Home   Events   Newsletter   Library   Classifieds   Gallery   Links   Contact Us   Join RWS  FAQs

 

Finger Lakes Woodturners

 

The By-Laws of the Finger Lakes Woodturners

Article 1 - The Name of the Organization

The name of the organization shall be the Finger Lakes Woodturners.

The name of the organization may be changed by a vote of the membership having a 2/3rds majority.

Article 2 - The Purpose of the Organization

The purpose of the organization shall be to provide a forum for the learning and enhancement of the woodturning skills of the members.

Article 3 - The Membership and Affiliations of the Organization

Membership in the Finger Lakes Woodturners shall be open to all who have an interest in woodturning. As a Special Interest Group of the Rochester Woodworking Society, all members of the FLW shall be current members of the RWS. The FLW may affiliate itself with other organizations, i.e. American Association of Woodturners, or others, providing that it does not infringe on the relationship with the RWS. Affiliations, other than the RWS, shall be at the pleasure of the membership and shall be made or discontinued by vote of the membership.

Guests may attend the meetings and functions of the organization on an infrequent basis. These may be prospective members or members of affiliated organizations. Should a guest visit on more than an infrequent basis, they shall be required to join the FLW and RWS to enjoy the benefits of membership and to share in the burdens of membership.

Article 4 - The Dues, Fees, and Special Funds of the Organization

The Board of Directors, subject to approval by a vote of the membership, shall determine the dues and fees of the organization. Dues shall be levied equally on all of the members.

All dues shall be paid according to the calendar year and shall be paid on or before the last day of February. Any renewing member failing to do so shall also be charged the initiation fee(s) in order to reinstate membership.

Article 5 - The Meetings of the Organization

A meeting of the membership of the organization shall be held at least once a month.

The presence of 50% of the voting membership at a meeting shall constitute a quorum and shall be required for the conduct of the business of the organization.

All members shall be sent a written, or electronic notice of each meeting.

Meetings shall be conducted by the President (or designated presiding officer) and shall contain, but not be limited to, the:

(1) Recognition of visitors and guest speaker(s),
(2) Introduction of Officers and Directors,
(3) Approval of minutes of the previous meeting (as published or amended),
(4) Treasurer's Report,
(5) Reports from Officers, Directors, and Committees,
(6) Old business,
(7) New business,
(8) Adjournment.

Article 6 - The Voting Procedures of the Organization

Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote only.

A simple majority of the members voting shall prevail, unless a different majority is specified in the By-Laws for that business of the organization.

All voting shall be by a show of hands, unless a majority of the members present approve a different method.

The presiding Officer shall appoint inspectors to count the votes and report the result if a secret ballot is selected. No inspector shall be a candidate for office, nor, in the case of a majority call for a secret ballot, have a vested interest in the outcome.

Article 7 - The Officers and Directors of the Organization

The Offices of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These Officers shall automatically be members of the Board of Directors. The election of Officers and Directors shall be held annually at the October meeting of the membership. Officers and Directors shall be elected by a simple majority of the members voting.

Officers and Directors shall serve a term of one year and shall take office on 1st day of January to coincide with the fiscal year. The Vice-President shall take over the Office of President, if vacated midterm. The Board of Directors shall fill all other midterm vacancies of Officers or Directors through appointment.

The duties and powers of the Office of the President shall be to:

(1) Be Chairman of the Board of Directors,
(2) Ensure that all records, reports, and certificates required by, law or regulations are properly maintained or filed,
(3) Be one of Officers who may sign checks or drafts for the organization,
(4) Appoint all committees,
(5) Exercise such powers as may reasonably be construed as belonging to the Chief Executive of any organization.

The duties and powers of the Office of the Vice-President shall be to:

(1) Be a member of the Board of Directors,
(2) Become acting President with all the rights, responsibilities, and powers of that Office if the President is unable to exercise his office,
(3) Be responsible for the planning and execution of the program portion of the monthly club meeting and the FLW display at the RWS pre-meeting display,
(4) Be the liaison to the AAW, and provide the monthly input for the FLW portion of the RWS website to the RWS Webmaster
(5) Be responsible for the planning and execution of any special events of the organization.
(6) Perform special projects as assigned by the President,
(7) Be one of the Officers who may sign checks or drafts for the organization.

The duties and powers of the Office of the Treasurer shall be to:

(1) Be a member of the Board of Directors,
(2) Have the care, custody, and sole responsibility for all monies, and securities belonging to the organization,
(3) Cause to be deposited in a business bank or trust company monies accrued by the organization, within 5 business days,
(4) Receive membership dues for the organization and maintain proper membership records,
(5) Be authorized to receive contributions or specially obtained funds from individuals or institutions and apply them to the proper accounts,
(6) Render at each monthly meeting and at the request of the Board of Directors, a written account of the current financial status of the organization,
(7) Be one of the Officers who may sign checks or drafts for the organization.

The duties and powers of the Office of Secretary shall be to:

(1) Be a member of the Board of Directors,
(2) Keep the minutes and records of the organization,
(3) Execute, serve, and keep a copy of all notices to the membership,
(4) Be the official custodian of the records and seal of the organization,
(5) Present to the membership any communications received,
(6) Attend to all correspondence of the organization,
(7) Update the By-Laws, if necessary, at the end of his term and before the first meeting of the next year,
(8) Be one of the Officers who may sign checks or drafts for the organization.

Article 8 - The Board of Directors of the Organization

The Board of Directors shall act in the name of the organization and shall control and manage the business of the organization.

The President, by virtue of that Office, shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall consist of at least four (4) members, The Board of Directors shall meet monthly and all members of the Board of Directors shall receive notice of each meeting from the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

A simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the Board of Directors. Each Director shall have one (1) vote and proxy may not do voting.

Rules and regulations regarding Board of Directors meetings shall be left to the discretion of the incumbent members of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall have the authority to take disciplinary action against any member of the organization for violation of safety rules or the responsibilities of membership. Disciplinary action may vary, up to and including expulsion from the organization. If requested, a member shall be allowed a fair hearing before the Board of Directors prior to any decision.

Article 9 - The Financial Operation of the Organization

The Board of Directors shall authorize all financial expenditures of the organization. No commitment will be made to an expenditure that cannot be paid for with the current assets of the organization.

All monies accrued by the organization shall be deposited in a business bank or trust company, in a checking or savings account, in the name of the organization.

No member of the organization shall be entitled to receive any salary or compensation for service to the organization. Reimbursement for authorized expense may be made at the direction of the Board of Directors.

Once each year, prior to the transition of Officers, an independent audit of the accounts of the organization shall be made. A member of the incoming group of Officers will make the audit with the assistance of a member at large of the membership. Discrepancies shall be resolved prior to the new Board of Directors taking responsibility for the financial operation of the organization.

Article 10 - The Committees of the Organization

The President shall appoint all committees. Their term of office shall not exceed that of the President appointing them. Any committee, or the tenure of a member on a committee, may be terminated at the sole discretion of the President.

Article 11 - The Modification of By-Laws of the Organization

The By-Laws of the organization may be amended by a vote of the membership. All members shall be given prior notice that action on the By-Laws will be on the agenda.

 

Date of last amendment: October 2, 2000

KTH/kth

 

 

 


Home   Events   Newsletter   Library   Special Interest Groups    Join RWS
Classifieds   Gallery   Links   Members   Archives   Sponsors
 

Questions or comments? Check our FAQs or Contact us
Rochester Woodworkers Society, Inc. Ó 2000-2008
This page last updated on 07/10/2008   RWS ByLaws   
Privacy Statement   Editorial Policy   Website Credits