About COGs

Who are Caterham, Oxted and Godstone Lions?

It’s a long name but it has been  shortened to COGs. We are  a voluntary organisation which exists to help the local community and support Lions Clubs’ national and international projects. 

The administration of the Club is mainly financed by its members.  All time to organise activities to raise funds and provide community service is given freely by the members and friends of the Lions club, for no payment or reward. 

This year (2022) is the Club’s 43rd year as part of Lions Clubs International and of serving Lions International initiatives and the local community.

The objects of each Lions Club are to:

  • create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world;
  • promote the principles of good government and good citizenship;
  • take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community;
  • unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding;
  • provide a forum for the open discussion of matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members;
  • encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavours.

COGs are a CIO, but what is a CIO?

CIO stands for Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Being a CIO allows us to take advantage of the benefits that are available to companies. Being a CIO we are administered by the Charity Commission, they have sole responsibilities for the formation and registration of CIOs

Membership

To find about our membership please click on the button opposite and that will take you to our membership page you can complete the Membership Form if you wish to find out more details. 

Join COGs

Structure

COGs is managed by up to twelve Trustees who are, ex-offico, the Club President, Secretary and Treasurer plus up to a further nine elected Trustees. 

Purpose

The Charitable purposes of the CIO fall into the following general categories:

  • the improvement of health or the saving of lives.
  • the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, or other disadvantage.
  • the advancement of citizenship or community development.
  • the relief of financial hardship.
  • the advancement of environmental protection or improvement.