LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDER

MELVIN JONES BIOGRAPHY

Melvin Jones was born on January 13th, 1879 in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm and in 1913 formed his own agency.

He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessman's luncheon group, and shortly was elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting their financial interests of their membership. Becuase of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. "What if these men," he asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put thei talents to work improving their communities?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born. It was stipulated that clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests.

Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full time to Lions at International Headquarters in Chicago. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions Clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded minded.

The association's founder was also recognized as a leader outside the association. One of his greatest honors was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Franscisco, California, at the organization of the United Nations.

Melvin Jones, the man's who's personal code "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over, died June 1st, 1961 at 82 years of age.