Dreaming the dream of Melvin Jones

For our citizens, the introduction to Lions Clubs and the International Association took place during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, while the first Lions Club was chartered on April 10, 1997.

Slovenian, Turkish and Italian friendship

Through friendship with the Slovenian Lions, thirty prominent intellectuals, friends and associates founded the first Lions Club in the country. A few months later, the second Lions Club was founded. Practically, the establishment of the first two clubs went almost in parallel, and in the next three years two more Lions clubs were founded. The establishment of these clubs happened thanks to existing business connections and friendship relations with Lions from Slovenia, Turkey and Italy.

Among the founders of the first clubs were Vlado Kambovski, Ratko Chadikovski, Marija Sholjakova, Trajche Nikolovski, Nikola Dodevski, Jordan Saveski, Niko Paligora, Stole Popov, Esma Redzepova Teodosievska, Violeta Tomovska, Baki Maliqi, Enver Maliqi and others.

In 2007, or ten years later, Lionism left the borders of the capital, and the first clubs were chartered in Ohrid and Bitola, to be followed by several other cities throughout the country.

We care about the future

In parallel with the establishment of the first clubs, in November 1999, the Lions received the initiative to charter the first Leo club. It is a club of young people, not older than 30 years of age. The list included successful pop and classical music stars, Olympians, actors, future and current medical doctors, lawyers, university professors, bankers, etc.

A few years later, Leo clubs were established in other cities of the state, following the development of Lions clubs.

Among the founders of Leo clubs were Aleksandar Miladinovski, Blagoj Nacoski, Jovan Jovanov, Toshe Proeski, Ana Stamenkovska, Borche Dimitrovski, Filipo Sharevski and others.