Who Qualifies? - This program applies to existing or new Lions in and/or joining the same club and living in the same household related by birth, marriage and other legal means - such as parents, children, spouses, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents and in-laws of spouses.

How long will my family receive reduced dues?   This is a permanent program that was ratified as part of the Lions Clubs International Constitution.

How Does The Family Membership Dues Program Work? - The first family member (Head of Household – HH) is required to pay the full International Dues (US$39.00) and any applicable entrance fee ($25 for traditional clubs, $30 for charter clubs). Up to four more subsequent qualifying family members over the age of majority in the same household and the same club shall pay one-half of the standard annual dues (US$19.50) and no association entrance fees.

Can a life member be part of a family unit? Yes. When completing the Family Unit Certification Form the Life Member should be listed as the head of household. Subsequent qualifying family members shall pay one half of the standard annual dues.

Does the age one can become a Lion change? No. Per the associations constitution, formal membership is limited to individuals who are above the age of majority. Therefore, adolescents and minor children are not entitled to formal membership and should not to be added to the membership roster. However, in such cases, clubs are encouraged to allow children to volunteer in age appropriate activities and/or to sponsor a Leo Club for these younger family members as desired.

What sort of voting rights do family members get? Dues paying family members each have a vote on club matters and are counted as an individual active Lion toward delegate voting formulas for district and international convention votes.

Is a Family Unit Member eligible to seek club, district or international office? Lions that are a member of a Family unit are Active Lions with all rights and privileges of an Active Lion.  Active Lions are eligible to seek a position as a club, district or international officer.

*****

Certification Reporting Questions

When To Certify Family Units: The certifying of Family Units corresponds with the semi-annual per-capita billing cut-off dates of November 30 and May 31 of the fiscal year. The Family Unit Certification is to be completed when reporting new members using the Web Monthly Membership Report (WMMR) or the Monthly Membership Report ( MMR – paper version ).  Once a family unit is certified, recertification is only necessary when there is a change of address or membership status. 

Filing on-line WMMR: The club secretary must complete the online family unit certification form verifying family unit information. Read the Online Certification Instructions for step-by-step directions to complete the form online. Club Secretaries who file WMMR reports may verify their family units by printing the Family Unit Report from the REPORT section of the WMMR site. 

Filing by paper: Submit the printable Family Unit Certification Form with the Monthly Membership Report (MMR) in which the new member or a family unit is being reported.  Download the form for complete instructions.

How do I drop a family member or family unit? In order to drop a family member from the club roster, the member will first need to be removed from the Family Unit. To remove the member from the family unit, please do the following:

1.  Log on to the WMMR Membership site
2.  Click the Club link
3.  Click the Family Units link
4.  Click the Update button next to the family unit name
5.  Click the Add To/Remove From Family Unit box to remove the member from the family unit
6.  Click the Save button
7.  You can now Drop the member using the Drop link

If you need to drop the Head of Household from your roster, you will need to remove all the family members associated with the Head of Household and click the Save button. After the removed members are done processing, deselect the Head of Household and click the Save button.

*****

Common Billing Concerns

New Family Members - In order to receive all the benefits of the Family Membership Dues Rate, as new family members are added to your club's roster, the Family Unit Certification must be completed. Lions Clubs International will not issue a credit to clubs who submit the Family Unit Certification after the new member has been added; in these cases the family membership dues rate would take effect with the next semi-annual per-capita billing cycle and the club will be billed for the new member's entrance fees.

How many categories of membership are there at the moment?
There were 7 categories, namely:
- Active
- Member at Large
- Honorary
- Privileged
- Life Member
- Associate
- Affiliate

What about membership under “student” and “family” Program?
In accordance with LCI guidelines, they are categorized under “Active” category, except that dues for them are different.

Must your club's C&BL be amended to cater for all these categories of membership?
Yes, you should do so, if your club's C&BL does not cater for 7 categories and differential fees/dues.

Compiled and presented by
Lion Albert Tang
DC for Constitutional and By-Laws (2008-2009)
You could obtain further information from: http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/programs_mem_family_faq.shtml