Lions 105SC - Convention 2025

5 April 2025

District Almoner - Marilyn Skennerton

Lions passing to Higher Service in Lions District 105SC since our last Convention in March 2024

This year has seen the passing of many of our loved Lions friends. They put in many hours of service and dedication for which we will always be grateful.

Lion Malcolm Carter  -  Ringwood & Fordingbridge  Lions Club

Lion John Hurley -  Devizes Lions Club

Lion Hugh Turner  -  Warminster Lions Club

Lion Graeme Dunn  -  Trowbridge Lions Club

Lion Sean Donlon  -  Devizes Lions Club

Lion Peter Baker  -  Westbury Lions Club

Lion Pen Wilson  -  Farnborough Lions Club

Lion John Campbell  -  Meon Valley Lions Club

Lion Brian Bullock  -  Jersey Lions Club

Lion Robin Hotchkiss  -  Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Club

Lion Richard Allen  -  Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Club

Lion Richard Kitson  -  Henley on Thames Lions Club

Lion June Smith  -  Sandown & Shanklin Lions Club

Lion Colin Journeaux  -  Jersey Lions Club

Lion Ron Neave  -  Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Club

Lion Tom Lawson  -  Calne Lions Club

Lion John Bennigsen  -  Alton Lions Club

Lion Mike Bowden  -  Swindon Lions Club

Could I please remind Club Secretaries to let me know of the passing of any of their members so that I may send a District Condolence card and add their details to the In Memoriam

May I also remind all clubs that if they have a member with a special birthday, anniversary or any other occasion they are celebrating please let me know and a card can be sent from the District.

District Governor report for Convention April 2025 - DG Sandra Manktelow

This has been a year of ups and downs – many clubs have been struggling with membership and have taken the sad decision to close.  However, other clubs have managed to increase their membership.  I firmly believe that all clubs can make a difference to their communities regardless of how many members there are, but the challenge is in recruiting members – life has changed in recent years and many organisations are struggling with the same issues we face.

In October we held our Autumn Forum at The Stones, near Salisbury.  The forum gave Lions a chance to have their say, share ideas and network.  This year also saw the inception of Second Saturday Swap.  We discussed issues about membership, service and leadership.  Not many Lions turned up but those who did found the sessions useful.

Communication is always an issue.  There is a need to get the word out to new members and those who have been Lions for a long time.  I continue to send a welcome letter to new Lions and have received many thanks for this. We have a new Facebook page – Lions District 105SC – and as of the beginning of March have 55 followers.  My thanks to Dave Rose for posting information. 

As always, I attend Council of Governors meetings either face to face or by zoom and ensure that our members' monies are spent wisely.  Feedback to relevant officers takes place via emails once the minutes have been approved.

At District level I have received numerous emails from members and clubs and have responded as soon as possible – often signposting them to other officers. My mantra 'if I don't know the answer, I will find someone who does' has held me in good stead.

As well as taking a course to refresh my Mental Health First Aid training I also attended Head Quarters and received training for our Multiple District's Vision Screening project. I am immensely proud of Lion Mark Cooper who was appointed one of the Multiple District's Executive Officers for Vision Screening and along with the other trainers has been proactive in spreading the word about this initiative.

The highlights of my year to date must be when I attend club meetings and charter events.  There are so many good ideas out there and our district does so much to help the local communities as well as donating to Lions Clubs International Foundation. We may be a small district, but we have a big heart and donate a great deal locally, nationally and internationally.  

As always, I could not hold this position without the support of District Officers – I will be eternally grateful to all of them.  Amazing people doing amazing things.

VDG Dianne Hopkins

District Admin Team

CONSTITUTION, NOMINATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS ADVISOR - PCC John Goodchild

1.  Progress since the last Convention of 105SC:

1.1. The Call for Convention was circulated to all Clubs on time, together with a call for nominations and resolutions.

1.2  At the 31^st December 2024 closing date for receipt by me of nominations, resolutions and invitations to be considered at the District Convention in April 2025, I can report that:

- One nomination had been received for the post of DG, 105SC, 2025-2026, that being for Lion Dianne Hopkins, Lions Club of Basingstoke, the only - qualified candidate.

- One nomination had been received for the post of First VDG, 105SC, 2025-2026, that being for Lion Tim  Hanton, Lions club of Wokingham, the only qualified candidate.

- One nomination had been received for the post of Second VDG, 105SC, 2025-2026, that being for Lion Mark Cooper, Lions Club of Fleet.

- Two resolutions, both from the District Cabinet had been received. 

- No invitations to host Conventions 2026 or 2027 had been received. Invitations from the floor of Convention can therefore be considered.

- The above nominations are all valid and comply with LCI requirements.

- The above nominations were duly circulated to Clubs and are posted on the District Convention Website, together with the CVs of the candidates seeking election. 

- Two resolutions had been received, both from the District Cabinet, regarding District Dues and the appointment of Independent Examiners for the District Accounts for the forthcoming Lionistic year. These were circulated to Clubs in January.

1.3  Even though there is only one candidate for each of the posts of District Governor, first and second Vice District Governor, it will be necessary to hold a secret ballot at Convention to elect these people. This is a requirement of the International Constitution, which states that the delegates at Convention must have the right to reject a candidate. 

1.4. I can report that at the closing date for the receipt of amendments to the two resolutions (28 February 2025), none had been received. Thus, these two resolutions will be debated as tabled and as attached to this report at Appendix 1. They are also posted on the Convention Documentation website. The CVs of candidates for the posts of District Governor, First Vice District Governor and Second Vice District Governor for the 2025-2026 Lionistic Year can also be found there, at: /convention/businesssession.html, and by clicking on the relevant link.

2.  Delegate Registration and Check-In

2.1. Following the success of the electronic registration and check-in system for delegates and alternates at the last two District 105SC Conventions, the system will again be used this year. The system has many advantages, including live information on the number of delegates and alternates checked in at Convention at any time. Full details of check-in procedures for voting delegates were sent to all Clubs in January.

3.  Other Matters

3.1. At the International Convention in 2024, minor changes mandatory were agreed to the Standard Form District Constitution. These relate to the qualifications for the post of Second Vice District Governor and will be reflected in a revised District Constitution to be posted on the District Website, following Convention. This will supersede that currently posted at: https://www.lions105sc.org.uk/public/105SC_CONSTITUTION_2023_10.pdf

3.2. Throughout the year, I have continued to provide advice to Clubs, Zones, the District Cabinet and its members relating to constitutional matters.

DPCO - Steve Spencer 

Objectives for the Year:

To advise clubs as necessary, in co-ordination with the MD officer – continuing my successful working relationship with her.

To continue to encourage clubs to register with the Information Commissioners Office, as is required by law.

Progress against Objectives:

This has been another quiet year in terms of queries from clubs.

Due to the closure of 2 clubs, we now have just 2 clubs yet to register with the ICO, despite my frequent blandishments and cautions as to the dangers of not registering versus the very low cost of doing so – £40 per year, or £35 if a direct debit is put in place (the preferred method). I will continue to provide advice as to how to register, it is a simple process. We can and should achieve 100% sign-up, and I will continue to work to encourage that.

District Secretary Report - PCC Peter Burnett

As we draw to the final quarter of the Lions year it means that I have now nearly finished my 5th year as District Secretary. Despite my best endeavours to be fired thank you, DG Sandra, for allowing me to remain in post for another year. 

Foolishly I have agreed to remain in office for one more year but that will definitely be my last year.

Once again, the most important part of my report is to thank Lion Tom Sayers and his partner Juliet Browne for all their help this year. Most Cabinet officers have now got used to sending their reports to the dedicated reports email address from which Tom & Juliet collate them and publish them online for Cabinet. This saves me an awful lot of time sorting and sending reports and put the onus onto the officers to look for the reports rather than have them sent to them.

This year the meetings have been a combination of face to face and Zoom and my job as District Secretary taking the minutes has been quite easy. I pride myself on getting the minutes published within 30 minutes of a meeting ending!! I am not promising that this will occur with the Convention minutes as they are a bit more complex, but I would hope that they can be published as soon as DG Sandra has checked them and allows them to be published.

Thank you to all of Cabinet for their support and efficient reporting during the year. Likewise thank you to the overwhelming majority of clubs who reported their delegates for both this convention and the MD one on time. Now that we are in the fourth year of online registration for the District Convention and the third for MD convention things seem to have gone much more smoothly. Once again, my thanks to Tom and Juliet for all their hard work setting up a fool proof system.

Finally, can I remind clubs that as soon as they appoint their new officers for the 2025-26 year they will need reporting on myLCI. Can you also please let both myself and Tom Sayers know your officers so that we can keep the District Mailing lists up to date. Despite my request very few clubs actually did let the two of know last year which means that Tom has to go fishing through the portal finding information. It would be so much simpler if clubs let us know as requested.

APPENDIX I to CNRA REPORT

The following resolutions have been received for consideration at Convention 2025.

Resolution 1: Proposed by the District Cabinet.

This Convention resolves that:

The District Per Capita Levy for the Fiscal Year 2025/26 shall be in the sum of £9.00 per Lion. This shall be payable in two equal instalments - £4.50 per Lion by 1 August 2025 based upon the known membership as at 30 June 2025 and £4.50 per Lion by 1 February 2026 based upon the known membership as at 31 December 2025.

Explanatory note:

Article VIII Section 1 of the By-Laws of the latest issue of the District 105SC Constitution States:

"To provide revenue for approved district projects and to defray the administrative expenses of the district, Cabinet shall table a resolution at every Annual District Convention to set the per capita levy for the following fiscal year.  If such resolution shall fail then the per capita levy for the time being in force shall be continued until changed by resolution.  The administrative subscription shall be levied upon each member of each club in the district and shall be collected and paid in advance by each club in two (2) semi-annual payments per club member by July 21^st of each year to cover the semi-annual period July 1^st to December 31^st and per club member on January 21^st of each year, to cover the semi-annual period January 1^stto June 30^th with billings of the same to be based upon the roster of each club as of June 30^th and December 31^st respectively……"

Emergency Resolution 2: Proposed by the District Cabinet.

This Convention resolves that:

Messrs Gilroy & Brookes, Chartered Accountants of Farnham, be sincerely thanked for their services to the District in the past and the same are hereby, re-appointed as Independent Examiner to the District for the forthcoming year.

Explanatory note:

Article IX Section 2 of the By-Laws of the latest issue of the District 105SC Constitution States:

"The District Governor's Cabinet shall provide for an annual or more frequent audit or review of the books and accounts……"

Sergeant at Arms Convention Report - PDG Jarvis Macdonald

Objective for Lions Year 2024-2025

• Organise cabinet meetings throughout the year.

• Assist District Governor Sandra whenever required.

• Assist with district convention, including business meeting, MC on Friday/Saturday evening events.

• Assist DG with organising cabinet handover in July. 

Actions

1) Assisted with organising a cabinet meeting in October and Zoom cabinet meeting in January. 

2) Chased up cabinet members to ensure prompt submission of cabinet reports.

3) As I write this report, I am in the process of organising a cabinet meeting for 4th April 2025, the weekend of the convention.

4) I will be in attendance to assist with the district convention, including the business on Friday 4th April, I will be MC on both Friday and Saturday night social events. I will also carry out Sergeant at Arms duty during the business meeting.  

5) I will have one more cabinet meeting to organise in May.

6) I have the cabinet handover to assist with in July 2025. 

District Treasurer Report – Dora Kan 

The Finance Committee has met regularly during the year to monitor the finances of the District. Financial updates are given at each meeting of the District 105SC's Cabinet.

Accounts to June 2024

• Final accounts for the year to June 2024 for both the Administration (Admin) Account and Charitable Trust have been examined by Gilroy & Brookes and are awaiting signature(s) by the Trustees on 12 March 2025.

• A copy of the accounts will be placed on the Financial Information of the District 105SC website as soon as they are fully signed.

• Lions District 105SC - Financial Information (www.lions105sc.org.uk):

www.lions105sc.org.uk/index/financialinformation/2023-24.html

Administration Account

• The budget was set for a small loss but a surplus was realised as many District Officers did not fully claim items of expenditure allowable.

• The end of year balance amounted to £25,090.51 on 30 June 2024.

• The Reserve Funds for End of Year 2023-24 was set at £25,000 which was made up of the following:

o 18-month operating costs at current value (£18,000)

o Equipment replacement (£2,000)

o Convention cancellation protection (£5,000)

Charitable Trust

• As at 30 June 2024, the reserves for the Charitable Trust amounted to £34,224.

• The key items making up this balance were:

-  Payments of Marwell Fun Day in 2024 and advance payments in 2025's event -  £13,463

-  Youth Vision Screening Camera - £7,742

-  District Governor's Charities – £2,896

-  Multiple District 105 British Isles (MD105) ROAR Initiative - £2,164

-  Youth Trust Activities - £7,163

Accounts 2024–25 & Budget for 2025-26

Administration Account

• The year-to-date income and expenditure against the budget for the year has been placed on the Financial Information of the District 105SC website.

• Expenditure for the current year is running in line with the proposed budget for the year of £11,950 except for Mental Health Training and Island Travel.

-  Mental Health Training is valid for 3 years with no further budget being allocated until Year 2027-28.

-  Increased in Island Travel for 2024-25 due to an increased in the number of Cabinet officers from the Channel Islands.

• Lions District 105SC - Financial Information (www.lions105sc.org.uk)

www.lions105sc.org.uk/index/financialinformation/2024-25.html

• The 2025-26 Budget of £12,110 was approved by District Cabinet in January. Extract from the Minutes:

"DE as finance chair
Proposed the budget for 2025-26 as published
All attendees confirmed that they had read the budget
The budget was agreed unanimously"

-  Administration budget has been based on a membership figure of 1,000 and subscription of £9 per member, the same as 2024-25, which will be proposed by Resolution at Convention.

-  Should this planned expenditure be fully realised, the balance will be taken from the reserves, and there is sufficient funds in the reserves to support this.

Charitable Trust Account

105SC Club Donations for 2024-25 Year to Date on 19 February 2025 are as follows,

all in £/GBP. Sent amounts do not include payments due to go out in February 2025.

Lions Clubs International (LCI) Subscriptions

• Please note that the US Finance department are taking a much stricter approach to any Club that is not paying fees that are due.

• Therefore, please regularly check your statement on MyLCI and ensure that payments are made on time using the most up to date Exchange Rate for the month to avoid any issues and the possible suspension of your Club.

• Monthly Exchange Rate can be found on or shortly after the first of each month via the District 105SC's website under Home > Financial Information + tab.

Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

• The District now has around 40 Clubs that have converted to a CIO. If your Club has not converted but would like to, please contact me for more information.

• Benefits of being a CIO include:

-  Limited liability for Trustees

-  Gift Aid can be claimed from HMRC on your Club's subscriptions for any UK taxpayer.

-  Expenditure to promote your Club can be paid from your fundraising/charity account, provided the amount is proportionate and approved by your Club Trustees

Gift Aid Reminder

• Clubs registered as a CIO will be eligible to claim gift aid on membership subscriptions, for any member who is a UK taxpayer.

• Comprehensive guidance is offered via HMRC website:

• Claiming Gift Aid as a charity or CASC - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) www.gov.uk/claim-gift-aid

• Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme (GASDS) is available for cash donations of £30 or less (bucket or tin collections) and since April 2019 contactless card donations of £30 or less.

• Again, Guidance is available on:

• Claiming Gift Aid as a charity or CASC: Small donations scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) www.gov.uk/claim-gift-aid/small-donations-scheme

• The process for claiming gift aid on your Club subscriptions and GASDS is very easy to administer and well worth claiming.

Insurance

MD provides guidance each year on what proportion of your insurance costs can be paid from your charity/fundraising account to reduce your Club's administration costs. These are circulated to your Club Treasurer. For Year 2024-25, the insurance cost per member was £7.00.

Other matters

• It is recommended that donations to LCIF and other International/National donations continue be made via the District Treasurer.

• Where possible, please make payments electronically to the relevant District 105SC's accounts:

 o Charitable donations including MD and District Youth funds

 - Charity Account ending '729'

  o Subscriptions for LCI, MD105 and District 105SC

 - Administrative Account ending '767'

• The monthly Exchange Rate for International subscriptions is updated on or shortly after the first of each month and can be found on the 105SC website under

 o Home > Financial Information + tab.

• Payment processing cut off time and date is 12:00 on 19th of each month.

• Please allow an extra 5 working days for cheque payments.

 o Funds paid in by cheques must be cleared before they can be included for payment going out for the month.

• Charity Commission website guidance on managing your charity can be accessed via the following link on the Government website.

 o Online services for charities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) www.gov.uk/guidance/online-services-for-charities

• Following the closure of the District 105SC's Convention Account, the residual funds will be incorporated into the District's Admin Account.

Health & Safety - IPDG Brian Donovan

1.1 Decisions Required of Cabinet:  None

1.2 Justification for Decisions: N/A

1.3 Objectives for the Year:

To advise on matters relating to Health and Safety.

1.4 Progress against Objectives:

No notifications from any club since the last report

Richard Weaver (IOSH Trainer), will be presenting the District Health and Safety Risk Assessment briefing to Zones, B, H, G and I.  

I have presented the safety briefing to Zones C, E and F, and planning for Zone A and D.

If anyone needs a risk assessment template, let me know and I will forward one, apologies if you need to chase me as I am always distracted by work.

Finance Team - IPDG Dave Ebsworth

Convention 2025 - IPDG Dave Ebsworth

Live at Convention

Zone Chairs Reports Project Portfolios