HISTORY OF THE SAN DIEGO COSMOPOLITAN LIONS CLUB
In support of the many visions and aspirations of the Lions Clubs International, specifically to promote the growth of its membership, twelve (12) Lion members of the San Diego Majestic Lions Club decided to charter a new club. By creating a new club, the membership and service projects are likewise increased.
In the early summer of 2004, Lion Carl Batuyong, Lion Armando Abayon and Lion Lydia Duro set the wheels into motion. They invited prospective charter members in an organizational meeting held at Lion Diana Batuyong-Vitin's place of residence on 1493 Ilexey Avenue in South San Diego to elucidate what Lionism is all about and to invite them to become charter members of a new Lions Club.. Lion Carl Batuyong suggested the name "COSMOPOLITAN" to signify an all inclusive, freethinking, liberal citizens of the world. Although predominantly Filipinos, the invited prospective members represent several different ethnic backgrounds; Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, African-American... Through his creative visions and imaginations, he conceptualized the logo and it symbolism...a big "C" with all the colors of the rainbow to represent the ethnic diversity of its members; the Lion logo is inside the multi-colored "C" akin to the human heart that is inside our chest and to symbolize that the diversity in ethnicity, tradition, color and creed is embraced in the true context of Lionsim, like the human heart enclaved in our chest.
Santee Lions Club (formerly Rancho Santee), under the presidency of Lion Marilynn Enzenauer, sponsored the club. The Certified Guiding Lion was PDG Ike Enzenauer (who guided us for 2 years) and another Guiding Lion, PDG Juanita-MangelsWilliams (who guided us for 1 year). The charter application was submitted during the 2004 International Convention in Denver, Colorado and the club was recorded as chartered on July 4, 2004 and holds the record as the first club chartered in Lion year 2004-2005 world wide. Dr. Priscila Pizarro was elected to be the charter president.
On October 9, 2004 a formal Charter Night Presentation was held at the MCAS, Miramar where the charter officers were installed by DG Len Blottin and the charter members inducted by PDG Bucky Blottin. There were officially 33 charter members at the time of this presentation; seven (7) of which were Melvin Jones Fellows.
The enthused officers and members lived up to the challenge of Lionism, immediately practicing the motto: "WE SERVE". By November, they presented the San Diego Rescue Mission with donation of money and food items for Thanksgiving. In December, they served the holiday meals to the homeless and brought gifts of toys, clothes and food items to the residents of the SD Rescue Mission. They spread joy and cheer and at the same time conducted a caroling fundraising throughout the month of December.
The year 2005-2006 was busy for the club. They joined the District sponsored medical mission to San Quintin, Mexico in March. In an unprecented move, they sponsored two (2) LEO Clubs simultaneously: the CHULA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL LEO CLUB and the CHULA VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL LEO CLUB. They twinned with the "CLUB DE LEONES TIJUANA KUMIAI". They participated in the District sponsored medical mission to Tecate, Mexico in October. They were requested to assist other Lions clubs in smaller health faires around San Diego. Community services and fundraising projects were conducted.
As one Lion year turns to another, the young club is no longer a young cub; much has already been accomplished. Experiences, successes and even mistakes had made them resilient and enduring. They have carved their own niche in the district and is a respectable club all around. Much had changed in procedures, personalitites, rules and regulations but the one thing that has remained consistent is their passion "TO SERVE"
