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 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 Club in the community.

     (B) Affiliate Member: A quality individual of the community who currently is not able to fully participate as an active member of the Club but desires to support the Club and its community service initiatives and be affiliated with club, and upon whom the Board of Directors desires to confer this status. The Board of Directors shall be review this status every six months. An Affiliate Member may be eligible to vote on Club matters at meetings where he is present in person but may not represent the Club as a delegate at District, State or International meetings or conventions.  He will not be eligible to hold office or accept committee assignments in this Club, District or International.  An Affiliate member shall be required to pay such dues as the Club may charge. 

     (C) ASSOCIATE MEMBER: A Member of this Club who holds primary membership in another Lions Club but maintains a residence or is employed in the community served by this club.  An Associate Member may be eligible to vote on Club matters at meetings where he is present in person but may not represent the Club as a delegate at District, State or International meetings or conventions.  He will not be eligible to hold office or accept committee assignments in this Club, District or International.  An Associate member shall be required to pay such dues, as the Club shall deem proper. 

     (D) HONORARY: An individual, not a Member of this Club, having performed outstanding service for the community or this Club, upon whom the membership desires to confer special distinction. This Club shall pay entrance fees and International and District dues on such a Members, who may attend meetings, but shall not be entitled to any privileges of Active Membership. 

     (E) LIFE MEMBER: 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 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.  A Life Member shall have all privileges of Active Membership so long as he fulfills all obligations thereof.
          (1) Recommendation of this Club to Lions International,
          (2) Payment to the Association of $300.00 by this Club, in lieu of all future dues to the Association, and
          (3)Approval by the International Board of Directors. 
          (4) A Life Member who desires to relocate and receives, as invitation to join another Lions Club shall 
                automatically become a Life Member of said Club

     (F) MEMBER-AT-LARGE: A Member of this Club who has moved from the community, or because of health or other legitimate reason, is unable to regularly attend Club meetings and desires to retain membership in this club, and upon whom the Board of Directors desires to confer this status. The Board of Directors shall review this status every six months.  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 Club may charge, which dues shall include District and International dues.

     (G) PRIVILEGED: A Member of this Club who has been a Lion 15 or more years, who because of illness, infirmities, advanced age or other legitimate reason, as determined by the Board, must relinquish his active status. A Privileged Member shall pay such dues as the Club may charge, which dues shall include District and International dues. He 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.

     Section 2. DUAL MEMBERSHIP:  No person shall simultaneously hold membership, other than honorary or associate, in this and any other Lions club.

     Section 3. RESIGNATIONS: Any Member may resign from this 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 the right to use of the name “LIONS,” the emblem and other insignia of the Club and this Association have been surrendered.

      Section 4. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP: Any Member dropped from membership in good standing 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 and will retain their prior lions service record. In the event more 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 5. 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 if 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 of or membership card is approved by the Board. If more than six (6) 
                months have elapsed between termination of membership in another club and resubmittal of completed
                transfer member form or current membership card, he may acquire membership in this Club only
                under the provisions of Section E of Article III.

     Section 6. FAILURE TO PAY:  Failure to pay said dues after 60 days of the billing cycle may be cause for forfeiture of membership.  The Secretary and/or Treasurer shall submit to the Board the name of any member who fails to pay any indebtedness due this Club after 90 days. The Board shall then decide whether the Member shall be dropped from or retained on the roster.

Section 7. ATTENDANCE: The club shall encourage regular attendance at club meetings and activities.  Where a member misses consecutive meetings or activities, the club shall make every effort to contact that member to encourage and promote regular attendance.  When requested, the names of any active Member who shall absent himself from four consecutive regular meetings of the Club, without acceptable cause being given to the Secretary, shall be submitted to the Board. The Directors may investigate the reasons for the absences and decide whether the member shall be dropped or retained.

      Section 1. DUTIES: 

     PRESIDENT:  Shall be the chief executive officer of this Club; preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors; issue the call for regular and special meetings of Board and the Club; appoint the standing and special committees of the Club and cooperate with the chairmen thereof to effect regular functioning and reporting of such committees; see that regular elections are duly called, noticed and hold; and cooperate with, and be an active member of the District Governor’s Advisory Committee of the Zone in which this Club is located. Specifically, and in addition, each new President shall appoint a Budget Committee to prepare a recommended operating and capital budget for the current fiscal year.

     IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: 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.

     VICE PRESIDENTS: If the President is unable to perform the duties of his office for any reason, the Vice President next in rank shall occupy his position and perform his 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. 

     SECRETARY:  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 in which this Club is located, and the Association. In fulfillment of this, shall:
          Submit regular monthly and other reports to the International office of the Association on the blanks 
          provided by it containing such information as may be called for therein and otherwise by the Board of 
          Directors of the Association;

          Submit to the District Governor’s cabinet such reports as it may require including copies of regular 
         Membership and activity reports; 

          Cooperate with and be an active member of the District Governor’s Advisory Committee of the Zone in 
          which this Club is located; 

          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. 

          Receive and deposit dues from the Members, and other financial organizations owing money to this Club, 
          and turn the same over to the Club Treasurer and obtain a receipt therefore; 

          Give bond for the faithful discharge of his office in such sum and with such surety as may be determined
           by the Board. 

          The Secretary shall review Affiliate and Member at Large status every six months and make a 
          recommendation of retention or removal to the Board.

          Upon mutual agreement, the Secretary or Treasurer may submit billing statements to the members.
          Note: If the Board of Directors, exercises its discretionary authority, determines that the duties of a paid
          position shall be those assigned to the SECRETARY as described above, that position shall be called 
          EXECUTIVE SECRETARY and the appointee will be considered an agent or employee of the Club and 
          not an Officer within the intent of this Article.

      TREASURER:  Shall Receive all monies, previously deposited from the Secretary and otherwise, and immediately deposit any project money in the same bank or banks recommended by the Finance Committee and approved by the Board:

         Pay out monies in payment of Club obligations only on authority given by the Board or President as 
         previously approved by the Board. All checks and vouchers shall be signed by the Treasurer and 
         countersigned by one other Officer, as determined by the Board 

          Have custody and keep and maintain general financial records of the Club receipts and disbursements; 

          Prepare and submit monthly financial reports to the Board of Directors. 

          Give bond for the faithful discharge of his office in such sum and with such surety as may be determined by
          the Board. 

          The Treasurer of this Club shall remit International and District dues to the parties, at the times specified
          in the respective International and District Constitution and By-Laws.
          Note: The Board of Directors, in using its discretionary authority, may designate the elected Office of 
          Treasurer as SECRETARY-TREASURER for purposes of preserving the role and ceremonial duties of 
          an elected Secretary when an executive secretary is in place.

     MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: The Membership Director shall be the chairman of the Membership Committee. The responsibilities for this position shall be:

          Development of a growth program specifically for the Club and presented to the Board of Directors for
          approval. 

          Regular encouragement at Club meetings to bring in new quality Members.

          Preparation and implementation of orientation sessions.

          Reporting to the Board of Directors on ways to reduce the loss of Members. 

          Coordination with other Club Committees in fulfilling these responsibilities. 

          Serving as a Member of the zone level Membership Committee.

      LION TAMER: The Lion Tamer shall have charge of and be responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the Club, including flag, banners, gong, gavel, songbooks, and button board. He shall put each in its proper place before each meeting and return the same to the proper storage area after each meeting. He 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 shall give special attention to assure that each new Member sits with a different group at each meeting so that he can become better acquainted.

     TAIL TWISTER: He 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 decision in imposing a fine, provided however, that no fine shall exceed 10 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 immediately be turned over to the Treasurer and a receipt be given therefore.

     Section 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE: No person shall be eligible to hold office in this Club unless he is an Active Member in good standing. The prerequisite for holding the office of President is that the Member shall have previously served one full term as First Vice President. The prerequisite for holding the office of First Vice President is that the Member shall have served one full term as a member of the Club’s Board of Directors.

     Section 3. COMPENSATION:  The Board of Directors may exercise its discretionary authority and determine that a stipend may be paid to any director to offset expenses accomplishing the duties of those assigned to the positions as described in this Article.

     Section 1. REGULAR MEETINGS:  Regular meetings of this Club shall be held, no less than twice in each month, at a time and place recommended by the Board and approved by the Membership. All meetings shall begin and end, promptly, at the regularly 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 deems proper.

     Section 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS: 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, by mail or personal delivery, at least ten (10) days prior to the date thereof.

     Section 3. CHARTER ANNIVERSARY: 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 the Club.

     Section 4. ANNUAL MEETING: An annual meeting of this Club shall be held in June of each year at a time and place determined by the Board, at which meeting the final reports of the retiring Officers may be read and newly elected Officers shall be installed.

     Section 5. QUORUMS: 
     (a) 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.  The act of a majority of the Members present at any meeting shall be the act 
          and decision of the entire Club.
     (b) The presence in person of a majority of the board Members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of 
           the Board. 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.

     Section 6. GOOD STANDING:  Any member who fails to pay said dues or any other indebtedness due to this club within 60 days of the billing cycle shall forfeit his 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 shall be held monthly at such time and place, as they shall determine.

     Section 8.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings of the Board 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 9. EMERGENCY MEETINGS:  An emergency meeting may be conducted electronically by E-mail and/or fax when a matter needs to be addressed immediately.  A quorum shall have been obtained by a majority of those board members responding either electronically or verbally.

 The Officers of this Club, excluding the Immediate Past President, shall be elected as follows:

     Section 1. NOMINATION MEETING: 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 and notice thereof mailed to each Member of the Club at least ten (10) days prior to the time of the holding thereof.

     Section 2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee, which shall submit the names of candidates for the various offices to the Club at the nomination meeting. At the nomination meeting nominations for all offices to be filled in the succeeding year may also be made from the floor subject to the eligibility requirements described in Article VIII, Section B, and Qualifications.

     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 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 April 15 of each year, at a time and place determined by the Board, and two weeks prior written notice shall be given to each Member 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 5. ANNUAL ELECTION: 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, and 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 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 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 it’s vice chairman and the third year member shall serve as its chairman and as Membership Director on the Club’s Board of Directors.

     Section 7. DIRECTORS ELECTION: One-half of the Directors shall be elected annually and shall take office on the July 1 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.  The president elect may appoint one member in good standing to serve as an appointed director for a term of one year who shall take office at the same time and in the same fashion as elected directors.

     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 First or Second Vice President, the Board of Directors shall thereon call a special election, giving each Member in good standing two (2) weeks prior 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 the office of Third Vice President, the Board may appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.

     In the event of a vacancy in any other office, the Board 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 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 10. REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS-ELECT: 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 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.

     Section 1. ENTRANCE FEE: Each New, Reinstated, or Transfer Member shall pay an entrance fee as determined the Board at the beginning of each fiscal year. The entrance fee so set 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 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 prior Lions Club membership. 

     Section 2. ANNUAL DUES: Each Member of this Club shall pay the regular dues for the various classifications of membership in the amount to be determined by the Board at the beginning of each new fiscal year. Such dues shall include sums sufficient to cover current luncheon meetings, current International and District dues, (Note: “District” as used above and hereinafter refers to single or sub- and multiple Districts.) to defray the subscription price of THE LION Magazine, administrative and annual convention costs. Such dues shall be pro-rated and paid semi-annually or, as the Board shall determine. The level of regular dues set by the Board shall be published and distributed to the membership in as such a manner deemed appropriate by the Secretary and/or Treasurer.

     Section 3. ADDITIONAL 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 Member unless directed by the district or Lions International; however, this Club may require the Membership to pay additional Club luncheon-meeting costs in advance of any special luncheon. 

     Section 4. LIFE MEMBER DUES:  Other than International, A life member shall pay other such dues, as the Club shall deem proper.

     Section 1. STANDING COMMITTEES: The following standing committees may be appointed by the President, except for the members and chairman of the Membership Committee, who are elected. 

     Administrative Committees
          (1) Administrative Committees
          (2) Attendance
          (3) Constitution and By-Laws
          (4) Convention
          (5) Finance
          (6) Lions Information
          (7) Membership
          (8) Program
          (9) Public Relations 
          (10) Bulletin Editor
          (11) Greeter
          (12) Leadership Development

     Activities Committees
         (1) Drug Awareness
         (2) Diabetes Awareness
         (3) Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind
         (4) Hearing and speech Action and Work with the Deaf
         (5) Environmental Services
         (6) Leo Club Program
         (7) Youth Exchange Program
         (8) Lioness Club Program
         (9) International Relations Program

     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 2. 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. 

     Section 3.  PRESIDENT EX-OFFICO: The President shall be an Ex-officio Member of all committees.

     Section 4. COMPOSITION: 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 5. COMMITTEE REPORTING: Each committee, through its chairman, shall report either verbally or in writing, each month to the Board of Directors.

     Section 6. COMMITTEE DISPUTES: All problems pertaining to either administrative or activity matters shall be referred to the corresponding committee for study and recommendation to the Board.

     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.

     Section 1. EMBLEM, COLORS: The emblem and colors of this club shall be the same as the emblem and colors of Lions International.

     Section 2.  FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year of this club shall be July 1 through June 30th. 

     Section 3. HONORARY MAILING LISTS: The International Association of Lions Clubs and the District Governor shall be included on the mailing list of this Club.

     Section 4.  PARTISAN POLITICS/REGELION: This Club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office, nor shall partisan politics or sectarian religion be debated by Members in Club meetings.

     Section 5. PERSONAL BENEFIT: Except to further his progress in Lionism, no Officer or Member of this Club shall use his Membership as a means to furthering any personal, political, or other aspiration, not shall the Club as a whole, take part in any movement not in keeping with its purpose and objectives.

     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 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.

     Section 1. AMENDING PROCEDURE: These By-Laws, may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present, by the vote of a majority of the Members present in person and voting.

     Section 2. NOTICE: No amendment shall be put to vote unless written notice thereof, stating the proposed amendment, shall have been made to each Member at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is to be taken.