Lions’ ethics needed today

Today with 1.4 million men and women in 44,800 clubs in 186

countries and territories around the world, Lion International has a

code of ethics that could and should be used by business, community

and political leaders, said Mike Scheafer, a past district governor

and third-term Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club president.

The Lions Code of Ethics states in part:

“To seek success and to demand all fair remuneration 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 actions on my part. To remember that in building up my

business it is not necessary to tear down another; 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 toward others, to

resolve such doubt against myself.”

“As far as the code, in my business competition [State Farm

Insurance] from other carriers is heavy,” Scheafer said. “I try to

help my customers with all of their needs. I don’t try to sell them

products they don’t need, and I do not get into bad-mouthing other

carriers when comparing companies. After all, it is the customer’s

choice, and I rely on them for my livelihood.”

Personally, I try to hold my friendships as true friendships, I

don’t try to “use” friends to enhance myself.

One of the codes says to help those in distress when you can. I

guess that is why I am a Lion Club member and sit on more than seven

boards of various philanthropic organizations.

The last code says to be careful with criticism and be liberal

with praise. That concept really directs my actions to others.

Building up is always better than destroying.

Corporate America can learn a lot about treating others more

generously instead of greedily, maybe we could send them a copy of

the code.

Arlene Schafer, a Harbor Mesa Lions Club past president, has

served Costa Mesa as a council member and as mayor, is the president

of the Costa Mesa Sanitary District and active in a dozen community

organizations.

“The Lions Code of Ethics is applicable to everyday life and

involves being community-minded and thinking of other people’s needs

besides my own,” notes Schafer.

For a complete copy of the Lions International eight-point code of

ethics, you may reach Scheafer at (714) 435-0300.

ONE HOUR PHOTO

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will hold its annual movie

benefit on Aug. 29 with a movie from 20th Century Fox, “One Hour

Photo,” starring Robin Williams.

The evening will include tastes from a dozen of Newport Beach’s

best restaurants. The price of admission is $40, and VIP seating is

available at $60. Proceeds from the evening will go to support the

Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center and other club charitable

activities.

For tickets, call Tom Norton at (949) 644-2382.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

OF SERVICE CLUBS

Rich Rodriques joined the Costa Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club.

Remo Richli, classification International Business Consulting,

sponsored by Dr. Raj Desai, joined the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa.

SERVICE CLUB

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will meet at Five

Crowns Restaurant for a program on literacy by the Newport Beach

Public Library.

WEDNESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The 20-member South Coast Metro Rotary Club will meet

at the Center Club (www.southcoastmetrorotary.org), and the Newport

Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the University Athletic Club.

Noon: The 35-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast will meet at

the Bahia Corinthian Yacht.

6 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will meet at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Faye Bosler, a member of the

Literacy Advisory Council of the Newport Beach Public Library

(www.newportbalboa.org).

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-plus-member Costa Mesa-Orange Coast Breakfast Lions

Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn (www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa), the Newport

Beach-Corona del Mar Kiwanis Club will meet at the Bahia Corinthian

Yacht Club to hear former Angel pitcher Dave Frost discuss Angel

baseball, the 80-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will meet at

the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum for a business meeting, and the

100-member Newport-Irvine Rotary Club will meet at the Irvine

Marriott Hotel for the official visit of District Gov. Jim Parsons

(www.nirotary.org).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (949)

660-8667; e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com or by mail to 2082 S.E. Bristol

St., Suite 201, Newport Beach, CA 92660-1740.