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CBW
By-Laws (effective 11/14/2007)
Article I: Name
This organization shall be
known as the Chesapeake Bay Writers (CBW), a chapter of
the Virginia Writer’s Club. Business may be conducted as
the Chesapeake Bay Writers.
Article II: Objectives
The objectives of the CBW
are: to further the craft of writing; to provide members
with opportunities for connecting and exchanging ideas
with others who share similar interests; to assist and
encourage members in their efforts to achieve their
writing-related goals; to offer educational and
informative programs about writing and marketing
finished works.
Article III: Membership
Membership is open to any
person who has a sincere interest in pursuing the art
and craft of writing, in improving or enhancing their
writing skills, or in exploring writing and publishing
opportunities.
The CBW will actively seek to attract and serve
members from the Middle Peninsula, the Northern Neck and
the Williamsburg area. These areas shall include the
city of Williamsburg and the following counties: James
City, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Mathews,
Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, Lancaster,
Middlesex, King & Queen, King William (Town of West
Point) and New Kent.
Article IV: Officers and Directors
The Board of Directors is
comprised of the following Officers: President,
Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional
members of the board include the immediate Past
President, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, and two
Directors at Large.
The President and Vice-President may serve no more than
two consecutive two-year terms in the same office. The
Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster and
two Directors at Large are exempt from term limitations.
In circumstances where the full
Board cannot be convened, the four Officers shall serve
as the executive committee in business matters.
Elections will be held at the
first meeting of each even-numbered year. A nominating
committee chosen by the Board of Directors shall propose
a slate of candidates. Nominations may also be made from
the floor at the time of the election as long as the
person(s) so nominated have agreed to serve. Approval
requires a majority vote of voting members present.
In the event of a vacancy in the
office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the
office and duties of the President. In the event of
other vacancies in the Officers or Members of the Board,
including a vacancy in the Vice-Presidency caused by the
VP’s succession to the presidency, the Board shall
choose a member to serve out the un-expired term of the
person whose office has been vacated. This selection
shall be subject to the approval of the membership at
the next scheduled meeting. Approval shall require a
majority vote of members present.
Article V: Committees, Committee Chairpersons
Such committees and
committee chairpersons as are needed for the conduct of
club activities shall be appointed by the President with
the concurrence of the Board of Directors.
Article VI: Meetings
There shall be five General
Membership meetings per year on dates to be determined
at the first Board meeting of the year. Times and places
will be selected and announced at least thirty days
prior to the meetings.
There shall be a
registration deadline for all meetings. As a general
rule, members must have registered and paid all fees by
that date. If the treasurer makes an exception, it is
understood that payment must be in hand prior to the
meeting.
Guests accompanied by
members are welcome. Members are responsible for
payment, in advance, of all charges for guests. No
refunds will be given for cancellations received after
the reservation deadline for that meeting.
Article VII: Dues and Fees
Annual dues shall be paid by
January 1 of that year. Members who have not paid dues
by March 1 shall be considered lapsed and will be
dropped from membership.
Lapsed members may be
reinstated by paying dues for the entire calendar year
of reinstatement. A new membership application may be
required at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Applicants shall submit with their completed
applications a check to cover dues in accordance with
the schedule that follows:
For Applications submitted between January 1st and June 30th, the Dues owed
shall be for the full calendar year amount, as established and approved by the
membership in the preceding calendar year.
For applications submitted between July 1st and December 31st, the Dues owed
shall be pro-rated at half the approved calendar year amount.
The amount of dues and fees
for the coming year shall be recommended by the Board
and approved by the membership at the September/October
meeting.
Article VIII: Amendments to Bylaws
Amendments to bylaws may be
made by a two-thirds vote of members present at any
General Membership meeting, provided that notice of the
proposed amendment(s) have been communicated to the
membership at least 30 days in advance of the meeting.
Article IX: Parliamentary Procedure
Business portions of all
meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s
Rules of Order. Any items not specifically covered by
these Bylaws shall be in accordance with the most
current revision of Robert’s Rules of Order. |
