As 1997 draws to an end and we begin to make those 98 resolutions, all Missouri Lions need to make a Lions resolution to invite one prospective member to visit their club before June 30. If every Lion in the state would do this just think how many doors to Lionism would be opened.

For those Lions that have sponsored new members since April 1, of this year you should review how many more you need to sponsor to receive the Door Knob Award at the state convention. The Door Knob Award is given to every Lion in Missouri that sponsors five (5) or more new members between April, 97 and March 31, 98.

Many Lions have asked where the name of this award started. PDG E. B. Smith has visited with me and provided information that he had concerning the origin of this award. I hope the following information will "open the door" for you concerning this award.

In 1969 the Lions Clubs International October membership drive

theme was, "Open The Door". Like the October Membership Drive is today, a special pin was presented to those that sponsored a new member during that month.

That same year Lions E.B. Smith and V.H. Bradshaw came up with a plaque with a door knob on it in recognition of those Lions that had sponsored new members. The plaque was discontinued for several years around the time Lion Bradshaw was Lions International Extension Division Manager.

In 1980, Lion Tom Roberts approached Lion Smith to get the program started again. Lion Roberts went to the home of Lion Smith just before the state convention, sat on the back porch, used black transfer letters on gold paper to record name, number sponsored, and date, drill holes, and mounted the knobs.

It appears that this award has continued each year since 1980.

Submitted by PDG Bob Crump, Multiple District Membership Chairman.