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Membership in Lions Clubs International
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Leadership for the future
Since 1917, local Lions clubs have offered people like you the opportunity to give something back to their communities. From involving members in projects as local as cleaning up an area park or as far reaching as bringing sight to the world's blind, Lions clubs have always embraced those committed to building a brighter future for their community. The world has changed. . . and so have we.
Today, with more than 1.4 million men and women members in more than 180 countries, Lions have expanded their focus to help meet the ever-increasing needs of or global community.
We provide millions of dollars of support to an extensive international program dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness; we finance vocational training to help the world's underprivileged and disabled gain economic independence; we sponsor drug awareness and education programs for youths around the world; and more. . .
Our faces and our programs may have changed to meet new needs and greater demands, but our mission has never wavered: "We Serve."
And, we continue to serve in ways that have made us a global leader in humanitarian assistance, community welfare and promotion of international understanding.
united in
purpose
As individuals, Lions are people of tireless drive, uncommon spirit and ambitious goals. United in efforts through more than 44,000 individual clubs around the world, Lions Clubs International is a strong organization with a proud history of accomplishment.
But our efforts and our future ability to serve the growing population of those in need in our own communities, across our country and around the world depend on the involvement of a new generation of Lions. A generation of individuals committed as we are to eradicating reversible blindness, preserving the environment and building self esteem in young people. A generation that knows that we can accomplish great things if we work together.
Outstanding
programs
As Lions, our goal is to make a difference -- and we have -- over and over again with programs that succeed.
Service to people to are blind and who are visually-impaired has always been one of our most significant programs. Today, the Lions Sightfirst program is dedicated to eradicating preventable and reversible blindness worldwide. . . Lions operate the vast majority of eye banks throughout the world and have donated hundreds of millions of dollars toward research, training and rehabilitation for people who are blind. . .
The Lions Youth Outreach program focuses on
volunteerism and steers young people away from harmful behaviors such as gang
involvement, violence and substance abuse. . . Lions award thousands of academic
scholarships every year. . .Literacy and vocational training in underprivileged
areas are also high on Lions club's service agenda. . .
. . . Through participation in Lion-guided Leo clubs, youths worldwide learn leadership skills and the importance of community service. Lions also sponsor International Youth Camps and youth exchanges, bringing together young people from around the world to share their cultures and friendships. . . The Lions International Peace Poster Contest helps educate children about the importance of world peace and international cooperation. . .
New dimensions
For all of us, personal time is a valuable commodity. How you choose to spend your time is an important consideration. Volunteering as a Lion can make a difference for you too.
We believe that time invested with a Lions Club yields an invaluable return: an added dimension to your personal and professional life. While providing the framework for you to serve your community, a Lions club also offers opportunities for individual growth.
Leadership Ability - Whether you lead a meeting, spearhead a fund raising effort or organize a project; Lions clubs provide opportunities to learn skills that get the job done. Increased self-confidence and self-esteem flow naturally from making things happen when you work with your Lions club.
Business Skills - You can improve your public speaking and presentation skills while you communicate with others on important social issues. First-hand experience in budgeting projects, planning activities and motivating others in your Lions club can also enhance your professional abilities.
Networking - Interact with other professionals who have come together through Lions clubs to work toward common goals and to have a meaningful impact on your community.
Service
More than ever, people with vision problems, our senior community, our youth and the disadvantaged around the world need you help.
Our commitment to serve holds strong. you can help.
By participating in a local Lions club, you can help meet pressing needs in your community and have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of people around the world.
So you want to know more about Lions? Interested in becoming a member? Here you can learn about what Lions do, both locally and around the world, as well as a little bit of our history. If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email.
To become a Member of a Lions club is by invitation, open to men and women over the age of 18 years and of good moral character and reputation. If you are interested in joining a local Lions Club, you can find one in or near your community or email us
and we’ll have a local club contact you.
Additional Lions information
Lions are more than 1.4 million strong . . .men and women . . . young and old. You will find us in more than 180 countries and geographical areas from here in Ohio to hinterlands of Australia and Brazil to thriving urban centers like New York City and Milan. We speak dozens of languages and vary in nature and customs.
We share a common spirit. Since our beginning in 1917, we have been united in a single cause: helping those less fortunate. We are tackling the tough problems like blindness and drug abuse as well as diabetes awareness — and finding help and training for the deaf, disabled, underprivileged and the elderly. In fact, whatever the community needs to make life better, we’re there to help.
We are the youngest major social service organization, yet we have grown to be the world’s largest. We are succeeding because we have embraced all those committed to building a brighter future for the world and for themselves.
And, with a new generation of enlightened members, Lions clubs are working smarter and faster with greater commitment than ever before.
We are the Lions...and we serve.
For more than 70 years, Lions have been recognized throughout the world for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Back in 1925, when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind,” she could not have possibly imagined the impact of Lions commitment to blindness prevention.
Bringing rays of light to the darkness of countless people around the world, Lions have established the majority of eye banks worldwide, funded ground-breaking research on leading causes of blindness, organized eyeglass recycling efforts and helped hundreds of thousands of visually impaired people develop the skills to live productive lives. Lions here in our district collect used eyeglasses, clean and process them, and then take them to poor villages in places like Honduras, Guatemala and Haiti, where the people cannot afford to buy eyeglasses.
Lions launched SightFirst in 1990 as an aggressive attack on the rising tide of blindness a round the world. Forty million people are blind, yet 80 percent of all blindness is preventable or reversible.
Developed as a bold response to the World Health Organization’s prediction that the number of people who are blind would double in 25 years, SightFirst works to close the gap between existing health care services and those that are needed.
Topping more than $140 million in funds raised through a major, three-year fundraising drive, Lions have initiated SightFirst programs in more than 40 countries on five continents. Lions have joined with governments, ophthalmic professionals and other organizations to help establish long-term solutions in health care infrastructure, training of health care professionals, treatment and public education.
Incorporated in 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is the charitable arm of the organization. Through gifts to LCIF, Lions serve a broader community than would otherwise be possible. Lions have reached out across all borders to purchase equipment for an eye bank in western Korea ... to construct a hospice for children with disabilities in France...and to fund treatment for diabetic eye disease in Newfoundland, Canada.
LCIF has approved more than $200 million in grants. This includes grants for the SightFirst Program, humanitarian services, disaster relief and vocational assistance.