PIP W. R. Bryan
1969-1970
The following excerpts from PIP W. R. “Dick” Bryan’s 1969 inauguration address remind us of the importance of local clubs as the foundation of the Lions International pyramid. The Lion from Doylestown, Ohio, who reached the very pinnacle of Lions leadership, emphasized your service in your club is what makes Lionism meaningful. We Serve.
"We can never forget that Lionism at the local level is the real strength of this Association."
"Your Lions club is the most important key to success."
PIP James T. Coffey
1993-1994
PIP Jim Coffey, an Ohio Lion from Toronto, Ohio, in his 1993 inauguration address emphasized one tenet we recognize today as critical. At the time of this address, LCI had 1.4 million members – about the same number of Lions we have today! Fewer than 5 percent were women. Today we are slightly over 32 percent female. Women make up just over half of our population in Ohio. PIP Coffey would be proud we are moving forward in this respect, but not satisfied.
"The most obvious example in emphasizing our standing as a service club is to invite women to become members."
"Women in every community possess the individual skills and enthusiasm to make the local Lions clubs still more effective in meeting their service obligations."
