ARTICLE I - Name
1. The name of this organization shall be the Gateway Camera Club.

ARTICLE II - Purpose
1. The purpose of the not for profit Club shall be to educate, encourage, and expand the photographic knowledge and capabilities of its members by: (a) furnishing a meeting place where its members may associate, (b) making available equipment required for the conduct of its programs, (c) presenting lectures, courses of study, and demonstration of techniques, (d) providing for Club and member participation in exhibitions and contests, and (e) sponsoring any activities which further the purpose of the Club.

ARTICLE III - Membership
1. Anyone interested in photography may become a member by the payment of dues to the Treasurer.
2. Members may be suspended or expelled by the Executive Board for non-payment of dues or for other good and sufficient reason. The Board shall have full discretion as to what constitutes "good and sufficient reason", and the decision of the Board shall be final in instances of this case. Examples of what could constitute good and sufficient reason include, but are not limited to: obscene or threatening behavior and personal behavior that disrupts or interrupts meeting(s) to the detriment of other members' participation and enjoyment.
3. The Treasurer or Publicity Chairperson or their appointed representative shall publish a membership list as soon as practical in the Club year, but no later than the first meeting in December. The list will include the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of every member unless the member has specifically requested information be withheld. The membership list will be distributed to club members only and may be provided as hard-copy or in electronic form.

ARTICLE IV - Dues
1. The annual Dues for individual or other types of membership shall be determined by the Executive Board.
2. Dues shall be payable by the first Competition of each new year.
3. For new members joining after February 1, the dues for the remainder of the Club year shall be half the annual amount.

ARTICLE V - Meetings
1. Regular meetings of the Club shall, if possible, be held on all Tuesdays of each month during the nine month period from September through May. The Annual Meeting for the award of prizes shall be held on the second Tuesday in June.
2. The dates of regular meetings may be changed when necessary, or a special meeting may be convened when it is deemed in the interest of the club. Such action may be taken by the Executive Board or, in the event of an emergency, by the President or Vice-President and one other Officer. Reasonable notice of such change or addition shall be given to the Club members.
3. In addition, when a meeting location is available (either the regular meeting location or an off-site location) and the club's finances can afford it, extra meetings may be scheduled in regular meeting months. The meeting(s) could be to host Special Interest Groups or for other educational, preparatory, or entertainment purposes directly related to photography.

ARTICLE VI - Officers and Directors
1. The Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, elected as per Article VII.
2. There shall be one Director; who should be the immediate past President, if willing to serve.

ARTICLE VII - Election and Term of Service
1. A Nominating Committee consisting of a chairperson and two other members knowledgeable in the aims and operation of the Club shall be named by the President by the first regular meeting in March.
2. This committee shall, after canvassing the membership for persons willing to serve, present nominations for Officers and Director at the first regular meeting in April.
3. The Officers and Director shall be elected at the first regular meeting in May to serve for one year beginning at the close of the Annual Meeting. Voting shall be by voice vote of those members present and a simple majority is required.
4. If the President vacates office, the Vice-President shall become President. If any other Officer or Director vacates office, a successor shall be chosen by the Executive Board.
5. Officers may hold the same office for two successive years but not for more than two years in any four year period.

ARTICLE VIII - Executive Board
1. The Executive Board shall consist of the Officers, Director, and Chairpersons of the Standing Committees listed in Article IX, item 1 together with NECCC and PSA Representatives.
2. The Board shall handle all routine business of the Club and shall authorize the expenditure of funds for all Club expenses such as speakers, judges, equipment, printing, dues, fees, and mailings.
3. The Board shall designate a member of the Club to act as representative to the New England Camera Club Council and another to be representative to the Photographic Society of America.  However one person can hold both positions.
4. Formal meetings of the Board shall be called periodically by the President or Vice-President, as required, to transact business of the Club. Notification shall be given to each member of the Board at least five days in advance of the meeting.
5. Informal meetings of the Board may be called by the President or Vice-President at any regular meeting of the Club by notice to the Board members present for the purpose of handling items of business that require immediate attention.
6. At either formal or informal meetings of the Board, six members, which shall include two Officers, shall constitute a quorum.
7. Decisions of the Executive Board will be made by votes and require a 2/3 majority of those present.
8. Any member who wishes to bring items requiring Board action to the attention of the Board may do so at any time by alerting the President or any other Board member. The Board will discuss the issue(s) at the next Board meeting. Members are also free to come before the Board at a Board meeting in order to raise the issue(s) of interest or concern.

ARTICLE IX - Committees
1. The standing committees of the Club and their duties shall be: (a) Bulletin Committee - publication of the monthly bulletin. (b) Program Committee - under the Vice-President shall arrange the programs for all Club meetings, field trips, and special events except color slide and print competitions. (c) Digital Committee - conduct of Club digital competitions. (d) Print Committee - conduct of Club print competitions. (e) Web Site Committee - provide and keep current a web presence for the Club. And (f) Publicity Committee - publicize Club meetings and events via newspapers, fliers, etc.
2. As soon as possible after being elected to office the President shall appoint the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees. The Secretary shall immediately notify the Chairpersons and the Board of the appointments. The Chairpersons shall recruit members to assist them as required.
3. The President may at any time appoint an ad hoc committee for a special purpose, but the actions of such committee shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Board in accordance with the intent of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE X - Newsletter
1. The Chairman of the Newsletter Committee shall be the editor of the club newsletter, which shall be called the "Click".
2. Regular issues of the Click shall, if possible, be published monthly during the ten month period from September through June, to be received by members at least one week before the first regular meeting.
3. The Click shall provide the members with all necessary information on Club activities, including programs for regular and special meetings, competition rules and results, actions by the Executive Board and the various committees.

ARTICLE XI - Web Site
1. The Chairman of the Web Site Committee shall be responsible for maintaining the club website.
2. The website will serve the purpose of a) keeping the membership informed of items of club interest such as the Club schedule, issues of The Click, and competition rules and results; b) introducing the public to the Club and informing them of the what, when, where, and how the club operates; and c) providing a repository for club articles and providing members with space to display a gallery of their work on-line.
3. The website will be maintained with as much current information as is possible by the Webmaster.

ARTICLE XII - Amendment of Bylaws
1. An amendment to these Bylaws may be initiated by (a) the Executive Board or (b) by a petition signed by at least twenty-five percent of the Club Members.
2. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be given by publishing it in full in the Click, together with the reasons therefore, at least thirty days prior to the meeting at which action will be taken.
3. Subject to the above, these Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. A quorum shall consist of at least twenty-five percent of the members including two Officers.

 



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