ARTICLE I. NAME
A. The name of this organization shall be the
Chesapeake Women's Network - Queen Anne's County (CWN).
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
A. 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
A. Membership in CWN is by sponsorship of two current members, attendance at only one of the general membership meetings, and approval by the Executive Board.
B. 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 initiation fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) and the annual membership dues for the first year; and
3. Attendance at three general membership meetings per year.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
A. The annual membership dues shall be Forty Dollars ($40.00), payable on or before November 1st of each year.
B. A late fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) shall be assessed for membership dues not paid on or before November 1st.
C. If members do not attend three meetings during the year, the member shall be automatically dropped.
D. A member can only be reinstated by a written request to the Executive Board, approval by a majority of the Executive Board, and payment of a reinstatement fee of Twenty Five Dollars ($25.00).
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
A. General membership meetings shall be held monthly from September through June.
B. The Executive Board shall meet approximately once a month prior to each general membership meeting
ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. The Executive Board shall consist of the following elected officers:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Events Chair
5. Membership Chair
6. Immediate Past President
7. Member-At-Large
8. Member-At-Large
9. Secretary
10. Newsletter Chair
B. The regular term of office for each Board Member shall be one year, except the Member¬-At-Large positions, commencing July 1.
C. Any board member whom shall be absent from three consecutive Executive Board meetings shall be reviewed by the Executive Board unless the officer requests reinstatement in writing, and such request is approved by a majority of the Executive Board.
D. The President shall fill any vacancy on the Executive Board by appointment from the general membership, and such interim appointee shall serve the remainder of the term for the Board vacancy filled.
E. Members-At-Large shall serve for alternating two (2) year terms such that each Member¬At-Large's term does not expire at the same time as the other Member-At-Large.
ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. The President shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Board and shall be responsible for overseeing all CWN activities.
B. The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out her duties and will preside at Executive Board and general membership meetings in the absence of the President.
C. The Treasurer shall receive, disburse and account for all monies and make a report at each regular board meeting of all her receipts and disbursements.
1. The Treasurer shall notify members in advance of September 1, and all those whose dues are not paid by January 1st, shall be automatically dropped from membership.
2. At the June Board meeting, the Treasurer shall present an annual report of 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.
D. The Events Chair shall schedule the place for all meetings from September through June.
1. The Events Chair shall also make all arrangements with the restaurant including reservations prior to the meeting.
2. The Events Chair shall also make arrangements for guest speakers and introduce them at the general membership meetings.
E. The Membership Chairman shall review all membership forms and submit them to the Executive Board for consideration.
1. The Membership Chairman shall also see that new members and guests are welcomed into the group.
2. The Membership Chairman shall also contact all prospective and new members and advise them of their membership status.
3. The Membership Chairman shall also notify secretarial services of new members of changes in membership information.
4. The Membership Chairman shall also keep current records of attendance at meetings and notify those members who have not attended three (3) meetings.
F. The Immediate Past President shall serve on the Board in an advisory capacity.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A. A slate of officers shall be sent by the Executive Board to the general membership before the May meeting.
B. The slate will be voted upon by the general membership at the June meeting. To be eligible to vote, members must have attended three (3) meetings during the prior year and be current in their duties.
C. The new officers will be inducted at the June meeting.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
A. The Executive Board shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all committees and shall confirm the appointment of all committee chairmen.
B. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Executive Board members.
C. A By-Laws Committee shall be appointed every two (2) years in January to review the Bylaws and make a report to the general membership at the May meeting. This committee shall consist of five members, appointed by the Executive Board and include a Past President and a Member-At-Large.
ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR
A. The fiscal year for CWN will be July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE X. EFFECTIVE DATE
A. These By-Laws shall be effective after their adoption by a majority of the members of the CWN present at a general membership meeting.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
A. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the general membership in good standing in attendance at any regular membership meeting.
ARTICLE XII. EXPANSION
A. Separate Chapters of the CWN may be formed in other counties or areas
B. Each CWN Chapter will have its own Officers, Executive Board, and By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIII. RULES OF ORDER
A. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all meetings when it does not conflict with these Bylaws.
ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION
A. If at any time the CWN is dissolved, the Executive Board 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 Executive Board should consider such group as a recipient of CWN's assets.
