Lions Club International Purposes & Code of Ethics

TO ORGANISE, charter and supervise service clubs known as Lions Clubs

TO COORDINATE the activities and standardize the administration of Lions Clubs

TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world

TO PROMOTE the principles of good government and good citizenship

TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community

TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding

TO PROVIDE a forum for open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members

TO ENCOURAGE service-minded people to serve their community without a personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavours

TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service

TO SEEK success and to demand all fair renumeration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part

TO REMEMBER that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down anothers; To be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself

WHENEVER a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve that doubt against myself

TO HOLD friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given

ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state and my community and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely of my time, labour and means.

TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy

TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy