Dear Emily Seaholm,
Further to my email dated 1.3.25, I am writing to you as a concerned citizen deeply troubled by alleged unethical conduct within the Centennial Lions Club District 308A2. While I understand and respect the principle of club autonomy, the gravity of the situation compels me to bring these matters to your attention, as they pose a significant threat to the reputation and ethical standing of Lions Clubs International.
I would argue that this matter transcends the boundaries of a single club. The actions of the Centennial Lions Club leadership are not only undermining the democratic foundation of your organization but also damaging the public's perception of Lions Clubs International.
My concerns stem from a series of irregularities surrounding the club's elections and governance, specifically:
The new club president for 2024/2025 was appointed without a proper election, violating established democratic processes, the club's constitution and by-laws and the LCI Constitution. Senior members' advice to postpone the installation and hold an election meeting was ignored. (Attachment 1 WhatsApp message from Dr. Jes Lim in July 2024 and PP Chin requesting Election to be held)
(Attachment 2 - WhatsApp message from PP Chin to have Election meeting and response from the VDG Dato Wennie)
There are strong suspicions that falsified records have been submitted to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) regarding the club's office bearers. The secretary has been uncooperative in providing information, raising further concerns.(Attachment 3 - Minutes of AGM dated 27.8.24 that included the election meeting (item 6) that was posted to the Group WhatsApp and removed when questions were asked).
Lack of Transparency and Accountability: Repeated attempts to address these issues with the District Governor (DG) and Past District Governors (PDGs) have been dismissed, citing club autonomy, despite the serious nature of the allegations.
A 50-year Lion member who raised concerns about these issues was given a letter of expulsion as retaliation for his attempts to uphold ethical standards. (Attachment 4 - Notice of expulsion to PP Chin)
I recognize that Lions Clubs International emphasizes internal dispute resolution. However, given the apparent collusion among club officers and the unwillingness of members to file complaints, the internal mechanisms are ineffective in addressing these concerns.
My primary motivation is to protect the well-intentioned volunteers within the Centennial Lions Club and to ensure that the club operates with integrity and transparency. The actions of a few individuals should not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of Lions Clubs International and undermine its commitment to ethical conduct.
I urge Lions Clubs International to launch an independent investigation into these allegations to:
i. Determine whether the Centennial Lions Club has violated LCI's ethical standards or code of conduct.
ii. Ensure that the club's governance practices align with LCI's principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.
iii. Take appropriate action to rectify any wrongdoing and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
I have compiled evidence to support these claims. I believe that a thorough and impartial investigation is essential to protect the integrity of Lions Clubs International and to restore public trust in the organization.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your prompt response and commitment to addressing these serious concerns.
Sincerely,
Luqman Michel
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