Districts (single, provisional and sub) must provide in their district constitution and by-laws for the elected office of vice district governor. The vice district governor does not automatically succeed the district governor.
The by-laws of the International Constitution and By-laws states: The vice district governor, subject to the supervision and direction of the district governor, shall be chief administrative assistant to the district governor. His/her specific responsibilities shall be to:
· Further the purposes and objects of this association;
· Become familiar with the duties of the district governor so in the event of vacancy in the office of district governor he/she will be better prepared to assume the duties and responsibilities of said office;
· Perform such administrative duties as may be assigned by the district governor;
· Perform such other functions and acts as may be required of him/her by the International Board of Directors and other directives;
· Actively participate in all cabinet and council meetings and conduct all meetings in the absence of the district governor;
· Participate in the preparation of the district budget;
· Engage actively in all matters to be continued during the next year;
· Participate in the review of the strengths and weaknesses of the clubs of the district;
· At the request of the district governor, supervise appropriate district committees.
Other Responsibilities
Here are some duties that vice district governors are currently performing throughout the world:
· Being the governor’s assistant.
· Serving as chairman of MERL team.
· Assisting the extension chairman.
· Being the liaison between the district governor and far-away clubs.
· Substituting for the district governor, when asked, at various district functions.
· Assisting at conventions.
· Assisting membership development.
· Assisting the governor in official club visits.
· Solving special problems for the district governor.
· Providing services to weak clubs.
· Helping clubs exchange their knowledge and experience.
· Supporting and furthering goals and projects, when asked, of the district governor.
Although the vice district governor must be elected, he or she is nevertheless, in most districts, the most likely successor to the district governor. For this reason, the qualifications for vice district governor are similar to those for district governor.
The vice district governor will not be reimbursed by International Headquarters for travel or per diem expenses except when the vice district governor is acting in the official capacity of the district governor when requested by the district governor. Reimbursement will be according to the existing rules of audit. The multiple district or district constitutions may allow for other reimbursements.
If a vacancy occurs in the office of district governor, the vice district governor will act as district governor and shall perform the district governor’s duties and have the same authority as the district governor until the vacancy is filled by the International Board of Directors for the remainder of the term. If a vacancy occurs in the office of vice district governor, the vacancy will be filled in accordance with the district (single, sub- or multiple) constitution and by-laws.
Because the vice district governor has direct participation in the administration of the district, he or she will better understand the roles and responsibilities of the governorship. If the vice district governor does succeed to the position of governor, there will be a smoother transition from one administration to another as well as continuity in the goals and objectives of the district. A better prepared governor is more capable of contributing to the success of international and district programs and to the goals of Lionism, thereby more effectively meeting the growing needs of humanity.