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The International Association
of Lions Clubs, better known as Lions Clubs International, was the brain
child of Melvin Jones and came into being on 7th June 1917, in October
of that year the first Convention was held and a total of 22 Clubs attended.
The first Club to be formed outside the United States was Windsor, Ontario,
Canada and so the International Association was started.
The first Lions Club in the UK was formed in 1950 as a result of the
influence of US Servicemen here during the war.
All Lions throughout the world wear in their lapel an emblem consisting
of a gold "L" on a purple field. Bordering this is a circular
gold area with two lion profiles facing away from the center. Symbolically
the lions face both past and future.
The royal colours of purple and gold were selected as the official colours
when the Association was organized in 1917. Purple stands for loyalty
to friends and to one's self, and for integrity of mind and heart. Gold
symbolizes sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgement, purity in
life and generosity in mind, heart and purse toward humanity.
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