Constitution & Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME, SLOGAN, AND MOTTO

Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Lions Club 0f Mt. Hood chartered by, and under the jurisdiction of The International Association of Lions Clubs (hereinafter referred to as “Association”).

Section B. Its slogan shall be: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety.

Section C. Its motto shall be: We Serve.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES AND OBJECTS

The Objects of this club shall be:

1. 1. To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.

1. 1. To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship. 

1. 1. To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.

1. 1. To unite the members in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 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 A. Subject to the provisions of Section B hereinafter, any person of legal and good character and good reputation in his/her community, may be granted membership in this Lions club. Wherever the male gender or pronoun presently appears in this Constitution and Bylaws it shall be interpreted to mean both male and female persons.

Section B. Membership in this Lions club shall be as follows:

1. 1. ACTIVE: A member entitled to all rights and privileges 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 this club, district 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 this Lions club in the community.

2. 2. MEMBER-AT-LARGE: A member of this 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 this club, and upon whom the board of directors of this club desires to confer this status. This status shall be reviewed each six months by the board of directors of this club. A Member-at Large shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote in district or international meetings or conventions, but shall pay such dues as the local club may charge, which dues shall include district and international dues.

3. 3. HONORARY: an individual, not a member of this Lions club, having performed outstanding service for the community or this Lions club, upon whom this club desires to confer special distinction. This club shall pay entrance fees and international and district dues on such a member, who may attend meetings, but shall not be entitled to any privileges of active membership.

4. 4. PRIVILEGED: A member of this club who has been a Lion fifteen or more years, who, because of illness, infirmities, advanced age or other legitimate reason, as determined by this board of directors of this club, must relinquish his/her active status. A Privileged Member shall pay such dues as the local club may charge, which dues shall include district and international dues. He/she shall have the right to vote and be entitled to all privileges of membership except the right to hold club, district or international office. 

5. 5. LIFE MEMBERSHIP: Any member of this club who has maintained Active membership as a Lion for 20 or more years and has rendered outstanding service to this club, his/her community, or this Association; or any member who is critically ill; or any member of this 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 this club upon:

1. 1. recommendation of this club to the association,

2. 2. payment to the association of $300.00, or its equivalent in the respective national currency, by this club in lieu of all future dues to the association, and

3. 3. approval by the International Board of Directors. Nothing herein shall prevent this 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.

Section C. No person shall simultaneously hold membership, other than Honorary, in this and any other Lions club; and no person shall simultaneously hold membership, other than Honorary, in this Lions club and any other service club of like character.

Section D. Membership in this 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 chairman or the club secretary, who, after investigation, 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 this 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 Lion member.

Section E. Transfer of membership: This 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 (1) a completed transfer member form is received by the secretary of this club within six (6) months following the date of termination of membership in his/her former club or if the form is not available, the member’s current membership card; (2) such termination was in good standing; and (3) such transfer member form or membership card is approved by the board of directors. 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 this club only under the provisions of Section D of this Article III.

ARTICLE IV- FEES AND DUES

Section A. Each new, reinstated and transfer member shall pay an entrance fee of $15.00 which shall include the current association entrance fee and be collected before such member is enrolled as a 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 of reinstatement within six (6) months of termination of his/her prior Lions club membership.

Section B. Each member of this club shall pay the following indicated regular annual dues which dues shall include an amount to cover current international and district (single or sub-and multiple) dues (to defray the subscription price of 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:

1. 1. Active $35.00

1. 1. Member-at-Large: $35.00

1. 1. Honorary: $35.00

1. 1. Privileged: $35.00

1. 1. Life: $  0.00

The treasurer of this club shall remit international and district (single or sub-and multiple) dues to the parties, and at the times, specified in the respective International and District (single or multiple) Constitution and Bylaws.

This club may require any member to pay club meeting luncheon costs in advance of any luncheon, but such costs shall not be assessed as part of regular annual dues.

No dues, fees, or assessments in addition to those set forth herein may be levied on, or required of, any member by this club.

Dues may be raised as needed, to reflect a portion, not exceeding 10%, to remain with Lions Club of Mt. Hood.

ARTICLE V - RESIGNATIONS

Any member may resign from this club, and said resignation shall become effective upon acceptance thereof 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 this club and association have been surrendered.

ARTICLE VI - FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

Section A. The secretary shall submit to the board of directors the name of any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this club within 60 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice thereof. The board shall thereafter decide whether the member shall be dropped from or retained on the roster.

Section B. Any member may be expelled from the club for cause by a two-thirds vote of the entire board of directors.

Section C. The name of any active member who shall absent himself/herself from six consecutive regular meetings of this club, without acceptable cause being given to the attendance committee chairman or the club secretary, shall be submitted to the board of directors by the secretary at the board meeting next following the sixth such absence, and the board of directors shall direct the attendance committee to investigate the reasons for the absences and report its findings to the board. The board shall thereafter decide whether the member shall be dropped or retained.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

Section A. The officers of this club shall be a president, immediate past president, first vice president, second vice president, third vice president, secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer, tail twister, all directors and house manager.

Section B. No person shall be eligible to hold office in this club unless he/she an active member in good standing.

Section C. No officer shall receive any compensation for any service rendered to this club in his/her officialcapacity with the exception of the secretary, whose compensation, if any, shall be fixed by the board of directors.

Section D. Duties:

1. 1. PRESIDENT: He/she shall be the chief executive officer of this club; preside at all meetings of the board of directors and this club; issue the call for regular and special meetings of the board of directors and the club; appoint the standing and special committees of this club and cooperate with chairmen thereof to effect regular functioning and reporting of such committees; see that regular elections are duly called, noticed and held; and cooperate with, and be an active member of, the district governor's advisory committee of the zone in which this club is located.

2. 2. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: He/she and the other past presidents shall officially greet members and their guests at club meetings and shall represent this club in welcoming all new service-minded people in the community served by this club.

3. 3. 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 this club as the president shall designate.

4. 4. 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 and the district (single of sub-and multiple) in which this club is located, and the association. In fulfillment of this, he/she shall:
      1. 1. Submit regular monthly and other reports to the international office of the association on blanks provided by it containing such information as may be called for therein and otherwise by the board of directors of the association;
      1. 1. Submit to the district governor’s cabinet such reports as it may require including copies of regular membership and activities reports;
      1. 1. Cooperate with and be an active member of the district governor’s advisory committee of the zone in which this club is located;
      1. 1. Have custody and keep and maintain general records of this club, including records of minutes of club and board meetings; attendance; committee appointments; elections; classifications (if any); addresses and telephone numbers of members; members club accounts;
      1. 1. Issue quarterly or semi-annual statements to each member for dues and other financial obligations owed to this club collect and turn the same over to the club treasurer and obtain a receipt therefor;
      1. 1. Give bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in such sum and with such surety as determined by the board of directors.

5. 5. TREASURER: He/she or his/her agent shall:

1. 1. Receive all monies, from the secretary and otherwise, and deposit the same in a bank or banks recommended by the finance committee and approved by the board of directors;

1. 1. Pay out monies in payment of club obligations only on authority given by the board of directors. All checks and vouchers shall be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by one other officer, determined by the board of directors;

1. 1. Have custody and keep and maintain general records of club receipts and disbursements;

1. 1. Prepare and submit monthly financial reports to the board of directors of this club;

1. 1. Give bond for the faithful discharge of his/her office in such sum and with such surety as determined by the board of directors.

6. 6. LION TAMER: The Lion tamer shall have charge of and be responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club, including flags, banners, gong, gavel, song books and button board. He/she shall put each in its proper place before each meeting and return the same to the proper place after each meeting. He/she shall act as sergeant-at-arms at meetings, see that those present are properly seated, and distribute bulletins, favors and literature as required at club and board meetings. He/she shall 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.

7. 7. TAIL TWISTER: He/she shall promote harmony, good fellowship, life and enthusiasm in the meetings through appropriate stunts and games and the judicious imposition of fines on club members. There shall be no ruling from his/her decision in imposing a fine, provided, however, that no fine shall exceed 25 cents and no member shall be fined more than twice at any one meeting. The tail twister may not be fined except by the unanimous vote of all members present. All monies collected by the tail twister shall be immediately turned over to the treasurer and a receipt be given therefor.

8. 8. HOUSE MANAGER: The house manager shall be the chairman of the building committee, and shall be responsible for the use and maintenance of the club’s buildings, furnishings and grounds. He/she shall be responsible for the reservation, rental and fee collection for the use of the club’s facilities.

ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section A. The members of the board of directors shall be the president, immediate past president, the vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, Lion tamer, tail twister, all directors and the house manager.

Section B. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held monthly at such time and place as the board shall determine.

Section C: Special meetings of the board of directors shall be held when called by the president, or when requested by five (5) or more members of the board of directors, at such time and place as the president shall determine.

Section D. The presence in person, of a majority, eight or more, of the members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors. Except as otherwise specified, 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 E. Duties and Powers: In addition to those powers, expressed and implied, set forth elsewhere in this Constitution and Bylaws, the board shall have the following duties and powers:

1. 1. It shall constitute the executive board of this club, and be responsible for the execution, through the club officers, of the policies approved by the club. All new business and policy of this 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.

1. 1. It shall authorize all expenditures and shall not create any indebtedness beyond the current income of the club, nor authorize disbursal of club funds for purposes inconsistent the business and policies authorized by the club membership.

1. 1. It shall have power to modify, override, or rescind the action of any officer of the club.

1. 1. It shall have the books, accounts and operations of this club audited 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 this club. Any member of this club in good standing may inspect such audit or accounting upon request at a reasonable time and place.

1. 1. It shall appoint, on recommendation of the finance committee, a bank or banks for the deposit of the funds of this club.

1. 1. It shall appoint the surety for the bonding of any officer of this Club.

1. 1. It shall not authorize, nor permit, the expenditure, for any administrative purpose, of the net income of projects or activities of this club by which funds are raised from the public.

1. 1. Excepting emergency decisions, 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.

1. 1. It shall name and appoint, subject to approval of the club membership, the delegates and alternates of this club to district (single or sub-multiple) and international conventions.

1. 1. It shall maintain at least two bank accounts. The first fund to deposit administrative monies such as dues, tail twisting fines and other internally raised club funds. A second fund shall be established to deposit activity or public welfare monies raised by asking support from the public. Disbursement from such funds shall be in strict compliance with Section E (7) of this Article VIII.

ARTICLE IX - ELECTIONS

The officers of this club, excluding the immediate past president, shall be elected as follows:

Section A. At the first meeting in February the President shall appoint a nominating committee.

Section B. At the first meeting in March, the nominating committee shall announce its nominees. The President then calls for nominations from the floor for each office in the descending order of rank, beginning with President. Each member shall be notified by mail at least ten days prior to this meeting.

Section C. 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 D. At the first meeting in April, the club election shall be held, notice of which shall be included in the nomination notice (See B above). Elections shall be conducted in the descending order of rank and by secret, written ballot. At the election meeting, only defeated candidates may be nominated for lower office. The election shall be conducted by the nominating committee above, a statement that these nominees will be voted upon at this election meeting. No nominations may be made from the floor at the election meeting

Section E. Subject to the provisions of Section H of this Article IX, all officers, other than directors, shall be elected annually and shall take office on July 1^st, and shall hold office for one year from that date, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.

Section F. One-half of the directors shall be elected annually and shall take office on the July 1^st next following their election, and shall hold office for two 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 this Constitution and Bylaws, one-half of the directors shall be elected for two terms and the other one-half of the directors shall be elected for one year terms.

Section G. The election shall be by ballot by those present and qualified to vote. A plurality vote shall be necessary to elect.

Section H. REMOVAL: Any officer of this club may be removed from office for good cause by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire club membership.

ARTICLE X - VACANCIES

Section A. If the office of president or of any vice president shall become vacant for any reason, the vice president shall advance in office, according to their rank. In the event such provision for advancement shall fail to fill the office of president, or first or second vice president, the board of directors shall thereon call a special election, giving each member in good standing prior two (2) weeks’ notice of the time and place thereof, which time and place shall be determined by said board, and such office shall be filled at said election meeting.

In the event of a vacancy in any 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 B hereinafter. Such notice may be given by any remaining officer or director, but if none, then by any member.

Section B. 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. Two (2) weeks prior notice of such meeting, setting forth the purpose, time and place thereof, shall be given to each member, by 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 XI - MEETINGS

Section A. Regular meetings of this club shall be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month excepting the second meeting of November and December.

Section B. Special meetings of the club may be called by the president, in his/her discretion, and shall be called 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 hereof shall be given to each member of this club, by mail or personal delivery, at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof.

Section C. An annual meeting of this club shall be held in June of each year at a time and place determined by the board of directors, at which meeting the final reports of the retiring officers shall be read and newly elected officers shall be installed.

Section D. The second meeting in July shall celebrate chartering of this club, and special attention shall be devoted to the club’s objects, ethics and history.

Section E. The presence in person of “one-third” the members in good standing shall be necessary for a quorum at any meeting of this club.

Section F. Any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this club within 60 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice thereof shall thereon 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 G. 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.

ARTICLE XII - EMBLEM, COLOR, FISCAL YEAR

Section A. The emblem and colors of this club shall be the same as the emblem and colors of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

Section B. The fiscal year of this club shall be July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE XIII - DELEGATES TO INTERNATIONAL AND DISTRICT

(SINGLE OR SUB-AND MULTIPLE) CONVENTIONS

Section A. In as much as the International Association of Lions Clubs is governed by Lions Clubs in convention assembled, and in order that this club may have its voice in association matters, this club shall have power to pay the necessary expenses of its delegates to each annual convention of the association. This 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 this 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 certificate signed by the president or secretary or any other duly authorized officer of this club, or, in the event no such club officer is in attendance at the convention, by the district governor or district governor-elect of the district (single or sub- and multiple) of which this club is a member.

Section B. In as much as all district matters are presented and adopted at the district (single, sub- and multiple) conventions, this club may send its full quota of delegates to all such conventions and have power to pay the necessary expenses of such delegates attending such conventions. This club shall be entitled in each annual convention of its district (single or sub- and multiple) to one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members, or major fraction thereof, of this 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 this 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 XIV - HONORARY MAILING LIST

The International Association of Lions Clubs and the district governor shall be included on the mailing list of this club.

ARTICLE XV -PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICES

Except, as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution and Bylaws, all questions of order or procedure with respect to any meeting or action of this 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 XVI - AMENDMENTS

Section A. This constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting of this 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 the board has previously considered the merits of the amendments.

Section B. No amendment shall be put to vote, unless written notice thereof, stating the proposed amendment shall have been mailed or delivered personally to each member of this club at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote on the proposed amendment is to be taken.

BYLAWS

NO. 1

This club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office, nor shall partisan politics of sectarian religion be debated by members in meetings of this club.

NO. 2

Except to further his/her progress in Lionism, no officer or member of this 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.

NO. 3

No funds shall be solicited from members of the club during meetings by any individual or individuals who are not members of the club. Any suggestion or proposition made at any meeting of this club calling for the expenditures of money for other than the regular obligations or for emergencies shall be referred to the finance committee.

NO. 4

Section A. The following standing committees may be appointed by the president, except for the members and chairman of the membership committee, who are elected (See Article IX, Section F).

1. 1. Administrative Committees

1. 1. Budget and finance

1. 1. Constitution and Bylaws

1. 1. Lions Information and Leadership

1. 1. Membership and Attendance

1. 1. Program

1. 1. Public Relations

1. 1. Nominations

2. 2. Activities Committees

1. 1. Building Committee

1. 1. Community Betterment

1. 1. Community Social Problems

1. 1. Education

1. 1. Health, Sight and Hearing

1. 1. Youth

Other activities of Lionism for which committees maybe appointed are: Citizenship Services, Educational Services, Health Services, Social Services, Recreational Services, Public Services, and International Youth Camps.

Section B. Special Committees: from time to time, the president may appoint, with the approval of the board of directors, such special committees as may be necessary in his/her judgement or the judgement of the board of directors.

Section C. The president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section D. All committees shall consist of a chairman and, subject to Section B above, as many members as shall be considered necessary by the president.

Section E. Each committee, through its chairman, shall report, either verbally or in writing, each month to the board of directors.

Section F. All problems pertaining to either administrative or activity matters shall be referred to the corresponding committee for study and recommendation to the Board of Directors.

NO. 5

Section A. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting of this club at which a quorum is present, by the vote of a majority of the members present in person and voting.

Section B. No amendment shall be put to vote unless written notice thereof, stating the proposed amendment, shall have been mailed or delivered personally to each member at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is to be taken.

NO. 6

Any bylaw except Bylaws Number 1 and 2 may be suspended at any meeting of the club at which a quorum is present by the unanimous vote of all members present