LIONS
Clubs
Caring for People
International
The International Association of Lions Clubs
GUIDELINES & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ZONE & REGIONAL CHAIRMEN
NB: The Jobs of Zone Chairmen and Regional Chairmen are so closely linked that it has been deemed
prudent to have the following Guidelines cover both Jobs so that each may have a ready reference to
help attain thorough familiarity with each other’s Roles and Responsibilities.
These Guidelines supplement rather than replace advice in any Manuals issued by Lions Clubs International
Headquarters from time to time. They are also to be read in conjunction with the General Guide-Notes for
District 105A Officers and the Zone Chairman’s Check List.
Title:
ZONE CHAIRMEN
Status:
District Officers and Members of Cabinet
Appointment:
Appointment of Zone Chairmen / Region Chairmen is directly by the
District Governor )
Role/Responsibilities:
1. It is expected that Zone Chairmen will provide a close personal link between Club Lions and
District, and "vice versa".
2. They will also be expected to be not only personal representatives, but communicators, motivators
and counsellors to Club Presidents and Members in their Zones.
3. It is also vital that they regularly attend Cabinet and other key District Meetings and Events and
keep District directly informed of the Zones' activities by formally reporting at every Cabinet
Meeting on Clubs' desires, actions, problems and solutions and encouraging visits by District
Officers to Club or Zone Meetings to inform on their particular roles and provide helpful support as
and when required.
To help achieve this, Zone Chairmen should attend their own special Induction Meeting and attend
Business Meetings of each Club in their particular Zones at least twice a year. After each meeting a
report form supplied, must be completed and returned to the District Governor, copied to Region
Chairman.
Absolutely mandated requirements are that each Zone Chairman holds at least four Zone Meetings in
the fiscal year and, after each one, completes a simple Report Form supplied, and returns the
completed form to the District Governor, copied to the Region Chairman. These meetings should be
informally but efficiently structured to encourage fellowship and debate. It is vital to encourage Lions to
take a broader interest in their Association and its influences and to solicit support for District, Multiple
District and International initiatives. A better-informed and participating membership will enhance the
strengths and representational teamwork of 105A within our Association.
Continued…
As COMMUNICATORS, Zone Chairmen should:
1. Promote the objectives of the International Association of Lions Clubs.
2. Ensure that District is kept fully informed of Club activities.
3. Ensure that Clubs are kept informed of District, Multiple District and International events and
training opportunities.
4. Encourage Club Lions to participate in District and MD Events and Competitions. Continued…
As MOTIVATORS, Zone Chairmen should:
1. Recognise the efforts of Club Officers and give help as necessary.
2. Encourage team spirit and unity in the Zones and among Club members.
3. Encourage Club Lions to accept leadership challenges and participate in Leadership Development
Schemes.
4. Promote loyalty and pride in belonging to a Lions Club and the wider District and International
sectors of our Association and encourage enthusiasm and understanding of its objectives.
5. Help with the formation and guidance of new clubs. (N.B. The Zone Chairman usually chairs the
official formation meeting of a new club). This involves close liaison with the GMT Chairman.
As COUNSELLORS, Zone Chairmen should:
1. Offer direction and support to Club Lions and their Clubs.
2. Ensure that Clubs are aware of the support and resources available from International, Multiple
District, District and the Community.
3. Be impartial moderators in any misunderstandings or internal problems.
4. Provide strong guidance and support to weak Clubs and encourage strong Clubs to set higher
goals and achieve greater results.
5. Encourage team spirit between Clubs especially as a means of tackling projects requiring greater
funding and/or human resources than one Club can provide.
Note re: REGIONAL CHAIRMEN, (see next page for full Guidelines & Responsibilities.)
Team Leaders called Regional Chairmen are usually appointed, on an Area or Region basis. The role is a
proactive management one and includes the provision of moral support and advice to motivate and help Zone
Chairmen achieve their objectives. It follows, therefore, that Zone Chairmen have, as part of their job, a prime
responsibility to communicate readily with their Region Chairmen and each other and participate in any Team
Meetings called. To help achieve team objectives, it is important that every Zone Chairman and Regional
Chairman becomes thoroughly familiar with each other's aims and objectives. Attendance of Cabinet Meetings
and other key District Meetings and Events such as Convention, Forum and Club Formations is also vital.
Continued…
Title:
REGIONAL CHAIRMEN
Appointed by:
District Governor,
Status:
District Officers and Members of Cabinet
The number of jobholders can vary, depending on the DG's choice of
geographical areas/objectives.
Key Role:
To manage, help and advise in a designated number of Zones in close liaison
with the relevant Zone Chairmen and any Specialist Zone Officers, (eg:
Membership/Youth.)
Prime Responsibilities:
1. To motivate and pro-actively support Zone Chairmen in their management role of the Clubs in their
care. This includes deputising for Zone Chairmen as and when required
2. To be "conduits" of information and advice between the Zone Chairmen and the District Governor
or other District Officers as considered appropriate.
3. To regularly liase with each other and the Zone Chairmen, giving practical help and advice as
necessary to maintain, motivate and encourage.
4. To ensure regular Team Meetings occur with Zone Chairmen, (of the Region), to share problems
and triumphs and report back to the DG and Cabinet as appropriate, (see also Item 6 below.)
5. To work closely with the GMT Chairman as part of the team drive to retain Club Members and find
new ones, including help with extension, orientation and “pastoral aftercare” of new Clubs to help
satisfactory integration, motivation, growth and development.
6. To submit written Reports to and attend Cabinet Meetings and Convention, attend Seminars and
Forum and any other Meetings necessary for performance of the above duties.
7. To undertake/arrange training as designated by the District Governor (e.g. Incoming Club Officers,
New Members etc.)
N.B. The above Role & Responsibilities are such that the Appointees should have, at some time, been
Zone Chairmen themselves. It is also important that they should be thoroughly familiar with the latest
Guidelines & Responsibilities of Zone Chairmen and their required projects, targets and initiatives.
Ref: 19/4/11