BY-LAWS OF THE
HAVANA WOMEN OF TODAY
(10/2000)

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1:
Any person eligible for membership as provided in the Constitution shall become a member upon payment of dues.

SECTION 2:
A Prospective member is one who has not yet paid her/his dues and thus is not a voting member. Therefore, she/he will not be contacted about decision-making matters.


ARTICLE II: FINANCES

SECTION 1:
Internal and External projects as well as dues and donations will fund Havana Women of Today.

SECTION 2:
A budget shall be prepared by the Board of Directors and must be presented to and approved by a simple majority of members present at the July membership meeting.

SECTION 3:
Disbursements of monies not provided for in the budget must be approved by a simple majority of members present at a regular monthly meeting.

SECTION 4:
A finance committee consisting of at least five (5) members of the Havana Women of Today will decide upon disbursements of the treasury upon dissolution. Monies will be appropriated to such things as charitable groups, Non-profit organizations, etc. The Board of Directors shall then approve these disbursements. Members would be notified at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote.

SECTION 5:
Annual audit will be conducted at the end of each fiscal year. Auditor to be appointed by President at least thirty (30) days prior.


ARTICLE III: DUES

SECTION 1:
The fiscal year shall be June 1 to May 31.

SECTION 2:
Effective October 1, 2000, annual dues of this organization shall be $20.00 payable to the Havana Women of Today. Renewal dues shall be $20.00 payable to the Havana Women of Today on or before the annual anniversary date of the member.

SECTION 3:
Notice of dues owing shall be given members by the Membership Vice-President/Treasurer a minimum of ten (10) days before the date payable. If the member does not pay dues before the quarterly deadline upon which their anniversary date falls, that member shall be dropped from National, State, and Local rosters.


ARTICLE IV: GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1: PRESIDENT

The President bears the overall responsibility of this organization. The President shall preside over all members and board meetings. She/He shall prepare a typewritten copy of the approved budget to be distributed to all members by the August general membership meeting. She/he is responsible for organizing the Board of Directors and is to be an ex-officio member of all committees of this organization with the exception of the Nominating Committee. She/he may appoint a Parliamentarian.

SECTION 2: PROGRAMMING VICE-PRESIDENT

The Programming Vice-President shall act as aide to the president, represent her/him upon request, and assume the duties of the President in her/his absence. She/He shall be responsible for information on projects and programs. She/he shall be responsible for finding chairmen for membership nights, socials, projects, and programs. She/ He shall assign project reports to the chairmen of membership projects and assist, if necessary in the completion of these reports. Completed membership project reports and folders shall maintained by her/him for local file.

SECTION 3: MEMBERSHIP VICE-PRESIDENT/TREASURER

The Membership Vice-President/Treasurer shall monitor membership records, retention, and growth. She/He shall be responsible for record keeping of adding new members and retaining current members. She/He shall also be responsible for notification of renewal dues minimum ten (10) days prior to due date. The Membership Vice-President/Treasurer shall manage all funds of the organization and shall give a detailed financial report at each meeting. The President and Membership Vice-President/Treasurer shall be the officers with check-writing privileges. She/He shall be responsible for keeping all legal documents and forms up to date with the appropriate agencies. She/He shall submit necessary state reports to the Illinois Women of Today. She/He will be responsible for monthly financial reports to be given to each member at regular meetings. She/He will submit fiscal year records for audit at May membership meeting for yearend preparation.

SECTION 4: SECRETARY

The Secretary shall keep and report the minutes of all Board and General Membership meetings. She/he, in turn, shall advise the Directors, if any, in her/his area. She/He is responsible for the publication of the newsletter. She/He shall also be responsible for sending notices, cards and /or gifts as deemed necessary by the Board or Membership. She / He shall be responsible for providing nametags for Presidential designated events.

SECTION 5: DIRECTORS

The directors are elected by the membership at the rate of one (1) director per ten (10) members. It shall be the duty of the Directors to perform the function of group communicator as designated by the president or project chairperson.

SECTION 6: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

After serving her/his term, the President automatically becomes Chairman of the Board and advisor to the President. The Chairman of the Board shall serve as the chapter’s official liaison between the chapter, other Women of Today chapters, and the Illinois Women of Today. The Chairman of the Board and the President will represent the organization at all state and area meetings attended.

SECTION 7:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors consisting of the Officers, the Directors and the Chairman of the Board shall meet monthly, or whenever the president deems necessary to outline the business to be presented for the general membership’s approval. It will be their responsibility to promote the Chapter throughout the community.

SECTION 8:
When any member of the Board of Directors misses two (2) consecutive meetings without just cause or does not perform the duties of her/his office as determined by the President, the president shall ask for her/his resignation. Vacancies shall be filled as prescribed in Article V Section 9.


ARTICLE V: NOMINATING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1:
The President shall appoint a nominating committee comprised of the Chairman of the Board and four (4) members in good standing.

SECTION 2:
Any member in good standing may nominate any other member in good standing.

SECTION 3:
The President, Programming Vice-President, Membership Vice-President/Treasurer, Secretary, Chairman of the Board, and Directors shall serve a term of one (1) fiscal year, which shall be from June 1 through May 31. No officer may succeed herself/himself more than one (1) year in an office.

SECTION 4:
A Voting member is one who is a member in good standing prior to the election. She/He shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote for each office.

SECTION 5:
In the event of a contested race, voting shall be by secret ballot, a simple majority shall rule. In the event of an uncontested race, elections shall be by the process of acclamation.

SECTION 6:
Newly elected officers will take office effective June 1.

SECTION 7:
All candidates for office must be a member in good standing of the Havana Women of Today.

SECTION 8:
Any candidate for president must have held another office in the Havana Women of Today organization.

SECTION 9:
Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by presidential appointment after two (2) weeks notice to the general membership. Simple majority of those present must approve presidential appointments at the next regular membership meeting.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

SECTION 1:
The organization shall hold monthly meetings on the third (3rd) Tuesday of each month, subject to change by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2:
The Board of Directors may call special meetings when necessary.

SECTION 3:
The annual meeting shall be in May for the election of officers. Notice of the annual meeting and slate of officers proposed shall be announced at the April meeting.


ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

SECTION 1:
Each Project chairman shall submit a final project report to the membership at the next regular meeting. She/He will return completed and updated folder to the Programming Vice-President to be placed on file.


ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1:
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting. Written notice of the proposed amendment(s) must be mailed to the last known address of each member at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the said meeting. Included in this notice shall be:
1. Date of meeting
2. Copy of the proposed changes to be approved.

SECTION 2:
Amendments to any amendment may be proposed and voted upon at the same meeting as the original amendment is voted on.


ARTICLE IX: NEWS RELEASE

SECTION 1:
Any proposed news release referring to the Havana Women of Today organization must have presidential approval prior to release and/or distribution.

SECTION 2:
It is the duty of each chairman to arrange for publicity of his or her particular project without presidential approval.