|
The Bylaws of the Computer Genies of NW Iowa Revised Adopted March 4, 2006
ARTICLE I: Name and Location Section 1. The name of this non-profit organization shall be the Computer Genies of NW Iowa. Section 2. The society shall be a chapter of the Iowa Genealogical Society located at 628 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1924. The IGS web site is www.iowagenealogy.org. Section 3. The mailing address of the society shall be Computer Genies of NW Iowa, c/o Le Mars Public Library, 46 1st St. S.W. Le Mars, IA 51050
ARTICLE II: Purpose Section 1. The objectives of this society shall be-- a. to create and foster an interest in computer genealogy. b. to gather and preserve genealogical and historical data, particularly with respect to ancestors, the founders and early settlers of our country. c. to aid individuals in their computer genealogical research and in compiling their family histories. d. to establish and maintain a genealogical library through contributions, purchases, donations and exchange of publications. e. to provide information to members and the public through various means of communication such as a newsletter and a website. f. to encourage and recommend to the members to use a genealogy software program that has GEDCOM capability. Section 2. The association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes in accordance with section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III: Membership Section 1. Membership shall be open to all those interested in computer genealogical, biographical and historical research. Section 2. New Members. People may join the society at any time during the year by paying the appropriate amount of dues listed in Standing Rules. Section 3. A membership is for one person. Section 4. Benefits of Membership. All members shall -- a. receive a membership card. b. receive a free subscription to the society’s quarterly newsletter. c. be on the email mailing list for meeting announcements and news releases. d. receive a program booklet. e. receive a copy of the bylaws. f. have free access to the society’s library of genealogical information. g. have free use of the web site for publicizing his/her family’s list of surnames for which he/she has information and may answer queries regarding the same. Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities of Members. Members are encouraged to take part in club activities by doing some of the following-- a. paying dues on or before the January meeting. b. providing refreshments at monthly meetings. c. assisting in providing a monthly program. d. assisting the society with individual or group research projects. Section 6. Rights of Members. Members have equal rights, as enumerated in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (10th edition) including-- a. voting. b. serving as an officer. c. taking part in making, seconding and discussing motions. d. serving on committees. e. submitting items for the agenda for business meetings.
ARTICLE IV: Finances Section 1. Membership in the society shall be accepted upon payment of dues and is on a calendar year basis. Section 2. The dues of the members shall be set by the majority of the members present at any regular meeting. Section 3. Fees for various programs, workshops, publications, seminars and data disks sponsored by or furnished by the society shall be determined by the members for each event. Section 4. Annual dues are to be paid on or before the January meeting. Section 5. Donations to the society will be accepted at any time. Section 6. Members doing research for the general public on behalf of this society are encouraged to donate half or more of their research income to the society.
ARTICLE V: Officers and Elections Section 1. Officers. The officers of the society shall include the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, newsletter editor, webmaster and librarian Section 2. Term of Office. All officers shall serve for a term of one year beginning in January after the election. Section 3. Elections. a. Elections shall take place at the regular November meeting, a slate of nominees having been obtained by the nominating committee with permission of the nominees. b. The nominating committee shall prepare, and make copies of, a Single Ballot which may be used for the election. The nominating committee may also supply slips of paper for Multiple Ballots and any other items necessary for conducting an election. c. Candidates may be nominated from the floor, for any office, if their consent is obtained. d. The election shall be by ballot vote. e. The members shall decide, before voting, whether to use a Single Ballot or Multiple Ballots. 1. A Single Ballot. All offices and nominees are listed on one sheet of paper. All nominations from the floor shall be accepted for each office, at one and the same time, prior to voting. 2. Multiple Ballots. Members shall vote for each office, consecutively, in order as listed in the bylaws. Nominations from the floor shall be accepted for each individual office, one office at a time, immediately prior to the balloting for each office. f. A majority vote is needed to elect any officer. A majority is defined as “more than half of the votes cast”. If no candidate wins a majority, additional balloting is required until one candidate wins a majority of the votes. The nominee with the least votes is not required to drop out. g. Write-in candidates are allowed so long as consent is obtained prior to the balloting. h. Tellers shall distribute, collect and count the ballots and report the results to the group. i. The president shall declare the results of the balloting. j. The results of the balloting shall be entered into the minutes. Section 4. Re-election. Officers may be re-elected to additional terms. Section 5. Vacancy in Office. The president may appoint a person to fill in a vacancy of any office. The appointee will serve until the next election.
ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers Section 1. President. The president— a. shall preside at all regular and special meeting. b. shall set up an agenda which includes agenda items from the members. c. shall e-mail the agenda to the executive board and webmaster before the meeting. d. shall write a news release for each meeting. e. shall email meeting reminders to members. f. shall be the organization’s primary promoter and spokesman. g. shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. Section 2. Vice-president. The vice-president— a. shall assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president. b. shall be the chairman of the program committee. c. shall design and publish the society’s program booklet to be presented at the January meeting. c. shall introduce the person doing the program at monthly meetings. Section 3. Secretary. The secretary— a. shall keep the minutes of all regular and special meetings. b. shall keep a current list of members. c. shall take attendance at all regular and special meetings. d. shall send and receive correspondence. Section 4. Treasurer. The treasurer— a. shall be responsible for the finances of the organization including giving monthly and annual treasurer’s reports. b. shall submit the books for audit at the end of the year. c. shall be responsible for maintaining the non-profit status of the group and filing any tax reports as needed. d. shall set up an annual budget for the year and present the same at the January meeting. e. shall maintain a list of paid memberships for the society and shall keep the executive board informed of changes. f. shall prepare and distribute membership cards. Section 5. Newsletter Editor. The editor-- a. shall publish a quarterly newsletter (March, June, September and December). b. shall send the newsletter by e-mail or regular mail to members. c. may provide a newsletter to visitors. d. may send a copy to the Iowa Genealogical Society, other genealogical societies and libraries. Section 6. Webmaster. The webmaster— a. shall be responsible for designing and maintaining the organization’s web site at www.computergeniesofnwiowa.com. b. shall be responsible for putting the members’ lists of surnames on the website. Section 7. Librarian. The librarian-- a. shall store and care for all society property (except that which is used by other officers). b. shall give an annual listing of all property. c. shall give members a list of all property available for loan. d. shall keep a checklist of items loaned and returned. e. shall bring needed equipment to meetings.
ARTICLE VII: Meetings. Section 1. Regular Meetings. Regular monthly meetings of this society shall be held on the first Saturday of the month at various towns in Northwest Iowa. Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of this society may be called at any time by a decision of the majority of members at any regular meeting or by the executive board with one week notice given to members. Section 3. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in January. Section 4. Quorum. The quorum necessary for a meeting shall consist of the number of members present. Section 5. Cancellation. Any regular or special meeting may be cancelled by a decision of the executive board.
ARTICLE VIII: Executive Board. Section 1. The executive board shall consist of the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Section 2. The executive board-elect shall be the Program Committee with the vice-president-elect as chairman. Section 3. The executive board may cancel meetings due to bad weather or other emergencies and will notify members of the cancellation. Section 4. The executive board may call special meetings, but must notify the members one week prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IX: Committees Section 1. Standing Committees.
a. Nominating Committee. The nominating
committee shall be appointed by the president at
b. Auditing Committee. The auditing committee
shall be appointed by the president at or
c. Program Committee. The program committee is
made up of the newly-elected executive Section 2. Special Committees. Special committees may be appointed by the president as needed at any regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE X. Rules of Order . The rules guiding the procedure of the society shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. When a dispute arises between the bylaws of this society and Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, the latter shall be used as the final authority in procuring a settlement.
ARTICLE XI: Amendments These bylaws may be amended in the following manner: |