Lions Clubs International
Multiple District 324C
(As adopted on 22 Nov 2009 at the Special Convention)

PURPOSES

TO ORGANIZE, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.

TO COORDINATE the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.
TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.  
TO PROMOTE the principles of good govemment and good citizenship.  
TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.  
TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.  
TO PROVIDE a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.  
TO ENCOURAGE service–minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.

 
 Vision statement
To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service. 
Mission statement

To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. 

Multiple District 324C
Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION

Article I        -        Name
Article II       -        Purpose
Article III      -        Membership
Article IV      -        Area
Article V       -        Council of Governors
Article VI      -        Powers of the Multiple District Council
Article VII     -        Multiple District Convention
Article VIII    -        Multiple District Funds
Article IX      -        District Organization
Article X       -        District Convention
Article XI      -        District Revenue
Article XII     -        Amendment of Constitution Effective Date and Copies
Article XIII    -        Voting Rights

BY – LAWS

Article I        -        Election of Office bearers of Council of Governors &
                                 Conduction of   Council Meetings
Article II       -        Hosting & holding Multiple District Convention
Article III      -        Multiple District Accounts and Audit
Article IV      -        Formation of District Cabinet / Committees, Filling of
                                  Vacancies and Conduction of Meetings.
Article V       -        District Convention, Nominations & Elections
Article VI      -        District Accounts and Audit
Article VII     -        Seminars for Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers – Elect
Article VIII    -        Duties
Article IX      -        Committees
Article X       -        Rules of Convention & Special Convention
Article XI      -        Nomination and Endorsement: International Director and
                                  Second Vice-President Nominees
Article XII     -        Conduction of Election and Code of Conduct
Article XIII    -        Election Complaints
Article XIV    -        Amendment

 

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE-I
Name:
This organization shall be known as “MULTIPLE DISTRICT 324C, LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL (herein after referred to as Multiple District).

ARTICLE-II
Purpose/ Object:
To provide an administrative structure with which to advance the purposes of the Lions Clubs International in this Multiple District.

ARTICLE-III
Membership:
The members of this organization shall be all the Lions Clubs in the Multiple District chartered by the Lions Clubs International.

ARTICLE – IV

Area:

SECTION – 1

District 324C1
Comprising revenue districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh and revenue district of Yanam in the Union Territory of Puduchery.

Disctrict 324C2
Comprising revenue districts of Mahabubnagar, part of revenue districts of Hyderabad and Rangareddy in the state of Andhra Pradesh and areas included in the revenue districts of Raichur, Bidar and Gulbarga in the state of Karnataka.

District 324C3
Comprising revenue Districts of Warangal, Karimnagar, part of Adilabad District, part of revenue districts of Hyderabad and Rangareddy in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

District 324C4
Comprising the revenue District of Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

District 324C5
Comprising revenue Districts of Khammam, Nalgonda, and part of revenue districts of Hyderabad and Rangareddy in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

District 324C6
Comprising revenue districts of Medak, Nizamabad, part of Adilabad district, part of revenue districts of Hyderabad and Rangareddy in the state of Andhra Pradesh

District 324C7
Comprising the revenue District of West Godavari in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

District 324C8
Comprising the revenue districts of Guntur, Prakasam, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

SECTION – 2
Whenever a change is affected by the Government in respect of the name and/or area boundaries of a revenue District, other Governmental division or territory falling within the boundaries of one or more of the Sub-Districts of the Multiple District, such changes in name and/or area/boundaries shall be incorporated in Section 1 of this Article - IV, without going through the provisions prescribed for amending the Constitution but through a timely intimation to all active Lions Clubs in Multiple District from the Council of Governors of the Multiple District, provided that such changes do not affect the existing boundaries of either the Multiple District or of any of the Sub-Districts in the Multiple District.

SECTION – 2 (A) :

Whenever Lions Districts are bifurcated or redistricted the same shall be incorporated in Section I of this Article - IV without going through the provisions prescribed for amending the Constitution but through a timely intimation to all active Lions Clubs in Multiple District from the Council of Governors provided that such changes do not affect the existing boundaries of the Multiple District.

ARTICLE - V
Council of Governors.
SECTION – 1: Composition & Officers

(a) There shall be a Council of Governors composed of all the District Governors of the Sub-Districts in the Multiple District to supervise the administration and the affairs of the Multiple District.

(b) The officers of the Council of Governors shall be a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer and such other officers as the Council of Governors shall deem necessary, all of whom shall be elected annually by the Council of Governors.

SECTION – 2:
The Council may include one or more Immediate Past District Governors from the Multiple District as additional members, provided that the total number of Immediate Past District Governors shall not exceed one half (1/2) the number of District Governors.

SECTION – 3:
The Council may also include the present and past members of the International Board from the Multiple without voting privileges/ Rights.

SECTION – 4:
The Council may co-opt the Representative of the Lions Clubs International in India as an ex-officio member without voting privileges/Rights

SECTION – 5:
The Council shall co-opt the outgoing Council Chairperson as an ex-officio member of the Council without voting privileges/ rights.

SECTION – 6: Each member of the council of governors, including the council Officers mentioned in Section 1 of this Article shall have one (1) vote on each question requiring action of the council of governors and proceedings thereof.

SECTION – 7: Meetings.
Regular and Special meetings of the Council shall be called and conducted pursuant to the Constitution & By-laws.

SECTION – 8: Quorum
A majority of the voting members of the Council shall constitute the quorum at any meeting of the Council.

 

ARTICLE - VI

Powers of the Multiple District Council:

SECTION – 1: Subject to the control and supervision of Lions Clubs International, the provisions of the Constitution and By-laws of the Lions Clubs International and the Policies formulated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the said association, the Multiple District Council shall have the following powers.

(a) The Multiple District Council shall appoint various Committees for administration and activities with specific terms to carry out the programmes of the Lions Clubs International, Multiple and the Sub-Districts and shall exercise control over the officers, agents and Committees appointed either by the Council or by the Multiple District Convention.

(b) All properties, business and funds of the Multiple District shall be managed and controlled by the Council.

(c) The Council shall have the jurisdiction, control and supervision over all phases of the convention and all meetings of the Multiple District.

(d) All disputes and complaints relating to the interpretation of this Constitution and By-laws shall be decided by the Multiple District Council; while deciding such questions and complaints, the Council shall be entitled to consult or co-opt any legal expert of its choice and shall communicate its decision in the form of a resolution to the contesting parties. If such decision is not satisfactory to contesting party or parties, the matter may be referred to Lions Clubs International whose decision shall be final.

SECTION – 2:
In case of dispute on any matter at the club, District or Multiple District level, the procedure setout by the Lions Clubs International shall be followed.

SECTION – 3:
(a) Any member of the club or the club shall exhaust all the constitutional remedies available in the club, District, Multiple and International Constitution and Byelaws before going to the Court of Law.

(b) If any member of the club approaches the court of law against the club, District, Multiple and International without exhausting the constitutional remedies available within the organization and also if any member works against the Objects and Purposes of the Lions Clubs International or District, such member shall be removed by the club from the membership, on the direction of the District Governor. If the club fails to remove such member/members from the rolls of the club membership that club shall be recommended to be placed under status quo by the District Governor.

(c) In case of the club if it approaches the court without exhausting the constitutional remedies available under the District, Multiple and International Constitution and By-laws the club shall be recommended by the District Governor team to be placed under status quo.

ARTICLE - VII

Multiple District Convention

SECTION – 1: Time & Place
(a) An Annual Convention of the Multiple District shall be concluded each year at least fifteen (15) days prior to the Annual International Convention, among the Sub-Districts in the Multiple District at date and time fixed by the Council at a place selected by the Council from amongst the invitations received at the previous Multiple District Convention or any one of the council meetings. However, if circumstances warrant, the Council shall be authorized to change the place of the convention.

(b) If in any year, the Sub-District in which the Annual Convention is to be held is unable to hold the convention any one Sub-District which has come forward to host the convention be given preference to host the Annual Multiple Convention.

SECTION – 2:
(a) Each Chartered Lions club in good standing in the Multiple District shall be represented by one or more delegates at the Multiple District Convention and shall be entitled in each such convention to one voting delegate and one alternate for each ten (10) members who have been enrolled for at least one year and a day in the club or major portion thereof the said club as shown by the records of the International office on the first day of the month preceding the month during which the convention is held, provided, however, that each such club shall be entitled to at least one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate. Each certified delegate present in person shall be entitled to one (1) vote of his/ her choice on each question submitted to the convention and for the election of each office. The major fraction referred to in this Section shall be five (5) or more members. Any club which is newly Chartered and any other Chartered Club which takes in new members prior to the convening of any such convention, shall have its delegate quota determined on the basis of members who have been enrolled in the club for at least one year and a day as shown on such record date in the records of the International office. Delinquent dues may be paid and good standing acquired at any time prior to the close of credential certification, as such, closing time shall be established by the rules of the convention. Unless otherwise specified herein, the affirmative vote of majority of the delegates voting on any question shall be the act of the convention. Only delegates, alternate delegates and members in good standing of Chartered Lions Clubs who have registered themselves at the convention by paying the delegate fee shall be permitted to participate in the deliberations of the convention.

b) Each officer of the International (International President, Immediate Past International President, International Vice-Presidents, International Directors, District Governors)and other officers as may be designated by the International Board of Directors of this Multiple District who is an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club by virtue of his/her office shall be an accredited delegate to each convention of this Multiple District and shall not be included in the delegate quota of his/her club in any such convention.

(c) 1) Each Past International President, Past International Vice-President and Past International Director of this Multiple shall be entitled to full delegate privileges at each multiple Convention and shall not be included in the delegate quota of his / her club for any such convention.

2) Each Past District Governor in good standing of chartered Lions Club in this Multiple shall have voting rights at each Multiple Convention and shall not be included in the delegates Quota of his/her club for any such convention.

SECTION-3: Hundred (100) delegates or alternates in attendance at any convention session shall constitute a quorum at the said convention session.

SECTION-4: The Multiple District Council shall have absolute responsibility regarding the Annual Convention and shall have complete charge of the Multiple District funds.

SECTION-5: Proxy voting is strictly prohibited in club, District (Single, Sub and Multiple) and association affairs.

SECTION-6: The Multiple District Convention may take appropriate actions on all matters, consistent with the Constitution and By-laws of the Lions Clubs International and may adopt resolutions recommending action by the Lions Clubs International.

Special Convention

SECTION-7: A Special Convention of the clubs of the Multiple District may be called by a two-thirds vote of the Council of Governors at such time and place as they shall determine; provided that such Special Convention shall conclude no less than 15 days prior to the convening date of the International Convention. Written notice of the Special Convention setting forth the time, place and purpose thereof, shall be provided to each club in the Multiple District by the Multiple District Council Secretary, no less than 30 days prior to the convening date of the Special Convention.

ARTICLE - VIII

Multiple District Administrative Funds

SECTION 1(a) (i): The Multiple District Council shall levy per capita dues of Rupees Thirty six only (Rs.36/-)) per annum per member of the Lions Clubs of the Sub Districts in the Multiple District, and shall collect the same from the Clubs, except from newly chartered and reorganized clubs, through Sub Districts, towards the administrative expenses of the Multiple District Council in two semi annual payments as follows:

ii) Rupees Eighteen only (Rs.18/-) per member by September 30 each year covering semi annual period July –December.

iii) Rupees Eighteen only (Rs.18/-) per member by February 28/29 each year covering the semi annual period January – June. 

In case any sub-district fall arrears in payment of dues, such arrears shall be carried forward to the next year.

SECTION1) (b) (i): Rupees Twelve only (Rs.12/-) towards the administrative expenses of the MULTIPLE DISTRICTS COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF INDIA (MDCCI) which is construed as an extended body of our Multiple District for the promotion of International Directors/Presidents from India in general and our Multiple District in particular and the same shall be paid by the Multiple District Council directly to the Multiple Districts Coordination Committee of India.

(ii): The Multiple Council shall also levy any other dues from time to time that are prescribed by any administrative/promotional body or Trust/Foundation working for the cause of objects of the Association, which are mandatory in nature, without going through the provisions for amendment to the constitution. Such dues collected from the sub districts shall be paid by the Multiple Council directly to respective bodies.

SECTION  1(c): The billing shall be based on the membership of each Lions Club as reported in the Monthly Membership Report for the months of June and December respectively, except for the new members taken in during the year, who shall be billed on pro-rata basing on the Monthly Membership Reports. Each member sub District shall be responsible for billing and collecting the aforesaid levy.

SECTION 1(d) (1): Newly chartered and reorganized clubs shall pay per capita dues on 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 1 (d) (2): Each member sub District shall collect and remit in full the total Multiple Dues together with arrears if any from the clubs in its District basing on the strength of each club as per latest recap statement of Lions Clubs International, before issuing credentials to any club. It shall also submit a certified copy of club wise collections basing on the strength of each club as per International recap together with particulars of clubs in arrears.

Each member sub District shall submit club wise collections and pending dues at the close of the fiscal year while remitting the collections in full till that time to the Multiple.

SECTION – 2: All disbursements out of the Multiple District funds shall be made only on the authorization of the Multiple District Council and shall be paid by Cheque drawn and signed by the Council Treasurer and countersigned by the Council Chairperson or any other member of the Council authorised by the Council.

SECTION – 3: No salary shall be paid to any office bearer of the Multiple District.

SECTION – 4: The Multiple District Council shall not incur obligations which would result in an unbalanced budget or a deficit during the fiscal year.

ARTICLE - IX

District Organisation

SECTION – 1: District Governor: Each Sub District shall be headed by a District Governor who shall be elected at the Annual District Convention or appointed by Lions Clubs International in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws and Board Policies of Lions Clubs International. An election for the office of First Vice District Governor and Second Vice District Governor shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Multiple District Constitution and By-laws in the District Convention every year. The result of District Governor and the two Vice-District Governors’ election shall be reported to the International Office by the respective District Governors.

SECTION – 2: (a) Cabinet Officers: Each District shall have District Cabinet comprised of the District Governor, the Immediate Past District Governor, First Vice District Governor, the Second Vice District Governor, a District Cabinet Secretary and a District Cabinet Treasurer, Region Chairpersons if the position is utilized during the District Governor’s term, Zone Chairpersons, District Chairpersons as suggested by Lions Clubs International and such other officers / officer as may be provided in the Multiple and Sub-district Constitution and By Laws. The District Governor shall be the Chairperson of the District Cabinet and members of the Cabinet shall be the officers of the District. Each such officer shall be a member in good standing of a Lions Club in good standing in his/ her District. In the absence of the District Governor, the First Vice-District Governor and in his/her absence the Second Vice District Governor shall preside over the District Cabinet meetings. In the absence of the District Governor and both the Vice-District Governors, or authorisation from the District Governor in favour of a member of the Cabinet to preside on his/her behalf, the Cabinet officers present at the Cabinet meeting shall elect one amongst themselves to preside over the Cabinet meeting.

(b) The District Governor, the Immediate Past District Governor, the First Vice District Governor, the Second Vice District Governor, the District Cabinet Secretary and/or Treasurer, the Region Chairpersons if the position is utilized during the District Governor’s term, Zone Chairpersons, District Chairpersons as suggested by Lions Clubs International and such other officers / officer as may be provided in the Multiple and Sub-district Constitution and By Laws shall be voting members of the Cabinet and shall have one vote in each question requiring action of the Cabinet in any meeting.

(c) The District Governor and the two Vice District Governors of each Sub- District in the Multiple District shall be elected at the Annual District Convention of the Sub-District and shall serve for a term of one year which term shall commence with close of the International Convention if so held, if not, then on 1st July next following their election and shall terminate with the close of the International convention in the calendar year next following the calendar year of their election.

ARTICLE - X

District Convention

SECTION –1 Time and Place:
An Annual Convention of each Sub District in the Multiple District shall be concluded each year at least fifteen days prior to the convening date of the Multiple District Convention for the year at a place selected by the District Cabinet amongst the invitations received at the last Annual District Convention and / or received earlier in writing at a date and time fixed by the District Cabinet provided that a Sub-District which hosts the Multiple District Convention may hold its own Annual Convention just prior to the Multiple Convention. However, the District Cabinet may reject for valid reasons, such invitations and assign the same to any club/clubs or steering Committee constituted by the District Cabinet to host the Annual District Convention.

SECTION – 2(a):
Club Delegate Formula:  Each Chartered Lions Club in the District shall be represented by one or more delegates to the District Convention and shall be entitled in each such District Convention to one delegate or one alternate delegate for each ten (10) members or major portion thereof who have been enrolled for at least one year and a day in the said club as shown by the records of the International office on the first day of the month last preceding that month during which convention is held, provided, however, that each such 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 convention. The major portion referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more members.

Any club which is newly Chartered, and any other Chartered club which takes in new members prior to the convening of any such convention shall have its delegate quota determined on the basis of members who have been enrolled in the club for at least one year and a day as shown on such record date in the records of the International office. Delinquent dues may be paid and good standing acquired at any time prior to the close of credential certification, as such closing time shall be established by the rules of the convention. Only delegates, alternates and members in good standing who have registered themselves at the convention by paying the delegate registration fee shall be permitted to participate in the deliberations of the convention.

Unless otherwise specified the affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates/ alternates present and voting on any question shall be the act of the District Convention.

SECTION-2 (b): Each officer of the International viz International President, Immediate Past International President, Vice-Presidents, International Director and District Governor and any other officer as designated by the International Board of Directors, who is from the District and an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club by virtue of his/her office shall be an accredited delegate to each of his/her District Convention and shall not be included in the delegate quota of his/her club for any convention.

SECTION – 2 (c): Each Past Officer of the International viz Past International President, Past International Vice-President, Past International Director, Past District Governor and other Past International Officers as designated by the International Board of Directors, who is a member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club of this District shall be entitled to full delegate privileges and shall not be included in the delegate quota of his/her club in any of the District Convention or Special Convention.

SECTION – 3: Quorum: Fifty (50) certified delegates / alternates in attendance at any District Convention session shall constitute a quorum for the session.

SECTION – 4: The District Convention may take appropriate action on all matters consistent with the Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International and may adopt resolutions recommending action by the Multiple District and Lions Clubs International.

SECTION – 5: Special Convention: A Special Convention may be held except to conduct elections at the discretion of the District Governor after giving (30) days notice to the Lions Clubs in the District specifying the purpose, date, time venue and the procedure to be followed for the same. Such District Convention may pass resolutions consistent with the provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Multiple District and International.

 

ARTICLE - XI

District Revenue

SECTION – 1: To provide revenue to defray the administrative expenses of each District, the District shall levy annual per capita dues for each member of the Lions Clubs in the District an amount fixed through a resolution adopted by a majority of the delegates /alternates present and voting at the Annual District Convention or Special Convention of the District. Such per capita dues shall be collected by the District Cabinet from each Lions Club in two semi annual installments, the first installment, covering the period from July 1 to December 31 to be collected before September 10 of each year, and the second instalment, covering the period from January 1 to June 30 to be collected before February 10 each year. In the event of any club falling in arrears, such dues is carried forward to the succeeding lionistic year.

SECTION – 2: Each District on enrolment of a new member shall levy an entrance fee as fixed through a resolution adopted by a majority of the delegates / alternates present and voting at the Annual District Convention or Special Convention of the District.

SECTION – 3: The billing shall be based on the Monthly Membership Reports of each club for the months of June and December respectively as recorded in the records of Lions Clubs International.

SECTION – 4: Newly Chartered and reorganized clubs shall pay per capita District dues on a prorata basis from the first of the second month following the date of their organisation or reorganisation as the case may be.

SECTION – 5: The District dues collected in each District shall become and remain as fund of the said District and shall be disbursed only for administrative purpose by the District Governor’s Cabinet. Payments out of this fund shall be made by way of cheques drawn and signed by the District Cabinet Secretary / Treasurer and countersigned by the District Governor.

SECTION – 6: The District Governor and his/her Cabinet shall not incur obligations in any fiscal year resulting in an unbalanced budget or deficit in the fiscal year.

SECTION – 7: Funds, donations, or contributions received or collected by the District Governor during the period of his/her office shall be for and on account of the District he /she represents and shall be acceptable by him/her in the accounts of the District.

SECTION – 8: If at the end of the fiscal year, there remains any surplus, the Cabinet shall after payment of all bills and providing for out standings, if any, transfer the funds to the succeeding Cabinet.

ARTICLE – XII

Amendment of Constitution Effective dates and copies

SECTION – 1: The Constitution shall come into full force immediately after the adjournment of the Multiple District Convention/Special Convention at which the same is adopted by the affirmative vote of two third (2/3) of the votes cast unless otherwise specified in the amendment.  

This Constitution shall apply to all the Sub-Districts in this Multiple District provided however Sub-Districts are authorised to adopt Constitution and By-laws consistent with Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International and Multiple District Constitution and Byelaws.

SECTION – 2: Copies of the Constitution and By-laws of the Multiple District shall be printed and circulated among each member clubs of the Multiple District. All subsequent changes and amendments shall be notified to the member clubs from time to time.

SECTION – 3: Copies of the Constitution and By-laws of the Multiple District shall be made available on payment of a reasonable price to club members, if they so desire.

 

ARTICLE – XIII

SECTION – 1: The Multiple District Constitution shall include such basic amendments as passed by the International Convention to its Constitution and By-laws without going through the standard provisions for amendment of the constitution.

SECTION – 2: The term “International” and “Lions Clubs International” whenever occurring, shall mean and refer to “Lions Clubs International”.

SECTION – 3: A club or clubs in the Multiple or its Sub-District, which has/have failed to pay any indebtedness due to Lions Clubs International, the Multiple District or to the respective Sub-District, shall forfeit its/their good standing and shall remain so till its/ their indebtedness, including arrears if any, are paid to the International, Multiple District or the District. Delegates representing such club/clubs shall have no vote in any session of the International Convention, Multiple District Convention or District Convention or Special Conventions.

SECTION – 4: A member of Lions Club shall be in good standing if he/she is not in arrears with respect to any indebtedness due to the club. Only members in good standing of a club in good standing may hold any office or participate in any deliberations or exercise voting privilege or any other privilege under this Constitution.

Constitution Amending Procedure:
SECTION – 5: (1) This Constitution may be amended only at a Multiple Convention by amendment reported by the Committee on Constitution and By-laws at such Annual Convention or Special Convention and adopted by the affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the certified delegates voting at such meeting.

The amendment shall be reported to the Convention with the opinion of the Council of Governors after the Constitution Committee certifies that the amendment is in order and does not contravene the provisions of the International Constitution and By-laws.

SECTION – 5: (2) Any proposed amendment shall be reported for consideration at Convention only after it is furnished in writing to each club in Multiple District not less than 30 days prior to convening date of the Annual Multiple District Convention or Special Convention with notice that the same shall be considered and voted upon at the said convention.

Proposed amendment may be included in any official publication in the Multiple District for the purpose of consideration of amendment by the convention provided the same is circulated to all clubs in the Multiple District posted at least 30 days before the convening date of the Annual Multiple Convention or Special Convention.

 

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE-1

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS OF COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS & CONDUCTION OF COUNCIL MEETINGS.

SECTION – 1: (a) The Chairperson and one Vice-Chairperson of the incoming Council shall be elected by the incoming Governors by a secret ballot from amongst the outgoing District Governors of the Multiple District at the preliminary meeting of the District Governors-Elect to be convened and conducted by the Council Chairperson giving the date, time and place of such meeting at the City/Town of the Annual Multiple District Convention, one day prior to the inauguration of Convention where the District Governors - Elect are present.

(b) The Secretary of the incoming Council shall be elected by the incoming Governors by a secret ballot from amongst the outgoing District Governors of the Multiple District at the preliminary meeting of the District Governors elect to be held at the City/Town of the Annual Multiple District Convention one day prior to the inauguration of Convention where the District Governors - Elect are present.

(c) The Treasurer of the incoming Multiple District Council shall be elected by the incoming District Governors, from amongst the outgoing District Governors of the Multiple District by a secret ballot, at the preliminary meeting of the District Governors elect, to be held at the city/town of the Annual Multiple District Convention, one day prior to the inauguration of the Multiple District Convention, where the District Governors Elect are present.

(d) In the event none of the outgoing Governors of the Multiple District is willing to accept the office of Council Chairperson and / or one Vice-Chairperson / the office of Secretary or the Treasurer, the District Governors - Elect shall elect among themselves a Chairperson and / or one Vice-Chairperson / the Secretary or the Treasurer as the case may be, for the Multiple Council.

SECTION – 2: The Secretariat of the Council shall be established in the premises of the Council Secretary.

SECTION – 3: A majority of the voting members of the Council shall constitute the quorum of any meeting of the Council.

SECTION – 4: (a) The Council shall hold its first regular meeting within sixty (60) days after the date on which the District Governors officially take office and such other meetings as it deems advisable.

At the preliminary meeting of the Governors -Elect at the City/ Town of Annual Multiple District Convention the incoming Council Secretary in consultation with the District Governors-Elect and the Multiple Council Chairperson-Elect, shall call for the first meeting of the Council with the date, time and place of meeting. The time and place of subsequent meetings shall be fixed by the Council.

(b) The Council shall conduct a minimum of four Council meetings, each one in a quarter.

SECTION – 5: Notice convening ordinary meetings of the Council, with the agenda thereof, shall be mailed to each member of the Council, appointees and Vice District Governors at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date fixed for such meeting.

SECTION – 6: Special meetings of the Council shall be held at places and times fixed by the Chairperson upon requisition of a majority of the voting members of the Council to the Chairperson. Such Special meeting shall be called within ten (10) days and held within twenty (20) days from the date of the receipt of the requisition. When necessary, the Chairperson himself/herself may call for a special meeting at such time and, place fixed by the Chairperson in consultation with the voting members of the Council.

SECTION – 7: A preliminary meeting of incoming Council shall be held at the City/Town of the Annual Multiple District Convention where the District Governors - Elect are present at a time and place/venue as decided by the elected members of the incoming Council of Governors.

ARTICLE – II

Hosting & Holding Multiple District Convention

SECTION – 1: The Sub-District in which the Multiple District Convention is to be held in the succeeding year, shall send an invitation in writing to the Chairperson of the Council, in duplicate on or before December 31. The invitation shall clearly set forth full information as to:

(a) the facilities for accommodation with details of hotel rooms, private houses and approximate charges; and

(b) the delegate registration fee and approximate hospitality fee to each delegate, covering food, entertainment and transportation, if provided.

SECTION – 2: Immediately on receipt of such invitation the Council Secretary shall seek all information, from all points of view, the advisability of holding the Annual Multiple District Convention at the place within the jurisdiction of the Sub District, and shall submit a report along with the particulars given by the proposed host District to the Council on or before the 15th January.

SECTION – 3: The Council shall certify the place in the Sub-District, where the next succeeding convention as per the Council’s requirements will be held.

SECTION – 4: The Chairperson of the Council shall issue a printed official call for the Annual Convention of the Multiple District at least 45 days prior to the convening date stating the date and time fixed by the Council and the place selected by the Council and communicate to all the clubs in Multiple District including the various Committees appointed by the Council with the names of respective Chairpersons.

SECTION – 5: The members of the Council shall be the officers of the Multiple District Convention.

SECTION – 6: A convention Sergeant-at-Arms and such Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms as deemed necessary shall be appointed by the Council.

SECTION – 7: Such fee as the Council shall set may be collected under procedure set by this Council from each delegate, alternate and guest attending the Multiple District Convention to defray the convention expenses.

SECTION – 8: An official report of convention shall be mailed to Lions Clubs International, to all the members of the Council and to all the Lions Clubs in the Multiple District by the Council Secretary within sixty (60) days after the close of the convention.

SECTION – 9: The Multiple District Convention accounts shall be audited every year by a Chartered Accountant or a firm of Chartered Accountants appointed by the Host District. The audit of accounts shall be completed within three (3) months of the close of the convention and the audited financial statement of accounts and the auditor’s reports shall be submitted by the Host District Governor, in whose period the convention is held, to the ruling Council which shall circulate the same among the Lions Clubs in the Multiple District not later than five (5) months of the start of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE - III

Multiple District Accounts and Audit.

SECTION – 1: The Council shall maintain its accounts on mercantile & double entry system and the annual financial statement of accounts shall comprise of the Balance Sheet and the Income and Expenditure Account, incorporating there in figures of the previous year.

SECTION – 2: The accounts shall be audited annually or, if found necessary, at more frequent intervals by a Chartered Accountant or a firm of Chartered Accountants appointed by the Council. The audit of accounts shall be completed within three (3) months of the close of the fiscal year and the audited annual financial statements of accounts and the audit report of the previous fiscal year shall be circulated by the ruling Council among all the Lions Clubs in the Multiple District not later than (5) five months from the start of the fiscal year.

SECTION – 3: The audited final statements of accounts of Multiple District and audited final statements of Multiple Convention accounts together with the auditor’s reports shall be placed before the session of the Multiple District Convention next following and shall be made available to the delegates and alternates attending the Annual Convention. It shall be the responsibility of the Council of the fiscal year to which the accounts relate to answer questions or give explanations on matters arising out of the discussion on the accounts in the business session of the Multiple District Convention.
                                                                       
SECTION – 4: The Council shall submit at the Annual Multiple District Convention each year a statement of receipts and payments of the current fiscal year, prepared up to thirty (30) days prior to the date of the convention.

SECTION – 5: The fiscal year of this Multiple District shall be July 1 through June 30.

SECTION – 6: The Multiple District Council shall deposit with the International and the office of Lions Clubs International in Mumbai one copy each of the minutes of the Multiple District Council meetings within (30) days of the close of Council Meetings. The Secretary thereof shall transmit copies of complete proceedings of the convention within 60 days of the close of the Multiple Convention and the Annual Accounts and Balance sheet of the Multiple within Sixty (60) days of the close of the fiscal year to the Lions Clubs International.

SECTION – 7: The Multiple District Council shall have the power to call from the International office details mentioned in Section 6 above relating to previous years.

SECTION – 8: The Multiple District Council shall frame the rules of audit for the Multiple District at the first Council meeting.

 

ARTICLE - IV

Formation of District Cabinet/Committees, Filling of Vacancies and Conduction of Meetings.

SECTION – 1: By the time the District Governor assumes office, he/she shall have appointed a Cabinet Secretary, a Cabinet Treasurer or a Cabinet Secretary & Treasurer, one Region Chairperson if the position is utilized during the District Governor’s term to each Region in the District, one Zone Chairperson to each of the Zones, and District Chairpersons and such other officers as provided in the Multiple District Constitution and By-laws and Sub-District Constitution and By-laws.

SECTION – 2: The requirements for Region Chairperson if the position is utilized during the District Governor’s term and Zone Chairperson shall:

(a) Be an active member in good standing of a club in good standing in his/her Region or Zone.

(b) Has served or will have served at the time of taking office as President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of a Lions Club for not less than two (2) additional years.

A club member shall be appointed as a Region Chairperson or Zone Chairperson only over the Region or Zone in which his/her club is located. A Region Chairperson or Zone Chairperson shall not hold the same office for a second consecutive term.

SECTION – 3: Any vacancy in District Cabinet except those of the District Governor, the Immediate Past District Governor and the Vice District Governors shall be filled by the District Governor for the un-expired term thereof.

SECTION – 4: If any District Officer appointed by the District Governor ceases to be a member of the club in the Zone, Region or District as the case may be, his/her term of office shall cease forth with and the District Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the vacancy.

SECTION – 5: If, after election, a District Governor is unable to act, resigns or refuses to act, then his/her office shall be filled in accordance with the provisions in the Constitution and By-laws of the Lions Clubs International.

SECTION – 6: In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of District Governor under Article IX Section 6(d) of By-laws of the International, the First Vice-District Governor shall act as the District Governor and shall perform the duties of, and have the same authority as, the District Governor until such time the said vacancy is filled by the International Board of Directors for the reminder of the term as provided for in the International By-laws under Article IX Section 6 (e).

SECTION – 7: In the event of a vacancy occurs in the office of First Vice-District Governor or the Second Vice-District Governor, the said vacancy shall be filled as follows:

a) The District Governor shall notify the filling of vacancy to all the clubs in the District and to all Cabinet members, Present and Past International Officers of the District inviting nominations of eligible candidates as per Article IX Sections 6 (b) and (c) of Bylaws of the International Constitution and Bylaws for the post of First Vice District Governor and the Second Vice District Governor respectively, specifying the last date of receipt of nominations.

b) The District Governor shall nominate a Committee of not more than 5 Lion members in good standing of different Chartered Lions Clubs and entrust the Committee to scrutinize the eligibility of the candidates and to submit the final list of eligible candidates after withdrawals.

c) The District Governor shall convene a meeting specifying the place, date and time for consideration of filling up of the vacancy of Vice-District Governor allowing not less than 10 days and not more than 20 days time for holding the meeting, to which District Governor, Immediate Past District Governor, Past District Governors and present and Past-International Officers from that District, First/Second Vice District Governor, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Treasurer and/or Cabinet Secretary & Treasurer, Region Chairpersons and Zone Chairpersons who are members in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club in good standing shall receive notices to attend such a meeting. Each of these invitees is eligible to cast his/her vote to one of the eligible candidates on the specified date of election for filling the vacancy of Vice-District Governor.

The Candidate securing the highest number of valid votes shall be declared elected to fill the vacancy. In case of tie of votes on highest number of secured votes the tie shall be resolved by conducting the election the same day at the same venue between the tied candidates and the final candidate shall be declared eligible to fill the vacancy.

SECTION – 8: District Cabinet Meetings (a) Regular meetings of District 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 International Convention. Fourteen (14) days written notice for meetings setting forth the date, time and place as determined by the District Governor, shall be given to each member of the Cabinet by the District Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer.

(b) Special meeting of the Cabinet may be called by the District Governor at his/her discretion and/ or shall be convened upon written requests to the District Governor or the Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer by a majority of the voting members of the District Cabinet. Not less than five (5) and not more than ten (10) days written or telegraphic notice for such special meetings, setting forth the purposes thereof and the date, time and place determined by the District Governor shall be given to each member of the District Cabinet by the District Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer.

SECTION – 9: (a) Quorum: The presence in person of a majority of the voting members of the District Cabinet shall constitute a quorum for any meeting thereof.

(b) Voting members of the Cabinet: The District Governor, Immediate Past District Governor, First Vice District Governor, Second Vice District Governor, Cabinet Secretary, Cabinet Treasurer, Region Chairpersons if the position is utilized by the District Governor, Zone Chairpersons and the District Chairpersons of the Committees as suggested by the Lions Clubs International shall be voting members.

SECTION – 10: (a) Regions & Zones: Each District Governor shall divide his/her District into Regions of not less than ten (10) and not more than sixteen (16) Lions Clubs and each such Region into Zones of not less than four (4) and not more than right (8) Lions Clubs giving due regard to location of clubs. All such Regions and Zones shall be subject to change by the District Governor. Each Region shall be under the charge of a Region Chairperson and each Zone shall be under the charge of Zone Chairperson all of whom shall be appointed by the District Governor. However the District Governor shall have the authority to utilize the position of Region Chairperson, if not utilized, there shall be no Regions during that District Governor’s term.

(b) Regional Meetings: Meetings of the representatives of Lions Clubs in each Region, with the Region Chairperson presiding, shall be held during the fiscal year at time and place fixed by the Region Chairperson.

SECTION – 11: District Governor’s Advisory Committee: In each Zone, the Zone Chairperson, the Presidents, First Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers of all the clubs in the Zone shall constitute the District Governor’s Advisory Committee, with Zone Chairperson as Chairperson thereof. The Committee shall hold it’s first Meeting within ninety (90) days after the adjournment of the International Convention, the Second Meeting in November/ December and the third in February/March at dates, times and places fixed by the Zone Chairperson.

SECTION – 12: District Governor’s Honorary Committee: The District Governor shall appoint a District Honorary Committee comprising of Past International Officers, Past International Directors and Past District Governors who are members in good standing within the District. This Committee headed by a Past District Governor as nominated by the District Governor shall meet as and when called by the District Governor.

 

 ARTICLE – V

District Convention, Nominations & Elections

SECTION – 1: An Annual Convention of each Sub-District in the Multiple District shall be held each year with District Governor as Chairperson of the convention.

SECTION – 2: Each District Governor shall appoint, by notification issued, at least forty five (45) days prior the District Convention Nominating Committee of not more than five (5) members each of whom shall be ‘member in good standing of different Lions Clubs in good standing in the District and none of whom shall be officers of Lions Clubs International. The names and addresses of Lions so nominated shall be sent to all clubs in the District at least twenty (20) days prior to the convening of the District Convention.

SECTION - 3 (a)(i): Any member of Lions Club who fulfills qualifications as laid down by the Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International can be elected at the Annual District Convention as a District Governor, or a First Vice District Governor or Second Vice District Governor provided his/her name is proposed through a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of his/her home club and ratified by the General Body of the club or if he/ she is proposed by a majority of the clubs in the District. The proposal shall be sent so as to reach the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee not later than seven (7) clear days prior to the convening date of the District Convention. The nominations so received shall be scrutinized by the Nominating Committee appointed by the District Governor and the proposal shall be submitted to the District Governor for holding an election.

(a)(ii): The District Governor election shall be conducted by a secret written ballot, with the District Governor candidate required to secure a majority of the affirmative valid votes cast by the delegates present and voting in order to be declared elected; for the purpose of such election a majority is defined as number more than one half of the total valid votes cast excluding blanks and abstentions.

(a)(iii): The First Vice District Governor election shall be conducted by a secret written ballot, with the first vice district governor candidate required to secure majority of votes cast by the delegates present and voting in order to be declared elected; for the purpose of such election, a majority is defined as number more than one half of the total valid votes cast excluding blanks and abstentions.

(a)(iv). The Second Vice District Governor election shall be conducted by a secret written ballot, with the second vice district governor candidate required to secure a majority of the votes cast by the delegates present and voting in order to be declared elected; for purpose of such election, a majority is defined as a number more than one-half of the total valid votes cast excluding blanks and abstentions.

(b) Withdrawal by candidate, if any, shall be intimated by him/her in writing to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee at least twenty four (24) hours before the commencement of voting.

SECTION 4: A Candidate for the office of the District Governor shall:

(i) be an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/her Single or Sub- District.
(ii) Secure the endorsement of his/her club or a majority of the clubs in his/her Single or Sub-District.
(iii) Currently be serving as the First Vice-District Governor within the District from which he/ she is to be elected.
(iv) Only in the event the current First Vice-District Governor does not stand for election as District Governor or if a vacancy in the position of First Vice District Governor exists at the time of the District Convention, any club member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of Second Vice District Governor as set forth in Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International and who is currently serving or who has served additional one (1) additional year as a member of the District Cabinet, shall fulfill the requirements of subsection (iii) of this section.

SECTION – 5: A Candidate for the office of the First Vice- District Governor shall:

(i) be an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/ her Single or Sub- District.
(ii) Secure the endorsement of his/her club or a majority of the clubs in his/her Single or Sub-District.
(iii) Currently be serving as the Second Vice-District Governor within the District from which he/ she is to be elected.
(iv) Only in the event the current Second Vice-District Governor does not stand for election as First Vice District Governor or if a vacancy exists in the position of Second Vice District Governor at the time of the District Convention, any club member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of Second Vice District Governor as set forth in Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International shall fulfill the requirements of subsection (iii) of this section.

SECTION – 6: A Candidate for the office of the Second Vice- District Governor shall:
(i) be an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club in good standing in his/ her Single or Sub- District.
(ii) Secure the endorsement of his/her club or a majority of the clubs in his/her Single or Sub-District.
(iii) Have served or will have served at the time he/she takes office as the Second Vice-District Governor:
(A) as President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion there of and as a member of the Board of Directors for not less than two (2) additional years and
(B) as Zone Chairperson or Region Chairperson or Cabinet Secretary and / or Treasurer for a full term or major portion thereof;
(C) with none of the above being accomplished concurrently.

SECTION – 7: Delegate registration and hospitality fee, as decided by the District Cabinet, may be collected from each delegate, alternate and guest attending the District Convention to defray the cost of the food, entertainment, transportation and other incidentals, if any.

SECTION – 8: A convention Sergeant-at-Arms and such Assistant Sergeants-at-Arms as deemed necessary shall be appointed by the District Governor.

SECTION – 9: An official report of the District Convention shall be mailed to Lions Clubs International and all the clubs in the District by the Cabinet Secretary / Treasurer within sixty (60) days of the close of the District Convention.

ARTICLE - VI
District Accounts and Audit.

SECTION – 1: The District Cabinet shall maintain its accounts on mercantile system and the annual final statements of accounts shall comprise of the Balance Sheet, Receipts and Payments accounts and Income and Expenditure account incorporating therein the figures of the previous year.
SECTION – 2: All expenditures shall be duly authorized by the District Governor except when specified otherwise and shall under no circumstances exceed the budget.
SECTION – 3: The accounts shall be audited annually and if found necessary, at more frequent intervals by a Chartered Accountant or a firm of Chartered Accountants appointed by the Cabinet. The Audit of the accounts shall be completed within two months of the close of the fiscal year and Auditor’s report and the annual financial statements of the accounts together with the financial report of the Cabinet shall be sent to the International and to the Multiple Council and circulated among all clubs in the District within sixty (60) days from the close of fiscal year. The audited final accounts and financial report of the Cabinet shall be placed before the session of the District Convention next following and shall be made available to the delegates and the alternates attending the Annual Convention. It shall be the responsibility of the Cabinet of the fiscal year to which the accounts related to answer questions or give explanations on matters arising from discussions on the accounts in the session of the District Convention.

SECTION – 4: The District Cabinet shall submit at the Annual District Convention each year a statement of receipts and payments of the fiscal year prepared up to thirty (30) days prior to the convention.

SECTION – 5: The fiscal year shall be July I through June 30.

ARTICLE - VII
Seminar for Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers- Elect.

SECTION - 1. There shall be a Seminar/ Seminars for Presidents-Elect, Secretaries-Elect and Treasurers-Elect conducted under the supervision of the Multiple Council at the Multiple District Convention in addition to the seminars for the club officers at the district level conducted by the respective sub districts.

SECTION - 2. No travelling and other expenses shall be paid to participants of the Seminar.

ARTICLE - VIII
Duties

SECTION – 1: Multiple District Council Chairperson: under the general supervision of the International Board of Directors, the Multiple District Council Chairperson shall be the co-ordinator of the Multiple District and shall act on behalf of and upon delegation from the Council of Governors. His/her specific responsibilities shall be to:
The International Association of Lions Clubs - Multiple District 324
(a) Further the purpose of this association;

(b) Provide leadership, direction, and initiative for International and Multiple District programs, goals, and long range planning;

(c) Create and foster harmony and unity among District Governors, and assist them to solve issues;

(d) Chair the Multiple District Convention and all Council meetings;

(e) Submit reports and perform such duties as may be required by the Multiple District Constitution and By-laws;

(f) Perform such other administrative duties as may be assigned by the Multiple District Council of Governors; and

(g) Facilitate, at the close of his/her term of office, the timely presentation of all Multiple District accounts, funds, and records to his/her successor in office within 60 days.

SECTION – 2: Multiple District Vice Chairperson

(a) Shall preside over the Council Meetings or convention in the absence of the Council Chairperson.
(b) Shall actively participate in the proceedings of the Council meetings.
(c) Upon direction of the Council shall over see Committee meetings.
(d) Shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Council of Governors.

SECTION – 3: Multiple District Council Secretary:
Under the supervision and direction of the Council of Governors the Council Secretary of the Multiple District shall:
(a) Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all the meetings of the Council and within fifteen (15) days after each meeting, forward copies thereof to all members of the Council and appointees and Vice District Governors and to the office of Lions Clubs International and
(b) Assist the Council in conducting the business of the Multiple District and perform such other duties as are specified in these Constitution and By-laws and as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Council.

SECTION – 4: Multiple District Council Treasurer: Under the supervision and direction of the Council of Governors the Multiple District Council Treasurer shall:
(a) Receive, and issue proper receipts for all per capita Multiple dues paid to him/her by the clubs in the Multiple District through the Sub-District and deposit the same in bank or banks designated by the Council and disburse payments under the supervision and control of the Council by cheques drawn against said deposits signed by him and counter signed by the Council Chairperson or any other member of the Council authorized by the Council; and
(b) Keep accurate books and records of accounts of all Council and Multiple District transactions.

SECTION – 5: District Governor: As an International officer of this association, and under the general supervision of the International Board of Directors, he/ she shall represent the association in his/her District. In addition, he/ she shall be Chief administrative officer in his/ her District and shall have direct supervision over the Region Chairpersons, the Zone Chairpersons, the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer and such other Cabinet members as may be provided for in the respective Single or Multiple District Constitution and By-laws. His/ her specific responsibilities shall be to:
(i) Further the purposes of this association;
(ii) Supervise the organization of new Lions Clubs;
(iii) Promote the Lions clubs International Foundation and all service activities of the association;
(iv) Preside, when present, over Cabinet, convention and other District meetings;
(v) 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.
(vi)  Endeavor to visit each club in his/her District at least once during his/her term of office;
(vii) Submit a current itemized statement of District total receipts and payments to his/her Annual District Convention or special meeting of his/her District prepared up to 30 days prior to convention or meeting;
(viii) Deliver forthwith, at the end of his/her term of office, all District accounts, funds and records to his/her successor in office and
(ix) Issue a printed official call for the Annual District Convention at least forty five (45) days prior to the convening date stating the place, date and time thereof, and communicate to all clubs in the District various Committees appointed by him/her, together with the names of the respective Chairpersons.

SECTION – 6: First Vice-District Governor: The First Vice District Governor, subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor shall be chief administrative assistant to the District Governor. His/her specific responsibilities shall be to:

(i) Further the purposes of this association.

(ii) Play an active role in membership development including extension of new clubs and leadership development within district.

(iii) Become familiar 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.

(iv) Perform such administrative duties as may be assigned by the District Governor.

(v) Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of him/ her  by the International Board of Directors through Vice-District Governors  manual and other directives.

(vi) Actively participate in all Cabinet meetings and conduct all meetings in the absence of the District Governor.

(vii) Participate in the council of governors meetings as appropriate.
(viii) Participate in the preparation of the District budget.
(ix) Engage actively in all matters to be continued during the next year.
(x) At the request of the District Governor, supervise appropriate District Committees and participate in the review of strengths and weaknesses of the district. .

SECTION – 7: Second Vice-District Governor-: The Second Vice District Governor subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor. . His/her specific responsibilities shall be to:

(i)    Further the purposes of this association.
(ii)   Actively participate and inspire other district officers to administer and
       promote effective membership growth and new club organization.
(iii)Perform such duties as assigned by the District Governor, including assisting  the District Retention Chairperson.
(iv)  Perform such other functions and acts as required by the policy of the association.
(v) Actively participate in all Cabinet meetings and conduct all meetings in the   absence of the District Governor and First Vice District Governor.
(vi)  Participate in the preparation of the District budget.
(vii) Actively engage in all matters to be continued during the following year.
(viii) At the request of the district governor, supervise appropriate district committees and participate in the review of strengths and weaknesses of the district.

SECTION – 8: District Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer Under the supervision and direction of the District Governor, the District Cabinet Secretary/ Treasurer shall:

(a) Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all the meetings of the District Cabinet and, within fifteen (15) days after each meeting, forward copies of the minutes of the same to all the cabinet members and to the office of Lions Clubs International.

(b) Record the proceedings and keep minutes of the District Convention and furnish copies of the same to Lions Clubs International, the District Governor in office and to the Secretaries of clubs in the District.

(c) Assist the District Governor and the Cabinet in conducting the business of the District and perform such other duties as are specified or implied in the Constitution and By-laws or as may be assigned to him time to time by the District Governor or his/her Cabinet.

(d) Sign all notices and documents issued by the District.
(e) Make an administrative and financial report to the Cabinet meetings and to the District Convention and such other reports at such other times as the District Governor or the Cabinet may require.

(f) Collect and issue receipt for all per capita dues levied on the clubs in the District, deposit the same in such bank or banks as designated by the District Cabinet and disburse payments by the order of the District Governor, and

(g) Keep accurate books and records of accounts of all Cabinet and District transactions and upon the direction of the District Governor or the Cabinet furnish such books and records as requested, to any auditor appointed by the Cabinet.

SECTION – 9: Region Chairperson: The Region Chairperson, if the position is utilized during the District Governor’s term is subject to the supervision and direction of the District Governor and shall be the Chief administrative officer in his/her Region. His/her specific responsibilities shall be to:
 
1) Further the purposes of this association.

2) Supervise the activities of the Zone Chairpersons in his/her Region and such District Chairpersons as may be assigned by the District Governor.

3) Play an active role in organizing new clubs and in strengthening weak clubs.

4) Perform such other functions and acts as may be required by the International board of Directors through the Region Chairperson’s manual and other directives.

5) Attend the regular and special meetings of the District Cabinet.

6) Endeavour to visit every club in his/her Region operating under duly adopted club Constitution and Bylaws.

7) Promote representation at District, Multiple District and International Convention by at least the full quota of delegates to which the clubs in his/her Region are entitled; and

8) Supervise and assist the Zone Chairpersons of his/ her Region in the performance of their duties and cooperate with them in arranging and holding Zone Meetings and District Governor’s Advisory Committee Meetings.

SECTION – 10: 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 to:
1) Further the purposes of this association.
2) Serve as Chairperson of the District Governor’s Advisory Committee in his/her Zone and as such Chairperson to call regular meetings of said Committee.
3) Play an active role in organizing new clubs and keep informed on the activities, and well being of all clubs in his/her Zone.
4) Perform such other functions and acts as may be required by the International Board of Directors through the Zone Chairperson’s Manual and other directives.
5) Endeavour to visit every club in his/her Zone operating under a duly adopted club Constitution and By laws.
6) Arrange, with the co-operation of his/her Region Chairpersons  regularly scheduled Zone Meetings.
7) Promote representation at Charter Nights of newly organized Lions Clubs.
8) Encourage Inter-club meetings and social activities.
9) Promote representation at International, Multiple District and District Convention by at least the full quota of delegates to which the clubs in his/her Zone are entitled and
10) Attend a regular Board Meeting of each club in his/ her Zone at least twice during the year and social functions when invited.

SETCTION – 11: Multiple District Council: The Multiple District Council shall:
a) Make all contracts and approve all bills relating to the multiple District administrative expenses.
b) Designate a depository for the Multiple District fund; and
c) Receive financial reports, semi-annually or more frequently from the Council Secretary and Treasurer, if necessary, and provide for an audit at the end of the fiscal year of the books of accounts of the Multiple.

SECTION – 12: District Governor’s Cabinet: The District Governor’s Cabinet shall:
a) Assist the District Governor in the performance of his/ her duties and in the formation of administrative plans and policies affecting the welfare of Lionism within the District.
b) Serve in an advisory and administrative capacity only
c) Receive from the District Governor reports and recommendations which concern the clubs and the Zones.
d) Supervise the collection of all per capita dues by the Cabinet Secretary / Treasurer, designate a depository or depositories for the moneys received and authorize payments there from towards all legitimate expenses pertaining to the administration of the affairs of the District.
e) Secure Semi-annually or more frequently financial reports from the cabinet Secretary/Treasurer.
f) Provide for an audit of the books of accounts of the Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer and with the District Governor’s approval, setup definite schedule of dates and time and place of Cabinet Meetings to be held during the year.

ARTICLE - IX
Committees
Multiple District
SECTION 1: The credentials committee of the Multiple District Convention shall be composed of the Council Chairperson, Council Vice Chairperson, Council Secretary, Council Treasurer, and the ruling District Governors. The chairperson of this committee shall be the Council Chairperson and the Council Vice chairperson shall assist him/her. It shall be the duty of this committee to issue the valid certified credentials to delegates and alternates, to compile statistics of credentials issued and report the same to the convention when called for.

SECTION – 2: The Multiple District Council shall appoint, before the Multiple District Convention, designate the Chairperson of and fill any vacancies occurring, in the Resolutions Committee, Nominating Committee, Elections Committee, Constitution and By-laws Committee, Rules of Procedure Committee and International Convention Committee. These Committees shall perform such duties as the Council shall designate.

Sub districts
SECTION -3: (a)  The Credential Committee of the Annual District Convention/ Special Convention shall be composed of the District Governor, his Cabinet Secretary and / or Treasurer and two other Lions appointed by him/her. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be the District Governor who may appoint a Co-Chairperson. It shall be the duty of the Committee to certify the validity of the Credentials issued and report to the Annual Convention/Special Convention, when called for. During the Annual Convention / Special Convention, the strength of the voting delegates and alternates certified must be announced at the beginning and end of each day of the annual convention/special convention.

b) The Credentials Committee shall under no circumstances issue credentials before actual realization of all dues (District, Multiple and International) and shall only accept either cash or demand draft towards such dues which remain unrealized at the time of issue of credentials.

c) The Credentials Committee shall provide the Candidates contesting for the office of the District Governor/Two Vice-District Governors and also to the candidates seeking endorsement to contest for the office of International Director / Second Vice President, with the names of voting delegates / alternates and voting strength of the clubs in the District.

SECTION – 4: District Governor of each Sub-District shall appoint before the Annual District Convention the following District Convention Committees; Resolutions Committee, Constitution and By-laws Committee and Rules and Procedures Committee, besides appointing a master of ceremonies, if required. Each of these Committees shall consist of not more than five (5) members each of whom shall be a member of a different Chartered Lions Clubs in good standing in the District.

SECTION – 5(a): The District Governor shall appoint a Chairperson and members of the Elections Committee. One member nominated by each candidate for election to the offices of District Governor and two Vice-District Governors and candidate seeking endorsement to contest for the office of International Director / Second Vice President, shall be co-opted to this Committee. In the event any candidate withdraws, his nominee shall automatically cease to be on the Committee. During the polling and counting of votes, the representative of each candidate shall be present.

SECTION – 5(b): The voting delegates and alternate delegate shall carry with them the identification card of any one of the description set out below at the time of polling and show the same to the Election Committee before exercising their franchise.
1) PAN Card, 2) Ration Card with photo, 3) Passport, 4) Driving License or any other identification with photo issued by the Government or Quasi Government authorities or specific identification of the individual by the District Governor / Past District Governor of the respective sub District.

ARTICLE - X
Rules of Annual Convention / Special Convention

SECTION – 1: The Multiple District Council or the District Governor shall arrange the order of the business for the Multiple District Convention or the District Convention/ Special Convention as the case may be, and same shall be the order of the day at all sessions.
SECTION – 2: Except as otherwise provided in these Constitution and By-laws or Sub-District Constitution and By-Laws or in the Rules of procedure adopted, all questions of order and procedure in any District Meeting or convention, Multiple District Convention or any meeting of the Multiple District Council, The District, Cabinet, Region, Zone or any member club or any of these, shall be determined by the provisions in the Robert’s Rules of order, newly revised.

ARTICLE - XI

Nomination and Endorsement: International Director and Second Vice-President Nominees.

SECTION – 1: Subject to the provisions of the International Constitution and By-laws, any member of Lions Club in the Multiple District seeking endorsements of the convention of his/ her Sub-District and the Multiple District as a candidate for International Director or International Second Vice-President shall:

a) Deliver (by mail or in person) written notice of intention to seek such endorsement to the District Governor of his/her sub-District not less than 30 days and the Multiple District Council Secretary not less than 90 days prior to the convening dates of the Convention of his/her Sub District and the Multiple District respectively, at which the question of endorsement is to be voted upon; and
b) Deliver with said notice of intention, evidence of fulfillment of the qualifications for such office as set forth in the International Constitution and bylaws.

c) The sub district which is holding the Multiple Convention shall not have a candidate proposed for endorsement for the post of International Director/Second Vice President to be voted upon for endorsement in that Multiple Convention.

SECTION - 2 : Each Notice of intention so delivered shall be transmitted forthwith by the Sub-District Governor and the Multiple District Secretary as the case may be, to the Nominating Committee of the respective convention, which shall review and perfect the same by obtaining from each prospective candidate any additional evidence of such intention and qualifications as may be necessary under the International Constitution and Bylaws and shall place at the respective convention the name of each such prospective candidate who fulfilled said procedural and Constitutional requirements.

SECTION – 3: Each such nominee for endorsement shall be entitled to one seconder’s speech of not more than 5 minutes duration.

SECTION – 4: The vote on the question of endorsement shall be by secret printed ballot unless there shall be only one nominee seeking the same in which case a voice vote shall be taken and declared endorsed if the vote is in favour of the candidate.

The candidate receiving the highest number of valid votes shall be declared endorsed (elected). In case of tie on highest votes the balloting shall be conducted before the adjournment of the convention between the tied candidates and the candidate getting the highest valid votes shall be declared endorsed (elected).

SECTION – 5: Certification of endorsement by the District Convention and Multiple District Convention shall be made in writing to the International office by the District and Multiple officials designated and in accordance with the requirements set forth in the International Constitution and By-laws.

SECTION-6(a): Any endorsement shall be valid only for the two (2) succeeding International Conventions following said endorsement where the member is otherwise eligible under these Constitution and By-laws to be elected. During the term of validity of endorsement, (1) no rescission shall occur, (2) no other endorsement is valid, and (3) in the event of death, ineligibility, withdrawal of the candidate, the original resolution of endorsement shall be null and void. No further certification of endorsement shall be required during the valid term of the endorsement.

(b): Any candidate seeking endorsement at a Multiple District Convention must first have secured the endorsement of his/her sub district.

(c): Certification of endorsement must specify the single office sought and no candidate shall seek election for an office other than the office contained in his/her certification of endorsement. No District (single, sub district, Multiple) shall have more than one (1) endorsement pending for more than one (1) office of the International Board of Directors.

SECTION -7(A): Any member seeking election for the office of the Second Vice-President of Lions Clubs International shall be eligible provided the following qualifications are satisfied. A candidate for the office of Second Vice President of Lions Clubs International shall:

(a) Be an active member in good standing of a Lions Club in good standing;

(b) Have completed or be completing his/her term by election or appointment, as International Director;

(c) Secure the endorsements of his/her Sub-District Convention and convention of the Multiple District and

(d) Secure the certification of such endorsements of candidature from the District Governor and District Cabinet Secretary of his/her Sub-District and of the Chairperson and Secretary of the Multiple Council. The said certification of endorsement shall be addressed to the International office on forms provided by the International office and mailed so as to reach not less than ninety (90) days prior to the convening date of the International Convention at which the election for the office shall be held. Certification by the designated officers may also be sent by cable or telex or e-mail, provided the same is confirmed by the required certification of endorsement document mailed within (3) days from the date of the dispatch of the cable or telex or e-mail.

The Second Vice-President so elected at the International Convention shall hold office for a term of one year and shall be ineligible to succeed himself/herself.

The endorsement and certification of endorsement by him/her District (Single, Sub or Multiple) shall be tantamount to certification for all higher offices in the association if said candidate is elected Second Vice-President.

(B) A candidate for the office of the International Director shall.

a) Be an active member in good standing of a Lions Club in good standing.

(b) (i) Have completed or be completing a full term or major portion thereof as District Governor of a full District of this association or
(ii) Have completed full term or majority portion thereof as District Governor or Provisional District Governor of a Provisional District which

(1) Attained in said term or later twenty (20) clubs in good standing or full District status; or
(2) Has been a Provisional District for no less than ten (10) years.
(c) Secure the endorsement of his/her Sub District Convention and Multiple District Convention, and
(d) Secure the certification of such endorsement of candidature from the District Governor and the District Cabinet Secretary of his/her Sub-District and of the Chairperson and Secretary of the Multiple District Council, in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution and By-laws.

The said certification of endorsement shall be addressed to the International office on forms provided by the International office and mailed so as to reach there not less than (30) thirty days prior to the convening date of the International Convention at which the election for the office be held.

Certification of endorsement may also be made by cable or telex or e-mail, provided the same is confirmed by the required certification of endorsement document mailed within three (3) days after the cable, telex or e-mail is sent.

Any elected International Director, having served in that office for full two-years shall be ineligible to succeed himself / herself. In the event of a vacancy occurring the same shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Lions Clubs International.

ARTICLE XII
Conduction of elections and code of Conduct.

SECTION – 1: (a) Election for the office of District Governor shall be conducted as specified in Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International.

(b) Election for the office of Two Vice District Governors shall be conducted as specified in Constitution and By-laws of Lions Clubs International.

(c) The election to any office of the Sub Districts of Multiple District 324C or Multiple District 324C shall be held by secret ballot in the manner provided by the relevant provision of the constitution & Bye-laws of Lions Clubs International.

Or

The election to any office in the Sub Districts of Multiple District 324C shall be held by preferential voting system in case of more than two candidates contest for the position, as follows:
1. Each accredited voter is entitled to one vote.
2. The ballot paper will contain the names of all candidates.
3. Each voter shall indicate his/her choice in the order of preference by making 1, 2, 3, 4 (depending on total number of candidates) against candidates’ names given in the ballot paper.
4. All votes which do not indicate preference against any one name will be considered invalid.

Process of Counting

After the 1st round of counting if no candidate obtains majority vote, all candidates except the top two candidates will be eliminated. Then all 2nd (second) preference votes casted in the ballot of eliminated candidates will be counted as 1st (First) preference votes. If still no candidate gets majority vote, then 3rd (Third) preference votes of eliminated candidates ballot will be counted. The process shall continue till all preference votes are counted or a majority vote for a candidate is attained, whichever is earlier.

SECTION – 2: (a) A club in good standing can propose only one member each to contest for the office of the Vice-District Governors/District Governor.

(b) No club shall propose a Lion to contest for more than one office in any election year.

SECTION – 3: (a) No brochure/ pamphlet/ appeal or any other written communication announcing or appealing for support of a candidate for the office of the District Governor / Vice District Governor shall be sent/ circulated prior to the issue of official call of the District Governor for the District Convention or sixty (60) days before the date of District Convention, whichever is earlier.

(b) Any club contravening this will be debarred from taking part in the voting and any candidate contravening this provision shall be disqualified.

SECTION – 4: Each Sub-District may evolve its own policy and guidelines regarding the election campaign for the office of District Governor/ Vice District Governors to be adopted by each Sub-District at its District Convention or Special Convention. Such policies and guidelines shall not contravene any provisions of the Multiple District and International Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE - XIII
Election Complaints

SECTION - 1.

The following rules of procedure shall apply for hearing Constitutional complaints concerning District Governor/Vice-District Governors elections irregularities.

A. Complaint
i) May be filed only by the unsuccessful candidates seeking election to the office of District Governor/ Vice- District Governors at the District elections being contested.

ii) Complaint stating the reasons for the protest must be received by telex, fax or other writing at the International Headquarters within five (5) calendar days of said election. Provided, however, that formal complaint documents shall be submitted, in original form, by mail or courier service only within five (5) additional days. Fax transmission will not be accepted or considered.

iii) Must confirm to the format in item C.

iv) Must be accompanied by US$ 500.00 filing Fee or its equivalent in the respective national currency, which is refunded in the event the International Board finds the complaint to have merit.

v) Copy of the complaint must be forwarded by complainant at the same time and by the same method of communication to the party (ies) complained of and to the respective District Governor and to the Multiple Council Secretary. Upon receipt of any such complaint the General Counsel, where feasible may furnish by airmail a copy of the complaint of his/her responsibility. Verification of forwarding the complaint to the parties complained of shall be produced upon request.
vi) Document Distribution Guidelines: The Parties to the complaint shall deliver all documents and related copies to the office of the General Counsel for the distribution to the members of the Constitution and By-laws Committee and International Board of Directors. Documents may not be distributed directly to individual Directors.
 B. Response
1) Response to the complaint shall confirm to the format provided in item C and be received in its original form by mail or by courier service at the International office at least twenty (20) days prior to the convening date of the preconvention Board meeting. Provided, however, the General Counsel in consultation with the Chairperson of the Constitution and By-laws Committee may permit for good cause the faxing of said response and/or extend by five (5) additional days the filing date of any response.

2) Appended to the response shall be a copy of the official minutes of the convention where the election was conducted. The minutes shall include a report of the District elections procedures and voting results, and shall be certified as to accuracy by the District Governor and District Cabinet Secretary.

C. Format of Complaint and Response

(i) The original complaint shall contain the following parts in the order listed: (a) statement of facts necessary to the understanding of the complaint, accurately and fairly; (b) argument containing the contentions of the party/ies) and reasons there of (c) a short conclusion stating the relief sought.

(ii) The text of document including any appendix shall appear in 12 point or larger type (pica type 10 pitch if type-written). Foot notes shall appear in 9 points or larger type (elite type, 12 pitch if type written). Documents may not be reduced or typeface condensed to increase content of document. Photographically reduced documents shall not be considered and shall be returned to the sender. Every document shall be produced on opaque paper 8 by 11 inches or A4, double spaced with three fourths (3/4) inch margin on all sides and shall be stapled or bound at the left hand corner. Documents may be printed one side of the page only.

(iii) All documents submitted shall not exceed ten (10) pages with five (5) optional pages of support documentation. No request to exceed these page limits will be granted. Exclusive of page limitations, a single cover page must contain from the top of the page; (a) the District number, (b) the name and address and fax number of the complaining party (c) name, address and fax number of the party(ies) complained of (d) election date and (e) election results including vote tabulation.

iv) At the close of the document submitted, the original signature of the party submitting the document shall appear. In addition, each page of the document shall be initialed by the submitting party.

v) The General Counsel shall not accept for consideration any document that is not in compliance with these guidelines but shall return it to the party indicating any failure to comply. The document however shall be deemed timely filed provided that a proper document is substituted promptly. The International Board of Directors, through the Constitution and By-laws Committee, may refuse to consider any resubmitted document not filed in accordance with these guidelines. The International Board of Directors shall not be required to consider any complaint or response to said complaint not received in accordance with the above stated procedures or requirements.

vi) Multiple Council may endeavor to mediate the disputes.

ARTICLE - XIV
Amendment

SECTION - 1. These by-laws may be amended only at a Multiple District Convention, by resolution reported by the Committee on Constitution and By-laws and adopted by a majority of the votes in a meeting where atleast one hundred (100) certified delegates/ alternates are present.

SECTION - 2. No amendment shall be so reported or voted unless the same shall have been furnished in writing to each club in the Multiple District not less than (30) thirty days prior to the convening date of the Annual Multiple District Convention or special convention with notice that the same shall be voted upon at the said convention.

SECTION - 3. Each Amendment shall take effect from the 1st of July following the Multiple District Convention at which the same is adopted unless otherwise specified in the amendment.

SECTION - 4. These By-laws shall come into full force immediately after the Special Convention at which the same is adopted by the affirmative vote of majority votes cast.
 
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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 to ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself.

TO HOLD friendship as an end not means. To hold that true frindship 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 loyality 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.......