The Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 2020 Lions International Convention due to concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19). This means that the next International Convention will be held in 2021 in Montreal, Canada.
After evaluating a variety of different options including moving the convention to a different venue or postponing the convention to a later date, the Board of Directors voted to cancel the 2020 convention. This decision was made with the health and safety of our Lions, staff and vendors in mind.
Canceling the International Convention for 2020 impacts international officer continuity and candidate elections. After review of the International Constitution and By-Laws, this impact is outlined below:
Executive officers and international directors will continue in their respective positions until the 2021 convention in Montreal. All candidate elections for these positions shall comply with the provisions of the International Constitution and By-Laws for election at the convention in Montreal.
An international director from the areas of Africa and Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Islands of the South Pacific is permitted only in even-numbered years. As a result, no director from Africa or Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Islands of the South Pacific would be eligible for election until the 2022 convention.
Barring any district election complaints, district governors, first vice district governors and second vice district governors elected during a convention of their respective districts will be accepted by Lions International. The International Board of Directors intends to authorize commencement of the DG terms beginning July 1, 2020.
We are disappointed that we will not be able to move forward with this international event, but we are optimistic that with each new day there is hope, and as Lions we will continue to find new ways to put our kindness in action while safely serving our communities.
Regards,
Dr. Jung-Yul Choi
International President