Closing the Books, Opening the Summer: A Treasurer’s Year-End Message
Reflections on Two Years of Service
As June draws to a close, so does my second year serving as your Cabinet Treasurer for Lions District 37, Montana. When I took on this role in July 2024, I made a commitment to be a practical resource for club treasurers across the district, not just a title in the cabinet directory. Whether it was navigating dues questions, walking through LCI financial reporting, or helping clubs reconcile a confusing invoice, it has been my genuine privilege to serve alongside you.
Two years in, I want to say plainly: thank you. Thank you to every club treasurer who answered the phone, replied to an email, or showed up at convention and asked the hard questions. Thank you to our Zone Chairs and Vice District Governors who helped carry messages down to the club level. And thank you to District Governor Corinna, First Vice District Governor Jon Kimble, and Second Vice District Governor Gary Lewis for the trust and support throughout this cabinet year. The financial health of District 37 clubs is a team effort, and I have been proud to be part of that team.
With that said, there is real work to do before anyone closes their laptop for the summer. Let’s get into it.
Know Your Dues Deadlines – They Are Not the Same Date
This is the point I most want club treasurers to internalize, because confusion here is common and the consequences (good standing issues, and membership processing delays) are avoidable.
LCI International Dues: Due July 1
Lions Clubs International invoices your club for the coming year’s per-capita dues at the start of each fiscal year. For the 2026-2027 Lionistic year, those payments are due July 1, 2026. LCI dues are based on your official membership count as reported in Lion Portal. If your club has not reconciled its roster recently, do that first, so you are not paying dues on members who have dropped.
Log into Lion Portal and verify the invoice amount matches your active membership count before submitting payment. Discrepancies are easier to resolve before you pay than after.
District 37 Dues: Due January 1
District per-capita dues for 2026-2027 will be invoiced and due January 1, 2027. I will be in touch with clubs in the fall with specifics. That may feel far away right now, but your summer budget planning should account for it. Know the number, build it in, and do not let it be a surprise mid-year.
If you have any questions about either dues amount or how your club is assessed, reach out to me directly. That is what I am here for.
Year-End Financial Checklist for Club Treasurers
Work through this list before the end of June, or as early in July as possible:
- Reconcile your final bank statement for the fiscal year. Every outstanding check should be accounted for. If something is still outstanding from months ago, it may be time to void and reissue or write it off per your club’s policy.
- Verify authorized signers on all club bank accounts. Officers change. Make sure the departing officers are removed and incoming officers are added promptly. Banks often require an officer visit in person, so do not wait until October to start this process.
- Prepare a year-end financial report. This should go to your club board and be presented to the full membership. It does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be accurate: beginning balance, total income, total expenses, ending balance. Transparency keeps trust.
- File your IRS Form 990-N (e-Postcard) if your fiscal year ended June 30. If your club’s gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less, you are required to file the 990-N annually. It takes about five minutes at IRS.gov and keeps your tax-exempt status intact. Missing it three years in a row means automatic revocation. Do not skip it.
- Check your club’s standing with the Montana Secretary of State. Annual reports for nonprofit corporations are due by April 15, but if yours was missed or filed incorrectly, summer is a good time to catch up. Check your status at biz.sosmt.gov.
- Confirm your LCI dues invoice in Lion Portal and submit payment. Due July 1. Verify the member count first (see above).
- Review your club’s budget for 2026-2027. A budget is not just a document for the board meeting. It is a planning tool that helps your club avoid mid-year shortfalls and make deliberate decisions about fundraising and service spending. If your club does not have a written budget, this is the year to start one.
- Audit your club’s fundraising records from the past year. Were proceeds properly documented and deposited? Was restricted fundraising money used as intended? This is not about distrust; it is about protecting your club and your officers from liability.
- Confirm your club is bonded, if required. Some clubs carry a fidelity bond on officers handling funds. Check your bylaws and consult with your club president if you are unsure.
- Transition your records to the incoming treasurer, if applicable. If your club has a new treasurer taking over, do not just hand them a binder and wish them luck. Sit down with them. Walk through the accounts, the passwords, the filing system, and the schedule of dues and reporting deadlines. The best thing you can do for your club is a smooth handoff.
Looking Ahead to Year Three
I will be returning for a third year as Cabinet Treasurer, and I am looking forward to continuing to build on what we have accomplished together in District 37. Expect updated resources, clearer communications around dues and reporting timelines, and continued availability for clubs that need support.
My door – and my inbox – are open all summer.
If you have questions about anything in this article or about your club’s financial situation, do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact me through the District 37 website or directly at your Zone Chair.
We are all Lions. Let’s get to work.
By Lion Steve Dogiakos
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