DALTON, Ga. — For Haynes Townsend, working with the Lions Club is not only a personal passion, but it may be the way he sails off into retirement. 

Townsend, Whitfield County’s chief magistrate judge, was elected third vice president for Lions Club International recently, a role that will see him transition to second vice president next year, followed by president the year following. Townsend said the current president of the international group has only been home about nine days thus far into his tenure. 

“As we move on up, travel will become more and more a part of the way we visit Lions Clubs around the world. I’ve been doing this job now for almost 21 years, being a judge, so at some point in the future, I don’t know when, I’ll probably retire,” said Townsend in the courthouse recently while sitting behind his desk decorated with Lions Club memorabilia.  “A lot of travel comes with the job, but that’s how you get to recognize how important diversity is, not only to your small community but to your large, worldwide organization.” 

With about 1.5 million members around the globe, Lions Club International is the largest service organization on the planet, said Townsend, and between the club and its foundation it represents about an $800 million enterprise. 

“I’ve always been a big believer in diversity. We have a very diverse office here,” said Townsend, referring to Magistrate Court. “White, African-American, Hispanic, male, female — we’re kind of like a big family here. We enjoy each other’s company and ideas that we have, and it seems to work out very well. The more we can be accepting of that throughout our community and worldwide, the better off we’ll all be.”

The club, which celebrated its centennial this year, focuses on providing help for people who need sight, hearing and diabetes care. There are Lions Clubs in 202 countries.

As third vice president, Townsend will use his 39 years experience with the club to visit other chapters and serve as a motivational speaker while learning the ins and outs of the international operation that has its headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill.

“I never thought I would get to this level, but it’s one of those things that kind of happen when you least expect it,” he said. 

Townsend credits an old friend, Mel Johnson, with impressing him enough to join the Lions Club nearly four decades ago. Townsend used to be in the hardware and building supply business in downtown Dalton, and his Fraker Hardware was right next door to Belk. One day the manager of Belk took Townsend to a Lions Club meeting at lunch, and Johnson, who was running for district governor of the club, was the speaker. 

“I was really impressed by his talk and what he had to say and the fact that he wanted to get out and help people, so I joined that day,” said Townsend. “You know, about 25 years later I did the eulogy at Mel’s funeral, so it was a longstanding friendship that we had.”

Townsend points to the Lions Club motto — “We serve” — as what sets the group apart from some other service organizations. He says he enjoys getting out into the community and meeting the people they help face to face.

Dalton has two Lions Clubs. The Dalton Noon Lions Club, with about 14 members, is Townsend’s group, while the Dalton Lions Club meets in the evening and has about 20 members. The Noon Lions Club hosts the annual Christmas parade, and they also help people who need eyeglasses or surgery get the care they need, as well as securing hearing aids for people who can’t afford them.

Townsend’s wife Donna, a retired music teacher, is also a member of the Lions Club and was the first woman admitted to a Lions Club in Georgia. They are members of First United Methodist Church.