CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE LUTZ PARADISE LAKES LIONS CLUB, chartered March 13, 2001, a chapter of the Lions Clubs International

 Article I

Name, Slogan, Motto

 SECTION A: The name of this organization shall be the Paradise Lakes Lions Club, (hereinafter referred to as "the club," chartered by and under the jurisdiction of the International Association of Lions Clubs, hereinafter referred to as "the Association," and its offices referred to as "International."

 SECTION B: The club's slogan shall be " Honesty, Integrity, and Charity."

 SECTION C: The club's motto shall be "We Serve."

 SECTION D: The club's emblem shall be the Standard emblem of International in colors of gold and purple.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

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

 SECTION B: To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.

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

 SECTION D: To unite the members in the bonds of friendship, fellowship, and mutual understanding.

 SECTION E: To provide a forum of open discussions of all matters of public interest, provided that partisan politics and sectarian religion are not debated or discussed in club meetings.

 SECTION F: To encourage service minded people to serve their community without personal reward, and to encourage integrity and high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works, and private endeavors.

 ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

 SECTION A: Subject to provisions of Section B (hereinafter) any person of legal majority and good moral character and good reputation in his community, may be granted membership in this 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:

     (1)   ACTIVE MEMBER An Active Member of the club is entitled to all rights and privileges and subject to all                  obligations that a membership in a Lions Club confers, or implies. Rights and  privileges include, but are not limited to: eligibility to seek, if otherwise qualified any office in  this Club, Zone, Region, District or International, and the right to vote on all matters requiring a vote of the membership: and such obligations shall include attendance at dinner meetings,      the prompt payment of club dues, participation in fundraising and club service activities; and conduct reflecting a favorable image of this Lions Club in the community.

(2)   MEMBER AT LARGE A Member at Large is a member of this club who has moved from the community, or because of health or other legitimate reasons is unable to attend meetings and who desires to retain membership; and upon whom the Board of Directors desires to confer this status. This status shall be reviewed every six months by the Board of Directors of this club. A member‑at‑large SHALL NOT be eligible to hold office or vote in Club, Zone, Region, District or International meetings or conventions, but will pay the same dues as ACTIVE MEMBERS

(3)   HONORARY MEMBERS An Honorary Member is an individual who is not now a member of this club, but who has performed outstanding service for the community, Lionism and this club, upon whom this club desires to confer Special Distinction. This individual shall be an Honorary Member of THIS club(not Lions International) and may attend meetings of this club but shall not be entitled to voting privileges, and shall not pay dues.

(4)   PRIVILEGED MEMBERS A Privileged Member is a member of the club who has been a Lion for fifteen (15) or more years who must relinquish his membership because of illness, infirmities, advanced age, or other legitimate reason, as determined by the Board of Directors of the club. A privileged member may be required to pay such dues as required by the Board of Directors. He shall have been entitled to all rights and privileges of a regular member, except the right to hold District or International office.

(5)   LIFE MEMBER Any member of this club who has maintained continuous 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 of this club who is critically ill; or any member of this club who has maintained continuous active membership and is at least 70 years of age; or any member of this club who has maintained continuous active membership for 20 or more years and has served as an officer of this Association, may be granted Life Membership in this club upon: (i) Recommendation of this club to International. (ii) Payment to International of $300 by this club in lieu of all future dues to International, and (iii) Approval by the International Board of Directors. The club may, at its discretion, charge Life Members dues, as it shall deem proper. A Life Member shall have all privileges of active membership so long as he fulfils all obligations thereof. A Life Member who relocates and is invited to join another club shall automatically become a Life Member of said club.

 SECTION C MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this Lions Club shall be by invitation only. The following procedure shall be followed:

(1) A nomination shall be made, by a member in good standing of this club, on the form provided by International, The completed form shall be submitted to the chairperson of the Membership Committee for investigation of character and desire to serve. If the nominee is considered acceptable, the nomination is presented to the Board of directors.

(2)   Upon approval by the Board of Directors, the nomination proposal is read to the membership at the next membership meeting. If there are objections to the nominee's membership, such objections shall be submitted to the Membership Chairperson within 5 days.

(3)   Upon approval, the sponsor will invite the candidate to become a member. A properly completed membership invitation form, entrance fee, and prorated membership dues must be submitted to the club Secretary before the candidate may be officially inducted or reported to International as a member.

 SECTION D REINSTATEMENT Any member who resigns membership in this club may be reinstated within 6 months from the date of resignation upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors and the payment of dues in arrears or the initiation fee, whichever is greater. After six months application must be made as a new member,

 SECTION E TRANSFER This club may grant membership on a transfer basis to someone that has terminated or is terminating membership in another club provided that:

(1)   The applicant's membership card or a completed transfer form is received by the club Secretary within six months of termination of membership in the former club, and

(2)   Such termination was in good standing, and

(3)    The applicant provides a statement from the secretary of his former club, showing his record,

(4)    The board of Directors of this club approves such application and statement.

 ARTICLE IV

SECTION F FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

 SECTION A;

The treasurer shall submit to the secretary, the name of any member who is delinquent 60 days or more in any indebtedness to the club. The secretary shall report such information to the Board of Directors at the next Board meeting. The Board shall determine whether the member will be retained or dropped from the membership roster.

SECTION B:

Any member may be expelled from the club for cause by a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

SECTION C:

Any member who does not attend regular membership meetings or participate in club sponsored activities and therefore totally inactive for a period of six months shall be brought to the attention of the membership by the Secretary.  (i) The matter shall be investigated to ensure that the inactivity is not due to illness, family problems, military service, overseas extend assignments, six month change of location (snow birds) or any other legitimate reason. (ii) A letter to the member shall be sent warning the member that their membership will be cancelled unless they become active.  (iii) If no reply is received from the member explaining their absence in 30 days, then the membership of the person shall be brought before a general meeting with a motion to drop the member from the club rolls.

 ARTICLE V

FEES AND DUES

SECTION A:

Each new, reinstated and transfer member shall pay an entry fee, as established by the Board of Directors.

 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. ACTIVE

2. MEMBER AT LARGE

3. HONOURARY

4. PRIVILEGED

5. LIFE

 SECTION C:

A life member shall pay dues only as fixed by the  Board of Directors.

 SECTION D;

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.

 ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 SECTION A:

The officers of this club shall be:

1. A president,

2. Immediate past president,

3. First vice president,                                  

4. Second vice president,

5. Third vicepresident,

6. Secretary,

7. Treasurer,

8. Lion tamer,                                                

9. Tail twister

and all directors.

 SECTION B:

The presence in person of a majority shall constitute a quorum at any Board of Directors meeting.

 SECTION C:

No person shall be eligible to hold office in this club unless he is an active member in good standing.

 SECTION D:

No officer or member shall receive any compensation for any service rendered to this club.  No member shall receive any charitable donation from the operational fund of the club.

 SECTION E:

Duties of the Officers:

1. PRESIDENT: He shall be the chief executive officer of the club and shall:

Preside at all meetings    of the board of directors and this club; Issue the call for regular and special meetings of the board special  committees of this club and cooperate  with chairperson of committees thereof, to effect regular functioning and reporting of such committees; see that regular elections are duly called, noticed and held.

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

 3. FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT.  Shall be prepared to carryout the duties of the President in his or her absence; shall chair the membership committee.

 4.  VICE-PRESIDENTS: Shall be prepared to carryout the duties of the First Vice-President in his or her absence.

 5. SECRETARY: He 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 District R. He shall submit regular reports, as required, to the International office of the association; submit to the district governor’s cabinet  reports as it may require, including copies of regular membership and activities reports; have custody and keep and maintain general records of the club, including records of minutes of club and board meetings, attendance, committee appointments, elections, addresses and telephone numbers of members, members club accounts and club receipts and disbursements. (treasurer’s report).

 6. TREASURER: He shall: receive all monies and deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board of Directors; pay out monies in payment of Club obligations only on the authority of the Board of Directors or on a majority vote of the membership; all checks and vouchers shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by one other officer determined by the Board of Directors; Have custody and keep and maintain general records of club receipts and disbursements; Prepare and submit monthly and semi-annual financial reports to the International office of the Association and the board of directors of this club; he shall invoice members for dues on July Ist and Jan lst payable September and February.

 7.  LION TAMER: He shall have charge of and be  responsible for the property and paraphernalia of the club, including flags, banner, gong, gavel. He shall put each in it 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, favours and literature as required at club and board meetings, and perform such other duties as may be imposed upon him by the Board of Directors.

8. TAIL TWISTER:   He shall promote harmony, good fellowship,  life and enthusiasm in the  meeting through appropriate stunts and the  judicious imposition of fines to club members.  There shall be no appeal from the ruling of the Tail Twister provided that his jurisdiction shall extend no  further than the assessment of two (2) twenty-five cents fines in any meeting and the collection thereof. All monies so collected are to be paid  to the Treasurer. TheTail Twister may not be fined except by unanimous vote of all members present.

 ARTICLE VII

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 Directors.

 SECTION B:                          I

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

 SECTION C:

1.     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.

2.     The presence in person of a majority of its members shall constitute a quorum at this meeting of the board of directors. Except as otherwise specifically provided, the act of majority of the directors present at this meeting of the board shall be the act and decision of the entire board of directors, subject to the provisions of Article VI Section B.

 SECTION D:

Duties & Powers:

In addition to those duties and powers, express and implied, set forth elsewhere in this Constitution and By­Laws, the board of directors shall have the following duties and powers:

 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 he board of directors for presentation to and approval by the club members at a regular or special meeting.

 2.     It shall authorize all expenditures and shall not create any indebtedness beyond the current income of this club, nor authorize disbursmentsl of club funds for purposes inconsistent with the business and policy duly authorized by the club membership.

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

 4.    It may have the books, accounts and operations of this club audited at any time 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 any such audit or accounting upon request at a reasonable time and place.

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

 6.    If the board decides a bond is required it shall appoint the surety for the bonding of any club officer.

 7.     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.

 8.     It shall submit matters of new business and policy to the respective standing or special club committee for study and recommendation to the board.

 ARTICLE VIII:

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 nominating committee.

 SECTION B:

The president shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of the immediate the immediate Past President, who will act as Chairman, and three members. This committee shall propose the names of candidates for each office and each expired or open Directorship for presentation and reading for three consecutive meetings prior to election day. All nominees must have been contacted and have given their consent to accept the nomination prior to their name being presented.

 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 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. Nominations from the floor will be recognized.

 SECTION D:

Notice shall be given at three consecutive meetings by readings and posted on the club website. All announcements shall include the names of all nominations and notation that said nominees will be voted upon dt this election meeting.

 SECTION E:

All officers 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 be elected and qualified.

 SECTION F:

Two directors shall be elected annually and shall take office on July 1st and hold office for two years from that time or until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

 SECTION G:

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

 SECTION H:

The election shall be by secret ballot and the person receiving the greatest number of votes cast being declared elected.

 SECTION I

In the event the President, First Vice President or Second Vice President is unable to continue in office, the next lower Vice President will be promoted. If the Third Vice President is unable for any reason to continue in that office, d Director will be promoted by the Board of the Directors. If any other member of the Board of Directors is unable for any reason to continue in office, The Board of Directors may select an active member of the club in good standing to the unexpired term.

 SECTION J:

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 IX

 Meetings.

SECTION A:

This club shall meet normally on the first and third Tuesdays of each month except as determined by the board of directors for the summer months.  The board of directors meeting will normally be the fourth Tuesday of the month, except for the summer months.

 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 email, phone or at a meeting.

 ARTICLE X

Colors and Emblems

 The colors and emblems of the club shall be in keeping with the colors and emblem of the International Association of Lions.

 ARTICLE XI:

Parliamentary Practices

 Except as otherwise specifically provided in our     Constitution and By‑Laws,  all questions of order  or procedure with respect to any shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The Lion Tamer shall be the club parlimentarian.

 ARTICLE XII

Convention Delegates

 SECTION A:

Delegates to International,

District and Multiple District Conventions must be Active members in good standing.

 SECTION B:

In as much as the International Association of Lions Clubs is governed by the Lions Club in convention assembled and in order that this club may have its voice in International matters, this club shall have power to pay at least part of the expenses of a least one delegate and preferably its full quota of delegates each year to the International Convention. This club is entitled to one voting delegate and one alternate for each twenty‑five or major fraction thereof, members in 1, good standing as shown by the records of Lions International on the first day of the last month preceding the month during which the Convention is held. The major fraction referred to shall be 13 or more members.

 ARTICLE XIII:

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.

 BY-LAWS

No. 1

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.

 No. 2

Except to further his progress in Lionism, no officer or member of this club shall use his 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 expenditure of money for other than the regular obligations shall be referred to the Board of Directors.

No. 4

SECTION A:

The following standing committees may be appointed by the president,

(1)     Administrative Committees

(a) Attendance

(b) Constitution and By-Laws

(c) Convention

(d) Finance

(e) Lions information

(f) Membership

(g) Program

(b) Public Relations

(i) Club Bulletin Editor

(j) Greeter

(k) Leadership Development

(2)     Activities Committees.

(a)     Drug Awareness

(b)     Diabetes Awareness

(c)     Sight Conservation and Work with the Blind.

(d)     Hearing and Speech Action and Work with the Deaf.

(e)     Environmental Services.

(f)      Leo Club Program

(g)     Lioness Club Program]

(i)      International Relations Programs

(i)      Charity Drives.

(k)     Games

(1)     Building

 Other activates of Lionism which committees may be appointed are; Citizenship Services; Educational  Services; Health Services; Social Services; Recreational Services; Pubic Service; 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 judgment or the judgment of the board of Directors.

 SECTION C:

The president is an exofficio 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 D:

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 Board of Directors for study, recommendations and action.

 No. 5

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 d 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 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 by-law except numbers 1 and 2 may be suspended at any time at which a quorum is present by the unanimous vote of all members present.

 No. 7

Aside from the regular major money raising activities such as for blind and defective vision, work,        health and welfare, civic improvement etc etc, the club  at the discretion of the  board  of directors, may engage in such internal or special functions of a class, or kind  as designated for the purpose of meeting unusually  heavy or emergent administrative expense, provided,  due regard to the ethics and objects  of Lionism is maintained. Internal or special  functions as  indicated, must  be designated as administrative and shall not be confused with or used for major activity purpose.

 No. 8

All donations over $1000 shall be first recommended by the Board of Directors. This recommendation shall be read, debated at three (3) different meetings. At the 3rd reading d motion to accept or suppress the recommendation shall be recognized and voted upon by the membership.

 No. 9

No secret vote shall be taken by this club.

 No. 10

All functions, activities and fund raising events shall have the approval of  the membership  prior to participation of such event.

 No 11

No member of the club shall receive a donation from the club.

 No. 12

 The board of directors may order an audit of the club books or accounts at anytime.

 No. 13

 Fruit or flowers may be sent to the hospitalized or the invalid: at a reasonable cost per member.

 (a) If a member or spouse passes away, a donation will be made to the charity of the families choice. Cost not to exceed $50.00 (to include mother, father or children of member).

 (b) If a member or spouse passes away visitation to the funeral home will be as a club.

 No. 14

Guest speakers with an organization will receive a donation for their cause as recommended by the board of directors

 No. 15

The board of directors may dictate suitable attire for special occasions or when visited by special guests.

 No. 16

Each member shall address the President when they wish to make a motion or take the floor.

 No 17

Personal problems or conflicts will only be discussed at the Board of Director's meetings, not at regular meetings or in front of guests, and not without informing the president and directors of the situation before the start of the meeting.

 No 18

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

ADOPTED BY THE MEMBERSHIP AUGUST 24TH, 2004