LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
DISTRICT 105E
WE SERVE
CONSTITUTION
(Revised 1st July 2015)
STANDING ORDERS
NORTH SEA LIONS COVENANT
Page 1 of 20
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS
DISTRICT 105 E
DISTRICT CONSTITUTION
(Amended 20th May 2013)
Interpretation
1 This Constitution shall be read, construed and operated in the general context and spirit of
the Constitution and By-Laws of Lions Clubs International, and shall be binding upon the
whole of the membership of District. All disputes and differences arising from, incidental to or
consequent upon any ambiguities or uncertainties herein, or omissions herefrom, or otherwise
concerning matters dealt with in this Constitution shall be resolved by the District Governor.
Any such decision shall take immediate effect, shall be communicated forthwith to all Clubs in
District and shall be binding on all concerned. Any such decisions shall stand and have full
force and effect while the District Governor remains in office or until constitutionally amended
at District Convention. If any such decision shall be so amended any interim acts, deeds or
omissions consequent upon such decisions shall be deemed nevertheless to have been valid and
effective until constitutionally amended as aforesaid.
2 For the avoidance of doubt the following words shall have the meanings assigned to them:
WORDS
MEANINGS
Lions Clubs International
The International Association of Lions Clubs
Multiple District
District 105 of Lions Clubs International
District
District 105E
Club or Clubs
A Lions Club or Clubs within District chartered
and in good standing with Lions Clubs
International.
Year
The period from 1st July-30th June the following
year, both dates inclusive.
Cabinet
District Administrative Committee for the District
Governor.
District Convention
Annual Convention of District
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
1 The purpose of this Constitution is to provide District with an efficient organisation to
advance Lionism and provide proper Administration throughout District, consistent with the
Constitution and By-Laws of Lions Clubs International as amended from time to time.
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2 The Constitution of Lions Clubs International shall take precedence over the Multiple
District Constitution and both Constitutions shall take precedence over this Constitution and
all three Constitutions shall take precedence over the Constitution of Clubs.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
1
The membership of District shall consist of all Clubs in District.
2
The boundaries of District shall be as may have been, or shall be, determined by District
Convention and approved by The Multiple District and the Board of Directors of Lions
Clubs International.
ARTICLE III
DISTRICT OFFICERS
1
The officers of District shall be the District Governor (who shall be the Presiding Officer),
the Immediate Past District Governor, the 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd Vice District
Governor, the District Secretary, the District Treasurer, the Region Chairmen, if appointed,
the Zone Chairmen and such other officers as the District Governor may appoint. The date
of commencement and termination of office are as provided for in the Constitution and
By-Laws of Lions Clubs International valid at that time.
2
(a)
The District Governor is the only officer of Lions Clubs International in District. He or
she shall be elected at District Convention as provided in the Constitution and ByLaws of Lions Clubs International and this Constitution.
(b) The duties of the 1st Vice District Governor are as specified in the International
Constitution and are to understudy the District Governor and to render to the District
Governor such assistance as shall be requested by the District Governor. It is
anticipated that in normal circumstances the 1st Vice District Governor shall
become an unopposed candidate for the office of District Governor at District
Convention in the year following the District Convention at which he or she is elected
to become 1st Vice District Governor.
(c)
3
The duties of the 2nd Vice District Governor are as specified in the International
Constitution and are to render to the District Governor such assistance as shall be
requested by the District Governor. It is anticipated that in normal circumstances the
2nd Vice District Governor shall become an unopposed candidate for the office of
1st Vice District Governor at District Convention in the year following the District
Convention at which he or she is elected to become 2nd Vice District Governor.
The District Governor shall appoint by the time he or she officially takes office:
(a)
A District Secretary and a District Treasurer which offices may be a joint one.
(b) Regional Chairmen, if required, in each Region of District by the District Governor
during his/her term of office in each Region of District (if not so utilized the position
of Region Chairman shall remain vacant during said District Governor’s term of
office).
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(c) Zone Chairmen in each Zone of District.
(d) A District Chairman North Sea Lions (if the position is vacant) for a period of three
(3) years and at least during the last year of office of a District Chairman North Sea
Lions, a deputy District Chairman who will normally be appointed as successor to
ensure continuity. The incumbent District Chairman North Sea Lions may be reappointed for a further three (3) years or shorter period.
(e) Such other District Officers as he or she considers necessary.
4
Each officer appointed by the District Governor shall be and continue to be an active
member in good standing of a Club within the District.
5
Any District Officer ceasing to be an active member of a Club in the District, Region or
Zone in respect of which he or she was appointed shall forthwith cease to hold such office
and the District Governor shall appoint another person in his or her stead except in the cases
of the Immediate Past District Governor and the 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd Vice
District Governor.
6
In the event of any vacancy arising in the office of 1st Vice District Governor or 2nd Vice
District Governor, the International Directors shall not be bound by but shall consider any
recommendation resolved at a meeting to which all members of the existing District Cabinet
and all Past International Presidents, Past International Directors and Past District
Governors residing in the District have received invitations to attend. Said meeting is to be
held within fifteen (15) days of notification of the vacancy. It shall be the duty of the
District Governor, or if he or she is not available, the Immediate Past District Governor, to
send out invitations to said meeting; it shall also be his or her responsibility to preside as
chairman of such meeting. It is the duty of the chairman to convey the results to the
International Board of Directors within seven (7) days together with evidence of invitations
sent and attendance at said meeting. Each Lion who is entitled to receive an invitation to
attend and is present at said meeting shall be entitled to cast one vote for the Lion of his or
her choice as the recommendee for the appointment to the office of 1st Vice District
Governor or 2nd Vice District Governor.
7
No salary shall be paid to any officer of District.
8
The District Governor shall have the sole authority to remove and replace any District
Officer appointed by him or her.
9 The District Governor,1st and 2nd Vice District Governors, the District Secretary, the
District Treasurer and the Region Chairmen, if appointed, shall be entitled to inspect the Books
of Account and Minute Books of any Club within their District or Region respectively and to
attend Club meetings, Board
Meetings and Committee meetings of such Clubs similarly.
ARTICLE IV
1
DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S CABINET
The powers and responsibility for the administration and general good government of
District and its part in the advancement of the Objects and Ethics of Lionism shall be vested
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in the District Governor who shall be assisted by Cabinet which shall serve in an advisory
and administrative capacity only.
2
Cabinet shall be composed of the District Governor, the 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd
Vice District Governor, the Immediate Past District Governor, the District Secretary, the
District Treasurer, the Region Chairmen, if appointed, the Zone Chairmen and such other
District Officers as may be appointed by the District Governor.
3
In the event of a vacancy in Cabinet (except that of the District Governor, the 1st Vice
District Governor and 2nd Vice District Governor and the Immediate Past District
Governor) the District Governor shall have the sole power to fill such a vacancy for the
expired term thereof.
4
The District Governor shall hold a meeting of Cabinet (convened by at least fourteen (14)
days notice in writing) on at least three occasions during his or her year of office and the
first of such meetings shall be held within thirty (30) days after the completion of the annual
International Convention. He or she shall hold special meetings of Cabinet (convened by
such notice as aforesaid) upon receiving a request in writing to do so from a majority of the
members of Cabinet.
5
The District Governor shall preside at all sessions of Cabinet. In his or her absence the 1st
Vice District Governor shall preside or, failing this, the Immediate Past District Governor or
some other Past District Governor or District Officer to be elected forthwith by the
members of Cabinet then present in person, provided that no candidates for the post of
District Governor or 1st Vice District Governor or 2nd Vice District Governor shall so
preside.
ARTICLE V
DISTRICT ORGANISATION
1
The District Governor shall divide District into Zones, each Zone containing not more than
eight (8) Clubs and not fewer than four (4) Clubs at the commencement of each year, due
regard being given to the geographical location of Clubs. The Zones may be altered by the
District Governor if, after due consultation with all Clubs affected, he or she considers any
alteration necessary in the best interests of Lionism. the District Governor may appoint
Region Chairmen if there is a need to utilise the position during his or her term of office.
2
A District Governor’s Advisory Committee is a meeting of representatives from every Club
Zone by Zone. The voting representatives of Clubs shall consist of the President and
Secretary but this shall not preclude other members of Clubs attending such meetings at the
discretion of the Zone Chairman. Such meetings shall be held in each Zone at such intervals
and places as shall be decided by the Zone Chairman but there shall be at least three
such meetings during any one year. The Zone Chairman shall be in active charge of such
meetings.
3
The District Governor shall appoint a Strategic Development Group. The Group shall
consist of the Immediate Past District Governor as chairman, 1st and 2nd Vice District
Governors and the Immediate 2 previous Past District Governors, together with the current
District Secretary and District Treasurer. In the event of a vacancy the District Governor
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shall have the power to appoint an appropriately qualified Lion from the District to fill that
position. He may also co-opt other Lions to help meet any specific aims as required.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRICT FINANCE
1 (a) The revenue to pay the administrative and other expenses of District shall be provided by
funds remitted to the District Treasurer by every Club in District. A District
Subscription to be paid by every Member of every Club in District shall be decided
upon at each District Convention and shall be paid by every Club by two equal
instalments on the first day of August and the first day of February in each year. The
amounts payable by each Club shall be ascertained by reference to the membership of
each Club on 30th June or 31st December prior to the date the instalment becomes due.
(b)
Any Lion member being a student as is defined by Lions Clubs International (a student
registered on the Lions membership form in full time education and up to the age of 30
years ) on the first July in any year shall pay a per capita levy equal to one half (1/2) of
the capita levy set in accordance with Section 1 (a) above
2
The revenue raised by the District Subscription shall be passed to District Funds. All
payments shall be by cheques signed by at least two out of three authorised signatories who
shall be separate individuals. The District Governor, the District Secretary and the District
Treasurer shall be the authorised signatories, but if any two of these offices are held by the
same person, the District Governor shall appoint one other District Officer to be an
additional signatory.
3
The three authorised signatories shall have power from time to time and at all times:
(a) To sign on behalf of District, receipts, cheques, acceptances, contracts or other
documents whether of a financial or any other nature.
(b) To invest any of the monies of District in any investments authorised by law for the
investment of trust funds with power from time to time to vary investments for others
of an authorised nature or to realise such investments.
4
Each Club shall submit to the District Treasurer acting on behalf of the cabinet audited
accounts for each fiscal year (1st July to 30th June) within six months of the end of such
fiscal year. Any Club failing to submit audited accounts by the date specified (ie 31st
December) shall not be in good standing and would thus lose their entitlement to
register delegates for the following Convention. Where a Club has been late submitting a
copy of audited accounts or paying any Multiple District or District dues, by no more than
one (1) month, the right to register delegates may be re-instated at the discretion of the
District Governor.
5
The District Governor shall arrange for an audit and report upon the District Treasurers
accounts up to a specified day in each year by some competent person and shall cause
copies of such accounts and the auditors report to be sent to Clubs at least six weeks prior
to District Convention.
6
The District Governor may call for an audit and report upon the District Treasurers accounts
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at any time.
ARTICLE VII
DISTRICT CONVENTIONS
1
A District Convention shall be held during February or March at which the District
Governors financial and other reports, resolutions and nominations shall be presented and a
secret ballot conducted when appropriate.
2
Circulation of District Convention Call papers calling for details of Club Delegates,
Alternates and other Lions attending District Convention and notification of Resolutions
or Nominations to be debated at District Convention or any other documentation relating
to District Convention or the business to be conducted thereat (the Convention
documentation) may be undertaken either by electronic means or normal post at the
appropriate times during the year. If a Club shall send a written request to the District
Secretary not to receive the Convention Documentation by electronic means such club(s)
will continue to be provided with printed versions by the postal system.
3
The District Governor shall be responsible for the arrangements of a programme for District
Convention which shall include the social functions to be provided by the Host Club for
those attending District Convention and shall supervise all phases of District Convention.
4
The District Governor shall appoint, not less than ninety (90) days prior to District
Convention, a Nominations and Resolutions Committee. Each such Committee shall consist
of members who shall each be a member of a different Club. The District Governor shall
have power to fill any vacancies on any Committee and shall appoint the Chairman of such
Committee.
5
The District Governor shall issue an official call for District Convention at least ninety (90)
days prior to the date fixed for holding the same, and such official call shall be circulated to
Clubs. The Convention Call shall incorporate the name and address of the Chairman of the
Nominations and Resolutions Committee and the closing dates for the receipt of
nominations by such Chairman. The District Governor shall include such other information
as he or she considers desirable.
6
The District Governor shall, through the Nominations and Resolutions Committee, receive
all resolutions proposed to be deliberated upon by District Convention. Resolutions may
only be submitted by the District Cabinet or by a Club in Good Standing if seconded by
another Club in Good Standing. All resolutions must be supported by a detailed financial
statement if they have financial implications. No resolution shall be deemed to have been
received by the Chairman of the Nominations and Resolutions Committee solely by reason
of its having been posted to him or her. Resolutions for discussion at District Convention
shall be circulated under arrangements to be made by the District Governor to Clubs at least
six weeks prior to District Convention. The District Governor shall have power to accept an
Emergency resolution being a resolution which could not reasonably have been submitted
to the Nominations and Resolutions Committee in accordance with this section, if received
in writing by him or her before the commencement of the opening session of District
Convention. If he or she shall think fit, the resolution shall be submitted to District
Convention and if a simple majority of those delegates present and voting shall so decide,
the resolution shall thenceforward be dealt with as a resolution in respect of which proper
notice had been given.
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7
(a) The District Governor shall through the Nominations and Resolutions Committee
receive all nominations for the offices of District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor
and 2nd Vice District Governor and when appropriate, International Director and
International Second Vice President, such nominations to be made in accordance with
the International Constitution and By-Laws valid at the time. Nominations shall be
circulated, under arrangements to be made by the District Governor, to Clubs at least
six weeks prior to District Convention.
(b) If no nominations have been received from Clubs in the District pursuant to subsection
(a) of this section at the time District Convention assembles nominations may be
presented to the Chairman of the Nominations and Resolutions Committee from the
floor of District Convention.
8
(a) The District Governor shall, through the Nominations and Resolutions Committee
receive invitations in writing from Clubs or District Cabinet desiring to act as District
Convention Host Club two years later.
(b) The invitation shall be in the hands of the Nominations and Resolutions Committee at
least six months prior to the date of District Convention. The District Convention
Committee shall investigate such invitations from all view points commensurate with
the requirements of District Convention and certify to the District Governor
that the inviting Club or District Cabinet can meet the same. Invitations thus certified
shall be circulated to all Clubs within District at least six weeks prior to District
Convention.
(c) If no invitations are received pursuant to sub-section (a) of this section within the
prescribed time limits they may be presented to District Convention from the floor. If
there shall be no invitations whatsoever at District Convention, it shall be the duty of
Cabinet to arrange the venue of the appropriate Convention at such place within
District and by such means as it shall decide.
9
It shall be good and sufficient reason not to accept a resolution or amendment if the
Nominations and Resolutions Committee is of the opinion that it would waste the time or
otherwise inconvenience District Convention, or if the substance of such resolution or
amendment has been voted upon at either of the two immediately preceding District
Conventions.
10
The Nominations and Resolutions Committee shall have power to redraft any resolution or
amendment if such redrafting is considered necessary in the interests of clarity.
11 In the event of nonacceptance or redrafting in accordance with the preceding Sections there
shall be liaison between the Nominations and Resolutions Committee and the Club
submitting the resolution or amendment as soon as it is practicable.
12 (a) Proposer of candidates for the office of District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor
and 2nd Vice District Governor will be permitted a maximum of two minutes to
introduce the candidate to Convention.
(b)
Formally seconding the candidate will be from the floor of Convention with a simple
acknowledgement of the Clubs support.
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(c)
The candidate for the office of District Governor will be permitted a maximum of five
minutes to address Convention.
(d)
The candidates for the office of 1st and 2nd Vice District Governor will be permitted two
minutes to address Convention.
(e)
In the case of more than one candidate for the office of 2nd Vice District Governor then
a further three minutes will be allowed when the address will be during that period of
time on a subject selected by the current District Governor.
13 Each Club in good standing shall be entitled to be represented at District Convention by
delegates and alternates in accordance with the rules specified in the International
Constitution and By-Laws.
14 The registered delegates (or registered alternate if a registered delegate is absent) in
attendance at a session of District Convention shall constitute a quorum provided that their
number is thirty five (35) or more and, subject to Article XIII hereof, to be adopted a
resolution requires the majority of votes cast.
15 The District Governor shall preside at all sessions of District Convention. In his or her
absence the 1st Vice District Governor shall preside or, failing this, the Immediate Past
District Governor or some other Past District Governor or other District Officer to be
elected forthwith by the members of Cabinet then present in person, provided that no
candidates for the post of District Governor or 1st Vice District Governor or 2nd Vice
District Governor shall so preside.
16 Within sixty (60) days of the close of District Convention the District Secretary shall
prepare a report in writing which shall be a summary of the proceedings of District
Convention. He or she shall within that period transmit one copy of such report to Lions
Clubs International, the District Governor and to each Club within District.
17 The District Governor shall appoint a District Convention Committee. Each such
Committee shall consist of members who shall each be a member of a different Club. The
District Governor shall have the power to fill any vacancies on any such Committee and
shall appoint the Chairman of such Committee.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTIONS
1
Registered delegates (or in their absence registered alternates) attending District Convention
shall elect a District Governor and a 1st Vice District Governor and a 2nd Vice District
Governor, provided that all candidates for either such office are qualified under the
Constitution and By-Laws of Lions Clubs International.
2
Elections shall be by secret written ballot and the candidate receiving the majority of votes
cast shall be declared elected. A single vote shall be used even when the voting is between
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three or more candidates. In the event of a tie the District Governor shall have a casting
vote, given to the returning officer in a sealed envelope only to be used in the event of a tied
vote.
3
Voting for Convention Host Club shall be by a show of delegate cards by those registered
delegates (or in their absence by registered alternates) present and voting and a simple
majority shall decide. In the event of a tie lots shall be drawn. The type of lot to be drawn
shall be determined by the District Governor.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRICT CONVENTION (OR FORUM) FINANCE
1
The whole of the administration expenses of District Convention (or Forum) including
the cost of hiring halls, decorations and miscellaneous expenses, incidental to running the
business sessions of District Convention (or Forum) shall be paid out of District Funds. An
estimate of the above costs is to be prepared and submitted by the Host Club to Cabinet for
approval by the District Governor. Included in such costs may be those resulting from the
presence of guests invited by the District Governor to either the business sessions or social
functions of District Convention (or Forum) to be agreed by District Convention Chairman
(or Forum Chairman) and District Treasurer.
2
The Host Club(s) shall submit to Cabinet for approval by the District Governor the
proposed charges for the various social functions and activities, held in conjunction with
District Convention (or Forum) on the basis that District will underwrite the cost of the
social activities in the event of a loss arising, provided that the budget prepared by the host
club(s) together with the District Convention Committee and approved by District Cabinet
has been adhered to entirely. Any surplus from the social activities to be shared equally
between host club(s) and District with the exception of a fund-raising activity on one social
occasion which may be retained by the host club(s).
3
The Host Club shall within ninety (90) days of the date of District Convention (or Forum)
submit to the District Treasurer for his or her approval full accounts of the income and
expenditure incurred in relation to all aspects of District Convention (or Forum) and
subsequently shall supply the District Treasurer with such information as he or
she shall require to enable him or her to confirm to Cabinet and the District Governor that
such accounts are correct.
ARTICLE X
1
The Entrance Fee and Annual Subscription of Clubs shall be determined by each individual
Club but shall be adequate to cover Club administrative costs, International, Multiple
District and District dues.
ARTICLE XI
1
CLUB MEMBERS’ FEES ANDANNUAL DUES
CLUB FUNDRAISING
Clubs wishing to organize any fundraising activity to take place within any defined
geographical area of any other Club should prior to such event show courtesy to that Club
and gain approval.
ARTICLE XII
DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S MEMORANDA
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1
The District Governor shall ensure that all decisions which he or she makes either with or
without the advice of Cabinet and of which Clubs should be notified are promulgated by
means of District Governor’s Memoranda. Such Memoranda are to be forwarded to Clubs
as soon after the date of decision as is practicable and shall be binding upon the whole
membership of District.
ARTICLE XIII
1
AMENDMENTS
This Constitution can be amended only by Resolution reported by the Nominations and
Resolutions Committee to District Convention and adopted by an affirmative vote of not
less than two-thirds of those registered delegates present and voting.
DISTRICT 105E CONVENTION STANDING ORDERS
Chairman
1
The District Governor or in his or her absence the 1st Vice District Governor or the 2nd Vice
District Governor or the most recent Past District Governor available shall preside at
Convention subject to ARTICLE VII Section 13 District Constitution.
2
The District Governor shall have discretion in selecting speakers; in deciding the numbers
of speakers to any resolution or amendment, and in terminating discussions whenever he or
she considers it appropriate.
3
The District Governor being entirely neutral shall not be a delegate of his or her Club and if
at any time he or she wishes to express a personal opinion on a matter under discussion he
or she shall vacate the Chair for this purpose.
Speakers
4
On the District Governor standing any speaker shall yield to the Chair and immediately
resume his or her seat.
5
(a) Any Delegate wishing to speak on any resolution or amendment or other matter of
business, must use a microphone, announce his or her name and Club, and address the
Chair.
(b) If a member of the Cabinet speaks on any resolution or amendment or other matter of
business he or she shall state whether he or she is representing the views of the Cabinet
or otherwise.
Resolutions and Amendments
6
Resolutions or amendments will be moved and seconded as follows:
(a) By nominees on behalf of Cabinet;
(b) By delegates on behalf of two sponsoring Clubs (or of two Clubs when a resolution is
sponsored by more than one Club)
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7
(a) If no delegates are present from a Club submitting a resolution or amendment then,
unless that Club advises the Resolutions Officer in writing at least ten days before the
commencement of Convention of the names of a proposer and seconder from another
Club, the resolution or amendment shall be withdrawn unless Convention shall
otherwise decide. With this one exception no resolution or amendment may be
withdrawn without the consent of Convention.
(b) If a resolution be withdrawn with the consent of Convention and there is an amendment
to that resolution then that amended resolution shall become the substantive resolution.
(c) All resolutions and amendments shall be moved and seconded before consideration by
Convention and not more than one resolution or amendment shall be discussed at any
one time.
(d) A delegate shall not move more than one amendment to any resolution nor shall the
mover of a resolution move any amendment to such resolution.
(e) Where appropriate, resolutions or amendments will be put for consideration
immediately following the adoption of the relevant Committee Chairman’s or District
Officer’s report.
Emergency Resolutions and Amendments
8
The District Governor shall have discretion to submit an emergency resolution or
amendment for consideration at Convention provided:
(a) Where appropriate, the resolution or amendment was received by him or her before the
commencement of the opening session of Convention.
(b) In his or her opinion, the resolution or amendment could not reasonably have been
submitted to the Resolutions Officer on or before the closing dates published for their
receipt by him or her, and
(c) Convention consents by a majority of registered delegates present and voting to the
resolution or amendment being so considered.
Delegates to speak once only
9
(a) Only the District Governor, or the mover of a resolution exercising his or her right of
reply shall speak more than once on any resolution.
(b) Subject only to the provisions of Section 16 hereof any other delegate shall not speak
more than once to the same resolution or amendment without the consent of
Convention.
Time limit for speeches
10 (a) The proposer of a resolution or amendment will be permitted a maximum of three
minutes to put his or her case and after so doing shall formally move the resolution or
amendment. Normally the seconder will formally second the resolution and may
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reserve the right to speak later. At the conclusion of the debate and before a
vote is taken on a resolution the proposer of the resolution shall have the right of reply
for the purpose of answering questions or clarifying points raised. He or she will not be
permitted to introduce fresh arguments and shall not be allowed more than two minutes
for this purpose.
(b) The mover of an amendment shall not be entitled to the right of reply except when an
original resolution has been displaced by an amendment which has become a
substantive resolution in accordance with Section 7(b) above when the right of reply
ensues to the mover of the amendment.
11 (a) With the exception of time limits stated in Section 10(a) every speaker in general debate
will be limited to one minute and must direct his or her speech directly to the report,
resolution or amendment under discussion.
(b) The time specified for speakers may be exceeded only with the approval of Convention.
Voting
12 The voting on any resolution or amendment on general business or for the appointment of
Host Club for future Conventions shall be by show of Delegate Cards of those delegates
present and voting and the District Governor shall declare the result or order a count. If the
District Governors declaration is challenged by twenty or more delegates the votes shall be
counted.
13 (a) Any election of candidates for office shall be by secret ballot and the candidate or
nomination receiving the majority of votes cast shall be declared elected.
(b) In the event of three or more candidates or nominations being involved in a ballot which
does not result in an overall majority being obtained the candidate or nomination
receiving the lowest number of votes cast will withdraw. A fresh ballot will take place
on the candidates or nominations remaining until an overall majority decision has been
reached.
14 In the event of a tie following a show of hands or a secret ballot the District Governor will
have a casting vote given to the returning officer in a sealed envelope only to be used in the
event of a tied vote.
Motion to proceed to next business
15 Any delegate, provided that he or she has not already spoken on the matter under
discussion, may move at any time that Convention proceed to the next business, and if this
resolution be seconded and carried the District Governor shall put the matter to Convention
after the mover of the resolution has been offered the right of reply.
Point of order or question
16 Any delegate at any time may ask a question or raise a point of order through the Chair but
must confine the question or point of order to the subject before Convention.
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Quorum
17 A minimum of thirty-five (35) delegates in attendance at Convention shall constitute a
quorum.
Suspension of Standing Orders
18 Any one or more of these Standing Orders may be suspended by a resolution of Convention
in relation to a specific item of business properly before Convention provided that at least
two-thirds of the delegates present and voting shall vote for the resolution.
19 No person attending Convention shall be permitted to smoke in the Convention Hall during
the business sessions of Convention.
NORTH SEA LIONS DISTRICT TWINNING ALLIANCE
COVENANT
(Revised August 2007)
I.
1.
HISTORY
The North Sea Lions District Twinning Alliance (NSL), called the Alliance hereafter, was
established in 1980 in Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom, by Districts 105M, 106C, 110A,
110B and 110C.
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2.
Objects of the Alliance are:
the promotion of close relationships between the member Districts in different countries, in
order to exchange information on and experiences with Lions’ activities in the broadest
sense;
the promotion of relationships between the Lions Clubs of the participating Districts in
different countries;
the organisation of an annual project in those Lions’ countries that need the Alliance’s
assistance, in close cooperation with local Lions Districts and/or Lions Clubs.
3.
Current membership of the Alliance includes:
District 105E
England
District 105M
England
District 106C
Denmark
District 110AN
the Netherlands
District 110AZ
the Netherlands
District 110BN
the Netherlands
District 110CO
the Netherlands
District 110CW
the Netherlands
District 111N
Germany
District 111NB
Germany
4.
The language used in meetings and communication within the Alliance will be English.
II.
GOVERNANCE.
5.
Every member District will appoint or elect a District Chairman North Sea Lions,
according to its Constitution and By-laws, for a period of three years. These can be
reappointed or re-elected for the same or a shorter period. At least during the last year of
office of a District Chairman North Sea Lions the member District will appoint a deputy
District Chairman according to its Constitution and Bylaws, who will be eligible or will be
appointed as successor to ensure continuity.
6.
The District Chairmen North Sea Lions of the member Districts will make up the Board of
the Alliance.
6.1. The Board shall constitute the executive body of the Alliance.
6.2. The Board elects annually its chairman and secretary at its Annual General Meeting. Those
officers may be re-elected for a connected term to a maximum period of three years. They
have to be from different countries.
6.3. Names of nominees for Chairman and Secretary must be received by the Secretary of the
Board, in writing, six weeks prior to the annual Board meeting.
6.4. The Annual Board Meeting shall be held at least each year at a time and place established
by the board. Special meetings may be held at the request of at least two members of the
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board from different countries. At these meetings decisions cannot be made, and any
issues raised must be discussed and/or agreed at the next Annual Board Meeting, or as set
out in article 8. The secretary will, on behalf of the Chairman, call for the meeting, the
Chairman will decide the time and the place of the meeting. The call for the meeting will
also state the date and venue, and will include the agenda together with the issues to be
discussed.
6.5. A quorum at any meeting of the Board will be constituted by the presence of members
from at least three different countries. Action may be taken by a majority of the members
present.
6.6. Member Districts may delegate the vote of their District Officer in a Board meeting to
another member of the District Cabinet of the same District. In doing so the chairman or
secretary of the Board will be informed beforehand. Voting by proxy is permitted only in
this sense. A member District having none of its Cabinet’s members, thus qualified to vote,
present in a Board meeting, shall nevertheless be bound by the Board’s decisions.
6.7. The secretary of the Board will make sure that all documents relating to the meeting are in
possession of all the Board members at least four weeks prior to that meeting.
6.8. Board members have to make sure that any issues to be discussed have to be with the
secretary at least six weeks in advance to the meeting.
6.9. Board Meetings are open to all Lions, unless a majority of the board decides otherwise.
Guests have to be introduced to the Chairman before the meeting and they are not allowed
to speak except if Article 20.7 is relevant.
7.
The Board of the Alliance will elect an Executive Committee from its midst of a total
number equal to the number of countries represented within the Alliance. The chairman
and secretary of the Board will be members of said Committee and are included in that
number. No country can have more than one member on the Committee.
7.1. The Committee may act for and on behalf of said Board only when the Board is not
assembled in session or when the members of the Board are not together in one location.
The Committee reports its actions and considerations to the Board. No Board action shall
be altered, amended or rescinded by the Committee.
8.
III.
9.
The Board of the Alliance and its Executive Committee may transact business by mail, fax,
E-mail, telephone conferencing, or any other medium of communication accessible to all
its members. No action shall be effective until approved in writing by mail, fax, or E-mail
by at least one member from all participating countries. Any decisions made in this way
will be announced at the next Annual Board Meeting and be published in the minutes
of that meeting.
MEMBERSHIP.
Membership is restricted to Districts in countries bordering the North Sea.
10. Districts from countries bordering the North Sea may apply for membership of the
Alliance. The decision to adopt new members has to be agreed on by all members. Special
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attention will be given in this respect to establishing a fair balance of members over
different countries, in view of the objectives of the Alliance.
11. Should a member District be involved in redistricting procedures, the new Districts
resulting from this have to apply for membership according to article 10.
12. Member Districts may leave the Alliance at the end of a Lions’ year, after giving written
notice to the Board at least three months in advance. In leaving the Alliance the member
Districts will not forsake an accepted commitment to contribute to the year project as
specified in article 20.9
13. Member Districts contributing less than 25 % of the target
fundraising for that member District as set out in article 20.9., or less than 50% of said
target fundraising in two consecutive years, or not partaking in any Alliance activities in
two consecutive years, may be asked to leave the Alliance.
IV.
RELATIONS BETWEEN MEMBER DISTRICTS.
14. All member Districts will encourage representatives of member Districts from other
countries to visit them, in order to establish personal ties and to exchange information and
experiences with regard to the working of Districts and Lions Clubs within different
countries. Visits may be in connection with a District or Multiple District Convention.
Visitors should be brought in close contact with Lions Clubs and members of the District
Cabinet, and if possible be invited to attend Club and/or Cabinet meetings and/or District
Seminars.
15. Every member District sending out representatives to meetings in other member Districts
will bear the full costs of these, including travel, lodging, meals, special functions and fees.
Member Districts may set up their own rules of reimbursement in this regard. However in
doing so, costs of meetings may only be met out of the District’s budget and never out of
fundraising for Alliance’s projects.
16. Member Districts will promote relationships between the District Cabinets and between
Lions Clubs within member Districts in different countries. Formal club twinning may be
the result of this activity, but is not a goal in itself.
17. Member Districts will regularly inform their Lions Clubs about Alliance matters in
Newsletters or any other appropriate medium.
18. Member Districts will send their Newsletters and any other appropriate material to the
District Officers NSL of the other member Districts as a practical way to exchange
information and experiences. Member Districts will send their budgets and Convention
papers to the District Chairmen NSL of the other member Districts.
19. Special attention will be given to the possibilities of Internet in establishing links and
exchange of information between member Districts and Lions Clubs within member
Districts in different countries. The Board of the Alliance will prepare proposals in this
respect and will look into the possibility of establishing a NSL website with a Bulletin
Board and other means of interactive communication between clubs and Cabinets of the
member Districts in different countries. The NSL website will be linked to LionNet.
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V.
PROJECTS.
20. Each year a member District will initiate and supervise the Alliance’s project of the year.
Proposals may be sent in to the Board by each member District, with the restriction that no
member District can have a proposal for the project of the year accepted again within the
three years immediately following acceptation of a proposal of that District.
20.1. The criteria for considering a proposal will be the LCIF criteria, with this exception that
the Alliance is prepared to meet 100% of the project’s costs, if the total amount does not
exceed Euro 80 per Lions Club within the Alliance.
20.2. Every project will be a “Lions to Lions” project, meaning that Lions Clubs and/or a
District in the relative country will be involved from the beginning.
20.3. The project must be situated in a developing country or in one of the countries in Eastern
Europe.
20.4. It has to be indicated how the development of the project will be checked and supervised
locally.
20.5. The proposal must be accompanied by a detailed budget, stating how expenses, which are
not covered by an NSL grant will be met. The NSL grant must cover a substantial and
recognisable part of the total costs.
20.6. A pre-proposal for the project in Lions year ‘X’ will be presented to the Secretary in
writing no later than eight (8) weeks prior to the Annual Board Meeting in year ‘X-l’,
according to specifications established by the Board. The Board will decide in principle
on the pre-proposal at its Annual Board Meeting in year ‘X-1’.
20.7. Each proposal has to be presented at the Annual Board Meeting by the NSL Officer of the
particular District which has proposed the project. On his invitation members of the Lions
Club(s) involved may be admitted to the Board Meeting to explain the project and to
answer any questions raised.
20.8. Project proposals that do not reach the Secretary in time, or do not meet the NSL
principles, will be automatically disregarded. The Secretary will inform the District
Chairman that the project will not be put forward to the Board Meeting. If the District
wishes to do so it can propose the project the following year.
20.9. A decision to agree in principle on the pre-proposal by the Board involves a commitment
of the member district to raise the target funds per member District as specified in the
pre-proposal. Target funds per member district will be established in direct proportion to
numbers of Lions Clubs within the member Districts.
20.10.A commitment, as meant in article 20.9, does not constitute a guarantee that member
districts will actually be able to raise the target funds, but it does constitute an obligation
for member Districts to do their utmost in this respect.
20.11.The definite proposal for a project in Lions year ‘X’ will be presented to the Board no
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later than eight (8) weeks before the annual meeting in year ‘X’ and will be decided
upon no later than its annual board meeting in year ‘X’. The proposal will be adequately
documented in view of the criteria to be applied, according to the specifications
established by the Board.
21. The Alliance accepts no liabilities whatsoever, neither in project preparation or in project
execution.
22. The member District that has its proposal for the project of the year X accepted by the
Board, will supply the other member Districts with an appropriate information brochure in
all NSL languages no later than September of year X.
23. The member District that has its project proposal accepted, will remain directly responsible
for its execution and will account for it after completion to the Board. The responsible
District may involve one or more of its Lions Clubs in preparing and executing the project,
or may assign Cabinet members to do so.
24. Overhead costs, directly related to the project, may be reimbursed by the District
responsible, but will not exceed the interest made on the total amount of fundraising within
NSL and at maximum an additional 1 (one) percent of that amount. All excessive costs to
be borne by said District.
25. Remaining funds after project completion will be refunded to the member Districts
according to their contribution to that particular project, in this sense that all member
Districts should contribute proportionately, according to the targets. The responsible
District will provide annual feedback information on the progress and on completion of the
project.
26. Member Districts will encourage the Lions Clubs in their District actively to contribute
financially to the project of the year and will report to them on its progress and
performance.
VI.
CONCLUSION.
27. This Covenant may be amended or altered by the Board of the Alliance with a qualified
majority of 75% of all members of said Board.
Note: The amount of Euro 80 per Lions Club as mentioned in article 20.1 is established on
valuta exchange rates as of 1 January 1999, in which:
1 Euro=
0.7002
1.95583
7.4265
2.20371
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80 Euro=
GBP
DMk
DKr
DFL
56 GBP
156 DMk
594 DKr
176 DFL
Changes in these valuta exchange rates of 10% or more may lead to an autonomous recalculation of the target funds by member Districts affected, in proportion to these changes.
END OF COVENANT
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