Aug 14, 2011 TAMPA BAY 56’ERS Club By-Laws Article I: Name of Organization Section A: The name of the club shall be the TAMPA-Bay 56’ERS, hereinafter referred to as the Club. Article II: Purpose Section A: The purpose of the Club shall be to: 1. Exchange ideas and information regarding collectibles made by Department 56. 2. Provide an opportunity for fun and fellowship among those who enjoy and appreciate these collectibles. Section B: The Club shall not be conducted or operated for a financial profit of the Club or any of its individual members. Therefore, the Club’s name may not be used by anyone in any form of advertising except with written permission of the Executive Board. Article III: Membership Section A: Membership in the Club shall be open to any one interested in collecting Department 56 merchandise without any restrictions. Section B: There will be three types of membership. 1. Single membership 2. Family membership; two adult members of the same household will be considered a family membership. 3. Associate Membership: a retailer, secondary dealer, newsletter editors, and others who engage or operate in any enterprise related to Department 56 that is for commercial or personal profit. Associate members have no vote, and may not be elected or appointed to a position in the Club. Section C: Membership in the Club is not transferable. Section D: A regular active member is one that is in good standing and has paid required dues. All active members in good standing present at the meetings will have the right to vote upon any proposition or in any election for the Club. A single membership will have 1 vote and a chance to win one door prize. A family membership will have two votes and a chance to win 2 door prizes. Section E: Annual membership dues shall be $20.00 single, $30.00 family, subject to change. The fiscal year will be from June 1st through May 31st of each year. Dues shall be payable at or before the June meeting. Charter members, joining before December 1994, dues shall always remain the same. Members not paying by August meeting shall be considered delinquent. 1. New members who join during the year shall pay full years dues. Upon renewal in their second year, their dues will be prorated for the unpaid portion of their second year. Section F: Members who are delinquent in their dues shall be suspended from membership until their dues are paid in full. Their names shall be removed from the mailing list until their membership dues are made current. Article IV: Membership Meetings Section A: Meetings will be held throughout the year as determined by the Executive Board The time and place of each meeting will be published in the newsletter or through a special mailing to all members Section B: Individuals who have not joined the Club, and have not paid the annual dues will be allowed to attend only ONE meeting. Section C: Special meetings may be called by the Executive Board, in which case members must be notified at least 7 to 14 days prior to the date of the meeting. Section D: All meetings shall be governed by parliamentary law as set forth in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order. Section E: A quorum of 25 % of the current membership will be necessary to conduct business at any general membership meeting. Article V: Officers/Executive Board Section A: Officers for the Club shall consist of the immediate past president, a president, 1st vice President, 2nd vice president, secretary, treasurer, and one at-large director for each 50 members or portion of as of April 1st of that year and a National Council Of Clubs representative, hereafter referred to as the NCC Representative, each of whom shall be elected for a term of two years with the exception of the immediate past president. The immediate past president shall automatically become a member of the Executive Board. If the immediate past president is not able to serve, the position will be left vacant. The immediate past president shall serve until the next presidential election. The terms will be staggered with the President, Secretary, and 2nd Vice President and the even numbered (second, fourth, etc.) at-large directors being elected in even-numbered years. The 1st Vice President, Treasurer, the odd numbered at-large directors (first, third, etc.), and the NCC representative being elected in odd-numbered years. 1. Any vacancy on the Executive Board shall be filled until the next election by a majority vote of the Executive Board. Should the office of President be vacated during a term of office, the 1st Vice President shall become President and the Executive Board shall appoint a new 1st Vice President, until end of term 2. The Executive Board must approve all expenditures in excess of $500.00. Section B: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and appoint such committee chairpersons as necessary. 1. The President will appoint an Audit Committee once a year. The Audit Committee will be comprised of three members of whom none may be an officer. The Audit Committee must audit any and all bank accounts of the Club annually and a report must be made to the general membership at the March meeting. Section C: The 1st Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of that officer. In the absence of both the President and the 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall perform the duties of that office. Section D: The Secretary shall record the minutes of the general membership and executive board meetings, be custodian of all Club records, read minutes of previous meetings at business part of the next regular scheduled meeting. Section E: The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies received by the Club and shall be responsible for, and keep records of all receipts and disbursements of such funds. Section F: The NCC Representative shall keep the club informed of all events and activities of the National Council Of Clubs. He will serve as the liaison between the club and the NCC. Article VI: Executive Board Meetings Section A: Meetings will be held throughout the year as determined by the Executive Board. Special meetings may be held at the call of the President to conduct such business as may be required. Section B: Executive Board meetings are open to all members in good standing. Section C: All meetings shall be governed by parliamentary law as set forth in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order. Section D: A quorum of 50% of the Executive Board will be necessary to conduct business at any Executive Board Meeting. Article VII: Elections Section A: The Executive Board shall present to the membership, at the April meeting a slate of officers for the next year. The election of officers will be held during the May meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time, provided the nominee has consented to being nominated and is an active member of the Club. Section B: Regular active members who are in good standing and paid their dues are eligible for office and entitled to vote. Each person in a family membership will have one vote. Sponsors will have no vote. Section C: those members present shall declare Candidates elected to a given office upon receiving a majority of votes cast. Section D: Candidates for President and Treasurer cannot be from the same family. Section E: The elected officers known as the Executive Board shall take office on June 1st. Each retiring officer shall turn over to his/her successor all properties and records relating to that office at the Executive Board meeting which will be held jointly between the new and old officers, at the December board meeting. Article VIII: Amendments Section A: The By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by a 2/3 vote of active general membership present and voting, provided the proposed amendments have been submitted to the membership no less than thirty days prior to being voted upon Article IX: Code of Ethics The Club adopts the following Code of Ethics to guide the behavior of its members in any matters pertaining to the selling and trading of cottages. Section A: The Club’s name or membership list shall not be used to promote sales of Dept. 56 houses and accessories. Section B: Members who choose to swap or sell to other members shall do everything in their power to assure one another that the cottage or accessory is fairly priced, free of defect, unbroken and unmended unless the receiving member is expressly made aware of the defect and that all items are authentic Dept. 56 pieces. Any member deceiving another member shall be expelled from the Club. Article X: Dissolution Section A: The Club may be dissolved at any time by the consent of not less than 75% of its active members. Upon dissolution, all debts shall be paid and any remaining funds and assets shall be given to a charitable organization selected by the Executive Board. Presented: July 1, 2011 Approved: Aug. 14, 2011 |
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