Pretty simple, actually. Email your ad, flyer, announcement to the MD19 office, md19lions@lionsmd19.org. All website content must be approved by the MD19 office. PDF and PNG formats are preferred.

Pretty simple, actually. Email your ad, flyer, announcement to the MD19 office, md19lions@lionsmd19.org. All Border Crossing content must be approved by the MD19 office. PDF and PNG formats are preferred. The MD19 office will let you know whether advertising charges apply.

MD19 provides administrative services, leadership training, membership support and service support it's 5 sub–districts — Districts 19–L, 19–I, 19–O, 19–N, and 19–S.

MD19's funding comes from the clubs within it's nine sub–districts. MD19 bills clubs for an assessment ratable to club membership, semi–annually, in January and July. The MD19 annual club assessments are commonly referred to as the MD19 “dues.”

MD19 club assessments can be increased only by majority vote of club delegates at an MD19 Annual Convention.

Note that only Lions International, multiple districts and districts (aka, sub–districts) are authorized to levy assessments. Zones have no assessment authority.

Most clubs include the dues from Lions Club International, MD19, and their District (if any) as a component of club member “dues”.

The clubs voted at the MD19 annual convention in October, 2019 to increase the per capita club assessments commonly referred to as the MD19 “dues” starting in January, 2020, with three additional incremental increases of $1⁰⁰ every other year through the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

The annual assessments are billed semi–annually with 1/2 due by the end of August and the 1/2 due by the end of February, scheduled as follows:

MD19 uses Lions International's club member counts on December 31 to calculate the January installment and June 30 to calculate the July installment.

Pursuant to the MD19 Constitution and Bylaws:

• 89% are allocated to MD19 operations— personnel, utilities, supplies, taxes— the ordinary and necessary expenses of business operations.
• 3% are applied to a convention fund.
• 6% are allocated to the operations accounts for each of the five sub–districts. At the end of each fiscal year, any funds remaining in a sub–district's operations account are transfered to and held in an escrow account for that sub–district's use. All funds allocated to the sub–districts, whether in the operations account or escrow accout, belong to the sub–districts for sub–district expenses as determined by the District's cabinet.
• 1% is allocated to a reserve fund.
• 1% is allocated to a building reserve fund.

All Lions clubs are required to pay international and district (sub and multiple) dues. According to the International Bylaws, the obligations of a Lions club are outlined in Article XI, Section 4 as follows:

“Section 4. OBLIGATIONS OF A CLUB. Each club, to remain in good standing, shall:

1. Collect from each member, except as otherwise provided herein, minimum annual dues to cover international and district (single, sub and multiple) dues and such other expenses as are necessary for club administration.
2. Submit such regular reports to the association's office as may be called for by the International Board of Directors.
3. Abide by the constitution, by—laws, and the policy of the International Board of Directors.
4. Attempt to resolve all disputes arising at the club level according to the Club Dispute Resolution Procedure set out, from time to time, in the policy of the International Board of Directors.”

The Board Policy Manual further provides, in Chapter V:

“B. Good Standing. A club in good standing is one:

1. Which is not in ‘status quo or financial suspension’;
2. Which operates in accordance with the provisions of the International Constitution and By–Laws and International Board Policy;
3. Which has:
   1. District (Single, Sub and Multiple) dues and fees paid in full; and
   2. No unpaid balance of International dues and fees greater than U.S.$10; and
   3. No unpaid Lions Club International account balance greater than U.S.$50, outstanding ninety (90) days or more.”

Taken together, these provisions provide that, in order to be classified as a Lions club in good standing, and remain in good standing, a Lions club must pay all international and district (single, sub–district, and multiple) dues.

In the event a Lions club refuses to pay outstanding multiple district dues, it would not be eligible for delegates at a district or multiple district convention, and may be recommended for status quo and/or cancellation by a district governor for its ongoing failure to comply with the obligations of a Lions club.

The Council Of Governors is the governing body of MD19. The Council is a 21 member board comprised of the seated District Governors and Immedite Past District Governors of each of the nine MD19 Districts, the Council Chairperson, Vice Council Chairperson and Immediate Past Council Chairperson.

The MD19 Council Chairperson is the chief executive officer of multiple district. The Council Chair presides over all meetings of the Council of Governors (the Fall, Winter and Spring Council meetings) and the MD19 annual convention, and is an ex–officio member of all MD19 committees.

Council Chairpersons in MD19 are elected by the clubs. The election takes place at the MD19 annual convention. Clubs vote through delegates, which are allocated based on club size.

A candidate for Council Chair must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in MD19.
2. Have served at the time he or she is to take office as Vice Council Chairperson for a full term or major potion thereof; Except, if the incumbent Vice Council Chairperson does not stand for election as Council Chairperson, any person qualified to serve as Vice Council Chairperson is also eligible.
3. File a statement with the MD19 office of his or her intent to stand for election to the office of Council Chairperson.

A seated Vice Vice Council Chairperson who declares his or her intent to become Council Chairperson by December 31 prior to the fiscal year he or she is to take office is the only person who can be a candidate.

Vice Council Chairpersons in MD19 are elected by the clubs. The election takes place at the MD19 annual convention. Clubs vote through delegates, which are allocated based on club size.

A candidate for Vice Council Chairperson must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in MD19.
2. Have served at the time he or she is to take office:
   1. As a Past District Governor for two or more years.
   2. As a MD19 committee member or a member of the board of directors of an MD19 foundation for one or more years, which may not be served concurrentlky while serving on the MD19 Council of Governors.
3. File a statement with the MD19 office of his or her intent to stand for election to the office of Council Chairperson.
4. File with the MD19 office endorsement letters from their club and their District.

No one will ever accuse Lions of being acronym–challenged!

GAT, GLT, GMT, GST and CST are acronyms that describe a structure adopted by the Association to assist districts, clubs, and LCI with leadership development, membership and service. The structure replaces the LEMPRR (or, in some parts of the world, MERL) program.

GLT stands for the Global Leadership Team. GLT coordinators are appointed at each level of Lions (the club, district, multiple district and the Association) to develop, train and support Lion leaders.

GMT stands for Global Membership Team. GMT coordinators are appointed at each level of Lions (the club, district, multiple district and the Association) to assist clubs with membership growth and retention.

GST stands for Global Service Team. GST coordinators are appointed at each level of Lions (the club, district, multiple district and the Association) to assist clubs delvering service to their communities.

GAT stands for Global Action Team. GAT coordinators are appointed at each level of Lions (the club, district, multiple district and the Association) to facilitate the GLT, GMT and GST.

GLT, GMT and GST coordinators are appointed to three year terms in an effort to provide continuity— District governors appoint district level coordinators, MD19 coordinators are appointed by the Council of Govenors and approved by LCI, and LCI appoints constitutional area coordinators.

The GAT and the GST are new to the club support structure. Before there was a GAT, the GLT and the GMT operated as a Club Support Team (the CST). And before the CST/GLT/GMT, club support was vested in LEMPRR…

LEMPRR was a club support program adopted by LCI and MD19. It preseeded the Club Support Team (the GLT and GMT), which has now, with a few more frills, matured into the Global Action Team.

LEMPRR as an acronym describes the key elements of club, district and Association health: Leadership, Extension, Membership, Public Relations and Retention. MD19 (and each of the MD19 Districts) had a LEMPRR "Team", which was comprised of a coordinator for each of the 5 LEMPRR positions. The LEMPRR Team provided support to the District LEMPRR teams, which provided support to the district's clubs in leadership development, club extension, membership development, public relations and membership retention.

The LEMPRR positions still exist under the GAT, MD19 still has coordinators for leadership, extension, membership, public relations and retention, and MD19 still provides leadership, extension, membership, public relations and retention support throughout the multiple district. It is just not called LEMPRR.

District Governors in MD19 are elected by the clubs in their respective districts at the district's annual conference. Clubs vote through delegates, which are allocated based on club size.

A candidate for District Governor in an MD19 district must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in the district in which he or she seeks to be a candidate.
2. Have served (not concurrently) at the time he or she is to take office as:
   1. A club president,
   2. A director on a Lions club board of directors for 2 years in addition to his or her term as president,
   3. A zone chairperson for a term or major portion of a term in addition to his or her terms as a club president and director, and
   4. A 1^st Vice District Governor. Except, in the event of a vacancy in the office of 1^st Vice District Governor, a candidate who meets all other qualifications need not have served as a 1^st Vice District Governor.
3. File with the MD19 office endorsement letters from their club and their zone.

In addition, a seated 1^st Vice District governor who declares his or her intent to become District Governor by December 31 prior to the fiscal year he or she is to take office is the only person who can be a candidate.

Vice District Governors in MD19 are elected by the clubs in their respective districts at the district's annual conference. Clubs vote through delegates, which are allocated based on club size. There are two vice district governore: a 1^st Vice District Governor and a 2^nd Vice District Governor.

A candidate for 1^st Vice District Governor in an MD19 district must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in the district in which he or she seeks to be a candidate.
2. Have served at the time he or she is to take office as:
   1. A club president,
   2. A director on a Lions club board of directors for 2 years in addition to his or her term as president,
   3. A zone chairperson for a term or major portion of a term in addition to his or her terms as a club president and director, and
   4. A 2^nd Vice District Governor. Except, in the event of a vacancy in the office of 2^nd Vice District Governor, a candidate who meets all other qualifications need not have served as a 2^nd Vice District Governor.
3. File with the MD19 office an endorsement letter from their club and their zone.

In addition, a seated 2^nd Vice District governor who declares his or her intent to become 1^st Vice District Governor by December 31 prior to the fiscal year he or she is to take office is the only person who can be a candidate.

A candidate for 2^nd Vice District Governor in an MD19 district must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in the district in which he or she seeks to be a candidate.
2. Have served at the time he or she is to take office as:
   1. A club president,
   2. A director on a Lions club board of directors for 2 years in addition to his or her term as president, and
   3. A zone chairperson for a term or major portion of a term in addition to his or her terms as a club president and director.
3. File with the MD19 office an endorsement letter from their club and their zone.

Zone Chairpersons in the MD19 districts are elected by the clubs in their zones at a Zone Advisory Meeting prior to the district's annual conference. Clubs vote at Zone Advisory Meetings through their president and secretary, each club holding two votes.

A candidate for Zone Chairperson in an MD19 district must:

1. Be an active member in good standing of a charterd Lions club in good standing in the zone in which he or she seeks to be a candidate.
2. Have served at the time he or she is to take office as:
   1. A club president or a club secretary, and
   2. A director on a Lions club board of directors for 2 years in addition to his or her term as president or secretary,
3. File with the MD19 office an endorsement letter from their club.

Zone chairpersons are limited to two consecutive terms.

Some MD19 districts also elect an Associate Zone Chairperson. Qualifications for the Associate Zone Chairperson are the same as for Zone Chairperson, and a seated associate zone chair who declares his or her intent to seek election as Zone Chairperson by December 31 prior to the fiscal year he or she is to take office is the only person who can be a candidate.

A district governor serves as the chief executive officer of his or her district for a 1 year term. They are the second ranking officers in Lions Clubs International. District governors report and are answerable only to the International President (and their district).

District governors also:

• Serve as the district's Global Action Team coordinator— the GAT— to facilitate the work of the district GLT, GMT and GST,
• Serve as the International President's liason to the clubs in his or her district,
• Serve on the Council Of Governors, the governing body of MD19.

District governors are expected to:

• Attend the LCI convention for induction as a district governor,
• Visit or provide for a visit of each club in his or her district,
• Conduct 3 district cabinet meetings,
• Report on the status and health of the clubs in his or her district,
• Attend the three MD19 Council of Governors meetings,
• Attend his or her district conference,
• Attend the annual MD19 convention.

District governors are frequently asked to:

• Induct new club members,
• Install new club officers,
• Speak at club anniversaries, celebrations and new club charter nights,
• Visit fellow–gonernor's district conferences.

A zone chairperson is the liason between the clubs in his or her zone and the district governor.

Zone chairpersons are expected to:

• Attend zone training school,
• Visit each club in his or her zone in advance of the district govenor' official visit,
• Introduce the district governor at the governor's official club visits,
• Conduct 3 Zone Advisory meetings,
• Attend the district cabinet meetings,
• Attend the annual the district conference.

Zone chairpersons are frequently asked to:

• Induct new club members,
• Install new club officers,
• Speak at club anniversaries, celebrations and new club charter nights,

The simplest answer is that Lions International, MD19 and the Lions in your district need your help.

Lions instinctively gravitate to serving our local communities. It is easy for us to forget that no organization runs itself. Lions is no different. As a corollary, all organizations are run by those who show up. Again, Lions is no different.

District governors are key players in ensuring there are Lions who will serve our local communities. Governors know their districts and their clubs, the wants and needs of their communities, and what their clubs want to be focusing on. It is through district governors that the global organization of Lions decides where its priorities are, what to focus on, how to help it's member clubs. Without your voice as a district governor, the Association may never move to the things you know are important to your fellow Lions.

There are significant personal rewards that come from serving as a district governor. Most past district governors, even those who went kicking and screaming into office, regret from the experience only that they did not become a district governor much earlier in their Lion carreers. Serving as a district governor is among the most rewarding things you will do. You will meet people from all places that will become friends for life, you will acquire skills that you did not have, you will gain an understandng of the incredible, global impact of Lions, you will learn that the community you serve is a much bigger place than just your home town.

Yes, being a district governor takes some time you could spend on something else. But what doesn't? Serving as a district governor is one of those, rare, win–wins— good for Lions, good for your coummunity, good for you. What's not to like?

The office of Zone Chairperson is universally recognized as one of the most rewarding jobs in all of Lions. Why would anyone not want that experience?

The time commitment required of zone chairpersons is not great: The most time is spent on two visits to each club; The average zone has 8 clubs, which meams 16 club visits over 52 weeks. Add in 3 zone meetings and a district conference, and that gets to 20 days out of 365 that you will have something to do for your zone.

The financial commitment is also not large. Travel expenses (driving) to and from the clubs, meetings and conferences you attend, lodging for zone training school and your district conference. Reimbursements are available, albeit not large, toward travel and lodging.

The rewards are many. Your Lions world will expand. You will meet many new friends, learn about the communities your clubs serve, see the different ways Lions clubs help, learn about projects and activities that you have never before heard of. Your clubs will get to know you, will respect and let you know how much they respect the time and effort you put in to help them. And it will give you a perspective on the broader world of Lions outside your club that may just encourage you to step further outside the comfort of your club.

First, let's lay the groundwork: Forget everything you have heard, evey urban legend, every horror story, about the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to be a district governor. Erase it all from your memory. All done? Let's move on:

Serving as a district governor is not free. But, being a Lion is not free, either. You will undoubtedly spend some of your own money, and fulfilling your duties will take up some of your time.

The financial costs of serving as district governor are very rarely prohibitive. It is impossible to state a specific dollar amount that you will have to spend. Different district governors spend different amounts, ranging from almost nothing to sums that would make many uncomfortable. The point is, there is no financial requirement to serve as a district governor. Nor is there a, universal, “It is going to cosy you $X”.

Most district governor expenses are reimbursed, in whole or in part. For example:

• Travel, room and board to attend the International convention. An incoming governor should attend the International convention, where he or she will be inducted. The next few conventions are in Milan, Italy, Singapore, and Montreal, Quebec Canada. That might sound a bit daunting, but Lions Clubs International pays for the travel, room and board, provides a food stipend for miscellaneous costs, and provides an allowance toward the flight expenses of the governor's traveling companion to the International convention. One caveat, for transitional districts (districts with fewer than 1,250 members) the stipends apportioned from a pool of unused funds and may not be as much as the stipends governors from non–transistional districts receive.
• Expenses for club visits. Every district governor has an account at Lions Clubs International, a budget to apply to the expenses of conducting official business. Each governor's budget is tailored to the needs of his or her district based on the experiences and needs of previous governors in his or her district. Mileage, tolls, ferry charges and the like are all covered, as are some lodging and meal expenses.
• Gifts, awards and remeberances. Every district governor has an expense account at MD19 to cover, with some limitations, the costs of awards, gifts and rememberances. You can spend more than you have in your account if you want to, but you sure do not have to.
• Meals. Virtually all food expenses while on official business are covered for the governor and his or her traveling companion: Clubs comp the governor's meals, meal costs at the MD19 convention and Council meetings are paid by MD19, and the registration fees for conferences and conventions in MD19 are waived for seated governors.
• In additon to the formal expense reimbursements from LCI and MD19, several districts provide expense moneys to their governors for incidental expenses. A few clubs have expense accounts for their members who serve as district governor as well. And, when on the road, clubs frequently present governors with expense money, gift cards for fuel, or other travel expenses to help out.

No, you will not make money as a district governor. No, being a district governor is not free. Yes, there are incidental expenses that inevitably arise. But serving as governor is certainly not the huge financial burden it is frequently percieved to be.

In addition to serving in an elected office, you can volunteer to help the MD19 office or serve on an MD19 committee— or both.

MD19 is the administrative office for each of the 9 MD19 districts. MD19 employs a full time Exeutuve Sevretary/Treasurer and an Administrative Assistant. About than 12,000 Lions, 450 clubs, are served by the MD19 office. It always can use help, either at the Bellingham office or at conventions and Council of Governors meetings. The office building requires regular maintenance and occasional capital improvements, and there is a Memorial Garden on site that always can use work.

MD19 has numerous committees that need people commited to help. Check out the list of MD19 committees, pick a topic that catches your eye, and either contact the MD19 office or let your district governor know you are interested and available.

MD19 committees are appointed by the Vice Council Chairperson for terms that begin the next fiscal year. Vacancies in committees are appointed by the seated Council Chairperson. You should feel free to contact either to let them know you are interested in serving on a MD19 committee. Really! That is all it takes. MD19 is always looking for fresh faces and new perspectives.

District cabinets are appointed by the 1^st Vice District Governor for terms that begin the next fiscal year. Vacancies in the cabinets are appointed by the seated District Governors. You should feel free to contact either to let them know you are interested in serving on your district cabinet.

The MD19 Lions Foundation provides grants for leadership training. The foundation was created in 2003 as a result of a generous bequest for the specific purpose of funding leadership opportunities in MD19.

The MD19 annual convention is the official gathering of Lions ifrom British Columbia, Northern Idaho and Washington. The purpose of the convention is to discuss common interests, learn new ideas, make and connect with friends, vote on matters that affect all MD19 Lions, and have some fun

District conventions are the official business meetings of the Districts. Conventions must occur annually.

The official business of district conventions is the election of district officers (District Governor, 1^st and 2^nd Vice District Governors). There may be other matters subject to vote as well.

District conventions also provide an opportunity to connect with friends, meet new Lions, and learn new ideas.

The club secretary is the keeper of all of the club's records. The sevretary files a monthly report with Lions Clubs International and with MD19 on the status of the club's membership (adds and drops) and the club's service projects and activities. The secretary also serves, with the club president, on the district governor's Zone Advisory committee and is expected to attend the 3 Zone Advisory meetings called by the zone chair during the year.

The club president is the chief executive officer of his or her club. The president chairs all club meetings and implements the policies of the club&apos board of directors. The president also serves on the district governor's Zone Advisory committee and is expected to attend the 3 Zone Advisory meetings called by the zone chair during the year.

Contact your disrtice Extension coordinator, GMT or District Governor for help, or click here to submit a request from MD19 for help.

A Campus Club is a Lions club that serves the unique needs of a college or university campus and the campus communities.

Club Branches enable a small group of at least 5 people to form a Lions club and start making a difference in their community sooner than waiting until the club has enough members to be chartered as a Lions club.

Members become part of an existing “parent&rdq Lions club, but hold independent meetings and facilitate their own projects. Club branches elect a branch president, secretary and treasurer to lead the branch. The parent club appoints a branch liaison to serve as the go–between for the parent and branch.

Launched in August 2017, the Specialty Club program was designed to create clubs in which members share a common interest or passion, allowing them to connect with one another on a deeper level. For example, they may share a hobby, profession or ethnicity. Forming specialty clubs allows groups of people around the world to turn their passions into rewarding service projects that directly benefit their communities.

It depends on the question, but in almost any circumstance you can contact your Zone Chairperson, who can likely answer your question or will know who can. Your District Governor is another source, as is a member of your district cabinet. And, you can contact the MD19 Office and they will direct you to a person who can answer your question or point you in the right direction.