New Horizons By-Laws

Transcription

1 New Horizons By-Laws Article I: Name This not-for-profit corporation shall be known as New Horizons of DuPage ( New Horizons or Corporation ). Article II: Purpose New Horizons is a social group that welcomes singles. New Horizons encourages friendship through social gatherings, activities, and community service. Article III: Membership Section 1. In order to be eligible for membership in New Horizons a person must: a. be at least 40 years of age, b. be single or legally separated when applying for membership, and c. pay the annual membership dues. Section 2. A member who marries does not lose membership on the basis of marital status. Married members retain full privileges and responsibilities of membership, except they cannot hold a Leadership Team position. If a member holding a Leadership Team position marries, he or she may complete his or her current term of office. Reinstatement of lapsed membership of married members will be decided on a case by case basis by the Leadership Team. Section 3. The Leadership Team may deny or revoke membership for good cause, including but not limited to the applicant or member: a. falsifying information on the application for membership; b. failure to comply with the standards of acceptable conduct as determined by the Leadership Team; or c. failure to pay annual membership dues. Section 4. The Corporation shall use its best efforts to maintain a complete and accurate record of its active and past members. Page 1 of 7

2 Article IV: Leadership Team Section 1. Composition. The Leadership Team shall consist of the following 11 elected Leaders, one vote per position: Female Co-Leader Male Co-Leader Secretary Treasurer Welcome Table Coordinator (Formerly Membership Coordinator) Social Activities Coordinator Marketing Coordinator Community Service Coordinator Meeting Coordinator Membership Records Manager At Large Member If any position on the Leadership Team is held by two or more persons in a co-leadership role, they shall only have one vote between/among them, and not each have a vote. Section 2. Ex Oficio Members of Leadership Team. The immediate past Co-Leader shall serve as an ex oficio member and advisor to the Leadership Team. He/she shall receive notice and have the right to attend all Leadership Team meetings but shall not have the right to vote on the Leadership Team s decisions. Section 3. Board of Directors. Strictly for purposes of complying with the Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation Act ( the Act ), the persons holding the following 5 positions shall be deemed to be the Board of Directors of the Corporation. Female Co-Leader Male Co-Leader Secretary Treasurer Membership Coordinator Section 4. Term of Office of Members of Leadership Team. The term of Office of each member of the Leadership Team shall be one year. Members of the Leadership Team may serve successive terms, with no limit on the number of terms. Section 5. Elections of Leadership Team. a. Elections shall be held at the first membership meeting in May and in November of each year. b. In the event there are more than two candidates running for any office, and no one receives the affirmative vote by a majority of votes cast by the membership, there will be a run-off election, between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. The run-off election will be held at the next membership meeting. Page 2 of 7

3 c. In the event there are two candidates running for any office, and there is a tie vote, there will be a run-off election, which will be held at the next membership meeting. d. At the May meeting, the following 5 positions will be elected, with their terms to become effective on the succeeding June 1: Male Co-Leader Secretary Welcome Table Coordinator Marketing Coordinator Community Service Coordinator e. At the November meeting, the following 6 positions will be elected, with their terms to become effective on the succeeding December 1: Female Co-Leader Treasurer Social Activities Coordinator Meeting Coordinator Membership Records Coordinator At Large Member f. Appointed positions may be created to support the operations of general meetings and dances. These appointed positions are based on need. Appointed positions may include Dance Coordinator, responsibility for the dances or Hospitality Coordinator responsible for the kitchen, refreshments and clean up. It will be up to the discretion of the Leadership Team to appoint such support and create appointed positions. There will be no term of these positions. Appointments can be at any time of the year and are not elected by membership. Appointed positions do not have the privilege of voting at Leadership Meetings. Section 6. Recall Procedure. A membership recall for the removal of any member of the Leadership Team may be initiated by a petition signed by at least one-third (1/3) of the members. At the vote scheduled for recall, if a majority of the eligible votes cast in the recall election vote in favor of recall, the member of the Leadership Team will be removed from his/her position effective immediately. Section 7. Vacancies on Leadership Team. In the event a position on the Leadership Team is vacant for any reason, including no one running for election, no one obtaining an affirmative vote by the majority of the votes cast by the membership, or resignation of a Leadership Team member, the Leadership Team, may, but is not required to, appoint a person to fill that position, to serve until the next election by the membership. Vacancies will be filled at the next scheduled election. Section 8. Responsibilities of Leadership Team The Leadership Team shall manage the affairs of the Corporation. The Leadership Team shall coordinate activities in support of the mission statement of the Corporation. The Leadership Team shall be attentive to the needs and requirements of New Horizons. Page 3 of 7

4 Section 9. Meetings of Leadership Team The Leadership Team shall meet at least quarterly at a time and place determined by the Leadership Team. Special meetings of the Leadership Team may be called by one of the Co-Leaders. A majority of the Leadership Team may also call for a special meeting of the Leadership Team. Notice of Leadership Team meetings shall be given to the Leadership Team members at least three (3) days in advance. Notice of the Leadership Team meetings may be given in person, by telephone (including voice message), , mail, or by posting on the Corporation s website. A quorum shall consist of 51% of the positions filled on the Leadership Team. Business of the Leadership Team may also be conducted by mail, or telephone (conference call or speaker phone). Proxy voting by the Leadership Team is prohibited. Section 10. Continued Assistance and Guidance by Former Members of Leadership Team Upon a member of the Leadership Team leaving office, for whatever reason, he or she shall, upon request, make a good faith effort to assist and provide guidance to his or her successor in office, for a period not to exceed three (3) months. This continued assistance and guidance is intended to promote a smooth transition whenever leadership of New Horizons changes. Section 11. Authority and Responsibility of Members of the Leadership Team a. The Female Leader shall co-chair Leadership Team meetings and co-chair general membership meetings and be one of the members of the Leadership Team who are authorized to sign checks or drafts of the Corporation. b. The Male Leader shall co-chair Leadership Team meetings and co-chair general membership meetings and be one of the members of the Leadership Team who are authorized to sign checks or drafts of the Corporation. c. The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Corporation in appropriate books, file any certificate required by any statute, federal or state, give and serve all notices to members of the Corporation, be the official custodian of the records and seal of the Corporation, and exercise all duties incident to the office of Secretary. d. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all monies belonging to the Corporation, be solely responsible for such monies or securities of the Corporation and be one of the members of the Leadership Team who are authorized to sign checks or drafts of the Corporation. e. The Welcome Table Coordinator shall promote membership and manage the Welcome Table. Under Article IV, Section 3 this Board of Director position is also known as Membership Coordinator with the State of Illinois. f. The Social Activities Coordinator shall promote and encourage social events. g. The Marketing Coordinator shall use communications tools to promote New Horizons. h. The Community Service Coordinator shall present opportunities to the membership to serve and assist local community groups and charitable organizations. i. The Meeting Coordinator shall be responsible for researching potential speakers and scheduling speakers for membership meetings. Page 4 of 7

5 j. The Membership Records Coordinator shall maintain a complete and accurate record of its active and past members. k. The Member at Large shall act as a liaison between New Horizons and First Church of Lombard. (Newly added.) Section 12. Eligibility Requirements for Members of the Leadership Team and for Co-Leaders a. In order to be eligible to be elected to the Leadership Team, a person must have been a member of New Horizons for at least one year b. In order to be eligible to be elected to the position of Co-Leader, a person must either have been a member of New Horizons for at least two years or have been a member of the Leadership Team. c. Members of the Leadership Team must maintain their membership in New Horizons in good standing, or else they will lose their position on the Leadership Team. Section 13. No Compensation to Members of the Leadership Team. The Members of the Leadership Team shall serve without compensation. ARTICLE V: Dues and Fees Section 1. The annual dues for membership shall be payable by December 31 st. Section 2. Dues are set by the Leadership Team by October 1 st. Section 3. A member who does not pay dues by the due date may be reinstated at any future date upon payment of the appropriate dues and/or other outstanding account to New Horizons. Benefits lost by lapse of membership will not be provided retroactively. Section 4. All dues collected and other income of the Corporation must be used for the purposes of New Horizons and shall not be for the financial benefit of any member. However, members may be reimbursed for expenses incurred approval of the Leadership Team/Treasurer as required. Section 5. The Leadership Team shall establish the fees charged to participate in New Horizons events. ARTICLE VI: Finances Section 1. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be from January 1 to December 31. Section 2. Funds will be deposited in accounts designated by the Leadership Team. All accounts shall have at least three (3) signatories, including the Treasurer and both Co-Leaders. Section 3. The Corporation shall adopt an acceptable accounting system with the appropriate checks and balances to safeguard the Corporation s funds. Section 4. The Leadership Team shall receive and review the financial statements of the Corporation at least quarterly. Page 5 of 7

6 ARTICLE VII: Insurance Section 1. Section 2. The Corporation shall carry Directors and Officers insurance. The Corporation shall carry liability insurance. ARTICLE VIII: Title and Roster The title ( New Horizons ) and roster of the Corporation may be used only to promote or stimulate interest in New Horizons or otherwise serve the interest of its members. Neither the title nor the roster shall be used for the monetary gain of any individual member. The membership roster or the information contained therein shall not be offered to any non-member. ARTICLE IX: Membership Meetings Unless otherwise announced or published by the Leadership Team, regular general membership meetings shall be held at least once each month. ARTICLE X: Amendments Section 1. These By-laws may be modified, amended, or appealed and new or revised By-laws may be adopted at any regular general membership meeting. Section 2. If a member wishes to have these By-laws modified or amended, that member must present a written proposal to the Leadership Team at a regular Leadership Team meeting for a decision whether or not to bring the matter to a vote by the membership. If the Leadership Team declines to bring the modification or amendment to the membership for a vote, the members can compel such a vote if they present to the Leadership Team a petition signed by at least one-third (1/3) of the members in favor of requesting such a vote. Section 3. At least thirty (30) days prior notice must be given to the membership of an intent to modify, amend, or repeal these By-laws and to adopt new or revised By-laws. Membership will be notified about any changes by and copies of changes will be provided (30) days prior to voting. Such action shall require the affirmative vote by a majority of the votes cast by the membership. Proxy voting is prohibited. Section 4. The by-laws shall be reviewed by the Leadership Team every 3 years. Section 5. New Operating Procedures may be proposed by the Leadership Team at any time of the year. Existing Operating Procedures may be modified or amended by the Leadership Team as needed. Both new Operating Procedures and amended Operating Procedures must be voted into effect by the Leadership Team, but not presented or voted on by the membership. ARTICLE XI: Notices Notices to the membership shall be given by mail or . Notice given by to the address furnished by the members on their membership form is sufficient notice. ARTICLE XII: Dissolution Upon any voluntary dissolution of the Corporation, its properties and assets shall be distributed as follows: Page 6 of 7

7 a. All liabilities and obligations of the Corporation shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions shall be made therefore. Insurance shall be purchased in order to protect the Corporation and its Leadership Team, for a period of at least two (2) years following dissolution, as determined by the Leadership Team. b. Assets held, but not owned, by the Corporation requiring return, transfer or conveyance, upon dissolution shall be returned, transferred or conveyed in accordance with such requirements. c. Any remaining assets after paying all liabilities and obligations described in Paragraph a. of this Article XII shall be donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, or its successor in interest. Revision history: Effective Date: October 3, 2006 Adopted Date: October 3, 2006 Revised: November 10, 2009 Approval Date: January 19, 2010 Revised: March 13, 2012 Approval Date: May 15, 2012 Revised: October 27, 2015 Approval Date: December 15, 2015 Page 7 of 7