Please read my previous post before reading the following. LINK
My follow up question to Grog 3.
Yes, any help from you will be great. Meanwhile, to give you more detail. The officers for the year 2024/2025 were appointed without going through the due process of an election, as required by LCI. He requested the secretary several times as did a few other senior members to hold an election to put things right. As for help from other club members, past presidents and district leaders, no one appears to want to help as there is a silly rule that clubs are autonomous, which is followed by them. Your comment, please.
Here is the answer:
Thank you for providing more details about the situation. It sounds like the core issue here is a potential violation of Lions Clubs International (LCI) election procedures for the 2024/2025 officer appointments, combined with frustration over the lack of support due to the autonomy of clubs. I understand how this could feel unjust, especially for a long-standing member like the 82-year-old in question. Below are my comments and some steps that might help address the situation:
Comments on the Situation
Violation of Election Procedures:
LCI has clear guidelines in its Standard Form Lions Club Constitution and By-Laws, which are updated annually. These bylaws typically require that club officers (e.g., president, secretary, treasurer) be elected by the membership through a formal voting process, ensuring transparency and democratic participation.
If the officers for 2024/2025 were appointed without an election, this would indeed be a violation of LCI's governance policies. This undermines the democratic principles of the organization and could lead to distrust among members.
The fact that the member and other senior members requested an election to rectify the situation, but the requests were ignored, raises concerns about the club's leadership and adherence to LCI rules.
Club Autonomy and Its Limits:
It is true that Lions Clubs are considered autonomous in many operational aspects, meaning they have the authority to manage their internal affairs, such as membership decisions, activities, and local governance.
However, this autonomy is not absolute. Clubs are still bound by LCI's Constitution and By-Laws, as well as district and international policies. Election procedures are a fundamental part of these governing documents, and clubs are not free to disregard them.
The "silly rule" of autonomy, as you described, seems to be misinterpreted by some members, past presidents, and district leaders in this case. While clubs have autonomy in certain areas, they cannot ignore LCI's mandatory processes, such as elections.
Lack of Support from Others:
It's unfortunate that other club members, past presidents, and district leaders are reluctant to help, citing club autonomy. This reluctance may stem from a desire to avoid conflict, a misunderstanding of LCI policies, or fear of repercussions from the current club leadership.
However, district leaders, in particular, have a responsibility to ensure that clubs within their district adhere to LCI guidelines. Their inaction in this case could be seen as a failure to uphold their duties.
Impact on the Expelled Member:
The expulsion of the 82-year-old member, especially after 50+ years of service, seems particularly harsh if it was related to his efforts to enforce proper election procedures. If his expulsion was retaliatory, this would be a serious ethical and procedural issue.
LCI's policies typically require that expulsions follow a fair process, including notice, an opportunity to respond, and a vote by the membership or board. If this process was not followed, the expulsion itself could be challenged.
Steps to Address the Situation
Based on the information provided, here are some steps that could help resolve the issue:
Review LCI Policies and Bylaws:
The member or their supporters should obtain the latest version of the Standard Form Lions Club Constitution and By-Laws (revised as of June 2024, per LCI's annual updates). This document outlines the election process for club officers, typically under Article VI (Club Officers) and Article VII (Elections).
Confirm that the club's actions (appointing officers without an election) violate these bylaws. This will provide a strong basis for any formal complaint or appeal.
File a Formal Complaint with the Club:
The member should submit a written complaint to the club president and secretary, citing the specific bylaws violated (e.g., failure to hold elections). Request a special meeting to address the issue and hold a proper election.
If the club leadership refuses to act, document their refusal, as this will be relevant for higher-level appeals.
Escalate to the District Level:
If the club leadership does not address the issue, the member should escalate the matter to the district governor. LCI's District Dispute Resolution Procedures provide a mechanism for resolving disputes within districts.
The complaint should include:
Evidence of the election violation (e.g., minutes showing officers were appointed, not elected).
Copies of requests for an election that were ignored.
Details of the member's expulsion, if related to this issue.
District governors have the authority to investigate and mediate disputes, and they can enforce compliance with LCI bylaws.
Appeal the Expulsion:
If the member's expulsion was retaliatory or did not follow proper procedures, they should appeal the decision. LCI's Club Dispute Resolution Procedures outline the steps for appealing expulsions.
The appeal should be submitted to the district governor or LCI's Legal Division, depending on the severity of the issue.
Contact LCI's Legal Division:
If district leaders are unresponsive or unwilling to help, the member can contact LCI's Legal Division directly. The Legal Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with LCI policies and can intervene in cases of significant violations.
The member can email or call LCI headquarters (contact information is available on the LCI website) and explain the situation, including the election violation and expulsion.
Seek Support from Other Members:
While it seems that support is limited, the member should continue reaching out to other club members, especially those who also requested an election. A collective effort may carry more weight and encourage action.
If possible, identify past district governors or zone chairpersons who may be willing to advocate for the member.
Consider Public Awareness (if Necessary):
If all internal avenues fail, the member could consider raising awareness through LCI forums, social media, or Lions-related publications. However, this should be a last resort, as it could escalate tensions.
Be cautious to avoid defamation or violation of LCI's Code of Ethics, which emphasizes respect and professionalism.
Additional Help from Me
I can assist with the following:
Finding LCI Policies: I can search for and summarize relevant sections of LCI's Constitution and By-Laws, District Dispute Resolution Procedures, or International Officer Election Complaints Procedure to support your case.
Drafting Complaints or Appeals: If you'd like, I can help draft a formal complaint or appeal letter, ensuring it includes the necessary details and references to LCI policies.
Searching for Similar Cases: I can look for public discussions, posts, or articles about similar situations involving Lions Clubs election violations or wrongful expulsions to provide additional context or strategies.
Contact Information: I can provide contact details for LCI's Legal Division, district governors, or other relevant leaders based on publicly available information.
Please let me know which of these options you'd like to pursue, or if there's another specific area where I can help. I understand this is a challenging situation, and I'm here to support you in navigating it.
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment