New Member Orientation - Rolla Lions Club, Inc. Rolla Missouri USA
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New Member
Orientation
Rolla Lions Club, Inc.
Rolla Missouri USAOBJECTS Lions Code of Ethics
TO CREATE and foster a spirit of TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my
understanding among the peoples of the vocation by industrious application to the end
world. that I may Merit a reputation for quality of
service.
TO PROMOTE the principals of
good government and good citizenship. TO SEEK success and to demand all fair
remuneration or profit as my just due, but to
TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, accept no profit or success at the price of my own
cultural, social and moral welfare of the self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken
community. or because of questionable acts on my part.
TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of TO REMEMBER that in building up my
friendship, good fellowship and mutual business it is not necessary to tear down
understanding. another’s; to be loyal to my clients or customers
and true to myself.
TO PROVIDE a forum for the open
WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or
discussion of all matters of public interest;
ethics of my position or action towards my fellow
provided, however, that partisan politics and
man, to resolve such doubt against myself.
sectarian religion shall not be debated by
club members.
TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a
means. To hold that true friendship exists not on
TO ENCOURAGE service minded men to
account of the service performed by one to
serve their community without personal
another, but that true friendship demands
financial reward, and to encourage
nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it
efficiency and promote high ethical
is given.
standards in commerce, industry,
professions, public works and private
ALWAYS bear in mind my obligation as a citizen
endeavors. to my nation, my state and my community, and
to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act
Mission Statement and deed, and to them freely of my time, labor
and means.
TO CREATE AND FOSTER a spirit of
TO AID my fellow men by giving my sympathy
understanding among all people for
to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my
humanitarian needs by providing voluntary
substance to the needy.
services through community involvement and
international cooperation.
TO BE CAREFUL with my criticisms and liberal
with my praise; to build up and not destroy.ROLLA LIONS CLUB, INC.
Name ................................. Rolla Lions Club, Incorporated
Mailing address ................ P. O. Box 244, Rolla, Missouri 65402-0244
Location ........................... 1061 South Bishop Avenue, Rolla, Missouri.
Telephone .......................... Answering Service
Reservations for Den or Park or Messages (573) 364-4386
To speak to someone at Den (573) 364-3737
Web Site ............................ Rolla Lions Club – www.rollalions.org
Lions Club International – www.lionsclubs.org
Rolla Lions E-mail List ..... An e-mail sent to RollaLions@lists.rollanet.org will be sent (if you are a
member of the list) to the 100 ± members on the list
Lions Fiscal Year ............. Begins July 1 and ends June 30 each year.
Meetings ........................... Regular Meetings, Every Thursday at 12 Noon.
Business Meetings, (No Guest, Please) 3rd Thursday of every month at 12
Noon.
Board Meetings, 2nd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
Cost of membership .......... Entrance Fee (one time fee for new member) $ 25.00.
Annual Dues (due July 1 each year to Secretary). $65.00 this includes
(Club - $12.00, Dist. 26M1 - $5.00, MD-26 - $9.00,
International - $39.00)
Meal and Den Maintenance Fees:
Active Members -- $50.00 per quarter.
Members at Large and Privileged Members -- $20.00 per quarter
Plus $3.00 per meal when present. ------- $4.00 for guests.
Accounting ........................ The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)(4) corporation.
The Club maintains an Administrative Fund Account (Funds collected from
Members, dues, fines, meals and sales of Lions merchandise) and an Activities
Fund Account (Money raised from the public to be used for the public, such
as Income from carnival, bingo and donations). We can use administrative
funds For public use, but CAN NOT USE ACTIVITIES FUNDS TO
BENEFIT CLUB MEMBERS.
Page - 3Membership in Rolla Lions Club:
Membership in the Rolla Lions Club is by invitation only. The invitation shall not be extended until the
Club has accepted the prospect. The procedure for sponsoring a prospective member is as follows.
1. Pick up a Proposal for Membership form from the bulletin board or the Secretary.
2. Fill out the information that you know about the prospect on the Proposal for Membership form.
3. Sign the Proposal for Membership form as Sponsoring Lion and give to membership committee.
4. If Membership Committee approves, the prospect will be submitted to the Board of Directors.
5. You, as sponsor, must be present at the Board of Directors meeting to speak for your prospect.
6. If Board of Directors approves, the prospect will be submitted to a Business Meeting.
7. You, as sponsor, must be present at the business meeting to speak for your prospect.
8. Approval of the prospect for membership requires a ninety percent (90%) favorable vote by
written ballot of those present and voting.
9. If your prospect is approved for membership, then you as sponsor and another knowledgeable
Lion shall visit the prospective member, explain Lionism, what is expected of a Rolla Lions Club
member and offer membership to the prospect.
10. When the prospect accepts membership in the Rolla Lions Club, then you as sponsor, are
responsible for inviting, introducing and helping the new member become involved in the activities
of the club.
Officers and Board of Directors: The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. is governed by a board of directors, normally
consisting of a president as chief executive officer, the immediate past president, three vice presidents, a
secretary, a treasurer, a Lion tamer, a tail twister and four directors. Officers are elected annually for a term
coinciding with the association’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Directors are elected for two-year term.
Meetings of the board are usually held once each month.
The election of club officers is conducted at the April Business Meeting each year.
President: The president serves as the club’s chief executive officer and presides at all meetings of the club
and the board of directors. The president issues the call for regular and special meetings in accordance with
the club’s by-laws or procedures, plans the agenda and ensures that the status of each committee activity
is reported. It is also the responsibility of the president to see that regular elections are duly called, noticed
and held. The president cooperates with, and is an active member of, the district governor’s advisory
committee of the zone in which the club is located.
Immediate Past President: The immediate past president, along with other past presidents, serves as an
official greeter of members and their guests at club meetings and represents the club in welcoming new
people into the community served by the club.
Vice Presidents: In the event that the president should be unable to perform the duties of office for any
reason, the vice president next in rank occupies the position and performs the duties with the same authority
as the president. Each vice president, under the direction of the president, oversees the functioning of
various committees of the club.
Page - 4Secretary: Under the supervision and direction of the president and board of directors, the secretary acts
as a liaison officer between the club and both the district and International Headquarters. Responsibilities
of secretary include submitting reports, maintaining statements and submitting financial reports.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for all club financial matters. Duties include receiving all monies
and paying club obligations, maintaining financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting
financial reports.
Lion Tamer: The Lion Tamer serves as custodian of club property. Duties include being responsible for
club property (such as flags, banners, gavels, etc.), serving as a sergeant at arms during meetings and
distributing materials at meetings.
Tail Twister: The Tail Twister serves to promote harmony, good fellowship and enthusiasm at club
meetings through the judicious imposition of fines on members. The Tail Twister may not be fined except
by unanimous vote of all members present. Any funds collected by the Tail Twister are immediately turned
over to the treasurer.
Committees (refer to Club By-laws for detail):
Committees overseen by First Vice-President
Den: Responsible for operation of Den including maintenance, bar operation, den rental, and meals for club
meetings.
Carnival: Responsible for operation of Carnival including maintenance, purchasing carnival supplies,
making stand assignments and securing help to operate the carnival each year. The Carnival is a four (4)
day carnival operated over the fourth of July each year and every Rolla Lions Club member and their family
are expected to work during set up, operation all four nights and take down.
Sight Conservation: Responsible for granting eye examinations and corrective eye wear (if needed) in the
Phelps County area, supporting Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation (MLERF), Leader Dogs for the
Blind, Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service and Lions World Service for the Blind (LWSB).
Finance: Responsible for collecting request, preparing the Budget and presenting it to the Board of
Directors for action each year.
Nominating: This committee consists of the four (4) immediate past presidents and is responsible for
nominating a slate for officer elections.
Constitution and By-Laws: Responsible for keeping the Constitution and By-Laws updated.
Long Range Planning: Responsible for keeping the Rolla Lions Club Long Range Plan updated.
Safety: This committee serves as a risk management committee to help reduce exposure to losses for
liability claims and property losses.
Special Committees:
Page - 5Awards: This committee shall select individuals to receive any special awards to be presented by the Rolla
Lions Club, Inc.
Compassion: Responsible for keeping the membership informed of any sickness, injury or death of
members or family members of the member and then arranging for the sending of appropriate card, flowers
or memorial.
Christmas in the Park: Responsible for assisting the Rolla Lioness Club with the planning and
implementation of Christmas in the Park each year.
Lions Helping Lions: Responsible for collecting funds from the membership for use to assist members that
have any special needs resulting from any type of hardship. Only money donated by members can be used
for this purpose.
Real Estate Assessment: Responsible for handling inquires, collecting information and pricing for the sale
or acquisition of real property by the Rolla Lions Club, Inc.
Committees overseen by Second Vice-President
Membership: Responsible for membership growth programs, screening and recommending proposed new
members to the Board of Directors, conducting new member orientation sessions and seeing that proper
induction ceremonies are conducted.
Publicity: Responsible for public relations for our club with local news media and other methods of
information distribution.
Program: Responsible for securing and arranging informative programs for our meetings, both from within
Lionism and without.
Boys and Girls: Responsible for programs that support the youth of our community, including youth
dances, Easter egg hunt, boys state, girls state, Rolla Area youth basketball, Rolla youth Baseball/Softball,
Rolla youth football, Missouri Lions Band, Handicapped Fishing, Special Olympics, Senior Luncheon at
Rolla High School, Youth 2000, Halloween and Handicapped Christmas Party.
Community Betterment: Responsible for identifying special needs in the community and promoting
projects to provide those needs.
Insurance: This committee monitors our insurance coverage and makes recommendations to the Board of
Directors regarding insurance coverage’s and amounts.
Bingo: This committee operates the Rolla Lions Club Bingo held every Monday Night at the Rolla Lions
Den, including scheduling workers, inventorying and ordering supplies, maintaining the special Bingo
checking account and preparing reports for the Missouri Gaming Commission. Bingo workers must be
members of the club two (2) years prior to working bingo per Missouri Law.
Special Committees:
Page - 6Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Responsible for operation of Lions Quest Program at the Rolla Middle School.
Greeter: This committee is to greet everyone attending any of our Lions functions including our meetings
and to make everyone feel welcome.
Committees overseen by the Third Vice-President
Park: Responsible for operation of Rolla Lions Club Park including maintenance, planning and purchasing
new equipment, stocking fishing lake and maintaining roads. The Rolla Lions Club Park has approximately
180 acres which includes the Rolla Lions Fire Training Center, the Rolla Lions Soccer complex, ball fields,
picnic pavilions, play grounds and approximately 40 acres to be developed.
Convention: Responsible for arrangements for members to attend the District, Multiple District and
International Conventions each year.
Entertainment: This committee makes arrangements for Rolla Lions Club parties such as the New Year’s
Eve party.
Scholarship: The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. maintains the Rolla Lions Club/Vance Scholarship Fund which
supports approximately $14,000.00 in scholarships each year. This committee is responsible for
recommending the scholarship guidelines and amounts to the Board of Directors each year, then receiving
and evaluating all the applications and recommending the scholarship recipients each year.
Free Bucks/Dues: Responsible for operation of the collecting money and spinning wheel for the dollar
giveaway at meetings.
50/50: Responsible for the 50/50 drawing at our meetings.
Special Committees:
Hearing: Responsible for operation of the hearing assistance program at the Rolla Lions Club including
scheduling and operating the Missouri Lions Conservation Committee Hearing Van in the Rolla area.
Soccer: This committee serves as a liaison between the Rolla Lions Club and the Rolla Soccer Club
overseeing the operation of the Rolla Lions Soccer Complex.
Lion Emergency Fund: This committee oversees and approves funds for special emergency needs of
people in our community.
Cooking: These cooking teams are responsible for purchasing supplies, preparing and serving Thursday
noon meals for the Club.
Page - 7ROLLA LIONS FOUNDATION
The Rolla Lions Foundation is a 501(c)(3) foundation formed by the Rolla Lions Club, Inc. on June 24,
1998 for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes. The Rolla Lions Foundation was granted tax exempt
status by the Internal Revenue Service, effective September 8, 1999. The members of the Rolla Lions Club,
Inc. are members of the Rolla Lions Foundation. The Rolla Lions Foundation is governed by a seven
member board of directors consisting of the president, first vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the
Rolla Lions Club, Inc. plus three members from the membership of the Rolla Lions Club, Inc., one elected
to a three year term each year at the annual meeting of the Rolla Lions Foundation.
During the 06-07 fiscal year the Foundation adopted a policy restricting the acceptance of donations from
club members and any donation that has designates the use of the donation, however each case shall be
decided on its own merits.
Page - 8HISTORY OF ROLLA LIONS CLUB, INC.
On April 13, 1935, Lion Charles L. Woods, on behalf of the twenty one (21) charter members, accepted the
charter of the Rolla Lions Club from Lion Dr. C. W. A. Spies, District Governor of Lions District 26A in
a ceremonial held at the Pennant Hotel in Rolla, Missouri. The sponsoring Lions Club was the Steelville
Lions Club, Steelville, Missouri.
The charter members of the Rolla Lions Club are, E. W. Allison, W. M. Breuer, E. W. Carlton, George W.
Castleman, Charles W. McDaniels, Walter Stubbelfield, Cecil Herrman, O. V. Jackson, Victor Langenberg,
L. L. Lewis, Virgil X. Smith, Eugene E. Northern, T. R. Schweer, R. E. Schuman, J. E. Smith, Rex
Faulkner, Charles Tucker, Fed Williams, Charles L. Woods, F. E. Dennie and A. Sidney McFarland.
Lion Woods, the club’s first president, pledged to the citizens of Rolla that the Lions Club was founded to
perpetuate in men’s hearts a love of our native land and to talk and strive for honesty in business,
cooperation, reciprocity, civic betterment and municipal growth. We are organized that there may flow from
our rank, good fellowship, mutual help and profit, and that our combined influence may be systemized,
directed and utilized toward the welfare and up building of our city. We will always conscientiously and
loyally set about to make Rolla a better place to live and we will willingly and earnestly join hands with all
its people, in all worthy undertakings. We seek to serve in all worthwhile community projects.
The Rolla Lions Club was incorporated in the State of Missouri on March 6, 1939 and assigned corporation
number B-8852.
The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. has operated a carnival as its primary fund raiser for the activities account since
the club was formed in 1935.
The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. purchased the original park property of approximately 140 acres in the early
1950’s and began one of it’s major projects, developing and operating a free park for the public’s use. July
6, 1994 the Club purchased approximately 40 additional acres known as the Donahue property located east
of our original park property extending to Rolla Street. Two small tracts have been sold by the Club.
Glennis L. Vance, widow of former Rolla Lions Club, Inc. president Lion Jesse Vance, passed away
February 27, 1989 leaving the balance of her estate, approximately $225,000, to the Rolla Lions Club, Inc.
to be used for the purpose of providing scholarships for students for educational purposes beyond what is
commonly know as high school or twelfth grade.
The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. began operating Bingo as an additional fund raiser for the activities account in
the fall of 1990.
The Rolla Lions Club, Inc. has raised and spent many thousands of dollars and thousands of man hours of
labor have been given freely by the Lions Club members in support of its many activities and services to
the people of the Rolla community.
Page - 9INTERNATIONAL
The Association Name: The official name of the association is “The International Association of Lions
Clubs” or simply “Lions Clubs International.” The Lions was chosen because of the symbolism of what a
lion animal represents – courage, strength, activity and fidelity.
Mission Statement: To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs
by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.
Motto: The Lions motto is “We Serve.” It was adopted at the 1954 International Convention, after being
selected from more than 6,000 suggestions from members worldwide.
Slogan: Liberty, Intelligence, Our, Nation’s Safety. It was adopted at the 1919 International Convention.
Official Colors: Purple and gold were chosen when the association was founded in 1917. The purple
represents loyalty to country, friends, to one’s self and to the integrity of mind and heart. It is the color of
strength, courage and dedication to a cause. Gold symbolizes sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgment,
purity in life and generosity in mind, heart and commitment to mankind. Often, a dark blue is used in place
of purple.
Official Emblem: The current Lion emblem (or logo) was adopted at the 1919 International Convention.
Today, Lions worldwide are recognized by it. It consists of a gold letter “L” on a circular purple (or blue)
field. Bordering this is a circular gold area with two Lion profiles facing away from the center. The Lions
face both past and future – showing both pride of heritage and confidence in the future. The word “Lions”
appears at the top and “International” at the bottom.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: The headquarters of Lions Clubs International, with a staff of
approximately 290 full-time employees, is located on 10 acres of land in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, just
outside of Chicago. Although branch offices exist worldwide, the International Headquarters serves as the
association’s central administrative and information source.
Every year at the international convention, the delegates elect the international officers and directors who
will act for them during the coming fiscal year, which for our association runs from July 1 to June 30.
Officers elected include the international president and first and second vice presidents. Constitutionally,
a contest exists only for the office of second vice president with the other officers advancing one step each
year until they are elected international president. The immediate past international president is also an
officer of the association and serves as chairman of the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Board
of Trustees.
The International Board of Directors consists of the officers and 33 International Directors. The directors
are elected by the delegates as a whole; the directors represent every area of the world where Lions are
active. They serve a two year term, with approximately one-half being elected each year. Also serving on
the board, but without a vote, are the executive administrator - who assists the president in the daily
operation of the association and to whom the staff reports – and the secretary and treasurer.
Page - 10Membership Categories:
Active: A member entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations which membership in
a Lions club implies.
Member-at-Large (MAL): A member who is unable to regularly attend meetings and desires to retain
membership in the club. This member cannot hold office or vote at conventions and must pay dues.
Honorary: An honor bestowed by a club to an individual who is not a member of the Lions club, to
recognize outstanding community service or service to the club.
Privileged: A member who has been a Lion for 15 or more years, who because of illness, infirmities or
advanced age or other legitimate reason, must relinquish his or her active status. A privileged member may
vote, but may not hold office.
Life Member: A member who has maintained active status for 20 or more years, or for 15 years and is at
least 70 years of age can be granted Life Membership. Life Members pay a one-time payment to the
association in lieu of future dues. They have all the rights and privileges of membership.
Associate: A member who holds his/her primary membership in another club, but maintains residence or
is employed in the community of the club in which he/she attends. Associate members can vote on club
matters, but may not serve as a club delegate at district, multiple district or international conventions, and
are not eligible to hold office.
Affiliate: An individual who is currently unable to fully participate in the club, but wishes to support the
club. He or she may not hold office and may not represent the club at district, multiple district or
international conventions, but may vote on club matters.
Members cannot simultaneously hold membership – other than Honorary or Associate – in more than one
Lions club.
Attendance Requirements: Clubs should meet regularly and is recommended at least twice each month.
All active members are strongly encouraged to attend meetings regularly. Members who maintain perfect
attendance during the fiscal year may be given an annual 100% perfect attendance award. If a member
misses a meeting, he or she has the opportunity to make up the meeting by attending a club board meeting,
a region or zone meeting, the meeting of another club or a club committee meeting. The club secretary has
complete details regarding your club’s make-up policies.
Guest at Meetings: Meals for guest at meetings are generally paid for by the Lion who extends the
invitation, unless previously agreed upon by the club to absorb the expense, which frequently happens in
the case of a speaker or a prospective new member. It is appropriate for a Lion member to introduce the
guest at the time of the general introductions.
Dues: Each club assesses an entrance fee and annual dues. Lions clubs use their entrance fees and
membership dues for administrative purposes and to pay international and district dues.
Preferably, dues should be collected from the individual member on a semi-annual basis. Dues statements
Page - 11should be mailed by clubs to their members on or near January 1st and July 1st of each year.
The club annually pays to Lions Clubs International a “per capita and convention fund tax” for each
member. The club is billed semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st.
Club Budgets: Clubs maintain two separate budgets: activities and administrative. The activities funds of
a Lions club, consisting of funds raised from the public through club projects may only be expended to
satisfy a community or public need. The administrative budget is what finances club operations. Its income
comes mostly from club dues.
Elections: All officers of the club are elected annually. Directors, however, are elected every other year.
The process begins with the nomination of club officers and directors in March. The president appoints a
nominating committee. This committee proposes the names of candidates for each club office to the
members at a nominating meeting. At this meeting, nominations for all offices can be made from the floor.
Elections are held in April of each year. Terms of office begin on July 1st.
To ensure continuity in the club’s membership efforts, the election of membership committee members is
handled a little differently than other committees. Each club elects a three-person membership committee.
The committee includes a member, a vice chairman and a chairman who automatically becomes a director
on the board. After the first year, only the membership chairman/director moves off the committee. The vice
chairman moves up to become the membership chairman/director. The remaining committee member
becomes the vice chairman and a new Lion is elected to fill the vacancy.
Committees: Club projects and activities are originated and led by club committees under the direction of
a committee chairman. The president generally appoints the chairmen and committee members. There are
two general classifications of club committees: administrative and activities-based.
Examples of administrative committees include: attendance, constitution and by-laws, convention, finance,
information technology, leadership development, Lions information, membership, program, public relations-
bulletin editor and greeter. Activities committees are set up to address specific community needs as well
as to provide support for international services. Activity committees include youth outreach, diabetes
awareness, sight conservation and work with the blind, hearing and speech action and work with the deaf,
environmental services, Leo Club Program, youth exchange program, Lioness club program and
international relations program. Clubs may also appoint committees for various other activities, such as
citizenship, educational or health services and international youth camps.
The chairman of each committee will call periodic meetings of their members, and are frequently asked to
attend board meetings to report their progress to the officers and directors. Vice presidents also
communicate these activities to the general membership.
Club Calendar: The program committee is responsible for maintaining a calendar of events. This calendar
helps remind members of pertinent dates.
Club Communications: The club newsletter is a vital communications tool. Many clubs also have Web
sites. Members are encouraged to read each issue of the club’s newsletter and visit the Web site regularly
to keep abreast of club news.
Page - 12Some of the international service activities are:
SightFirst: Lions Conquering Blindness. The aim is the elimination of preventable and reversible blindness
around the world. In 1990, at our International Convention in St. Louis, we rededicated ourselves to the goal
of eradicating curable and preventable blindness, Lions launched SightFirst, the most aggressive attack on
blindness ever initiated. Working closely with the World Health Organization, governments and other non-
governmental organizations, Lions are taking the lead to eradicate major causes of blindness in countries
where needs are greatest. Through the Lions Clubs International Foundation’s Campaign SightFirst, Lions
demonstrated their commitment to the fight against blindness by raising 140 million dollars to be used in
blindness prevention projects. SightFirst is fighting blindness by funding cataract surgeries, the construction
of eye hospitals, eye disease treatment programs, eye health education programs, and the training of
personnel. With funds from SightFirst running out LCIF is conducting a second campaign, SightFirst II, to
raise 200 million dolars to continue the program. You, too, will become proud of our SightFirst effort in
blindness prevention.
Lions Opportunities for Youth: Changing tomorrow today. It’s objective is to help young people develop
essential life and citizenship skills such as sound judgment, self-discipline, acceptance of responsibility,
ability to communicate with various age groups, ability to get along with others, critical decision-making
ability with regard to drugs and alcohol, and a desire to serve others. It includes the internationally respected
Lions Quest educational programs.
LCIF – Lions Clubs International Foundation: This is the part of Lions that has the power to do what
smaller groups cannot do. The greater our generosity as Lions, the more our foundation can do to provide
emergency funds and grants to districts throughout the world: Clubs in our district donate to LCIF every
year. This money goes to help in all parts of the world including our area for tornado relief, flood relief, and
grants to help clubs build camps or other projects. LCIF has helped the Missouri Lions Eye Research
Foundation through a grant to fund Amblyopia screening, the Missouri Lions Hearing Conservation
Committee with a grant to purchase a hearing van and The Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service
through grants to purchase equipment and facilities for eye examinations and treatment.
Leo Clubs: Since the beginning of the Leo Club Program, Leo clubs have engaged in many outstanding
activities primarily aimed at aiding the less fortunate and contributing to the betterment of their local
communities. By emphasizing Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity, Leo clubs are giving young people
a choice to develop into interested and involved citizens.
Lion Youth Exchange: Lions clubs contribute greatly to international understanding and good will by
participating in the Youth Exchange Program. Qualified young people are selected by sponsoring Lions
clubs to visit other lands as the guests of host Lions clubs. They observe typical community life and gain
knowledge of other cultures and peoples.
Page - 13MULTIPLE DISTRICTS
When a district becomes too large, it is often sub-divided along geopolitical lines to form sub-districts. Each
sub-district is identified by its own letter and/or number. When there is more than one sub-district in a
defined area, such districts form a “multiple district.” Each multiple district has its own constitution, based
upon a standard form provided by Lions Clubs International. These constitutions may be amended by a vote
of the delegates to the multiple district convention, provided that such amendments do not run counter to
the provisions of the Lions International Constitution or policies of the International Board of Directors.
Subject to the association provisions, each multiple district supervises the administration of its own affairs,
and may choose officers, hold meetings, administer funds, authorize expenditures and exercise other
administrative powers as provided in its respective multiple district constitution and by-laws.
Council of Governors: According to the Lions International Constitution, the governors within a multiple
district constitute a council of governors for each multiple district. The district council may include one or
more immediate past district governors, provided that the total number of immediate past governors does
not exceed one-half the number of district governors. Each member has one vote on each question requiring
action of the council. A district council may also include past and present international presidents, vice
presidents and past and present directors of the association as advisory, but non-voting members.
The name of our multiple district association is “Lions Multiple District 26.”
Lions Multiple District 26 is composed of the State of Missouri and has eleven (11) sub-districts (districts).
Each district has a district governor; the eleven (11) district governors along with the council chairman make
up the council of governors. This will change about July 1, 2008 when redistricting goes into effect
reducing the current eleven districts to seven.
Some of the multiple district 26 service activities are:
Missouri Lions Band: The Missouri Lions Band committee meets quarterly to encourage Multiple District
26 Lions Clubs to sponsor high school students to perform in the Missouri Lions Band at various Lions
functions including at the Lions International Convention and at the Missouri Lions All-Star Football Game.
Lions Business Opportunities for the Blind (LBOMB): LBOMB was created to work with the Missouri
Division of Family Services, Bureau of the Blind to help blind persons become self-supporting. It provides
jobs for the blind of the state giving them pride of accomplishment and good wages. Funding for this
program is generated from within the program from the blind operating the roadside vending areas on the
Interstate Highway System and other various facilities.
Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation (MLERF): MLERF is located in Columbia, Missouri and
belongs to the Lions of Multiple District 26 (Missouri). The main function of MLERF is to operate the eye
tissue bank; other functions are the eyeglass recycling program, glaucoma detection program, amblyopia
screening program and the eye care assistance program.
Missouri Lions Hearing Conservation: The Missouri Lions Hearing Conservation Committee provides
mobile hearing screening vans for operation throughout the state of Missouri to give free hearing test. They
also collect used hearing aids to be refurbished and recycled.
Page - 14Missouri Lions All State Football Game: In July of each year the Lions of Missouri sponsor an All-Star
Football Game between just graduated high school seniors from the east and west sides of the state. Players
are sponsored by their local Lions Club. The purpose of the game is to raise funds for the Missouri Lions
Eye Research Foundation and show case Missouri high school football talent.
Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service (Mid-South): Mid-South is located in Memphis, Tennessee
and provides primary visual and hearing care to indigent patients from Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and
West Tennessee at NO CHARGE to the patient.
Lions World Services for the Blind (LWSB): LWSB is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and provides
mobility, living skills and vocational training to blind and sight impaired people.
Leader Dogs for the Blind (Leader Dog): Leader Dog is located in Rochester, Michigan and provides
leader dogs to blind and sight impaired people.
Page - 15The above map shows the results of our recent redistricting of Multiple
District 26 (Missouri). The redistricting will become effective with the
close of the 2008 International Convention at the end of June. With the
resulting larger districts we should have an easier time of obtaining quality
leadership and clubs should be able to get back to what we do best. SERVE
OUR COMMUNITIES.
As of the end of February we had 11,685 members in 412 clubs in Missouri.
Membership – Extension – Retention – Leadership
Page - 17Page - 18
DISTRICT
DISTRICTS: Most Lions clubs are part of a district, which is usually comprised of at least 35 clubs that
have a combined total of at least 1,250 members.
District Governor: The district governor serves as the chief administrative officer for the district. He or
She is elected to serve a one-year term at the district convention. The new governor takes office at the close
of the international convention.
The district governor’s responsibilities include representing the association in the district, supervising
district officers, furthering the Objects and Ethics of the association, promoting the goals of the International
Program, supervising the organization of new Lions clubs and presiding over district meetings.
Vice District Governor: The vice district governor serves as chief administrative assistant to the district
governor. The vice district governor’s specific responsibilities are to further the Objects and Ethics of Lions
Clubs International, become familiar with the duties of the district governor in the event of a vacancy in the
office of district governor, perform administrative duties assigned by the district governor, participate in
district meetings, help prepare the district budget, supervise district committees at the request of the district
governor, help review clubs, engage in all matters to be continued during the next year and serve as
chairman of the district MERL (Membership, Extension, Retention, Leadership) team.
Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer (or Secretary/Treasurer): Each one acts under the
supervision of the district governor. The duties are to further the Objects and Ethics of Lions Clubs
International and perform other functions and acts required through the cabinet secretary-treasurer manual
and other directives.
DISTRICT, REGION AND ZONE ORGANIZATION: Normally, a district or sub-district is divided into
regions (comprised of no more than 16 and no less than 10 clubs), each headed by a region chairman. In
turn, each region is broken down into zones (with no more than eight clubs and no less than four), presided
over by a zone chairman. Region and zone chairmen work under the leadership of the district governor.
The name of our district is “Lions District 26J”, “Lions District 26-M1" after June 20, 2008.
Lions District 26-M1 will be composed of the southeastern portion of Missouri with Pulaski, Phelps, Dent,
Iron, St Francois, and Ste. Genevieve counties on the north and Pulaski, Texas, and Howell counties on the
west. District will have about fifty five (55) clubs. The District is divided into three (4) Regions with a
Region Chairman appointed for each Region. Each Region is divided into two (2) Zones with a Zone
Chairman appointed to each Zone.
One of District 26-M1’s service activities is:
Camp Brimshire: Camp Brimshire is located near St. James, Missouri and serves as a low cost camp for
underprivileged children and adults with special needs. Lions District 26J adopted Camp Brimshire as a
project for the purpose of providing needed improvements to the facilities. Lions District 26J received a
$19,500+ LCIF matching grant for the improvements including blind trails, air conditioning the dinning
hall, and seven other additions/improvements at a total cost of approximately $40,000.
Page - 19HISTORY OF LIONISM
The International Association of Lions Clubs began as a dream of Chicago insurance man Melvin Jones,
who wondered why 11 local business clubs – he was an active member of one of them – could not expand
their horizons from purely business concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large.
Jones’ idea struck a chord within his own group, the Business Circle of Chicago, and they authorized him
to explore his concept with similar organizations from around the United States. His efforts resulted in an
organizational meeting at a local hotel on June 7, 1917.
The 12 men who gathered there overcame a natural sense of loyalty to their parent clubs, voted the
“Association of Lions Clubs” into existence, and issued a call for a national convention to be held in Dallas,
Texas in October of the same year.
Thirty-six delegates representing 22 clubs from nine states heeded the call, approved the “Lions Clubs”
designation, and elected Dr. William P. Woods of Indiana as their first president. Guiding force and founder
Melvin Jones was named acting Secretary, thus beginning as association with Lionism that only ended with
his death in 1961.
That first Convention also began to define what Lionism was to become. A Constitution and By-Laws were
adopted; the colors of purple and gold approved; and a start made on Lionism’s Objects and Code of Ethics,
Community leaders soon began to organize Clubs throughout the United States and the Association became
“International” with the formation of the Windsor, Ontario, Canada Lions Club in 1920. By 1927, Lions had
extended into Mexico and China --- becoming truly international.
In 1935, Panama became home to the first Central American club; the first club in South America was
organized in Colombia the following year. Sweden, then France, brought Europe into the association in
1948. Japan had clubs by 1952, and the so-called “Eastern Bloc” was unblocked in 1989 with the formation
of clubs in Hungary, Poland and Estonia. In 1990, a club was charted in Moscow and today over 100 Lions
clubs are demonstrating the value of service in countries once closed to voluntary action.
Perhaps the single event having the greatest impact on the association’s commitment occurred in 1925 when
Helen Keller addressed the Lions at the international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. It was there
that she challenger Lions to become “Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”
In 1990 Lions launched their most aggressive sight preservation effort to date, SightFirst. The more than
US$140 million-plus program strives to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness by closing the
gap between existing health care services and those that remain desperately needed. LCIF is currently in
a second SightFirst campaign known as SightFirst II attempting to raise an additional US$200 million to
continue and build upon programs started in the first SightFirst program.
Broadening its role in international understanding, the association helped the United Nations form the Non-
Governmental Organizations section in 1945, and continues to hold consultative status today. Each year,
during the Lions Day with the United Nations ceremonies, an award is presented to the grand prize winner
of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest, itself a significant program which draws over 350,000
entries annually.
Another significant event in the association’s history occurred in 1987, when Lions Clubs International
became the first major service club organization to admit women as members.
Page - 20Rolla Lions Club Leadership
YEAR PRESIDENT CARNIVAL CHAIRMAN DISTRICT GOVERNOR
1935-36 Col. Charles Woods Ted Schweer
1936-37 R.E. Schuman Wallace Tucker
1937-38 V.X. Smith Wallace Tucker
1938-39 Ted Schweer/Eugene Johnson Wallace Tucker
1939-40 Fed Williams Fed Williams Rev. O.V. Jackson
1940-41 William H. Breuer R.M. Rankin
1941-42 Wallace Tucker Fred Cross
1942-43 Gene Northern/E.W. Carlton Walter Schrenk
1943-44 Ernest W. Carlton Millage C. Smith
1944-45 R.M. Rankin Bill Stoltz
1945-46 Millage C. Smith Hugh Crumpler
1946-47 Walter Schrenk John Marlow
1947-48 Earl E. Feind Lloyd Ramsey
1948-49 Robert Lange Bill Mueller
1949-50 Murray C. Renick Joe Brenneisen Millage C. Smith
1950-51 Bill Mueller Mils Watts
1951-52 Lloyd Ramsey Charles Tucker
1952-53 Jesse Vance Maurice Suhre
1953-54 Hugh D. Crumpler Ralph Marcellus
1954-55 Maurice Suhre Robert Lange
1955-56 Mils Watts Diehl Montgomery
1956-57 Ralph Marcellus Lee Walker
1957-58 Diehl Montgomery Lawrence McKinley
1958-59 Lee Walker John D. Powell
1959-60 Bill Huskey John E. Smith/Tony Homyk
1960-61 John D. Powell Jack Shannahan
1961-62 Weldon W. Moore C.E. Fisher B.W. Robinson
1962-63 John E. Smith Bob Byer
1963-64 Tony Homyk Ham Lenox
1964-65 Marty Riden Bill Wright
1965-66 Bill Wright Bill Kratzer
1966-67 Jerry Berry Allen Marlow Ed Bober
1967-68 Frank Conrad Art Swallow
1968-69 Ed Bober Jerry Berry
1969-70 Art Swallow Dale Stevens Marty Riden
1970-71 Casey Wills Marty Riden
1971-72 Dale Stevens Gene Brown
1972-73 David Mitchell Ed Bober
1973-74 Bill Kratzer Gary Broyles
1974-75 Harley Moore Jim Hatchett
Page - 21YEAR PRESIDENT CARNIVAL CHAIRMAN DISTRICT GOVERNOR
1975-76 Ed Sachs Gene Kelly
1976-77 Jim Hatchett David Barr * Dale Stevens
1977-78 Gary Broyles Jim Wilkerson
1978-79 Stan Darr Ken Roberson
1979-80 Bob Powell Gene McFarland Chris Clinton
1980-81 Rod Schaefer Dwaine Miles
1981-82 Joe Ed Bowles Alan Sachs
1982-83 Jim Gamblin Frank Fuller
1983-84 Harry Dalton Harold Bennish
1984-85 Harold Atwell Darwin Brown
1985-86 Dwaine Miles Clyde Vessell
1986-87 B.B. Turley Roger Berkbuegler Joe Ed Bowles
1987-88 Dan Paulson Bud Dean
1988-89 Al Bolon Harold Atwell
1989-90 Chris Clinton Bob Johnson
1990-91 Bud Dean Jack McFarland
1991-92 Don Barklage Jerry French
1992-93 Darwin Brown David Mitchell Don Barklage
1993-94 Pete Schmidt Joe Bennett
1994-95 Merle Southern Charlie Mitchell
1995-96 Fred Krueger Larry Perry
1996-97 Jack McFarland Stoney Byrne Fred Krueger
1997-98 John Geurin Tom Wassilak Bud Dean
1998-99 Ralph Koboldt Steve Olds
1999-00 Larry Perry Ken Kaunley
2000-01 Mark Brookshire Charles McWhorter
2001-02 Ken Kaunley Greg Fuller
2002-03 Davis Haas Bob Watson
2003-04 Kerry West Jason Smith
2004-05 Mat Williams Kerry West
2005-06 Wayne Parry Bobby Nichols
2006-07 Marshall Hagler Jim Korich
2007-08 Ted Haas Ted Haas
2008-09 Pete Kinyon Brian Dean
2009-10 Jim Fels Ted Atwell
2010-11 Bill Stoltz, Jr. Bill Stoltz, Jr.
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