that few organisations will ever attain -- 75 continuous years of service to humankind.

Dedicated to helping both the local and international communities without regard to politics, religion, race or the personal interests of their members, Lion Clubs everywhere can be justifiably proud of their history.

Over the next 12 pages, in a special tribute to the Lions Clubs, we take a look at the organisation's history, its accomplishments, its members and its hopes for the future.

The International Association of Lions Clubs was founded when 25 independent business clubs responded to an idea presented to them by an insurance agent from Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Melvin Jones.

He believed the clubs should expand their horizons from purely business concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world as a whole.

Mr. Jones also suggested that the individual clubs consolidate into one association.

At an organisational meeting in June, 1917, the new group took the name of one of the clubs which had been invited -- Association of Lions Clubs -- and adopted the motto, "We Serve''.

The association became international in 1920, when the first Lions Clubs were established in Canada.

From those humble beginnings, "Lionism'' has grown into the world's largest service-oriented organisation. There are nearly 4.1 million men and women in more than 40,000 clubs located in 177 countries and geographical areas.

Bermuda became the 18th country to embrace "Lionism'', when the Hamilton Club received its charter on May 12, 1946, from representatives of its sponsoring club in New York.

From there, it spread around the Island.

The Hamilton club sponsored the formation of the Island's second club, Sandys Lions Club in 1954. Five years later, Sandys helped establish the Eastern Lions Club, who in turn sponsored the Paget Lions Club, in 1986.

The Lioness programme, whose motto is "We Serve Too'', was given formal recognition by Lions International in 1975.

In 1977, the Hamilton Lioness Club was chartered, making it one of the first such clubs in the world.

Today, there are almost 6,000 Lioness Clubs worldwide with some 146,000 members in 96 countries or geographical areas.

During the 1980s, Bermuda gained the Eastern Lioness and Somers Lioness Clubs.

In 1987, the word "male'' was removed as a requirement for membership from the International Association of Lions' constitution and bylaws, and women were extended full membership privileges on an international basis.

Leo Clubs, the junior branch of the Lions family which was started in Pennsylvania in 1957, had a rather late start in the Island.

The Paget Lions and Somers Lioness Clubs sponsored the establishment of both of Bermuda's Leo Clubs: Warwick Academy in 1991 and the Berkeley Institute this year.

Lions and Lionesses participate in many activities, initiating service projects in their own communities and banding with other clubs to tackle global concerns.

Sight conservation has been at the forefront of the association's work since the 1920s.

Through the establishment of glaucoma detection centres, eye research foundations, eye banks, training facilities for guide dogs, rehabilitation centres and other blind service activities, Lions are now recognised as leaders in this field.

In addition, they are involved in drug awareness, diabetes education and research, as well as environmental, educational, citizenship, social, recreational and public services.

MILESTONE -- Members of the Hamilton Lions assembled at the Bermudiana Hotel for celebrations marking the club's 20th anniversary on May 14, 1966. Twenty three years later Lions membership continues to grow.

FLASHBACK -- Long-time members of the Hamilton Lions Club pose after receiving awards from Lions International in 1974. They are (from left): Mr. W.F.

(Chummy) Hayward, the late Mr. A.E. Nicholl, the late Mr. Percy Hunt, the late Ernest Cooper, Mr. Leon Barritt and the late Mr. Darrel Lightbourn. Mr.

Hayward and Mr. Barritt are currently the Island's longest serving Lions Club members, having joined the organisation over 45 years ago.