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About the Fayetteville Lions Club
(& New
Member Orientation)
Fayetteville Club History - Lion Pride for over 75 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 City and County Middle Schools and High Schools. 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 sponsor a delegate to Boys State and Girls State. 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.
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| Fayetteville TN Lions - Community Legacy |
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
Sam Muse (2007-08)
Larry Robertson (1988-89)
Pangle Stewart (1968-69)
Twelve of our Lions have been members for over 20 years. The longest serving is Lion Larry Robertson with 47 years of service to our club and community! Below are five photos taken either in 1987 or 1997!
| Larry Robertson | Calvin Perkins |
| Bill Jackson | Pat Smith |
| Buford Jennings | Ray Landman |
| Myrna Reed | Jim Neale |
| Wayne Damron | Vince Kearns |
| Rickey Kimbrough | Blake Copple |
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| Fayetteville TN Lions - 20+ Year Members Photos from 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.
We maintain a Fayetteville Lions Historical Room in the Fayetteville - Lincoln County Museum and Events Center at 521 South Main Street. Click for photos.
Lion International History and Background
Founding. 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."
Knights of the Blind. Helen Keller challengedLions 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.
More Lions History
Helen Keller Speech
Focus on Service. 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.Lion Emblem and Official Colors
The
emblem consists of a gold letter "L" on a circular area. Bordering this
is a circular 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 pride of heritage and confidence in the
future.
The official colors for the current Lions logo adopted in 2008 are blue and gold.
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 .
This month's featured Purpose: To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community .
This month's featured ethical code: To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.
Lions Organization
The entire Lions Organization is centered on the Member.
Benny Maggart (from the Lafayette Lions Club)Lions International President - Dr. Patti Hill from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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District 12S Governor -
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Region III Chair - Steve Falk (from the Smyrna Club)
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Zone F Chair - Chris Ross (from the Fayetteville Lions Club)
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Fayetteville Club President - Blake Copple
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Club Member - You! For more details on our club's organization, officers and committees, view this presentation in pdf. Or download the Powerpoint.
See a map of District 12S Clubs.
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.
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Constitution and By-Laws, adopted in October 2010. Download it in Adobe pdf format.
Meetings. Our meetings are held twice a month, typically on the first and third Tuesday. The location is the Fayetteville/Lincoln County Senior Citizens Center, at 908 W. Washington Street The official start time is 6:15 p.m. although Lions normally arrive early to socialize and some get their salad. The meetings include an optional pay-as-you-go 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 some men in optional 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, Lindsey-Jennings Fellowship, Lion of the Year, Lion of the Decade, Service Awards at significant milestones, 100% Attendance Pins, and Recognition tokens for outgoing Club Officers. There are also a number of Lions International and District 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.
Club Knowledge Challenge Think you are ready? Take our quiz now.