COME, CELEBRATE
CHICAGO - 2017
CHICAGO IS YOUR KIND OF TOWN!
Affixed by stunning Lake Michigan and decorated with inspiring architecture,
Chicago is more than just a big city. Besides its striking downtown area, which
includes some of the tallest buildings in the world, Chicago has a distinctive coastline, hundreds of vibrant parks and 77 unique neighborhoods. It's this truly distinctive mix of incredible attractions and cultural allure that make Chicago one of the
friendliest, most livable cities in America.
August, 2016
Chicago's developed a reputation as a must-visit destination for diners. In fact,
Chicago is one of only three cities in the country to have its culinary chops rated
by the prestigious Michelin Guide. With incredible shopping on The Magnificent
Mile, world premiere performances in its famed Theater District and one of the
country's most active nightlife scenes, this city is always buzzing. Chicago also
vaunts more than 60 museums, five regional Tony Award-winning theaters and,
no matter the season, there's always a professional sports team to cheer to victory.
A celebration of 100 years
of service
Situated squarely in the center of the country and equipped with two major, international airports, getting to Chicago is easy. Once you arrive, you'll be able to
choose from more than 38,000 hotel rooms in the downtown area alone. From
sleek downtown properties to luxury boutiques, you will discover outstanding
accommodations for every style and budget.
Marching on State Street
Millennium Park, deep dish pizza and Wrigley Field are all compelling enough
reasons to visit Chicago, but the city's most endearing quality is its people.
Chicago's neighborhoods represent more than 100 countries and it's through this
diversity and profound city culture that we are able to develop the country's best
restaurants, theaters and museums.
Chicago is excited to welcome Lions of the World home for the Centennial
Convention! For more information on enjoying the city, visit:
www.choosechicago.com/lcicon.
Welcome Home to Chicago
June 30-July 4, 2017
Parade July 1, 2017
Chicago & the Beach Boys
Your Kind of Town!
Inside this issue:
June 7, 1917
The Impulse to Serve
2
3
A Major announcement
4
On Line
Sergeant At Arms
5
Treasurer Notes
Chair Notes
6
Street Banner
Shadow Boxes
7
8
MD-1 Rally
9
Back Page
10
LCI Touchstone Story #26 - The Impulse to Serve
Melvin Jones had been a member of the Business Circle of Chicago, a lunch club for business men, for several
years when he began pondering a question: "What if these men, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?"
His club, like hundreds of others across America, was focused on helping members create a business network. The
U.S. economy was growing in the early 1900s and opportunities abounded. Yet landing new business still often
depended on whom you knew.
In prior generations, associations focusing on religious groups, industries or communities filled the need for socialization and networking among businessmen. But, by the early 20th century, that began to change. Business
luncheon clubs promised social and business connections across industries, usually over a hot meal, with a large
and eager membership from the growing middle class. Hundreds of these organizations popped up in towns across
the United States.
By the time Jones joined the Business Circle of Chicago in March 1913, the competition among clubs for membership was intensifying, and the Business Circle was losing members. Jones realized that for his club to survive, it
would have to join together with other smaller clubs. He was also convinced that it had to offer something different.
“I’m finding out that you don’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else,” Jones said. “And
I’m beginning to believe it might help some of these clubs, like The Circle, to take that to heart.”
Larger organizations such as the Elks, the Loyal Order of the Moose and Rotary International, had charitableservice components to their clubs. But Jones wanted to do more. Communities had many needs that called out for
someone to take responsibility and help. Youth needed mentors. The hungry needed feeding. The ill needed medical care. Jones envisioned a way to help individuals and communities through volunteer service.
“Any association that presumes to leadership in the community will have to offer something more than business
reciprocity among the members,” Jones told his club.
In 1917, Jones had the chance to make service part of the core of an organization. When his Business Circle met
with other like-minded clubs at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago, the groups united to become a greater force for good
under the name International Association of Lions Clubs. While fellowship and fun remained a hallmark of each
meeting, Lions Clubs took a giant step forward by emphasizing the need to serve.
CHICAGO—THAT TODDLIN TOWN!!!!!
A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT
THE LIONS INTERNATIONAL SHOW ON SATURDAY JULY 1,
WILL PRESENT
“CHICAGO” AND “THE BEACH BOYS”!
A FREE TICKET FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT
WILL BE YOURS AS PART OF YOUR CONVENTION REGISTRATION FEE OF
$130.00. BE A PART OF THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AND
PARTICIPATE IN THIS CHANCE OF A LIFETIME - SEEING AND HEARING
“CHICAGO” AND “THE BEACH BOYS” ON STAGE AT THE SAME TIME!
2017 HOST COMMITTEE IS ON LINE
The MD1 2017 Chicago Convention Host Committee is now on line with a new website and
Facebook Page.
Website location:
www.lions2017chicago.org,
Facebook location:
www.fb.com/lions2017chicago
Both are cross linked to each other as well.
The website is audience based, linked to LCI and MD1, and has information for convention attendees, the
thousands of volunteers that will be assisting during the convention including the host committee, subcommittee and district coordinators. Fresh content is now continually being added to both the website
and the Facebook page. Visit regularly and keep an eye on our progress! You can also find order forms
for all the various host committee merchandise and opportunities for clubs and individual Lions to assist
with sponsorships.
The Facebook page now has over 1,400 friends from all around the world and the pace of obtaining new
friends has greatly picked up since the 99th International Convention in Japan concluded.
Please “LIKE” our Facebook page and promote it and the website to all Clubs and Lions. When new
content is posted, the site is able to travel all around the world in just minutes. The more friends we have
- the greater our reach—and the faster we get any word out
Lion Tom Drez, MD-1 Information Technology
1-BK Lemont Lions Club
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
International Lions conventions are extraordinary events!
Like many events, a volunteer worker gets more out of the convention than ones who just attend. It usually is more fun to be a part of something than just an observer.
Sergeants-at-arms will function as guides - security monitors - helpers - and ushers. They will meet and
have constant interaction with Lions from all over the world. Surely, they will have plenty of time to see
the exhibits and be a part of the plenary sessions, International parade, and the International show.
Right now is the time to build up enthusiasm in your fellow Lions to volunteer to work or at least participate in our Centennial Convention.
These next 10 1/2 months will pass quickly. Talk it up in your Club and/or District, especially with newer
Lions. Get a group together. You'll be doing them a real favor.
Lion William Jordan, Sergeant-At-Arms Committee
1-F Northfield Lions Club
NOTES FROM THE TREASURER!
Lions
I would like to thank all who have shown support for the upcoming Lions International Convention. So
far it has been above our expectations, but as the 100 Anniversary Lions International Convention
nears we know that to meet our budget for the Convention we need more help.
The program of $100 for the 100th Anniversary Celebration would help if all the Lions Clubs in MD-1
donated. Or, if every Lions Club in MD-1 bought a street banner there are many ways to help make the
2017 Lions International Convention the best.
I know President Lion Robert Corlew and Lions Clubs International are happy with the success so far.
It is now with ten months remaining that we the Lions of MD-1 need to help as much as we can to
make our International Convention a huge success.
Yours in Lionism
Mike Smigielski PDG
2017 Committee Treasurer
NOTES FROM THE COMMITTEE
The Host Committee is currently active with various fund raising projects. Individual Club members
purchasing Commemorative Pins - Sponsorship of street banners that will be hung in downtown
Chicago during the Convention—the Shadow Box!.
All funds raised are a crucial part of the Host Committee functioning as host for this Convention. So,
as each Lions Club prepares its annual budget for the coming year, please keep in mind the needs
and financial goals of the 2017 MD1 Host Committee.
If the Committee can average $75.00 from each club in the State, the financial goals for the Convention can be met. and the Lions of the world will see the pride of the Lions hosting the Centennial
Celebration.
Special thanks to all those clubs and districts who have made donations already. Because of these
early donations the Committee has been able to do things already at the International level to encourage the Lions of the world to come to Chicago!
https://m.facebook.com/lions2017chicago/-district 1A
http://www.lions2017chicago.org/ - MD1 Site
http://lcicon.lionsclubs.org—LCI Site
website location:
Facebook location:
www.lions2017chicago.org,
www.fb.com/lions2017chicago