BRIEF HISTORY 1917-48

The State Council of Multiple District 18 of Lions International, recognizing the value of tradition, at a meeting on January 12, 1948, authorized the preparation of this brief history of Lionism in Georgia.

May it help preserve the accomplishments or our early Lions and also serve as an incentive to us to carry on the work they have done so well.

Originally luncheon clubs and other organizations of business men were founded and operated chiefly for the purpose of assisting the members to help one another in a business way. Memberships were limited to a certain number of people in each business or profession with an understanding that members would receive benefits through business reciprocity.

As early as 1914 Melvin Jones, the present Secretary-General of Lions International, conceived the original idea of changing this and of uniting unaffiliated business men’s clubs on a basis of UNSELFISH SERVICE. It was not until 1917, however, that approximately fifty independent clubs assembled in Chicago, Illinois, and founded The International Association of Lions Clubs. Later in the year, on October 9-11, the first convention, attended by about twenty-five clubs, was held at Dallas, Texas.

1. “That no club shall hold cut as one of its objects financial benefits to its members.”

2. “To create and foster a spirit of ‘generous consideration’ among the peoples of the world.”

The founders, with remarkable vision, realized that if the new association was to be an outstanding success, it must think beyond the prosperity of its individual members and render a real service to others, to the country, and to the world.

With this original conception, Lions International rightfully claims the distinction of being the “FIRST SERVICE CLUB.”

“Phenomenal growth of Lionism can be attributed in considerable measure to a leonine individual who is still roaring. His name is Melvin Jones.

“A heavy white-haired man of impressive dignity, benign yet aloof — truly the king of the wilderness — Mr. Jones, as Secretary-General of Lions International, is still headman of the organization he conceived.”

The Atlanta Lions Club was the first Lions Club in the Southeast. On December 17, 1920, just a little over three years after the founding of Lionism, the Atlanta club held its first meeting.

In order to have Founder Melvin Jones as a guest, the charter night was delayed until March 1, 1921. This was indeed a gala affair! Practically all of the 117 charter members were present and Thomas W. Hardwick, Governor of Georgia, was on the program. The meeting was climaxed by the presentation of the charter by Secretary-General Melvin Jones, a man of ideals and vision.

From that day the Atlanta club has carried on the ideal of service of those early Lions. It has shown, in addition to numerous other activities, a special interest in providing milk for needy families and in helping under-privileged children. Several thousands of dollars have been raised for these purposes by lectures and shows featuring noted commentators and entertainers.

District 18 is greatly indebted to the Atlanta club for blazing the trail and for setting an example of constructive Lionism.

When the Atlanta club was chartered in 1921, Georgia was in the old Fifth District, embracing eastern Texas, Louisiana, and at times Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Because of the rapid growth of Lionism, the country was redistricted at the Oakland, California, convention in 1921 — Alabama, Florida and Georgia being placed in the 18th District.

At that time there were only three clubs in Georgia—the Atlanta club, the Macon club and the Americus club. These three clubs met at Macon in December 1921 for the purpose of establishing a governing body. Lion H. E. Allen, of Americus, was elected “Acting Governor of the Georgia Division.” While not appointed by the International president, he was recognized as the de facto District Governor and was earnest and vigorous in organizing new clubs. In the meantime, Alabama had organized a club at Montgomery, and Florida had organized one at Orlando.

The first district convention of the 18th District of Lionism, composed of the States of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, was held at Macon, Georgia, on October 12, 1922, with Governor Allen presiding. M. J. Witman, of Macon, was elected District Governor, but was forced to resign immediately after the convention because of removal of his residence to New York. Under the constitution, Deputy E. W. Rosenthal, of Savannah, succeeded to the District Governorship and immediately assumed office.

The second annual convention was held at Savannah on May 25-26, 1923. Lionism was growing rapidly and Georgia itself now had fourteen clubs with a membership of 635. Richard C. Jordan, of Macon, was elected District Governor.

On May 21-24, 1924, the third convention of the three states was held at Montgomery, Alabama. At this convention a motion was passed allowing Alabama to withdraw from District 18. International shortly confirmed this separation and Alabama became District 34. The delegates from Florida and Georgia, after the withdrawal of Alabama, held an election and chose William C. Parker, of Waycross, as District Governor. A few months after the convention International allowed Florida to withdraw also, leaving the State of Georgia as District 18 of Lionism.

In May 1925, District 18, the State of Georgia, held its convention at Augusta. Fifty delegates from nine of the fifteen clubs elected as District Governor, George H. Conklin, of Augusta.

JACQUES O. PARTAIN

The fifth annual convention met at Macon on May 21-22, 1926, with ten clubs represented by accredited delegates. W. A. Mann, of Macon, was elected District Governor. None realized that the health of the new District Governor had broken—he passed away after only a few months in office. His term of office was finished by Jacques 0. Partain, of Atlanta.

The 1927 convention was held at Albany. Jacques 0. Partain, of Atlanta, was elected to serve as District Governor for 1927-1928.

The seventh annual convention of Georgia Lions was held at Athens on May 17-18, 1928. The convention voted unanimously to provide three years’ support of the Juvenile Braille Magazine for the blind children of the state. Records in the International Office show that Lionism in Georgia during this period showed an increase of nearly ninety percent in clubs and over fifty percent in membership. Joseph W. Popper, of Macon, was elected District Governor.

Valdosta entertained the eighth annual convention on May 2-3, 1929. Thomas A. Curry, of Dublin was elected District Governor.

CHANNING COPE

The 1930 convention at Griffin transacted much business of an important nature. A petition was made to the State Legislature to create a State Blind Commission to survey the number and condition of the blind people of the state. Channing Cope, of Atlanta, was elected District Governor.

Through the difficult year of 1930-1931, under Governor Cope, the district lost no clubs and showed only a slight decrease in membership. The convention was held at Atlanta on May 28-29, 1931. Resolutions were adopted to carry on the blind work, to present the Braille magazine to the blind and to see that blind boys were kept in school. The convention elected Geoffrey B. King, of Savannah, as District Governor.

GEOFFREY B. KING

The Savannah convention of 1932 was one of the most successful held by the district. Over 134 Lions were registered and many more, with guests and families, were in attendance. Marvin G. Pound, of Sparta, was elected District Governor.

On June 12-13, 1933, Waycross was host to the Lions of District 18. The convention was featured by a number of excellent speeches, a Presidents’ Breakfast, a Secretaries’ Breakfast and a Model Luncheon. George S. Johnson, of LaGrange, was chosen District Governor.

Again Lionism made wonderful strides during the year 1933-1934. District Governor Johnson made forty-four visits to the clubs in his district, eighteen new clubs were organized and the total membership in the district was increased by 340. The convention was held at Decatur on June 20-21, 1934. Music for the convention was supplied by the Decatur Girls’ High School orchestra and the Decatur Boys’ High School band—the first projects of the Decatur Lions Club. William T. Ray, of Athens, was elected District Governor.

H. A. STALLINGS

Under District Governor Ray the number of clubs increased from fifty-one to sixty-three and the membership to an all-time high of 1,555. The convention at Columbus on May 28-29, 1935, was unusually constructive—important matters were discussed, five-minute talks were given on various phases of Lionism, and a resolution was passed urging the construction of a highway through the Okefenokee Swamp. As evidence of the high esteem in which Georgia Lions held his leadership, District Governor Ray was presented with a watch and endorsed for the post of Chairman of the Board of Governors of Lions International. Subsequently he was elected to this office at the International Convention in Mexico City in July 1935. H. A. Stallings, of Waycross, was elected to succeed to the District Governorship.

EDWARD MURRAH

The 1936 convention was scheduled to be held in Gainesville, but because of the tornado in that city, was transferred to Macon. With only five weeks’ notice, Macon did an excellent job — it was the general opinion that it was the finest convention ever held in the district. Lion Edward Murrah, of Columbus, was elected District Governor.

The sixteenth annual convention of District 18 was held at Albany on June 6-8, 1937. Lion William T. Ray, of Athens, presented a report in which he recommended that the state be divided into three districts—A, B and C. The adoption of this report was voted upon favorably.

Indoor Future Farmers of America Carnival and Country Store held by the Moultrie Lions Club in 1945.

The project was highly successful and netted a substantial sum.