What
Serving Lions…
Lions Clubs International is governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of 35 elected directors together with the Lions International President, Immediate Past President, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents.
In even–numbered years, 18 directors are elected: 5 from clubs located in the United States, Bermuda and the Bahamas; 1 from clubs in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands; 3 from clubs in Europe; 3 from clubs in Asia and Southeast Asia; 4 from clubs in India, South Asia and the Middle East; 1 from clubs in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Islands of the South Pacific; and 1 from clubs in Africa.
In odd–numbered years, 17 directors are elected, consisting of: 6 from clubs in the United States, Bermuda and the Bahamas; 1 from clubs in Canada; 1 from clubs in South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribean Islands; 3 from clubs in Europe; 4 from clubs in Asia and Southeast Asia; and two (2) from clubs in India, South Asia and the Middle East.
International directors serve 2–year terms (unless you happen to be on the board during a pandemic, à la MD19 PID Alan Hunt, and get an extra year).
So, what do the International Directors do?
Chapter And Verse
Lions International publishes a 23–page booklet to guide international directors, which states:
“As an international director, you represent your constitutional area on an international level and will serve as an active liaison between the local Lions and the international association. However, it is important to keep in mind that you are an international director, elected by all the Lions of the world and should always do what is best for the association as a whole.
“Not only will your local Lions rely on you to represent their interests on an international level, they may also ask for your assistance in handling local issues as well. You should be available to help districts solve local problems, assist Lions Clubs International in the resolution of problems with the districts, and give guidance and motivation to local Lions and their leaders.
“To help you best understand the needs of your constituents, it is recommended that you accept as many invitations to club and district functions (such as charter nights, club anniversaries, district cabinet meetings and seminars) as possible, even though expenses may sometimes not be reimbursable under the rules of audit… You may also be asked by your district governors to assist them in obtaining speakers for their conventions and other functions.
“And, of course, you should be ready to respond when the international president, International Board of Directors or the international headquarters staff asks you to represent the association on a matter of importance in your area.”
To that end, International directors:
- Represent the interests of local Lions at Lions International,
- Help districts solve local problems,
- Assist Lions International in the resolution of problems in districts,
- Give guidance and motivation to local Lions and their leaders,
- Attend club and district functions,
- Assist district governors in obtaining speakers for their conventions and other events.
- Represent the association on matters that the International president, International Board of Directors or the International headquarters request,
- Attend and speak at:
- Association functions,
- District and multiple district conventions,
- Club charter nights and anniversaries,
- Seminars; workshops, and other events,
- Meet with local leaders to discuss problems, brainstorm, and exchange ideas,
- Accept and exercise leadership,
- Make decisions, and
- Are responsible for seeing that the decisions of the board are acted upon and accepted by the membership.
Board Meetings
International directors also attend Lions Clubs International board meetings.
There are 4 regularly scheduled board meetings each year. The first takes place immediately after the International Convention, then typically in the fall (October) and spring (March), and a final meeting immediately prior to the next year's International Convention.
Typically, board meetings open with a formal session at which:
- The minutes of the previous board meeting and any interim Executive Committee meetings are approved,
- The president reports on his or her travels and other pertinent items of interest,
- The executive director's report on operations is receive,
- Reports are made on area forums and other special events, and
- Other necessary business, such as introductions, presentations and special announcements is conducted.
Fiduciary Duties
As with any director or trustee of any corporation, foundation or organization, international directors are “fiduciaries” to the association.
A fiduciary duty is the highest standard of care in equity or law. A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person or entity to whom he or she owes the duty such that there must be no conflict of duty between fiduciary and principal, and the fiduciary must not profit from their position as a fiduciary. The fiduciary has a duty not to be in a situation where personal interests and fiduciary duty conflict, not to be in a situation where their fiduciary duty conflicts with another fiduciary duty, and a duty not to profit from their fiduciary position. The fiduciary relationship requires that directors act in good faith on all occasions and give their conscientious care and best judgment to their tasks.