by-laws

CHESAPEAKE WOMEN’S NETWORK
Queen Anne’s County
BY-LAWS

ARTICLE l. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Chesapeake Women’s Network (CWN) – Queen Anne’s County.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of CWN shall be to facilitate personal enrichment and professional growth through communication, support, and to stimulate business opportunities for professional women in the community. CWN is not a service organization; however, members are welcome to express social and civic concerns at meetings or to make announcements about community services.

ARTICLE III. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in CWN requires sponsorship by two current members, attendance at only one of the general membership meetings, and approval by the Board of Directors.
2. Membership criteria is:

1. Employment in an executive, professional or managerial position, ownership of an established enterprise or private practice, or election to a government position.
2. Payment of the annual membership dues for the first year.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

1. The annual membership dues shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00) payable on or before November 1st of each year.
2. A late fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) shall be assessed for membership dues not paid on or before November 1st.
3. Members shall abide by the Code of Conduct.

Any member who does not fulfill the membership requirements may have her membership terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS

1. General membership meetings shall be held monthly from September through June.
2. The Board of Directors shall meet approximately once a month prior to each general membership meeting.

ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following elected officers:
   1. President
   2. Immediate Past President
   3. Vice President
   4. Treasurer
   5. Secretary
   6. Events Chair
   7. Membership Chair
   8. Newsletter Chair
   9. Scholarship Chair
   10. Public Relations Chair
   11. Sunshine
   12. Member-at-Large
   13. Member-at-Large
       
2. The regular term of office for each Board member shall be one year. Terms can be renewed for up to five years. The Member-at-Large positions are two-year terms and can be renewed three times. All term commence July 1.
3. The president shall fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors by appointment from the general membership, and such interim appointee shall serve the remainder of the term for the Board vacancy filled.

ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

1. The President shall serve as chairperson of the Board of Directors and shall be responsible for overseeing all CWN activities.
2. The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out her duties and will preside at Board of Directors and general membership meetings in the absence of the President.
3. The Treasurer shall receive, disburse and account for all monies and make a report at each regular board meeting of all receipts and disbursements.
   1. The Treasurer or designee shall send renewal invoices to all current members prior to September 1. Members who have not paid dues by November 1st will be subject to the $20 late fee and will not be included in that year’s membership directory.
   2. At the June Board meeting, the Treasurer shall present an annual report of the preceding year.
   3. Provided funds are available in the Treasury on June 30, up to $1,000 will be retained for the next year’s start-up operating expenses
4. The Secretary shall record and distribute all minutes from Board of Directors meetings.
   1. The Secretary shall maintain a Membership list and create a Membership Directory.
   2. The Secretary shall forward all member announcements to the general membership.
   3. The Secretary shall be responsible for all other communications as directed by the President.
5. The Events Chair shall schedule the location for all meetings from September through June.
   1. The Events Chair shall make all arrangements with the restaurant including reservations prior to the meeting.
   2. The Events Chair shall make arrangements for guest speakers and introduce them at the general membership meetings.
6. The Membership Chair shall review all membership applications and submit them to the Board of Directors for consideration.
   1. The Membership Chair shall see that new members and guests are welcomed into the organization.
   2. The Membership Chair shall contact all prospective and new members and advise them of their membership status.
   3. The Membership Chair shall notify the Secretary of new members or changes in membership information.
7. The Scholarship Chair:
   1. Shall coordinate fundraisers for scholarships.
   2. Shall coordinate application process for annual scholarship distribution in June.
8. The Immediate Past President shall serve on the Board in an advisory capacity.
9. The Public Relations Chair shall take photographs at events for the newsletter and handle press releases to local newspapers.
10. The Sunshine Chair shall send cards for life events such as birth, illness and death.

ARTICLE VIII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. A slate of officers shall be sent by the Board of Directors to the general membership before the June meeting.
2. The slate will be voted upon by the general membership at the June meeting.
3. The new officers will be inducted at the June meeting.

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

1. The Board of Directors shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all committees and shall confirm the appointment of all committee chairmen.
2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the members of the Board of Directors.
3. A bylaws committee shall be appointed every two (2) years in January to review the By-Laws and make a report to the general membership at the June meeting. This committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the President and shall include a Past President and a Member-at-Large.

ARTICLE X. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year will be July 1 through June 30.

ARTICLE XI. EFFECTIVE DATE

These By-Laws shall be effective after adoption by a majority of the members present at a general membership meeting.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the general membership in attendance at any regular membership meeting.

ARTICLE XIII. CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Respect: Members shall embrace and celebrate each other’s achievements and diversity, and treat each other with respect.
2. Citizenship: Members shall strive to make Queen Anne’s County a better place to live by working together and giving back.
3. Caring: Members shall strive to demonstrate how they care about someone else’s success by referring her or utilizing her business.
4. Trustworthiness: Members shall be honest and display integrity when building relationships with business associates.
5. Fairness: Members shall treat other members with the same level of value and dignity.
6. Responsibility: Members shall demonstrate responsibility by acting in a professional manner at all times, but completing tasks that they volunteer to do, and by following the mission of CWN.

ARTICLE XIV. EXPANSION

1. Separate chapters of the CWN may be formed in other counties or areas.
2. Each CWN chapter will have its own Officers, Board of Directors and By-Laws.

ARTICLE XV. RULES OF ORDER

Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all meetings when it does not conflict with these By-Laws.

ARTICLE XVI. DISSOLUTION

If at any time the CWN is dissolved, the Board of Directors will determine the disbursement of all assets, subject to the approval of the general membership in attendance at a regular or special meeting. If an organization with a similar purpose and objective exists, the Board of Directors should consider such group as a recipient of CWN’s assets.