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ARTICLE I - NAME, PURPOSE Section 1: The name of the organization shall be Columbia River Cowboy Heritage Society (CRCHS). Section 2: Purpose. The CRCHS is a nonprofit organization which is organized exclusively for charitable, historical, and educational purposes, more specifically to remember, preserve, and celebrate our western and cowboy heritage. ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP (Membership, Dues, Ethics, Removal) Section 1: Members. Membership shall consist of individuals interested in preserving our western and cowboy heritage and who are willing to uphold the purposes of CRCHS. Honorary (nonvoting) membership may be granted by the Executive Committee to non-members whose activities and/or contributions significantly contribute to the purpose and image of the organization. Section 2: Dues shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) for an individual or thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for a family. Dues for individual members eighteen years of age or less shall be fifty percent (50%) of that established for regular members. Section 3: Ethics. Members are expected work together courteously respecting the rights of others. Members are also expected to use high standards when writing or composing and performing, taking care that the work of others is not used without permission and that credit is given to the originator when quoting or performing the work of others. CRCHS is a family-oriented organization and any use of profanity or explicit sexual material is not allowed. Section 4: Removal. Individuals shall be removed from the membership role for non-payment of dues. In addition, a member may be removed for other reasons upon recommendation of the Executive Committe for a vote by the membership. ARTICLE III - MEETINGS (Membership, Annual, Special, Notice, Quorum) Section 1: Membership Meetings. Meetings shall be held at such times and places as may be determined by the membership. Section 2: Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of CRCHS shall be held at the first Membership Meeting each year for the purpose of electing officers and conducting such other business as may be required. Section 3: Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or by the written request of any three members of CRCHS. Section 4: Notice. Notice and agenda of meetings shall be posted on the CRCHS web site, if any, and sent to each member by regular or email not less than ten days before the meeting. Section 5: Quorum. A quorum for the conduct of business at Annual and Membership Meetings shall be ten percent of the CRCHS membership or nine members (including officers), whichever is greater. All members present are entitled to vote. Proxy votes are not permitted. ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS (Officers, Elections, Terms, Duties, Resignation, Vacancies) Section 1: Officers: The elective officers of CRCHS are: President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President-Programs, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as may be determined at the Annual Meeting. No member may serve in two elective positions at one time except that the offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined. Officers must be members in good standing of CRCHS. Section 2: Elections. Election of officers will occur at the annual meeting of the CRCHS. Those elected will assume office immediately following the meeting at which they were elected. Section 3: Terms. Officers shall serve one year terms, but are eligible for re-election for a maximum of two full terms in one office (election to fill a vacancy does not count toward this limitation). Section 4: Duties. The duties of officers are as follows: The President shall preside or arrange for other members of the executive committee to preside at each meeting in the following order: Senior Vice-President, Vice-President-Programs, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Senior Vice-President will act for the President when that individual is not available and will assume the office of President if that individual resigns or is otherwise unable to fulfill the duties of the office. The Vice-President-Programs will be responsible for the program portions of all Membership Meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of CRCHS actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda, and assuring that all records are maintained. The Treasurer shall collect dues, establish and maintain appropriate bank accounts, and prepare checks each of which shall be signed by two members of the executive committee. The Treasurer shall also make a report at each meeting and shall chair the Finance Committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to members and the public. Section 5: Resignation, Termination and Absences. Resignation by an officer must be in writing. An officer shall be removed from office if s/he has three unexcused absences from CRCHS meetings during a year. Section 6: Vacancies. When officer vacancies occur, replacements may be nominated and elected at any regular Membership Meeting. Those elected will serve to the end of the replaced officer's term. ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES (Executive, Finance, Other) Section 1: The elected officers serve as an Executive Committee. Except for changing the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or Budget, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers and authority of the CRCHS in the intervals between meetings, subject to any direction and control which may be provided by the membership. Specifically, the Committee shall decide on major expenditures and projects, approve and issue written policies, and administer the provisions for censure or removal of any member or officer of CRCHS. Section 2: Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending a fundraising plan, and annual budget. The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. The membership must approve the budget. All expenditures must be within the overall budget. A financial report will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Section 3: Other Committees. Additional committees may be established as needed. The President appoints all committee chairs. ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of a quorum of the membership. Proposed amendments shall have at least one reading at a Membership Meeting prior to the one at which a vote is taken. These Bylaws were approved at a meeting of the membership of CRCHS on June 27, 2004. |