Leos leap into service Convention highlights - Lions Clubs New ...

Candidates for Second International Vice PresidentAs of press time, there were eight candidates for International Vice President. The election will take place June 26 at the 95thInternational Convention in Busan, Korea.Harri Ala-KuljuPast International Director Harri Ala-Kulju joined the EspooKeskus Lions Club in Finland in 1977. An insurance director,he has held many offices within the association including clubpresident, cabinet secretary, zone chairman, region chairman,district governor, vice council chairman, council chairman andleader of the Lions extension team in Finland. He has receivednumerous awards including the 100% Club President's Award,several District Governor's Appreciation Awards, the 100% District Governor'sAward, several International President's Certificates of Appreciation, eightInternational President's Awards and the Ambassador of Goodwill award.Phil NathanPast International Director Phil Nathan of Earls Colne,England, served as an international director from 1999-2001.He has been a Lion since 1982 and a charter member of theSouth Woodham Ferrers Lions Club since 1989. A stockbrokerand director of a company, Nathan served as Europa Forumpresident in 2006, holds trustee status on eight different boardsof charitable trusts and is active in many professional, civicand community organisations. In 2001, he was recognised by Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II with an MBE, a Member of the British Empire.Steven ShererPast International Director Steven Sherer, of New Philadelphia,Ohio, is a licensed public accountant and has been a member ofthe Dover Lions Club since 1980. A Progressive Melvin JonesFellow, he has attended 19 international conventions and 13USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forums. He is a GMT areaco-ordinator and the recipient of several international awardsincluding the Ambassador of Goodwill Award and InternationalLeadership Awards. He was honoured with a Distinguished Citizens Award in hiscommunity and is active in many professional and community organisations.Salim MoussanPast International Director Salim Moussan, of Beirut,Lebanon, was elected to serve on the International Board ofDirectors at the association's 80th international conventionheld in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1997. The owner ofa trading company, he is involved in many professional andcommunity organisations. He is a two-time board appointeeand a two-time group leader at international conventions. Hehas attended 24 international conventions and more than 100forums and regional conferences. He served as chairman of the 23rd ISAAMEForum. He is the founder of the Lions Eye Centre in Lebanon.Convention CallIn compliance with Article VI, Section 2 of theInternational By-Laws, I hereby issue the OfficialCall for the 2012 International Convention. Our95th International Convention will be held in Busan,Republic of Korea. It begins at 10am June 22 andends June 26. The purpose of the convention is toelect a president, first vice president, second vicepresident and 17 members of the international boardof directors and to transact such other businessas may properly come before the meeting. Busanis an exciting, fast-paced, world-class city with amultitude of fine restaurants and tourist attractions.It also is one of the most beautiful cities in theworld, surrounded by blue mountains, rivers andlovely beaches. Lions will immensely enjoy itsmild temperatures, the unique Korean culture andwonderful cuisine, most notably the fresh seafood.Convention Week is a splendid, unforgettableexperience full of fellowship, fun and learning. Lionswill enjoy many enduring traditions such as thestirring flag ceremony, the festive internationalparade and the lively, multicultural internationalshow. The memorable plenary sessions includea keynote speech by Dr Margaret Chan, thedirector-general of the World Health Organisation,the presentation of the 2012 HumanitarianAward and the installation of the 2012-2013international president and district governors. TheLions of Korea will warmly welcome their visitorsand ensure that this convention is absolutelyoutstanding in every regard. This convention willbe a vibrant testimony to the power of We Believeas well as to the enduring value of family bondsof Lions. I strongly encourage you to be a part ofthis special Lions event. Signed by me at OakBrook, Illinois, United States of America, this 7thday of May 2012.Wing-Kun Tam, PresidentThe International Association of Lions ClubsG RamaswamyPast International Director G Ramaswamy of Coimbatore,India, joined the Annur Town Lions Club in 1985 as a charteredpresident. Serving as an international director from 1996 to1998, he has been recognised for sponsoring more than 900new members into Lions clubs. He also spurred membershipgrowth from 30,000 to 105,000 in Multiple District 324. Heserved as an appointee to the International Board of Directorsfrom 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2006 and 2006 to 2007. Ramaswamy is an industrialistand the recipient of numerous professional, civic and community awards.Joe PrestonPast International Director Joe Preston of Dewey, Arizona,joined the Mesa Host Lions Club in 1974 and now belongsto the Bradshaw Mountain Lions Club. A fleet sales managerfor a Ford dealership, he has served as a Lion in numerouscapacities including council chairman, district governor,zone chairman and MERL chairman. He also chaired the1994 international convention in Phoenix and the 2003USA/Canada Forum in Portland. He has received the Ambassador of GoodwillAward and other honours.Francisco Fabríco De Oliveira NetoPast International Director Francisco Fabríco De OliveiraNeto joined the Catolé do Rocha Lions Club in Brazil in 1985.An entrepreneur and business administrator, he has servedas a Lion as district governor, council chairman, districtLCIF chairman, SightFirst committee chairman and in othercapacities. He has received numerous awards including sixInternational President's Certificates of Appreciation, theParadigm Medal, Leadership Medal and two President's Medals.Giovanni RigonePast International Director Giovanni Rigone joined the PaviaHost Lions Club in Italy in 1969. The owner of an engineeringfirm, he has held many positions within the association includingclub president, district governor, council chairman and GLTarea leader. He was president of the Europa Forum in 1992.He has received many Lions awards including 21 InternationalPresident's Awards and the Ambassador of Goodwill Award.Official Notice - 2012 InternationalConvention, Busan, Republic of KoreaThe following proposed amendment to the International By-Laws will bereported to the delegates for vote at the 2012 International Convention.This amendment requires a majority affirmative vote for adoption.ITEM 1: A RESOLUTION TO REMOVE THEMEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS ANDPRIVILEGES CHARTS FROM THE INTERNATIONALBY-LAWS, AND CONTINGENT ON THE APPROVALOF THIS RESOLUTION, THESE CHARTS WILL BEMOVED TO THE MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONSSECTION OF THE BOARD POLICY MANUAL.SHALL THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION BEADOPTED?BE IT RESOLVED, That Article XI, Section 7 of theInternational By-Laws be amended by deleting thesecond sentence of the first paragraph in its entiretyand substituting the following:Such categories shall have the rights, privilegesand obligations as set forth in accordance with thepolicies of the International Board of Directors.BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Article XI, Section7 of the International By-Laws be amended by deletingthe Obligations chart on page 47 and the Rights andPrivileges chart on page 48.