a5constitution-bylaws

International Association of Lions Clubs

District A-5

Constitution and By-Laws

Article I

Section 1

This constitution shall be the Constitution of District A-5 in Multiple District "A" of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

Section 2

In this Constitution, District A-5 shall be referred to as A-5, Multiple District "A" shall be referred to as MD "A" and the International Association of Lions Club shall be referred to as Lions Clubs International.

Article II

Section 1

The purpose of this Constitution shall be to provide for the advancement of the Objectives of Lion Clubs International in A-5.

Section 2

The object of this Constitution is to provide an authority for the efficient administration of the affairs to A-5.

Article III

Membership

Section 1

The members of this organization shall be all Lions Clubs chartered by Lions Clubs International.

Section 2

The boundary lines of A-5 shall be laid down by the MD "A" Constitution as follows:

Section 3

New Districts may be created when permitted by the provisions of the Constitution, policy or By-Laws of Lions International, provided that the following procedures is followed:

(a)

The proposal to create a new District shall be approved by a vote of at least

two thirds of the members of the Governor's Council present and voting at

the meeting at which such proposal is considered. Written notice of such

meeting shall be given to each Club affected by the proposal at least thirty

(30) days prior to such meeting of the Governor's Council and make

representation with respect to such proposal.

(b)

The decision of the Governor's Council to create such additional District shall

be referred to the next Multiple District "A" Convention for consideration and if

approved, shall then be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the

International Constitution.

Section 4

An existing Club or Clubs may be transferred from one existing District to another District provided that the same procedure is followed as herein, before set forth for the creation of a new District.

Article IV

District Organization

Section 1 - Cabinet Officers

(a)

A-5 shall have a District Cabinet composed of the District Governor who shall

be the Presiding Officer, the Immediate Past District Governor, the Vice

District Governor, the Region Chairpersons, the Zone Chairpersons, a

Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer (or Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer),

and all Committee Chairpersons. The elected members of the Cabinet are the

officers of A-5. Each such member shall be a member in good standing of a

Lions Club in good standing within A-5.

(b)

The District Governor shall be elected by 50% plus one (1) vote, of those cast

at the annual A-5 Convention. In the event there is no convention they will be

elected in accordance with the International Constitution and By-Laws. They

shall appoint, by the time they take office, the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer

(or Cabinet Secretary and Treasurer).

(c)

The Vice District Governor, as well as one Chairperson for each Region and

one Zone Chairperson for each Zone in A-5 shall be elected at the A-5

Convention.

(d)

Any vacancy in a District office, except that of District Governor, shall be filled

by appointment by the District Governor for the term, or unexpired term

thereof.

(e)

If any Officer in A-5 shall cease to be an active member of a Club in the

Region or Zone, as the case may be, to which they were elected or

appointed, their term of office shall thereupon cease and the District

Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the said vacancy.

(f)

No salary shall be paid to any Officer of A-5.

Section 2 - District Cabinet Meetings

(a)

Regular Meetings: A regular meeting of the Cabinet shall be held in each

quarter of the fiscal year, with the first to be held within sixty (60) days after

the adjournment of the preceding International Convention. Fourteen (14)

days written notice of meetings setting forth a date, time and place

determined by the District Governor shall be mailed to each member of

Cabinet.

(b)

Special Meetings: Special meetings of Cabinet may be called by the District

Governor at their discretion. Special meetings of the Cabinet may also be

called upon written request made by a majority of the A-5 officers. No fewer

that seven (7) days written notice shall be given, indicating the purpose, date,

time and place of the special Cabinet meeting.

(c)

Quorum: The attendance of a majority of the voting members of the Cabinet

shall constitute a quorum for any meeting thereof.

(d)

Voting Members: The voting members of the Cabinet are: the District

Governor, the Immediate Past District Governor, the Vice District Governor,

the Region Chairpersons, the Zone Chairpersons, and the Cabinet Secretary-

Treasurer (or Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer).

(e)

The District Governor shall have the authority to appoint an Officer of A-5 as

acting Chairperson, in the event of his absence.

Section 3 Region and Zones

(a) (i)

A-5 shall be divided into Regions and each Region into Zones. All such

Regions and Zones shall be subject to change by the District Governor in

constitution with the District Cabinet and the Governors Council.

(ii)

Regions shall consist of not more than sixteen (16) and no fewer than ten

(10) Lions Clubs, with due regard being given to geographical locations.

(ii)

Zones shall consist of no more than eight (8) and no fewer than four (4)

Lions Clubs, with due regard being given to geographical locations.

(b) (i)

Region Meetings

Meetings of all Clubs in a Region, with the Region Chairperson presiding,

may be held during the fiscal year at times and places fixed by the

chairman of the respective Region.

(iii)

Region Rallies

Region Rallies shall be held in each Region of District A-5 under the

supervision of the Region Chairperson. The Rallies shall take place not less

than thirty (30) days or not more than forty five (45) days prior to the

District A-5 Convention. Each Region Chairperson shall notify their Clubs as

to the time, place and purpose of said rally not less than thirty (30) days

prior to the date of the rally. The purpose of the Region Rallies in the six (6)

regions of District A-5 are as follows:

To bring members of a Region together so that the sitting officers may

account for their accomplishments and those of others members as well

as the zones and clubs.

To accept nominations to the offices of Vice District Governor, Region

Chairperson and Zone Chairperson for the Regions or Zones concerned

and to forward such nominations to the District Governor, immediately

following the Rally. All candidates for Vice District Governor, Region or

Zone positions may give an eight (8) minute speech in support of their

candidacy at this meeting, however only a District Governor and Vice

District Governor may speak at the A-5 Convention.

(a)

For candidates to quality for nomination at a Region Rally the

candidates must be endorsed by their home Club (in writing) and the

candidate must accept their clubs endorsement (in writing) as well.

(b)

Both letters or District forms must be filed with the Region Chairperson

no later than the date of the Region Rally.

(c)

All candidates are to be formally introduced at the Region Rally and

their achievements in Lionism should be listed for the interest of those

in attendance. The rally date is the final date for candidacy for Region

and Zone positions, however "IF" no candidates come forward at this

date the Governor may elect to accept nominations up to thirty (30)

days prior to the opening of the Convention.

(d)

Should there not be a candidate for the office of Vice District Governor,

Region or Zone Chairperson properly endorsed as specified above,

then the District Governor for the coming year will appoint a qualified

person to that office at the commencement of the subsequent year.

Again the qualified appointee must obtain endorsement in writing from

his home club as well as acceptance in writing by himself/herself.

(e)

A candidate may withdraw up to fifteen (15) days prior to the

Convention.

To create harmony and good will amongst the members of the region

and incorporate a social event such as a meal, dance or entertainment if

practical.

(c)

Zone Meetings:

Meetings of the Club Presidents, Club Secretaries and Membership

Chairpersons of all the Clubs in a Zone shall be held as laid out in the Zone

Chairpersons Manual.

(i)

District Committees:

To assist in the administration of A-5, the District Governor should,

immediately after commencement of their term of office, appoint

chairperson of the following committees:

(a)

Membership Development and Retention

(b)

Public Relations

(c)

Youth Exchange

(d)

Extension

(e)

International Relations

(f)

Effective Speaking

(g)

Lions Information

(h)

Bulletin Contest

(i)

Sight Conservation

(j)

Leo Clubs

(k)

Care

(l)

Hearing Conservation

(m) The Lions Magazine Representative

(n)

Lioness

(o)

L.C.I.F.

(p)

L.C.F.

(q)

Convention Advisory

(r)

Leadership Development

(s)

Honorary

(t)

Environment

(u)

International Understanding

(ii)

Committees may be doubled up at the Governor's discretion.

(iii)

The District Governor shall have the power to appoint a chairperson of any

additional committee they feel may be required, or to drop committees

that they feel are inappropriate, other than mandatory committees.

Article V

District Administration

Section 1

(a)

To provide revenue to defray the non-convention administration expenses of

A-5, an annual district administrative fund Per Capita Assessment is hereby

levied on each member of each Club in A-5.

(b)

This administrative assessment should be an amount sufficient to operate A-5

for the current fiscal year, and shall be approved at the first Cabinet Meeting,

usually held in August.

(c)

In the case of newly chartered or reorganized clubs the per capita

assessment is levied on a pro-rata basis from the first day of the second

month following the date of their organization or reorganization, as the case

may be.

Section 2

The District Governor and their Cabinet shall not incur obligations in any fiscal year that will effect an unbalanced budget or deficit in said fiscal year.

Section 3

The Governor and Vice Governor to ok cheques over $1,000.00. Both to approve.

Section 4

The District Governor shall provide an interim balance sheet at each Cabinet meeting.

Section 5

The District Governor shall provide an annual, or more frequent audit if required, of the books and accounts of A-5. A statement of the financial condition of A-5 shall be sent, along with the books and accounts of A-5, to the incoming Governor not later than August 7th following the close of the fiscal year.

Section 6

All Clubs to be billed their annual district administrative fund per capita assessment in September of each fiscal year as based on the membership as reported in their June M&M reports.

Section 7

The Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer and the District Governor, or one other member appointed by the Cabinet, shall be the signing authority for all disbursements made from the A-5 Administrative Fund, unless otherwise provided by the A-5 Cabinet.

Section 8

All accounts paid from the A-5 Administrative Fund are to be paid by cheque only.

Section 9

To assist in defraying the expense of the District Governor, a per capita assessment of $1.00 per member will be levied by A-5 Cabinet.

Section 19

All committees, councils, projects and organizations within District A-5, other than District A-5 Clubs, representing some or all of the Lions of A-5 must be endorsed by, and be accountable to District A-5. Such committees, councils, projects or organizations will provide:

(i)

An audit, at least annually, to the Cabinet.

(ii)

Terms of reference for Cabinet approval, and

(iii)

Evidence of organization and function in a democratic fashion.

Section 11 - Solicitation of Funds and Lions Activities

All Clubs within District A-5 may raise funds, hold meetings or host Lion's activities anywhere within the boundaries of District A-5. Those clubs planning to raise funds outside their Club boundaries shall submit a courtesy letter to the Clubs affected for their information, outlining the particulars of said event.

If there is a need to raise funds outside of the boundaries of District A-5, then permission must be obtained in writing from the MS "A" Council of Governors.

The District A-5 Cabinet reserves the right to restrict solicitation of funds in any manner, which will reflect poorly on the Lions organization as a whole. (such as telemarketing)

Rationale

All Lions members in this organization belong to the same family and raise funds for the same purpose as outlined by Lions International. Every Lion raises funds to help those less fortunate, or in desperate times and to support Lions Programs and initiatives worldwide. The fact that we belong to different Clubs is solely for geographical convenience.

Article VI

District Convention

Section 1

(a)

An annual A-5 Convention shall be held, at least three (3) weeks prior to the

MD "A" Convention.

(b)

The A-5 Convention will be governed by the Rules and Regulations as

approved by the Lions of A-5 as provided for as per Article XII, M.D. "A"

Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 3

(a)

Each District A-5 Governor shall appoint a Nominations Committee, a

Credentials Committee, and an Elections Committee no later than the mid

winter A-5 Cabinet meeting.

(i)

The Nominations Committee shall be composed of the District Governor,

the Cabinet Secretary, and not less than two other members of Lions

Clubs in good standing in A-5. The Nomination Committee shall receive

nominations for the office of District Governor, Vice District Governor,

Region Chairperson and Zone Chairperson in accordance with the rules of

our A-5 Constitution and the By-Laws and also perform such other duties

as may be required by this committee and our A-5 Cabinet.

(ii)

The Credentials Committee shall be comprised of the District Governor, the

Cabinet Secretary and not less than two other members of Lions Clubs in

good standing in A-5. This committee shall notify all clubs in A-5 as to the

number of voting delegates that each club is entitled to at our A-5

Convention, in accordance with the rules of our A-5 and M.D. "A"

Constitution and By-Laws. This committee shall also be authorized to

receive and verify all voting delegate credentials at our District Convention

and to perform such other duties as may be required by this committee

and our A-5 Cabinet.

(iii)

The Elections Committee shall be composed of a chairperson, a co-

chairperson and such other members as the Governor may deem

necessary to supervise the elections and voting at our A-5 Conventions in

accordance with the rules of our A-5 Constitution and By-Laws. Each

member shall be a member in good standing of a different club in good

standing in District A-5 and shall not, at the time of their appointment, hold

an elected office in our A-5 Cabinet, and shall not be a candidate for office

at the time of the elections.

(b)

Election of Officers Regarding a Tie Vote:

(i)

In the event of a tie vote for the position of any District A-5 office other than

the Governor, the Elections Committee shall have the authority to call the

involved candidates together and the issue shall be resolved by the toss of

a coin.

(ii)

All candidates shall be notified, prior to the elections taking place, as to the

procedure to be followed in the event of a tie vote.

(iii)

In the event of a tie vote on any issue (other than election of officers) to be

voted on at our A-5 Convention, such issue shall be referred back to the

District Governor and the Cabinet for further consideration.

Section 4

(a)

Each chartered club in good standing with Lions Clubs International, MD "A"

and A-5 shall be represented by one (1) or more delegates at the annual A-5

Convention and shall be entitled to one (1) voting delegate and one (1)

alternate for each ten (10) members of major fraction thereof, of said club as

shown by the records of the International office on the last day of February,

prior to the Convention.

(b)

The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more

members.

(c)

Each certified delegate present, in person, may cast one (1) vote for each

office to be filled, and one (1) vote only on each issue to be voted on by the

members of said Convention.

Section 5

A majority of the delegates in attendance at the Convention shall constitute a quorum of the Convention for the transaction of business.

Section 6

Each present and past District Governor of Lions Clubs International who is a member in good standing in A-5 shall be a voting delegate, and such vote shall not be considered a vote to which their club would otherwise be entitled. They may also exercise their vote pertaining to matter within their club's Zone or Region. They shall, however, be entitled to cast one (1) vote only.

Section 7 - District A-5 Convention Financial Statement

The convention host club or clubs shall ensure that a detailed financial statement of the convention shall be submitted to the District Governor no later than June 30th following the convention.

Article VII

Amendments

Section 1

This Constitution may be amended only at a District A-5 Convention by resolution reported by committee on Constitution and By-Laws, and adopted by the affirmation vote of two thirds (2/3) of the eligible votes cast.

Section 2

No amendment shall be so reported or voted upon unless the same shall have been furnished in writing to each club no less than thirty (30) days prior to the convening date of the annual convention, with notices that same will be voted upon at the said convention.

Section 3

Each amendment shall take effect at the close of the convention at which adopted, unless otherwise specified in the amendment.

ARTICLE VIII

By-Laws

The By-Laws of the District A-5 shall be as

Printed in the standard District Constitution and By-Laws

As set forth by Lions Clubs International

(Article I to VIII)