ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this chapter is
The Riverside Writers Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club (VWC). It is established as a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE II: MISSION/OBJECTIVE
The mission of this Chapter is to
celebrate the art and craft of writing.
To
bring this Article into line with the Virginia Writers Club Bylaws, and Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3):
Section 1. Mission. The mission of this Chapter is to celebrate the art and craft of writing by offering writers
opportunities for personal and professional interaction with other writers; strengthening skills in the art, craft and business
of writing; and advocating the literary arts in the broader local community.
Section 2. Objective. This Chapter is organized
for educational purposes, to the service and benefit of its Members and the communities it serves.
ARTICLE III:
AREA
The Chapter area shall consist of the City of Fredericksburg, the counties of Caroline, King George, Louisa, Spotsylvania,
and Stafford, and portions of the adjacent areas.
ARTICLE IV:
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Classes of membership. The classes of membership shall be:
A. Active, and B. Corresponding. The Executive Committee, with the approval of the membership, may add other classes as needed.
To eliminate the superfluous “Associate Member”
category, and suggest possible “other classes”:
Section 1. Classes of membership.
The sole class of membership shall be Active. The Executive Committee, with the approval of the membership, may add other
classes as warranted, e.g., Corporate, Life, Honorary, et al.
Section 2. Active membership. Candidates for active membership shall be eligible if they have: (a) written a book,
play, movie or other script which has been published, produced or broadcast; (b) edited a published anthology or other writings;
or (c) written and sold to a magazine, newspaper, book publisher, or other communications medium, two poems, one short story,
or an
article. Other writings may be considered on their merits at the discretion of the Board
of Governors. Former members may be reinstated by the payment of current and back dues for the period in which they received
services.
To refine the definition
of Active membership:
Section 2. Active membership. Candidates for active membership include
all writers, published and unpublished, who support the Chapter’s Mission and Objective, and desire to belong to the
Chapter.
Section
3. Active members must be in good standing (to be accepted by the Executive Committee) with the Chapter and the VWC and be
a published writer. See ARTICLE IX, Section 2 for dues.
Delete
superfluous section and replace with:
Section 3. Voting Rights. Only Active members of
the Riverside Writers in good standing may elect their officers and/or vote on matters brought before the membership.
Section
4. Corresponding membership. This class includes all other writers, published and unpublished, who desire to belong to the
Chapter. These members may serve as assistants to elected officers when appointed by the President. They may vote on Chapter
issues and programs, and for Chapter officers. They may serve on committees (except the Nominating Committee), chair committees
(including Program) and generally participate in Chapter
activities, but not serve as President
or Vice President. See ARTICLE IX, Section 2 for dues.
Delete
superfluous section and replace with:
Section 4. Termination of Membership. A member may
be terminated by resignation, non-payment of dues, or expulsion by the Executive Committee for just cause (see Section 4a.).
In the latter case, three or more members must petition the Executive Committee for this action, and charges must be conveyed
in writing to the member accused. Said member then has the right to contest the decision, but must give written notice of
that intention within 30 (thirty) days of receipt of notice of Executive Committee action.
To define terms in Section 4, add:
Section 4a. Definitions. “Resignation”
shall be defined as delivery of written intent to terminate Chapter membership. “Non-payment of dues” shall be
defined as failure to pay annual Chapter dues by such date as is determined by the Executive Committee. “Just cause”
shall be defined as willful and deliberate behavior detrimental to the Mission and Objective of this Chapter.
To define terms of reinstatement,
add:
Section 5. Reinstatement of Membership. A former member terminated for non-payment
of dues may be reinstated by the payment of current annual dues. A former member terminated by resignation must complete a
new application for membership, including payment of current dues.
ARTICLE V:
OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
The offices of President and Vice President of this Chapter must be
filled by Active Members. There shall be a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and a
Treasurer. These positions shall be filled by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting. See ARTICLE VII,
Section 2 for annual meeting.
To eliminate
“Active” requirement, eliminate Corresponding Secretary, and clarify language:
All
elective offices shall be filled by members in good standing, i.e., current in their dues. There shall be a President, Vice
President, Secretary, and a Treasurer. These positions shall be filled by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual
Meeting. See ARTICLE VII, Section 1, for Annual Meeting.
Section 1. President. The President is the Chief Executive Officer of this Chapter and shall preside over the Executive
Committee and all Chapter meetings. The President shall be responsible for the general management of this Chapter. The President
shall appoint all committees, except the Executive Committee and the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The
President
is an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President may call meetings of the membership
and the Executive Committee as necessary.
In
keeping with revised committee definitions, revise thus:
Section 1. President. The President
is the Chief Executive Officer of this Chapter and shall preside over the Executive Committee and all Chapter meetings. The
President shall be responsible for the general management of this Chapter. The President is an ex officio member of all committees
except the Nominating Committee. The President may call meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee as necessary.
Section 2. Vice President. The
Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during the President’s absence, or inability to serve, and when
the position becomes vacant. Other duties include those assigned by the President or the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the membership and
the Executive Committee and shall have custody of all this Chapter’s records (except those of the Treasurer). The Recording
Secretary shall give advance notice of Executive Committee meetings through a system designated by the President.
The Recording
Secretary shall maintain a list of officers with their terms of office
indicated.
To delete “Corresponding
Secretary,” rename “Recording Secretary,” and expand duties:
Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary
shall keep a record of all meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee, and shall have custody of all this Chapter’s
records (except those of the Treasurer). The Secretary shall give not less than 24 hours advance notice of any special meetings
of the general membership, through a system designated by the President. The Secretary shall maintain a list of officers with
their terms of office indicated. The Secretary shall maintain a record of all members in good standing, and make available
current rosters at the first meeting of the fiscal year and at such times as may be requested by the President or Executive
Committee. The Secretary shall conduct such correspondence as may be directed by the President or Executive Committee.
Section
3a. Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain a record of all members in good standing, and make
available current rosters at quarterly business meetings. The Corresponding Secretary shall give advance notice of all general
membership, annual, and special meetings. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct such correspondence as may be assigned
by the President or Executive Committee. Delete.
Section
4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep the money accounts of this Chapter and make such reports as directed by the President
or Executive Committee.
The Treasurer shall:
1. Receive all funds and maintain
the Chapter’s bank accounts.
2. Pay all proper bills of this Chapter.
3. Keep current
the roster of members.
4. Make the books of the Treasurer available for audit at times determined by the President or the Executive Committee.
Section
5. Terms of Office. The terms of office shall run for two years except for the charter year. The charter year terms of office
shall be staggered and be for one or two years so as to establish a rotation among the positions. Terms shall be the same
as the fiscal year. The President
may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
Section
6. Vacancies. The Executive Committee may fill, by appointment from amongst eligible members in good standing, vacancies for
unexpired officers' terms occurring between regular elections.
ARTICLE VI:
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. Nominations. A nominating committee of three Active Members
will be approved by the Executive Committee. The Committee shall present at least one candidate for each office to be filled.
Nominations for officers may also be made by any member from the floor. The Committee report shall be announced to the membership
at least one month prior to the election meeting.
Some
rewording for sake of clarity, and to recognize current technology, as:
Section 1. Nominations. The Executive
Committee will approve a Nominating Committee of three or more members. The Nominating Committee shall present at least one
candidate for each office to be filled, in a report to be presented to the membership at the general meeting in the month
prior to the Annual Meeting. At that time, any member may make nominations from the floor. Nominations also may be made from
the floor at the Annual Meeting. Following this meeting, and not less than two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, the slate
of candidates will be posted to the Web site. See ARTICLE VII, Section 1, for Annual Meeting.
Section
2. Annual Meeting. This meeting will be held at the local chapter's regularly established time and place in November. Delete.
Section 3.
Elections. The election of officers will be at the Annual Meeting. A majority of members present shall constitute election
of chapter officers. A quorum of at least five Active Members is required.
Rename
as Section 2.
Section 2. Elections. The election…
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section
1. Meetings of members. This Chapter's meeting may be monthly and at a time and place approved by the Executive Committee.
The Annual Meeting shall be in November at the regular time and place established. The President or Executive Committee may
call such special meetings as deemed necessary. Guests are welcome at all regular meetings.
Some rewording, to reflect other changes:
Section
1. Meetings of members. This Chapter's general meetings may be monthly and at a time and place approved by the Executive
Committee. The Annual Meeting shall be in November at the regular time and place established, or at such time and place as
shall be announced not less than two weeks in advance. The President or Executive Committee may call such special meetings
as deemed necessary. Guests are welcome at all general meetings.
Section
2. Other Meetings. The Executive Committee will meet at the call of the President or by written request of two or more members
of the Executive Committee. All other committees’ meetings will be at the call of the committee chair or President.
ARTICLE VIII: BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Section 1. Board of Governors. A Board of Governors
may be established by the membership on recommendation of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX: ADMINISTRATION
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year shall be from
January 1 through December 31.
Section 2. Dues and Fees. A. The VWC dues will be set
by the Board of Governors of the VWC. B. The Riverside Writers Chapter dues will be set by the Executive Committee of the
Riverside Writers Chapter.
Section 3. Bonding. This Chapter or Executive Committee may require any officer to be bonded to protect the Chapter.
The cost of such bonding will be paid by the Chapter.
ARTICLE X:
COMMITTEES
New sections:
Section 1. Designation. The Executive Committee may designate
such committees, standing or ad hoc, as deemed necessary to carry out the purpose and/or business of the Chapter.
Section 2. Appointment and Term. Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws,
committee members shall be selected in such manner as set by the Executive Committee, shall have such duties as the Executive
Committee may assign, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Committee.
Section
3. Committee Chairs. The President will appoint all committee chairs, except the chair of the Nominating Committee.
Section 1.
Executive Committee. This committee will be chaired by the President and consist of the elected Chapter officers.
The immediate Past President may be asked to serve in an advisory capacity without vote. This committee will approve
all applications for membership.
Rename as Section 4, and reword and expand:
Section
4. Executive Committee. This committee will be chaired by the President and consist of the elected Chapter officers, as well
as such members as the President may invite to participate. This committee will approve all applications for membership.
Section 2. Nominating Committee. This committee shall consist of three or more Active members approved by the Executive
Committee. The President may not serve on this committee.
Rename as Section 5, some rewording, and addition
of the “Caesar’s Wife” clause:
Section 5. Nominating Committee. This
committee will consist of three or more members approved by the Executive Committee. The President may not serve on this committee.
The Nominating Committee shall not nominate any of its members for any office defined under Article V.; however, they may
be nominated from the floor in accordance with ARTICLE VI, Section 1.
Section 3. Program Committee. This committee, working with the President
and Executive Committee, is responsible for planning and presenting programs for the year. Membership of this committee may
be from the Active and/or Corresponding members.
Rename
as Section 6, reword and expand:
Section 6. Program Committee. This committee working
with the President and Executive Committee, schedules
speakers or other programs, and informs the President in writing of the agreed start time and estimated duration. The President
then writes the meeting’s agenda in consideration of these time constraints. Should the program run longer than
anticipated, the President may, within his or her discretion, adjust the meeting’s schedule.
Section 4. Other Committees. Such
committees as are deemed necessary by the President or the Executive Committee may be appointed by the President. The President
will appoint all committee chairs, except the chair of the Nominating Committee.
Rename
as Section 7:
Section 7. Other Committees. Such committees…
ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert's
Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority of The Riverside Writers Chapter in all cases in which they are applicable
and do not conflict with these by-laws or the by-laws of the VWC.
Change
“by-laws” to “bylaws”:
Robert's Rules of Order shall
be the parliamentary authority of The Riverside Writers Chapter in all cases in which they are applicable and do not conflict
with these bylaws or the bylaws of the VWC.
Or,
change “by-laws” to “bylaws” and add Section 2:
Section 1.
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority of The Riverside Writers Chapter in all cases in which they
are applicable and do not conflict with these bylaws or the bylaws of the VWC.
Section 2. If a court of competent jurisdiction at any time holds any
portion of these Bylaws invalid, the remainder thereof shall not be affected and shall remain in force.
ARTICLE
XII: AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the members in
assembly. A thirty day advance notice must be given to the members advising of the nature of the amendment. The amendment(s)
and notice must be in writing.
Change “by-laws”
to “bylaws,” change advance notice, and reword:
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members in assembly.
Advance notice of not less than twenty (20) days must be given to the members advising of the nature of the amendment. The
amendment(s) and notice must be in writing.
