Here is my email to Lions Clubs International, posted here for posterity.
From:luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk
To:Lioncassielim@gmail.com,Seaholm, Emily
Cc:Legal,ClubStatus
Thu 27 Feb at 05:12
Dear Emily Seaholm,
Thank you for your prompt response, which I have noted carefully.
I will ensure that the affected member initiates the dispute resolution process. However, I would appreciate your guidance on how to prevent future misconduct by presidents and Vice District Governors (VDGs) of Lions Clubs.
What can be done to address the unethical behavior of some Club members that tarnishes the good reputation of the Lions organization? The way certain Lions Clubs in Sabah are being run by their officers is, to be blunt, disgraceful.
In September 2024, I brought a complaint to District Governor (DG) Annie Ho regarding the Centennial Lions Club, the largest club in Sabah with over 70 members. This club appointed its officers and board members for the 2024/2025 financial year without holding an election meeting. Interestingly, the First VDG is from this very club.
When I raised this issue with DG Annie Ho, she simply contacted the VDG by phone and was informed that everything was fine. This demonstrates the caliber of the current DG and many of the Past District Governors (PDGs) I have written to about this matter.
There was no election meeting held, yet the club secretary would have filed documents with Lions Clubs International (LCI) claiming that an election was indeed conducted. The register at the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in Kota Kinabalu has also been updated with the names of the new office bearers, despite the lack of an election.
The member who received the notice of expulsion has visited ROS twice, first in July to inquire about the form used to record this information in the register. This was because the member knew that no election meeting had taken place. Regrettably, ROS refused to provide the name of the on-line form used to update the register.
On August 27, 2024, an Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held, and the minutes were uploaded to the club's WhatsApp group. When the member went to ROS a second time, in September 2024, to request the name of the on-line form used to update the register, he was again directed to seek the information from the club secretary. When the member questioned the secretary, the secretary did not respond and instead removed the AGM minutes from the WhatsApp group, as they had been fabricated. As you can see in item 6 of the attached minutes, there is no mention of the date, time, or location of the meeting, as no election meeting was held for the 2024/2025 term. (See note below)
DG Annie Ho advised me to report this matter to LCI. The several PDGs I spoke with stated that the club is autonomous, and they were not at liberty to question the club's actions.
Please advise me on how to address such misconduct that appears to be condoned by the DG and PDGs, who hide behind the "autonomous club" concept. If the DG is unwilling to investigate by questioning the members about when and where the election was held, I will not hesitate to report this matter to the criminal division of the police, as I believe falsifying records at the Registrar of Societies may constitute a criminal offense.
ROS responded to my complaint in December 2024, stating that the matter had been resolved. This suggests collusion between ROS and the club, for reasons I can only speculate about.
If you believe this issue cannot be resolved by LCI through the DG and PDGs, without going through a formal dispute resolution procedure, please let me know, and I will pursue alternative means.
I would be grateful if you could confirm the legality of the position of the Club officers who have not been elected. Are they in a position to carry out the proposed expulsion?
Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to your guidance on this matter.
Sincerely,
Luqman Michel
Here is Emily Seaholm’s reply.
Seaholm, Emily
From:emily.seaholm@lionsclubs.org
To:luqman michel,Lioncassielim@gmail.com
Cc:Legal,ClubStatus
Sat 1 Mar at 05:38
Hello,
As you are likely aware, Lions Clubs International charters clubs around the world and each club operates autonomously. If any Lion believes that their club officers are violating the Club Constitution and By-Laws, and if they are not able to otherwise resolve the matter, a complaint should be filed under the previously provided Club Dispute Resolution Procedure. The Standard Club Constitution and By-Laws also provides procedure to remove members or remove officers.
I trust I have provided clarification on this matter, however, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kindest regards,
Emily
Emily Seaholm
Attorney // Legal Division
Lions Clubs International
Note: Fortunately that AGM minutes together with the fabricated election meeting was saved and now available with some of the members.
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