On Thursday delegates considered the following Bylaws amendments:
- Amendment Number Four (failed): To implement a new classification of shared active membership.
- Amendment Number Five (failed): To add a new classification of corporate membership.
- Amendment Number Six (approved as amended): To change the deadline for submission of proposed amendments and resolutions from April 1 to January 15 to allow more time for consideration and review. (See below for the amended language.)
- Amendment Number Seven (approved): To change references in the International Bylaws from “magazine” and “KIWANIS magazine” to “official publication.”
- Amendment Number Eight (approved): To restore Kiwanis magazine to a balanced budget without a fee increase. This will be accomplished by ceasing publishing global issues in multiple languages with distribution worldwide and by using other means to disseminate Kiwanis International messages. Kiwanis magazine will continue to be distributed to English-speaking clubs in North America.
- Amendment Number Nine (failed): To 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, and to allow a district to have one Trustee and one higher officer on the International Board at the same time.
- Amendment Number Ten (withdrawn): To remove the aspect of chief executive officer from the duties of the International President.
- Amendment Number Eleven (failed): To require clubs to offer members the option to vote by mail (absentee ballot) on club matters.
- Amendment Number Twelve (withdrawn): To provide a pro-rated membership induction fee for new members based upon the annual membership dues and all other fees paid by current members to Kiwanis International.
- Amendment Number Thirteen (not considered due to lack of motion): To relieve Kiwanis members who are in the military service and deployed to a combat zone from payment of International dues.
- Amendment Number Sixteen (referred to committee): To ensure the geographic boundaries of all Service Leadership Program (i.e., Circle K and Key Club) districts remain aligned with Kiwanis districts and corresponding oversight by the appropriate Kiwanis district board.
- Amendment Number Seventeen (failed): To allow alternative voting methods for amendments that have little or no opposition, to expedite the meeting of the House of Delegates.
- Resolution: Collaboration among Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and Optimist
Whereas Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time; and
Whereas many of Kiwanis’ fellow service organizations have similar missions focused on making the world a better place for children; and
Whereas the Presidents of Kiwanis International, Rotary International, Lions International, and Optimist International met to discuss similarities and differences; and
Whereas it was agreed that we are all working to make our world a better place in which to live; and
Whereas it was agreed that working together on an international issue would allow our organizations to have more of an impact;
Therefore, be it resolved that Kiwanis International supports exploring collaboration with Rotary International, Lions International, and Optimist International on ways to serve the needs of children.
Full texts of all the proposed amendments can be found under “Notes about Votes” on the convention web page.
Amendment Number Six as amended
Article XVI. Convention Procedure
Section 6. a. [No change to text]
b. The Executive Director must receive all proposed resolutions prior to the next scheduled International convention but no later than February 15.
c. Within sixty (60) days thereafter, the International Committee on Resolutions shall meet to consider such proposed resolutions, as well as any resolutions which may be initiated by the committee.
Article XXIX. Amendments to Bylaws and Recision of Interpretations
Section 2. Prior to the next scheduled International convention but no later than February 15, the Executive Director must receive:
a. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws to be voted on at an International convention (except those passed by the International Council and those initiated by the Board of Trustees);
b. Proposals to rescind the Bylaws adopted by the International Council; or
c. Proposals to change or rescind an interpretation of the Bylaws by the Board of Trustees.