Ex. A: Sample Rules of Procedure - District Convention

These Sample Rules of Procedure are guidelines and may be amended by the district cabinet and adopted by the delegates of the convention.

Rule 1:

The district governor shall arrange the order of business for the district convention. Except for registration and certification hours, which may not be changed, deviation from the announced order of business shall be made only by consent of three-fourths (3/4) of the certified delegates assembled at any session at which a quorum is present. A majority of those certified delegates present in person at any session shall constitute a quorum.

Rule 2:

Except as otherwise provided in the Lions Clubs International Constitution and By-Laws, the District 37 Constitution and By-Laws, national custom and practice or these rules, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all questions of order and procedure.

Rule 3:

1. The credentials committee shall be composed of the district governor, as chairperson, the cabinet secretary/ treasurer and two other non-officers of the district appointed by the district governor; provided, however, the district governor may designate any other committee member as chairperson. The credentials committee's primary responsibility shall be to verify club delegate credentials. In carrying out this responsibility, the credentials committee shall have the powers and shall perform the duties as established by national custom and practice or as set forth in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

2. The registration and certification of delegates shall occur on the day(s) of _________ between the hours of ____________ and ____________. (c) The number of certified delegates shall be announced to the convention upon close of certification and prior to the commencing of voting.

Rule 4:

1. 60 days prior to the convening of the convention, the district governor, unless otherwise provided, shall appoint, and designate the chairperson of, a nominations committee consisting of three (3) members. It shall be the committee's responsibility to review the qualifications of each nominated candidate within 5 days prior to the election and rule on the eligibility of the same.

2. A Candidate may withdraw from the contest at any time prior to the issuance of the final report of the nominations committee.

Rule 5: Replacement of delegates and alternate delegates

1. To replace a delegate and/or alternate delegate already certified, the replacement must surrender the copy of the credential certificate issued to the member he/she is replacing. On the day of voting, a duly certified alternate delegate shall be allowed to obtain a ballot and vote in lieu of a duly certified delegate from the same Lions club by presenting his/her copy of his/her alternate credential certificate together with the copy of the certified delegate's credential certificate to the voting personnel at which time the voting personnel will make the necessary notation on the credential records marking that a substitution has been made on the respective club's delegate entitlement. Alternate delegates who were not certified cannot replace a certified or uncertified delegate.

Rule 6:

Nominations for the offices of district governor, first and second vice district governor and such other offices to be filled by the convention shall be limited to nominating/ seconding speeches not to exceed five (5) minute(s) for each nominee.

Rule 7:

1. Prior to the convention, the district governor shall appoint, and designate the chairperson of, an elections committee consisting of three (3) members. Each duly nominated candidate shall also be entitled to designate one (1) observer through his/her club. The observers may oversee election procedures only, but may not participate directly in the committee's decision making.

2. The elections committee shall be responsible for preparation of elections materials, vote tabulation, and resolving questions concerning the validity of individual ballots. The committee's decision shall be final and binding. 18

3. he elections committee shall prepare a comprehensive report of the election results containing the following components: date, time and place of election; specific voting results by candidate; signature of each committee member and observer. The district governor, council chairperson and all candidates shall be provided a copy of the committee's report.

Rule 8: Voting:

1. Voting will take place at a predetermined location and time.

2. To secure a ballot card, the delegate shall present his/her credential certificate to voting personnel for verification. Once verified, the delegate shall be issued a ballot.

3. The voter shall indicate his/her vote by placing a mark in the appropriate location by the name of the candidate of his/her choice. The mark must be placed in the proper location to constitute a valid vote. Any ballot containing votes for more than the specified number of offices to be filled in any section shall be declared invalid to that particular section.

4. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect the district governor, first vice district governor and second vice district governor. A majority is defined as a number more than one-half of the total valid votes cast excluding blanks and abstentions. If a majority vote is not received in the election of district governor, first vice district governor and second vice district governor, a vacancy shall occur and Article IX, Section 6 (d) of the International By-Laws shall apply.

5. A majority vote will be necessary to elect all other candidates. In the event any one candidate fails to receive the required number of votes to be elected, additional balloting shall take place as outlined in this section until such time as one candidate secures a majority vote.