Club By-Laws

(Updated June 2008)  

 

ARTLCLE I             NAME

Sec. 1.          The name of this organization shall be the Uxbridge Newcomers and Natives Club.

Article II                Definitions

Sec. 1.          For the purposes of this document, “Board” refers to the Executive Board consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Member Delegate; “Members” refers to members in good standing.

ARTICLE III            OBJECT

Sec. 1.          This club is a non-profit organization established to provide a means for newcomers and longtime residents to become acquainted with each other and to contribute to the well being of the community.

Sec. 2.          The club shall undertake and complete at least one charitable, humanitarian, or social welfare project yearly, the recipient of which will be determined by the Executive Board and approved by a majority of the membership at a General Membership meeting.

Sub Sec. 1.   If the project is determined to be a scholarship a separate Scholarship Committee will be appointed by the Executive Board in January.  The Scholarship Committee shall consist of 3-5 members, one of which to be a member of the Executive Board.  The Scholarship Committee will define requirements and draw up applications.  The scholarship will be awarded in May.

   

ARTICLE IV           MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1.          Eligibility for membership is limited to residents who live in Uxbridge, or in neighboring towns that do not have a Newcomers’ Club.

Sec. 2.          Length of membership is not limited.

Sec. 3.          Membership dues can be waived for applicants with hardships. Those concerned about affording the cost of membership or concerned on behalf of another, should direct their concern to a member of the Executive Board for discreet and tactful consideration.

Sec. 4.          Potential new members may attend up to two events (General Membership meetings/Social events/Interest Group meetings) prior to joining the Club, non-member fees apply.

  

ARTICLE V             DUES AND CHARGES

Sec. 1.          The Executive Board shall determine the dues each year. The Club shall meet from September to June.  Those attending their first meeting after March 1 shall be charged one-half annual dues for that year.

Sec. 2.          Dues shall be due on or before the 30th of September of the current club year.  It will be the responsibility of the treasurer to notify those who have not paid said fee.  Only members in good standing are eligible to belong to activity groups.

Sec.3.           Non-renewed members will be removed from any and all email notices as of October 31 and will not be allowed to participate in Club activities until said dues are paid.

Sec.4.           48 hours notice is required for cancellation of reservations for social functions and events.  If appropriate notice is not given, any fees/deposits required for reservations are the responsibility of the member.  Said member is also responsible for fees incurred by their invited guests. 

Sec.5.           Members willing to organize a club event will enjoy that event for free (up to $10).

 

ARTICLE VI            Spending of Club Funds

Sec. 1.          Executive Board pre-approval is required when spending club funds. Club funds spent without prior authorization will be subject to non-reimbursement at the Board’s discretion. The Board may consider expenditures up to $100. The membership at large (present at club business meetings) will consider expenditures over $100.

Sec. 2.          Funds acquired by interest groups will be deposited back into the general fund rather than being kept separate.

ARTICLE VII           MEETINGS

Sec. 1.          A general monthly meeting (business or social event) of the Club will be held from September through June on the second Sunday of the month.  The meeting minutes are to be posted to the member section of the club website.  (www.uxbridgenewcomers.org)

Sec. 2.          An Executive Board meeting shall be held quarterly.  The President shall set the meeting dates and reserves the right to meet more if deemed necessary. This meeting shall be open to Executive Board members and members in good standing. 

Non-Board members are invited to address the Board during a member’s forum at the beginning of the meeting. 

Voting and discussion is open only to Executive Board members, unless authorized by the President, or by majority vote of the Executive Board.

The Board reserves the right to go into Executive Session to discuss sensitive issues.

 

ARTICLE VIII                   BY-LAWS

Sec. 1.          The Executive Board shall appoint a by-laws committee bi-annually.  Ideally, it shall consist of three members: one from the Executive Board, one from a previous year’s by-laws committee, and one member at-large.  All by-laws must be reviewed and/or revised bi- annually.

Sec. 2.          Any member in good standing may submit a new by-law and/or amendment to the by-laws prior to the April General Membership meeting.

Sec. 3.          Any proposals for new by-laws or amendments to existing by-laws must be submitted in writing by the by-law committee, to the membership, one week prior to the May General Membership meeting. 

Sec. 4.          Proposals for new by-laws and amendments to existing by-laws will be voted on at the June meeting, given all of the above criteria have been met.  New by-laws and amendments to existing by-laws require approval by 2/3 of the members in attendance at that meeting.

 

ARTICLE IX           RULES

Sec. 1.          All questions of parliamentary procedure not covered by these by-laws shall be so governed by ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER REVISED by General Henry Robert.

ARTICLE X              NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Sec. 1.          The Executive Board will appoint a Nominating Committee in March.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of the a member of the Board and 2 members in good standing.

Sec. 2.          A quorum of the Nominating Committee must be present to vote on the final slate of nominees.

Sec. 3.          Prior to the May meeting, it shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to notify the members of the proposed slate.

Sec.  4.         The membership must be given the opportunity to make nominations from the floor.  Elections will take place at the June Meeting.

 ARTICLE XI            OFFICERS

Sec. 1.          The officers of the club shall be: President (or two Co-Presidents), Vice-President, Secretary, Membership Delegate and Treasurer. 

Sec. 2.          Responsibilities of the UNNC Executive Board Officers: The following offices are Executive Board positions. All officers are expected to attend and participate at the monthly business meeting and the quarterly Executive Board meeting. The officers’ specific responsibilities are as follows.

President

·         Works with Executive Board to set strategy and goals for club

·         Oversees planning of year’s events and activities

·         Assesses “lessons learned” from events and activities

·         Provides agenda for Executive Board meetings and monthly business meetings

·         Leads Executive Board meeting and monthly business meeting

·         Communicates news to club members

·         Writes monthly article of activities and news for the New Uxbridge Times (if there is no PR coordinator)

·         Monitors functioning of Interest Groups and assists Interest Group Chairs as needed

·         Reviews monthly bank statements and audits the records of the Treasurer.

·         Facilitates smooth transition to next Board.

Vice President

·         Works closely with the President to set and achieve club objectives

·         Leads the monthly business meeting in the President’s absence

·         Assumes the President’s responsibilities in the event of the President’s resignation or in the event that the office of President remains vacant following an election

·         Works with the Executive Board to set direction, strategy, and policies in the best interest of the club

·         Coordinates the membership drive at the beginning of the club year (September), welcomes new members to the club, and maintains the membership list.

Secretary

·         Records and documents meeting minutes for monthly business meeting and quarterly Executive Board meetings (including date, who was in attendance, old business, new business, issues, etc.)

·         Keeps electronic copy of meeting minutes

·         Sends copy of meeting minutes to Board members and posts the minutes on the club web site under the Member’s Only section.

·         Provides input and votes (at meetings or via email) on any relevant issues

·         Documents Board changes and creates appropriate letter of change notification

·         Writes thank you notes/letters of appreciation to speakers, facilitators, businesses as needed.

Treasurer

·         Receives, records, & deposits all club funds

·         Accurately maintains the checkbook & other financial records

·         Disburses funds to pay club debts in accordance with established policy

·         Prepares year-to-date reports of club income & expenses and makes available for club meetings.

Member Delegate

·         Advocates with the Executive Board for any issues raised by members-at-large and negotiates as necessary to resolve member concerns

·         Communicates with members-at-large regarding needs of families in the UNNC and organizes any approved assistance (i.e., meals for families with a serious illness or a new baby).

Sec. 3.          The Vice-President will automatically fill a vacancy in the office of President. 

Sec. 4.          It will be the duty of the Executive Board to fill a vacancy for any standing committee or interest group chairs vacant after elections in June.

Sec. 5.         There are no term limits to people wanting to serve as an officer.

 ARTICLE XII           EXECUTIVE BOARD

Sec. 1.          The Executive Board shall consist of the Officers, as defined in Article X.

Sec. 2.          The Executive Board will appoint the committee or interest group chairpersons as necessary.

Sec. 3.          The Executive Board will have the final approval of plans and funds (as defined in Article V) for each function.

Sec. 4.          Each member of the Executive Board shall submit a written annual report in June to the incoming Executive Board summarizing how they fulfilled their duties as defined in Article X, Sec. 2

Sec. 5.          The last Board meeting in June shall be a joint meeting of both old and new Executive Boards.

Sec. 6.          A Year end report will be provided to the General Membership at the June General Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE XIII          COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Sec. 1.         Event chairpersons shall submit a verbal or written report within 30 days summarizing their event (i.e. Fundraising Event, etc.) to the Executive Board.

Sec. 2.          Members interested in starting a new interest group shall submit a report detailing what they would like to add to the Club’s activities to the Executive Board for consideration.  The Executive    Board will poll membership for overall interest and viability of proposed new interest group or activity.

Sec. 3.          The Interest group chairperson shall recognize that major club events take precedence over individual group activities when selecting meeting dates.

Sec. 4.          Interest Group Chairpersons shall be responsible for insuring attendees are members in good standing.

 

ARTICLE XIV          DISSOLUTION

Sec. 1.          The UNNC Club may be dissolved by a majority vote of the remaining Membership at a meeting called for that purpose.

Sec. 2.          In the event that the UNNC ceases to exist, the distribution of remaining funds shall be decided at the same meeting as specified in Section 1 herein, with disbursement of funds and assets donated to one or more non-profit organizations in Uxbridge.