PROTOCOL Lions Learning Weekend PDG Jim Hilt March 26 th, 2011

DEFINITIONS  Etiquette  Order  Common courtesy  Recognition  Order of precedence  Flags (pg 26) At Meetings  Table seating  Guest Speakers (Pg 27-28)  Anthem(s) & Grace  Toasts (Pg 29)  Doing the right thing – at the right time!

Order of Precedence Folks you are likely to meet Council Chairs District Governors Immediate Past District Governors Past Council Chairs 1 st Vice District Governor 2 nd Vice District Governor Past District Governor

Order of Precedence (cont’d) Region Chair Zone Chair Cabinet Chairs Club President Immediate Past President Club Secretary Club Treasurer Other Past Presidents

Order of Precedence (cont’d) General Comments: If more than one title, use highest title Recognize MJF’s as a group Follow local customs for non-Lions (MP, MPP, Mayor, Councilor, etc.)

531 PODIU M 246 AUDIENCE 1.Chair/Presiding Officer – Club President 2.Guest of Honour/Speaker– DG or other 3.Club Secretary 4.Introducer 5.Club Treasurer 6. Spouse of speaker, 1 st. VP, etc. (optional – NEVER leave an empty seat)

Introducing dignitaries - 1.Chair or presiding officer 2.District Governor(s) –precedence over all others 3.Immediate Past District Governor 4.Vice District Governors - 1 st., 2 nd. 5.Past District Governors – start with most recent 6.Region Chair(s) - alpha order 7.Zone Chair(s) – alpha order Once established – that’s it!

HEAD TABLE INTRODUCTIONS Begin with the meeting Chair or Presiding Officer Proceed from lowest rank to highest Introduce spouses with the member (Many Head Table introductions are simply done from far left to centre, then far right to centre. This is quite acceptable)

HEAD TABLE Canadian Flag - always on the left... Unless there are three flags...

HEAD TABLE Three flags – Canadian in the middle USA – on left LCI – on right

GUESTS Prepare in advance Inform speaker of time, date, place Discuss length of time they have – be firm Equipment needs (podium, a/v, etc.) Allow them to speak right after dinner Greet at door, assign a Lion, explain what’s going on Seat according to protocol Request a biography Any special needs? Properly thank (gift?) Have only one guest speaker *

GUESTS (cont’d) IF IT IS A NON-LION Explain what is happening (vest, pin trading, tail twisting, banner, etc.) No fining or “selling” Offer opportunity to leave, especially if they traveled a great distance VISITING OFFICER No fining or “selling” Offer opportunity to leave, especially if they traveled a great distance

GUESTS (Cont’d) Recognize guests before meal starts Do not charge for meal (If necessary, add $1 to every other meal to offset) If you must have more than one speaker when a District Officer is making an Official Visit, the visiting Officer must be advised – this should be the exception!! Visiting Officer is given the opportunity to speak first.

ANTHEMS AND GRACE Ask members before meeting starts – better than “surprising” them If you have an international guest, it would be a great courtesy to sing or play their anthem first Anthems and grace should be done with dignity, and with pride Grace may also be sung! No “Amen”

TOASTS Pre-select who will do each toast Keep it short!!! (non- alcoholic beverage) Toast to visiting guest’s country first. Toast to Queen Toast to Canada (Done separately) Toast to Lions Clubs International Reply (By highest ranking Lion present) Toast to Partners in Service (not “the ladies” Reply by a non-Lion partner

MEETINGS  Encourage members to arrive early and socialize – (this is certainly better than having them “socialize” during the meeting)  Encourage members to pick a different seat each meeting – get Tail Twister “on side” for this. (Good way to break cliques)  Start on time – (courtesy to members who are punctual)

MEETINGS (Cont’d)  Ask members to stand when speaking – (courtesy to the hard of hearing – also confirms who has the floor)  Insist on only one meeting at a time – remember, Protocol is “order” & courtesy.

HELPFUL HINTS Use an Agenda – there will be greater order and etiquette if members know “order of business” Have a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order – again, if Protocol is “in order”, what better guide?

GENERAL COMMENTS Only principal speaker acknowledges dignitaries If more than one Head Table, highest level is considered primary. In such cases, avoid seating Lions of same rank at different tables.

CONCLUSION Protocol is just “common sense” You will rarely, if ever, be called upon to host a Lion above the rank of District Governor Your District Directory has much of this same information Don’t be afraid to ask! That’s what we are here for If physical restrictions of your hall interfere, don’t be afraid to adapt.

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS? Please remember to complete the Course Evaluation

PROTOCOL Thank you so much for attending... Enjoy the balance of your weekend!