Constitution and Bylaws

Adopted by unanimous vote at the regular meeting of February 21st 1990

CONSTITUTION

This organization shall be called the Seven Hills Camera Club.

The purpose of this club is to promote the interests of individuals and groups in photography in all its forms; to enable individuals to compare their work with that of others; to encourage and promote mutual improvement through educational opportunities, critiques, competitions, interchange of ideas, fellowship and association with other individuals and clubs.

The club shall meet within the City of Worcester, MA or its close environs; the precise location, dates and time are to be determined by the elected officers and the Executive Board. Efforts shall be made to maintain one meeting place and establish a regular time.

Membership in this camera club is open to all persons without regard to age, sex, race, religion or any other affiliations. The club welcomes application from any person of good character interested in the broad field of photography.

The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Their duties shall be as provided in the Bylaws.

There shall be an Executive Board consisting of the elected Officers and the appointed Chairs of all Standing Committees.

Officers shall be elected annually, at the year-ending meeting in May or June and shall assume office immediately after that meeting. Terms shall run until the next annual meeting.

All officers shall be elected for one year, but may be re-nominated and re-elected for one succeeding year. No officer shall hold more than one elective office simultaneously.

If the office of President should become vacant for any reason, the Vice President shall assume that office for the unexpired term. In case of the unavailability of the Vice President and in any other cases of vacancies in elected offices, the Executive Board shall appoint someone to fulfill the term.

A quorum for the conduct of club business shall consist of at least 25% of the currently listed membership. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of at least four members of the board. A quorum of any other Standing or Ad Hoc Committee shall consist of a majority of its members, one of whom must be the appointed Chair.

There shall be three Standing Committees; Program, Outing and Technical, with duties as described in the Bylaws. Other committees, for purposes and terms as deemed necessary, may be appointed by the President or the Executive Board.

The fiscal year of the club shall coincide with the period between annual meetings.

Amendments or changes to this Constitution shall be made as follows:

The change shall be presented to the club in writing. It may be submitted by the Executive Board or by signature of at least five members in good standing. It shall be discussed at one regular meeting of the club and voted at the following regular meeting. A favorable vote of two-thirds of those present and voting shall be required for adoption.

The Bylaws which follow are intended to provide the guidelines by which the club functions. They may be changed by a simple majority of those present and voting at any regular meeting of the club.

This revised Constitution shall be declared adopted when approved by a two-thirds majority of those voting at the regular meeting of February 21, 1990.

BYLAWS

Upon receipt of application from a prospective member, at a regular meeting of the club, the current members shall vote acceptance by a simple majority. After a favorable vote and upon payment of dues for the balance of the current fiscal year, the applicant shall be considered a regular member in good standing.

There shall be three categories of dues: (a)husband/wife (b)individual (c)individual under 18 years of age on September 1 of the Club’s fiscal year.

Membership in the Club for individuals under 18 years of age shall be free. Annual dues for the other two categories shall be determined by the Executive Board and approved by simple majority vote of the membership at the first regular meeting in September of each year. Anyone whose dues remain unpaid on November 1st shall be dropped from the rolls and shall neither vote nor receive the club bulletin.

At the regular April meeting of the club, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members. The Nominating Committee shall then determine a slate of candidates who have consented to serve in the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer for the following year and present that slate to the membership at the regular May meeting. The President shall then call for any nominations from the floor. Nomination, with the consent of the person nominated, may be made by any individual member in good standing. No more than three nominations may be made for any office. Election shall take place at the club’s annual meeting. If there are no candidates other than the slate presented by the Nominating Committee, the Secretary shall cast one vote and declare those candidates elected. If there is a contest for any office, ballots shall be prepared and a written vote taken. The President shall appoint two non-candidates as tellers to collect and count the ballots.

Is expected to be at all times the active leader of the club; shall preside at all meetings; shall serve as Chair of the Executive Board; shall appoint Chairs of all standing and special committees; shall approve all club bills for payment and all publicity before its release.

Is expected to be the Program Chairman for the year; shall preside at all meetings in absence of the President; shall supervise the showing of all photographic works to be exhibited at any regular meeting.

Is expected to keep full and accurate records of proceedings at all meetings of the club and of the Executive Board; conduct the general correspondence of the club.

Is responsible for the care and disbursement of club funds; for payment of club bills, with approval of the President; and for collection of membership dues. Following the October meeting of the club, the Treasurer should send a notice to, or otherwise contact, each member whose dues are unpaid.

Is charged with the administration and arrangement of club programs and affairs which do not require a vote of the members.

Is charged with the responsibility for providing a program of instruction or entertainment for each regular meeting of the club. (Vice President and one other appointed by the President)

Is charged with arranging all outdoor activities of the club; field trips, picnics, hikes, etc., on either regular meeting dates or at other times. (Chair plus one or two others appointed by the President)

Is charged with arranging all meetings of a technical nature; usually held at some time other than at a regular meeting. One of the members shall be the club representative for the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) and be responsible for selecting slides for interclub Pictorial and Nature competitions. (Chair appointed by the President plus others, as desired, selected by the Chair)

There shall be at least one regular meeting per month from September through May at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Board. It is expected that, if possible, this meeting will fall on a similar evening each month. Subject matter for these meetings shall be strictly pertinent to some phase of photography or to club business.

When a meeting date must be canceled, changed or postponed, the Executive Board will make every reasonable effort to inform the club membership and any visiting speakers or judges as promptly as possible.

The annual meeting may be held in June, if voted by the Club or the Executive Board.

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Executive Board.