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Authored by: Lion Jack Wilmeth, LionNet California
Addends by: John MacPherson, Lion WebRing / Ringmaster, LionNet B.C. Let us look at this in reference to the Lions Objectives: 1. To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. The key word here is "world" and the Internet brings the world to every club that has a web page or access to the Internet. 2. To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship. By being able to access information freely, we can see and understand the structure and workings of not only our own government, but of governments around the world. We can come to understand exactly what "good citizenship" is by seeing it in action. 3. To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. When we can easily access information about our community, and communicate regarding the community, we become an active part of the community. 4. To unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. Communication and understand with other clubs is paramount to the so solidly formed through quick and easy communication. The Internet is a prime provider of this easy communication. 5. To provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members. Lionism does not consist of only one club but an international association of many clubs. In other words, Lions Clubs have a responsibility as to share their experiences with the world Lion Community. 6. To encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors. Only by seeing and understanding the community can we begin to serve, and only by understanding can we measure the efficiency and ethical behavior in our practices. Community is a key word here. By community, we don't mean the four blocks around our house, the few square miles of our town, or even our county, state, province, or other unit. We mean the community of the world. What we do affects our community, and that means the world. By opening our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to the world, we become a much part of it. What will it do for us as Lions? The answer to the question "What will it do for us?" can be found in the underlying reason for Lionism, which is to create an environment by which people can learn about and understand each other. There is no better medium for this than the Internet because it freely crosses all national, ethnic, and religious boundaries. What the "LionNets and Webrings" are doing is making it easy for the people to find others who share this same goal: "To unite the clubs" and the people of the world "in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding." It would be difficult for anyone to understand the power the Lionnet and Webring organizations have for accomplishing this until becoming a part of it. Not only are we spreading Lionism but also an understanding of each other, which will make the world a safer and better place for our children. In understanding other cultures and beliefs we gain an acceptance of them. This will reduce the possibility of ethnic or regional wars or conflicts which your son or daughter someday may be involved in. By understanding other cultures, we also come to understand the differences, and how necessary differences are; how variety makes the world such an interesting place. We also learn that there are many different ways to approach our problems and our lives, and that there may not be any one best way. Understanding this simple fact allows the world's people to flourish in their individual ways. Thus, the Internet, and Lions on-line, effectively and efficiently furthers the causes of Lionism, around the world. What will it do for our Club? You will find your club page attracts new members. The fact that your club is on-line gives another attraction to prospective members - modernity. Some clubs offer a free dinner to guests who mention the web page and that, of course, becomes the opportunity to recruit, particularly if couple the web site with any other promotion. There is also the convenience, speed, and low cost of e-mail. One Club Newsletter Editor sends his newsletter out to fully half the membership by e-mail before he ever prints it out, folds it, puts stamps on it, and goes to the post office to send the remainder. This Editor says he saves enough that his club will be able to award a Melvin Jones fellowship every four years! The LionNet Node and Webring link to local clubs, which can be very helpful for relocating Lions looking for a club to transfer to. This also encourages more local clubs to go on-line which furthers the causes of Lionism. At the least, the Webmaster and any club members who are interested will make many new friends from all over the world and find compatible projects to share information about and perhaps even undertake jointly. It all helps to make Lions benefits available to more people. |