District 11-E 1 LIONS OF MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION April 1999

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ARTICLE I	NAME
Section 1	This organization shall be known as District 11-E1 of Multiple District 11, hereinafter referred to as “District” of the International Association of Lions Club, hereinafter referred to as “Lions International"
ARTICLE II	OBJECTS
Section 1	To provide an administrative structure with which to advance the Purpose and Objects of Lions International in this District
ARTICLE III	MEMBERSHIP
Section 1	The members of this Organization shall be all Lions Clubs in this District chartered by Lions International.
Section 2	The District shall consist of the counties of Benzie, Clare, Grand Traverse, Isabella, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Wexford.
Section 3.	Wherever the male gender or pronoun appears in the District 11-E1 Constitution and By-Laws, it shall be interpreted to mean both male and female persons
ARTICLE IV	DISTRICT OFFICERS
Section 1	The officers of the District shall be the District governor, who shall be presiding officer; Immediate Past District Governor; Vice District Governor; Cabinet Secretary; Cabinet Treasurer; Region chairmen; Zone Chairmen; and the presidents and secretaries of the clubs.  Provided, however, the District Governor shall have the authority to determine whether the position of Region Chairman will be utilized during his term.  If not so utilized, the position of Region Chairman shall remain vacant during his term.  Inasmuch as the office of Region Chairman is an elective position, and in order to give the candidate sufficient time in which to campaign, candidates for the office of District Governor shall declare their intention whether to utilize Region Chairmen on or before January 2 of the year in which they seek election; otherwise it is understood that the office of Region Chairman shall be utilized.
Section 2.	A candidate for the office of District Governor shall: a.  Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in District 11-E1. b.  Secure the endorsement of his Club or a majority of the Clubs in the District. c.  Currently be serving as the Vice District Governor of District 11-E1 d.  Only in the event the current Vice District Governor does not stand for election as District Governor, or if a vacancy in the position Vice District Governor exists at the time of the district convention, any club member who fulfills the qualifications for the office of Vice District Governor and who is currently serving or who has served one (1) additional year as a member of the district cabinet, shall fulfill the requirements of subsection (c) of this section.
Section 3.	No elected District Governor shall be permitted to succeed himself by election or appointment, except with the approval of the International Board of Directors.
Section 4.	A candidate for the office of Vice District Governor shall: a.  Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in District 11-E1. b.  Secure the endorsement of his Club or a majority of the Clubs in the District c.  Have served or will have served at the time he takes office as Vice District Governor: 1.  As President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no less than two (2) additional years; and 2.  As Zone Chairman or Region Chairman or Cabinet Secretary, or Cabinet Treasurer for a full term or major portion thereof; and 3.  With none of the above qualifications being accomplished concurrently.
Section 5.	Region Chairmen shall be elected for a term of one (1) year by a majority vote of the delegates present from the Clubs in the Region at the Annual District Convention.  They shall take office immediately on adjournment of the International Convention next succeeding their election, serving until adjournment of the next following International Convention.  A candidate for the office of Region Chairman shall: a.  Be an active member in good standing of a chartered Lions Club in good standing in his Region b.  Secure the endorsement of his Club. c.  Have served or will have served at the time he takes office as Region Chairman 1.  As President of a Lions Club for a full term or a major portion thereof, and a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no less than two (2) additional years; and 2.  As Zone Chairman or Cabinet Secretary, or Cabinet Treasurer for a full term or a major portion thereof. 3.  With none of the above qualifications being accomplished Concurrently
Section 6.	The District Governor shall appoint within thirty (30) days after he officially takes office a Cabinet Secretary and a Cabinet Treasurer.
Section 7.	The District Governor shall appoint within thirty (30) days after he officially takes office one Zone Chairman in each Zone within the District, said appointment to be made with the assistance of the respective Region Chairman.  Each Zone Chairman shall: a.  Be an active member in good standing of a Chartered Lions Club in good standing in his Zone. b.  Have served or will have served at the time of taking office as Zone Chairman: as President of a Lions Club for a full term or major portion Thereof, and as a member of the Board of Directors of a Lions Club for no less than two (2) additional years.
Section 8.	In the event of a vacancy in the District Governor’s Cabinet, except that of District Governor, the District Governor shall have the power to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term thereof.  The appointment of a Vice District Governor or Region Chairman by the District Governor to fill a vacancy must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the cabinet.
Section 9.	In the event any Region Chairman shall during his term of office move his Club membership into a Region other than the one from which he was elected, the term of office of such person shall terminate immediately; and his successor for the remaining term shall be appointed by the District Governor.
Section 10.	In the event any Zone Chairman shall during his term of office move his club membership into a Zone other than the one from which he was appointed, the term of office of such Zone Chairman shall terminate immediately; and his successor for the remaining term shall be appointed by the District Governor.
Section 11	No salary shall be paid to any officer of the District.
ARTICLE V	DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S CABINET
Section 1	There shall be a District Governor’s Cabinet composed of the District Governor as its presiding officer, Immediate Past District Governor, Vice District Governor, Region Chairmen, Zone Chairmen, Cabinet Secretary, and Cabinet Treasurer.  The Chairmen of the various District Committees shall be members with no vote
Section 2	A majority of the voting members of the District Governor’s Cabinet shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3	The District Governor shall call at least one regular meeting of the District Governor’s Cabinet each quarter during the year, and the first of these meetings shall be held within forty-five (45) days after the adjournment of the preceding International Convention.  Ten (10) days written notice of the District Governor’s Cabinet Meeting shall be given to each member by the Cabinet Secretary.  Special meetings of the District Governor’s Cabinet may be called by the District Governor at his discretion and shall be called upon written request made either to the District Governor or to the Cabinet Secretary by a majority of the members of the Cabinet.  Not less than five (5) days written notice of special meetings of the District Governor’s Cabinet shall be given to each member by the Cabinet Secretary.
Section 4.	In the event of the absence of the District Governor at a Cabinet meeting, the Vice District Governor will preside and perform the duties of the District Governor
ARTICLE VI	DISTRICT ORGANIZATION
Section 1.	The District shall be divided by its District Governor into Regions of, preferably, sixteen (16) or less Clubs each, due regard having been given to the geographical location of the Clubs, and shall be subject to change by the District Governor as is deemed necessary for the best interests of Lionism and the individual Lions Clubs.  Such changes are to be made with the approval of the District Governor’s Cabinet not less than ninety (90) days prior to the District Convention and are to become effective with the next succeeding term of office.
Section 2	Each Region shall be divided by the District governor into Zones, which Zones shall be composed, preferably, of eight (8) or less Lions Clubs each, due regard having been given to the geographical location of the Clubs, and shall be subject to change by the District Governor as is deemed necessary for the best interests of Lionism and the individual Lions Clubs.  Such changes are to be made with the approval of the District Governor’s Cabinet not less than ninety (90) days prior to the District Convention and are to become effective with the next succeeding term of office.
Section 3.	Regional Meetings.  Meetings of representatives of all Clubs in a Region, with Region Chairman presiding, shall be held during the fiscal year at times and places fixed by the Region Chairman of the respectiveRegion.
ARTICLE VII	DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S ADIVSORY COMMITTEE
Section 1	There shall be a District Governor’s Advisory Committee in each Zone composed of the Zone Chairman and the Presidents and Secretaries of the Clubs in the Zone.  The Zone Chairman shall be the Chairman of this Committee
Section 2.	Zone Meetings.  The Zone Chairman in each Zone shall call and conduct no fewer than three (3), and preferably four (4), meetings of this District Governor’s Advisory Committee during the year.  The first of these meetings shall be held within sixty (60) days after the adjournment of the preceding International Convention; the second, in the month of November; the third, in the month of January; and a fourth, prior to the Multiple District Convention, if possible.
ARTICLE VIII	DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S HONORARY COMMITTEE
Section 1.	At the discretion of the District Governor, there may be in the District a District Governor’s Honorary Committee.  The membership of this committee shall consist chiefly of Past International Officers, Past International Directors, and Past District Governors within the District; and said membership of this committee shall be appointed by the District Governor.
Section 2	This District Governor’s Honorary Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the District Governor and shall meet when and as called upon by the District Governor to do so.
ARTICLE IX	DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION FUND
Section 1.	To provide revenue to defray the non-Convention administrative expenses of the District, an Annual District Administration Fund Per Capita Tax of Seven Dollars ($7.00) is hereby levied upon each member of each Club in the District.  It shall be collected and paid in advance by each Club in two (2) semi-annual payments as follows: one-half (1/2) of above stated tax per Club member on August 15th of each year, to cover the semi-annual period July 1 to December 31; and one-half (1/2) of the above tax per Club member on January 15th of each year, to cover the semi-annual period January 1 to June 30, with billings of the same to be based upon the membership of each Club as reported on its Membership and Attendance (M&A) report submitted for the months of June and December, respectively.  Said Tax shall be so paid to the Cabinet Secretary by each Club, except newly chartered and reorganized Clubs, which collect and pay said per capita tax on a pro-rata basis from the first day of the second month following the date of their organization, or reorganization, as the case may be.  Said per capita tax shall be disbursed only for non-Convention administrative expenses of the District and only upon approval by the District Governor Disbursements therefrom shall be by checks drawn and signed by the Cabinet Treasurer and counter-signed by the District Governor, unless otherwise provided by the District Cabinet.
Section 2.	The District Governor shall submit a proposed budget at the first Cabinet meeting of the fiscal year.  This budget shall have adequate provisions for meeting the expenses of the District, and shall provide, as far as possible, for expenses of the District Governor and Vice District Governor that are not paid by Lions International.  Expenses of the District Governor, in connection with his attendance at the International Convention, shall be considered a District Administrative expense.  Reimbursement for such expenses, for the days of actual attendance, shall be made on a basis not to exceed the amount provided in the Rules of Audit of Lions International.  In the event of a distant Convention, where the District is unable to fully finance such travel, lump-sum allowance is permissible.  When adopted, the budget allocation specified shall not be used for any purpose other than that designated without a majority vote of the District Cabinet to authorize transferring such allocations.  The Cabinet Treasurer shall provide a written, detailed report of expenditures in each category of the budget to each Cabinet member at each meeting of the Cabinet, along with a record of receipts and balances within each category.
Section 3	The District Governor and his cabinet shall not incur obligations in any fiscal year which will result in an unbalanced budget or deficit in saidfiscal year.
Section 4	The Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount and with such surety company as shall be approved by the District Cabinet, and the cost of same shall be an administrative expense.
Section 5	The District Cabinet shall provide for an annual, or more frequent, examination of the books and accounts of the Cabinet Treasurer.  A statement of the financial condition of the District shall be sent to Lions International and each Club in the District within sixty (60) days after the close of the fiscal year by the District Governor then in office.  The Cabinet Treasurer shall file the annual 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax Form with the Internal Revenue Service at the close of his Fiscal year.
ARTICLE X	MULTIPLE DISTRICT FUND
Section 1	The Cabinet Treasurer shall forward to the Treasurer of Multiple District 11 the total assessed per capita tax as levied by the Multiple District on every Club member in two (2) semi-annual payments based on the membership reported on the Membership and Attendance Reports for the months of June and December, respectively.
ARTICLE XI	DISTRICT CONVENTION
Section 1	A convention of the District shall be held annually at least thirty (30) days prior to the International Convention.  The location and dates  of the District Convention will be fixed by the District Governor after Consultation with his Cabinet officers.
Section 2	A meeting of registered delegates of the District in attendance at a Convention of Multiple District 11 may constitute the Annual Convention for District 11-E1 when so approved by the District Cabinet and with appropriate notification of Clubs in the District.  Publication in the Governor’s Newsletter at least sixty (60) days prior to opening date of the Convention shall be deemed as official notification.
Section 3	A special Convention may be called by the District Governor, with the approval of his Cabinet, at any other time as deemed necessary.  Notice of such Convention shall be sent to all Clubs at least sixty (60) days prior to opening day of such proposed Convention, and shall contain in writing the Constitutional and/or By-law changes as proposed.  Publication in the Governor’s Newsletter at least sixty (60) days prior to opening date of the Special Convention shall be deemed as official notification.  The Convention so convened shall have authority to enact the changes as proposed; and the time limits, with regard to amendments submitted for consideration at the Annual Convention, shall be waived.
Section 4	The District Governor shall have supervision over all phases of the District Convention.  However, he may appoint a Committee to assist him with local arrangements and with planning and conducting the Convention.
Section 5	Delegates present at any scheduled or Annual Convention of the District shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6	A Convention Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms shall be appointed by the District Governor.
Section 7	Each chartered Club in good standing in Lions International and the District shall be represented by one or more delegates at the District Convention and shall be entitled in each such Convention to one (1) voting  delegate and one (1) alternate for each ten (10) members, or major fraction thereof, of said Club as shown by the records of the International Office on the first day of the month last preceding the month during which the Convention is held.  The major fraction referred to in this section shall be five (5) or more members.  Further, full delegate status shall be accorded each Past District Governor who is a member of a Club in this District, independent of the Club delegate quotas herein above specified.  Each certified delegate present in person may cast one (1) vote for each office to be filled and one (1) vote only on each issue to be voted on by member of said Convention.  Unless otherwise specified herein, the affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates voting on any question shall be the act of the Convention.
Section 8	The District Governor shall retain and have power to change, at any time and for good reason, the Convention site chosen by a previous District Governor; but neither the District Governor, nor the District, nor any member in the District Cabinet shall incur any liability thereby to any Club or Club member in the District.
Section 9	Within sixty (60) days after the close of the Convention, an official report of the Convention proceedings shall be mailed to Lions International and each Club in the District by the Cabinet Secretary.Results of the election shall be reported within twenty-four (24) hours to Lions International and the State Office.
ARTICLE XII	DISTRICT CONVENTION FUND
Section 1	To provide revenue to help defray District Convention expenses and the District Governor’s expenses to attend International Convention, an Annual District Per Capita Convention Tax of one dollar ($1.00) is hereby levied upon each member of each Club in the District.  Effective July 1, 1999, it shall be collected and paid in advance by each Club in two (2) semi-annual payments as follows: one-half (1/2) of above stated tax per Club member on August 15 of each year, to cover the semi-annual period of July 1 to December 31; and one-half (1/2) of the above tax per Club member on January 15 of each year, to cover semi-annual period of January 1 to June 30, with billings of the same to be based upon the membership of each Club as reported on its Membership and Attendance (M&M) Report submitted for the months of June and December, respectively.
Section 2	Such fees as the District Governor shall set shall also be collected, under procedures set by the District Governor and approved by the District Cabinet, from each delegate, alternate, and guest attending the District Convention to defray Convention expenses.
Section 3	All receipts shall be deposited in a District Convention Fund, and all expenses shall be paid from that Fund.
Section 4	The District Convention Committee Chairman shall submit a Proposed Budget for approval by the District Cabinet.  Advance payments for Convention expenses may be made when necessary to prepare for and operate the Convention.
Section 5	The District Convention Committee Chairman shall submit a Financial Statement, showing all receipts and expenditures of the Convention, to the District governor and District Treasurer within thirty (30) days after Convention.
Section 6	The District Governor shall provide for an Annual, or more frequent, examination of the District Convention Fund, and shall give a Financial Report of said Fund to the District Cabinet at the first meeting following District Convention.
ARTICLE XIII	AMENDMENTS
Section 1.	This Constitution may be amended only at a District Convention by resolution reported by the District Constitution and By-laws Committee and adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast.
Section 2	Any proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be first approved by the Board of Directors of the Club in which the proposal originated and submitted in writing by the Club Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary on, or before, January 1 of each year prior to the convening of the District Convention.  The proposed changes shall then be promptly referred by the Cabinet Secretary to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee for consideration.  Amendments to the Constitution may also originate with the District Governor or the Constitution and By-laws Committee.  All proposals shall be transmitted by the District Governor to each Club in District at least thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the District Convention, with recommendations of the Constitution and By-laws Committee.  Publication in the Governor’s Newsletter at least thirty (30) days prior to the convening of the Convention shall be deemed as official notification.  The Constitution and By-laws Committee shall not accept any proposed amendment that is not received by the Cabinet Secretary on, or before, January 1 preceding the next scheduled District Convention.
Section 3	Each amendment shall take effect at the close of the Convention at which adopted unless otherwise specified in the amendment.
Section 4	The provisions as designated above shall not be operative in the event of a Special Convention called in accordance with Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution.