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Report #3
Motions & Amendments
Hang in
there! While you may think that the Amendments action is
just too dry a section to be of interest, this was really where
the action was at the convention (with elections perhaps
surpassing that in some eyes... at least the candidates!)
First of all,
Kiwanis International President, Bob Moore and Kiwanis
International Executive Director, Eyjolfur "Eddie" Sigurosson,
did outstanding jobs of running a very complicated procedure
strictly "according to Hoyle". It was a completely
"politically correct" and efficient process... and at the same
time a very entertaining process.
There were
six microphones scattered strategically throughout the 4,200
delegates to the convention. (Three "for" the amendment;
three "against" the amendment.) Each amendment proposal
was read to the assembly by the originator. (In some cases
this was the International Board... in others it came from a
member in one of the Districts.)
Opportunities
to speak were alternated between "for" microphones and "against"
microphones for completely balanced discussion.
There were
occasionally "points of order" that were raised and
automatically given priority to be heard, with a parliamentarian
on the stage giving an immediate decision on keeping the process
legal.
There were
amendments proposed to the Amendment under question and it
sometimes became almost comical to hear President Bob call for a
vote on the "amendment to the Amendment, as amended."
This, and even more complicated forms, could occur after one or
more amendments had been slightly changed in the process.
The true
measure of the presiding Kiwanis International President, Bob
Moore, is that he was able to carry on the process, obtaining a
full and complete discussion from concerned delegates, in
complete harmony. (It was a pretty good measure of the
quality of Kiwanis delegates in attendance, as well!)
Now, let me
quickly run down the list of Motions and Amendments and how they
fared:
Motion to
Merge
The Motion to merge was first brought up at the Kiwanis
International Convention two years ago, then referred to the
International Board for study until it could be presented to the
2004 Convention of Delegates for a decision. This proposed
Motion is to merge into one document the present Kiwanis
International Constitution and Kiwanis International Bylaws.
The new single document will be known as the Kiwanis
International Bylaws. This two-year proposal was a
joint-effort by the 2002-03 and 2003-04 International Committees
on Constitution and Bylaws. A very well-done document
showing side-by-side comparisons of both documents and the
changes proposed to simply combine the two without substantial
change to either was prepared.
PASSED
Amendment #1
To require that any amendment to the Constitution requiring a
two-thirds (2/3) vote be made by a written or electronic ballot.
(Submitted by the Kiwanis International Board of
Trustees). PASSED
Amendment #2
To provide for collection of annual dues, effective October
1, 2005. (Submitted by the Kiwanis International Board
of Trustees). (Note: this does NOT affect how individual club
members pay their dues, but how often dues are paid by the club
to Kiwanis International. This amendment could save
something like $50,000 each year in reduced mailings, etc.
When implemented in the 2005-2006 Kiwanis year, clubs will pay
International and district dues once per year based on each
club's anniversary date. [Our club's charter date is 03/14/74,
meaning that our first annual dues date will be March 31, 2006.]
PASSED
Amendment #3
To provide a worldwide publication of Kiwanis International
Magazine. (Submitted by Kiwanis International Board of
Trustees)
Note: Amazing to me, to learn that we previously only
published in the "primary languages" of English, French &
Spanish. This is a move to expand that to include EVERY
language spoken by Kiwanians, world-wide. [What would YOU
guess is the second most widely used language by Kiwanians? ...
Give up?... It's CHINESE!]
PASSED
Amendment #4
To reduce the number of members on the Standing Committee on
Past International Presidents to eight (8) members and to
provide that the members of the Standing Committee are members
of the Council. (Submitted by Kiwanis International
Board of Trustees)
NOTE: This amendment was proposed because living Past
Presidents had raised the number that potentially COULD attend
Standing Committee meetings (and incur travel costs to Kiwanis
International) to 30+. It was felt by the Board that
reducing this number would save costs and provide a more
manageable committee.
FAILED.
Amendment #5
To include Lieutenant Governors-elect (amended to include
Lieutenant Governors-Designate) as delegates-at-large to all
International Conventions.
(Submitted by Kiwanis International Board of Trustees)
PASSED
Amendment #6
To allow districts to establish an alternate form of district
governance.
(Submitted by the Pennsylvania District.)
Note: (This was a rather sketchy rationale proposal that
would have introduced some number of District Trustees within
those Districts desiring it. Under the proposal, the
Trustees would be a smaller number than existing Lt. Governors
and it was thought to be an advantage is special cases.)
FAILED.
Amendment #7
To express more explicitly the idea of "clubs in good
standing with said district". Such clubs under the
condition of having a membership no less than fifteen (15),
shall be entitled to three (3) delegates in district
conventions. Additional delegate entitlements serve as an
incentive provided by the district in long-term membership
growth and retention. The number of delegate entitlement,
from three (3) to at most five (5), shall be determined
according to the membership of a club, details of which shall be
prescribed in the district bylaws.
(Submitted by the Taiwan District)
FAILED.
Amendment #8
To require use of
a written ballot to change dues and some fees payable to Kiwanis
International by individual Kiwanis clubs or Kiwanis Members.
(Turns out to now be duplicative of previous motions and
amendments and no longer appropriate.)
DISCARDED
Amendment #9
To provide
Kiwanis Clubs with oversight, through the House of Delegates, of
dues and/or membership fees for those sponsored youth programs
of Kiwanis International which do not elect their own
International Board of Trustees, which presently includes
K-Kids, Builders Clubs, and Aktion Clubs.
(Submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Randolph Township, New
Jersey, and co-sponsored by the Kiwnis Club of Denville, New
Jersey.)
FAILED.
Amendment #10
To reduce the
annual per capita international dues from US $42.00 to US $35.00
in order to put Kiwanis members and clubs on a good economic
basis, and to provide continuity worldwide according to the
income per capita of each country within Kiwanis International.
(Submitted by the Austria District Board of Trustees.)
FAILED.
Amendment #11
To validate
admission to the House of Delegates and document attendance and
to increase personal leadership training and representation.
Note: This proposal was to document attendance by
individual delegates to each convention event. Apparently
it was thought in the past that a number of delegates missed
important assemblies to attend local points of interest.
(Submitted by the Kentucky-Tennessee District.)
FAILED.
RESOLUTIONS
At each convention,
before the assembly of delegates is closed for the last time, it
votes on "Proposed Resolutions" that are pretty much "motherhood
and applepie." The following resolutions were passed at
the convention.
Resolution #1
THE KIWANIS IDEA
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Each year Kiwanians
rally around the goals expressed by the incoming International
President. These goals announce the vision of our elected
leadership and stimulate a more unified, action-oriented
awareness throughout the Kiwanis family. The objective is
to make the efforts of all Kiwanians more efficient within
clubs, and services rendered in communities worldwide more
effective.
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED THAT:
Kiwanians everywhere
support, represent, and strive to achieve the 2004-05
International Goals expressed in the Kiwanis IDEA to:
1. Increase our
commitment to young children by enhancing our involvement in
Young Children: Priority One and fulfilling our promise to IDD
around the world.
2. Develop
leadership throughout the Kiwanis family by strengthening adult
leadership for service and growth and enhancing youth
leadership, the future of the world.
3. Expand Kiwanis
service around the world by growing membership in existing
clubs, building new Kiwanis clubs to serve more communities and
nations, and extending the ideals of service to a new generation
through Kiwanis Junior, Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club,
K-Kids, and Aktion Clubs.
4. Access Kiwanis
services and growth by sponsoring new clubs in developing
nations by providing club organizational materials through the
World Link Program.
AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED THAT:
To achieve these
goals, we pledge our time, energy, passion, and devotion until
the Kiwanis IDEA is embraced by all Kiwanians
PASSED
Resolution #2
KIWANIS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND CITIZENSHIP
On the 80th
anniversary of the adoption of the six Objects of Kiwanis, we
celebrate their continued relevance in our daily lives.
Kiwanians, by virtue
of adherence to the Objects, are uniquely positioned to play a
meaningful role in the communities in which they serve.
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED THAT:
Each Kiwanian will:
1. Adhere to the
highest social, business, and professional standards, thereby
inspiring others to excel.
2. Maintain
knowledge of current events that impact the community, nation,
and world by assuming a caring role in civic responsibilities.
3. Appreciate that
the Kiwanis Objects not only provide the foundation for sound
relationships between members and clubs in a diverse Kiwanis
world, but also with personal initiative and united effort, have
the potential to build bridges of cooperation and peace between
all nations.
AND FURTHER BE IT
RESOLVED THAT:
All Kiwanians
realize that our Objects are as meaningful today as ever, but
that it is the responsibility of each Kiwanian to make them
real.
PASSED
Resolution #3
COOPERATIVE VOLUNTEERISM IN COMMUNITIES
Kiwanis and Kiwanis-sponsored organizations have steadily
enlarged their service activities and programs, especially in
areas impacting young children, while continuing assistance to
the handicapped, the aged, and educational endeavors.
Fortunately, there are many other organizations--service,
church, civic, and private--that help with vital services to
individuals, families, and groups. Cooperative efforts by
two or more clubs or organizations will improve the quality of
life in many communities.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Kiwanis clubs everywhere investigate and create opportunities
for joint ventures in service within their communities.
2. Kiwanians offer their personal expertise, resources, time and
assistance on behalf of community and youth endeavors that lead
to improving the lives of all citizens.
3. Kiwanians recognize the high degree of responsibility needed
to make this world a better place for all, and by accepting this
challenge, they can inaugurate a new sense of mutual
cooperation, building bridges to peace among people of nations
everywhere.
PASSED
A few thoughts
following Convention 2004
1. I would really like to
thank the club for the opportunity to represent the Good Morning
Montgomery Kiwanis Club at the 2004 International Convention in
St. Louis! There was much to learn while there and the
excitement of attending such an event in company with
international Kiwanians from 92 nations is hard to describe.
You really DO need to attend one when you have the opportunity.
The next two International Conventions will be in really
exciting places: Hawaii in 2005; Rome, Italy in 2006.
Start making your plans to attend if possible!
2. The need for
Membership Growth was really emphasized during the convention,
as it has for most past conventions. A quick look at OUR
OWN CLUB just underscores the reasons why this is a critical
issue for EACH OF US!
We've got a great club and we
not only accomplish a lot of good, but we have a lot of fun
while doing it. But all of us can remember when we had 75+
members, did more, and had even more fun at it.
The message hammered out in
many of the informational forums of the convention was simply,
"We've GOT to grow!" It's NOT ROCKET SCIENCE!!
All it takes is for each member
to invite multiple people, multiple times, to every meeting.
Let each one of us resolve to
be an active member of our Membership Committee. Make your
"who do you know" list and target friends, co-workers,
relatives, people from your church, people you do business with,
(everybody!) We need particularly younger members and
female members. See what more diversity and young blood
can do for our club.
Remember that a "No" to your
invitation to attend a meeting, often means simply, "Not now."
Ask again! And keep asking!
That was the main lesson I got
from the convention. Again, thanks for letting me
represent our club! It was an honor and I enjoyed the
experience very much!
John T. Burch
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