|
Name, Slogan and Motto
Section A - The name of this organization shall be the Lions Club of Toronto Cathay Lions Club 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.
Purposes and Objects
The Objects of the club shall be:
- To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
- To Promote the principle 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 clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.
- To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.
- To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.
Membership
Section A - Subject to the provisions of Section B hereinafter, any person of legal majority and good moral character and good reputation in his community, many be granted membership in this 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 B - Membership in this Lions Club shall be as follows:
A Life Member shall have all privileges of active membership so long as he 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 the said club.
Section C - Classification: In the event the membership of this Lions Club elects to grant and maintain membership on a classification basis, the following rules shall apply:
Section D - No person shall simultaneously hold membership, other than Honorary, in this day and 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 E - 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 and membership fee must be in the hands of the secretary before the member may officially be inducted into the club or be reported to the association as a club member.
Section F - Reinstatement of Membership: Any member dropped from membership in this club may be reinstated, within six (6) months from the date of termination of his membership by a majority vote of the board of directors. In the event tmore than six (6) months have elapsed between such termination and his reinstatement application, it will be necessary for him to come into the club under the procedure set forth in Section E of this Article III.
Section G - Transfer Membership: This club may grant membership on a transfer basis to one who has terminated or is terminating his 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 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 membership in another club and submittal of completed transfer member form or current membership card, he may acquire membership in this club only under the provisions of Section E of this Article III.
Fees and Dues
Section A - Each new, reinstated and transfer member shall pay an entrance fee of $__________ which fee shall include the current association entrance fee and be collected before such member is enrolled as a member of this 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 reinstatement within six (6) months of termination of his 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:
The treasurer of this club shall remit international and district (sub or sub- and multiple) dues to the parties, and at the times, specified in the respective International and District (single or multiple) Constitution and By-Laws.
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, its board of directors or any officer or member of this club.
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 this association have been surrendered.
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 from four consecutive regular meetings of the 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 fourth 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.
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 and all directors.
Section B - No person shall be eligible to hold office in this club unless he is an active member in good standing.
Section C - No officer shall receive any compensation for any service rendered to this club in his official capacity with the exception of the secretary, whose compensation, if any, shall be fixed by the board of directors.
Section D - Duties
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 and all elected directors.
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 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 of its members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board of directors. Except as otherwise specifically provided, 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 duties and powers, express and implied, set forth elsewhere in this Constituion and By-Laws, the board of directors shall have the following duties and powers:
Elections
The officers of this club, excluding the immediate past president, shall be elected as follows:
Section A - A nomination meeting shall be held in March of each year, with the date and place of such meeting to be determined by the board of directors and notice thereof mailed to each member of this club at least ten days prior to the time of the holding thereof.
Section B - The president shall appoint a nominating committee which shall submit the names of candidates for the various club offices to the club at the nomination meeting. At this meeting nominations for all offices to be filled in the succeeding year may also be made from the floor.
Section C - If 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 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 - An election meeting shall be held no later than April 15 of each year, at a time and place determined by the board of directors, and two weeks prior written notice thereof shall be given to each member of the club by the secretary, by mail or personal delivery. Such notice shall include the names of all nominees approved at the preceding nomination meeting, and, subject to Section C 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 1st, and shall hold office for one year from that date, or until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
Section F - A membership committee shall be composed of three elected members for a three-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 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 system. Thus, the first year member shall be a member of the committee, the second year member shall be its vice chairman and the third year member shall serve as its chairman and as membership director on the club's board of directors.
Section G - 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 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 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 H - The election shall be by ballot by those present and qualified to vote. A plurality vote shall be necessary to elect.
Section I - 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.
Vacancies
Section A - 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 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.
Section B - In the event any officer-elect, before his 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 offer-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.
Meetings
Section A - Regular meetings of this club shall be held, no less than twice each month, 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 this Constitution and By-Laws, notice of regular meetings shall be given in such manner as the board of directors deems proper.
Section B - Special meetings of the club may be called by the president, in his 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 thereof 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 - A charter night anniversary meeting of this club may be held each year, at which time special attention shall be devoted to the objects and ethics of Lionism, and the history of this club.
Section D - An annual meeting of this club shall be held in June of eacch 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 E - The presence in person of a majority of 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 indebtedness due this club within 60 days after receipt from the secretary of written notice thereof shall thereon forfeit his good standing and shall so remain until such indebtedness is paid in full. Only memebers 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.
Emblem, Colors, 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.
Delegates to International and District (Single or Sub- and Multiple) Conventions
Section A - Inasmuch 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 section 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-) of which this club is a member.
Section B - Inasmuch as all district matters are presented and adopted by the district (single, sub- and multiple) conventions, this club shall send its full quota of delegates to all such conventions and have power to pay te 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 thath 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 choice on each question submitted to, the respective convention. The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more members.
Honorary Mailing List
The International Association of Lions Clubs and the district governor shall be included on the mailing list of this club.
Parliamentary Practices
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution and By-Laws, 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.
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 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 taken.
This 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.
Except to further his progress in Lionism, no officer or member of this club shall use his membership as a mean 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 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 propostition made at any meeting of this club calling for the expenditure of money for other than the regular obligations shall be referred to the finance committee.
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).
Other activities of Lionism for which committees may be 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 jugment or the jugment 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.
Section A - These by-laws 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.
Any by-laws except By-Laws 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.