Lions international is the world's largest services organization with 1,400,000 members in 42,000 clubs divided into 700 districts in 180 different countries and territories world-wide. It was founded in 1917 by Melvin Jones a Chicago businessman.
-------------------------------------------------At its 1925 international convention at Cedar Point in Ohio, Helen Keller addressed the delegates and charged them with being "Knights of the Blind". Since that time, sight conservation has been the primary mission of the Lions.
-----------------------------------------------The first Lions club in the state was chartered over 75 years ago. Today, there are 18,000 Lions in the state.
--------------------------------------------Since the founding of Lions International in 1917, Michigan has provided 4 international presidents and numerous international directors.
------------------------------------------District 11-B1 is one of 12 districts in the state of Michigan. It includes Washtenaw, Lenawee, Jackson, Hillsdale, Calhoun, and Branch counties. there are 48 Lions and 3 Lioness clubs in the district. Lion membership stands at approximately 1,500.
-----------------------------------------------The district is divided into 3 regions, and each region is comprised of 2 zones. The district cabinet is composed of the District Governor, Region Chairmen, Zone Chairmen, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past District Governor.
---------------------------------------------Zone meetings are held throughout the district during the year. An annual Fall Conference is presented in October, and in May, a leadership training forum is presented for incoming officers and new members.
------------------------------------------District 11-B1 holds an annual convention in March of each year. Multiple District 11 (lower peninsula) hosts its convention in May, while the international convention is held about the first week of July.
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The motto of the Lions is "WE SERVE"