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Delegates OK testing new membership models

New Kiwanis models will join traditional Kiwanis models, as a result of House of Delegates action in San Antonio this past July. Delegates authorized Kiwanis International to develop new forms of membership as the organization progresses toward its 1-million-member goal.

Convened at the 92nd Annual International Convention, delegates approved a Bylaws amendment that allows the Board of Trustees 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.

Delegates also approved amendments that:

• Move the duties of the “chief executive officer” in charge of day-to-day operations from the International President to the Executive Director. The amendment also changes the title of “Executive Director” to “Chief Executive Officer.” After delegates adopted this amendment, another similar proposal was withdrawn.

• Eliminate the requirement for International Council to meet annually.

• Set a 2/3-vote requirement for adding completely new provisions (Articles and Sections) to the International Bylaws. Another similar proposal was withdrawn.

• Change the deadline for submission of proposed amendments and resolutions from April 1 to February 15 to allow more time for consideration and review and allow the Resolutions Committee to meet within 60 days thereafter.

• Change the references in the International Bylaws from “magazine” and “Kiwanis magazine” to “official publication.”

• Restore Kiwanis magazine to a balanced budget without a fee increase. The publication will continue to be published for members in the United States and English-language clubs in Canada, as well as voluntary subscribers in other parts of the Kiwanis world.

Delegates did not approve amendments that proposed to:

• Implement a new classification of shared active membership.

• Add a new classification of corporate membership.

• Require a minimum period of one year and one day between International Board service as a Trustee and the announcement of candidacy for a higher office. This amendment also would have allowed districts to have one Trustee and one higher officer on the International Board at the same time.

• Require clubs to offer members the option to vote by mail (absentee ballot) on club matters.

• Allow alternative voting methods for amendments that have little or no opposition.

One proposal to provide a pro-rated membership-induction fee for new members was withdrawn.

One published proposed amendment was not considered due to a lack of a motion. It proposed to relieve Kiwanis members who are in the military service and deployed to a combat zone from payment of International dues.

A proposal to align Service Leadership Programs districts with Kiwanis districts was referred to committee.