Devine Quilters Bylaws

Bylaws of Devine Quilters      Amended 8/6/01

Article I: Name and Location 

This organization shall be known as Devine Quilters.  The headquarters will be in Columbia, S. C.

Article II: Purpose 

The purpose of this organization is:

a.To promote the art of quilting and quilt making by workshops, lectures and exhibitions offered to members and the general public.

b.To preserve the heritage of quilt making and quilt appreciation.

c.To provide an informational base for those interested in quilt making and related arts and encourage excellence in those areas.

d.To provide a source of inspiration and fellowship for quilt enthusiasts.

e.To enrich our lives by the commitment of donations related to quilts and other fiber arts (i.e. quilts, scholarships, time or efforts) to deserving organizations, hospitals, groups, or individuals.

Article III: Membership  

a.Membership is open to those persons who are interested in the purpose of this organization regardless of sex, age, race or creed.

b.The annual dues shall be established by the Executive Board with approval by the membership.  Dues will be prorated for partial year membership as determined by the Executive Board.  Current dues are $24.

c.Membership is based on the fiscal year beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

d.Members are welcome to bring guests to any meeting.

Article IV: Officers

The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  They shall be elected by the general membership.

a.President – The President shall be responsible for presiding at all Executive Board and General Membership meetings.  The President shall be charged with the general management and supervision of the guild.  The President shall be the ex-officio member of all committees and shall perform all other duties as may be incidental to the office or as may be required but the Executive Board.  During the absence or inability of the President, the duties and powers may be exercised by the Vice President or in the absence of such person, as the Executive Board shall select.

b. Vice President – The Vice President assists the President in matters necessary to the functioning of the organization and shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of that officer.  The Vice President serves as program coordinator, assuring that programs and workshops of interest to the membership are offered and shall perform all other duties as may be incidental to the office.  Beginning 2003, the Vice President position will be filled by the previous year’s 2nd Vice President.  In the event that the 2nd Vice President is unable to serve in this capacity, the President may appoint someone to this position or hold a special election.

c.Second Vice President – The 2nd Vice President shall be elected for a one-year term.  At the end of that year, the 2nd Vice President will assume the duties of Vice President for the following year.  The Second Vice President is responsible for developing, and making all arrangements for programs/workshops to be presented during his/her term as Vice President.  Also the 2nd Vice President will assist the Vice President as necessary, particularly in regard to any special trips or workshops offered to the membership.

d.Secretary – The Secretary shall keep minutes at all general membership and Executive Board meetings, shall present these orally at respective meeting or publish them in the newsletter and shall perform other duties as incidental to this office.  The Secretary shall maintain a file system of all minutes for future reference.

e.Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be elected for a term of two years and shall have charge of all funds of the guild, deposit receipts and disburse monies upon authorization of the Executive Board.  The Treasurer will submit status reports at the general and Executive Board meetings, receive and maintain reports as necessary to file tax returns if required, submit a budget in November for the following year, and perform other duties as incidental to this office.

Article V: Elections and Term of Office

A nominating committee shall be selected by the Executive Board for the purpose of selecting nominees for the office of President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

a.The nominating committee shall post names of candidates for each office in the October newsletter.  The committee shall present the names of the candidates for each orally on the first Monday of November to the general membership.  Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at this time.  Following nominations by committee or from the floor, the election of officers will be held by secret ballot at the November meeting.  These ballots for the election of officers well be accepted from paid members only and will be tabulated by the nominating committee.  Election of officers shall be determined by a majority vote of members attending.

b.The terms of office shall be from January 1st to December 31st.

c.No member shall hold more than one office concurrently.

d.Officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Article VI: Executive Board

a.The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  These officers shall sit on the Executive Board concurrently with their term of office.

b.The Executive Board shall make recommendations to the general membership via the President.

c.Executive Board meeting may be called as necessary for the management of the organization.  One week’s notice should be given whenever possible.  Any member may request a meeting with the Executive Board.

d.The Executive Board shall have the authority to make decisions as necessary without the vote or approval of the membership as long as these decisions are in the best interest of the organization.  This applies but is not limited to situations when time is of the essence for the completion of pertinent business.  Any expenditure by the Executive Board without vote or approval of the general membership shall not exceed $200.00.

e.Any vacancy occurring on the Executive Board shall be filled by appointment by Executive Board until a general meeting of the membership, at which time the members shall elect said officer to serve the duration of the unexpired term of office.




Article VII: Audits


a.The Executive Board shall appoint two members neither of which shall be officers to make annual audits of the financial reports.
 
b.The annual audit shall take place in January, prior to the Treasurer taking or continuing in office.  Audits may be called at any time necessary for such reasons as vacation of office during a term of office or for any suspect reason as deemed by the Executive Board.

Article VIII: Committees

Committees shall be established as required to satisfy the programs and needs of the Guild for orderly and timely implementation by interested members.  Committee activities will be based upon budgeted items and will require Executive Board approval for additional expenditures.  Members may serve on more than one committee, but a Chairperson may head only one committee.  The Executive Board shall supervise committee activities.

a.The Executive Board shall select committee chairperson.

b.Committee chairpersons shall administer their respective activities and be responsible to the Executive Board.

c.In case of a committee chairperson vacancy, the Executive Board shall select a new chairperson.

Article IX: Meetings

a.Meetings shall be held monthly on the first Monday of the month.  Meetings may be canceled or rescheduled due to Holiday conflicts if necessary.  This will be at the discretion of the Executive Board.

b.Planning meeting may be called by the President before a regular business meeting or by the Executive Board as deemed necessary for the management of the organization.

c.Passage of a business item shall be declared by a majority vote of the members present.


Article X: Workshops

a.Workshops shall be scheduled by the Vice President and offered to the membership first and then the general public when space is available.

b.Planning meetings may be called by the President before a regular business meeting or by the Executive Board as deemed necessary for the management of the organization.

c.Attendance at a workshop requires full payment of fee to the workshop organizer by mail or at the guild meeting following sign up.  A waiting list will be maintained if demand is greater than class space, so a paid participant can find a replacement if the paid participant must cancel.  However, it is the responsibility of the paid participant to find the replacement, and there will be no refunds

Article XI: Amendments

a.This organization shall have the full power at any regularly scheduled business meeting to amend these Bylaws by a two-thirds vote of the members present.

b.The amendment must be proposed to the Executive Board in writing at not less than one regularly scheduled business membership meeting prior to that at which it will be placed before the membership for a vote on adoption.

c.All members must be notified of the proposed amendment at least one month prior to the vote for adoption of amendment, either orally or via the newsletter.

Article XII: Dissolution

a.Should the Devine Quilters be dissolved, all monetary assets remaining after payment of outstanding debts shall be donated to an agreed upon charitable organization.

b.Physical assets shall be auctioned to the general membership with proceeds going to said charitable organization.




Original Bylaws adopted on November 2, 1998
    First set of amendments made on August 6, 2001