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What is our purpose?
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General Information
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What is the Pip Joseph L. Wroblewski Award?
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What are my responsibilities as a Board Member?
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Board Member Job Description
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What does the Ideal Board Member look like?
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The purpose of the Foundation shall be to develop, manage and distribute funding to help Lions Clubs provide services designed to meet existing and emerging needs that will improve the quality of life of Pennsylvania residents, and any other related program which may be adopted from time to time by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Foundation and so approved by the State Council or by the Lions of Multiple District Fourteen at an annual State Lions Convention.
1. The name of the project of Pennsylvania Multiple District Fourteen Lions of Pennsylvania shall be “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation.”
2. The Foundation shall be governed by a Board of Directors, with each Board Member recommended to the Board of Directors by the District Governor based on the articles of incorporation required for this Foundation, and as so required by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a non-profit organization.
3. A majority of the Board Members must be members in good standing of a recognized Lions Club of Multiple District 14, with the qualifications fitting him/her to administer the purposes and objectives of the Foundation.
4. The Board Member must be interested in achieving and maintaining the charitable goals of the Foundation.
5. The Board of Directors shall be 20 in number. The Foundation shall recommend the Directors from each District to the State Council for their approval. The State Council shall approve one Board Member from each District. This Director can serve on the Board until such time as the District Governor makes a change, or it is determined that the Board Member in not fulfilling his/her duties. At such time the District Governor will be asked for a replacement. One remaining member of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation, and one remaining Board Member shall be appointed by the Board of the Pennsylvania Lions Sight Conservation and Eye Research Foundation. Both appointees will serve until replaced by their respective Boards. Such latter two appointees shall have the right of vote but shall not be eligible to serve as a Corporation officer other than a member of the Board of Directors.
6. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the members of the Corporation shall be held on the Saturday at the first regular State Council meeting after the close of the Annual Convention of the Multiple District Fourteen of the Lions International at the city in which said State Council meeting is held. Thereafter, an annual meeting of the members shall be held in each year. The first regular meeting shall be conducted after the close of the Annual Convention of the Multiple District Fourteen meeting of the Pennsylvania State Council of Lions Club and in the same city in which said State Council meeting is held for the purpose of hearing reports of the officers and directors of the Corporation and for transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.
Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the chairperson of the Pennsylvania State Council of Lions Clubs and the President of the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation at their joint direction, or shall be called by the President of the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation upon the written request addressed to said President of a majority of the Foundation’s voting members. The time and place of any special meeting shall be determined by the President and the call shall be made by him or the Secretary at the direction of the President. The meeting shall be called within a period not to exceed 30 days following the request for a special meeting.
7. The responsibilities and duties of the state coordinator for the Foundation are:
a. Report to Council of Governors and the Lions of Multiple District 14 on the status of the Foundation, at the November State Council Meeting and report to the delegates at the general session of the State Convention.
The Foundation may request to make a presentation at the August State Council Meeting only if the committee has an action item or if requested to appear before the Council of Governors.
The Foundation is required to supply the Council of Governors and The state office, written minutes of the quarterly Board of Directors meetings, quarterly financial statements and a copy of the annual audit.
b. To be in position to answer all questions relative to the Foundation as may be asked from time to time by the members of the State Council.
c. To promote the objects of the Foundation to the Lions of Multiple District 14, such as applying for Grants from the Foundation.
d. To inform State Council of all necessary appointments to the Board of Directors.
8. The Foundation Board of Directors shall recommend a member of the Board of Directors to report to State Council and at the State Convention.
2. The Foundation shall be governed by a Board of Directors, with each Board Member recommended to the Board of Directors by the District Governor based on the articles of incorporation required for this Foundation, and as so required by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a non-profit organization.
3. A majority of the Board Members must be members in good standing of a recognized Lions Club of Multiple District 14, with the qualifications fitting him/her to administer the purposes and objectives of the Foundation.
4. The Board Member must be interested in achieving and maintaining the charitable goals of the Foundation.
5. The Board of Directors shall be 20 in number. The Foundation shall recommend the Directors from each District to the State Council for their approval. The State Council shall approve one Board Member from each District. This Director can serve on the Board until such time as the District Governor makes a change, or it is determined that the Board Member in not fulfilling his/her duties. At such time the District Governor will be asked for a replacement. One remaining member of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Research Foundation, and one remaining Board Member shall be appointed by the Board of the Pennsylvania Lions Sight Conservation and Eye Research Foundation. Both appointees will serve until replaced by their respective Boards. Such latter two appointees shall have the right of vote but shall not be eligible to serve as a Corporation officer other than a member of the Board of Directors.
6. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the members of the Corporation shall be held on the Saturday at the first regular State Council meeting after the close of the Annual Convention of the Multiple District Fourteen of the Lions International at the city in which said State Council meeting is held. Thereafter, an annual meeting of the members shall be held in each year. The first regular meeting shall be conducted after the close of the Annual Convention of the Multiple District Fourteen meeting of the Pennsylvania State Council of Lions Club and in the same city in which said State Council meeting is held for the purpose of hearing reports of the officers and directors of the Corporation and for transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.
Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the chairperson of the Pennsylvania State Council of Lions Clubs and the President of the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation at their joint direction, or shall be called by the President of the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation upon the written request addressed to said President of a majority of the Foundation’s voting members. The time and place of any special meeting shall be determined by the President and the call shall be made by him or the Secretary at the direction of the President. The meeting shall be called within a period not to exceed 30 days following the request for a special meeting.
7. The responsibilities and duties of the state coordinator for the Foundation are:
a. Report to Council of Governors and the Lions of Multiple District 14 on the status of the Foundation, at the November State Council Meeting and report to the delegates at the general session of the State Convention.
The Foundation may request to make a presentation at the August State Council Meeting only if the committee has an action item or if requested to appear before the Council of Governors.
The Foundation is required to supply the Council of Governors and The state office, written minutes of the quarterly Board of Directors meetings, quarterly financial statements and a copy of the annual audit.
b. To be in position to answer all questions relative to the Foundation as may be asked from time to time by the members of the State Council.
c. To promote the objects of the Foundation to the Lions of Multiple District 14, such as applying for Grants from the Foundation.
d. To inform State Council of all necessary appointments to the Board of Directors.
8. The Foundation Board of Directors shall recommend a member of the Board of Directors to report to State Council and at the State Convention.
PIP JOSEPH L. WROBLEWSKI AWARD
The State Council of Governors during the year 2004-2005 approved an award to honor Past International President Joseph L. Wroblewski. The Lions of PA Foundation was asked to create the award and handle the method of presentation with all proceeds going to the Foundation.
This award may be given only by a club or district, and is only available to an outstanding Lion, Leo or community leader who holds a “Pennsylvania Fellows Award.”
This award honors PIP Joseph L. Wroblewski for his years of service to Pennsylvania and to the Lions of the world. He has worked over 50 years as a Lion to prevent blindness and fulfill the goals of Lions International. This award should be given to an outstanding Lion who portrays all of the things that PIP Joe stands for and one who believes in the theme that “We Serve Better Together.”
The award requires a $500 donation and the recipient must also be a LOPF Fellow.
This award may be given only by a club or district, and is only available to an outstanding Lion, Leo or community leader who holds a “Pennsylvania Fellows Award.”
This award honors PIP Joseph L. Wroblewski for his years of service to Pennsylvania and to the Lions of the world. He has worked over 50 years as a Lion to prevent blindness and fulfill the goals of Lions International. This award should be given to an outstanding Lion who portrays all of the things that PIP Joe stands for and one who believes in the theme that “We Serve Better Together.”
The award requires a $500 donation and the recipient must also be a LOPF Fellow.
Board Responsibilities
In fulfilling their governance role, the Board of Directors has eight general responsibilities:
1. Establish, clarify and revisit the organization’s mission.
2. Ensure effective and long-range planning.
3. Ensure the availability of adequate financial resources.
5. Monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and lend assistance to the Executive Director by making people Aware of the grant program.
6. Serve as advocates for the organization in the community and beyond.
7. Maintain an effective Board of Directors and regularly engage in Board Education and self-evaluation to enhance effectiveness.
1. Establish, clarify and revisit the organization’s mission.
2. Ensure effective and long-range planning.
3. Ensure the availability of adequate financial resources.
- Make personally meaningful donations.
- Open doors to other individuals, corporations, the Lions and Leos regarding the “Pa. Fellows Program.”
- Help acknowledge donors regularly and personally.
5. Monitor the effectiveness of the grant program and lend assistance to the Executive Director by making people Aware of the grant program.
6. Serve as advocates for the organization in the community and beyond.
7. Maintain an effective Board of Directors and regularly engage in Board Education and self-evaluation to enhance effectiveness.
Board Member Job Description
Election to the Board of Directors of “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation” of Multiple District 14 is an honor with attendant privileges, but which brings with it the deep responsibilities of trusteeship. It calls upon the Lion elected to work toward the viability and progress of the Foundation through dedication of time, thought, energy, and financial means. A member of the Board of Directors is a constant proponent of the Foundation to the general public, and serves the organization’s welfare in all possible ways.
Election brings close association with other outstanding men and women who look for a chance to leave their world and their community a little better than they found it.
New Board Members are singled out as persons most capable of helping to raise and maintain the high standards of the Foundation, and to bring the enrichment of it’s service to thousands of people in Pennsylvania.
Generally, a Board Member’s responsibilities embrace all of the following:
1. To develop and maintain an awareness of the Foundation’s importance to the quality of life throughout the state;
2. To communicate this understanding to other people and institutions in the community and state;
3. To attend meetings, activities, and to make visits to the clubs with reasonable regularity; (if two unexcused board meetings are missed during the Lion year, the Board Member should graciously vacate the Board);
4. With the help of Officers and other Board Members, learn all you can about the Foundation and how it works so that you are knowledgeable;
5. To volunteer or be available for committee assignments and other activities for the good of the Foundation;
6. To help the financial position of the Foundation through personal contributions, seeking contributions through the Pennsylvania Fellows Program, contributing memberships, and Candy Day promotions.
Election brings close association with other outstanding men and women who look for a chance to leave their world and their community a little better than they found it.
New Board Members are singled out as persons most capable of helping to raise and maintain the high standards of the Foundation, and to bring the enrichment of it’s service to thousands of people in Pennsylvania.
Generally, a Board Member’s responsibilities embrace all of the following:
1. To develop and maintain an awareness of the Foundation’s importance to the quality of life throughout the state;
2. To communicate this understanding to other people and institutions in the community and state;
3. To attend meetings, activities, and to make visits to the clubs with reasonable regularity; (if two unexcused board meetings are missed during the Lion year, the Board Member should graciously vacate the Board);
4. With the help of Officers and other Board Members, learn all you can about the Foundation and how it works so that you are knowledgeable;
5. To volunteer or be available for committee assignments and other activities for the good of the Foundation;
6. To help the financial position of the Foundation through personal contributions, seeking contributions through the Pennsylvania Fellows Program, contributing memberships, and Candy Day promotions.
(shall serve as a policy)
The role of a Board Member is to provide Leadership, Governance and oversight to “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF),” to know and understand the mission of the foundation.
1. POSITION:
Board Members will support the work of “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF)” and provide:
Mission-based leadership and strategic governance, while day-to-day operations are led by the LOPF’s chief executive officer (CEO), the Board-CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
A. Leadership, governance and oversight:
a.) Serving as trusted advisor to the CEO as he/she develops and implements LOPF Strategic Plan.
b.) Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by LOPF for evaluation its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
c.) Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the CEO.
d.) Assisting the CEO and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
e.) Partnering with the CEO and other Board Members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out.
f.) Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments.
g.) Representing LOPF to the Lions/Leos; acting as an ambassador for the organization.
h.) Ensuring LOPF’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities that the LOPF serves.
i.) Attend regular board meetings, including special ones that may be called. Missing two in a row without extending circumstances and notifying the President and/or Secretary calls for a letter to District Governor letting them know you are not attending meetings to represent their district.
B. Fundraising:
The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF) Board Members will consider LOPF a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that LOPF can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals. LOPF expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
C. Board Terms/Participation:
LOPF Board Members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings will be held quarterly and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings. During the month of May, the Secretary should send letter to DG’s asking for recommendations for the Board. Election shall be held at the June board meeting. Due to the continuity of the Board and type of work it does it is possible for members to stay on if elected by the Board.
D. Qualifications:
Must be an active Lion within the District they represent. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the LOPF mission and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high performing Board Members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualification.
a. Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
b. A commitment to and understanding of LOPF beneficiaries, preferably based on experience.
c. Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
d. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of LOPF’s beneficiaries.
Service on LOPF’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, and travel, costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.
The role of a Board Member is to provide Leadership, Governance and oversight to “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF),” to know and understand the mission of the foundation.
1. POSITION:
Board Members will support the work of “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF)” and provide:
Mission-based leadership and strategic governance, while day-to-day operations are led by the LOPF’s chief executive officer (CEO), the Board-CEO relationship is a partnership, and the appropriate involvement of the Board is both critical and expected. Specific Board Member responsibilities include:
A. Leadership, governance and oversight:
a.) Serving as trusted advisor to the CEO as he/she develops and implements LOPF Strategic Plan.
b.) Reviewing outcomes and metrics created by LOPF for evaluation its impact, and regularly measuring its performance and effectiveness using those metrics; reviewing agenda and supporting materials prior to board and committee meetings.
c.) Contributing to an annual performance evaluation of the CEO.
d.) Assisting the CEO and Board Chair in identifying and recruiting other Board Members.
e.) Partnering with the CEO and other Board Members to ensure that board resolutions are carried out.
f.) Serving on committees or task forces and taking on special assignments.
g.) Representing LOPF to the Lions/Leos; acting as an ambassador for the organization.
h.) Ensuring LOPF’s commitment to a diverse board and staff that reflects the communities that the LOPF serves.
i.) Attend regular board meetings, including special ones that may be called. Missing two in a row without extending circumstances and notifying the President and/or Secretary calls for a letter to District Governor letting them know you are not attending meetings to represent their district.
B. Fundraising:
The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation (LOPF) Board Members will consider LOPF a philanthropic priority and make annual gifts that reflect that priority. So that LOPF can credibly solicit contributions from foundations, organizations, and individuals. LOPF expects to have 100 percent of Board Members make an annual contribution that is commensurate with their capacity.
C. Board Terms/Participation:
LOPF Board Members will serve a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for one additional term. Board meetings will be held quarterly and committee meetings will be held in coordination with full board meetings. During the month of May, the Secretary should send letter to DG’s asking for recommendations for the Board. Election shall be held at the June board meeting. Due to the continuity of the Board and type of work it does it is possible for members to stay on if elected by the Board.
D. Qualifications:
Must be an active Lion within the District they represent. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the LOPF mission and who has a track record of board leadership. Selected Board Members will have achieved leadership stature in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector. His/her accomplishments will allow him/her to attract other well-qualified, high performing Board Members.
Ideal candidates will have the following qualification.
a. Extensive professional experience with significant executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the nonprofit sector.
b. A commitment to and understanding of LOPF beneficiaries, preferably based on experience.
c. Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among diverse individuals.
d. Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for improving the lives of LOPF’s beneficiaries.
Service on LOPF’s Board of Directors is without remuneration, except for administrative support, and travel, costs in relation to Board Members’ duties.
Portrait of an Ideal Board Member*
An effective Board will solve all—yes, all—the problems of building and maintaining The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation: financial, administratively, and be active in planning for it’s future, and whatever else there is. The effective Board is successful only because of the individual members doing their job. Thus, find good Board Members and you will have a successful organization.
What does the Ideal Board Member look like?
The Ideal Board Member is…
A Leader: Followers need not apply, accept only leaders! Financial, political, social, educational.
A Worker: Find someone with the old fashion work ethic; one who wants and needs to work in order to be fulfilled.
A Giver: Of time, care, concern, and money. Let’s face it, it is expensive to be a volunteer. You are properly expected to set the standard for the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation for contributions to the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation.
A Goer: How can you really tell someone (the community) of the wondrous experience of the last Board & Committee Meeting?
A Persuader: It’s really not advice the organization is after. They need someone to persuade friends, business, government, and the community to help support the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation so that grants may be awarded.
Committed: It cannot and will not happen unless one truly expects results.
Tenacious: Suppose the first two prospects turn you down?
Dependable: All is for naught unless you can depend on the task being completed.
Enthusiastic: An absolute must! And if they don’t have it, (no matter what other virtues they possess) keep looking!
Knowledgeable: Not necessarily a PhD, but intelligent and gifted with common sense.
Finally, look for a Board Member who on a given day are rewarded by slipping into his/her seat at the meeting and when the meeting begins he/she murmurs to him or herself, “If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t have this organization.”
This *idea was taken from Ralph Black, Vice President for In Field Consulting American Symphony Orchestra League.
After all, isn’t the Lions of Pennsylvania’s goal to be able to help the Community of the Visually Impaired & Handicap with projects, & serve the less fortunate?
A Leader: Followers need not apply, accept only leaders! Financial, political, social, educational.
A Worker: Find someone with the old fashion work ethic; one who wants and needs to work in order to be fulfilled.
A Giver: Of time, care, concern, and money. Let’s face it, it is expensive to be a volunteer. You are properly expected to set the standard for the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation for contributions to the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation.
A Goer: How can you really tell someone (the community) of the wondrous experience of the last Board & Committee Meeting?
A Persuader: It’s really not advice the organization is after. They need someone to persuade friends, business, government, and the community to help support the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation so that grants may be awarded.
Committed: It cannot and will not happen unless one truly expects results.
Tenacious: Suppose the first two prospects turn you down?
Dependable: All is for naught unless you can depend on the task being completed.
Enthusiastic: An absolute must! And if they don’t have it, (no matter what other virtues they possess) keep looking!
Knowledgeable: Not necessarily a PhD, but intelligent and gifted with common sense.
Finally, look for a Board Member who on a given day are rewarded by slipping into his/her seat at the meeting and when the meeting begins he/she murmurs to him or herself, “If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t have this organization.”
This *idea was taken from Ralph Black, Vice President for In Field Consulting American Symphony Orchestra League.
After all, isn’t the Lions of Pennsylvania’s goal to be able to help the Community of the Visually Impaired & Handicap with projects, & serve the less fortunate?