With over 46,000 acknowledged Lions Clubs scattered across the planet, a mere TWO DOZEN or so are members of a very unique standing within the Association. To be labeled a FOUNDER CLUB was a highly sought after prize and with such a small number to deal with, it should not be difficult to obtain a reasonably accurate history to determine not only who belongs, but if their charter dates match up. Guess again. Multiple sources of information produced a variety of answers that made scrutinizing even more challenging.
When the first Lions convention was held in Dallas, Texas, on October 8-9-10 of 1917, it was later determined that any club chartered by that time was to be declared a FOUNDER CLUB. The list of candidates was determined by Dr. William P. Woods, founder and president of the International Association Of Lions Clubs. He sent invitations to 33 of his clubs to attend the convent-ion and most were chartered under his earlier ROYAL ORDER OF LIONS, incorporated in 1911. The Royal Order proved to be a semi-secret, fraternal organization in nature, something that did not go over well with many clubs in the south. This prompted Dr. Woods to create what we have today, and those “fraternal dens” had a choice to slide over into a luncheon-type Lions Club or simply stay put. Any of the 33 that made the change were designated to be Lions Clubs under the 1916 incorporation. Dr. Woods stated that there were NO Royal Order Of Lions Clubs invited or attending the convention. Nevertheless, both organizations continued to operate with Dr. Woods at the helm of both. For all practical purposes, the R.O.O.L. was dealt a crippling blow when it became infiltrated by the KKK in 1922. And those dens that survived this unwanted invasion, the Depression that followed later proved to be the knock-out punch that ended its’ existence.
There will be no attempt to embarrass any Founder Club, but a number of them should re-read their club’s history. Their status as a “founder” came about with their charter being signed by Dr. Woods or by one of his authorized field organizers such as E.A. Hicks and G.M. Cunningham, two of his best. Yet some of these clubs credit Melvin Jones as the “founder” in 1917. You can’t have it both ways. If you honor “1917”, and you have a “1916” charter, You have a conflict. By the start of the Dallas convention, Mr. Jones was merely a delegate of his Chicago-based Lions Club, thanks to its charter of August 2, 1917, signed by Dr. Woods in Evansville, Indiana and mailed to Chicago. Additionally, Melvin Jones had no authority to issue any charters in 1916 or 1917.
The following list of clubs were designated “founders” from the beginning , yet some may have taken that last ride into the sunset. Charter dates vary from one source to another, with some clubs doing a little “fudging”. It is a real challenge to submit an authentic report, but I can only promise that a lot of research went into this to make sure accuracy was not purposely compromised. Compounding the problem is that some clubs have posted one date on their “Facebook” page and another date on their official web page.
AUSTIN (TX) DOWNTOWN FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
January 18, 1916. This charter date is pretty much set in stone. The club bills itself as the ‘oldest CONTINUOSLY operating Lions Club in the world.’ They present a strong case.
SAN ANTONIO (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
January 17, 1919. This information comes from ‘TEXAS LIONS 1917-67,’ authored by Julian C. Hyer, a Texan, and past International President (1931-32). The SA Club did get organized in October 8, 1915, under the ‘Royal Order Of Lions’ charter, but later when funding was terminated by Dr. Woods, it ceased to operate as a Lions Club. Records show that operating under the name of the ‘City Club of San Antonio, it was a new club under a new charter submitted to the Texas Secretary of State and the nucleus of membership was from the defunct Lions Club. The history between the SA Lions Club and the City Club of SA gets a little foggy and it will continue to be debatable as to a particular date of the charter. The original date of October 8, 1915 for founding is certain so the claim as the oldest Lions Club will continue unabated.
HOUSTON (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
April 2, 1917. No conflict here.
PARIS (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
May 8, 1921. This was the date the club re-organized with 50 members according to the ‘Dallas Morning News’ (May 9, 1921). Disbanded during
WWI, its’ original charter dates to Feb. 18, 1917. The war caused a number of clubs to go under, but some came back later…some didn’t.
WICHITA FALLS (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
July 16, 1917, organized by G.M. Cunningham , according to the club.
October 22, 1921, reorganizational date as per author Julien C. Hyer’s book, TEXAS LIONS 1917-67.
WACO (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
July 19, 1916…according to the club. September 19, 1916 appears to be more accurate according to Dr. Woods affidavit and Julien C. Hyer. Waco (Facebook page) bills itself as the oldest Lions Club in existence while its’ regular web page proclaims that it is one of the oldest clubs in continuous operation. Organized by G.M. Cunningham.
SHREVEPORT (LA) DOWNTOWN LIONS CLUB
November 10, 1916… according to the club. November 6, 1916 as per Dr. Woods affidavit. The Shreveport Club further states that at the Dallas convention in 1917 is “ where it changed its charter from the old Evansville, Indiana based International Association of Lions Clubs to the new Chicago, Illinois based International Association of Lions Clubs.” [ Note: It was not until August 8, 1919 that Melvin Jones filed a new charter with the State of Illinois to cancel the original charter of Dr. W.P. Woods of October 25, 1916 ].
LITTLE ROCK (AR) FOUNDERS LIONS CLUB
March 19, 1916 to go along with Dr. Woods affidavit , yet the club also states that its charter is dated February 17, 1916. First regular luncheon was on Feb. 10, 1916 as per the ‘Arkansas Gazette’ (2-11-16) . ‘Facebook’ page states “ Little Rock Founders is the oldest Lions Club in continuous service in the world.” [The OLDEST LIONS CLUB field is getting a little crowded].
OKLAHOMA CITY (OK) DOWNTOWN LIONS CLUB
September 12, 1916 charter date according to this “founder” club.
DALLAS (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
September 19, 1916 according to its web page. Julien C. Hyer’s book has it as September 9, 1916.
CHICAGO (IL) CENTRAL LIONS CLUB
August 2, 1917. This is Melvin Jones’ home club, the successor to his former ‘Business Circle’ businessman’s club. No claim is made to be a “founder” club, but it is. This club also proclaims to be the “Mother Club Of Lionism”, alleging that Lions International was born in Chicago on June 7, 1917. The club’s web page also states that the ‘Business Circle’ changed its name to Chicago Central Lions on March 1917.
BEAUMONT (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
September 16, 1916.
ABILENE (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
May 23, 1917 (Dr. Woods affidavit).“Facebook” page shows Feb. 15, 1917, but that date reveals only 15 charter members at the meeting. Another meeting a few days later produced another 10 charter members and it was estimated another 60 days or so before the charter date was set.
TULSA ( OK) DOWNTOWN LIONS CLUB
October 11, 1916 according to the club. Quite unusual for a “founder” club not to acknowledge it in the title.
PORT ARTHUR (TX) FOUNDERS LIONS CLUB
April 23, 1917 per Dr. Woods affidavit. The club acknowledges “1917”.
FORT WORTH (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
September 26, 1916. The club actually acknowledges “1917”. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (5-2-16) reports the launching of the club.
TEMPLE (TX) FOUNDER LIONS CLUB
June 21 , 1917 (Dr. Woods) . The club claims the date of November 1, 1917.
MUSKOGEE (OK) NOON LIONS CLUB
October 26, 1916 as per web page. No “founder” name in title.
ARDMORE (OK) LIONS CLUB (FOUNDER CLUB)
February 12, 1917. (Dr. Woods). Organized by G.M. Cunningham.
TEXARKANA (AR) NOON LIONS CLUB
February 19, 1917 (Dr. Woods affidavit ).The Arkansas Gazette (Dec. 7, 1916 reports officers elected on Dec. 6 with E.A. Hicks presiding. Their web page makes this statement: ‘The Texarkana Noon Lions Club is one of the original founders clubs organized in 1917 by Melvin Jones.’ [Note: Melvin Jones had no authority to organize any club in 1917].
DENVER (CO) LIONS CLUB
It acknowledges to be one of 23 founding clubs and serving the Denver community since 1917. Date of June 15, 1917 claimed from a copy of their charter in club’s office.
PUEBLO (CO) CHARTER LIONS CLUB
Founded in 1917, the first club established in Colorado.
COLORADO SPRINGS (CO) LIONS CLUB
Founded in 1917.
ST. LOUIS (MO) LIONS CLUB
Organized in 1917.
PINE BLUFF (AR) LIONS CLUB
Elected a new slate of officers on Dec. 6, 1916 as reported by the ‘Arkansas Gazette on December 7, 1916 .
NOTE
My apologies if I omitted any club that belongs on this list. Hopefully, I did not add any club that went dormant at an earlier date.
I am the eldest grandchild of William Perry Woods, MD, Founder of ALCI (1916) and First International President of Lionism (1917-1918). I and our family cannot thank Lion Bruce Eastley enough for his research and clarity in presenting Grandpa’s true historic role in founding, establishing, and leading what is today’s greatest volunteer organization for global service. Beginning in 1905, his patients’ economic, financial, and social needs (in addition to medical needs) within Evansville, IN’s enormous booming industry led him to seek out other professionals in the area to together provide for these living needs under the Lions service “umbrella!” With WPWOODS’ assistance and organization skills, the above Founder Clubs joined him in this same service for their own communities all of which led directly to the formation by Woods of the Association of Lions Club International Articles of Incorporation drawn and signed by WPWOODS on October 24, 1916 and filed with the Indiana Secretary of State in Indianapolis on October 25, 1916.
Thank you, Lion Bruce Eastley for all your excellent documentation of the true history of the Founding of the Lions Club International by WPWoods.
William Perry Woods, MD, would be so very proud, grateful, and humbled!
Susie Deems Tittle
Thank you so much for your research on Lions Founder Clubs. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. You said in your your paper that the Texarkana (AR) Noon Lions Club states on their website that the club was organized in 1917 by Melvin Jones. You also said that Melvin Jones had no authority to organize any club in 1917. I’m afraid that I am the one that posted that on our Facebook page. I have been a member of the club for 45 years and was told that by numerous older members over the years. I’m not sure where they got that information. I have since corrected the Facebook posting. Thank you again for bringing it to our attention.