The overriding purpose of “Borrowing” another Lions Club’s gavel or bell is to promote club visitation and building camaraderie amongst all Lions! All such actions must be viewed in this custom and be in accordance with the tenets of the International Lions Code of Ethics.
Engaging in the practice of “Borrowing” another Lions Club’s gavel or bell shall be conducted under the following rules:
RULE 1. Only the club gavel or bell are to be “borrowed”.
RULE 2. Possession of another Lions Club gavel or bell is established once the “borrowing” Lion has placed their hand upon either the club gavel or bell when unattended and not in the hand of a host club member.
RULE 3. Once either the club gavel or bell is in the hands of a “borrowing” Lion it shall be considered in their club’s possession. This is without contest, therefore the attachment of either the gavel and or bell to any large, heavy objects or the podium in an effort to discourage “borrowing” of the gavel or bell is mute. Once the host club’s gavel or bell has been “borrowed” as described above, it must be retrieved in accordance with Rule 7 below.
RULE 4. No “borrowing” of either the club gavel or bell shall occur at any time other than during a regular meeting of the host club.
NOTE: A regular meeting does not include occasional functions such as Spouse Nights, Charter Nights, Zone, Region or District meetings, or District Governor Visitations.
RULE 5. Any Lions Club “borrowing” a club gavel or bell shall notify the Lions Club of the missing item’s whereabouts within 10 days of the “borrowing” and of the next available “borrowing” club meeting when the club gavel or bell can be reclaimed.
RULE 6. No cash value or cash bail/bail bond shall be placed or accepted for the redemption of a “borrowed” club gavel and or bell.
RULE 7. The club seeking to regain the missing gavel or bell, must visit the “borrowing” club within 60 days of the “borrowing” to regain possession of the gavel or bell. The gavel or bell shall be returned as the first order of business after the meeting has been called to order. Should a visitation not be made by the Lions Club missing their gavel and or bell as directed above, the Lions Club in possession of the gavel or bell shall forward the club gavel and/or bell to the District Governor for disposition of the property and return to the rightful owner.
