LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL - Lions District 105D

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL - Lions District 105D WE SERVE The International Association of Lions Clubs DISTRICT 105D MEMBERS HANDBOOK www.lions105d.org.uk District 105D Membership Team Edition 6 – December 2012 LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 1O5D HANDBOOK WE SERVE Introduction Welcome to the International Association of Lions Clubs, or Lions Clubs International to use our everyday name. Lions Clubs International is the world's largest and most active service organisation with total membership exceeding 1.35 million in 206 countries and geographical areas. Here in our part of Lions Clubs International, The British Isles and Ireland, there are 843 clubs with membership approaching 16,700. The intention of this booklet is to provide you with some background information about Lions Clubs International. We have outlined the abbreviations that we use, how things are organised and a very brief history of Lions Clubs International and how Lionism started here in the British Isles and Ireland. Much more information can be found on the web sites detailed below: - Lions Clubs International www.lionsclubs.org Multiple District 105 www.lionsmd105.org.uk www.lions105d.org.uk District 105D CONTENTS COMMON ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………………………….. 01 THE HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS. ..02 A HISTORY OF MULTIPLE DISTRICT 105………………………………………..…04 MULTIPLE DISTRICT 105 TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS………………………….…..05 CONSTITUTIONS ……………………………………………………………………...06 THE CLUB - ORGANISATION AND OFFICERS ………………………………..….07 THE DISTRICT - ORGANISATION AND OFFICERS ……………………… ….…..09 DISTRICT OFFICERS…………………………………………………………………...10 THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT - ORGANISATION AND OFFICERS …………….…...13 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION…………………………………………………...14 CONVENTIONS / EUROPA FORUM……………………………………………….…15 DUES ………………………………………………………………………………….….16 THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION ………………………….…17 INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS………………………………………………………17 LIONS CODE OF ETHICS …………………………………………………………….18 LIONS CLUBS PURPOSES. …………………………………………………………..19 MILESTONES……………………………………………………………………………20 NOTES……………………………………………………………………………………21 COMMON ABBREVIATIONS LCI Lions Clubs International LCIF Lions Clubs International Foundation LC Lions Club IP International President IPIP Immediate Past International President stIVP International Vice President (1 & 2nd) ID International Director PID Past International Director MD Multiple District MD105 Multiple District 105 COG Council of Governors DG District Governor IPDG Immediate Past District Governor PDG Past District Governor stst1 VDG 1 Vice District Governor ndnd2 VDG 2 Vice District Governor DO District Officer LP Lion President IPP Immediate Past President PP Past President (Club) MR Membership Report RC Region Chairman ZC Zone Chairman 1 The History of the International Association of Lions Clubs (Lions Clubs International) In 1912 the Business Circle, a Chicago businessmen's luncheon club which met weekly, invited to lunch a young insurance salesman, the 33 year old Melvin Jones. This club, like hundreds of similar clubs throughout the country, was composed of leaders in many fields of trade and commerce. The purpose of these clubs was pure and simple. The members “patronised” each other, boosted each other's products and services and met solely for the purpose of advancing their own interests. By 1913, when Melvin Jones was the sole owner of the Melvin Jones Insurance Agency, he was asked to join the club. This he considered a privilege but also a challenge. He used his salesmanship to increase the circle's membership and introduced new ideas to the club. His work was so appreciated that in 1915, he was elected Secretary. With almost 200 successful and influential businessmen joined together in a club, Melvin Jones asked why this selfish group power could not be directed towards other unselfish services in other areas of the community. On 7th of June 1917, at the invitation of Melvin Jones, 20 delegates representing over 30 clubs met at the Hotel La Salle, Chicago. Those represented were Optimists, Vortex, Business Circle, the Business & Professional Men of St Paul, Minnesota and the International Association of Lions Clubs of Evansville, Indiana, whose delegate, Dr William P 'Woods, was to become the first International President. The consensus favoured the formation of an association and when the meeting adjourned in the late afternoon, Lionism had been born. The Objects (now Purposes) and Ethics were drafted later in the year and thus the first International Service Organisation set to work. .At the 1919 Chicago Convention a delegate from Denver, Halstead Ritter spoke saying that the word Lions stood not only for the King of the Beasts, but also, if spelt out, Liberty Intelligence Our Nation's Safety. This spelling out of the letters ensured their adoption as the Association's slogan. The title “International Association of Lions" was first registered in the state of Indiana in 1916 by Dr Woods and others and in effect this name was adopted by the 1917 meeting when, at the invitation of Dr 'Woods, some of the participants took the charter of that organisation. 2 Later, the Association adopted an emblem and colours. The emblem, our badge, is composed of the letter L with a lion's head on either side, one facing the past and the other the future. The colours chosen were Purple and Gold. Purple for loyalty and Gold for sincerity and generosity towards mankind. Under the leadership of Melvin Jones the Association doubled its membership and extended into Canada. The first club formed outside North America was in China in 1926. Lionism did not spread to Europe until 1948 when a club was formed in Stockholm, Sweden. The formation of the first club in this Multiple District, the London Host Club, was in 1949. 9' was selected and adopted from a It was not until the 1950's that the motto "'WE SERVE contest won by a Canadian Lion. 3 A History of Multiple District 105 (The British Isles and Ireland) Lions started here in 1949 following a visit to Canada by the late Lord Leconfield. During the Second 'World War, the Lions of Ontario sent a substantial sum of money to the late Queen Mother to use on behalf of children who suffered in the Blitz. As patron of the "Waifs and Strays" (now the Church of England Children's Society) tile then Queen Elizabeth donated the money to this Society After the war, Colonel Wyndam (later Lord Leconfleld), the President of the Society, visited Toronto to express his personal thanks to the Lions. The chance of visiting Lions Clubs International Headquarters was offered to him on the understanding that upon his return to London he would try to form a Lions Club. With assistance from Lions Clubs International Special Representative, Murray Huggan, and others the London Host Club was formed on the 29th December 1949 and received its charter on the 29th March 1950 It took until 1953 for the first club to be formed in Scotland, in Glasgow (sadly now cancelled) The first club formed in Ireland was Dublin in 1955 and Wales formed its first club in Wrexham in 1963. 1961 saw District 105 split into two Districts, A and B, making it a Multiple District in accordance with the International Constitution, which states that where in any country or geographical area there are more than one Lions District, they are grouped together to form a Multiple District Following the formation of further clubs, our Multiple District has now grown to 13 Districts, with over 950 Clubs. Other milestones in the history of Multiple District 105 can be found in The Multiple District Directory, supplies of which are issued annually to each club. 4 5 Constitutions Before proceeding with further explanations of the make up of a Lions Club and Lions Clubs International, we would like to explain the different constitutions under which the Association operates. Although each club is autonomous, when a Lions Club receives its charter from the International Association of Lions Clubs, it accepts that it is under the jurisdiction of the Association and its constitution and by-laws. The International Constitution is therefore the overriding constitution in the Association. Each Multiple District and District then has its own constitution, which, apart from adaptations to suit local practice and custom, is fairly standard in each Multiple District and District. Each Club has a standard form of Club Constitution and by-laws, which can be adapted to suit local practice and custom but any changes must not contravene any constitution that has priority. The District, Multiple District and International Constitutions can be amended by means of Resolutions proposed and passed at the appropriate Conventions. The Club Secretary holds copies of the Club, District, Multiple District and International Constitutions. 6 The Club: - Its Organisation and Officers The most important part of Lions Clubs International is the members and the clubs. Below is a brief description of the duties and roles of the officers of your club, President The chief executive officer of the club. Presides over all club meetings and represents the Club at District, Multiple District and International level. Is appointed by the members for sttwelve months commencing on the 1 July, which is the start of each Lion year and, by attending Zone meetings and District functions, relays the club news and any views through to the District Governor and his team. Immediate Past President Offers experience and guidance to the President and, with the other past presidents keep the club heading in the right direction, and can if required be responsible with the Membership team, for the Club Development Programme. Vice Presidents Carry out the duties of the President in any periods of absence. Up to three Vice Presidents can be appointed who progress from third to second to first and ultimately to the presidency. Secretary Deals with the correspondence received, maintains Club records and submits monthly reports on the club membership and activity reports to those District Officers who require them. Also reports on club activities to LCI. This can be done monthly or annually. Information can now be input on-line direct to the International Headquarters at Oak Brook, Chicago. Treasurer Is responsible for all monies received and payments made, and maintaining the club's accounts. Gives an up to date reports of the financial position at each club meeting. Clubs must have a number of accounts. Normally the minimum will be an administration account to meet the running costs of the club, which is funded by members' subscriptions, fines, club raffles and other club events specifically held for this account and an activities/charities account which is financed from public fundraising events. Under no circumstances can money raised from the public be transferred from the activities account to the administration account to finance the running of the club. Many clubs also now have a registered Charitable Trust Account and all monies held in this account can only be used for charitable purposes. Many Clubs operate a separate fundraising account, which acts as the „trading account?. Once all expenses from any events are paid, net profit can be transferred to the Charity account for use in community and Lions projects. If a club has Charitable Trust status, the accounts should be audited and sent to 7 the Charity Commissioners and a copy to the District treasurer. Other clubs should have their accounts checked annually by an independent person and a copy sent to the District Treasurer. Lion Tamer Looks after club property including the regalia, bannerettes, flags, gavel and bell. Is responsible for giving apologies and introducing guests at the club meetings. Tail Twister Has the responsibility to maintain humour within the club by fining members for various offences at club meetings. The fines collected go towards the administration account. Normally the Tail Twister can only be fined themselves by a unanimous vote of all members present. Membership Chairman Heads the membership committee and is responsible for the recruitment and retention of members, together with the initiation and presentation of Club Orientation sessions, and the initiation, maintaining, and audit of the Clubs Development Programme. Fund Raising / Activities Chairman Heads the fund raising committee and is responsible for organising the clubs fund raising programme. Community Services Chairman / Welfare Chairman Heads the committee responsible for researching requests for help that are received, and recommends the appropriate action to the club for their decision. This committee must be very pro-active and not just re-active. Many communities and Clubs are finding it more difficult to find good projects. Board of Directors Consists of the President, Vice Presidents(s), Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister, and Committee Chairmen. Many Clubs also have a Youth Chairman, Public Relations Officer, Web Master etc. These members represent all the Club members who do not hold office at Boards Meetings. They are the executive committee of the Club. These officers are normally proposed, seconded and voted into office before the start of the new Lion year. 8 The District: - Its Organisation and Officers. A District should consist of at least thirty five Clubs (35) and 1250 members, as laid down by the International Constitution, but in practice usually consists of more. Our District 105D at the time of re-writing this handbook, in February 2012, has 66 Clubs, 3 Branch Clubs and some 1,340 members. Although there is a minimum number of clubs and members required, at the present time there is no maximum, For administrative purposes the District is normally split into smaller units called Regions, which are sub - divided into Zones. The maximum number of clubs in a Region shall be 16 and in a Zone 8. When establishing a Region or Zone, due regard is given to the geographical location of the clubs forming the Region or Zone. A District Governor can only change the Constitution, of a Region or Zone, before their year of office commences. The following lists the District Officers normally appointed within our District, and details some areas of information that you will hear referred to at various times. The District Governor The chief administrative officer of the District. Serves for one year and is elected at the District Convention. Takes the Chair at District Convention, Cabinet Meetings and any District Meetings that are called. Represents the Association within the District and represents the District at the Council of Governors Meetings. Acts under the general supervision of the International Board of Directors and is responsible for furthering the purposes and objects of the Association, supervising the formation of new Lions Clubs and visiting each Club in the District at least once. Vice District Governors stndThere are two Vice District Governors: 1 VDG and 2 VDG. The VDG?S carry out such duties that are allocated by the International Board of Directors and the District Governor, under the supervision of the District Governor. They will be members of the District Cabinet and, although not automatic, will usually progress by election to the position of District Governor. 9 10 District Secretary Appointed by the incoming DG and acts under the supervision of the District Governor and Cabinet. Is responsible for all official correspondence relating to the District and is the link between District Cabinet and the clubs. Takes the minutes of all Cabinet and District Meetings and the District Convention. District Treasurer Appointed by the incoming DG. Is responsible for the financial affairs of the District and normally collects all club payments for District and Multiple District projects, events and appeals and advises all the appropriate officers by maintaining and updating schedules of all these payment. Is responsible in conjunction with the Finance Committee for setting the District Budget and the level of dues required to keep the District in financial good standing. Region Chairman Appointed by the incoming DG, to serve for one year. Responsible for supervising the activities of the Zone Chairman in the Region and can serve on the District Governor's Policy Committee, MERL Committee and Long Range Planning Committee. Will also liaise with and work with the Region Membership / Leadership officers appointed to assist in the formation of new clubs and club branches and assist in the management of weaker clubs. Must visit each club in the Region at least once and further the purposes of the Association and the District programme. Zone Chairman Appointed by the incoming DG, and possibly the most important link between the clubs and the District Governor. Works closely with clubs in the Zone, attends Cabinet Meetings, and Policy Committee when requested. Reports back on club's activities and well being to the RC, the DG and at the District Cabinet meetings. Must visit each Zone club at least once and hold a minimum of four Zone meetings in the year District Nominations, Resolutions and Constitution Officer Appointed to make sure that any Resolution or amendment put to the District Convention does not contravene the International Constitution in spirit or otherwise, and that any Nominations for elected office meet the requirements and criteria. Also assists the clubs with any constitutional matters. Usually a Lion with a lot of experience. 11 Global Membership Team (GMT Working closely with the Global Leadership Team (GLT), the GMT provides a global structure but implemented locally for membership development, which is continuous focused and integrated. This structure is there for the benefit and success of all clubs within the district, the teams role is to assist with, and advise on all aspects of Membership, Retention and Extension, and in the formation of new clubs and club branches. District Officer Refers to all Lions asked to serve on the District Cabinet in various specialist roles. A full list of these officers and their positions appears in The Multiple District Directory. They are available to assist Clubs, Zones and Regions at all times. District Cabinet The advisory and policy committee of the District. Chaired by the District Governor and stnd and 2 Vice District Governors, the immediate Past District Governor, consisting of the 1 the District Secretary, the District Treasurer, the Region Chairmen, the Zone Chairmen and the District officers. Meets at least four times during the Lions? year to discuss Officers reports and recommendations, agree the budgets and establish District policy . District Convention The Annual General Meeting of the District. Receives the reports of the District Officers and debates the resolutions put forward by the Clubs and Cabinet relating to District matters and other Lions? activities further afield. Provides a forum for debate and provides a platform for specialist presentations. The International Association is represented by either a serving or Past International Director, as principle guest. It is also a time for social gathering and making and renewing friendships at the various social activities held. Partners of Lions are particularly welcome at these weekends and have their own range of activities during the Lions? business sessions. District Training Members new and not so new will be encouraged by their Clubs and District to attend the regular Training Workshops and Seminars that are held to introduce new members to the Association and its make up, and what role you can play within the organisation. These workshops are normally interactive and not just lectures, so that much can be learnt and full discussion on matters of membership, leadership, fund raising, community service, and club management. Please go and attend these workshops – they are stimulating, thought provoking and can even be fun. There is also an annual Incoming Officers training Day where Incoming Club Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers are offered help and advice. Region and Zone Chairmen are also now offered training at these sessions. If you wish to contact a District Officer, please visit our District website www.lions105d.org.uk and select the District Officers page. The Multiple District: - Its Organisation and Officers. 12 As previously stated where there are two or more Districts in the same country or geographical area, they can become a Multiple District. Here in the British Isles and Ireland, our Multiple District is known as MD105. It consists of thirteen Districts operating in the British Isles and Ireland. There are 12 within England, Scotland and Wales and Ireland as a whole is a District on its own Its affairs are conducted by a committee comprising of the District Governors from each District. This committee is known as the Council of Governors and meets four times a year, the last meeting, which coincides with and is held at the time of the Multiple District Convention. The chairman of the Council of Governors is elected from the preceding two year's District Governors (from those who put their names forward) by the District Governors elect at their meeting at the Multiple District Convention. There are other officers besides the District Governors who sit in on the meetings of the Council of Governors. They are the MD Treasurer, the Secretary to the Council, the MD Sergeant at Arms, and usually invited to attend are the current International Officers and Past International Officers of the Multiple District. The term International Officer refers to those Lions elected at International Convention to the posts of International Director or International President. The MD Treasurer is appointed by the COGs at their first meeting and carries out similar duties to that of a District Treasurer, but they are more complex and the sums of money are much larger. The MD Treasurer must have certain professional qualifications as are laid down from time to time. The Council of Governors also appoints the MD Officers and Committee Chairmen at their first meeting held after the MD Convention. These officers cover a wide range of Lions activities, mainly relating to Lions adopted programmes, and are available to assist the District Officers and the Clubs. The Secretary to the Council takes the minutes of the COG meetings and ensures distribution of the summaries to those entitled to receive them. There are three full time paid members of staff who run the MD. Secretariat. This is situated at 257 Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6DT and was purchased by donations made by Lions and is owned by the Lions Clubs of MD105. The Secretariat is responsible for all MD Convention documents, preparing the MD Directories, holding and issuing the MD supplies and dealing with all enquiries relating to the operation of Lions Clubs within this country. 13 International Organisation Our Association has its headquarters at 300, 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois, 60521 8842, U.S.A. There is a paid staff, headed by a Chief Administrator and a Chief Financial Officer, sufficient in size to administer the records of the 45,000 clubs and 1.3 million members and to transmit the policies, both welfare and administrative, that have been decided by the International Board of Directors. Official club supplies are also produced and issued from here for Lions Clubs and Leo Clubs. It is also responsible for organising the meetings of the International Board of Directors, held in rotation throughout the world, and for the organisation of our International Convention, which attracts Lions and their families from all corners of the world. All papers and documents that are sent out to the clubs are translated into the language encompassed by the members to whom they are being sent. The International Board of Directors This is the Executive Committee of our Association and is made up of unpaid elected Lions. It consists of the International President, the Immediate Past International President, the two International Vice Presidents and thirty-four International Directors. All of these Officers are elected at the International Convention. To give continuity, the thirty four directors are elected on the basis of seventeen in even years and seventeen in odd years. There are also ten non-voting appointees who serve for one year in an advisory capacity. The structure of the Board is such that the Directors represent each part of the world where there are Lions Clubs. In Europe each Multiple District has a turn in providing an International Director An International Director is elected to serve a two year term and they commit themselves to attending Board Meetings and Committee Meetings, wherever they are held, and to visiting Lions meetings, especially District Conventions. 14 Conventions and Europa Forums As previously mentioned these are the AGMs. of the various groups of Lions Clubs, where decisions are taken and officers elected, at District, Multiple District and International level. All Conventions have a mix of business and social activities, both formal and informal, allowing for the exchange of ideas and information and for the forming of friendships between individuals, clubs and Districts. For District and MD Conventions the number of voting delegates, which a club may send, depends on its number of members at a pre-set date. Each club has at least one vote, and those with 15-24 members two votes, 25-34 members three votes, 35-44 four votes and so on. For each voting delegate an alternate may be nominated in case of absence. The number of voting delegates that a club may send to International Convention is one per twenty five members (25), or major fraction of that number. Although there are limits to the numbers of voting delegates at conventions there are no limits to the numbers of Lions who can attend and participate in the debates and functions. Although there are some exceptions, in this MD the District Conventions arc usually held in February/March of each year with the Multiple District Convention being held in late April or early May. The International Convention is held towards the end of June, or early July, to correspond with the start of the new Lions' year. The Europa Forum is held each year, around September/October in a different European country. The object of the Forum is the exchange of ideas amongst the various European Districts and to listen to specialist seminars given by experienced Lions on subjects affecting Lionism on a European scale. The Forum has no legislative powers, though reports of debates are sent to the International Board as well as all Districts within Europe. There is normally a keynote speaker from one or more current International Directors. Future venues can be found in the MD Directory. 15 Dues As previously indicated the running costs of Lions Clubs International at all levels must come from the membership and not from funds raised from the public. Club Dues Club dues must include sufficient to cover District, Multiple District and International dues and are set by the club, taking into account the running costs of the club and the expenses that it may wish to meet of the President and Secretary and any members who might represent the club at various functions or meetings. District Dues District dues are set and agreed by the voting delegates at each District Convention The District Treasurer must take into account the level of legitimate expenses incurred by District Officers in performing their duties, that they might be called upon to pay, and the expenses of the business sessions of the District Convention. Multiple District Dues Multiple District dues are agreed by the delegates at the MD Convention under the recommendation of the MD Treasurer and the COG. Taken into account are the running expenses and upkeep of the MD office and the salaries of its staff as well as the expenses of the meetings etc. that are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the MD. Amounts are also included to cover the expenses of the business sessions of the MD Convention and the costs of the MD insurance policy and MD public relations, together with part of the costs of the LION magazine for the British Isles and Ireland. International Dues Like all the other dues they are set at the Convention and must include money for the expenses of International Officers within the strict rules of audit that are laid down. They also include the upkeep and running of the office at Oak Brook, the postage, printing and all other costs associated with the running of the Association, including production of The Lion Magazine. Each District, Multiple District and of course Lions International, produce fully audited accounts which are placed before delegates for study and acceptance before any dues are fixed for the next Lions' year. All dues are payable in two equal instalments per capita, and are based on club membership at the end of June and the end of December in each year 16 The Lions Clubs International Foundation The LCIF, to give it its working title, is funded through donations from charities' accounts of Lions and Leo Clubs It helps to meet the needs of people and communities, which may be beyond the reasonable capabilities of the local Lions Club acting on its own. Normally grants are applied for through the MD LCIF Coordinator, and are paid if accepted on an equal basis. The Club or District has to raise at least 50% of the funds to achieve a matching grant. Other criteria for Emergency grants and Humanitarian grants can be found in the LCIF booklets and of course on the LCI International website. It is administered by a Board of Trustees, which normally comprises the Immediate Past International President and five other members of the International Board of Directors plus two appointed by the International President. The Board reviews and acts upon all applications for grants that meet the Foundation's basic criteria. Insurance Arrangements for the Multiple District 105 Insurance cover is provided for clubs and for their members when they perform duties on behalf of the club. Full details of the cover provided can be found on the Multiple District website at www.lionsmd105.org. Click onto Members, then Insurance and then Related links. Similarly legal advice and the Vulnerable Persons policy can be found on the MD website under the members section. It is hoped that you have found this booklet useful and that you will enjoy being a member of the world's largest service organisation LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL 17 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 actions towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself. TO HOLD friendship as an end and not as a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of service performed by one to another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given. ALWAYS bear in mind my obligations as a citizen of my nation and my community, and to give unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed, to give them freely of my time, labour 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. 18 LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL PURPOSES TO ORGANISE 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 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 endeavours. 19 20 NOTES 21