In 2017 I complained about my former Club, Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu host, which had secret bank accounts unknown to most members and directors of the club. It also altered the minutes of meetings. Lion members and LCI did not address the problem and that club was finally de-registered.
Now, another club, The Centennial Lions Club of Kota Kinabalu has issued a notice of expulsion to a senior member who tried to help by asking relevant questions to members of the club.
There was no election meeting held. He suggested that a meeting be held to correct the mistake. Requests for a copy of the constitution from the secretary were unanswered. This led to the senior member to get a copy from the ROS.
In July 2024 and again in September 2024 at the ROS he asked the staff manning the computer what document was used to update the ROS register with the new officer bearers for 2024/2025. The staff refused to answer and asked him to get the information from the club’s secretary. Several more requests to the secretary went unanswered.
I got wind of the issue from a third party and started probing. I discovered that indeed there had been no election meeting for office bearers for 2024/2025. These ‘not-duly’ elected board of directors have now issued a notice of expulsion to this senior member for asking questions to put the matter right.
The main reason for his expulsion is the accusation that he had spread the club’s confidential information to a non-member.
Further investigation has revealed that it was the 1st vice district governor who had spread the news to a member of another club who informed someone who in turn informed me, the non-member.
The question now is should the 1st VDG be expelled from the club?
I reported this matter to LCI who as in 2017, did not respond to my email. I wrote to the DG who answered that the VDG told her there was no problem. Several PDGs I wrote to did not respond.
This morning I checked the Internet which led me to a Lions Forum. My comment was not accepted as I am not a member. Here are some comments I read and let’s see if these Lions will respond to my comments.
Daniel Marney Elkins is with Marcel Daniëls. Admin Group expert
It’s not that most people haven’t heard of Lions - they just don’t know what we do and there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding our organization.
What are some myths about Lions that you’d like to bust?
The first item on the list attracted my attention:
It’s a secret society. Wrong!
My thoughts now:
If it is not a secret society why can’t a club member be given the AGM that was supposedly held and reported to the ROS?
Chris Gunstream
Over the past few months, there has been criticism about the lack of help, support, and guidance from Lions International. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Lions International has provided us with everything we need.
My thoughts:
LCI has a whole load of information on the Internet. However, many clubs do not adhere to the rules and regulations. PDGs don’t bother to answer questions stating that each club is autonomous. If a member is not provided with minutes of the AGM by the secretary or the ROS and no PDG is willing to question the club what is a Lion’s Club? What is the use of all these rules, regulations, and ethics for?
Cheri Durgin Appel All-star contributor
I think the Lions who are looking for help for their specific problem just don't know where to look for the answers that they need or how to word their request to get the correct answers they need. As a ZC I receive many questions of where to find certain things and sometimes I need to do a little searching to point them in the right direction.
My thoughts:
Let’s see if this Lion will put his money where his mouth is. More often than not it is just words.
Tom Gordon
Cheri Durgin Appel Yes. It may take a little work to find what you need. However, it's there, somewhere. I get asked for answers all the time too. Now, I tell them where to find it so they will search themselves.
My response/request:
Tom, please see if you can help with this senior Lions problem.
William Pollard Rising contributor
I call BS, again pointless leaders making pointless remarks!!! LCI needs to step up!
My thoughts:
I agree. Well done, William for speaking out.
Drew Perry
Idk if I fully agree with the statement. Some just join our organization to give back to their community and that’s it and that’s ok. Instead of forcing everyone to comply we should foster and grow the ones who want to lead and learn.
My response:
Should a 1st VDG not comply with rules and regulations? Don’t forget she is to be the DG in a few months. Should she not be kicked out of the club for divulging confidential information to those non-members of the club?
Marcia Allman
I agree. To be a ‘Help Desk’ is the most important part of a team, everyone should have this focus and be ready to Pitch in to help when necessary.
My response:
I agree. Please pitch and at least share my post so others will know the problems faced by Club members.
Cerebronix Masood Iqbal
Disagree with your comment partially. International had been pushing the Illegalities under the carpets.
My thoughts:
This is music to my ears. I commend you for such a daring accusation. This filing of wrong information to ROS is illegal and no one seems to care.
Marie Wagner Top contributor
Saying " not my job" is also a healthy form of boundary-setting. As a leader asking people who come to you with a problem to also provide the solution is short-sighted.
If they could solve it, they would not need you.
My thoughts:
True! If PDGs such as @Eve Wong, @Betty Wong, @Lawrence Ting, @Margareth Lim, @Karen Koh, @Michelle Mok @James Teo and many others can’t sit down together to help solve such a simple problem I would suggest they quit being a Lion.
Terri Ann Pease-Huffman Top contributor
People/members who are knowledgeable about our mission and care.
My thoughts:
Is there anyone who cares?
Damian Marco Salin
I just came across this statement here at work, and was wondering if you guys liked it. Considering adopting it for some of the material created for my club.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for room here on Earth”
My thoughts:
Too many of the Lion members refuse to pay rent.
Garry Bates All-star contributor
What did Melvin Jones & Co do right that we Lions are no longer doing?
My thoughts:
We have forgotten the meaning of the word ‘serve’.
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