Kiwanis Club of Laconia, New Hampshire, Inc.
Bylaws
Article I
Official NameSection 1. This organization shall be known as Kiwanis Club of Laconia, New Hampshire, Inc.
This name shall not be changed unless permission shall first have been obtained from the Board of Trustees of Kiwanis International.
Article II
ObjectsSection 1. The objects of this club shall be: To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life.
To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business and professional standards.
To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.
To provide, through this club, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build a better community.
To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and good will.
Article III
Membership and ClassificationClass of Membership
Section 1. Membership in this club shall be primarily of the active class as herein defined.
There may be only two (2) other classes of membership, viz., senior, and honorary.
Section 2. Membership in this club shall not be granted to anyone who holds membership (other than honorary) in any other chartered Kiwanis club or other service club of like character.
Section 3. The active membership of this club shall represent a cross section of occupations in the community in which this club is located.
Section 4. Membership in this club is limited to persons over eighteen years of age who satisfy the qualifications for either active membership, senior membership, or honorary membership.Qualifications for Active Membership
Section 5. (a) An active member must be of good character and community standing who resides or has other community interests within the area of this club.
(b) An active member must be engaged in an occupation in a recognized line of business, vocation, agriculture, or institutional, or professional life or who, having been so engaged, has retired.
(c) An active member shall pay a membership fee and annual membership dues, and shall be entitled to all the privileges of this club.
(d) A person of good character is a person who adheres to the standards of good conduct in his/her community and believes in and subscribes to the Objects of Kiwanis International. That is, he/she believes in giving primacy to the human and spiritual rather than the material values of life; he/she believes in treating other human beings as he/she would be treated in all human relationships; he/she believes in promoting the adoption and application of higher social, business and professional standards; he/she desires to develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship; he/she believes in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase in righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill; and he/she desires to provide through this club a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build a better community.Senior Membership
Section 3. (a) Senior Membership shall be limited to thirty percent (30%) of the Club's total membership as of October 1st of each year. Any active member of this club who shall have been an active member in good standing of one or more Kiwanis clubs for no fewer than ten (10) years, and who is unable to meet attendance requirements because of health, business or other extenuating circumstances and who shall have met such other conditions as may be prescribed by these bylaws, may be elected a senior member upon making written application, prior to appearing before the Board of Directors.
(b) A senior member shall meet the standards of attendance and participation as set forth by the Board of Directors, which standards shall include attendance at no fewer than twelve (12) regular club meetings during an administrative year, at any Kiwanis club in good standing with Kiwanis International. A Senior Member must participate in four of the following events or projects:
1. Key Club Functions
2. Interclub
3. Conventions, District or International
4. Ladies Night Social
5. Committee Assignments
6. Fund Raising Events such as: Auction, Radio Day, Santa Fund, Pancake Sale, Gilford Old Home Day, Ski Jumps or any other events designated by the Board of Directors.
A senior member shall pay annual membership dues and shall be entitled to all privileges of this club.
(c) Annually, the board of Directors shall, at its first meeting, review the membership of each senior member and shall have the authority to either renew such senior membership for a period of one year or for such reasons as seem adequate, to terminate the senior membership and reinstate such member as an active member.Honorary Membership
Section 4. (a) Any person who has performed some distinguished public service and who is not an active, or senior member of this club, may be elected as an honorary member of this club, for the period of one (l) year and therefore may be re-elected from year to year.
(b) An honorary member shall pay neither membership fee nor annual membership dues, and shall be entitled to all privileges of the club except those of voting and holding office. An honorary member shall be a paid subscriber to the Kiwanis Magazine.
Article IV
Admission To Membership and ResignationSection 1. Prospective active members shall be considered for membership by invitation only, under the following procedure:
(a) Each proposal for membership shall be submitted by a member of this club to the Secretary or the committee on Membership Growth and Education, which proposal shall bear the signature of the proposer and the endorsement of at least one additional member, both of whom shall be members in good standing.
(b) All proposals for membership shall be referred to the Board of Directors.
(c) At a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, members shall be elected by a two thirds (2/3) vote of those present.
(d) Upon favorable action by the Board of Directors, the new member shall be personally notified concerning the action of the board and the membership fee shall then be secured. The official admission into club membership shall be the date the foregoing requirements are completed and that date shall be reported to Kiwanis International.
Section 2. Senior or honorary members shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors (quorum required).
Section 3. Any member may resign from this club provided all his/her indebtedness to the club has been paid. The resignation shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors and shall become effective when accepted by the Board.
Article V
DisciplineSection 1. Any active, or senior member being two (2) months in arrears in the payment of dues and/or financial obligations shall, at the direction of the majority vote of the entire board of Directors, stand suspended and shall be so notified forthwith in writing by the secretary.
Such member upon payment of arrears and upon making application for reinstatement to the Board of Directors may, by the majority vote of the entire Board of Directors, be reinstated within (30) days of the date of the aforesaid written notice from the Secretary. In case such member be not so reinstated within thirty (30) days of aforesaid written notice from the Secretary, the member shall be dropped from the membership.
Section 2. (a) An active member who shall be absent without excuse from four (4) successive meeting or from forty percent (40%) of the meetings during either half of the club year or any active member who shall not participate in eight (8) functions, such as club events, socials, committee assignments or fund raisers, of which two (2) functions shall be major fundraising and any senior member who, without excuse, shall fail to attend at least twelve (12) meetings in any administrative year, one per month, shall at the direction of the majority vote of the Board of Directors (quorum required), stand suspended and shall be so notified forthwith in writing by the Secretary.
(b) Such member, upon making application for reinstatement to the Board of Directors, may by a majority vote of the Board of Directors (quorum required) be reinstated within thirty (30) days. In case such member shall not be reinstated within thirty (30) days, the individual shall be automatically dropped from the membership.
Section 3. Any member charged with conduct unbecoming a Kiwanian and against whom such charges are sustained after due and proper hearing before the Board of Directors, may be expelled from membership by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of Directors. All complaints shall be referred to a special committee appointed for the purpose of making an investigation report and recommendations before any action is taken on such charges by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Any person whose membership in this club has been terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property belonging to the club and all right to the use of the Kiwanis name, emblem, or other insignia.
Article VI
OfficersSection 1. The officers of this club shall be a president, the immediate past president, a first vice-president, a second vice-president, a treasurer, a secretary and assistant secretary/treasurer. If in any year, the immediate past president ceases to be an active or senior member of this club, the active or senior member who served as president of this club most recently prior to the immediate past president shall automatically become immediate past president.
After their election and before their assumption of office, all officers shall be known and designated by the title of the offices to which they have respectively been elected followed by the term "designate". The first vice-president shall also be known and designated by the title "president-elect."
Section 2. Each officer shall be an active or senior member in good standing. No offices other than those of Secretary and Treasurer or Assistant Secretary-Treasurer shall be combined in one person and no officer shall simultaneously serve as an elected director and an officer.
Section 3. All officers shall enter upon their official duties on the first day of October of each year and shall serve for a term of one (l) year or until their successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
Section 4. The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
(a) The president, when the member is president designate, shall attend the training conference for club presidents designate. The member shall be the executive officer of his club and shall preside over all meetings of the club and the Board of Directors. The member shall be an ex officio member of all standing and special committees. The member shall present the views of the club to the district and perform a like function for the district in relation to the club. The member shall promote the growth of Kiwanis in adjacent territory and shall cooperate with any sponsoring committee of the member's club. The member shall act as one of the delegates of the club to the district convention. The member shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office of president.
(b) Any vice-president, in absence of the president, shall preside at all meetings of this club and of the Board of Directors. The vice-president shall also perform such other duties as usually pertain to that office, or as may be assigned to the vice-president by the president or the Board of Directors.
(c) The treasurer shall receive from the secretary all funds paid to this club and shall deposit the same in the official depositories and shall disburse same on order of the Board of Directors.
The treasurer shall countersign all checks. The treasurer's account and books shall at all times be open to the inspection of the president, the Board of Directors and any authorized auditor. The treasurer shall make a report at the annual meeting of the club and at such other times as the president or Board of Directors, may require.
(d) The secretary, when the member is designate, shall attend the training conference for the club secretaries designate. The Secretary shall keep the records of the membership, attendance and membership fees and dues, and minutes of the meeting of this club, Board of Directors and committees, the Secretary shall present all bills to the Board of Directors for approval for their payment. The Secretary shall collect all funds due this club and shall promptly turn them over to the treasurer, taking the treasurer's receipt therefore. The Secretary shall submit to the proper officials and committees or to the club, all communications received from Kiwanis International and the district. The Secretary shall submit all official reports required by the International and district organizations.
(e) The immediate past president and the president-designate (if any) and the assistant secretary-treasurer (if any) shall perform such duties as may be assigned to each of them from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Article VII
Board of DirectorsSection 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and eight elected directors.
Section 2. Each director shall be an active or senior member in good standing.
Section 3. All directors shall enter upon their official duties on the first day of October of each year and shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until their successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
Section 4. The Board of Directors shall determine the policies and activities of the club, elect and discipline members, approve the budget, approve all bills, take counsel with committees, and have general management of the club.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall regularly meet at least once each month and at the call of the president, or by call of a majority of the Board of Directors. At the direction of the Board, the committee chairperson shall meet with the Board of Directors in joint session.
Section 6. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be a majority.
Article VIII
CommitteeSection 1. The basic committee structure shall include the following standing committees and sub-committees:
(a) Youth Services
1. Boys and Girls
2. Vocational Guidance
3. Santa Fund
4. Track Meet
(b) Community Services
1. Agriculture and Conservation
2. International Relations
3. Public and Business Affairs
4. Public Relations
(c) Human and Spiritual Values
1. Support Churches
(d) Sponsored Youth
1. Key Club
2. Circle K
(e) Young Children: Priority One
(f) Membership Growth and Education
1. Laws and Regulations
2. Membership Development and Attendance
(g) Club Meeting
1. Program
2. Achievement
3. House
4. Music
5. Bulletin
6. Interclub
7. Social Function
8. Sergeant of Arms
9. Fund Raising
10. Concession
11. Reception of Guests and Remembrance
Section 2. Where and when the opportunity exists to extend Kiwanis through the sponsorship of a Kiwanis club, the president shall appoint a committee on new club buildings. This committee shall have the responsibilities as outlined in the procedures for new club building established by Kiwanis International.
Section 3. Where desired, there shall be the option of extending the committee structure by creating other standing committees which would enable the program of the club to function more effectively in terms of its own needs and interests. The duties of such committees shall be determined at the time they are created.
Section 4. Each standing committee shall be composed of three or more members and shall serve for a term of one (l) year, commencing on the first day of October. All members of committees shall be appointed by the president and shall be subject to removal by the president. Each committee shall make such reports as the president may direct.
Section 5. Special committees may be appointed by the president and they shall perform such duties as may be defined in their creation.
Article IX
Duties of Standing CommitteesSection 1. The committee on Club Meeting shall provide for the most effective club meeting possible for each week of the administrative year. Areas of responsibility involved include the club meeting program, music, house, reception, fellowship and interclub relations as well as other areas which the committee may deem pertinent.
Section 2. The committee on Membership Growth and Education shall devise ways and means of maintaining an adequate membership of such standards as are provided in these bylaws. The committee shall consider all proposals for membership, and shall submit its recommendations to the Board of Directors. The committee shall also devise effective plans for the orientation and induction of new members.
Section 3. The committee on Youth Services shall study, devise and suggest methods and means to assist boys and girls to adjust themselves to their environment and become adapted to the social, economic and moral demands which they may encounter, and shall develop ways and means of assisting in the guidance of youth in the selection of proper and suitable vocations, as well as other areas which the committee may deem pertinent.
Section 4. The committee on Community Services shall study, devise and suggest methods and means whereby this club can render effective community services. Areas of concern shall include agriculture, conservation, environmental pollution, public and business affairs, international relations, safety as well as other areas which the committee may deem pertinent.
Section 5. The committee on Human and Spiritual Values shall cooperate in broad non-denominational lines with religious leaders and groups in their communities to create a greater individual and public consciousness of the importance of religious and spiritual values.
Section 6. The committee on Sponsored Youth shall devise ways and means to establish Key Clubs in high schools and/or Circle K Clubs in the universities and colleges within the territorial limits of this club, and shall encourage and promote the activities of all Key Clubs and/or Circle K Clubs sponsored by the club.
Section 7. The committee on Young Children: Priority One shall study, devise and suggest methods and means to implement the current Young Children: Priority One Program(s) of Kiwanis International.
Article X
MeetingsSection 1. This club shall hold weekly dinner meetings on Monday at 6:15 p.m. and at such place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. It may hold such other meetings as the Board of Directors or membership may desire. The regular weekly meetings shall not be more than one (l) hour and thirty (30) minutes in duration, except on special occasions as approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The annual meeting of the club shall be the first regular weekly meeting in May on Monday night. The membership of this club shall be given at least two (2) weeks notice of the date and place of the annual meeting. One third (1/3) of the active and senior members of the club shall constitute a quorum.
Article XI
Nomination and Election of OfficersSection 1. The election of officers and directors, except the Secretary and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer shall be held at the annual meeting.
Section 2. Voting shall be by ballot and shall not be cumulative. Only active and senior members present and in good standing may vote. There shall be no voting by proxy.
Section 3. At a regular meeting of this club at least five (5) weeks prior to the date of the annual meeting, the president shall appoint a committee, to be known as the nominating committee. This committee shall consist of five (5) members, and if possible, a majority shall be past presidents of the club.
The president shall designate the chairperson of this committee. The duties of this committee shall be to make nominations, with consent of those nominated, and to prepare a ballot for the election of such officers and directors.
Section 4. At least two (2) weeks before the annual meeting, the nominating committee shall submit a list of nominees not exceeding two (2) in number for each office to be filled and a list of nominees not exceeding the numbers of directors to be elected plus three (3). At least one (l) week before the annual meeting, nominations from the floor of a regular meeting of the club may be made for any office or that of a director and when so made together with the list submitted by the nominating committee shall then be the list of nominees submitted to the club for an election of officers and directors.
Section 5. On the day of the annual meeting, the president shall appoint a committee to be known as the Committee on Elections consisting of not more than seven (7) members. The duties of this committee shall be to distribute, collect, and count the ballots and report the results to the president who shall announce the same to this club. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to determine the choice of any officer to be elected. In the event that any ballot does not show a majority for any nominee for any particular office, the president shall immediately designate a time and a place for further balloting for such office. Prior to the second ballot, the nominees having the lowest vote on the first ballot shall be dropped; and in each ballot the same procedure shall be followed until one (l) nominee shall have received a majority of all votes cast.
Section 6. If the names of more than the number of directors to be elected are placed in nomination, the individuals who receive the highest vote up to the number to be elected shall be declared to be elected.
Section 7. The Secretary and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected within one (l) week after the annual meeting by the officers and directors who comprise the Board of Directors for the succeeding year.
Section 8. In the case of a vacancy in the office of the president, the first vice-president shall succeed to the office. In the case of a vacancy in the office of the first vice-president, the second vice-president shall succeed to the office. In the case of a vacancy in the office of the second vice-president, treasurer or director, the vacancy shall be filled by the club at a regular meeting upon one (l) week's notice of nomination or nominations by the Board of Directors. In the case of a vacancy in the office of the secretary or assistant secretary-treasurer, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. In the event, after a member's election and prior to October first, of disability, of inability of an officer-designate or director-designate to serve for the term for which the member was elected, the vacancy shall be filled by the club at a regular meeting, upon one (l) week's notice of nomination or nominations by the Board of Directors-designate. In case of a vacancy in the office of secretary or assistant secretary-treasurer for the following year, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors-designate.
Section 10. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as limiting the right to make further nominations from the floor of the meeting.
Article XII
International and District ObligationsSection 1. In full recognition of the values of International and district fellowship and cooperation available to this club and its members through its privileges and rights of participation in the government and activities of Kiwanis International and the district with which it is affiliated, it is hereby declared a major policy of this club to exercise fully those privileges and rights and to discharge promptly and fully all obligations imposed upon it by the Constitution and Bylaws of Kiwanis International and by the district bylaws.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall provide for the prompt review, approval, and forwarding of all reports required or requested by Kiwanis International and by the district.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall provide for the prompt payment of all dues and other obligations of Kiwanis International and to the district.
Section 4. Delegates and alternates to all conventions of Kiwanis International and of the district at which this club is obligated to be represented shall be elected by this club at dates sufficiently in advance of such meetings to comply with the Bylaws of Kiwanis International and the district bylaws. Provision for the expense of such representation shall be made by the Board of Directors in making the financial budget of this club. The Board of Directors shall also provide for the proper representation at any other International and district meeting of Kiwanis in which this club has the privilege of participation.
Article XIII
Official PublicationSection 1. In conformity with Article XIV of the Constitution of Kiwanis International, this club hereby makes it a condition of membership that each of the active, senior and honorary members shall become a bona fide paid subscriber to the official publication of Kiwanis International and shall continue as long as they remain a member.
Such subscription shall be collected by this club from each member as a part of his/her regular dues and the same shall be forwarded to the secretary of Kiwanis International.
Section 2. This club shall act as the agent of its member subscribers to the official publication, and shall enter such subscriptions in its books in a special subscription account, and shall forward the subscription price of the official publication to the secretary of Kiwanis International.
Article XIV
Public ActivitiesSection 1. This club shall seek by fair discussion at its meetings and in other ways, to keep its members informed on all questions of public importance and any proposed legislation affecting the community, state or nation in which this club is located.
Section 2. This club shall have the right, and it shall be its duty, from time to time to give expression by proper means, to its attitude on such public questions and such proposed legislation, provided that no other Kiwanis club is affected by the same.
Section 3. When any other Kiwanis club is affected by any such public questions or such proposed legislation, this club will refer this with favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the Kiwanis district, if only a club or clubs within the district are affected and to Kiwanis International, if a club or clubs outside the district are affected. After action in such matter by the district and Kiwanis International respectively, this club may give expression to its attitude provided that such action is consistent with that of the district or Kiwanis International.
Section 4. No action on any public question or proposed legislation shall be taken by this club until the same shall first have been submitted to the committee on Community Services, and the recommendations of that committee have been received and considered by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. This club shall not be used in any way for political purpose nor shall it, as a club, actively participate in the political candidacy of any person.
Article XV
RevenueSection 1. The membership fee shall be $20.00 payable upon election to membership.
Section 2. The annual dues shall be $78.00, payable $1.50 weekly.
Active members must pay for their meals even if they are not in attendance, unless they have attended another Kiwanis meeting, District or International Function.
Section 3. Revenue from sources other than those in this article may be raised as determined by the Board of Directors and approved by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the active and senior members present at any regular meeting of this club provided written notice shall have been given the members at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
Section 4. Monies received from the fund raising projects in which the public participates or from members or others for the service activities sponsored by this club shall be segregated from the administrative funds of this club and shall be used only for the charitable, educational, religious and eleemosynary activities of the club.
Article XVI
FinanceSection 1. Not later than the fifteenth day of October, a budget of estimated income and expenditures for the year shall be adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. This club's books of account shall be audited at least once a year. The auditors shall be named by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall determine the official depository or depositories.
Section 4. In case of the inability of persons designated to sign checks to perform their functions, the Board of Directors shall designate those who shall act as substitutes.
Section 5. In the event that a club goes on charter suspended status or is dissolved or otherwise ceases operations, and there are funds or other club assets remaining after club obligations are paid, and the last Board of Directors of the club makes no provision for the distribution of these funds, or other club assets, then the treasurer shall pay over such funds or donate such assets to the Kiwanis International Foundation.
Article XVII
Rules of OrderSection 1. "Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised" shall be parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by these bylaws.
Article XVIII
AmendmentsSection 1. Any amendment of these bylaws, if in conformity with the Constitution and Bylaws of Kiwanis International, may be adopted by two thirds (2/3) vote of the active and senior members present at any meeting of this club, provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given the members at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting. There shall be no voting by proxy.
Article XIX
Approval of Kiwanis InternationalSection 1. These bylaws and all amendments or additions shall not be effective unless approved by Kiwanis International.
Adopted October 3, 1994; Approved October 3, 1994
Kiwanis Club of Laconia, New Hampshire, Inc. by:
____________________________
Michael Bastraw, President____________________________
Paul Cotton, Secretary
Michael Bastraw
Editor
Kiwanis Kronikle is a weekly publication of the Kiwanis Club of Laconia, N.H., P.O. Box 757, Laconia, N.H. 03247-0757. We meet Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at the Pheasant Ridge Country Club, Country Club Rd., Gilford, N.H. Please call your President or Secretary about any Member or family member in case of illness. Email: Michael Bastraw or Steve Loughlin
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