At the Cordele State Convention of Georgia Lions in 1944, a committee composed of Chairman Robert Cowart of 18B, Hoke Sewell of 18A, and C. G. Higgenbotham of 18C was appointed to prepare and submit plans for dividing the state into four districts. This was considered advisable, because of the growth of Lionism and the large number of clubs in each of the three districts.

The matter was delayed in 1945, as no state convention was held that year. In 1946 at the Atlanta convention, however, International Counselor W. A. Abercrombie moved that the plan submitted by the committee, dividing the state into four districts, be given the approval of the convention. The motion was passed with the provision that the division become effective July 1, 1947.

In accordance with this decision, four district governors were elected at the Albany convention in 1947 and Georgia was divided into Districts 18A, 18B, l8C and 18D.

CONVENTIONS

In order to help the war effort in 1945, the request was made by Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, that no large conventions be held during the year.

A meeting of the Georgia State Council, composed of Chairman Eugene Sanders of l8A, R. A. Perry of 18B, and Schaefer Heard of 18C was called immediately.

Although extensive preparations had been made for a state convention, a resolution was approved suspending the state convention for the duration of the war or until such time as a convention might be considered helpful to the prosecution of the war.

Because of this decision, business meetings only were held in each of the three districts during the year.

CUP AWARDS

Much of the success of Lionism in Georgia is due to the stimulus provided by competition for cups donated by various individuals and clubs.

This history would not be complete without listing each of these cups and the conditions of its award.

1.  M. M. Monroe Cup. Club, meeting weekly, having best percentage of attendance of active members at all club meetings from July 1st through May 31st of the current year. Missed meetings may be made up in accordance with Lions International Contest rules.

2.  West Point Cup. Club, meeting twice a month or every other week, having best percentage of active members at all club meetings from July 1st through May 31st of the current year. Missed meetings may be made up in accordance with Lions International Contest rules.

3.  Gainesville Cup. Club having largest percentage of members winning button awards in the Lions International Attendance Contest of the current year, based upon the number of active members shown on the secretary’s report of September 1st to Lions International.

4.  Columbus Cup. Club having the best quartet, composed of Lions from their own club, at the state convention.

5.  Murrah Cup. Club (excluding the host club) having the largest number of registered delegates at the state convention.

6.  Ledford Cup. Club having the best club publicity from the beginning of the previous state convention up to the current year’s state convention. A Publicity Book of material and clippings is to be submitted.

7.  Soperton Cup. Club having the best attendance of officers and directors, as specified by Lions International, at Directors Meetings from July through May of the current year, at least one Directors’ Meeting, sep­arate from the regular club meeting, to be held each month.

8.  Savannah Cup. Club having the largest net gain in membership from July through May of the current year.

9.  Albany Cup. The best safety program throughout the year.

10. Elkan Cup. Club whose various completed activities from July 1st through May 31st of the current year are judged most worthwhile.

11. Cartersville Cup. Club (excluding the host club) having the best report of the state convention of the previous year in local newspapers.

12. Hamilton Cup. Club having the largest number of members visiting other clubs from July 1st up to the state convention. A letter or card confirming each visit, signed by an official of the club visited, to be submitted.

13. Canton Cup. Club entertaining the most visiting Lions at their regular meetings from July 1st up to the state convention. Satisfactory evidence, such as a guest register, is to be submitted.

14. Decatur Cup. Club with the most worthwhile single activity in keeping with the program of Lionism of the current year.

15. District Governor’s Cup. The best all-round club in the state, showing well, especially in 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, whether winning contests or not.

GEORGIA LIONS WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE GOVERNING BODIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

In 1946 the Lions of District 18 sponsored an effort to se­cure an increase in school teachers’ pay.

The idea, originated by District Governor Rufus M. Ryon of 18B, received the hearty approval of District Governor Hamp McGibony of 18A and District Governor J. Gorham Garrison of 18C. Petitions were sent to the various clubs in the state, signatures secured, and an impressive group of petitions signed by approximately five thousand Georgia Lions was presented to Governor Ellis Arnall.

Following the presentation of the petitions, District Governor J. Gorham Garrison of 18C and Lion N. A. Rogers of the Heard County Lions Club before a crowded House of Representatives in Atlanta, made stirring addresses calling attention to the poor pay of the teachers and the alarming effects. All three District Governors and their Cabinet Secretaries put in much time and effort in promoting the matter.

As a consequence the poor pay of the teachers was brought forcibly to the attention of the public and a fifty percent increase secured. The educators agreed that the additional money could not have been secured without the impetus given the matter by the Lions of Georgia.

FACTS ABOUT DISTRICT 18

On January 1, 1948, District 18 had the following number of clubs and members:

Georgia ranks 11th in number of clubs and 12th in number of members.

International Counselor H. L. Barker, of Carrollton, has attended every International Convention since the Oakland Convention of 1938 and has missed only one state convention in the last fifteen years.

He also has an eleven years perfect attendance record and holds a Senior Master Key.

As far as can be ascertained from the records, only three districts have had a perfect year in getting all secretaries’ reports to International on time:

18A—1937-38 W. A. Abercrombie, Dist. Gov., Athens

18A—1945-46 T. Hamp McGibony, Dist. Gov., Greensboro

18C—l946-47 B. L. Williams, Dist. Gov., Forsyth

Secretary-General Melvin Jones has made numerous visits to District 18. Among them were Atlanta, Cordele, Macon in 1921; Savannah, 1922; Decatur, 1932; Atlanta, Columbus, Savannah, 1935; a tour of the state in 1937 and 1938; Atlanta, 1939 and 1940.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Proverbs 29:18.

With unusual vision, the founders of Lions International inserted the following in our constitution: “To create and foster a spirit of ‘generous consideration’ among the peoples of the world.” For years, Lions International has been cultivating this spirit of “generous consideration” among peoples and building friendships among nations.

Today, we suddenly understand the importance of this objective in our constitution. Alone, District Eighteen can do little to help, but united with other districts in our great organization, we can do much.

Therefore, let us in District Eighteen realize the urgent necessity of doing our utmost to support the work of Lions International in fostering world-wide friendships. Let us have vision—or we perish.

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