History

Our Mission Statement

To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

Lions are men and women who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes in their local communities. They do so in the belief that those who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why. This is achieved through membership of the local Lions Club. More than 43,000 in number, these Clubs are part of the world’s largest service organisation, with 1.4 million members in more than 180 countries and areas. The association is both non-political and non-sectarian.

Founded in Chicago Illinois U.S.A in 1917 by an Insurance agent Melvin Jones, Lions Clubs International has ever since offered business and professional people a way of sharing their success by helping those less fortunate than themselves.

The association became international when the first Club in Canada was formed in 1920. Lionism came to Ireland in 1955 when the first Club was formed in Dublin To-day there are 115 Clubs with a membership just over 2850. Ireland is one District with no division between Northern Ireland and The Republic.

To Lions, the motto “WE SERVE” is not only a motto but a philosophy. The word “Lions” stands for Liberty, Intelligence and Our Nations Safety. The official colours are Purple and Gold. Purple for loyalty, and integrity. Gold for sincerity and generosity. Membership in Lion’s club is by invitation. Clubs meet at least twice a month.

The association is governed by an International Board of Directors elected by Lions from around the world.

Through membership, Lions not only help people in need but have opportunities to develop personal friendships and gain valuable leadership skills.

History

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. Lions became international three years later when the first club was established outside of the States, in Canada.

1917: The Beginning

Chicago business leader 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 more than 1.3 million members in more than 45,000 clubs and countless stories of Lions acting on the same simple idea: let's improve our communities
1920: Going International

Just three years after our founding, Lions became international when we established the first club in Canada. Mexico followed in 1927. In the 1950s and 1960s international growth accelerated, with new clubs in Europe, Asia and Africa.
1925: Eradicating Blindness

Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, and challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." Since then, we have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired.
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 nongovernmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter and have supported the work of the UN ever since
1957: Organizing Youth Programs

In the late 1950s, we created the Leo Program to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide.
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.
1990: Launching SightFirst

Through SightFirst, Lions are restoring sight and preventing blindness on a global scale. Launched in 1990, Lions have raised more than $346 million for this initiative. SightFirst targets the major causes of blindness: cataract, trachoma, river blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
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, the environment and disaster relief. Our international network has grown to include more than 200 countries and geographic areas.

Ballsbridge Lion’s Club History

Membership is on an invite-only basis. We meet every month on a Thursday evening. For the latest information, please contact

History

Our Mission Statement

History

1917: The Beginning

1920: Going International

1925: Eradicating Blindness

1945: Uniting Nations

1957: Organizing Youth Programs

1968: Establishing Our Foundation

1990: Launching SightFirst

Today: Extending Our Reach

Ballsbridge Lion’s Club History

Current Office-Bearers

Past Office-Bearers

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