BY-LAWS
FRIENDS OF THE STURBRIDGE/FISKDALE SENIORS, INC.
ARTICLE 1—NAME
The name shall be Friends of the Sturbridge Seniors/Fiskdale Seniors, Inc.
ARTICLE 2—PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this nonprofit organization shall be:
1. To encourage, initiate, and sponsor programs and services for the Senior Citizens of Sturbridge-Fiskdale.
2. To promote greater community interest.
3. To enhance the dignity and well-being of senior citizens in Sturbridge/Fiskdale.
4. To institute fundraising projects and activities for the services not provided for by the Town of Sturbridge or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
5. To underwrite some of the ongoing operating costs of the Sturbridge/Fiskdale Senior Center facility through the purchase of supplies and donations to the Senior Center’s ongoing maintenance needs.
ARTICLE 3—MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be open to any person interested in fostering the well-being of the elders in the Town of Sturbridge/Fiskdale, Massachusetts.
Section 2. Dues will be $5.00 per year for supporting members. Each member, providing dues are paid in full, is entitled to one vote at the monthly meetings.
Section 3. The membership year will be from July 1st to June of the following year with dues payable starting at the June luncheon.
Section 4. Monthly meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m. from September and ending at the June luncheon meeting.
Section 5. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time.
Section 6. The annual meeting shall be held on the third Wednesday in June at a planned location.
Section 7. A quorum shall consist of no less than nine (9) members.
ARTICLE 4—EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Officers elected from the membership shall comprise:
a. President, b. Vice President, c. Immediate past elected President, d. Recording Secretary, e. Corresponding Secretary, f. Treasurer.
Section 2. Job descriptions shall be amended as necessary.
Section 3. The President shall call and preside at all general meetings of the organization. The President shall appoint all chairpersons of all committees. The President shall e the ex-officio member of all committees, including the right to vote. The President’s approval shall be required for activities and programs sponsored by the Friends. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President shall have signatory power and access to the checkbook and ledgers.
Section 4. The Vice President shall have full authority and responsibility in the absence of the President.
Section 5. The Immediate Past President is to preside over meetings if the President and Vice President are absents.
Section 6 The Recording Secretary shall record and maintain minutes of all general meetings of the organization and all meetings of the Executive Board of Directors and shall be the keeper of all corporate records. All documents and records become the sole property of the Friends and are to be stored on the premises of the Sturbridge/Fiskdale Senior Center at all times for safekeeping.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate bank accounts and financial records for the organization. All money received shall be deposited in the name of the organization in such banks as the Executive Board of Directors shall direct. He/She shall give an itemized report at each meeting on the receipts and expenditures of the treasury and arrange for an annual audit of accounts. The Treasurer shall be allowed to expend an amount up to and including $150 in a non-emergency situation without calling a meeting of the Executive Board. In an emergency situation, over $150 may be expended by an affirmative phone vote of the majority of the Executive Board.
Section 8. No political activities shall be conducted for the influencing legislation or political campaigns.
Section 9. Notwithstanding any other provision for these articles, the Corporation is organized as specified in Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by the Corporation exempt from Federal Income Taxes under section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Tax laws. The organization to be supported is the Council on Aging, and agency of the Town of Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
Section 10. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to its members or any private individual.
ARTICLE 5—COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint all members of the Nominating Committee. A job description for permanent committees shall be on file and amended when necessary. The President shall appoint the chairperson of any special committee approved or established by the Executive Board of Directors. The chairperson of each special committee shall select its members after consultation with the President, and they shall serve at the pleasure of the chairperson.
Section. 2. The Nominating Committee of at least three (3) and not more than five (5) members shall be appointed by the President at the beginning of his/her term or prior to the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee will hear nominations from the floor at the April meeting and present a slate of officers for election at the May meeting to be voted on by the membership. All vacancies in selected posts shall be appointed by the Executive Board of Directors acting upon the recommendations of the Nominating Committee. Anyone so appointed shall serve until the next Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Permanent Committees may consist of Membership, Programs, ways and Means, Hospitality, and Nominating.
ARTICLE 6—ELECTIONS
Section 1. All candidates for election shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee or by a member of the organization from the floor at the April meeting.
Section 2. All nominations at the May Meeting shall be voted by a show of hands at the May meeting.
Section 3. The installation of officers and members of the Board of Directors shall take place at the June Annual Meeting on alternate years.
Section 4. All officers and members of the Executive Board of Directors shall be members of the organization.
Section 5. All officers and members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a term of two years. No officer shall serve more than (2) consecutive terms (four years). A person may run for office after a one year absence.
Section 6. There shall be no absentee or proxy voting.
ARTICLE 7—FUNDRAISING
Section 1. All funds raised in the name of the organization shall be dispersed only by vote of the Executive Board of Directors and the membership.
Section 2. No funds shall be raised in the name of the organization without the prior approval of the Executive Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 8—AMENDMENTS
Section 1. A proposed amendment to these by-laws shall be submitted in writing at a meeting of the Executive Board of Directors.
Section 2. The amendment shall be submitted to the membership at the next Annual or Special Meeting. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be included in the call of the meeting.
Section 3. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members (dues paid in full) present and allowed to vote shall be required for the adoption of any amendment.
ARTICLE 9
In the event of the dissolution of the Friends of Sturbridge/Fiskdale Seniors, Inc., all assets, after expenses, should go to the Sturbridge Council on Aging, an agency of the Town of Sturbridge. If this is not possible, all assets should go to a 501 © (3) organization helping the elderly.
Respectfully submitted by:
Josephine Kaitbensky, President
Aline Girouard, Vice President
Lucy Vanderhoof, Past President
Claire Cook, Treasurer
Modestina Galati, Past Treasurer
Sally Ballard, Corresponding Secretary
Kathy Ashton, Recording Secretary
Rev. 10/14/09
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