By Aaron Humes: The Sub Umbra Floreo Lions Club has twice postponed its planned raffle of a 2026 Toyota Hilux pick-up truck after it was scheduled to be held at the end of 2025 and then again at the start of March.
Now, questions are being asked about the management of funds collected through ticket sales for the raffle as well as wider accountability for financial and administrative governance of the organization.
Breaking Belize News (BBN) contacted Lions Club President Indira Mejia, an attorney, for comment this afternoon. She first threatened legal action if we published any article concerning the fate of the raffle, but eventually conceded that the club had been in touch with the Gaming and Lotteries Commission concerning the cancellation of the raffle and that a press release would be issued to that effect. However, she maintained that the sources we have spoken to are “a few members who are disgruntled,” and intimated that some of these have been suspended and in one case, expelled.
We have subsequently confirmed from another source that at least two members of the Board of the Club have been terminated and resigned, respectively, after clashing with the Club President. The bottomline is that clear accounting for the funds, including record keeping, security and allocation in accordance with established financial protocols, has not been forthcoming. We understand that the Board has ratified the decision to cancel the raffle as well as refund buyers to the tune of $100 a ticket, but a process for this has not been established. BBN also understands that the Club has been advised by the Gaming and Lotteries Commission to either execute the raffle or refund the tickets. Further, sources tell BBN that ticket stubs sold in relation to the raffle cannot be accounted for.
In addition to the raffle-related concerns, there are reportedly growing questions about other financial transactions and administrative practices within the club. These concerns have prompted calls from members for a comprehensive review of financial records, internal controls, and decision-making processes.
Lions Clubs operate under the international standards and ethical framework of Lions Clubs International, which emphasize integrity, proper stewardship of funds, and accountability to members and the communities they serve. Any deviation from these standards, if proven, could have significant implications for organizational credibility and governance.
Members are now urging that the matter be escalated through appropriate channels, including internal review mechanisms and, if necessary, referral to higher-level oversight within the Lions Clubs structure. Calls have also been made for an independent audit or financial review to ensure that all transactions are properly documented and accounted for.
A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, while questions remain to be answered as to how refunds will be handled and whether accountability for the funds originally collected will be dealt with.
The post ‘Weh di money or di truck deh?’ Sub Umbra Floreo Lions Club faces questions over postponed $100 raffle for truck; trouble brewing as board and ticket buyers demand answers appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The Sub Umbra Floreo Lions Club has twice postponed its planned raffle of a 2026 Toyota Hilux pick-up truck after it was scheduled to be held at the end of 2025 and then again at the start of March. Now, questions are being asked about the management of funds collected through ticket
The post ‘Weh di money or di truck deh?’ Sub Umbra Floreo Lions Club faces questions over postponed $100 raffle for truck; trouble brewing as board and ticket buyers demand answers appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.