Section 6 GENERAL SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings of the general membership and of the Executive Committee and will keep a register of the post office addresses of all members, and keep a registry of the certificates of membership of the organization. The Secretary shall be the custodian of all records of the association, and shall issue citations for meetings and other communications. The Secretary, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, may serve on, or become chairman of the Membership and Nominating Committee, but shall not chair more than one Standing Committee at a time.
Section 7 PARLIAMENTARIAN
The Parliamentarian shall be the official interpreter of the rules of procedures and accompanying documents of authority governing meetings. S/He shall be well versed in parliamentary law/procedures and shall keep one of the association's copies of Robert's Rules of Order. The Parliamentarian shall be a member of the Ad Hoc By-Laws Committee that may be formed from time to time, and may serve as its chairman, but shall not chair more than one Standing Committee at a time.
Section 8 CHAPLAIN
Although this is a secular organization, the need for spiritual guidance is fundamental. Therefore, the Chaplain will be the spiritual and ethics official of the organization. S/he will open and close all meetings of the membership or Executive Committee with a prayer. S/he will also be the chairman of the Ethics, Counseling and Bereavement Committee.
Section 9 VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring on the Executive Committee is to be filled by an affirmative vote of the general membership in a by-election. The Executive Committee shall inform the Board of Directors and the Elections Committee in writing of any vacancies no later than two weeks after said vacancy, and the Elections Committee shall cause elections to be held no more than three weeks after receipt of vacancy notifications.
Section 10 REMOVAL
Any officer elected to the Executive Committee may be removed for cause upon recommendation of a majority of the Board of Directors and upon approval by a majority of the active membership at a subsequent regular or special meeting for acts of proved misconduct, malfeasance, or inactivity (default of section 2.1).
Section 11 RECALL
Any officer of the Executive Committee may also be removed through a signed petition of a 2/3 majority of active members of the association. Any such petition must be approved by a simple majority of the active membership at any regular or special meeting.
Section 12 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No official of the association, whether elected or appointed to a Standing Committee shall be a party directly or indirectly, to any contract between the organization and himself or herself without the knowledge, consent and approval of the general membership. No officer or regular member shall take any action on behalf of the organization that results in benefits accruing to himself or herself, without the consent of the general membership.
ARTICLE VII STANDING / AD HOC COMMITTEES
Section 1 COMMITTEES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee may designate and appoint one or more committees for the purpose of developing, advising or implementing various functions and programs in the management of the organization, provided no new committees are formed that duplicate the functions of those already established under the constitution. The Standing Committees of the Executive Committee shall be, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
Section 2 PLANNING, BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee will be involved in the strategic planning, policy and program direction in accordance with the purpose and mission of the organization This Committee shall prepare a budget; study and provide means for financing undertakings and projects for the organization. The Committee cannot levy or execute money transactions, but can make recommendations to the Executive Committee or general membership in terms of investments and other financial and budgetary matters. The Committee, along with the Treasurer, will assist in the annual audit of the organization's financial status.
Section 3 AD/ HOC BY-LAWS COMMITTEE
This Committee shall be constituted from time to time to periodically review the By-Laws, as the organization progresses, and make recommendations for amendments as necessary, to accomplish the purpose and mission of the organization.
Section 4 PUBLIC RELATIONS & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
This committee shall be responsible to promote the association and its activities, recruit and receive and announce new members into the organization. Upon approval of the Executive Committee it shall develop press releases, arrange press conferences, establish and maintain relationship with the news media, formulate, design and distribute publications and /or promotional materials for the association.
Section 5 ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
This committee shall be responsible to conduct all elections, whether General or Special that may be required from time to time. The committee shall set the rules and regulations for elections in accordance with the By-Laws and Constitution
Section 6 FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
This committee shall be responsible to maintain the headquarters of the association, and other Real estate that the organization may own. The committee shall keep the premises of the association clean and ready for business use at all times.
Section 7 ETHICS, BEREAVEMENT AND COUNSELING
This Committee shall coordinate and recommend appropriate responses on behalf of the organization for any individual, or collective emergencies of affliction. Upon the directive of the Executive Committee, this Committee shall also be responsible for the investigation of any unethical conducts or acts of malfeasance.
Section 8 RULES GOVERNING STANDING COMMITTEES
Each committee may adopt rules for its own governance not inconsistent with these By-Laws or with the rules adopted by the Executive Committee
ARTICLE VIII CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
Section 1 CONTRACTS
The Executive Committee may authorize any elected officers of the organization, in addition to those so authorized by these By-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the organization, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2 CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC .
All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the organization, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the organization and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Executive Committee. In the absence of such determination by the Executive Committee, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President or Vice President.
Section 3 DEPOSITS
All funds of the organization shall be deposited within two business days to the credit of the organization in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Executive Committee may select.
Section 4 GIFT
The Executive Committee may accept on behalf of the organization any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the organization.
Section 5 AUDIT
An annual audit of the financial status of the organization shall be performed by an outside-certified auditor. The outside- certified auditor may be substituted by a committee, appointed by the Board from within the active membership. The chairman and some members of said committee shall be accountants. No member appointed by the Board to serve as an auditor shall be an elected officer.
ARTICLE IX DUES
Section 1 PAYMENT OF DUES
Regular membership dues for this association shall be $5.00 per month, or $60.00 per year.
Senior Citizens under Special membership shall be assessed dues of $2.50 per month or $30.00 per year, while minors under this category will be exempt from due payment. Associate members shall make voluntary contributions.
Section 2 DEFAULT OF MEMBERSHIP
Any due paying member will be considered in default in the payment of dues for a period of thirty days from the date for which such dues become payable. His/ Her membership may thereupon become inactive by the Executive Committee in the manner provided by the By-Laws.
ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new By-laws may be adopted by a simple majority of active members present at any regular or special meeting, if at least two weeks written notice is given of intention to alter, amend, repeal or adopt new By-laws at such meeting. Any amendments to the By-Laws will become active effective thirty days upon approval by a majority of the active membership.
ARTICLE XI DISSOLUTION CLAUSE
In the event that this organization cannot sustain itself financially, and upon an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active membership, the organization will be dissolved. Upon the dissolution of the organization, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purpose of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization(s) organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization(s) under Section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954( or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the court of Wayne County in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization(s), as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
