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Fayetteville Lions Club (Club 4949, District 12S) P.O. Box 217, Fayetteville, TN 37334 |
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Fayetteville Club History - Lion Pride for over 60 Years The current Fayetteville Lions Club was chartered in 1947 and has been very active in the Community ever since. The first Fayetteville Lions Club was chartered in 1923 but was dissolved in 1935 just at the end of the Great Depression. A second Fayetteville Club was organized in 1939 but again dissolved in 1944 during the midst of World War II. So the current Lions Club is actually the third Fayetteville Club. Sight conservation has always been the primary focus of our service. We provide sight screening in city and county elementary schools each year. We fund eye exams and eyeglasses for county citizens in need. We purchased low vision reading equipment for the Public Library. We donate to Tennessee, National and International Lions programs that provide eye surgeries; support, vocational training, Leader Dogs and other services for the blind. These programs also include campaigns throughout the world to eradicate sight threatening disease. The second focus of Lionism is on supporting youth. We sponsor Leo Clubs in all County Middle Schools and the High School. We grant 2-3 college scholarships annually. We sponsor annual Drug Awareness Essay and Peace Poster contests, with many of our local winners going on to win at the District level. We partnered with the city in funding construction of the Sports Complex on Wilson Parkway and continue to fund maintenance and upgrades. We contributed $6,000 to construction of LCHS Falcon Stadium. We support several baseball and softball teams annually, sponsor a delegate to Boys State and Girls State, sponsor entrants into the Fairest of the Fair Contests. Further in the past, the Lions provided funding and leadership to construction of the first two community swimming pools, Lee-Dell Lions Pool at Robert E. Lee School which opened in 1948 and Tonia Dell Lions Pool at West End High School which opened in 1957. Over the years, the Lions Club has stepped up in many other areas where we were able to fill a need. We funded air conditioning, coronary care units and the chapel at the old Lincoln County Hospital and chapel furnishings for the new Lincoln Medical Center. We have purchased furnishings for the Public Library Genealogy Room as well as Low Vision Reading equipment. These are just examples - the full list of services the club has provided over the years is much too extensive to list here. See photos of the legacy impact of Lions on the Fayetteville community. Click any of the photos below to see larger photos with captions.
See a list of all of our Club's Past Presidents since receiving our charter in 1947. The club is also very proud of the fact that three of our club members have served as District Governor. Click for a photo.
Ten of our Lions have been members of our club for over 20 years. These are photos of the ten taken either in 1987 or 1997!
Our club and its service mission was blessed by a bequest upon the passing of Era Phelps Jones in 1994. "Miss Era" was a teacher in Tennessee schools for 47 years. She was also a big advocate for the Lions, witnessing the work Lions did with children's sight examinations and eyesight assistance in her classrooms. She was especially proud of her Physician, Lawyer, Pharmacist, Dentist and many more whom she had as students and who became successful adults and active Lions members. The club used her bequest to establish the Era P. Jones Memorial Fund and voted to invest the principal and use interest income for service projects approved by the Era P. Jones Memorial Committee and the club membership. Lion International History and Background The Lions were founded in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois by Melvin Jones. A group of independent clubs responded to an idea presented to them by this young Chicago insurance agent, Melvin Jones. The idea was one of organized service to humanity without regard to politics, religion, race, or in any way the personal interests of the members. This was heralded as a departure from the trend current at that time of forming clubs basically with a commercial motive. At the 1919 convention, one of the delegates clarified the meaning of Lionism. "The name Lions stands not only for fraternity, good fellowship, strength of character and purpose, but above all, its combination of L-I-O-N-S heralds to the country the true meaning of citizenship: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety." Helen Keller challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind" in 1925 and continued working with Lions throughout her life. Today, Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts, as well as through their international SightFirst Program and Lions World Sight Day. In addition, Lions has a strong commitment to young people through youth outreach programs. Lions also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world. From the start, the Lions emphasis has been on service in all forms to less fortunate members of the community. The Standard club constitution, as recommended by the association, may be adapted by the local club to suit its own particular requirements while keeping within the principles of the association and its international constitution. This individual club autonomy and concentration on practical service are two principal factors which maintain the momentum of the association’s growth and progress.
The International President Sid L. Scruggs III's Program Theme for 2010-2011 is “A Beacon of Hope.” Scruggs will make service to others – the core principle of Lions clubs around the world – the focal point of his presidency.
Lion Emblem and Official Colors
The Lions emblem consists of a gold letter “L” on a circular purple (or blue) field. Bordering this is a circular gold area with two Lion profiles facing away from the center. The word “Lions” appears at the top and “International” at the bottom. The Lions face both past and future – showing both pride of heritage and confidence in the future. The royal colors of purple and gold were selected as the official colors when the association was organized in 1917. Purple stands for loyalty to friends and for integrity of mind and heart. Gold symbolizes sincerity of purpose, liberality in judgment, purity in life and generosity in mind, heart and purse to those in need. Lion Vision, Mission, Motto, Purpose & Ethics Vision Statement. To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service. Mission Statement. To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. Motto. “We Serve”. What better way to explain our mission? Purpose and Code of Ethics. To read them all, click here .
Lions Organization The entire Lions Organization is centered on the Member. For an explanation, watch this overview slideshow .
For more details on our club's organization, officers and committees, view this presentation online (might not work in Firefox). Download the Powerpoint. Fayetteville Club Details Fayetteville Budget Structure. All money earned through Lion fundraising projects is spent for our service projects. The large majority is spent for local needs such as the purchase of eye glasses and screening for sight and hearing problems in our community, as well as a variety of youth programs. Our administrative expenses are funded entirely from Lions member dues, fees and fines. The club maintains three distinct checking accounts. The Projects account receives income from fundraising and outlays go to Services projects. The Administrative account receives income from member dues, fees and fines and outlays are for member expenses such as supplies, recognition items and meal costs. A third Era P Jones account receives interest income from an invested bequest and outlays are for additional Service projects. The Treasurer/Finance Committee give Quarterly financial reports to the membership. The Lions fiscal and operational year runs from July 1 to June 30. Projects. For an overview of our projects, please visit the Services and Fundraising pages of this website. Club Operations. The club operates in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws. Routine operations include twice monthly club meetings, as needed Board of Directors meetings, as needed Committee meetings, and participation in service and fundraising events. The success of the club in meeting its mission hinges on effective Committees executing our Service Projects and Fundraisers.
Meetings. Our meetings are held twice a month, typically on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. The location is the Best Western Fayetteville Inn, 3021 Thornton Taylor Parkway. The official start time: 6:15 PM, although Lions normally arrive early to socialize and get their salad. The meetings include an optional buffet supper. Attire. Dress for typical meetings and Lion Projects events is casual. Lions are expected to wear their Lion Vest and Nametag. We typically have two Banquets each year, one during the Christmas season and one in June where New Officers are installed. Our spouses are invited to the banquets and dress is more formal with the men in sport coat and tie. In these cases, Lions are expected to wear their Lion Pin and nametag. Membership. The various Member types are listed in the Constitution. Our desire is that all possible be in 'Active' status and participate in club activities to the fullest extent possible, within physical limitations. Membership is by invitation only. Any member in good standing can nominate a prospective member. An official application form provided by the international office must be completed and reviewed by the Membership Chairman or Club Secretary. The Board of Directors must approve the application. Officers. The Officers and Directors of the club are elected each March and installed during the June Banquet. Their responsibilities are outlined in the Constitution. Current Officers/Directors of the club are listed on the Officers page of this website. Awards. Our annual individual awards include Melvin Jones Fellowships, Lion of the Year, Lion of the Decade, Service Awards at significant milestones, 100% Attendance Pins, and Recognition Plaques for outgoing Club Officers. There are also a number of Lions International and District awards and recognitions and International President's special focus awards each year that Members and Clubs can strive to achieve. MD-12 Contest. The Club also competes in an annual competition among all Clubs in Multi District 12. This 'District Contest' is based on criteria to ensure clubs are meeting all administrative and reporting requirements, meeting new member goals and maintaining an active and vital activity schedule. To compete the Club Secretary submits a monthly report including expenditures on sight and other projects, the number of used glasses & hearing aides collected, the percentage of meeting attendance, number of Leo Clubs sponsored, newsletter published, International/District/Zone Meetings and Training Sessions attended and other items. There are also criteria for the President and Secretary to compete. Fayetteville Lioness Club. Our club maintains a liaison with the Fayetteville Lioness Club. We look for periodic opportunities for joint service or fundraising projects. Club Knowledge Challenge. Think you are ready? Take our quiz now. . |
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