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 The International Association of Lions Clubs was started by a Chicago insurance agent named Melvin Jones, who consolidated several clubs into one strong influential service organization.
23 clubs participated in the first Association Convention that commenced on October 8, 1917.
Today, the Lions are the largest and most active service organization in the world, with nearly 1.4 million members in over 180 countries worldwide.
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Lions Clubs International of Chicago chartered the Kamehameha Lions Club on October 21, 1948. |
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Kamehameha members made many unique contributions to Lionism. Among them, Charter Kamehameha Lion George Akau is credited as the person who originally coined the International Lions motto now used throughout the world: WE SERVE . |
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Ours was also the first club internationally to be named after an individual. Charter members named the club after King Kamehameha to honor his strength and power in uniting the people of Hawaii as the first monarch of the Islands. |
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Our 53 Charter members came together in 1948 from a variety of professions in business, government, entertainment, science, and education. Prospective new members were carefully screened through background checks of police records; scrutinized for financial responsibility and integrity! We're not probing or restrictive these days, but we still seek members of high character and integrity that truly want to serve their community through volunteerism. |
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In 2007, our club proudly created the Kamehameha Lions Club Foundation 501(c)3 charity, and, formed our first LEO Club for youth leadership in partnership with Kamehameha Schools. |
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To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. |
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To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship. |
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To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. |
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To unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. |
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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. |
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To encourage service–minded men and women 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. |
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