The following is an excerpt from the Club Administration Manual - version 3. As the Lions Club as an organisation has to change with the times and some of the below criteria may not be practical, we still have to abide by our constitution, and this means that until we are advised otherwise we do have to follow the below protocol:
Membership by Invitation
Membership in a Lions Club is by invitation only. Nominations shall be made on forms provided by the international office, which shall be signed by a member in good standing who shall act as sponsor. The form is then submitted to the Membership Chairman or the Club Secretary, who, after investigation, shall submit the same to the Board of Directors.
If approved by a majority of the Board, the prospect may then be invited to become a member of the Club. A properly filled out membership form duly signed, as well as the entrance fee and dues, must be in the hands of the Club Secretary before the member is reported to and officially recognised by the association as a Lion member by means of the Club MMR report.
It is pointed out that ‘his/her’ means that no Club may exclude male or female members on the grounds of gender alone and there is a clear International Board policy ruling to that effect. Within Multiple District 201, such discrimination may be illegal and/or leave the Club open to legal action in some states. Clubs should thoroughly investigate the background of all persons proposed for membership in the Club. Said investigation may include inquiries in the community where the proposed individual resides or has a place of business or is employed.
The wisdom of this suggestion is clear – Lions Clubs enjoy a considerable level of respect within the community, and no Club should risk losing that respect by accepting members having an unacceptable background.
Our Constitution provides for membership solely by invitation; that invitation should not be issued if the Club Board has any doubts. In recent years, many Clubs have not fully investigated new members. Often, this is reflected in retention figures; the new members do not stay in the Club for more than a year or two. The questions should always be asked, ‘Will that person make a good Lion, and does he/she have the support of their family?’
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