Club Governance
Who really runs a Lions club — the president or the board? Governance is about power: who makes the decisions, and the rule book they all answer to.
The buck stops here.— Harry S. Truman
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Define what 'governance' means for a club.
- Explain the purpose of the constitution and by-laws.
- Describe the president's roles and responsibilities.
- Understand the board of directors — and just how much power it holds.
- See how members keep their voice, and how healthy clubs build consensus.
So — what is governance?
At its simplest, governance is 'the action or manner of governing an organization.' In practice it answers one question: who has the power to make decisions and shape how things are done? For a Lions club, the answer is more surprising than most members expect.
The big picture — mind map
Tap any branch to reveal its key ideas.
The rule book: constitution & by-laws
Every club runs on a constitution and by-laws — the road map, or GPS, for how it operates. Most clubs simply adopt LCI's Standard Form and review it early on. It can be amended to fit your club, with one firm limit: nothing may circumvent the Lions Clubs International constitution and by-laws.
Inside the rule book you'll find:
A simple habit: recite one paragraph of the Code of Ethics at each meeting. Ask most members to quote it and you'll get a 'deer in the headlights' look — repetition fixes that, and keeps our values alive.
The president's job
The president is the club's chief executive. Tap each duty to learn more.
The board — and who's really in charge
The board is made up of the president, immediate past president, vice president(s), secretary, treasurer, membership chair and (usually four) directors.
- Preside, appoint committees and call meetings
- Propose a policy or direction
- Lead — but not decide alone
- Shapes and executes all club policy
- Authorizes every expense — no board, no spend
- Can modify, override or rescind any officer's action
Shapes and executes policy
Everything that comes before the club flows through the board. And it isn't only the president who carries policy out — the authority to execute it lies with the board itself.
Controls the money
No funds are spent without the board's approval. Even a worthy, urgent donation can't be sent by the president alone — it must be authorized by the board.
Guards the finances
The board arranges an annual audit — two appointed members can do it, no CPA required — keeps the activity and administrative accounts strictly separate (public-raised money goes back to the public), appoints the bank, and bonds the officers to protect the club.
Can override any officer
The board can modify, override or rescind any action of any club officer. That single power is why, when we talk about club governance, it is the board — not the president — that truly governs.
The members still have a voice
The board holds the authority — but healthy clubs keep every member heard and involved.
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Send board briefs
Email a short summary of every board decision so members who missed the meeting still know what's happening.
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Open the board meeting
Board meetings aren't closed — any member may attend and speak on issues they care about, even if only the board votes.
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Stand for office
A member who feels strongly about the club's direction can run to become a director or officer.
Technically the board's decision is final — but the best clubs run on consensus, not command. Listen, communicate openly and keep members involved. When only the president and board have a say, members quietly drift away.
Check yourself
Five quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- Does everyone on our board know they — not the president alone — hold the club's authority?
- When did we last read our constitution and by-laws, and is our club using the standard form?
- How do our absent members find out what the board decided?