About Lionism

We Serve   - Nearly 1.4 million Lions members in 190 countries and geographic areas answer the needs that challenge the communities of the world. Lions tackle tough problems like blindness, drug abuse prevention and diabetes awareness.

Global neighbors - Lions members—men and women—provide immediate and sustained relief in time of disaster and offer long-term assistance to those in need. Lions collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries and treat millions of people to prevent river blindness.

Community Leaders - Lions improve the quality of life in their local communities by building parks, supporting hospitals and establishing water treatment programs.

For 85 years, whenever there is a need at home or around the world, Lions members are there to help—We Serve.

Code of Ethics

To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.

To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.

To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself. Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubts against myself.

To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.

Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means.

To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.

To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.

Objective

To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

To Promote the principle of good government and good citizenship.

To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.

To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.

Our Motto

The Motto of every Lion is simply... "We Serve"
What better way to express the true mission of Lionism.

Our Name

Our Name and what it stands for:

L - Loyalty to country, community and home

I - Individual integrity in thought, word and deed

O - Our flag, our language

N - New ideas, new hopes, new ambitions in business and profession

S - Service that is founded on the Golden Rule

Our Slogan

Our Slogan and what it stands for:

L  - Liberty

I  -  Intelligence

O  -  Our

N - Nation's

S – Safety

MI Lions History

History of the Michigan Lions:

1917 Lions Clubs International was established by Founder Melvin Jones.

1919 District 10 (Upper Peninsula) was the first Lions district formed in the state of Michigan, with the organization of the Marquette Lions Club in October.  District 11 (Lower Peninsula) was formed when the Grand Rapids Lions Club was chartered in November.

1920 Detroit Lions Club sponsors the Windsor, Ontario Lions Club; this sponsorship creates Lions Clubs International.

1923 Lion John Noel becomes the first Lions Clubs International President from Michigan.

1925 Helen Keller challenges Lions to become "Knights of the Blind".

1932 White Cane is "born" in Michigan in the East Side Detroit Lions Club.

1936 Michigan Legislature passes the "White Cane Law."

1939 Leader Dog School is launched in Rochester.

1940 Leader Dog becomes a state project of Michigan Lions.  Lion Karl Sorrick from Springport becomes the second Lions International President from Michigan.

1941 The Lower Peninsula is divided into two (2) sub-districts and becomes Multiple District 11.

1946 Multiple District 11 is divided into four (4) sub-districts.

1952 Multiple District 11 is divided into five (5) sub-districts. Welcome Home for the Blind becomes a state project of the Lions of Michigan.

1953 Lion S. A. Dodge is elected as the third Lions International President from Michigan.

1956 Multiple District 11 is divided into seven (7) sub-districts.

1957 The Ann Arbor Lions Club and Dr. John Henderson start the Michigan Eye Bank.

1962 Michigan Braille Transcribing Service begins at a Southern Michigan Prison.

1971  Michigan Eye Bank becomes a  state Lions project.

1974 The Upper Peninsula  is divided into two sub-districts and becomes Multiple District 10.  The districts are 10-A (West) and District 10-B (East).

1976 Michigan Multiple District 11 is divided into ten (10) sub-districts.

1978 Lion Ralph Lynam is elected as the fourth International President from Michigan. The Lions of Michigan All-State Band is established.

1982 The Michigan Past District Governors Association is organized.

1984 Michigan Lions Service Foundation begins in District 11 B-1.

2001 Multiple District 10 combines District 10-A and 10-B into Single District 10.