Districts and 403 Multiple District Regulations

I. - General Provisions

Article 1. - Name and purpose

As part of the constitution and the Lions Club International, there is an association named “ 403 Multiple District ”. It has a moral aim and including all the Lions Clubs in West Africa, Central Africa and the Indian Ocean that have received their charter or which are on the point to be chartered.

Article 2. - Districts Delimitation.

The territorial delimitation and the names are made by the Multiple District Representatives Meeting. This resolution calls for the approval of International Lions Club Board of Directors.


II. District Organization

Article 3. - District Distribution

As stated in Article 2, each District is divided geographically, into Regions and into zones.

The distribution is determined by the District Congress under the proposal of the District cabinet and the Multiple District Governors. This distribution can be re-examined every year.

Each District has a characteristic sign (A, B, etc.) beside the number 403.

Article 4. - Location

The location is the private house of the Governor in duty.

Article 5. - Members

All the Official Clubs of the District are members.

Their rights and duties follow from the International Association regulations and additional provisions.

Article 6. - The Organs

The organs of the District are :
1) The District Representatives’ assembly
2) The Governor
3) The board of Governors

Article 7. - The Representatives’ Assembly

Subject to the powers assigned at the Multiple District convention, the Representatives’ Assembly is the supreme authority of the District. As a general rule, it meets once a year, at least a month before the Lions International convention.

This assembly named congress, will take place the same date and in the same town as the other 403 Districts congress and will become integrated with the 403 Multiple District convention.

An extraordinary assembly of the representatives can be summoned by the Governor or the board of Governor or if required at least by the fifth of the District Clubs.

Assembly agenda and venue are settled by the Governor in agreement with the board of Governors.

The invitations must be addressed to the President of Clubs latest eight weeks before the date of the Assembly.

Article 8. - The Representatives Assembly powers

The Representatives’ Assembly :

1. Inquires about the reports of the Commissions President, studies the District matters and carries the related resolutions.

2. Approves :
a) The Governors’ moral report ;
b) The annual account and give power to the Governor for it management ;
c) The possible redistribution of the Regions and / or Zones in the district ;

3. Elects under the proposal of the board of Governors:
a) The Governor ;
b) The vice-governor ;

4. Grants to the governor the composition of his cabinet.

Article 9. - Franchise

Every member of a lions Club of the District must attend the convention. However during the votes, only the official Representatives of the Clubs can vote.

Each duly authorized representative and personally present can vote once according to his choice, for each post or question to the Assembly.

The vote by proxy is strictly forbidden.

Any chartered Club and as a general rule, so much towards the Association than the District, will have a right to a representative and a substitute for each group of 10 members registered the first day of the month before the one of the congress.

A fraction of 5 members tends for 10.

The title of titular representative is given to any past-governor of District beyond the quota of the clubs representatives.

Article 10. - Vote procedure

The representatives’ Assembly is appointed if half of the clubs are represented.

Voting is made by a show of hand. It can be made by secret ballot if required by the fifth of the representatives or 20 Clubs.

For the elections and votes, the absolute majority of the duly accredited Representatives present is required.

The Representatives must be provided with their Club mandate.

Article 11. - The governor and his staff.

Under the general control of the International board of Directors, the Governor represents the Association in his District of which he is the main administrator. He presides over the board of District consisting of the Immediate Past-Governor, the Vice-Governor, the Presidents of Regions, the Presidents of Zones, the secretary, the Treasury, the coursellors and the Presidents of Commissions.
The staff meetings are held according to the Association rules, that is at least thrice a year and the franchise is extended to all the members.

Elected for one year by the District congress with the consent of his club, the terms of his candidature and specific responsibilities are as stated in the Association constitution and status.

In case of vacancy or should the governor be prevented, the board of Governors immediately get together to propose the name of his substitute to the Board.

Article 12. - The Vice-Governor

The vice-governor propose by the board of governors, is elected by the Representatives Assembly. He doesn’t preside over any Region and in the course of the year, must get ready for his mandate and make inquiries about the District Affairs. His election to the post of District Governor is proposed to the Representatives’ Assembly the following year.

Article 13. - The Presidents of Regions

The Presidents of Regions are nominated for a year, subject to their club approval.

The Presidents of Regions assist the Governor in the performance of his duties . On his own authority, the governor can entrust the Presidents of Regions with some duties. The Presidents of Regions can be dismissed or replaced by the governor legitimate reason.

Article 14. - The Presidents of Zones

The Presidents of Zones nominated by the Governor for one year are subject to the their club approval. They perform their duties in accordance with the Governor and the Presidents of Regions’ instructions.

The Presidents of Zones can be dismissed or replaced by the Governor for legitimate reason.

Article 15. - Other members of the District Staff

Nominated by the Governor, they carry out under his control, every duty or action demanded by the International Board of Directors and the District Regulations

Article 16. - Administration

The Governor has the administrative and financial control of his District.

He is assisted by an auditor Lions nominated by the staff of the Governors.

Article 17. - Creation of Clubs

It is subject to the agreement of the Governor and the international board of Directors.

The neighbouring clubs be will asked their advice.
A Lions Club will be officially acknowledged after receiving it charter.

Article 18. - The Regulations of Clubs.

Every chartered club must leave its regulations, as stated by the international Association, to the local competent authorithy.

The club that will fail to meet its obligations with regard to the Association can, at the discretion of the International Board of Directors be placed in “ status quo ” or will have its charter cancelled. In case the club is in a state of “ status quo ”, it is deprived of all his rights and privileges until the Board of Directors take a final decision on its situation.


III. The Organization of the Multiple District

Article 19. - Conception and purpose

The 403 Multiple District is composed of all the 403 Districts.

The onus lies on it to:

a) Coordinate the Districts.

b) The responsibility of the commissions shared by all the District in order to maintain a unity of action.

c) The organization of the representatives’ Assembly called “ Multiple District Convention ” and which is coordinated with the one of the Districts congresses.

Article 20. - Location

The Multiple District is located in the private house of the President of the Board of Governors.

Article 21. - Organs

The organs of the Multiple District are:

a) The Multiple District representatives’ Assembly
b) The Board of Governors.

Article 22. - The Representatives’ Assembly

The Representatives’ Assembly gathered in convention, is the supreme authority of the Multiple District. It meets every year at least one month before the International Lions club Convention, the same date and in the same town as the District congresses.

The invitations must be addressed to the President of Clubs, at least 8 weeks before the Assembly.

An extraordinary Assembly takes place on decisions of the Board of Directors. The Assembly’s agenda and venue are set by the Board of Governors.

Article 23. - The powers of the Representatives’ Assembly

The Representatives’ Assembly :

1. Inquires into the report of the Commissions Presidents, studies the Multiple District affairs and carries the related resolutions

2. Approves :
a) the moral report of the Board of governors
b) the annual account and give power to the Board for its
management
c) the list of Multiple District commissions and the
subscriptions
d) the possible redistribution of the Multiple District into
districts
e) the choice of a candidate to the post of International
Director or to the post of 3rd International
vice-president.

3. Expresses its opinion :
a) about the resolutions related to the actual regulations modifications.
b) about the possible dissolution of the Association
according to Article 32 of the actual regulations.

4. Under proposal of the Board of Governors, elects the President of the Board of Governors.

Article 24. - Franchise

A member of the Multiple District Lions Club must attend the Representatives’ Assembly gathered in convention. However during the vote, only the clubs official representatives have right to vote.

Each duly authorized representative and personally present can vote once according to his choice, for each available past or question to the Assembly. The vote by proxy is strictly forbidden.

Any chartered club and in order towards the Association, the District and the Multiple District as well, will have right to a representative and a substitute for each fraction of 10 members registered on the first of the month before the one of the convention. A fraction of more than 5 members stands for 10.

The title of titular representative is given to every District Past-Governor apart from the quota of Club Representatives.

Article 25. - Vote Procedure

The Representatives’ Assembly is regularly appointed if half of the clubs are represented.

Votes are made by a show of hand. They can be made by secret ballot if required by the fifth of the present representatives or 40 clubs. For the elections and votes, the absolute majority of the present members is required, subject to Article 32 provisions.

The representatives must be provided with their club mandate.

Article 26. - The Board of Governors.

It comprises :
The President of the Board of Governors
The Past-Presidents of the Board of Governors, members of the Multiple District Lions Clubs
The District Governors in duty
The Immediat Past-Governor of the District
The District Vice -Governor.
The International Director and the International Past-Governors of the Multiple District

Six past -governors, members of the multiple District Lions Clubs, elected for one year by secret ballot and equal representation by each District of the 403 Multiple District.

One or two Past-Governors advisers appointed by the President of the Board in accordance with their competence and may not be living in the 403 Multiple District. Members of the Board of Governors have right to vote except the following persons who have but an advisory voice :

  • The Vice-Governors of the Districts
  • The Representative of the Board in case he is not Past-Governor members of the Multiple District Lions Club.
  • The Past-Governors advisers appointed by the president of the board of Governors.

The decisions of the board are taken by a simple majority of the present members. In case of equality of vote, the President has a casting vote. The Board meets thrice per year: in November, February and during the Multiple District convention and it is permissible to make decisions by written consultations.

During the sessions, the powers of the Board are exercised by its president.

The President of the Board of Governors, who cannot be an immediat Past-Governor, is appointed for one year by secret ballot by past-governors members of a Multiple District Lions Club.

Article 27. - The Powers of the Board of Directors

The powers of the Board, subject to the other powers specified in the present regulations are :

— The definition of the actions shared by the Districts.
— The organization of the 403 Multiple District participation to the international manifestation of the Lions Clubs.
— The promotion of candidature to the post of Governor, President of the Board of Governors, International Governor and 3rd International Vice-President.
— The development of coordination and collaboration between the District in every field.
— The promulgation of rules.
— The fonctioning of the Multiple District Commissions.
— The organization of the convention works
— The management and administration of the Multiple District.
— The maintaining of the 403 unity and spirit.


IV. Final and temporary dispositions

Article 28. - Lions Year

The Lions year starts on first July and closes on 30th June of the following year.

Article 29. - International Obligations

The additional regulations, rules and disposition of the International Association in their most recent form as well as the instructions of the International committee have enforceable power in the Multiple District and its Districts.

Article 30. - The Statutory Unit

The present regulations form a unit for the Multiple District and the district.

The modifications of the regulations can be decided but by a Representatives’ Assembly of the Multiple District.

Article 31. - Responsibility

After creation of new districts by cutting of one of the districts of the Multiple District; the two new districts created are jointly responsible, in respect of the International Association, of the debts taken out by the mother-district before the cutting.

Article 32. - Modification of the Regulations and Dissolution

The decisions related to the modifications of the regulations and the dissolution of the Association must be approved by the 3/4 of the presents representatives and of the Clubs presented in the Assembly. If the quorum is not reached, a second assembly of representatives will be appointed at 60 days notice, which will decide by a simple majority of the present representatives and clubs presented. This Assembly of Representatives of the Multiple District can be ordinary or extraordinary.
The propositions related to the modification of the regulations and to the dissolution must be mentioned on purpose in the circular of the notice of meeting.

The Multiple District property at the dissolution goes to the Lions Clubs International foundation.

Article 33. - Legal validity

The present regulations are written in English & French.

For the interpretation, the French version is the master.

Article 34. - Date of application

The present regulations come into effect on 1st July 1989.

The present Regulations have been ratified at the Libreville convention or 27th, 28th & 29th April 1989.