derek Pitt located to Harare in what was then Rhodesia and remained there for two years, the club
in Rhodesia and here were twinned until events prevented further communication. At present we are twinned with Croydon Lions
Club, Melbourne Australia through the involvement of two of our Lions who regularly visit that club every year.
In 1986 the club in conjunction with Wolverhampton Lions club was instrumental
in the formation of Dudley Lions club, with whom friendly relations are maintained.
Kingswinford & Stourbridge
Lions Club
meet
Every 2nd and 4th Monday
at
Stourbridge Institute
Market Street
Stourbridge
8:00 pm
|
