Official Protocol - Effective March 19, 2024

The following is the official protocol policy of The International Association of Lions Clubs. The purpose of protocol is to recognize the order of precedence of Lions leadership. Only the principal speaker is required to acknowledge all dignitaries present.

A. Order of Precedence

*Some positions may not be applicable in certain constitutional areas. Utilize protocol as warranted per local practice.

Lions shall be recognized in the following order:

*Appointees by the International President to committees of the International Board of Directors and the LCIF Executive Committee shall be introduced and otherwise recognized before Lions who have held the same office. During introductions, their appointment shall be mentioned.

Explanation of Notes:

• (a) Alphabetical by family name, then first name, then middle name, then longest membership.
• (b) Most recently served is given precedence.
• (c) Same as (b); if same term, then follow (a).

General Comments: When a Lion holds more than one title, the highest title is recognized. Local customs may add other positions, but elective officers always take precedence. Melvin Jones Fellows should be recognized as a group. Their status should be mentioned during introductions.

B. Non-Lion Dignitaries

Non-Lion dignitaries should be recognized as per local protocol or custom. If the non-Lion is the principal speaker, he or she should sit to the right of the chairperson.

C. Head Table Seating

The presiding officer or meeting chairperson must be seated at the central seat when there's no podium (seat number 1). The principal speaker occupies seat number 2. Others follow the general order of precedence.

If possible, keep equal seats on both sides of the chairperson. With a podium, the chairperson sits left of the podium (facing audience), principal speaker right.

Figure 2: When spouses are present, they sit to the member's left (left side), or right (right side).

D. Master of Ceremonies and Meeting Secretaries

At some events, the Master of Ceremonies (emcee) will be someone other than the chairperson or presiding officer. In such cases, he or she should be seated in accordance with local customs, or at one end of the head table. If, however, his or her place in the general order of precedence dictates a specific seat (e.g., he or she is a past international president at a district function), then that should rule. On rare occasions, there will be a meeting secretary; again, local customs should rule.

E. Multi-Head Tables

If there is more than one head table, the table at the highest level shall be considered the primary one. Care should be taken not to seat Lions of the same rank at different tables.

F. Head Table Introductions

Introduction of the head table should begin with the meeting chairperson or presiding officer, then continue from the person with the lowest rank on the order of precedence to the person with the highest. When spouses are present at the head table, they should be introduced with the member (e.g., "Past International Director John Doe and his wife Jane").

G. National Anthems

When official representatives of the International Board of Directors (whether or not currently serving on the board) from another country are present at an event where national anthems are normally played, they should be extended the privilege of having their anthem played.