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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
The Lions Club of Woodville
Texas, U.S.A.
Standard Form Revised,
October 2001
Chartered in
1948
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. [Click here to see a Summary of Revision]
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Contents
Lions Club International Objects
Article
Sec. B. Membership Sec. E. Reinstate Membership
Sec. D. By Invitation Sec. F. Transfer Membership
Sec. A. Officers ~ Sec. B. Eligibility ~ Sec. C. Comp.
Sec. D. OFFICER DUTIES: (1) PRESIDENT; (2) PAST
PRES.;
(3) VICE-PRESIDENTS; (4) SECRETARY; (5) TREASURER;
(6) LION TAMER; (7) TAIL TWISTER; (8) MEMBERSHIP DIR.
Sec. A. Board Members Sec. C. Special Meetings
Sec. B. Regular Meeting Sec. D. Quorum
Sec. E. Duties and Powers Org. Chart 1 ~ Org. Chart 2
Sec. B. Special Meetings Sec. E. Quorum
Sec. C. Charter Night Sec. F. Member Indebtedness
Sec. D. Annual Meeting Sec. G. Majority Action
XIII. Emblem, Colors, Fiscal Year
XIV. Delegates to International & District Conventions
Sec. A. International Del. Sec. B. District Del.
XVIII. Amendments - Sec. A. Quorum Sec. B. Requirements
No. 1. Proscriptions No. 4. Committees
No. 2. No Gain No. 5. By-Law Amendments
No. 3. No Fund Solicitation No. 6. By-Law Suspension
Examples: Org. Chart 1 ~ Org. Chart 2
Lions Clubs International OBJECTS
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.
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LIONS Code of Ethics
TO
SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the
end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.
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 acts on my part.
TO
REMEMBER that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down
another' s; 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 towards others,
to resolve such doubt against myself.
TO HOLD
friendship as an end and not a means.
To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service
performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but
accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.
ALWAYS to
bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state and my
community, and to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor, and
means.
TO AID
others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my
substance to the needy.
TO BE
CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.
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Standard Lions Club Organization Plan
Officers
and Directors (The Board of Directors):
President, Secretary, Treasurer, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President,
3rd Vice President, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister (Optional), Immediate Past
President, 2 Directors (First Year), 2 Directors (Second Year), Membership
Director
Administrative Committees:
Attendance, Constitution and By-Laws
Convention, Finance, Information Technology, Lions Information, Membership,
Program, Public Relations, Bulletin Editor, Greeter, Leadership Development
Activities Committees:
Youth Outreach, Diabetes Awareness, Sight Conservation and Work With the Blind,
Hearing and Speech Action and Work With the Deaf, Environmental Services, Leo
Club Program, Youth Exchange Program, Lioness Club Program, International
Relations Program
Other Activities of Lionism for which committees may be
appointed are:
Citizenship Services, Educational Services, Health Services, Social
Services, Recreational Services, Public Services, and International Youth
Camps.
See the two example organization charts at the end of the Constitution:
Scenario I.
Organization Chart 1;
Scenario II. Organization
Chart 2.
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~ CONSTITUTION ~
ARTICLE I. Name, Slogan and Motto
Sec. A. The name of this organization shall be the Lions Club of Woodville, Texas, chartered by, and under the jurisdiction of, The International Association of Lions Clubs (hereinafter referred to as "Association").
Sec. B. Its slogan shall be: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety.
Sec. C. Its motto shall be: We Serve.
ARTICLE II. Purposes and Objects
The Objects 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
Sec. A. Basic Requirements: Subject to the provisions of Sec. B hereinafter, 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 appears in this Constitution and By-Laws, it shall be interpreted to mean both male and female persons.
Sec. B. Membership in this Lions club shall be as follows:
(1) ACTIVE: 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 favorable image of this Lions club in the community.
(2) MEMBER-AT-LARGE: 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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 $300.00, 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. Nothing herein shall prevent this club from charging a Life Member such dues as it shall deem proper.
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.
(6) ASSOCIATE MEMBER: 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.
(7) 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, transitional, 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.
Sec. C. Classification: In the event the membership of this Lions club elects to grant and maintain membership on a classification basis, the following rules shall apply:
(1) Classification shall be defined as any major phase of, or interest in, a business or profession.
(2) Not more than two (2) active memberships shall be granted in any classification.
(3) Classifications may be established for Associates, Father and Son, Proprietors, Partners, Officers, Managers and such other categories as this club may determine.
Sec. D. 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 chairman or the club secretary, who, after investigation, 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.
Sec. E. 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.
Sec. F. 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 (1) a completed transfer member form is received by the secretary of this club within six (6) months following the date of termination of membership in his/her former club or if the form is not available, the member's current membership card; (2) such termination was in good standing; and (3) such transfer member form or membership card is approved by the Board of Directors. If more than six (6) 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 Sec. E of this Article III.
ARTICLE IV. Club Branch Program
Sec. A. Club Branch: Club may form branches to permit the expansion of Lionism into geographical areas where local populations may be too small to support a traditional club. The branch shall meet as a committee of the parent club and shall conduct service activities in its community.
Sec. B. Branch Membership: 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 Sec. B. of Article III.
Sec. C. Branch Elections: The members comprising the branch shall elect a coordinator and vice coordinator. The coordinator shall also be a member of the parent club's Board of Directors and be encouraged to attend general and/or board meetings of the parent club to provide branch records and a report of planned branch activities, a monthly financial report and coordinate efforts to encourage open discussion and effective communication between the branch and parent club. Members of the branch are encouraged to attend scheduled meetings of the parent club.
Sec. D. Parent Club Responsibilities: The parent club shall designate a member of the parent club to oversee the progress of the branch and provide assistance to the branch, when necessary. The member serving in this capacity shall also serve as the third officer of the branch.
Sec. E. Branch Member Responsibilities: The members of the branch may vote on activities of the branch and are voting members of the parent club, when in attendance at meetings of the parent club. Branch members shall be calculated in parent club meeting quorum requirements only when present in person at the parent club meeting. Attendance at branch meetings fulfills regular club attendance requirements.
Sec. F. Branch Activities: 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.
Sec. G. Branch Disbanding: The branch may be disbanded by a two thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors of the parent club.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Dues
Sec. A. Fees & Dues: Each new, reinstated and transfer member shall pay an entrance fee of current association fees, including the current association entrance fee and be collected before such member is enrolled as a member of this club and before the secretary may report such member to Lions Clubs International; Provided, however, that the Board of Directors may elect to waive all or any part of the club portion of said entrance fee as to any member granted membership by transfer or reinstatement within six (6) months of termination of his/her prior Lions club membership.
Sec. B. Quarterly/Annual Dues: Each member of this club shall pay regular dues as set from time to time by the Board of Directors, which dues shall include an amount to cover current international and district (single or sub- and multiple) dues (to defray the subscription price of THE LION Magazine, administrative and annual convention costs of the association and similar district costs) and shall be paid in advance at such times as the Board of Directors shall determine for the following standard categories of membership:
1. Active; 2. Member-at-Large; 3. Honorary;
4. Privileged; and 5. Life.
Each Associate Member of this club shall pay the following indicated annual dues in advance at such times as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Each Affiliate Member of this club shall pay the following indicated annual dues in advance at such times as the Board of Directors shall determine.
The treasurer of this club shall remit international and district (single or sub- and multiple) dues to the parties, and at the times, specified in the respective International and District (single or multiple) Constitution and By-Laws.
This club may require any member to pay club meeting luncheon costs in advance of any luncheon.
No dues, fees or assessments in addition to those set forth herein may be levied on, or required of, any member by this club, its Board of Directors or any officer or member of this club.
ARTICLE VI. Resignations
Any member may resign from this club, and said resignation shall become effective upon acceptance thereof by the Board of Directors. The board may withhold acceptance, however, until all indebtedness has been paid, all club funds and property have been returned, and all right to the use of the name "LIONS," the emblem and other insignia of this club and this association have been surrendered.
ARTICLE VII. Forfeiture of Membership
Sec. A. Member Indebtedness: The secretary shall submit to the Board of Directors the name of any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this club within 180 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice thereof. The board shall thereafter decide whether the member shall be dropped from or retained on the roster.
Sec. B. Expulsion: Any member may be expelled from the club for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors.
Sec. C. Member Absence: 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.
ARTICLE VIII. Officers
Sec. A. Officers: The officers of this club shall be a president, immediate past president, the vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer, tail twister (optional), membership director and all elected directors.
Sec. B. Officer Eligibility: No person shall be eligible to hold office in this club unless he/she is an active member in good standing.
Sec. C Officer Compensation: No officer shall receive any compensation for any service rendered to this club in his/her official capacity with the exception of the secretary, whose compensation, if any, shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(1) PRESIDENT: He/she shall be the chief executive officer of this club; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and this club; issue the call for regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors and the club; appoint the standing and special committees of this club and cooperate with chairmen thereof to effect regular functioning and reporting of such committees; see that regular elections are duly called, noticed and held; and cooperate with, and be an active member of, the district governor's advisory committee of the zone in which this club is located.
(2) IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: He/she and the other past presidents shall officially greet members and their guests at club meetings and shall represent this club in welcoming all new service-minded people in the community served by this club.
(3) VICE-PRESIDENTS: If the president is unable to perform the duties of his/her office for any reason, the vice president next in rank shall occupy his/her position and perform his/her duties with the same authority as the president.
Each vice president shall, under the direction of the president, oversee the functioning of such committees of this club as the president shall designate.
(4) SECRETARY: He/she shall be under the supervision and direction of the president and the Board of Directors and shall act as the liaison officer between the club and the district (single or sub- and multiple) in which this club is located, and the association. In fulfillment of this, he/she shall:
(a) Submit regular monthly and other reports to the international office of the association on blanks or web-site provided by it containing such information as may be called for therein and otherwise by the Board of Directors of the association;
(b) Submit to the district governor's cabinet such reports as it may require including copies of regular monthly membership reports;
(c) Cooperate with and be an active member of the district governor's advisory committee of the zone in which this club is located;
(d) Have custody and keep and maintain general records of this club, including records of minutes of club and board meetings; attendance; committee appointments; elections; classifications (if any); addresses and telephone numbers of members; members club accounts;
(e) Issue quarterly or semi-annual statements to each member for dues and other financial obligations owed to this club, collect and deposit the same in a timely manner, giving the deposit receipt to the Treasurer and keeping a copy on file.
(f) Give bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in such sum and with such surety as determined by the Board of Directors.
(5) TREASURER: He/she shall:
(a) Receive all deposit slips and monies, from the secretary and otherwise, and deposit the same in a bank or banks recommended by the finance committee and approved by the Board of Directors;
(b) Pay out monies in payment of club obligations only on authority given by the Board of Directors. All checks and vouchers shall be signed by two authorized officers as determined by the Board of Directors;
(c) Have custody and keep and maintain general records of club receipts and disbursements;
(d) Prepare and submit monthly and semi-annual financial reports to the Board of Directors of this club;
(e) Give bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in such sum and with such surety as determined by the Board of Directors.
(6) LION TAMER: The Lion tamer shall have charge of and be responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club, including flags, banners, gong, gavel, song books and button board. He/she shall put each in its proper place before each meeting and return the same to the proper storage area after each meeting. He/she shall act as sergeant-at-arms at meetings, see that those present are properly seated, and distribute bulletins, favors and literature as required at club and board meetings.
(7) TAIL TWISTER (Optional): He/she shall promote harmony, good fellowship, life and enthusiasm in the meetings through appropriate stunts and games and the judicious imposition of fines on club members. There shall be no ruling from his/her decision in imposing a fine, provided, however, that no fine shall exceed an amount fixed by the Board of Directors of this club, and no member shall be fined more than twice at any one meeting. The Tail Twister (optional) may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present. All monies collected by the tail twister (optional) shall be immediately turned over to the Treasurer.
(8) MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: The Membership Director shall be the chairman of the membership committee. The responsibilities for this position shall be:
(a) Development of a growth program specifically for the club and presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
(b) Regular encouragement at club meeting to bring in new quality members.
(c) Ensuring proper recruitment procedures.
(d) Preparation and implementation of orientation sessions.
(e) Reporting to the Board of Directors on ways to reduce the loss of members.
Coordination with other club committees in fulfilling these responsibilities.
Serving as a member of the zone level membership committee.
ARTICLE IX. Board of Directors
Sec. A. Board Members: The members of the Board of Directors shall be the president, immediate past president, the vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer, tail twister (optional), membership director branch coordinator, if so designated, and all elected directors.
Sec. B. Regular Meeting: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly at such time and place as the board shall determine.
Sec. C. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held when called by the president, or when requested by five (5) or more members of the Board of Directors, at such time and place as the president shall determine.
Sec. D. Quorum: The presence in person of a majority of its members 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.
Sec. E. 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:
See
the two example organization charts at the end of the Constitution:
Scenario I.
Organization Chart 1;
Scenario II. Organization
Chart 2.
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) It shall have power to modify, override or rescind the action of any officer of this club.
(4) 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. It shall appoint, on recommendation of the finance committee, a bank or banks for the deposit of the funds of this club.
(6) It shall appoint the surety for the bonding of any officer of this club. 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.
(8) It shall generally submit all matters of new business and policy to the respective standing or special club committee for study and recommendation to the board.
(9) It shall name and appoint, subject to approval of the club membership, the delegates and alternates of this club to district (single or sub- multiple) and international conventions.
(10) It shall maintain at least two 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 welfare monies raised by asking support from the public. Disbursement from such funds shall be in strict compliance with Sec. E. (7) of this Article IX.
ARTICLE X. Elections
The officers of this club, excluding the immediate past president, shall be elected as follows:
Sec. A. Nominations: A nomination meeting shall be held in March of each year, with the date and place of such meeting to be determined by the Board of Directors and notice thereof mailed to each member of this club at least ten days prior to the time of the holding thereof.
Sec. B. Presidential Appointment: 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.
Sec. C. Nominee Resignation: 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.
Sec. D. Election Meeting: An election meeting shall be held no later than April 15 of each year, at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors, and two weeks prior written notice or announcement thereof shall be given to each member of the club by the secretary, by mail or personal delivery or at a regular club meeting. Such notice shall include the names of all nominees approved at the preceding nomination meeting, and, subject to Sec. C 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.
Sec. E. Annual Elections: Subject to the provisions of Sec. H of this Article X, 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.
Sec. F. Membership Committee: A membership committee shall be composed of three elected members for a three-year term. Initially three members will be elected. One member shall serve for one (1) year, the second member for two (2) years and the third member for three (3) years. Each year thereafter, a new member will be elected. Each member shall serve for three (3) continuous years on a rotation system. Thus, the first year member shall be a member of the committee, the second year member shall be its vice chairman and the third year member shall serve as its chairman and as membership director on the club's Board of Directors.
Sec. G. Director Elections: 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 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.
Sec. H. Ballot Election: The election shall be by ballot by those present and qualified to vote. A plurality vote shall be necessary to elect.
Sec. I. 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 XI. Vacancies
Sec. A. Presidential Vacancies: 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 two (2) weeks notice of the time and place thereof, 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 Sec. B hereinafter. Such notice may be given by any remaining officer or director, but if none, then by any member.
Sec. B. Officer Vacancies: 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. Two (2) weeks prior notice of such meeting, setting forth the purpose, time and place thereof, 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.
ARTICLE XII. Meetings
Sec. A. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of this club shall be held, no less than twice in each month, at a time and place recommended by the Board of Directors, and approved by the club. All meetings shall begin and end, promptly, at the regular set times. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution and By-Laws, notice of regular meetings shall be given in such manner as the Board of Directors deems proper.
Sec. B. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the club may be called by the president, in his/her discretion, and shall be called by the president when requested by the Board of Directors, at a time and place determined by the person or body requesting the same. Notice of special meetings setting forth the purpose, time and place thereof shall be given to each member of this club, by mail or personal delivery, at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof.
Sec. C. Charter Night: A charter night anniversary meeting of this club may be held each year, at which time special attention shall be devoted to the objects and ethics of Lionism, and the history of this club.
Sec. D. Annual Meeting: An annual meeting of this club shall be held in June of each year at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors, at which meeting the final reports of the retiring officers shall be read and newly elected officers shall be installed.
Sec. E. Quorum: The presence in person of a majority of the members in good standing shall be necessary for a quorum at any meeting of this club.
Sec. F. Member Indebtedness: Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this club within 60 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice thereof shall thereon 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.
Sec. G. Majority Action: Except as otherwise specifically provided, the act of a majority of the members present at any meeting shall be the act and decision of the entire club.
ARTICLE XIII. Emblem, Colors, Fiscal Year
Sec. A. The emblem and colors of this club shall be the same as the emblem and colors of The International Association of Lions Clubs.
Sec. B. The fiscal year of this club shall be July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE XIV.
Delegates to International and
District (Single or Sub- and Multiple) Conventions
Sec. A. International Delegates: Inasmuch as The International Association of Lions Clubs 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 Sec. shall be thirteen (13) or more members. The selection of each such delegate and alternate shall be evidenced by a certificate signed by the president or secretary or any other duly authorized officer of this club, or, in the event no such club officer is in attendance at the convention, by the district governor or district governor-elect of the district (single or sub-) of which this club is a member.
Sec. B. District Delegates: Inasmuch as all district matters are presented and adopted at the district (single, sub- and multiple) conventions, this club shall 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 Sec. shall be five (5) or more members.
ARTICLE XV. Honorary Mailing List
The International Association of Lions Clubs and the district governor shall be included on the mailing list of this club.
ARTICLE XVI. Parliamentary Practices
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution and By-Laws, all questions of order or procedure with respect to any meeting or action of this club, its Board of Directors or any committee appointed hereunder shall be determined in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, as revised from time to time.
ARTICLE XVII. Dispute Resolution
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 matter whatsoever which cannot be satisfactorily resolved through other means, shall be settled by dispute resolution.
Any party to the dispute may file a written request with the district governor asking that dispute resolution take place. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt, the district governor shall 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, other than a club which is a party to the dispute, in the district in which the dispute arises. The selected conciliator shall be acceptable to the parties. Upon being selected, 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. If such conciliation efforts are unsuccessful, the conciliator shall have the authority to issue his or her decision relative to the dispute, which decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
ARTICLE XVIII. Amendments
Sec. A. Amendment Revision Quorum: 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 the board has previously considered the merits of the amendments.
Sec. B. Amendment Revision Requirements: No amendment shall be put to vote, unless written notice thereof, stating the proposed amendment, shall have been mailed or delivered personally to each member of this club at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote on the proposed amendment is to be taken.
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BY-LAWS
No. 1
Public/Religious Proscriptions
This club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office, nor shall partisan politics or sectarian religion be debated by members in meetings of this club.
No. 2
No Personal/Political Gain
Except to further his/her progress in Lionism, no officer or member of this club shall use his/her membership as a means of furthering any personal, political, or other aspiration, nor shall the club, as a whole, take part in any movement not in keeping with its purposes and objects.
No. 3
No Fund Solicitation
No funds shall be solicited from members of the club during meetings by any individual or individuals who are not members of the club. Any suggestion or proposition made at any meeting of this club calling for the expenditure of money for other than the regular obligations shall be referred to the finance committee.
No. 4
Committees
Sec. A. Standing Committees: The following standing committees may be appointed by the president, except for the members and chairman of the membership committee, who are elected. (See Article X, Sec. F.)
(1) Administrative Committees: (a) Attendance; (b) Constitution and By-Laws; (c) Convention; (d) Finance; (e) Information Technology; (f) Lions Information; (g) Membership; (h) Program; (i) Public Relations Bulletin Editor; (i) Greeter; (k) Leadership Development
(2) Activities Committees: (a) Youth Outreach Program; (b) Diabetes Awareness; (c) Sight Conservation and Work With the Blind; (d) Hearing and Speech Action and Work With the Deaf; (e) Environmental Services; (f) Leo Club Program; (g) Youth Exchange Program; (h) Lioness Club Program; (i) International Relations Program
(3) Other Activity Committees: other activities of Lionism for which committees may be appointed are: Citizenship Services; Educational Services; Health Services; Social Services; Recreational Services; Public Services; and International Youth Camps.
Sec. B. Special Committees: From time to time, the president may appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, such special committees as may be necessary in his/her judgment or the judgment of the Board of Directors.
Sec. C. President Ex-Officio Member: The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Sec. D. Committee Composition: All committees shall consist of a chairman and, subject to Sec. B above, as many members as shall be considered necessary by the president.
Sec. E. Committee Reports: Each committee, through its chairman, shall report, either verbally or in writing, each month to the Board of Directors.
Sec. F. Problems Referral: All problems pertaining to either administrative or activity matters shall be referred to the corresponding committee for study and recommendation to the Board of Directors.
No. 5
By-Law Amendments
Sec. A. By-Law Amendment Quorum: These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting of this club at which a quorum is present, by the vote of a majority of the members present in person and voting.
Sec. B. Written Notice Requirement: No amendment shall be put to vote unless written notice thereof, stating the proposed amendment, shall have been mailed or delivered personally to each member at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is to be taken.
No. 6
By-Law Suspension
Any by-law except By-Laws Number 1 and 2 may be suspended at any meeting of the club at which a quorum is present by the unanimous vote of all members present.
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Constitutional Epilogue
Knowledge of the Constitution makes a good club.
It is the instrument which ties your members to your club,
and your club to the International Association and assures equal rights to all.
To the end that Efficiency, Justice, and Courtesy and
may prevail in our deliberative bodies.”
--- Thomas
Jefferson
THE
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF LION CLUBS
300 22ND STREET
OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523-8842, USA
Scenario I.
Organization Chart 1
Scenario II.
Organization Chart 2
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