Girth & Mirth Indianapolis

A Social Club for big men and the men who admire them

G & M Indy By-Laws

ARTICLE I, ORGANIZATION

1. The name of this club shall be Girth & Mirth Indianapolis.

2. Membership will be open to men at least years of age whose interests lie with the club. This club shall not discriminate by race, national origin, religion, color, weight or age.

3. This club shall be non-profit and the purpose of this organization shall be to provide an opportunity for men of girth and their friends to meet and have fun, socially; also to educate the general public about their cares and concerns.

4. This club should maintain membership in the national organization, Affiliated Big Men’s Clubs (A.B.C.).

5. This Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and voting for any changes.

ARTICLE II, MEETINGS

1. Social meetings shall be held twice monthly whenever possible and are open to all members and guests. Membership Meetings for conducting Club business may also be held when required and are open to all members. At Meetings of all types business can be conducted if at least five (5) members including one (1) Officer are present.

2. Unlimited additional Social Events may be held at the pleasure of the members or to join with other Clubs for Special Events.

3. There will be an Annual Membership Meeting in November. The Officers and Members-at-Large will be elected at this meeting. At this meeting Members may make motions and discussion is welcomed by all those present. Only members may actually vote at this meeting.

4. Special Membership Meetings may be called by any two (2) Officers or ten percent (10%) of the members. Notice of a Special Meeting must be given to members in writing, by telephone or e-mail at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. No business other than that stated in the call shall be transacted at a Special Membership Meeting.

5. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held not less than every three months as needed. All such meetings will be open to all interested members. All members present may speak, however only Board Members may make motions and vote. Business may be conducted if a majority of the Board Members are present.

6. This Article requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and voting for any changes.

ARTICLE III, PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA

1. There will be a club newsletter. Members joining as couples will receive one newsletter, if mailed.

2. The club shall make information available in all forms of electronic media but not limited to websites, e-mail, newspapers, flyers, & posters. The club shall maintain a website presence to share information and promote the club.

ARTICLE IV, PRIVACY

Names of members, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses shall not be rented, sold or given out by the club to any person or organization outside the club. The exception would be to provide such information as necessary for any national organization such as the Affiliated Big Men’s Clubs (A.B.C.). Such information included in a personal ad for publication in our newsletter or electronic publications are excluded but only to the extent of the member's requested publication.

ARTICLE V, FUNDS

1. All funds collected for the club shall be deposited in the club bank account(s).

2. The Treasurer shall have the authority to write checks up to fifty dollars ($50.00) for normal operations of the Club.

3. Any single expense that is in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) but less than one-hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) will be paid following the approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the Board Members present at a Board Meeting.

4. At least two people should be able to sign checks at any time to provide for security & back-up.

5. Expenditures in excess of one-hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) require approval at the Annual Membership Meeting or a Special Membership Meeting, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

ARTICLE VI, DUES & MEMBERSHIP

A. DUES

1. Dues shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for single membership and forty dollars ($40.00) for couples.

2. Membership shall begin in the month following the month in which payment is received and extend for twelve (12) calendar months (example a person or couple joining in March would not have to renew their membership until the end of April the following year). Renewal payments received before the end of the twelfth (12th) month will be five dollars ($5.00) less than stated above.

3. Whenever necessary dues and/or special levies shall be voted upon at a Membership Meeting. Two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting is required for approval.

4. As an incentive to membership the Board is authorized to offer reduced membership dues, including renewals, if it chooses, no more than once per calendar.

B. MEMBERSHIP

1. Active members are singles or couples with full voting rights in Membership Meetings. Each person shall have one vote.

2. To be considered an active member all dues and other fees (if any) must be paid to date before voting.

ARTICLE VII, AMENDMENTS

Unless otherwise specified herein or in the current Robert's Rules of Order, these By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any Membership Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII, ELECTIONS


1. Nominations for Officers and Members-at-Large can be made at Board Meetings the two consecutive meetings prior to the Annual Membership Meeting and from the floor at that Meeting.

2. Voting will be at the Annual Membership Meeting.

3. Candidates must give certification in writing of willingness to serve if elected. Only members in good standing, having all dues and any other fees paid may be elected.

4. A majority vote shall elect.

5. The election of Officers and Members-at-Large shall be done by secret ballot.

6. Elections should be held after the end of business at the end of the Annual Membership Meeting.

7. The President will appoint two (2) members as a Teller's Committee to count the ballots. Preferably no one on the ballot will be appointed to this Committee.

8. The Secretary shall make provisions for members who will not be at the Annual Membership Meeting to vote for Officers and Members-at-Large by mail or email. It will be up to those members to contact the Secretary to use these alternatives. All mailed or email ballots MUST be received by the Secretary at least one (1) day before the Annual Membership Meeting in order to be counted.

ARTICLE IX, ACCOUNTABILITY OF OFFICIERS

1. Upon ten percent (10%) of the membership presenting a petition of written notice of dissatisfaction with the discharge of duties of any Board Member(s), a Special Membership Meeting shall be called within 4 weeks. At the Meeting a full discussion will be held with time shared between the impeached Board Member(s), the indicting group and the members in attendance.

2. A vote of confidence in the Board Member(s) impeached shall be called when the majority present moves the previous question. On a vote of no confidence, where a majority of those present, vote to remove the Board member(s), they shall surrender their office immediately. Any ousted Board Member(s) may run for election at the following Annual Business Meeting provided he has met all the normal conditions to run for office.

ARTICLE X, COMMITTEES

Committees of any size can be appointed (and dissolved) by any Officer(s). The purpose of these Committees is to advise/assist the Officers or to undertake special projects. Lack of committee membership will not prevent any member from attending committee meetings. All committees will report their activities at Board Meetings and make known their schedules. Dissolution must be by the appointing Officer(s).

ARTICLE XI, MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION

1. Upon receipt of two letters addressed to the Board from different members, relating to incidents or misconduct by a member that is damaging to the club, the matter shall be investigated by the Board. If a Board Member is the subject, he shall be on probation until the matter is resolved.

2. The Board will contact the offending member in person or by registered letter and require him to consult with the Board in an attempt to resolve the matter. If no resolution takes place in a time reasonable to the Board, a vote for expulsion shall take place at a Special Membership Meeting.

3. A successful vote for expulsion shall require a presence of a quorum and the votes of three-fourths (3/4) the members in attendance. This person(s) may re-apply for membership at the Annual Membership Meeting and must be approved by a majority of the members present.

ARTICLE XII, OFFICERS

1. The Officers of this club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Each term of office is for one (1) year.

2. Each Officer shall take office on January 1 following his Election at the Annual Membership Meeting.

3. This article requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the membership present and voting for any changes.

ARTICLE XIII, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Officers of the Club and at least one (1) Member-at-Large comprise the Board of Directors.

2. One Member-at-Large will be elected for every 50 members in the Club. From five (5) members through fifty (50) members the Club shall elect one (1) Member-at-Large, from fifty-one (51) through one-hundred (100) members the Club shall elect two (2) Members-at-Large, etc.

3. The term of office for Member(s)-at-Large will be one (1) year.

4. Each Member-at-Large shall take office on January 1 following his Election at the Annual Membership Meeting.

5. This article requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and voting for any changes.



1. THE PRESIDENT shall

A. Be the elected official representative of the club at all times and places. He may, at times, appoint a designated alternate;

B. Be responsible for directing and guiding the activities of the club;

C. Conduct the Board and Membership Meetings of the Club;

D. Initiate follow-up correspondence (given him by the Secretary) as necessary; and

E. Shall, in the case of a vacancy in an elected position, appoint, with the approval of the Board, a member to fill this position for the unfilled portion of the term.



2. THE VICE PRESIDENT shall

A. Preside at all Meetings in the absence of the President or if the President wishes to turn the Meeting or a portion of a Meeting over to him;

B. Be responsible for membership drives, promotion, advertising, press releases and other media as necessary; and

C. Be the Parliamentarian for the club.



3. THE SECRETARY shall

A. Maintain a record of the proceedings of the Membership and Board Meetings of the Club;

B. Have a copy of these By-Laws available for all meetings;

C. Answer correspondence and distribute in-coming mail (postal and electronic) to appropriate Officers; and

D. Maintain the history of the Club.



4. THE TREASURER shall

A. Disburse funds only on presentation of receipts;

B. Present a yearly financial statement at the Annual Membership Meeting;

C. Sign all checks and physically hold all financial records. The President can sign checks only in an emergency;

D. Maintain the membership rolls and furnish membership information, on a need to know basis to other Officers and members; and

E. Or in his absence, any Board Member, be responsible for collecting all funds due the club.


5. THE MEMBERS-AT-LARGE shall

Act on behalf of the Membership in Board Meetings and other Board functions.

ARTICLE XV, VACANCIES

1. All vacancies will be filled only until the next election.

2. All other vacancies will be filled by presidential appointment with the approval of the Board.

ARTICLE XVI, PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The current Roberts Rules of Order shall govern this Club whenever needed to settle disputes unless otherwise covered by these By-Laws

Revised, April 2007, Girth & Mirth Indianapolis

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Members of Girth & Mirth Indianapolis create & follow the By-Laws which sets out policies & procedures for the club… they also have the power to elect the Officers and Members-at-Large.

The Officers and Members-at-Large constitute the Board of Directors. This Board runs the day-to-day operations of Girth & Mirth Indy, under the directions of the Members and the By-Laws.

There should be at least two (2) SOCIAL MEETINGS whenever possible each month. Whether these are outings at a restaurant, bowling alley, etc. or at the home of some member will be decided by the Board and the Members.

Additional SOCIAL EVENTS meetings can be held in conjunction with other clubs such as MidWest Girth & Mirth-Ft. Wayne (MGMFW) or Midwest BearPack, etc. or as a part of some organization such as Chub Scouts Jambearee, Mid-Continent Alliance (MCA), Convergence, Fur Fest, etc.

There will be an ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING to be held in November. This should be organized with the President opening the meeting & giving an annual report on the activities of the club; the Secretary reading the Minutes of the last Annual Membership Meeting; the Treasurer giving a report on the annual income & expenses of the club; discussion of any Old Business left over from the last Annual Membership Meeting; discussion of any New Business including and necessary changes to the By-Laws and plans for the future; Elections of Officers and Members-at-Large; followed by adjournment of the meeting. The current Vice President or someone the President appoints will serve as Parliamentarian to keep order and keep the meeting on track.

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