Social Paper Essay（need be done in 10 hours）

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Amanda  Anderberg  

Sociology  1010  

Final  

SOCIOLOGICAL  ANALYSIS  OF  THE  ZION  CANYON  LIONS  CLUB  

  I  am  a  member  of  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club.    In  this  analysis  I  will  focus  on  the  history  

of  the  Lions  Club,  as  well  as  my  specific  history  in  joining  the  Lions  Club.    I  will  then  apply  the  

theory   of   symbolic   interactionism   to   the   club.     I   will   explore   the   concepts   of   gender,   age,  

race/ethnicity,  and  stratification  within  the  group.  

History  of  Lions  Club  

The   Lions   Club   began   in   1917   by  

businessman,   Melvin   Jones,   in   Chicago.     Melvin  

belonged  to  a  business  club  in  Chicago,  and  wanted  

the   club   to   reach   beyond   business   and   into   the  

community.     After   contacting   several   similar  

business  groups,  The  Lions  Club  was  formed.    Three  years  later,  it  had  grown  into  an  international  

organization.    (Lions  Club  International,  n.d.)  

Lions  Club  is  the  largest  service  club  organization  in  the  United  States.    Lions  Club  is  broken  

down  into  small  local  chapters.    These  local  clubs  meet  on  a  regular  basis  to  determine  how  to  

best  raise  funds  to  help  their  local  communities.    Most  of  the  funds  raised  by  the  Zion  Canyon  

Lions   Club   are   used   to   pay   for   eye   exams   and   eye   glasses   for   children   in   need   in   our   local  

community,  as  well  as  helping  restore  and  improve  local  parks  and  green  space.  

I  joined  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club  because  my  partner  is  a  member  and  I  wanted  to  be  

able  to  participate  along  with  him.    In  order  to  join  the  Lions  Club,  you  have  to  be  sponsored  in  

 

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by  another  member.    My  boyfriend  served  as  my  sponsor.    Once  you  have  a  sponsor,  you  simply  

talk  to  the  president  of  your  local  club  to  have  your  name  placed  on  the  membership  list,  then  

you  pay  your  annual  fee.    At  that  point,  you  can  begin  to  fully  participate  in  club  activities.      

Symbolic  Interactionism  of  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club  

Symbolic  Interactionism  places  importance  on  the  study  of  language  and  communication  

in  the  social  world.    Virtually  all  interactions  between  individuals  involve  an  exchange  of  symbols.    

(Giddens,  2011)    This  theoretical  perspective  is  appropriate  in  analyzing  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  

Club   because   of   the   many   symbolic   words,   gestures,   and   clothing   that   are   part   of   being   a  

member.  

In  analyzing  the  Lions  Club  through  the  symbolic  interactionism  perspective,  it  is  clear  that  

group  members  have  a  unique  form  of  communication  during  formal  meetings.    The  president  

and   secretary   of   the   club   lead   the   monthly  

meetings.     Members   in   attendance   are   able   to  

speak  about  topics  of  interest,  ask  questions,  and  

otherwise   participate   in   the   meeting   by   simply  

raising  a  hand  and  waiting  to  be  called  upon.    In  the  

Lions  Club,  if  a  decision  needs  to  be  made  about  

where  to  donate  funds,  or  anything  related  to  club  

business,  a  vote  must  be  taken.    Instead  of  using  

I  have  not  been  present  to  witness  a  no  vote,  but  I  assume  the  correct  protocol  would  be  to  use  

extremely  strange  and  

 

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slightly  embarrassing.    I  decided,  as  the  youngest  member  of  the  group,  that  I  would  use  the  word  

In  addition,  the  president  uses  a  gavel  during  the  meeting  to  

bring  the  meeting  to  order  or  conclusion.          

After  every  meeting  there  is  a  social  gathering/refreshment  period.    During  this  time,  

everyone  speaks  freely  to  one  another,  and  there  is  no  roaring  or  meowing  happening.  

During  our  public  events,  such  as  our  annual  charity  bingo  game,  all  members  who  are  

volunteering  wear  either  a  vest,  a  hat,  or  a  shirt,  bearing  the  Lions  Club  logo.    This  is  a  symbol  

that  speaks  to  people  outside  of  our  group,  letting  them  know  that  we  are  members  of  the  club.  

Gender,  Age,  Race/Ethnicity,  and  Stratification  of  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club  

Our  group  is  nearly  equal  in  the  ratio  of  men  versus  women  members.    I  believe  this  is  

because  there  are  many  couples  who  are  members.    However,  there  are  actually  a  few  more  men  

than  women.    The  majority  age  group  of  the  club  is  fifty  years  and  over.    In  fact,  I  am  the  only  

member  under  the  age  of  forty.    (I  am  trying  to  inject  youth  into  the  club).    There  are  three  

members   in  their  forties.    The  rest  of  the  group  (the  majority)   is  fifty  and  over.    The  oldest  

member  of  the  group  is  76.  

 The  race/ethnicity  of  the  group  is  white.    There  are  no  members  of  a  non-­‐white  race.    All  

of  the  members  are  at  least  second  generation  United  States  citizens  from  any  possible  foreign  

ancestry.     All   of   that   ancestry   appears   to   be   European.     These   racial   demographics   seem  

overwhelmingly  one-­‐sided,  however,  I  believe  they  are  a  reflection  of  the  demographics  of  our  

small  community,  wherein  only  ten  percent  of  the  population  is  non-­‐white.  

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The  stratification  of  the  group  is  definitely  lop-­‐sided.    All  of  our  group  members  are  either  

business  owners,  or  the  partner  of  a  business  owner.    In  turn,  the  group  is  comprised  of  single  

individuals,  or  couples,  whose  combined  income  puts  them  into  middle  to  upper-­‐middle  class  

status.  

Possible  Reasons  for  the  Stratification  Patterns  in  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club  

In  our  group,  we  are  continually  struggling  to  gain  new  members.    This  can  be  difficult  in  

a  community  which  boasts  a  total  population  of  approximately  500  persons.    The  more  members  

we  have,  the  more  volunteer  work  we  can  accomplish  and  the  more  money  we  can  raise.      

As  a  member  of  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club,  you  receive  no  monetary  benefit.    In  fact,  to  

be  a  member  you  must  pay  an  annual  fee.    Although  the  potential  exists  for  networking  with  

other  members  to  benefit  any  business  you  may  have,  that  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  club.    I  joined  

the  club  because  I  wanted  to  participate  in  a  charitable  group  and  help  to  make  a  difference  in  

our  local  community.    The  rewards  of  being  a  member  are  seeing  the  difference  you  can  make  in  

the  lives  of  people  in  the  community.    In  talking  to  my  fellow  members,  this  is  the  consensus  for  

why  they  joined  the  club.    Yet,  we  have  difficulty  attracting  new  members,  specifically  young  

members.    As  stated  above,  all  of  the  members,  or  their  partners,  own  a  small  business  in  town.    

It  is  not  unusual  for  people  to  own  a  business  in  Springdale,  as  our  town  is  comprised  of  small,  

independent  businesses.    Also,  it  appears  to  me  that  each  person  in  the  club,  either  on  their  own  

or  with  the  joint  income  of  their  partner,  falls  into  the  middle  to  upper-­‐middle  class  bracket.  

From  this  information,  it  seems  that  it  may  be  easier  for  people  in  higher  classes  to  donate  

time   for   a   non-­‐monetary   reward.     This   is   not   to   say   that   young,   lower-­‐class   people   are  

uninterested   in   helping   others,   but   some   of   them   are   probably   busy   surviving   paycheck   to  

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paycheck.    This  could  hinder  their  desire  to  take  time  away  from  work  and  family  to  volunteer  for  

our  club.      

Conclusion  

  In  conclusion,  the  Zion  Canyon  Lions  Club  is  a  non-­‐profit  organization  and  is  a  branch  of  

-­‐care  for  the  needy  in  our  

community,  and  to  invest  in  local  parks  and  green  spaces  in  our  community.    We  are  a  group  

consisting  of  forty-­‐two  members  (in  a  community  of  approximately  500  persons).    Our  group  

consists   of   people   of   white,   presumably   European,  

heritage.    There  are  almost  an  even  number  of  males  

and  females  in  the  group.    The  majority  of  the  group  is  

over   fifty   years   of   age,   although   there   are   a   few  

members  in  their  forties,  and  one  in  her  thirties.    The  group  is  overwhelmingly  comprised  of  small  

business  owners,  who  find  themselves  in  the  middle  to  upper-­‐middle  class.      

Some  specific  s

communicate  to  others  that  we  are  members  of  the  Lions  Club.      All  of  the  symbols  used  to  

communicate,  both  verbally  and  non-­‐verbally,  help  to  keep  our  group  a  cohesive,  cooperative,  

and  efficient  unit.  

 

 

 

 

 

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References   Giddens,  A.  (2011).  Essentials  of  Sociology.  WW  Norton  &  Co.  

Lions  Club  International.  (n.d.).  Retrieved  from  http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.php