CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS OF
Lions Club of Orillia
Incorporated Feb. 24, 1953 (Ont #00068138)
Operating as
Orillia Lions Club
The Orillia Lions Club Chartered by and under the jurisdiction of
The International Association
Of
Lions Clubs
Chartered August 26, 1937
Sponsored by the
Lions Club of Barrie
INDEX
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I -(Page)
SECTION 1 – Name -4
SECTION 2 – Slogan -4
SECTION 3 – Motto -4
ARTICLE II
Purposes - 4
ARTICLE III
Membership
SECTION 1 – Eligibility for Club Membership -4
SECTION 2 – Membership Invitation -4
ARTICLE IV
Forfeiture of Membership -4
ARTICLE V
Officers
SECTION 1 – Club Officers -4
SECTION 2 – Removal -4
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
SECTION 1 – Members -4
SECTION 2 – Quorum -4
SECTION 3 – Duties and Powers -4
ARTICLE VII
Delegates to International and District Conventions
SECTION 1 – Delegate entitlement international conventions -5
SECTION 2 – Delegate entitlement district/multiple district conventions -5
ARTICLE VIII
Dispute Resolution - 5
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
SECTION 1 – Amending procedure for this Constitution -6
SECTION 2 – Notice of Constitutional amendment -6
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Membership Categories
SECTION 1 – Membership Categories -6
SECTION 2 – Dual Membership -7
SECTION 3 – Resignations -7
SECTION 4 – Reinstatement of Membership -7
SECTION 5 – Transfer Membership -7
SECTION 6 – Failure to pay -7
SECTION 7 – Attendance -7
ARTICLE II
Officers
SECTION 1 – Duties -7
SECTION 2 – Eligibility for Office -9
SECTION 3 – Compensation -9
ARTICLE III
Meetings and Quorum Requirements
SECTION 1 – Regular meetings -9
SECTION 2 – Special meetings -9
SECTION 3 – Charter Anniversary -9
SECTION 4 – Annual meeting -9
SECTION 5 – Quorum -9
SECTION 6 – Good standing -9
SECTION 7 – Board of Directors regular meetings -9
SECTION 8 – Board of Directors special meetings -9
SECTION 9 – Change of meeting date or place - 9
ARTICLE IV
Elections and Filling Vacancies
SECTION 1 – Nomination meeting -9
SECTION 2 – Nominating committee-9
SECTION 3 – Nominee unable to serve -9
SECTION 4 – Election Committee -9
SECTION 5 – Annual Election -10
SECTION 6 – Membership Committee -10
SECTION 7 – Directors Election -10
SECTION 8 – Ballot -10
SECTION 9 – Vacancy - 10
SECTION 10 – Replacement -10
ARTICLE V
Fees and Dues
SECTION 1 – Entrance fees -10
SECTION 2 – Annual dues -10
ARTICLE VI
Committees
SECTION 1 – Standing Committees -11
SECTION 2 – Special Committees -11
SECTION 3 – President as Ex-officio -11
SECTION 4 – Composition -11
SECTION 5 – Committee reporting -11
ARTICLE VII
Parliamentary Practices -11
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 1 – Emblem, colours -11
SECTION 2 – Fiscal year -11
SECTION 3 – Honorary mailing list -11
SECTION 4 – Partisan politics/religion -11
SECTION 5 – Personal benefit -12
SECTION 6 – Solicitation of funds -12
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
SECTION 1 – Amending procedure for these By-laws -12
SECTION 2 – Notice of By-law amendment -12
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name, Slogan and Motto
Section 1 NAME: The name of this organization shall be the Lions Club of Orillia hereinafter referred to and operating as Orillia Lions Club, chartered by, and under the jurisdiction of Lions Clubs International.
Section 2 SLOGAN: Its slogan shall be: Liberty Intelligence Our Nation’s Safety.
Section 3 MOTTO: Its motto shall be – We Serve
ARTICLE II
Purposes
The purposes of the Orillia Lions Club shall be:
• To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
• To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship
• To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.
• To unite the members 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.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1 ELEGIBILITY FOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Subject to the provisions of Article I of the By-laws, any person of legal majority and good moral character and good reputation in his/her community, may be granted membership in the Orillia Lions Club. Wherever the male gender or pronoun presently appears in this constitution and by-laws, it shall be interpreted to mean both male and female persons.
Section 2 MEMBERSHIP BY INVITATION: Membership in the Orillia Lions Club shall be acquired by invitation only. Nominations shall be made on forms provided by the international office, which shall be signed by a member in good standing who shall act as sponsor, and be submitted to the membership chairperson, who, after investigation by the membership committee, shall submit the same to the Board of Directors. If approved by a majority of said board, the prospect may then be invited to become a member of the Orillia Lions Club. A properly filled out membership form duly signed, as well as, the entrance fee and dues must be in the hands of the secretary before the member is reported to and officially recognized by the association as a Lions member.
ARTICLE IV
Forfeiture of Membership
Any member may be expelled from the club for good cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1 OFFICERS: The officers of the Orillia Lions Club shall be a President, Immediate Past President, Vice-Presidents (3), Secretary, Treasurer, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister, Membership Director, Bulletin Editor, and all other elected directors.
Section 2 REMOVAL: Any officer of the Orillia Lions Club may be removed from office for good cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership.
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
Section 1 MEMBERS: The members of the Board of Directors shall be the President, Immediate Past President, Vice-Presidents (3), Secretary, Treasurer, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister, Membership Director, Bulletin Editor, and all other elected directors.
Section 2 QUORUM: The presence in person of a majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise specifically provided for, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting of the board shall be the act and decision of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 3 DUTIES AND POWERS: In addition to those duties, express and implied, set forth elsewhere in this Constitution and By-laws, or Policy Manual, the Board of Directors shall have the following duties:
(a) It shall constitute the Executive Board of the Orillia Lions Club and be responsible for the execution, through the club officers, of the policies approved by the club. All new business and policy of the Orillia Lions Club shall be considered and shaped, first, by the Board of Directors for presentation to and approval by the club members at a regular or special club meeting.
(b) It shall authorize all expenditures up to $1,000.00 and shall not create any indebtedness beyond the current income of the Orillia Lions Club, nor authorize disbursal of club funds for purposes inconsistent with the business and policy authorized by the club membership. All expenditures over $1,000.00 shall be approved by a quorum (as defined in By Laws Article III Sec 5) of the club
(c) It shall have power to modify, override or rescind the action of any officer of this club.
(d) It shall have the financial accounts, records and transactions of the Orillia Lions Club reviewed annually, or, in its discretion, more frequently and may require an accounting or have an audit made of the handling of any club funds by any officer, committee or member of the Orillia Lions Club. Any member of this club in good standing may inspect any such audit or accounting upon request at a reasonable time and place.
(e) It shall appoint, on recommendation of the finance committee, a bank for the deposit of the funds of the Orillia Lions Club.
(f) It may appoint the surety for the bonding of any officer of this club.
(g) It shall not authorize, nor permit, the expenditure, for any administrative purpose, of the net income of projects or activities of the Orillia Lions Club by which funds are raised from the public.
(h) It shall submit all matters of new business and policy to the respective standing or special club committee for study and recommendation to the Board of Directors.
(i) It shall name and appoint, subject to approval of the club membership, the delegates and alternates of the Orillia Lions Club to District A12, Multiple District ‘A’ and Lions Clubs International conventions.
(j) It shall maintain a clear accounting and allocation of fundraising and administration funds. Disbursement from such funds shall be in strict compliance with Section (g) of this article.
ARTICLE VII
Delegates to International, Multiple District ‘A’ and District A12 Conventions
Section 1 DELEGATE ENTITLEMENT TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: Inasmuch as Lions Clubs International is governed by Lions clubs in convention assembled, and in order that the Orillia Lions Club may have its voice in association matters, the Orillia Lions Club shall have power to pay the necessary expenses of its delegates to each annual convention of the association. The Orillia Lions Club shall be entitled in any convention of this association, to one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for every twenty-five (25), or major fraction thereof, of its members as shown by the records of the international office on the first day of the month last preceding that month during which the convention is held, provided, however, that the Orillia Lions Club shall be entitled to at least one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate. The major fraction referred to in this section shall be thirteen (13) or more members. The selection of each such delegate and alternate shall be evidenced by a credential certificate signed by the President or Secretary or any other duly authorized officer of the Orillia Lions Club, or, in the event no such club officer is in attendance at the convention, by the District Governor-Elect of District A12.
Section 2 DELEGATE ENTITLEMENT TO THE MULTIPLE DISTRICT ‘A’ AND DISTRICT A12 CONVENTIONS: Inasmuch as all district matters are presented and adopted at the district or multiple district conventions, the Orillia Lions Club shall be entitled to send its full quota of delegates to all such conventions and have power to pay the necessary expenses of such delegates attending such conventions. The Orillia Lions Club shall be entitled in each annual convention of Multiple District ‘A’ and District A12 to one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members who have been enrolled for at least one year and a day in the Orillia Lions Club, or major fraction thereof, of the Orillia Lions Club as shown by the records of the international office on the first day of the month last preceding that month during which the convention is held, provided, however, that the Orillia Lions 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 respective convention. The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more members.
ARTICLE VIII
Dispute Resolution
All disputes arising between any member or members, or a former member or members, and the Orillia Lions Club, or any officer on the Board of Directors of the Orillia Lions Club, relative to membership, or the interpretation, breach of, or application of the club’s Constitution and By-laws, or the expulsion of any member from the club, or any other matter whatsoever which cannot be satisfactorily resolved through other means, shall be settled by dispute resolution.
Any party to the dispute may file a written request with the District Governor asking that dispute resolution take place. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt, the District Governor shall appoint a conciliator to hear the dispute. The conciliator shall be a Past District Governor who is currently a member in good standing of a club in good standing, other than a club which is a party to the dispute, in District A12. The selected conciliator shall be acceptable to the parties. Upon being selected, the conciliator shall arrange a meeting of the parties for the purpose of conciliating the dispute. The meeting shall be scheduled within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the conciliator. If such conciliation efforts are unsuccessful, the conciliator shall have the authority to issue his or her decision relative to the dispute, which decision shall be final and binding on all parties. All decisions of the conciliators are subject to the authority of the International Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
Section 1 AMENDING PROCEDURE FOR THIS CONSTITUTION: This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Orillia Lions Club, at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present in person and voting, provided that the Board of Directors has previously considered the merits of the amendments.
Section 2 NOTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: No amendment shall be put to vote, unless written notice stating the proposed amendment shall have been mailed, e-mailed or delivered personally to each member of the Orillia Lions Club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the meeting at which the vote on the proposed amendment is to be taken.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1
Membership
Section 1 MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:
(a) ACTIVE: a member entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all obligations which membership in a Lions club confers or implies. Without limiting such rights and obligations, such rights shall include eligibility to seek, if otherwise qualified, any office in the Orillia Lions Club, District A12 or association and the right to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the membership; and such obligations shall include regular attendance, prompt payment of dues, participation in club activities and conduct reflecting a favorable image of the Orillia Lions Club in the community.
(b) MEMBER-AT-LARGE: a member of the Orillia Lions Club, who has moved from the community, or because of health or other legitimate reason, is unable regularly to attend club meetings and desires to retain membership in the Orillia Lions Club, and upon whom the Board of Directors desires to confer this status. This status shall be reviewed each six (6) months by the Board of Directors of the Orillia Lions Club. A Member-at-large shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote in District A12 or International meetings or conventions, but shall pay such dues as the Orillia Lions Club may charge, which dues shall include District A12, Multiple District ‘A’ and International dues.
(c) HONOURARY: An individual, not a member of the Orillia Lions club, having performed outstanding service for the community or the Orillia Lions Club, upon whom the Orillia Lions Club desires to confer special distinction. The Orillia Lions Clubs shall pay entrance fees and International and District A12 dues on such a member, who may attend meetings, but shall not be entitled to any privileges of active membership. Not to exceed 5% of total actual membership; any fraction shall permit one additional honorary member.
(d) PRIVILEGED: A member of the Orillia Lions Club who has been a Lion fifteen (15) or more years, who, because of illness, infirmities, advanced age or other legitimate reason, as determined by the Board of Directors, must relinquish his/her active status. A Privileged Member shall pay such dues as the Orillia Lions Club may charge, which dues shall include District A12 and International dues. He/she shall have the right to vote and be entitled to all other privileges of membership except the right to hold club, district or international office.
(e) LIFE MEMBER: Any member of the Orillia Lions Club who has maintained Active membership as a Lion for 20 or more years and has rendered outstanding service to the Orillia Lions Club, his/her community, or this Association; or any member who is critically ill; or any member of the Orillia Lions Club who has maintained such Active membership for 15 or more years and is at least 70 years of age may be granted Life Membership in the Orillia Lions Club upon: (i) recommendation of the Orillia Lions Club to this Association, and (ii) payment to the association of US$500.00, or its Canadian equivalent, by the Orillia Lions Club in lieu of all future dues to the Association, and (iii) approval by the International Board of Directors. Nothing herein shall prevent the Orillia Lions Club from charging a Life Member such dues as it shall deem proper.
A Life Member shall have all privileges of Active membership so long as he/she fulfills all obligations thereof.
A Life Member who desires to relocate and receives an invitation to join another Lions Club shall automatically become a Life Member of said club.
(f) ASSOCIATE MEMBER: a member who holds his/her primary membership in another Lions club but maintains a residence or is employed in the community served by the Orillia Lions Club. This status may be conferred by the invitation of the Board of Directors and shall be reviewed annually. The Orillia Lions Club shall not report an Associate Member on its Monthly Membership Report.
An Associate Member may be eligible to vote on club matters, at meetings where he/she is present in person, but may not represent the club as a delegate at District A12, Multiple District ‘A’ or International conventions. He/she shall not be eligible to hold club, district or international office, nor district, multiple district or international committee assignments through the Orillia Lions Club. International, Multiple District ‘A’ or District A12 dues shall not be assessed on the Associate; PROVIDED, however, nothing shall prevent the Orillia Lions Club from assessing an Associate such dues as it shall deem proper.
(g) AFFILIATE MEMBER: A quality individual of the community who currently is not able to fully participate as an Active member of the Orillia Lions Club but desires to support the club and its community service initiative and be affiliated with the Orillia Lions Club. This status may be conferred by the invitation of the Orillia Lions Club Board of Directors. Not to exceed 25% of total actual membership. An Affiliate Member may be eligible to vote on club matters at meetings where he/she is present in person, but may not represent the club as a delegate at district (single, sub, transitional, provisional, and/or multiple) or international conventions.
He/she shall not be eligible to hold club, district or international office, nor district, multiple district or
International committee assignment. An Affiliate Member shall be required to pay district, international and such dues as the local club may charge.
Section 2 DUAL MEMBERSHIP: No person shall simultaneously hold membership, other than Honorary or Associate, in the Orillia Lions Club and any other Lions club.
Section 3 RESIGNATIONS: Any member may resign from the Orillia Lions Club, and said resignation shall become effective upon acceptance by the Board of Directors. The Board may withhold acceptance, however, until all indebtedness has been paid, all club funds and property have been returned, and all right to the use of the name “LIONS”, the emblem and other insignia of the Orillia Lions Club and this Association have been surrendered.
Section 4 REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP: Any member dropped from membership in good standing may be reinstated by the Orillia Lions Club’s Board of Directors, and will retain their prior Lions service record as part of their total Lions service record.
Section 5 TRANSFER MEMBERSHIP: The Orillia Lions Club may grant membership on a transfer basis to one who has terminated or is terminating his/her membership in another Lions club, provided that a member is in good standing at the time of transfer requested. If more than six (6) months have elapsed between termination of his/her membership in another club and submittal of completed transfer member form or current membership card, he/she may acquire membership in the Orillia Lions Club only under the provisions of Section 2 of Article III of the Constitution.
Section 6 FAILURE TO PAY: The secretary shall submit to the Board of Directors the name of any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due the Orillia Lions Club within 60 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice. The Board shall thereafter decide whether the member shall be dropped from or retained on the membership roster.
Section 7 ATTENDANCE: The Orillia Lions Club shall encourage regular attendance at club meetings and activities. Where a member misses consecutive meetings or activities, the Orillia Lions Club will make every effort to contact the member to encourage and promote regular attendance.
ARTICLE II
Officers
Section 1 DUTIES:
• PRESIDENT: He/she shall be the chief executive officer of the Orillia Lions Club; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the club; issue the call for regular meetings and special meetings of the Board of Directors and the club; appoint the standing and special committees of the club and cooperate with chairpersons to effect regular functioning and report of such committees; see that regular elections are fully called, noticed and held; and cooperate with, and be an active member of the District Governor’s Advisory Committee of Zone 36 East where the Orillia Lions Club is located.
• IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: He/she and the other past presidents shall officially greet members and their guests at club meetings and shall represent the Orillia Lions Club in welcoming all new service–minded people in the community served by this club. He/she shall assist and support the President in order to enable the President to perform his/her duties faithfully allowing the club to continue to live by our motto “WE SERVE”.
• VICE PRESIDENTS: If the president is unable to perform the duties of his/her office for any reason, the vice president next in rank shall occupy his/her position and perform his/her duties with the same authority as the president. Each vice president shall, under the direction of the president, oversee the functioning of such committees of the Orillia Lions Club as the president shall designate.
• SECRETARY: He/she shall be under the supervision and direction of the president and the Board of directors and shall act as the liaison officer between the club, Multiple District ‘A’, District A12 and Lions Clubs International. In fulfillment of this, he/she shall:
(i) Submit electronically regular Monthly Membership Reports and other reports to the international office of the association on the international website containing such information as may be called for by the Board of Directors of the Association.
(ii) Submit electronically to the District A12 Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer such reports as it may require including copies of the Monthly Membership Report and, to the District Governor the Club Activities Report quarterly (October, February and June) and, to Lions Clubs International Form A-1, Yearly Activities Report, no later than June 30th of the Lions year.
(iii) Cooperate with and be an active member of the District Governor’s Advisory Committee of Zone 36 East.
(iv) have custody and keep and maintain printed general records of the Orillia Lions Club, including records of minutes of club and board meetings; attendance; committee appointments; elections; member information, addresses and telephone numbers of members; members club accounts;
(v) arrange for issuance, in cooperation with the treasurer, quarterly or semi-annual statements to each member for dues and other financial obligations owed to the Orillia Lions Club, collect and turn the same over to the Club Treasurer and obtain a receipt;
• TREASURER: He/she shall:
(i) Receive all monies, from the secretary and otherwise, and deposit the same in the bank recommended by the finance committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
(ii) Pay out monies in payment of club obligations only on authority given by the
Board of Directors. All cheques and vouchers shall be signed by any two of the Treasurer, the President or the Secretary.
(iii) Have custody and keep and maintain general records of club receipts and disbursements;
(iv) Prepare and submit monthly and semi-annual financial reports to the Board of Directors of the Orillia Lions Club and further arrange for independent review of year end figures as well as any tax or government filings.
(v) Prepare an annual budget in cooperation with the Finance Committee for Board of Directors and membership approval.
• MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON: He/she shall be the chairperson of the membership committee. The responsibilities for this position shall be:
(i) Development of a growth program specifically for the club and presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
(ii) Regular encouragement at club meetings to bring in new quality members
(iii) Ensuring implementation of proper recruitment and retention procedures
(iv) Preparation and implementation of orientation sessions
(v) Reporting to the Board of Directors on ways to reduce the loss of members
(vi) Coordination with other club committees in fulfilling these responsibilities.
(vii) Serving as a member of the zone level membership committee
• LION TAMER: He/she shall
(i) Have charge of and be responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club, including flags, banners, gong, gavel, etc.
(ii) Put each in its proper place before each meeting and return the same to the proper storage area after each meeting.
(iii) Act as sergeant-at-arms at meetings, see that those present are properly seated, and distribute bulletins, literature etc. if asked, as required at club and board meetings.
(iv) Give special attention to assure that each new member sits with a different group at each meeting so that he/she can become better acquainted especially if the new member’s sponsor is not in attendance.
• TAIL TWISTER: He/she shall
(i) Promote harmony, good fellowship, life and enthusiasm in the meetings through appropriate stunts and games and the judicious imposition of fines on club members.
(ii) There shall be no ruling from his/her decision in imposing a fine, provided, however, that no fine shall exceed an amount fixed by the Board of Directors of the Orillia Lions Club.
(iii) No member shall be fined more than twice at any one meeting.
(iv) The tail twister may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present.
(v) All monies collected by the tail twister shall be immediately turned over to the treasurer by the close of the meeting.
Section 2 ELEGIBILITY FOR CLUB OFFICE: No person shall be eligible to hold office in the Orillia Lions Club unless he/she is an active member in good standing.
Section 3 COMPENSATION FOR OFFICERS: No officer shall receive any compensation for any service rendered to the Orillia Lions Club in his/her official capacity with the exception of the secretary, whose compensation, if any, shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III
Meetings and Quorum Requirements
Section 1 REGULAR MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Orillia Lions Club shall be held twice monthly at a time and place recommended by the Board of Directors, and approved by the club. All meetings shall begin and end, promptly, at the regular set times. Except as otherwise specifically provided in these bylaws or policies, notice of regular meetings shall be given in such manner as the Board of Directors deems proper. No regular meetings will be scheduled during the months of July and August or the second meeting date in December.
Section 2 SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings of the Orillia Lions Club may be called by the President, in his/her discretion, and shall be called by the President when requested by the Board of Directors, at a time and place determined by the person or body requesting the same. Notice of special meetings setting forth the purpose, time and place shall be given to each member of the club by email, telephone or personal delivery during a length of time determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3 CHARTER ANNIVERSARY: A charter night anniversary meeting of the Orillia Lions Club may be held each year, at which time special attention shall be devoted to the purposes and ethics of Lionism, and the history of the Orillia Lions Club.
Section 4 ANNUAL MEETING: An annual meeting of the Orillia Lions Club shall be held in conjunction with the close of each Lions’ year at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors, at which meeting the newly elected officers shall be installed.
Section 5 QUORUM: The presence in person of a majority of the regular active members in good standing shall be necessary for a quorum at any meeting of the Orillia Lions Club. Except as otherwise specifically provided, the act of a majority of the members present at any meeting shall be the act and decision of the entire club.
Section 6 GOOD STANDING: Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due to the Orillia Lions Club within sixty (60) days after receipt of a final written notice from the secretary shall forfeit his/her good standing and shall so remain until such indebtedness is paid in full. Only members in good standing may exercise the voting privilege and hold office in this club.
Section 7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least once monthly (July & August excepted) at such time and place as the Board shall determine.
Section 8 BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held when called by the President, or when requested by three (3) or more members of the Board of Directors, at such a time and place as the President shall determine.
Section 9 The club may move or replace a scheduled meeting date to an alternate date or location on a motion by a member and a seconder which is carried by a majority of the members in good standing present.
ARTICLE IV
Elections and Filling Vacancies
The officers of the Orillia Lions Club, excluding the Immediate Past President, shall be elected as follows:
Section 1 NOMINATION MEETING: A nomination meeting shall be held in January of each year at the first club meeting of the month, with a place of such meeting to be determined by the Board of Directors and notice given to each member of the Orillia Lions Club by email, postal mail or personally delivered at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the meeting.
Section 2 NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The President shall appoint a nominating committee which shall submit the names of candidates for the various club offices to the club members at the nomination meeting. At this meeting, nomination for all offices to be filled in the succeeding year may also be made from the floor.
Section 3 NOMINEE UNABLE TO SERVE: If in the interim between the nomination meeting and the election meeting any nominee is unable for any reason to serve in the office to which he/she was nominated and for which office there was no other nominee, the nominating committee shall submit, at the election meeting, names of additional nominees for that office.
Section 4 ELECTION COMMITTEE: An election meeting shall be held no later than the first club meeting in April, with a place of such meeting determined by the Board of Directors and the Secretary giving each member of the Orillia Lions Club notice by email, postal mail or personally delivered at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the meeting. Such notice shall include the names of all nominees approved at the preceding nomination meeting, and, subject to Section 3 above, a statement that these nominees will be voted upon a the election meeting. No nominations may be made from the floor at the election meeting.
Section 5 ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of Article IV all officers, other than directors, shall be elected annually and shall take office on July 1st, and shall hold office for one year from that date, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Section 6 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: A membership committee shall be composed of three (3) elected members for a three (3) year term. Initially three members will be elected. One member shall serve for one (1) year, the second member for two (2) years and the third member for three (3) years. Each year thereafter, a new member will be elected. Each member shall serve for three (3) continuous years on a rotation basis subject to annual confirmation for the years remaining by the club’s Board of Directors. The first year member shall be a member of the committee, the second year member shall be its Vice Chairperson and the third year member shall serve as its Chairperson and as Membership Director on the club’s Board of Directors. The first-year member is encouraged to focus on membership development, the second-year member is encouraged to focus on retention and leadership, while the third-year member (Chairperson) is encourage to focus on extension.
Section 7 DIRECTORS ELECTION: One-half of the directors shall be elected annually and shall take office on the July 1st next following their election, and shall hold office for two (2) years from that time, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified, with the exception that at the first election held after the adoption of the constitution and by-laws, one-half of the directors shall be elected for two year terms and the other one-half of the directors shall be elected for one year terms.
Section 8 BALLOT: The election shall be by ballot by those present and qualified to vote. A plurality vote shall be necessary to elect.
Section 9 VACANCY: If the office of President or of any Vice President shall become vacant for any reason, the Vice Presidents shall advance in office, according to their rank. In the event such provision for advancement shall fail to fill the office of President, or any office of Vice President, the Board of Directors shall thereon call a special election, giving each member in good standing prior fourteen (14) calendar days notice of the time and place, which time and place shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and such office shall be filled at said election meeting.
In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the Board of Directors shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.
In the event vacancies shall be of such number as to reduce the number of directors to less than the number required for a quorum, the membership of the club shall have power to fill such vacancies by an election held at any regular meeting of the club upon prior notice, and in the manner, specified in Section 10 hereinafter. Such notice may be given by a remaining officer or director, but if none, then by any member.
Section 10 REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS-ELECT: In the event any officer-elect, before his/her term of office commences, is unable or refuses for any reason to serve therein, the President may call a special nomination and election meeting to elect a replacement for such officer-elect. Fourteen (14) calendar days prior notice of such meeting, setting forth the purpose, time and place shall be given to each member, by email, postal mail or personal delivery. The election shall be held immediately after nominations have been closed and a plurality vote shall be necessary for election.
ARTICLE V
Fees and Dues
AS PER SCHEDULE BELOW APPROVED AT AN ANNUAL MEETING TO BE DETERMINED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ORILLIA LIONS CLUB
Section 1 ENTRANCE FEE: Each new, reinstated and transfer member shall pay an entrance fee which shall include the current International Association entrance fee and be collected before such member is enrolled as a member of the Orillia Lions Club and before the Secretary may report such member to Lions Clubs International; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may elect to waive all or any part of the club portion of said entrance fee as to any member granted membership by transfer or reinstatement within six (6) months of termination of his/her prior Lions Club membership..
Section 2 ANNUAL DUES: Each member of the Orillia Lions Club shall pay the regular annual dues (see note 1) subject to change annually by the Board of Directors which dues shall include an amount to cover current International, Multiple District ‘A’, and District A12 dues (to defray the subscription price of the THE LION Magazine, administrative and annual convention costs of the association and similar district costs) and shall be paid in advance at such times as the Board of Directors shall determine: Dues will include meal cost for Active members and be billed quarterly .Other member categories will be required to pay for any meals they consume. No member shall claim a credit for any non attendance or meals missed. Visiting Lions shall pay the full meal costs unless on official District business
Each Affiliate, Associate, At Large, Privileged, Life member of the club shall pay annual dues subject to change annually by the Board of Directors in advance at such times as the Board of Directors shall determine.
The Treasurer of the Orillia Lions Club shall remit International, Multiple District ‘A’, and District A12 dues to the parties, and at the times, specified in the respective international, Multiple District ’A’ and District A12 Constitution and By-laws.
ARTICLE VI
Committees
Section 1 STANDING COMMITTEES: The following standing committees may be appointed by the President, except for the members and chairperson of the Membership Committee, who are elected. (See Article IV, Sections 6 and &)
(a) Administrative Committees:
Attendance
Bulletin Editor
Charter Anniversaries
Constitution and By-laws
Conventions
Finance
Guest Speakers
Information Technology (Webmaster)
Internal Draws
Leadership Development
Lions Information
Membership
Program
Property
Public Relations
Special Meetings
Visitations
(b) Activities Committees:
Community Services
Diabetes Awareness & Camp Huronda
Draws
Environment
Hearing Conservation & Camp for the Deaf
Lions Camp Dorset (Dialysis)
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Lions Foundation of Canada
Sight Conservation & CNIB Lake Joseph Centre
Youth (all programs)
Section 2 SPECIAL COMMITTEES: From time to time, the President may appoint, with approval of the Board of Directors, such special committees as may be necessary in his/her judgment or the judgment of the Board of Directors.
Section 3 PRESIDENT EX-OFFICIO: The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 4 COMPOSITION: All committees shall consist of a Chairperson, and subject to Section 2 above, as many members as shall be considered necessary by the President.
Section 5 COMMITTEE REPORTING: Each committee, through its Chairperson, should be encouraged as necessary to report, either verbally or in writing, each month to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
Parliamentary Practices
Except as otherwise specifically proved in this Constitution and By-laws, all questions of order or procedure with respect to any meeting or action of the Orillia Lions Club, its Board of Directors or any committee appointed hereunder shall be determined in accordance with ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED, as revised from time to time.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Section 1 EMBLEM, COLOURS: The emblem and colours of the Orillia Lions Club shall be the same as the emblem and colours of Lions Clubs International.
Section 2 FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year of the Orillia Lions club shall be July 1 through June 30.
Section 3 HONOURARY MAILING LIST: Lions Clubs International and the District Governor shall be included on the mailing list of the Orillia Lions Club.
Section 4 PARTISIAN POLITIC/RELIGION: The Orillia Lions Club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office, nor shall partisan politics or sectarian religion be debated by members in meetings of this club.
Section 5 PERSONAL BENEFIT: Except to further his/her progress in Lionism, no officer or member of the Orillia Lions Club shall use his/her membership as a means of furthering any personal, political, or other aspiration, nor shall the club, as a whole, take part in any movement not in keeping with its purposes and objects.
Section 6 SOLICITATION OF FUNDS: No funds shall be solicited from members of the club during meetings by any individual or individuals who are not members of the Orillia Lions Club. Any suggestion or proposition made at any meeting of this club calling for the expenditure of money for other than the regular obligations shall be referred to the appropriate committee or to the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
Section 1 AMENDING PROCEDURE FOR THE BY-LAWS: These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting of the Orillia Lions Club at which a quorum is present, by the vote of a majority of the members present in person and voting.
Section 2 NOTICE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS: No amendment shall be put to vote unless written notice setting the proposed amendment, shall have been emailed, postal mailed or personally delivered to each member of the Orillia Lions Club at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is to be taken
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Above document approved by Orillia Lions Club members at a meeting held on Feb 26 2007 in accordance with current bylaws.
____________________ President(Bill Belfour) ___________________Secretary(Brenda Smale)
Note 1: - Annual Dues:
The following is the breakdown of current dues for notational purposes and is not part of the bylaws. To be updated as required.
International Dues $39.00 U.S. - $ 44.85 (will fluctuate based on 1.15 exchange)
Multiple District A dues - $ 14.50
District A 12 dues -$ 7.00
Meals incl tax & gratuity -$255.00 ( based on 17 meals @ $15.00)
Total per year $321.35
Membership fees charged @ $80.00 per quarter or (4x $80.) $320.00 per year
