9 Sept 2025
It was conducted by Dr. Richard Ng via Google Meet and broadcasted live on Titktok with the participation of 25 Lion Members and 1,200 Tiktok Viewers.
The following is the Notes transcribed by Gemini AI for reference.
Abstract:
Dr. Richard Ng, a long-serving Lion member, introduced himself and provided a comprehensive overview of Lionism, covering its history, the Lions Club's slogan, and its global expansion, emphasizing the importance of recruiting younger members and women. Dr. Richard Ng, Wendy Kan, and Patrick Wong reviewed the Lions Club's Code of Ethics, stressing integrity, loyalty, and service, while also outlining the organizational structure, membership types, and key leaders, along with Mission 1.5's goal of 1.5 million members by June 30, 2027. The session concluded with Richard Ng detailing various community projects, including hunger relief, youth development, and disaster relief, highlighting the emotional impact of such work and offering a QR code for evaluation and certificate issuance.
Dr. Richard Ng
highlighted that Google Meet's Gemini AI would transcribe and summarize meeting
content, making it easier for attendees to refer to notes rather than reviewing
long video recordings.
Introduction
and Background of Dr. Richard Ng
Historical Highlights of Lionism
Dr. Richard Ng provided historical context for the Lions Club International, noting it was started by Melvin Jones, who believed in helping those in need. He explained that the organization became an international service entity in 1920, registered in Canada.
Dr. Richard Ng also referenced Helen Keller's famous quote, "Alone you can do so little. Together, we can do so much," emphasizing the power of collective action.
Lions Club Slogan
Dr. Richard Ng
explained that the Lions Club slogan "we serve" originated in 1954
and continues to guide members, reflecting their commitment to serving the
community out of love rather than obligation. He shared his 20 years of
experience as a Lion, acknowledging the personal sacrifices involved, and
stressed the importance of serving with sincerity and without high expectations
for gratitude.
Lions Club Membership Demographics and Expansion
Dr. Richard Ng noted that the average age of Lions Club members is 67, highlighting the need to recruit younger individuals and more female participants to lower this average. He mentioned the establishment of LEO clubs for those over 12 years old as part of the effort to bring in younger members.
Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) and Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF)
Dr. Richard Ng
explained that the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) was established
to raise funds for global service projects, such as disaster relief and grants
for community projects. He detailed the Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF) recognition
for those who contribute $1,000 USD to LCIF, emphasizing that contributions can
be accumulated over time.
Lions Club in Malaysia
Dr. Richard Ng
informed the attendees that the first Lions Club in Malaysia was formed in
Kuala Lumpur on February 18, 1959, known as the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpor
host. He explained that the "host" designation indicates the first
club established in a particular state or region.
Lions Club International Milestones and Growth
Dr. Richard Ng stated that in 1973, Lions Club International reached 1 million members, and their current target is 1.5 million members by June 30, 2027. He also mentioned the abandonment of women's clubs in 2022 since launched in 1987 to promote gender equality within the organization.
Core Projects and Initiatives
Dr. Richard Ng outlined eight core projects that Lions Clubs focus on, including childhood cancer awareness, diabetes prevention, disaster relief, environmental protection, humanitarian aid, hunger relief, vision care, and youth development. He emphasized that humanitarian projects are broad and can include diverse activities like community gardening.
Peace Poster Contest and Partnerships
Dr. Richard Ng highlighted the Peace Poster Contest, started in 1988, as a way to cultivate peace among young people, citing the first winner from Lebanon. He also noted LCIF's partnership with the Carter Center in 1999 to combat river blindness in Africa and Latin America.
Membership Criteria and Engagement
Dr. Richard Ng clarified that anyone with compassion and enthusiasm can join the Lions Club, regardless of their professional status or financial background, as long as they do not have a criminal record or are not bankrupt. He stressed the importance of engaging members and appreciating their contributions to ensure retention, noting that lack of appreciation can lead to members leaving.
Lions Club Organizational Structure and Values
Dr. Richard Ng explained the acronym L.I.O.N.S. as "Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety," which guides the organization's mission to foster understanding, promote good governance, and encourage civic engagement. He clarified the distinction between "Lions International" and "Lions Clubs International" and the symbolic meaning of the Lions Club logo.
Code of Ethics
Dr. Richard Ng reviewed the Lions Club's Code of Ethics, emphasizing the importance of integrity, loyalty, and service without personal financial reward. Wendy Kan and Pat Wong helped read sections of the code, which underscored values such as industriousness, earning a good reputation, and avoiding unfair advantage.
Lion's Code of Ethics Dr. Richard Ng emphasized the importance of adhering to the Lion's Code of Ethics, highlighting that members must prioritize friendship, community obligation, and empathy. They also stressed the importance of constructive criticism and liberal praise, suggesting that criticism should be private while praise should be public.
Lions Club Structure and Member Importance
Dr. Richard Ng
detailed the organizational structure of the Lions Club, including members,
clubs, zones, regions, districts, multiple districts, and international levels.
They underscored that members are the most crucial asset, as without them, a
club cannot thrive or function effectively.
Membership
Types and Financials
Dr. Richard Ng clarified that most attendees are active members, though other types like associate and honorary members exist for significant contributors. They also mentioned that district dues are now $50 USD and that local clubs have autonomy over their membership fees, as long as international and district dues are paid.
District and International Leadership
Dr. Richard Ng identified District 308 B2 as encompassing Kedah, Perak, Selangor, and Cameron Highlands, and highlighted key leaders such as immediate past district governor Lion Don Hoe and current district governor Tan Say Cheong. He also introduced the international president, AP Singh, and three international vice presidents: Mark Leon, Dr. Manosha, and Tony Benhow.
Mission 1.5 and Global Initiatives
Dr. Richard Ng discussed Mission 1.5, which aims to achieve 1.5 million members by June 30, 2027, encouraging clubs to recruit at least two new members for positive growth. They also outlined the eight global causes and emphasized specific projects like mental health awareness (October 4-12), hunger relief (January 3-11), and environment projects (April 18-26), urging clubs to engage in preventive actions.
Community Projects and Aid
Dr. Richard Ng showcased various projects undertaken by Lions Clubs, including hunger relief, environmental initiatives, vision testing, health checks, and childhood cancer support. He shared a particularly touching example of supporting children with cancer and their families at a center, noting the emotional impact of such work.
Youth Development and Disaster Relief
Dr. Richard Ng highlighted a youth development project where their club donated paint to a school, helping to cheer up students and encourage attendance. They also discussed a joint disaster relief project appealing for non-cash contributions like drinking water and hygiene kits, specifying ideal item sizes for efficient distribution.
Training and Recognition
Dr. Richard Ng concluded the session by announcing that Loyal Academy sponsored the Google Meet and certificates for the training, emphasizing the academy's slogan: "We always begin with your expectation and end with your achievement".
