Welcome to the Lions of Michigan

1. Welcome to the Lions of Michigan

2. Introduction Our goal of this orientation module is to provide you with a guide that will help you understand how our association works. The following materials will cover many of the different levels of Lions and how they work. All Items can be found on this disc and when talking about them it will tell you where to find them for more in-depth study. The follow areas of Lions clubs will be covered: • Club • District • State • International

3. Expectations of Time & Money Any potential member must be a citizen in good standing and be invited to join the association. The sponsoring Lion is asked to meet with the potential new member and explain the following: 1. Payment of dues 2. Sharing of member’s special talents 3. Active participation in club activities and fundraisers 4. Attendance at meetings

4. Club

5. What It Means to be a Lion WE are dedicated to serving those in need, whether in our own community or around the world. Membership provides people with the opportunity to meet and work with other individuals in a spirit of fellowship, striving toward the common goal of helping those in need. Through mutual concerns, members have the opportunity to improve both local and world communities and develop valuable personal and professional skills. It is anticipated that we, as members, will give freely of our time and energy whenever possible. We are asked to attend club meetings regularly and to be available for community service. Lions should be knowledgeable about the aims and objectives of our Association and support club officers.

6. What are the Benefits of Membership? • Unparalleled satisfaction of helping those in need • Making a difference in our communities • Working hands-on in our communities • Having an impact on worldwide needs • Developing leadership skills • Enhancing communication skills • Utilizing planning and organization skills • Meeting new people • Networking opportunities • Traveling opportunities

7. What is Our Club History? • Add your club history here • This information should include: When you were formed, what you did when you first started, what you have done over the years, what you are doing now and what your current club focus is. • Any other information that you would like to add. You’re not limited to one slide.

8. Club Websites, Newsletters, & Brochures • If your club has a newsletter you should tell about it on this slide • List your website • Talk about your club brochure and give a copy to the new member

9. What are Our Attendance & Dues Expectations? ATTENDANCE Successful clubs have members who attend meetings regularly and participate in club functions. DUES Successful clubs are dependant upon the prompt payment of dues by members.

10. How Are Club Funds Raised? • Members • Dues • In-house raffles • Personal gifts • Tailtwisting • Public • Public raffles • Fundraising project (Pancake breakfasts, etc.) • Grants and Corporations

11. Accounting and Lionism:       Lions clubs must account for all monies received or earned as well as all monies spent. It is required that two separate accounting books be maintained. These books (or accounts) are titled Administrative Monies and Public (or Activities) Monies.  While the actual monies may be contained in a single account, the books must show administrative earnings and spending separately from monies received from the public for the club’s humanitarian work.  Public monies may only be used for club humanitarian work. But administrative monies may be used for humanitarian projects as well as projects involving club members.  Examples of such projects would be sending members to District or International conventions, special awards, etc.  The two accounting ledgers or books must be maintained to demonstrate through audit that public monies were not misspent or used for personal gain by club members. How Do We Account for Clubs Funds?

12. Where Does the Money Go? • 100% of the money raised from the community will go back to the public. At no time will funds raised from the community be used for Club administrative costs. • Club Administrative costs are covered by club dues, fines and other member related fundraisers.

13. Club Organizational Chart

14. How Do We Order Club Supplies? • Club supplies are ordered by the club Secretary or Treasurer for club matters and paid for by the club. • Individuals can order Lions vests, hats, umbrellas, etc. by going on-line to: www.lionsclubs.org and click on “Order Club Supplies.” This will take you to the on-line catalog.

15. District

16. How is Michigan Organized? • Michigan is unique in that it was established as two separate districts. Today we have Single District 10 and Multiple District 11 composed of 10 sub-districts. (See the section Why Different Districts. )

17. District Organizational Chart

18. What Are Our Distinct Projects? • List your District projects here • List your District website • Talk about other District functions here

19. Districts,How Do We Keep Informed? Newsletters/Magazines Formatting of the District newsletter/magazine is left to the discretion of the individual Districts. Direct communication between the District and its members is vital to our organization not only to survive, but to grow and prosper. A line of communication is absolutely essential between the membership at large and the District. The membership at large must be kept informed of the actions of the District and the goals of the District. Conversely, the District should also be kept aware of the local Club’s accomplishments and goals.

20. State www.lionsofmi.com

21. History of the Lions of Michigan 1919 -  District 10 (Upper Peninsula) is the first Lions district formed in the state of Michigan, with the organization of the Marquette Lions Club in October.  District 11 (Lower Peninsula) is formed when the Grand Rapids Lions Club charters in November. 1920 - Detroit Lions Club sponsors the Windsor, Ontario Lions Club; this sponsorship creates Lions Clubs International. 1923 - 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."

22. History of the Lions of Michigan(Cont’d) 1939 - Leader Dog School is launched in Rochester. 1940 - Leader Dog becomes a state project of Michigan Lions.  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 - S. A. Dodge is elected as the third Lions International President from Michigan.

23. History of the Lions of Michigan(Cont’d) 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. 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 - Ralph Lynam is elected as the fourth International President from Michigan. The Lions of Michigan All-State Band is established.

24. History of the Lions of Michigan(Cont’d) 1982 - The Michigan Past District Governors Association is organized. 1984 - Michigan Lions Service Foundation begins in District 11- B1. 2001 - Multiple District 10 combines District 10-A and 10-B into Single District 10. 2003 - Bear Lake Camp becomes an official project of Multiple District 11.

25. Why Different Districts? The Upper Peninsula (District 10) and the Lower Peninsula (District 11) were designated as separate districts when they were formed in 1919 because of the difficulty of travel between the two. There was no Mackinac Bridge until the 1950s, and by that time the separate designations were firmly entrenched. Several attempts to merge them into one “state” organization failed. Except for a few “joint” projects and committees, they operate independently.

26. Membership Breakdown for Lions of Michigan(as of 8/31/05) District Number of Number of MembersClubs SD 10 1,980 62 11 A1 1,218 43 11 A2 1,988 54 11 B1 1,217 41 11 B2 1,353 47 11 C1 1,298 50 11 C2 1,215 45 11 D1 1,568 48 11 D2 1,517 48 11 E1 1,561 51 11 E2 1,515 43 MD 11 Totals 14,450 470 State Totals 16,430 532

27. Our State Website By visiting our Lions of Michigan State Website at: www.lionsofmi.com you can link to individual websites for each district in the state of Michigan. You will find a wealth of information on this website including the State Office Calendar of Events, State Projects, History, White Cane, and much, much more.

28. State Projects • There are three official “state projects” • Leader Dog • Welcome Homes • Midwest Eye-Bank • All of these were approved by the respective conventions of the Single and Multiple District. Bear Lake Camp is a MD 11 Project, because it was never presented or approved at an SD 10 Convention.

29. State Projects (cont’d) All state projects are nonprofit, charitable organizations with their own corporate identity and Board of Directors. The Lions State Office does not collect funds for them or “pass them through.” Clubs donate directly to the projects in amounts they determine. MD 11 and SD 10 have committees to promote their adopted projects.

30. Joint Committees • There are three “state” committees which include representatives from both SD 10 and MD 11: • Liaison • International Convention • All State Band • Membership dues include a per member assessment for the Liaison Committee and Lions International Convention.

31. Joint Council Meetings Any council meeting where SD 10 Governor and MD 11 Governors are present is considered a “joint” council meeting.

32. What are the State Publications? Both SD 10 and MD 11 produce their own magazine. The MD 11 magazine is called “Lion Pride,” and it is financed through a mandatory subscription fee, paid as part of the dues assessment. It is published nine times annually. Circulation is approximately 15,000 copies. The “Single District 10 Magazine” is published five times a year and it is financed through a mandatory subscription fee, paid as part of the dues assessment. Circulation is approximately 2,250 copies.

33. What are the Duties of the Lions of Michigan State Office & Administrative Staff? The Lions of Michigan State office is located at: 5730 Executive Drive, Lansing, Michigan 48911 office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Lions of Michigan State Office has two employees—a full-time State Secretary and a full-time Administrative Assistant/Magazine Editor. The Lions of Michigan also have a volunteer State Treasurer. The role of the state office is to support the Lion of Michigan.

34. Lions of Michigan Service Foundation The Lions of Michigan Service Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) public charity that was created in the early 1980’s to address the needs of the disadvantaged. The creators envisioned a vehicle that would enable Lions Clubs throughout Michigan to combine resources and work together to address serious human needs beyond the capability of an individual Lions Club. For more information on the Lions of Michigan Service Foundation you can visit their website at: www.lmsf.net

35. International www.lionsclubs.org

36. How Lions Began Lions Clubs International began as the dream of a Chicago business man Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns of the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Just three years after its formation, the organization became international when the first club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada was establisher in 1920. Perhaps the single event having the greatest impact on the association’s service commitment occurred in 1925 when Helen Keller addressed the Lions at the international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. It was there that she challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

37. How Lions Began (cont’d) 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. Since those first years, the association has grown to include nearly 1.4 million men and women in more than 44, 000 clubs located in 196 countries and geographical areas.

38. At a Glance • Founded: 1917 in Chicago, Illinois • Founder: Melvin Jones • Motto: We Serve • Official Colors: Purple and Gold • Slogan: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety • Primary Activity: Blindness Preventions and Sight Conservation • Membership: Nearly 1.35 million men and women in approximately 196 countries areas worldwide

39. Lions 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.

40. Lions Objects TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. TO PROMOTE the principles 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.

41. Lions 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 SEEKsuccess 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 REMEMBERthat 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. WHENEVERa doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself.

42. Lions Code of Ethics (cont’d) TO HOLD friendship as an end not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. ALWAYSto bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state and my community, and to give them unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor, and means. TO AIDothers by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy. TO BE CAREFULwith my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not to destroy.

43. Membership Categories There are several classifications used to identify Lions. Active: member is entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all obligations which membership in a Lion Club implies. At Large: Member has moved out of the community and is unable to regularly attend meetings and functions and desires to retain member sip in the club. Can not hold office or vote at conventions and must pay dues. Life-Long Members: The club honors this Lion of 20 or more years (or 15 years and over the age of 70). Life members pay a one-time payment to the association in lieu of future dues. They have all the rights of membership.

44. Membership Categories (cont’d) Privileged: A member who as been a Lion for 15 years or more and because of illness, infirmities, or advanced age or other legitimate reasons, must relinquish his or her active status. May vote but may not hold office. Associate: A member who holds primary membership in another club, but maintains residence or is employed in the community of the club in which he/she attends. Can vote on club matters, but may not serve as a delegate nor hold office. Affiliate: An individual who is currently unable to fully participate in the club but wishes to support the club. May not hold office, nor be a delegate. May vote on club matters.

45. InternationalOrganizational Chart

46. Lions Learning Center To develop your Lion Leadership skills visit the “Lions Learning Center” on-line at: www.lionsclubs.org and click on Resources and then click on Visit the Lions Learning Center.

47. What are Forums? • Forums have the purposes of: • Promoting the principles and objectives of Lions Clubs International • Training, educating and motivating district and club officers • Providing for exchange of information and discussion of service activities, including opportunities for cooperative service projects • Advancing the interests of the Lions Clubs International Foundation • All Lions in the constitutional area in which the forum is held are invited to participate.

48. Forums • Area Forums: • USA/Canada Forum • OSEAL Forum • Europa Forum • India, South Asia, Africa & Middle East Forum • Latin American & Caribbean Forum

49. International Convention Lions from across the globe have gathered together annually since 1917 to celebrate the International Convention.  For many Lions and their families, attending the convention has become a yearly tradition.  The convention offers an ideal setting for reuniting acquaintances and making new friends.  Lions also learn about other club and district projects, participate in the parade and elections, attend seminars and make personal connections with international leaders and representatives from headquarters. Why attend? Only at the International Convention can Lions from nearly 100 countries and geographical areas with different languages and backgrounds march side-by-side down the streets of the host city.  And only at the International Convention can 18,000 members come together to celebrate the true meaning of Lionism.

50. Supplies Lions Clubs International has a complete on-line catalog of supplies. For apparel to trading pins they have it all! Visit their website at: http://www2.lionsclubs.org/LionsClubsSuppliesStore