Constitution
ARTICLE I: Name
Section 1: The organization shall be known as District 20-Y1 of the
International Association of Lions Clubs (Herein after referred to as Lions
Clubs International)
ARTICLE II: Objects
Section 1: To provide an administrative structure with which to advance
the educational and charitable purposes and objects of District 20-Y1
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1: The membership of this organization shall consist of all the
Lions clubs duly chartered by Lions Clubs International and in good standing
with Lions Clubs International and the District
Section 2: Membership in a Lions Club may be offered to a male or
female who has been approved by the club's Board of Directors and has reached
the age of 18 years.
ARTICLE IV: District Organization
Section 1: Cabinet Membership
A. The District shall have a District Cabinet composed of the
District Governor, as Chairperson; Vice District Governor; the Immediate past
District Governor; the Region Chairs, the Zone Chairs and the Cabinet Secretary
and Cabinet Treasurer (or a single Secretary-Treasurer). Provided however, each
respective District Governor shall have the authority to determine whether the
position of Region Chair will be utilized during his/her term. If not so
utilized, the position of Region Chair shall remain vacant during said District
Governor's term. Each such officer shall be a member in good standing in
District 20-Y1
B. The District Governor and the Vice District Governor shall
be elected at the annual convention of Multiple District 20 (State of New York
and Bermuda). The District Governor shall appoint by the time he/she takes
office: Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer); one
Region Chair for each Region (if the position of Region Chair is utilized
during the District Governor's term); one Zone Chair for each zone; and such
other cabinet members as may be provided for in this Constitution and
By-laws.
C. Zone or Region Chairs should be limited to serving two
consecutive One-Year terms. This requirement could be waived by the District
Governor in situations involving extenuating circumstances and after a search
by the District Governor.
D. Any vacancy in any district cabinet office, except that of
the Vice District Governor shall be filled by appointment by the District
Governor for the unexpired term thereof.
E. If any Region or Zone Chair shall cease to be a member of a
club in the Region or Zone, as the case may be, to which he/she was appointed,
his/her term of office shall thereupon cease and the District Governor may
appoint a successor to fill said office.
F. No salary may be paid to any office of the
district.
Section 2: District Cabinet Meetings
A. Regular: A regular meeting of the cabinet shall be
held four times during the fiscal year, with the first to be held within ninety
(90) days after the adjournment of the preceding international convention. Ten
(10) days written notice of meetings setting forth a date, time and place
determined by the District Governor, shall be given to each member by the
Cabinet Secretary (or Secretary-Treasurer).
B. Special: Special meetings of the Cabinet may be
called by the District Governor at his/her discretion and shall be called upon
written request made to the District Governor or the Cabinet Secretary by a
majority of the members of the cabinet. Not fewer than seven (7) nor more than
fifteen (15) days written or telegraphic notice of special meetings, setting
forth the purposes thereof and date, time, and place determined by the District
Governor, shall be given to each member by the Cabinet Secretary.
C. Quorum and Vote: The attendance by a majority of the
members of the cabinet shall constitute a quorum for a meeting thereof. In all
such meetings, the voting privilege shall extend to the District Governor, the
Region Chairs, the Zone Chairs and the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer
(or Secretary-Treasurer).
Section 3: Regions and Zones
A. The District Governor shall divide the District into Regions
of not more than sixteen (16) nor less than ten (10) Lions Clubs; and each
Region into Zones of no more than eight (8) nor less than four (4) Lions Clubs,
giving due regard to the geographical locations of the clubs. All such Regions
and Zones shall be subject to change by the District Governor when, in his/her
sole discretion, he/she shall deem same necessary to the best interest of
District 20-Y1.
B. Regional Meetings: If the position of Region
Chairperson is utilized during the District Governor's term, meetings of
representatives of all clubs in the Region, with the Region Chairperson
presiding, may be held during the fiscal year at times and places fixed by the
Region Chairperson of the respective region.
C. Zone Meetings: Meetings of all member clubs in a zone
shall be designated and known as Zone Meetings. Zone Meetings may be held
throughout the District during the year at times and places to be fixed by the
Zone Chairperson of each Zone who shall be in active charge. Such Zone Meetings
shall be so arranged and of such a number as will make it possible and
convenient for the members of each club in each zone to attend at least one (1)
such meeting each year. A Zone Meeting may be held in conjunction with any
Advisory Committee Meeting (ACM).
Section 4: Other Meetings
A. Fall Conference: Each year, there shall be a
Conference of Lions of District 20-Y1 at a date, time and place selected by the
District Governor. the topics and agenda shall be set by the District
Governor.
B. Spring Conference: Each spring, between the time when
Club officers are elected and the State Convention of MD-20, there shall be an
Officers Training Program to be held at a date, time and place selected by the
District Governor or by the Region Chairperson, if the position of Region
Chairperson is utilized during the District Governor's term, in consultation
with their Zone Chairpersons.
Section 5: District Committees
A. District Governor's Advisory Committee
1. There shall be a District Governor's Advisory Committee in
each Zone, composed of the Zone Chairperson and the Presidents and Secretaries
of the Clubs in the Zone
2. The Zone Chair in each particular Zone shall call four (4)
meetings of this District Governor's Advisory Committee during the year. The
first of these meetings shall be held within thirty (30) days after the first
District Cabinet Meeting. The remaining meetings shall be held at intervals
specified by the District Governor.
B. District Governor's Honorary Committee There may be
in District 20-Y1 a District Governor's Honorary Committee. The membership of
the committee shall consist of Past International Officers, Past International
Directors and Past District Governors within District 20-Y1
1. The Immediate Past District Governor may be the
chairperson of this Committee. The District Governor's Honorary Committee may
meet when and as called upon by the District Governor or the current Vice
Governor.
C. Committees District 20-Y1 shall have such committees
as necessary to carry out the objects and goals as determined by the District
Governor. The Immediate Past District Governor will serve as LCIF
Chairperson.
ARTICLE V: Finance and Budget
Section 1: District 20-Y1 shall have a Finance Committee of three (3)
members appointed by the District Governor, one of whom shall be designated as
Chairperson
A. It is the responsibility of this committee to review and
monitor the budget, recommend a depository for District Funds, recommend
bonding for the District Cabinet Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer), arrange
for an audit of district funds at the end of the fiscal year, and advise the
District Governor and the Cabinet on financial matters.
Section 2: The District Governor should at the second meeting of the
Cabinet present an administrative budget.
Section 3: All District 20-Y1 administrative funds received by the
District may be disbursed only for administrative expense as approved in the
annual budget of District 20-Y1. Payment out of said District Administrative
funds shall be by checks drawn and signed by the Cabinet Treasurer (or
Secretary-Treasurer) and countersigned by the District Governor.
Section 4: The District Governor and his/her cabinet shall not incur
contractual obligations in any fiscal year which will effect an unbalanced
budget or deficit in said fiscal year.
Section 5: The Finance Committee as directed by the District Governor
shall provide for an annual or more frequent audit of the books and accounts of
the District by an Auditing Committee selected from the current Honorary
Committee. A statement of the financial condition of the district shall be sent
to Lions International, to the Multiple District 20 (state) office, to the
Cabinet and to each club in the district within sixty (60) days after the close
of the fiscal year by the District Governor.
Section 6: Each edition of a District Bulletin, the official
publication of the District, shall contain material in sufficient quantity and
content important to the membership. This will be sent to all Cabinet Officers
and Past District Governors of District 20-Y1
By-Laws
ARTICLE I: District Nominations and Elections
Section 1: Each District Governor shall appoint to the Multiple
District 20 (State) a Nomination Committee who shall be an active member of a
Lions club in good standing in the District, and shall not at the time of the
appointment hold any Multiple District 20 (State) or International office. Each
such appointment shall receive notification of his/her appointment at least
thirty (30) days prior to the annual Multiple District 20 (State)
convention.
Section 2: The Nominating Committee Person of District 20-Y1 shall
receive the written nomination of any member in good standing for District
Governor and Vice District Governor who meet the qualifications set forth by
the Lions Clubs International Constitution and By-Laws, provided that the
nomination is endorsed by his/her club, or by a majority of the clubs in
District 20-Y1. Such nominations must be filed at least thirty (30) days prior
to the annual Multiple District 20 (state) convention date with the Multiple
District Secretary-Treasurer.
The Nominating Committee person of District 20-Y1 shall report to the
Multiple District meeting of the State Convention the names of such nominees as
have been qualified. A nomination for District Governor may be made from the
floor of the State convention only with the approval of the nominating
committee of said convention and only when District 20-Y1 reaches a convention
without any qualified candidate for District Governor who has not previously
filed a nomination in the Multiple District office.
Section 3: The election shall be by secret written ballot. The
Candidate receiving the largest number of the votes cast shall be declared
elected. In case of a tie, balloting for those tied shall continue until one
candidate is elected.
Section 4: In the event of a vacancy in the office of District
Governor, the Vice District Governor shall act as District Governor and perform
the duties of District Governor and have the same authority of District
Governor until the position is filled by the International Board of Directors.
The Vice District Governor shall call a meeting of the District
Governor's Cabinet within fifteen (15) days for the purpose of recommending a
successor, whose name shall be tendered to the President and the Board of
Directors of Lions Clubs International for approval. All Current and Past
International Officers and Past District Governors in good standing or a member
of a Lions club in the District shall be invited to said meeting.
In the event of a vacancy of the office of Vice District Governor, the
District Governor shall, with the approval of the District 20-Y1 Cabinet,
appoint a Lion in good standing, meeting the qualifications required of the
position, to serve the remainder of the vacated office.
ARTICLE II: Duties and Qualifications
Section 1: District Governors. Under the general
supervision of the International Board of Directors, the District Governor
shall represent the Association in his/her district. In addition, he/she shall
be the chief administrative officer of the district and shall have the direct
supervision over Region Chairs, the Zone Chairs, Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet
Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer) and such other cabinet members as may be
provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws. His/her specific
responsibilities shall be to:
A. Further the purposes and objects of this
association
B. Supervise the organization of new clubs
C. Promote the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and
all service activities of the Association.
D. Preside, when present, over Cabinet, Convention and other
District Meetings.
E. Perform such other functions and acts as shall be required
of him/her by the International Board of Directors through the District
Governor's manual and other directives.
Section 2: Vice District Governor. The Vice District Governor,
subject to the supervision of the District Governor, shall be chief
administrative assistant to the District Governor. His/her specific
responsibilities shall be to:
A. Further the purposes and objects of this
Association.
B. Familiarize himself/herself with the duties of the District
Governor so in the event of a vacancy in the office of District governor he/she
will be better prepared to assume the duties and responsibilities of said
office.
C. Perform such administrative duties as may be assigned to
him/her by the District Governor
D. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of
him/her by the International Board of Directors through the Vice District
Governor's Manual and other directives.
E. Actively participate in all Cabinet and Council Meetings in
the absence of the District Governor.
F. Participate in the Preparation of the District
Budget.
G. Be actively engaged in all matters to be continued during
the next year.
H. Participate in the review of the strengths and weaknesses of
the clubs of the District.
I. At the request of the District Governor supervise
appropriate District Committees.
Section 3: Region Chairperson. The Region Chairperson, if the
position is utilized during the District Governor's term, subject to the
supervision and direction of the District Governor, shall be the chief
administrative officer in his/her Region. His/her specific responsibilities
shall be to:
A. Further the purposes and objects of this
association
B. Supervise the activities of the Zone Chairpersons in his/her
Region and such District committee chairs as may be assigned to him/her by the
District Governor.
C. Play an active role in organizing new clubs and in
strengthening weak clubs.
D. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of
him/her by the International Board of Directors through the Region
Chairperson's manual and other directives.
Section 4: Zone Chairperson. The Zone Chairperson, subject to
the supervision and direction of the District Governor and/or Region
Chairperson, shall be the chief administrative officer in his/her zone. His/her
specific responsibilities shall be:
A. Further the purposes and objects of this
association.
B. Serve as Chair of the District Governor's Advisory Committee
in his/her zone and as such Chair, to call regular meetings of said
committee.
C. Play an active role in organizing new clubs and keep
informed on the activities and well being of all clubs in his/her
zone.
D. Perform such functions and acts as may be required of
him/her by the International board of Directors through the Zone Chairperson's
manual and other directives.
Section 5: Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer (or
Secretary-Treasurer). Each shall act under the supervision of the District
Governor. Their specific responsibilities shall be to:
A. Further the purpose and objects of this
association.
B. Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of
each by the International Board of Directors through the Cabinet
Secretary-Treasurer's manual and other directives.
Section 6: Other District Cabinet Members. Subject to the
Supervision of the District Governor, they shall perform such functions and
acts as may be required of them by the International Board of Directors and by
Provisions of the District Constitution and By-Laws which are consistent with
the Constitution and By-Laws and policies of the International Board of
Directors.
Section 7: District Governor's Cabinet. The District Governor's
Cabinet is the deliberative and assisting body to the District Governor in the
formulation of administrative plans and policies affecting the welfare of
Lionism within the District. It shall serve in an advisory and administrative
capacity only. Voting members of the District Governor's Cabinet shall be the
District Governor, Vice District Governor, Immediate Past District Governor,
Region Chairs (if the position is utilized during the Governor's term), Zone
Chairs and the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer (or
Secretary-Treasurer).
Section 8: District Governor's Advisory Committee. This
committee is an advisory body from the Zone level to the District Governor and
his/her cabinet, and represents all District Clubs. It shall serve in an
advisory and administrative capacity only. This Committee shall meet four (4)
times during the fiscal year (usually September, November, February and April).
Section 9: Qualifications for the office of District Governor:
A. Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions
club in good standing in District 20-Y1.
B. Secure an endorsement of his/her club or a majority of the
clubs in District 20-Y1
C. Currently be serving as the Vice District Governor within
the District from which he/she is to be elected.
D. Only in the event that the current Vice District Governor
does not stand for election as District Governor, or a vacancy in position of
Vice District Governor exists at the time of the District Convention, any club
member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of Vice District Governor
as set forth in Section 10 of this Article II and who is currently serving or
has served one (1) additional year as a member of the District Cabinet, shall
fulfill the requirements of subsection C of this section.
Section 10: Qualifications for the office of Vice District Governor. A
candidate for the office of Vice District Governor shall:
A. Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions
Club in good standing in District 20-Y1
B. Secure the endorsement of his/her club or a majority of the
Clubs in District 20-Y1
C. Have served or will have served at the time he/she takes
office as Vice District Governor.
1. As President of a Lions Club for a full term or major
portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no
less than two (2) additional years, and
2. As Zone Chair or Region Chair or Cabinet Secretary or
Cabinet Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer) for a full term or major portion
thereof.
3. With none of the above being accomplished
concurrently
Section 11: Qualifications for Region and Zone Chairs:
A. Be an active member, in good standing, in his/her Region or
Zone.
B. Have served, or will have served at the time of taking
office as Region or Zone Chair, as President of a Lions Club, for a full term
or a major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions
club for no less than two (2) additional years.
ARTICLE III: Honors, Awards and Contests
Section 1: The District Governor may have the discretion to authorize
and establish suitable honors, awards and contests.
ARTICLE IV: Fiscal Year
Section 1: The Fiscal Year of this District shall be July 1st of a
particular year through June 30th of the following calendar year.
ARTICLE V: Adoption
Section 1: This Constitution and By-Laws shall become in full force and
effect when it has been adopted by a majority affirmative vote of the
registered delegates of 20-Y1 at the Multiple District 20 Annual
Convention.
ARTICLE VI: Amendments
Section 1: No amendment shall be accepted at a cabinet meeting unless a
copy or a proposed change has been printed and circulated to each club of this
District thirty (30) days prior to the Cabinet Meeting.