Over the decades, I’ve kept a treasured collection of hundreds of pins from all corners of the world. Each one tells a story—not just of a place, but of a handshake, a smile, and a shared commitment to service.
Of course, pin trading is not without its etiquette. At the Lions Convention Pin Trading Centre, it’s customary for collectors to inspect each other’s offerings before making a deal. Quality matters. A well-crafted pin can command attention, while a simpler one might require a trade of two or three in return—or sometimes, no trade at all.
To participate, I always made sure to bring our home pins—purchased in advance and packed with care. These little emblems became my ambassadors, representing our club and our country in miniature form.
At any Lions International Convention, you’ll find a sea of delegates—15,000 to 20,000 strong. Even if only half of them carry pins, the potential for exchange is staggering. Add in District and MD conventions, and the numbers climb even higher.
It didn’t take long for me to be swept into the world of Lions lapel pins—a hobby shared fondly among delegates. I began collecting in the late 1960s, and today, I’ve collected hundreds of pins from across the globe. Each one marks a moment, a meeting, a memory.
Soon, I discovered that special pins—those commemorating club anniversaries, twinning ceremonies, or unique events—were especially prized. These weren’t just tokens; they were stories in metal and enamel.
But pin trading isn’t always straightforward. At the Pin Trading Centre, collectors inspect quality closely. A lower-grade pin might require trading two or three in return—or no deal at all. That’s when I learned: the best exchanges often happen person-to-person, in the quiet corners of convention halls.
At the 2004 OSEAL Forum in Manila, I added scores of new pins to my collection—not just through trades, but through conversations and shared purpose. More importantly, I forged life-long friendships—proof that the real value of a pin lies not in its design, but in the bond it creates.
This little metal piece may not carry great monetary value—but behind every Lions pin lies a story. Often, it begins with a simple exchange, a smile, and a shared purpose. These pins have become my favorite ice-breakers, sparking conversations with total strangers and, more often than not, blossoming into lasting friendships.
Beyond their charm, Lions pins serve as proud ambassadors—representing not just our clubs, but also my beloved hometown, Penang, and our vibrant country, Malaysia. Each pin I’ve collected carries a piece of home, shared across borders and languages.
Humbly, I present a selection from my personal Lions Pin Collection—tokens of fellowship, travel, and the enduring spirit of Lionism.
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