Resolutions

Resolutions accepted by Council for MD105 Coronation Convention 

5th-6th May, 2023


Resolution A:

Proposed by HORLEY LIONS CLUB

Seconded by CATERHAM, OXTED & GODSTONE LIONS CLUB

Resolution concerning request to International Board.

This Convention requests that the International Board amend the constitutions relating to all Lions Conventions, International, MD and District, to allow electronic voting by delegates unable to attend in addition to voting on the day for delegates present.

Explanatory notes.

There are many reasons why individual Member delegates may not be able to attend particularly cost for MD and particularly International and there is no democratic means available whereby their view might be taken into account. This leaves clubs disenfranchised, and not feeling part of the organisation.

There is a clear need too, for the Resolutions to be published to clubs well in advance to allow discussion at club Business Meetings. It would also be more environmentally friendly if Clubs a long way from Conventions could still vote but not travel.


Resolution B:

Resolution concerning Multiple District Dues Proposed by Council

That the Multiple District Dues for Lions Year 2023/2024 be set at a maximum of £40.00 per member per annum, payable in two equal instalments (on 1 August 2023 based on membership at 30 June 2023 and on 1 February 2024 based upon membership at 31 December 2023).

The exact amount to be decided at the May 2023 Council of Governors Meetings, but not expected to exceed £35.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

The Dues set for 2022-23, £29.50, was done with the intention of returning underspends generated in previous years to members. The Multiple District has had significantly less expenditure from March 2020, and it is exceedingly difficult to predict what is going to happen in the coming months, given the cost of living crisis, war in the Ukraine and an energy crisis. Therefore, it is proposed that we set a maximum due for the 2023/2024 Lions year, the exact amount being set at the nearest Council meeting to the period start.

This is a pragmatic approach with the intention of continuing to return underspends generated in previous years to members. Council has instructed that the number of in person meetings be reduced with a corresponding increase in digital meetings, including meetings of the Council of Governors.

Over the last few years, successive Councils have looked to reduce cost by comprehensively reviewing the structure and governance of the Multiple District, whilst simultaneously looking to invest in the future of the Association. These changes have been phased in and, notwithstanding falling membership, members' dues have been maintained over the 'change' period at the level set in 2014-15, that is, eight years without increase.

In real terms we have taken over £130,000 of cost out of the Association over the past fifteen years.

Notwithstanding this hard work, we are not immune from the effects of inflation, our suppliers need to cover their costs and the general effects of the overall financial environment. At the time of drafting this Resolution, inflation (CPI) was running at 10.5%. The budget proposals have been considered carefully by both the Finance Committee and Council.

Council receive a quarterly financial analysis and the Council Treasurer undertakes quarterly meetings with Staff to review costs and expenditure, however, it should be noted that certain costs arise because of legislative requirements, Vat and Rates, for example. Of note is the Government's stated aim to increase Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) to parity with Vat over coming years.

The Budget is based on a membership of 9,400.

Cost Analysis attached.

CONSTITUTIONAL NOTE

Article III Sections 1(a) &2 of the Multiple District Constitution (as adopted 30 April 2005 and subsequently amended):

"Section 1(a) – Annual Per Capita Levy

Every District shall pay into a Multiple District administrative fund a per capita levy, based on its membership taken as at 30 June and 31 December in every year. The Council of Governors shall table a resolution at every Multiple District Convention to set the per capita levy for the following fiscal year. Such resolution must be supported by a complete list of budgets for all Multiple District officers and committees, conventions, meetings and administrative functions. If such resolution shall fail then the per capita levy for the time being in force shall be continued until changed by resolution.

Section 2 – Collection of Per Capita Levy

Every District Treasurer shall collect such levy from Clubs in his District by two half-yearly payments and shall pay the monies so collected to the Council Treasurer in August and February of every year."

COST ANALYSIS FOR DUES RESOLUTION

 MD 105 Actual
2019-2020
Per
Head
Actual
2020-2021
Per
Head
Actual
2021-2022
Per
Head
Budget
2022-2023
Per
Head
Budget
2023-2024
Per
Head
 Comments
1   COG Meetings etc. 10859 0.99 144 0.01 12,491 1.28 19,757 2.10 17,044 1.81  
2   Council Chairman 1255 0.11 0 0.00 2,536 0.26 2,743 0.29 2,743 0.29  
3   Secretary to Council 1922 0.17 0 0.00 931 0.10 1,000 0.11 1,000 0.11  
4   MD Council Treasurer 1014 0.09 850 0.09 1,139 0.12 950 0.10 1,200 0.13  
5 A Sergeant at Arms 0 0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00 Budget included within Council Meetings.
  B MD Convention 5158 0.47 7346 0.73 34,976 3.59 25,000 2.66 25,000 2.66  
6 A Elect Seminars - DG Elect net of Grant 3096 0.28 2149 0.21 2645 0.27 4,240 0.45 4,240 0.45  
  B 1st Vice DG Elect Seminars 3438 0.31 0 0.00 0 0.00 4,740 0.50 4,740 0.50  
  C 2nd Vice DG Elect Seminars 2069 0.19 0 0.00 0 0.00 - 0.00 -    
 7   Partner Travel International Convention  0  0.00  0  0.00  3,881  0.40  5,100  0.54  8,175  0.87 As approved by Convention Resolutions, most recently Southport 2009. 2023 Convention is in Boston, 2024 Melbourne, 2025 Mexico.
8   Sp Cttees, Meetings and Contact Govrs 235 0.02 0 0.00 0 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00  
9   Strategic Development Committee 116 0.01 0 0.00 0 0.00 600 0.06 600 0.06  
10   Insurance (excl. charged to Clubs) 25830 2.35 28803 2.88 36,609 3.75 32,500 3.46 33,500 3.56 After discussion with MD Insurance Adviser.
11   National HQ 123556 11.23 117091 11.71 111,971 11.48 136,904 14.56 133,453 14.20  
12   Directory & Postage 2135 0.19 475 0.05 0 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00  
13   Independent Examination - Accountants 1500 0.14 1750 0.18 1,800 0.18 1,750 0.19 1,750 0.19  
14   Travel Aid (105CN, 105N, 105SC)   0.00   0.00   0.00          
      182,183 16.56 158,608 15.86 208,979 21.43 235,284 25.03 233,445 24.83  
    Communication                      
15   Magazine 42198 3.84 35732 3.57 25259 2.59 35,000 3.72 44,285 4.71  
16   Information Technology Committee 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00   0.00   0.00  
17   Contribution from PR Reserve   0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 - 5,000 -0.53 - 5,000 -0.53  
 18    PR Comm & Pub  33505  3.05  42660  4.27  35730  3.66  48,000  5.11  50,650  5.39 £20,000 minimum, dictated by Convention Resolution, budget in line with indexation.
      75,703 6.88 78,392 7.84 60,989 6.26 78,000 8.30 89,935 9.57  
    GAT: Service, Leadership & Membership                     To cover all GAT/GLT/GMT/GST activities.
19   MD Co-ordinator                      
20 A Membership Officer inc Campus, Extension & Retention                      
21 B Regional Institute/Faculty Development Institute.                      
22 C Membership Activities                      
23   Leadership Development                      
24   Service Team                      
      8,809   2,527   3,642   9,851 1 9,851 1.05  
25   New Lions Symposium 10,205       10,325   12,000 1 15,000 1.60  
      19,014 1.73 2,527 0.25 13,967 1.43 21,851 2.32 24,851 2.64  
    Youth                      
26   Lions Opportunities for Youth Com Chmn                      
27   Young Ambassador                      
28   Yth Exchange                      
29   Leo Clubs Co-ordinator (net of Yth Tst contr.)                      
30   Life Skills Officer                      
31   Peace Poster                      
32   Young Leaders in Service                      
   
763 0.07 2,313 0.23 78 0.01 3,000 0.32 3,000 0.32  
    International                      
33   International Conv. (including attendance 884 0.08 - 0.00 16,478 1.69 18,830 2.00 20,790 2.21  
34   Europa Forum                      
35   Mag. Editor to Europa Forum                      
36   International Convention Committee                      
37   LCIF Officer                      
38   International Relations Officer                      
39   Patron Liaison                      
      4,355 0.40 1,237 0.12 4,396 0.45 6,903 0.73 7,000 0.74  
    Projects                      
40   Sight First Officer                      
41   Portfolio                      
42   Speech/Hearing Officer.                      
43   Diabetes Education Prog Co-ordinator                      
44   Medic Alert Officer                      
45   P&L Disabilities Officer                      
46   Environment Officer                      
      542 0.05 146 0.01 929 0.10 2,500 0.27 2,500 0.27  
    Adm. & Management                      
47   MD Officers - Attendance, Convention                      
48   Centennial Committee                      
49   Charities Treasurer                      
50   Constitution, Noms & Resolutions Officer                      
51   Credentials Officer                      
52   Data Protection                      
53   Health & Safety Officer                      
54   Legal Adviser                      
55   Tax Advisor                      
56   Vulnerable Person Co-ordinator                      
      567 0.05 218 0.02 1,714 0.18 3,900 0.41 3,900 0.41  
    Gross Revenue Total 284,011 25.82 243,441 24.34 307,530 31.54 370,268 39.39 385,421 41.00  
    Income & Injection - 22,730 -2.07 - 14,402 -1.44 - 21,572 -2.21 - 15,500 -1.65 - 4,000 -0.43  
    Budget 261,281 22.82 229,039 20.82 285,958 28.60 354,768 37.74 381,421 40.58  
    No of members per budget 11,450   11,000   10,000   9,750   9,400    
    Dues Calculation 28.80   30.45   28.60   36.39   40.58    
    Income & Injection                      
    Sundry Expenses 9,443   3,986   799       10,000    
    Depreciation 2,724   1,816   2,732   2,000   2,000    
    Sundry Income - 1,163   - 5,941   - 4,019            
    Gross Profit - Sales (National HQ) - 7,628   - 365   - 8,684   - 6,000   - 6,000    
    Rental Income - 15,396   - 9,987   - 10,866   - 8,500   - 10,500    
    Contribution - 9,349   - 3,322   - 1,244   - 5,000   -    
    Interest - 4,313   - 2,488   - 2,906   - 3,000   - 4,500    
    Tax 2,952   1,899   2,616   5,000   5,000    
    Total - 22,730   - 14,402   - 21,572   - 15,500   - 4,000    
    Dues Set 28.50   28.50   33.50   29.50   35.00    
    Proposed Income Budget 329,805   334,987   337,914   354,768   381,421    
    Dues Income         270000   287625   329000    

Resolution C:

Proposed by COG

Resolution Concerning Request for Clubs to donate towards MD Youth Activities.

This Convention resolves that the sum of £4.00 (four pounds) per Club Member to be requested from Clubs to support Youth Activities be increased to £6.00 (six pounds) per Club Member for the Lionistic Year 2023-2024.

This sum shall continue to be reviewed annually by the Council of Governors who may make recommendations to future Conventions as to a suitable sum to be requested for the immediately following Lionistic Year. In the event that no such recommendation is made or, that same is rejected by Convention, the sum to be requested shall continue to be the sum for the time being in force.

Explanatory Notes:

This sum can be paid from a Clubs charitable funds.

Convention Torquay 2013 passed a Resolution to request each Club in the Multiple District to pay the sum of £4 per member to support Youth Activities each year, commencing July 2013.

It also resolved that the Council of Governors review this sum on an annual basis and make a recommendation to successive Conventions as to a suitable sum to be requested for the immediately following Lionistic Year. This is the first request for an increase since 2013.

At the time of the 2013 Resolution the budget for the then forthcoming year 2014 was £38,130. The budget for 2024 is £49,887. Not only has the membership declined but also contributions in 2022 represented only 62.1% of members.

Council have agreed they wish continue to promote the benefit of the youth activities which comprise of Peace poster and Essay Competition, Young Leaders in Service including the Ship Shape Award, Young Ambassadors, The Youth Exchange Programme, Youth camp and Leos.

In the event that no such recommendation is made or, that same is rejected by Convention, the sum to be requested shall be that agreed at the most recent preceding Convention. The failure to increase income for Youth Activities will result in a request to Council to reduce Youth Activities funded by the MD 105 Foundation.



A PDF version is also available to download and print:

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Icon 2023 Convention Resolutions to combine.pdf