I was expelled in 2017 from another Club I belonged to when I discovered that the senior members were misappropriating money meant for the needy. As such, when I complained to LCI and the District Governor in September 2024, I was not a member.Why can't I complain as a non-member?
Here is the answer by Grog 3.
Thank you for clarifying that you were expelled from a Lions Club in 2017 for questioning financial misappropriation by senior members, and that this expulsion led to your complaints in September 2024 being dismissed as a "non-member." I understand this adds complexity to the situation, as your non-membership status has been used to dismiss your complaints about the election violation in 2024/2025. Below, I’ve rewritten my views and recommendations to account for this new information, focusing on how your non-membership status impacts the situation and what steps can still be taken to address the issues.
Views on the Response: "Complaints from Non-Members Will Not Be Entertained"
Your Expulsion in 2017 and Non-Membership Status:
You were expelled in 2017 for questioning financial misappropriation by senior members of another Lions Club.
Because of this expulsion, LCI and the district governor classified you as a "non-member" when you filed complaints in September 2024. This classification was used to dismiss your complaints about the 2024/2025 election violation.
View: While your non-membership status technically limits your ability to file formal complaints under LCI’s current dispute resolution framework, it does not negate the validity of the issues you raised (election violation and wrongful expulsion). Dismissing your complaints solely on procedural grounds (non-membership) avoids addressing the substantive violations, which is concerning given LCI’s commitment to ethical governance.
Ethical and Procedural Concerns with Dismissing Your Complaints:
LCI’s Code of Ethics emphasizes integrity, fairness, and accountability. Dismissing your complaints without investigating the underlying issues -election violation - undermines these values.
Your 2017 expulsion for questioning financial misappropriation raises similar ethical concerns. If your expulsion was retaliatory, it suggests a pattern of silencing dissent within Lions Clubs, which contradicts LCI’s mission and governance standards.
View: The dismissal of your complaints reflects a failure to uphold LCI’s ethical standards. While your non-membership status limits your formal standing, LCI and the district governor should still investigate credible allegations of election violations and wrongful expulsions, regardless of who raises them.
LCI’s Dispute Resolution Framework and Non-Members:
LCI’s District Dispute Resolution Procedures and Constitutional Complaints Procedures are primarily designed for current members, clubs, and district officers. These procedures do not explicitly allow non-members to file formal complaints, which is why your complaints were dismissed.
However, LCI has a broader responsibility to ensure compliance with its bylaws and policies, especially when serious violations are alleged. The election violation (appointing officers without an election) and the 82-year-old member’s expulsion (if retaliatory or lacking due process) are significant breaches of LCI governance that warrant investigation, regardless of who reports them.
View: While your non-membership status limits your formal standing, LCI and the district governor should not use this as an excuse to ignore credible allegations. The dismissal of your complaints on procedural grounds is a missed opportunity to address serious violations and uphold LCI’s governance standards.
District Governor’s Role and Responsibility:
The district governor is responsible for ensuring that clubs within their district adhere to LCI bylaws and policies. This includes investigating complaints about election violations and wrongful expulsions, even if raised by non-members, if the allegations are credible and supported by evidence.
By dismissing your complaints without investigation, the district governor appears to have neglected their duty to oversee club compliance and mediate disputes. This is particularly concerning given the severity of the allegations and the 82-year-old member’s long history of service.
View: The district governor’s inaction is a failure of leadership and oversight. They should have investigated the election violation and expulsion, regardless of your non-membership status, given the seriousness of the issues.
LCI’s Role and Responsibility:
LCI’s Legal Division is the ultimate authority for resolving disputes that cannot be addressed at the district level. Their dismissal of your complaints without investigation is concerning, especially if they relied solely on your non-membership status.
LCI has a responsibility to ensure that its policies are enforced consistently and fairly across all levels. Dismissing credible allegations without addressing the underlying issues undermines trust in the organization.
View: LCI’s dismissal of your complaints without investigation is a missed opportunity to uphold its governance standards. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of LCI’s oversight mechanisms, especially in cases involving potential patterns of retaliation (e.g., your 2017 expulsion and the 82-year-old member’s 2025 expulsion).
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