Zone
Chairman
Prepared by:
Richard Duncan
Lions Clubs
international
District 410C
1
Introduction
The object of this session
is to give the prospective
Zone Chairman an
overview of the
responsibilities of the
position
2
Topics of
Discussion
We will go through the
following areas
Introduction to Zone Chairman
Responsibilities of a Zone Chairman
The District organisation
Working with Clubs
DG’s Advisory Committee
Zone meetings
3
INTRODUCTION
The Zone Chairman should be a past
President of a club or have served for
at least three years on the board of
directors, and he or she must be a
member of a club within the Zone.
You have been appointed as Zone
Chairman because you have leadership
abilities.
In your Zone, you will be dealing with
Lions of many personalities, capabilities
and likes and dislikes.
Your work as Zone Chairman can be
one of the most meaningful and
successful experiences of your life time.
You should have an active interest in
the affairs and health of each club in
the Zone
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INTRODUCTION
CONTINUED
Your role as a Zone Chairman is very
important to the association. As a
leader you will motivate, counsel, and
communicate with volunteers from all
walks of life who have chosen, just like
you, to be members of clubs which
belong to one of the world’s largest
service organization, the International
Association of Lions Clubs.
By keeping the district officers informed of
the clubs’ activities and by encouraging
the clubs to support district, multiple
district, and international programs, the
Zone chairman will be able to foster a
spirit of communication and unity
among all Lions
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Keys to this
position
Lions Code of Ethics
TO SHOW my faith in the worthiness of my
vocation by industrious application to the end that I
may merit a reputation for quality of service.
TO SEEK success and to demand all fair
remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept
no profit or success at the price of my own self-
respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or
because of questionable acts on my part.
TO REMEMBER that in building up my business it
is not necessary to tear down another’s; to be loyal
to my clients or customers and true to myself
TO HOLD friendships as an end and not a means.
To hold that true friendship exists not on account of
the service performed by one to another, but that
true friendship demands nothing but accepts
service in the spirit in which it is given.
ALWAYS to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my
nation, my state and my community, and to give them
unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed. To give them
freely of my time, labor, and means.
TO AID others by giving my sympathy to those in distress,
my aid to the week, and my substance to the needy.
TO BE CAREFUL with my criticism and liberal with my
praise;to build up and not destroy.
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Keys to this
position
LIONS CLUB OBJECTS
TO CREATE and foster a spirit of understanding among the
peoples of the world.
TO PROMOTE the principals of good government and good
citizenship
TO TAKE an active interest in the civic, cultural,social and
moral welfare of the community
TO UNITE the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good
fellowship and mutual understanding.
TO PROVIDE a forum for the open discussion of all matters
of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics
and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club
members.
TO ENCOURAGE service-minded people to serve their
community without personal financial reward,and to
encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in
commerce, industry, professions, public works and private
endeavors.
MISSION STATEMENT
TO CREATE AND FOSTER a spirit of understanding
among all people for humanitarian needs by providing
voluntary services through community involvement and
international cooperation.
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Working with
Clubs
No other district officer has a closer
relationship with the individual clubs as
does the Zone chairman. He/She
should work with the clubs as an
advisor and help them identify the
specific needs of a particular club. To
do so, a Zone chairman should visit
each club in the Zone. The Zone
Chairman’s visits will reinforce his role
as a counselor and as a resource
person, and will also give him/her the
opportunity to identify the strong clubs
as well as the weak clubs
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The Zone
Chairman's
responsibilities
A Zone Chairman is the
District administrative
officer representing
his/her Zone.
He/She under the
direction of the District
Governor or Region
Chairman and is
accountable to them.
TO…..
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To further the purposes and objectives
of the International Association of Lions
Clubs
To work closely with all district officers
To attend regularly scheduled meetings
of the district
To serve as chairman of Zone’s District
Governor’s Advisory Committee and
hold three meetings annually
To visit regularly the meetings of each
club in the Zone in the first and third
quarter of the term in office and to
report these visits to the Region
Chairman and to Cabinet
To be informed about the activities and
the well-being of all the clubs in the
Zone and to suggest and implement
methods for assisting all clubs within
the Zone, especially clubs in status
quo, young clubs, and clubs with
problems
To initiate the exchange of ideas on
programs, projects, activities, and fund
raising methods in the clubs
To make sure that every club within the
Zone respects its constitution and
bylaws.
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To promote club representation at
international, multiple district and
district conventions by the full quota of
delegates to which clubs are entitled.
To represent any club in the Zone
which has a problem with the district,
the multiple district, or international
headquarters
To recommend qualified Club President
Excellence Award and sign the
application form
To perform other functions and duties
as required by the district constitution
as well as the international Board of
Directors and policies which effect the
success of the International Association
of Lions Clubs within the District
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As a motivator
Recognise the efforts of the club
officers and offer them help
Promote enthusiasm among lions for
their club’s community service projects.
Encourage team spirit and unity among
club members and also clubs.
Point out the importance of respecting
other Lions members
Encourage participation in district
events, conferences and training.
Encourage members to accept
leadership challenges
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As a Counselor
Offer direction and support to clubs
Inform clubs of resources available
from the association and the community
Listen to the concerns of the clubs
Offer amicable resolutions to
misunderstandings and problems
Provide guidance to misunderstandings
and problems
Provide guidance to weak clubs and
those in Status quo.
Encourage strong successful clubs to
set higher goals
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As a
communicator
Inform clubs of district and multiple
district events and training opportunities
Provide suggestions on how clubs can
participate in district events
Report the clubs activities to the
required district officers
Promote the objectives of the
International Association of Lions Clubs
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Strong clubs:
Well organised
Enthusiastic members
who take pride in their
club
Steady membership
growth
Numerous service
projects
Successful fundraisers
Strong public relations
Pay dues on time and
seldom have past due
accounts. 15
Weak clubs:
Members lack initiative,
unity and are indifferent
to each other
Poor membership
retention
poor service activities
No growth, do not attend
district region or zone
functions
Delinquent accounts
Face possibility of being
placed in status quo
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Assisting weak
clubs
Diplomacy is most important
when assisting weak clubs.
Creating unity and harmony
among club members may help
the club become stronger.
Identifying the main problems,
listening attentively to the
concerns of the members of the
club, giving constructive advice
will bring stability and strength to
the weak clubs
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Preperation
BEFORE YOU TAKE OFFICE
Talk to predecessor
Confer with DG elect
Appoint Zone Secretary
Set date and venue for 1st
meeting
Improve own skills
Know the constitution
Know your duties and
responsibilities
Set goals
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Duties
Keep informed on all clubs
Visit all clubs
Guide clubs on all projects.
Promote attendance to
conventions etc.
Chair Zone meeting (3)
Report on Zone meetings
Follow up
M .R.’s
Payment
Attend & Report to all cabinet
meetings
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Zone Chairman
D.G’s Advisory
Committee
Zone Meeting
Club Visits
Cabinet Meeting
20
Zone Meeting
Minimum 3
1st - 60 Days from
Int.Convention.
2nd - November
3rd - March
4th - (Optional) June.
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Zone Meeting
Information
-From District Chairman
-From Cabinet
-From Clubs
problem solving
interaction
Socialise
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Zone Meeting
Preparation
Notice & Agenda to all
clubs
Appoint Secretary
Arrange venue - Club to
host
Arrange social - hosting
club
Arrange accommodation
if required
Arrange meeting
requirements
-seating
-Gong & Gavel
-Flag
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-Flipchart Etc.
Zone Meeting
Format
D.G.’s A.C.M.
Membership meeting
General Zone Meeting
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Zone Meeting
DG’s A.C.M.
Prior to General Zone
Meeting
Presidents, Secretaries &
Treasurers
Presidents Submit
Report on Finance &
membership
Discuss Problems &
Solutions
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Zone Meeting
Membership Meeting
Prior to general zone
meeting
Region Chairman as
chairman
Where there is no Region Chairman
incorporate in DG’s A.C.M.
Club membership
directors
Discuss Membership
program
Membership Directors
submit report
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Zone Meeting
Presidents report on all
activities
All members attend
Lions information-By
District Chairmen
Two way Communication
- From Clubs
- From District
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Zone Meeting
Minutes and reports to
- All Clubs
- Dist.Governor
- Reg. Chair.
Notice of next meeting
Calendar of club events
Advisory committee
report
To:
- District Governor
- Cabinet Secretary
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29
Club Visits
Promote D.G.’s goals
Promote
- Mid Year Conference
- District Convention
- Zone Meetings
- District Projects
- Membership Program
Compliment On
Achievements
Give Constructive Advice
Notify D.G.of any problems
Complete Visitation Report
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Cabinet Meeting
After the meeting
Report to clubs in zone
Follow up on action
requests
Send in expense claim
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Zone Chairman
Summary of duties
Hold at least 3 meetings
Visit all clubs
Report on
- Zone meetings
- Club visits
- Weak clubs
Promote
- All district projects
- Harmony
- Attendance at Convention
- Membership
Follow up - M & A’s
- Dues
Attend all cabinet meetings
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