Kiwanis International

Date: Thursday July 05, 2007
Title: Delegates approve testing new membership models

	A delegate debates an issue brought before the House of Delegates Wednesday.

The House of Delegates approved today a resolution that supports exploring cooperation with Rotary, Lions Clubs, and Optimist on ways to serve the needs of children worldwide.
Wednesday, delegates approved the following four proposed Bylaws amendments:

• Amendment Number One (approved as amended): To allow Kiwanis the flexibility to create and test new forms of membership and new ways to participate in Kiwanis service, consistent with the Objects of Kiwanis, on a limited basis. (See below for the amended language.)  

 

• Amendment Number Two (approved as amended): To move the duties of the “chief executive officer” in charge of day-to-day operations from the International President to the Executive Director, and change the title of “Executive Director” to “Chief Executive Officer,” with the position remaining under the supervision and direction of the International President and the Board of Trustees. (See below for the amended language.) 

 

• Amendment Number Three (approved): To eliminate the requirement for the International Council to meet annually while still allowing it to meet if needed.  

 

• Amendment Number Fourteen (approved as amended): To provide what vote is necessary to add new provisions (Articles or Sections) to the International Bylaws. (See below for the amended language.”) 

 

• Proposed Amendment Number Fifteen (withdrawn): To provide that two-thirds of the valid votes cast be required to enact any new Articles or Sections not currently stated in the International Bylaws. 
  
  
  
  Amendment Number One  as amended
  
  Article IV. Membership of Clubs in Kiwanis International
  Section 3. Exceptions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Kiwanis International Bylaws, the Standard Form for Club Bylaws, or the Standard Form for District Bylaws, the Board of Trustees may admit into Kiwanis membership and/or permit the creation of new forms of Kiwanis membership consistent with the Objects of Kiwanis International, which may extend for a period not exceeding five (5) years without approval of the House of Delegates. The Executive Director shall make an annual report to the House of Delegates covering any such Board action taken or authorized and make an evaluation of their current effectiveness. 
  
  
  Amendment Number Two  as amended
  
  Article XI . Duties of Officers
  Section 1. President
  The President shall preside at all International conventions and at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and International Council of Kiwanis International. The President shall exercise general supervision over the activities of Kiwanis International and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office of President. (7/98) 
  
  
  Amendment Number Fourteen  as amended by substituting #14 with the language of Amendement number 15, as follows:
  
  Article XXIX . Amendments to Bylaws and Recision of Interpretations
  Section 1. The Bylaws of Kiwanis International may be enacted and amended at an International convention by two-thirds (2/3) of the valid votes cast. The Articles and Sections specified in Section 7 of this Article may be enacted or amended by a majority of the valid votes cast, provided that the amendment does not alter, change, modify or revise any Article or Section other than those specified in Section 7. The Bylaws of Kiwanis International also may be enacted and amended by the International Council as provided in Article XIV, Section 3.