Constitution
and By-Laws
(Lions
Clubs International)
(Part
one)
PURPOSES
TO ORGANIZE, charter
and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.
TO COORDINATE the
activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.
TO CREATE and
foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
TO PROMOTE the
principles of good government and good citizenship.
TO TAKE an
active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the
community.
TO UNITE the
clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.
TO PROVIDE a
forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided,
however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by
club members.
TO ENCOURAGE service-minded
people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to
encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry,
professions, public works and private endeavors.
VISION STATEMENT
TO BE the
global leader in community and humanitarian service.
MISSION STATEMENT
TO EMPOWER volunteers
to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and
promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Constitution and By-Laws
The Lions Club of Chartered by and under the jurisdiction
of THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS This standard form is recommended for adoption by the Lions
club as its official local club Constitution and By- Laws.
Immediately upon adoption by the club, a permanent copy of this Constitution
and By-Laws is to be filed by the secretary in his/her record book. This
Standard Form Club Constitution and By-Laws, and all amendments thereto, shall
be in full force and effect and govern the operation of any Lions club that has
not adopted its own Constitution and By-Laws.
The International Board of Directors shall
and hereby does declare as policy that with respect to any matter of club
operations which is consistent with the International Constitution and By-Laws
and is not covered by the constitution and by-laws of the respective club and
is covered by the Standard Form Lions Club Constitution and By- Laws that the
provisions of the latter shall govern and control.
STANDARD CLUB CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – Name ........................................................2
ARTICLE II – Purposes ................................................2
ARTICLE III – Membership
SEC. 1 – Eligibility for Club
Membership........................2
SEC. 2 – Membership by Invitation ................................2
SEC. 3 – Forfeiture of
Membership................................3
ARTICLE IV – Emblem, Colors, Slogan and Motto
SEC. 1 – Emblem
..........................................................3
SEC. 2 – Use of Name and Emblem..............................3
SEC. 3 –
Colors..............................................................3
SEC. 4 – Slogan
............................................................3
SEC. 5 – Motto
..............................................................3
ARTICLE V – Supremacy ............................................3
ARTICLE VI – Club Size ..............................................4
ARTICLE VII – Officers
SEC. 1 –
Officers............................................................4
SEC. 2 – Removal
..........................................................4
ARTICLE VIII – Board of Directors
SEC. 1 – Members
........................................................4
SEC. 2 – Quorum
..........................................................4
SEC. 3 – Duties and
Powers..........................................4
ARTICLE IX – Delegates to International and
District
Conventions
SEC. 1 – Delegate Entitlement International
Convention......................................................5
SEC. 2 – Delegate Entitlement District/Multiple District
Convention......................................................5
SEC. 3 – Selection of Club Delegate(s) and
Alternate(s)
....................................................6
ARTICLE X – Club Dispute Resolution Procedure
SEC. 1 – Disputes Subject to Procedure
......................6
SEC. 2 – Request for Dispute Resolution and Filing
Fee..................................................................6
SEC. 3 – Response to Complaint ..................................7
SEC. 4 – Confidentiality
................................................7
SEC. 5 – Selection of Conciliator
..................................7
SEC. 6 – Conciliation Meeting & Decision of
Conciliator ..8
ARTICLE XI – Club Branch Program
SEC. 1 – Branch Formation
..........................................9
SEC. 2 – Membership in Parent Club
............................9
SEC. 3 – Fundraising
....................................................9
SEC. 4 – Designated Branch Club Funds
......................9
SEC. 5 – Dissolution
....................................................10
ARTICLE XII – Club Funds
SEC. 1 – Public (Activity) Funds
..................................10
SEC. 2 – Administrative Funds ....................................10
ARTICLE XIII – Amendments
SEC. 1 – Amending Procedure
....................................10
SEC. 2 –
Notice............................................................10
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I – Membership
SEC. 1 – Membership Categories................................10
SEC. 2 – Good Standing
..............................................13
SEC. 3 – Dual
Membership..........................................13
SEC. 4 – Resignations
................................................13
SEC. 5 – Reinstatement of Membership
......................13
SEC. 6 – Transfer Membership
....................................13
SEC. 7 – Failure to
Pay................................................13
SEC. 8 – Attendance ....................................................14
ARTICLE II – Elections and Filling Vacancies
SEC. 1 – Annual Election
............................................14
SEC. 2 – Directors
Election..........................................14
SEC. 3 – Eligibility for Office
........................................14
SEC. 4 – Nomination Meeting
......................................14
SEC. 5 – Nominating Committee
................................14
SEC. 6 – Election Committee
......................................15
SEC. 7 – Ballot
............................................................15
SEC. 8 – Votes Required
............................................15
SEC. 9 – Nominee Unable to Serve
............................15
SEC. 10 – Vacancy ......................................................15
SEC. 11 – Replacement of Officers-Elect
....................16
ARTICLE III – Duties of Officers
SEC. 1 – President
......................................................16
SEC. 2 – Immediate Past President ............................16
SEC. 3 – Vice President(s)
..........................................16
SEC. 4 – Secretary
......................................................16
SEC. 5 – Treasurer
......................................................17
SEC. 6 – Membership Director
....................................17
SEC. 7 – Lion Tamer
....................................................18
SEC. 8 – Lion Twister
..................................................18
ARTICLE IV – Committees
SEC. 1 – Standing Committees....................................18
SEC. 2 – Membership
Committee................................19
SEC. 3 – Special Committees
......................................19
SEC. 4 – President Ex-Officio
......................................19
SEC. 5 – Composition
..................................................19
SEC. 6 – Committee Reporting
....................................19
ARTICLE V – Meetings
SEC. 1 – Board of Directors Regular
Meetings............20
SEC. 2 – Board of Directors Special Meetings
............20
SEC. 3 – Regular Club Meetings
................................20
SEC. 4 – Special Club Meetings
..................................20
SEC. 5 – Annual Meeting
............................................20
SEC. 6 – Alternative Meeting Formats
........................20
SEC. 7 – Charter Anniversary
......................................20
SEC. 8 – Quorum
........................................................21
SEC. 9 – Business Transacted by Mail
........................21
ARTICLE VI – Fees and Dues
SEC. 1 – Entrance Fee
................................................21
SEC. 2 – Annual
Dues..................................................21
ARTICLE VII – Club Branch Administration
SEC. 1 – Branch Club Officers ....................................22
SEC. 2 – Liaison
..........................................................22
SEC. 3 – Voting Entitlement
........................................22
ARTICLE VIII – Miscellaneous
SEC. 1 – Fiscal Year
....................................................22
SEC. 2 – Parliamentary Practices
................................22
SEC. 3 – Partisan Politics/Religion
..............................22
SEC. 4 – Personal
Benefit............................................23
SEC. 5 – Compensation ..............................................23
SEC. 6 – Solicitation of
Funds......................................23
ARTICLE IX – Amendments
SEC. 1 – Amending Procedure
....................................23
SEC. 2 – Notice............................................................23
EXHIBIT A – Membership Categories Chart ................24
EXHIBIT B – Sample Ballot Form..................................27
EXHIBIT C – Sample Organizational Plan....................28
STANDARD CLUB CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be the Lions Club of _______________, chartered by, and under the
jurisdiction of the International Association of Lions Clubs.
ARTICLE II
Purposes
The purposes of this club shall be:
(a) To create and foster a spirit of understanding among
the peoples of the world.
(b) To promote the principles of good government and good
citizenship.
(c) To take an active interest in the civic, cultural,
social and moral welfare of the community.
(d) To unite the members in the bonds of friendship, good
fellowship and mutual understanding.
(e) To provide a forum for the open discussion of all
matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and
sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.
(f) To encourage service-minded people to serve their
community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and
promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works
and private endeavors.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. ELIGIBILITY
FOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP.
Subject to the provisions of Article I of the by-laws,
any person of legal majority and good moral character and good reputation in
his/her community, may be granted membership in this Lions club. Wherever the
male gender or pronoun presently appear in this constitution and bylaws, it
shall be interpreted to mean both male and female persons.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP
BY INVITATION.
Membership in this Lions club shall be acquired by invitation
only. Nominations shall be made on forms provided by the international office,
which shall be signed by a member in good standing who shall act as sponsor,
and be submitted to the membership chairperson or the club secretary, who,
after investigation by the membership committee, shall submit the same to the
board of directors. If approved by a majority of said board, the prospect may then
be invited to become a member of this club. A properly filled out membership
form duly signed, as well as, The entrance fee and dues must be in the hands of
the secretary before the member is reported to and officially recognized by the
association as a Lion member.
Section 3. FORFEITURE
OF MEMBERSHIP.
Any member may be expelled from the club for cause by a
two thirds votes of the entire board of directors. Upon removal from this club,
any and all right to use the name “LIONS,” the emblem and other insignia of
this club and this association shall be forfeited. This club shall remove
members whose conduct has been deemed a violation of the International
Constitution and By-Laws and Board Policy and unbecoming a Lion by the
International Office or otherwise face charter cancellation.
ARTICLE IV
Emblem, Colors, Slogan and Motto
Section 1. EMBLEM. The emblem of this association and each chartered club
shall be of a design as follows:
Section 2. USE OF
NAME AND EMBLEM.
Use of the name, goodwill, emblem and other logos of the
association shall be according to the guidelines established from time to time
in the by-laws.
Section 3. COLORS.
The colors of this association and of each chartered club
shall be purple and gold. Section
4. SLOGAN.
Its Slogan shall be: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s
Safety.
Section 5. MOTTO.
Its Motto shall be: We Serve.
ARTICLE V
Supremacy
The Standard Form Club Constitution and By-Laws shall
govern the club unless otherwise amended so as not to conflict with the
district (single, sub- or multiple) and International Constitution &
By-Laws and policies of Lions Clubs International. Whenever there may exist a
conflict or a contradiction between the provisions set out in the club
constitution and by-laws and the district (single, suband multiple)
constitution and by-laws, the respective district
Constitution and by-laws shall govern. In addition,
whenever there may exist a conflict or a contradiction between the provisions
set out in the club constitution and by-laws and the international constitution
and by-laws or board policy, the international constitution and by-laws and
board policy shall govern.
ARTICLE VI
Club Size
A Lions club should strive to maintain 20 members; the
numerical minimum membership required to receive a charter.
ARTICLE VII
Officers
Section 1. OFFICERS.
The officers of this club shall be a president, immediate
past president, the vice president(s), secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer
(optional), tail twister (optional), membership director and all other elected
directors.
Section 2. REMOVAL.
Any officer of this club may be removed from office for
good cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire club membership.
ARTICLE VIII
Board of Directors
Section 1. MEMBERS. The members of the board of directors shall be the
president, immediate past president, the vice president(s), secretary,
treasurer, Lion tamer (optional), tail twister (optional), membership director,
branch coordinator, if so designated, and all other elected directors.
Section 2. QUORUM.
The presence in person of a majority of the directors
shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors. Except as
otherwise specifically provided, the act of a majority of the directors present
at any meeting of the board shall be the act and decision of the entire board
of directors.
Section 3. DUTIES
AND POWERS.
In addition to those duties and powers, express and
implied, set forth elsewhere in this constitution and by-laws, the board of
directors shall have the following duties and powers:
(a) It shall constitute the executive board of this club
and be responsible for the execution, through the club officers, of the
policies approved by the club. All new business and policy of this club shall
be considered and shaped, first, by the board of directors for presentation to
and approval by the club members at a regular or special club meeting.
(b) It shall authorize all expenditures and shall not
create any indebtedness beyond the current income of this club, nor authorize
disbursal of club funds for purposes inconsistent with the business and policy
authorized by the club membership.
(c) It shall have power to modify, override or rescind
the action of any officer of this club.
(d) It shall have
the books, accounts and operations of this club audited annually or, in its
discretion, more frequently and may require an accounting or have an audit made
of the handling of any club funds by any officer, committee or member of this
club. Any member of this club in good standing may inspect any such audit or
accounting upon request at a reasonable time and place.
(e) It shall appoint, on recommendation of the finance
committee, a bank or banks for the deposit of the funds of this club.
(f) It shall appoint the surety for the bonding of any
officer of this club.
(g) It shall not authorize, nor permit, the expenditure,
for any administrative purpose, of the net income of projects or activities of
this club by which funds are raised from the public.
(h) It shall submit all matters of new business and
policy to the respective standing or special club committee for study and
recommendation to the board.
(i) It shall maintain at least two (2) separate funds
governed by generally accepted accounting practices.
The first fund to record administrative monies such as
dues, tail twisting fines and other internally raised club funds. A second fund
shall be established to record activity or public funds raised by asking
support from the public. Disbursement from such funds shall be in strict
compliance with Section (g) of this article.
ARTICLE IX
Delegates to International and District
Conventions
Section 1. DELEGATE
ENTITLEMENT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.
Inasmuch as Lions Clubs International is governed by
Lions clubs in convention assembled, and in order that this club may have its
voice in association matters, this club shall have power to pay the necessary
expenses of its delegates to each annual convention of the association. This
club shall be entitled in any convention of this association, to one (1)
delegate and one (1) alternate for every twenty- five (25), or major fraction
thereof, of its members as shown by the records of the international office on
the first day of the month last preceding that month during which the
convention is held,provided, however, that this club shall be entitled to at
least one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate. The major fraction referred to in
this section shall be thirteen (13) or more members.
Section 2. DELEGATE
ENTITLEMENT DISTRICT/ MULTIPLE DISTRICT CONVENTION.
Inasmuch as all district matters are presented and
adopted at the district (single, sub- and multiple) conventions, this club shall
be entitled to send its full quota of delegates to all such conventions and
have power to pay the necessary expenses of such delegates attending such
conventions. This club shall be entitled in each annual convention of its
district (single or sub- and multiple) to one (1) delegate and one (1)
alternate for each ten (10) members who have been enrolled for at least one
year and a day in this club, or major fraction thereof, of this club as shown
by the records of the international office on the first day of the month last
preceding that month during which the convention is held, provided, however,
that this club shall be entitled to at least one (1) delegate and one (1)
alternate. Each certified delegate present in person shall be entitled to cast
one (1) vote of his/her choice for each office to be filled by, and one (1)
vote of his/her choice on each question submitted to, the respective
convention. The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or
more members.
Section 3.
SELECTION OF CLUB DELEGATE(S) AND ALTERNATE(S).
The Board of Directors or its designated committee shall
name and appoint, subject to approval of the club membership, the delegates and
alternates of this club to district (single, sub- or multiple) and
international conventions. Eligible delegates must be members in good standing
in the club and entitled to vote in accordance with the rights and privileges
chart set forth in Exhibit A of this Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE X
Club Dispute Resolution Procedure
Section 1.
DISPUTES SUBJECT TO PROCEDURE.
All disputes arising between any member or members, or a
former member or members, and the club, or any officer on the board of the
club, relative to membership, or the interpretation, breach of, or application
of the club’s constitution and by-laws, or the expulsion of any member from the
club, or any other internal Lions club matter
whatsoever which cannot be satisfactorily resolved
through other means, shall be settled by dispute resolution.
Except as otherwise provided herein, any time limits
specified in this procedure may be shortened or extended by the district
governor, conciliator or the International Board of Directors (or its designee)
upon a showing of good cause. All parties to any dispute subject to this
procedure shall not pursue administrative or judicial actions
during this dispute resolution process.
Section 2.
REQUEST FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND FILING FEE.
Any party to the dispute may file a written request with
the district governor (a “complaint”) asking that dispute resolution take
place. All requests for dispute resolution must be filed with the district
governor within thirty (30) days after the member knew or should have known of
the occurrence of the event upon which the request is based. A copy of the
complaint shall be sent to the respondent(s). A complaint filed under this
procedure must be accompanied by a US$50.00 filing fee or its equivalent in the
respective national currency, payable by each complainant to the district
(single or sub- ), which shall be submitted to the district governor at the
time the complaint is filed. Each district (single or sub-) may determine
whether a higher filing fee will be charged for filing a complaint under this procedure.
Any such higher filing fee must be approved by majority vote of the district
cabinet in advance of charging any fee for filing a complaint under this
procedure and any such fee shall not exceed US$250.00, or its equivalent in the
respective national currency, payable to the district (single or sub-). The
entire filing fee will be retained by the district (single or sub-) as an
administrative fee and shall not be refunded to any party unless a refund
procedure is approved by the district cabinet. All expenses incurred relative
to this dispute resolution procedure are the responsibility of the
district (single or sub-), unless established district
(single or sub-) policy provides that all expenses incurred relative to this
dispute resolution procedure shall be paid on an equal basis by the parties to
the dispute.
Section 3. RESPONSE
TO COMPLAINT.
The respondent(s) to the complaint may file a written
response to the complaint with the district governor within ten (10) days of
receiving notice of the complaint. A copy of the response shall be sent to the
complainant(s).
Section 4. CONFIDENTIALITY.
Once a complaint has been filed, communications between
the complainant(s), respondent(s), district governor and conciliator should be
kept confidential to the extent possible.
Section 5. SELECTION
OF CONCILIATOR.
Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the complaint, the
district governor shall appoint a neutral conciliator to hear the dispute. The
conciliator shall be a past district governor who is currently a member in good
standing of a club in good standing, in the district (single or sub-) in which
the dispute arises, other than the club which is a party to the dispute, and
who is impartial on the matter in dispute and without loyalties to any party to
the dispute. The district governor shall notify the parties, in writing, of the
name of the appointed conciliator. In the event an appointed conciliator is not
acceptable to any party, the objecting party must submit a written statement to
the district governor within ten (10) days of receiving the district governor’s
notice of appointment identifying all the reasons for such an objection. If no
such objection is received, the conciliator shall be deemed acceptable to all
parties. If the district governor determines, in his or her sole discretion,
that the party’s written objection statement sufficiently demonstrates that the
appointed conciliator lacks neutrality, the district governor shall appoint a
substitute conciliator as provided above. Otherwise, the district governor
shall issue his or her denial of the objection(s) and confirm the appointment
of the original conciliator, in writing, to all parties. The district
governor’s decision and appointment shall be determined within fifteen (15)
daysof receiving any party’s written objection statement. Upon appointment, the
conciliator shall have all authority appropriate and necessary to resolve or
decide the dispute in accordance with this procedure. The time limits in this
Section 5 may not be shortened or extended by the district governor. If the
district governor does not appoint a conciliator to hear the dispute within
fifteen (15) days of receipt of the complaint, the Legal Division will appoint
a conciliator to hear the dispute. The conciliator shall be a past district
governor who is currently a member in good standing of a club in good standing,
in the district (single or sub-) in which the dispute arises, other than the
club which is a party to the dispute, and who is impartial on the matter in
dispute and without loyalties to any party to the dispute. The Legal Division
shall notify the parties, in writing, of the name of the appointed conciliator.
In the event an appointed conciliator is not acceptable to any party, the
objecting party must submit a written statement to the Legal Division within
ten (10) days of receiving the Legal Division’s notice of appointment
identifying all the reasons for such an objection. If no such objection is received,
the conciliator shall be deemed acceptable to all parties. If the Legal
Division determines, in their sole discretion, that the party’s written
objection statement sufficiently demonstrates that the appointed conciliator
lacks neutrality, the Legal Division shall appoint a substitute conciliator as
provided above. Otherwise, the Legal Division shall issue his or her denial of
the objection(s) and confirm the appointment of the original conciliator
selected by the Legal Division, in writing, to all parties. The Legal
Division’s decision and appointment shall be determined within fifteen (15)
days of receiving any party’s written objection statement. Upon appointment, the
conciliator shall have all authority appropriate and necessary to resolve or
decide the dispute in accordance with this procedure.
Section 6.
CONCILIATION MEETING & DECISION OF
CONCILIATOR.
Upon being appointed, the conciliator shall arrange a
meeting of the parties for the purpose of conciliating the dispute. The meeting
shall be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the conciliator.
The objective of the conciliator shall be to find a prompt and amicable
resolution to the dispute. If such conciliation efforts are unsuccessful, the
conciliator shall have the authority to issue his or her decision relative to
the dispute. The conciliator shall issue the decision in writing no later than
thirty (30) days after the date on which the initial meeting of the parties was
held, and the decision shall be final and binding on all parties. A copy of the
written decision shall be provided to all parties, the district governor and,
upon request, to the Legal Division of Lions Clubs International. The decision
of the conciliator must be consistent with any applicable provisions of the
International, Multiple District and District Constitutions and By-Laws and
policies of the International Board of Directors, and is subject to the authority
of and further review by the International Board of Directors at the sole
discretion of the International Board of Directors or its designee. Failure to
comply with the final and binding decision of the conciliator constitutes
conduct unbecoming a Lion and is subject to loss of membership privileges
and/or charter cancellation.
ARTICLE XI
Branch Club Program
Section 1. BRANCH
FORMATION.
Clubs may form branches to permit the expansion of
Lionism into locations where and when circumstances do not support the
formation of a charter club. The branch shall meet as a committee of the parent
club and shall conduct serviceactivities in its community.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP
IN PARENT CLUB.
The members of the branch shall be granted membership in
the parent club and the branch by membership invitation issued by the board of
directors of the parent club. Membership shall be in one of the categories
listed in Article I of the By-Laws.
Section 3. FUNDRAISING.
Activity or public welfare monies raised by the branch by
asking for public support shall be held in a fund established to record such
purpose. They shall be distributed in the branch community unless otherwise
specified. The board of directors of the parent club may authorize the branch
coordinator to countersign checks and vouchers authorized for payment by the
parent club's board of directors.
Section 4. DESIGNATED
BRANCH CLUB FUNDS.
In the event of
dissolution of the branch club, any remaining branch club designated funds
shall be returned to the parent Club. In the event the branch club is converted
into a newly chartered club, any remaining funds designated as branch club
funds shall be transferred to the newly chartered club.
Section 5. DISSOLUTION.
The branch may be disbanded by a two-thirds vote of the
entire board of directors of the parent club.
ARTICLE XII
Club Funds
Section 1. PUBLIC
(ACTIVITY) FUNDS.
All funds raised from the public must be returned to
public use, including money accumulated from invested public funds. The only
deductions that may be made from the activity account are the direct operating
expenses of the fundraising activity. Money accumulated from interest must also
be returned to public use.
Section 2. ADMINISTRATIVE
FUNDS.
Administrative funds are supported through contributions
from members through dues, fines and other individual contributions.
ARTICLE XIII
Amendments
Section 1. AMENDING
PROCEDURE.
This constitution may be amended at any regular or
special meeting of this club, at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative
vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present in person and voting, provided
that the board has previously considered the merits of the amendments.
Section 2. NOTICE.
No amendment shall be put to vote, unless written notice,
stating the proposed amendment shall have been published to the member through
regular post or electronic means, or delivered personally to each member of this
club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the meeting at which the
vote on the proposed amendment is to be taken.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Membership
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP
CATEGORIES.
(a) ACTIVE:
(b) A member entitled to all rights and privileges and subject
to all obligations which membership in a Lions club confers or implies. Without
limiting such rights and obligations, such rights shall include eligibility to
seek, if otherwise qualified, any office in this club, district or association
and the right to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the membership; and
such obligations shall include regular attendance, prompt payment of dues,
participation in club activities and conduct reflecting a favor able image of
this Lions club in the community. As provided in the Family Membership Program
criteria, qualifying family members shall be Active Members and be entitled to
all rights and privileges thereof. As provided in the Student Member Program
criteria, qualifying student, former Leo and young adult members shall be
Active Members and be entitled to all rights and privileges thereof.
(c) MEMBER-AT-LARGE:
(d) A member of this club who has moved from the community,
or because of health or other legitimate reason, is unable regularly to attend
club meetings and desires to retain membership in this club,and upon whom the
board of directors of this club desires to confer this status. This status
shall be reviewed each six months by the board of directors of this club. A
Member-at-Large shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote in district or
international meetings or conventions, but shall pay such dues as the local
club may charge, which dues shall include district and international dues.
(e) HONORARY:
An individual, not a member of this
Lions club, having performed outstanding service for the community or this
Lions club, upon whom this club desires to confer special distinction. This
club shall pay entrance fees and international and district dues on such a
member, who may attend meetings, but shall not be entitled to any privileges of
active membership.
(f) PRIVILEGED:
A member of this
club who has been a Lion fifteen or more years, who, because of illness, infirmities, advanced age or other
legitimate reason, as determined by the board of directors of this club, must
relinquish his/her active status. A Privileged Member shall pay such dues as
the local club may charge, which dues shall include district and international
dues. He/she shall have the right to vote and be entitled to all other
privileges of membership except the right to hold club, district or
international office.
(g) LIFE
MEMBER:
Any member of this club who has maintained Active
membership as a Lion for 20 or more
years and has rendered outstanding service to this club,
his/her community, or this association; or any member
who is critically ill; or any member of this club who has
maintained such active membership for 15 or more years
and is at least 70 years of age may be granted Life
Membership in this club upon:
(1) recommendation of this club to the association,
(2) payment to the association of US$500.00, or its
equivalent in the respective national currency, by this club in lieu of all
future dues to the association, and
(3) approval by the International Board of Directors.
A Life Member shall have all privileges of active
membership so long as he/she fulfills all obligations thereof.
A Life Member who desires to relocate and receives an
invitation to join another Lions club shall automatically become a Life Member
of said club. Nothing herein shall prevent this club from charging a Life
Member such dues as it shall deem proper. Former Lioness members, who are now
Active members of their Lions clubs or who become Active members of a Lions
club on or before June 30, 2007, may apply all of their prior Lioness service
toward
Life membership eligibility. Lioness members who become
Active members of a Lions Club after June 30, 2007, will not be eligible for
Lioness service credit for the purposes of Life membership eligibility.
(h)ASSOCIATE MEMBER:
(i)A member who holds his/her primary membership in
another Lions club but maintains a residence or is employed in the community
served by this club. This status may be conferred by the invitation of the
board of directors and shall be reviewed annually. The club shall not report an
Associate Member on its Membership and Activities Report. An Associate Member
may be eligible to vote on club matters, at meetings where he/she is present in
person, but may not represent the club as a delegate at district (single, sub-,
provisional and/or multiple) or international conventions. He/she shall not be
eligible to hold club, district or international office, nor district, multiple
district or international committee assignments through this club.
International and district (single, sub-, provisional and/or multiple) dues
shall not be assessed on the Associate; PROVIDED, however, nothing shall
prevent this club from assessing an Associate such dues as it shall deem
proper.
(j) AFFILIATE
MEMBER:
A quality individual of the community who currently is
not able to fully participate as an Active member of the club but desires to
support the club and its community service initiatives and be affiliated with
the club. This status may be conferred by the invitation of the club's board of
directors. An Affiliate Member may be eligible to vote on club matters at
meetings where he/she is present in person, but may not represent the club as a
delegate at district (single, sub, provisional, and/or multiple) or
international conventions. He/she shall not be eligible to hold club, district
or international office, nor district, multiple district or international
committee assignment. An Affiliate Member shall be required to pay district,
international and such dues as the local club may charge.
Section 2. GOOD
STANDING.
Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this
club within sixty (60) days after receipt of written notice from the secretary
shall forfeit his/her good standing and shall so remain until such indebtedness
is paid in full. Only members in good standing may exercise the voting
privilege and hold office in this club.
Section 3. DUAL
MEMBERSHIP.
No person shall simultaneously hold membership, other
than honorary or associate, in this and any other Lions club.
Section 4. RESIGNATIONS. Any member may resign from this club, and said
resignation shall become effective upon acceptance by the board of directors.
The board may withhold acceptance, however, until all indebtedness has been
paid and/or all club funds and property have been returned. All right to the
use of the name "LIONS," the emblem and other insignia of this club
and the association cease when membership is terminated.
Section 5. REINSTATEMENT
OF MEMBERSHIP.
Any member dropped from membership in good standing may
be reinstated by the club's board of directors, and will retain their prior
Lions service record as part of their total Lions service record. Members that
have been dropped from membership for more than twelve (12) months must be
approved in accordance with Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution.
Section 6. TRANSFER
MEMBERSHIP.
This club may grant membership on a transfer basis to one
who has terminated or is terminating his/her membership in another Lions club,
provided that a member is in good standing at the time of transfer requested.
If more than twelve (12) months have elapsed between termination of his/her
membership in another club and submittal of completed transfer member form or
current membership card, he/she may acquire membership in this club only under
the provisions of Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution. Members that wish
to transfer from this club to another club must submit a transfer form to be
completed by the Secretary. The Secretary is obligated to complete transfer
form without delay unless the board of directors is withholding acceptance of
the member’s resignation and transfer due to the member’s financial
indebtedness to the club and/or failure to return any club funds or property.
Section 7. FAILURE
TO PAY.
The secretary shall submit to the board of directors the
name of any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this club within 60
days after receipt from the secretary of written notice. The board shall
thereafter decide whether the member shall be dropped from or retained on the
roster.
Section 8. ATTENDANCE.
The club shall encourage regular attendance at club
meetings and activities. Where a member misses consecutive meetings or
activities, the club will make every effort to contact the member to encourage
and promote regular attendance. Annual perfect attendance awards are available
to members who have attended every regularly scheduled meeting of this club for
any twelve consecutive months, otherwise making up any missed meetings in
accordance with the attendance make-up rules of the club, if any.
ARTICLE II
Elections and Filling Vacancies
The officers of this club, excluding the immediate past
president, shall be elected as follows:
Section 1. ANNUAL
ELECTION.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7 and 8 of this
Article, all officers, other than directors, shall be elected annually and
shall take office on July 1st, and shall hold office for one year from that
date, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. The
Secretary shall promptly report the newly elected officers to the International
Office within 15 days of the election.
Section 2. DIRECTORS
ELECTION.
One-half of the directors shall be elected annually and
shall take office on the July 1st next following their election, and shall hold
office for two (2) years from that time, or until their successors shall have
been elected and qualified, with the exception that at the first election held
after the adoption of this constitution and by-laws, one-half of the directors
shall be elected for two year terms and the other one-half of the directors
shall be elected for one year terms.
Section 3. ELIGIBILITY
FOR OFFICE.
No person shall be eligible to hold office in this club
unless he/she is an active member in good standing.
Section 4. NOMINATION
MEETING.
A nomination meeting shall be held in March of each year
or as determined by the board of directors, with the date and place of such
meeting to be determined by the board of directors. Notice of the meeting shall
be published by regular post or electronic means or by personal delivery to
each member of this club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the date
of the meeting.
Section 5. NOMINATING
COMMITTEE.
The president shall appoint a nominating committee which
shall submit the names of candidates for the various club offices to the club
at the nomination meeting. At this meeting, nominations for all offices to be
filled in the succeeding year may also be made from the floor.
Section 6. ELECTION
COMMITTEE.
An election meeting shall be held in April or as
determined by the board of directors, at a time and place determined by the
board of directors. Notice of the election meeting shall be published by
regular post or electronic means or by personal delivery to each member of the
club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior the date of the meeting. Such
notice shall include the names of all nominees approved at the preceding
nomination meeting, and, subject to Section above, a statement that these nominees will be
voted upon at this election meeting. No nominations may be made from the floor
at the election meeting.
Section 7. BALLOT.
The election shall be conducted by a secret written
ballot by those present and qualified to vote.
Section 8. VOTES
REQUIRED.
The officer candidate is required to secure a majority of
the votes cast by the club members present and voting in order to be declared
elected; for purpose of such election, a majority is defined as a number more
than one-half of the total valid votes cast excluding blanks and abstentions.
If, on the first ballot, and subsequent ballots, no candidate receives a majority,
the candidate or tied candidates receiving the lowest number of votes shall be
eliminated and balloting shall continue until one candidate receives a
majority. In case of a tie on any ballot, balloting shall continue on the tied
candidates until one is elected.
Section 9. NOMINEE
UNABLE TO SERVE.
If in the interim
between the nomination meeting and the election meeting any nominee is unable
for any reason to serve in the office to which he/she was nominated and for
which office there was no other nominee, the nominating committee shall submit,
at the election meeting, names of additional nominees for that office.
Section 10. VACANCY.
If the office of
president or of any vice president shall become vacant for any reason, the vice
presidents shall advance in office, according to their rank. In the event such
provision for advancement shall fail to fill the office of president, or any office
of vice president, the board of directors shall thereon call a special
election, giving each member in good standing prior fourteen (14) calendar days
notice of the time and place, which time and place shall be determined by said
board, and such office shall be filled at said election meeting.
In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the board
of directors shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term. In the event
vacancies shall be of such number as to reduce the number of directors to less
than the number required for a quorum, the membership of the club shall have
power to fill such vacancies by an election held at any regular meeting of the
club upon prior notice, and in the manner, specified in Section 11 hereinafter.
Such notice may be given by any remaining officer or director, but if none,
then by any member.
Section 11. REPLACEMENT
OF OFFICERS-ELECT.
In the event any officer-elect, before his/her term of
office commences, is unable or refuses for any reason to serve therein, the
president may call a special nomination and election meeting to elect a
replacement for such officer
elect. Fourteen (14) calendar days prior notice of such
meeting, setting forth the purpose, time and place shall be given to each
member, by mail or personal delivery. The election shall be held immediately
after nominations have been closed and a plurality vote shall be necessary for
election.
------------------------------ END OF PART ONE ----------------------------------
LALIT NIRANJAN
