Lions Awards

We have received the Lions Club of Townsville Club Membership Marketing Guide! It is an interesting read, and very comprehensive. In it I found, amongst other interesting information, the various awards us Lions are elligible for. Although many of you already know of these, many of us do not!

1. Key Member Award
These awards are awarded by Lions International to Lions who have initially introduced 2 new Lions and those members have remained in Lions for 12 months and 1 day. More prestigious awards are made for 5 new members, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50. It is very rare that a
member in his/her time exceeds 20 but some people have chartered new Clubs which have to have a membership of 20 to be chartered.

2. President’s Award’s
At Installation night the out-going President generally will recognise members who have contributed to the Club during the year over and above what was expected of them. This could be a plaque, Certificate or Medal. Lion of the Year award is made by the President to a member who he considers has contributed the most to the Club during the year.

Service Awards

3. William R. Tresise Fellowship
William R. Tresise founded the Lions Organisation in Australia. A Lions Club may elect to make this award to a person (member or someone from the public) deemed to have given service to the community on the Club making a donation to the foundation of
$2,000. There are currently 260 recipients of the award.

4. Ian Stockdale Award
Ian Stockdale was one of the most popular and respected members of the Organisation serving as a District Governor and International Director. On payment by the Club of $1,000, the award is available for presentation to either a worthy Lions member or a member of the Public for community Service. 157 people have received this award.

5. James D. Richardson Certificate Award.
James D. Richardson was one of the most dedicated and respected early leaders of Lions in Australia serving as the second District Governor and Australia’s first International Director. This award is for Service to the community and is made on payment of $500 to the Australian Lions Foundation. There have been 3,384 awards made since inception.

6. Melvin Jones Fellowship
Melvin Jones was the Founder of the Lions Organisation. This award may be used to recognise outstanding Lions or members of the Public who have made a significant contribution to Lionism. The award costs US$2,500. These funds are used to assist Sight First around the world and also money is made available for disasters worldwide.

7. Life Membership
I believe the ultimate award in Lions is Life Membership. Criteria for this is: A member is required to serve at least 15 years as a member and served on District, Multiple District or International Boards. Alternatively, 20 years active membership as a
minimum. Such a member would have given excellent service to Lions and be consider a worthy recipient by
his/her peers i.e. the Club, District or International. Nominations are usually made by the Club to Lions International and payment of US$600. A nomination is not done lightly and it is not necessarily the case done on the minimum years of service. Granting of this award is made by Lions International on the Clubs application. A Metal Certificate is presented together with a Lapel Badge.