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West
Florida Growlers |
By-Laws And Standing
Rules | |
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P.O.
Box 22801, Tampa, FL 33622-2801 www.westfloridagrowlers.com info@westfloridagrowlers.com |
The name of this organization shall be The West Florida Growlers. Referred to as the “GROWLERS”. The organization may at its pleasure, by vote of the membership, change it’s name.
Section 1.
The Corporation will serve to provide a means of raising funds through charitable activities. These funds will be made available to the community to support organizations and groups who provide for persons with HIV/AIDS and/or other organizations who provide support to the Gay/Bi/Lesbian community as directed by the general membership. These organizations must qualify as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. No part of the net earnings shall insure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article Two hereof.
In the event of dissolution, the residual assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes with the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
This corporation is to exist perpetually.
Section 2.
The “GROWLERS” will also provide a social environment to promote and encourage the “Bear” community.
Section 1
Membership in this organization shall be open to all persons who qualify as outlined in the standing rules. This membership shall be held without regard to Race, Creed, Color, Religion, National Origin, Age, Sex or Handicap. Those seeking membership shall provide to the membership a completed application with related dues, attend no less than 2 meetings and/or GROWLER functions within a 3 month period. At which time the Board of Directors shall by vote approve the individual for membership. Should the Board of Directors fail to approve an individual for membership, the individual will then be presented to the General Membership for consideration of membership, and by vote will determine membership status. Minimum age requirements may apply, and shall be outlined in the standing rules of the organization.
Section 2
A member will be held in good standing providing all annual dues, (as set forth by the general membership) are paid in full and attends 6 monthly meetings annually. At the discretion of the Board of Directors a member may be exempt from attending monthly meetings for circumstance of distance, time or employment, any other exemption must have approval by the general membership. Members who’s dues fall in arrears for a period of 60 days shall be considered withdrawn, and all rights and privileges as member revoked.
Section 3
All votes by the General Membership at a General Meeting must be supported by 51% or greater of the membership present at the time of vote. Only members in good standing shall have their vote counted. This shall apply to meetings of the Board of Directors as well.
Section 4
The annual dues will be set forth by recommendation of the Board of Directors to the General membership. Any change to the current dues structure must be presented to the general membership no later than October of the calendar year. Dues will be divided as follows, Single Membership, Couple-Membership, Associate-Membership, Couple-Associate Membership, and by special vote of the Board of Directors a Family-Membership may be applied for. Dues are annual and are payable no later than January 31 each year. Dues shall cover membership on a calendar year, unless other wise recognized in the standing rules. Dues will be as outlined in the standing rules annually.
Section 5
Each member shall be provided with a newsletter and ID pin, and other GROWLER items as deemed by the Board of Directors and the General Membership.
Section 1
An associate member shall be one who is currently a FULL member in good standing of another BEAR Club and/or organization, not limited to Bear Clubs exclusively, however any person seeking an Associate Membership who is a member of another type of club and organization may by approval of the Board of Directors as outlined in Article III; Section 1, be approved as an Associate Member.
Section 2
Associate Members will have the same rights and privileges as a full member with the exceptions as outlined in the standing rules. Annual dues for Associate Members will be set by the general membership annually, as outlined in the standing rules.
Section 3
Associate members shall be subject to the same policies as set forth in ARTICLE III, Sections 1 through 4. Associate Members may not serve on the Financial Audit Committee.
Section 1
All meetings shall be conducted as outlined by Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 2
The Board of Directors will meet on a monthly basis. The Secretary to the Board shall make it know 30 days in advance of the date, time and place of the Board Meeting to the general membership. This notice may be my the best means available. The Board of Directors meeting will be open to all general membership, however, the business conducted will be limited to that of the Board of Directors. Members wishing to have an action addressed or wishing to address the Board of Directors, must notify the Secretary, Five (5)days in advance to have their action placed on the agenda. All actions set forth must meet the terms as set forth in ARTICLE III, Section 3.
Section 3
The general membership shall meet at least once a month. The meeting will be held on a prescribed day and time as set forth in the standing rules. It will be the responsibility of the Secretary to the Board of Directors to make known any change in the regular monthly meeting. Meeting shall be open to the general public. Only members and Associate members in good standing may take an active part in the meeting. All actions set forth must meet the terms as set forth in ARTICLE III, Section 3.
At all meetings, except for the election of officers and directors, all votes shall be by voice. Election for officers and directors shall be by ballot and there shall not appear any place on such ballot any mark or marking that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot.
At any regular or special meeting, if a majority so requires, any question may be voted upon in the manner and style provided for election of officers and directors.
At all votes by ballot, the Chairperson of such meeting shall immediately, prior to the commencement of balloting, appoint a committee of three (3) who shall act as “Inspectors of Election” and who shall at the conclusion of such balloting certify in writing to the Chairperson the results and the certified copy shall be physically affixed to the minute book to the minutes of that meeting.
No inspector of Elections shall be a candidate for office or shall be personally interested in the question voted upon.
The order of business shall apply to thee meetings of the Board of Directors, the General Membership, and other special meetings.
The business of this corporation shall be managed by a board of directors consisting of, but not limited to, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, a minimum of three (3) directors, and 1st Past-President.
The offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be for a term of one (1) year, the term of office for directors shall be two (2) years. 1st Past-President will serve as an advisor to the board without vote, and will serve at will for a period of not more than one (1) year. Elections for officers and directors will be held at the monthly general meeting in June. The Secretary will announce the election three months prior and every month up to the elections.
Section 2 Conditions of Office
No two (2) persons related by blood, or relationship may serve on the board of directors at the same time. Persons related to a board member my serve as chair to any committee. While serving as an officer or director an individual may not serve as chairperson to any committee. They may serve on said committee.
The President shall preside at all Board of Director meetings, and preside at all general meetings. The President shall cause to have an annual meeting of the general membership to provide an annual report of the organization. This meeting is to be conducted within the first quarter of the calendar year. The President shall appoint all committees, temporary or permanent. The President shall see that all books, reports, certifications, as required by law, are properly kept and/or filed. The President shall be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the organization. The President may provide correspondence under their signature on behalf of the organization. The President will call for an annual audit of the financial records of the organization as outlined in Article VIII; Section 3. The President shall be a member of the Board of Directors, and will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Vice-President shall act as an Aid to the President, and shall in the event of the absence or inability of the president to exercise that office, become acting president of the organization with all the rights, privileges, and powers as if they had been elected president. In the case where the President permanently vacates the office the Vice-President shall become the President and new Vice-President shall be elected. By virtue of the office, the Vice-President shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes and records of the organization. These records shall include correspondence, financial reports, minutes of both the Board of directors meetings and General membership meetings. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to file any certificate required by any statue, Federal, State or Local. The Secretary shall give notice and serve all notices to members of the organization. The Secretary shall be the official custodian of the records and seal of this organization. The Secretary shall present at any meetings, any communications addressed to the organization. The Secretary with the exception of the President will be the only duly authorized individual who may on the behave of the organization draft correspondence. This shall not include any public relations type work. The Secretary shall attend to all official correspondence of the organization and shall exercise all duties incident to the office of secretary. By virtue of the office, the Secretary shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the organization and shall be solely responsible for such monies and securities of the organization. The Treasurer shall maintain an account in the name of the organization, at a Federal Insured Bank. Once selected, any change in financial institutions must have Board approval, with an announcement to the general membership prior to the change. All monies of the organization must be deposited in said account except that the Board of Directors may cause such funds to be invested in such investments as shall be legal for a savings bank in the State of Florida. The Treasurer must be one of the Officers who shall sign checks or drafts of the organization. No special fund may be set aside that shall make it unnecessary for the Treasurer to sign checks issued upon it. The Treasurer will render at both the Board of Directors Meeting and General membership a written accounting of the finances of the organizations. This record will be attached to the minutes of each meeting, a copy will be made available to the general membership at each meeting. The Treasurer will present the books for an annual audit within 30 days after the end of the calendar year.
The Treasurer shall exercise all duties incident to the office of Treasurer. By virtue of the office, the Treasurer shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
The Directors shall serve as voting members to the Board of Directors. There shall be no less than three (3) directors on the Board or one (1) Director for every 20 members. It shall be the responsibility of the Directors to act as “watch dogs” assuring the general membership that the actions of the officers are in the best interests of the organization. The Directors shall report to the general membership any actions of a questionable nature. One (1) director will serve as an audit committee person for the purpose of finical audit.
Vacancies other than that of the President will be filled by recommendation of the Board of Directors to the general membership and by ballot. No officer shall, for reason of their office, be entitled to receive any salary or compensation, but nothing herein shall be construed to prevent an officer or director from receiving any compensation from the organization for duties other than as a director or officer.
The Board of Directors shall hire and fix the compensation of any all employees which they, in their discretion, may determine to be necessary in the conduct of the business of the organization.
The following are the required committees of this organization, committees may be added as necessary, and however the elimination of any committee must have Board approval as well as approval by the general membership. Each Committee shall consist of no less than three (3) members. The Chairperson may be appointed by the president or elected by the committee. The President shall sever Ex-Officio on any committee.
Section 1 Nominating Committee
A. There shall be a nominating committee composed of three (3) members who shall be either appointed by the president or by volunteer. This committee shall be announced at least (3) months prior to the annual elections of officers and directors in June.
B. The nominating committee shall recruit at least one (1) eligible person for each open office. These nominations will be announced in the May meeting, at which time the floor will open to additional nominations. All Nominations will be closed as of the end of the May Meeting. Write ins will be allowed at any election of Officers or Directors. It shall be the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to determine what Director is up for election, an make said known to the general membership with its recommendation for nomination.
C. Members of the Nominating Committee may elect to run for an office, however, in making the nomination it must be clearly stated that the individual is/was a member of the Nominating Committee.
D. It shall be
in the best interest of the organization to provide at least two (2) candidates
for any office, However,
if only one
person is nominated, this shall not be construed as vote by acclamation, but
rather must be by ballot.
E. Only those persons who have consented to serve, if elected, shall be nominated for, or elected to office.
Section
2
Standing Rule Committee
A. This committee shall consist of no less than three (3) person either appointed or by volunteer.
B. This committee shall be charged with establishing standing rules for this organization, maintaining them, making recommendations for deletions and additions.
C. Standing rules will be the means to govern this organization on a day to day basis. The standing rules will establish criteria for membership, rules of conduct, grounds for dismissal of officers and directors, as well as general membership, and other directives as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors and the general membership.
D. Standing Rules shall be reviewed no less than once a year and a report as to the condition and necessary changes made to the General Membership each September.
A. The Audit Committee will consist of Three (3), one being a Director and two from the general membership.
B. The audit committee will be charged with the annual review of the financial records of this organization as presented by the Treasurer. The audit will be held within 30 days following the Election of Offices at the June meeting.
C. The Audit committee will report to the General membership their findings within 30 days of the audit. The records both financial and the audit report shall be made available to all members, and will be made part of the permanent records of this organization.
D. It shall be upon the recommendation of the Audit committee, should they find any questionable activities in the funds of this organization, should action be taken against the responsible individual, legal or otherwide.
Section
4
Bears in Paradise Committee
A. This committee shall be charged with the organization of the annual Bears in Paradise event. This committee shall be structured as necessary to achieve the goals of the organization.
B. This event will be an annual Fund Raising event held at a time as agreed upon by the general membership.
By appointment of the president or by volunteer one (1) individual shall be charged with being Editor of the newsletter. The editor will make available to all members and other clubs and organizations, on a monthly basis the newsletter. The editor will have complete editorial rights over the publication with the direction of the Board of Directors.
It shall be the policy of the organization to restrict any and all releases to approved media. The president, at his discretion, may appoint or by volunteer have a Director of Public Relations. This individual would then assume all responsibility for the approval of material for distribution, any and all advertisements, Club Posters, press releases, and other related material. In the absence of a Director of Public Relations the president will serve in this capacity. The Director of Public Relations will not be an elected office and will not serve on the Board of Directors.
Section 1
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by an affirmative vote, as outlined in Article III; Section 3. Any action taken to the By-Laws must be announced no less than sixty (60) days prior to the vote.
Section 2
A committee shall be appointed to review the By-Laws at least once every three (3) years.
Submitted for Membership Review
February 4, 1996
Approved by the General Membership
March 3, 1996
Amendments:
June, 1996 - Article IX, Section 3, C
June, 1997 – Article III, Section 3
Next Official By-Law review date:
Prior to March 3, 1999
Proposed Changes - Committee meeting of 02/29/2008
Presented, discussed and ammended at Board Meeting 03/21/2008
As
approved by the General Membership Feb 3, 2007
Amended
3/3/07
I
Membership Qualification
1. Individuals applying for membership must be:
A. Sponsored by a Member in good standing
B. 21 years of age or older
2. Further more the application for membership must not be over 45 days old, and should be presented to a member of the West Florida Growlers Board of Directors. Applications will not be considered without payments of full dues.
1. A member will be held in good standing provided they have not been absent for more than 3 consecutive general membership meetings, without the approval of the West Florida Growlers Board of Directors.
1. As set April 14, 1996
A. Single Membership $30.00
B. Couple Membership $50.00
C. Family Membership Special vote by the Board of Directors
2. Membership Dues shall be paid in full, anyone obtaining membership in November and December will be considered paid in full for the following year. (Grammatical)
3. Membership Dues are due on or before January 31st of the current renewal year. Request for special deferment for financial hardship cases will be submitted by the member, to the Board of Directors for approval.
1. Full Member
A. Full Members (in good standing) shall be entitle to but not limited to the following:
2. Lifetime Member:Those (three members) who have been granted Lifetime Membership will continue to be Lifetime Members as an honorary title only with no privileges. Effective immediately, no further Lifetime Memberships will be granted.
All Memberships shall be in effect until the completion of that membership term with the exception of Board Action.