CARLISLE AREA NEWCOMERS CLUB
BY-LAWS
Revised April 10, 2006

ARTICLE I  

The name of this organization shall be CARLISLE AREA NEWCOMERS CLUB.

ARTICLE II

The purpose of the Club shall be to extend a friendly and neighborly hand to all newcomers and to those needing an opportunity to become acquainted with others in the community.  We shall provide an atmosphere of friendliness, goodwill, and helpful information for Club members in the local communities.

ARTICLE III

Section 1: Membership

A. Membership is open to newcomers and any woman residing in the community whose needs are met by the purpose of the Club and who will actively support those interests.  Each member must provide refreshments at least once a year or serve as a board or committee member. 

B. Any regular member of an activity, group or program that originated through the Newcomers Club will have currently paid dues and be subject to the same rules as specified in sub paragraph A in Section 1.

Section 2: Dues

The annual dues shall be $20.00, payable by the September general membership meeting of each year.  New members are expected to pay membership dues by the regular meeting of the month following their first visit.  All Club members whose dues become delinquent will be dropped from the Club membership and mailing list.  New members joining after January lst, will pay dues of $10.00 for ½ of the year.

ARTICLE IV - Meetings

Section 1: General Membership Meetings

The CARLISLE AREA NEWCOMERS CLUB shall meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month.  At this time, reports shall be made by the officers and committee chairmen so all Club members will be informed of Club activities.  

Section 2: General Board of Directors Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet once a month prior to the general meeting unless otherwise stipulated.

Section 3: Club Year

The Club year and the fiscal year shall begin June 1and continue through May 31.    Election of officers will be held at the April meeting and installation will be held at the May meeting. 

ARTICLE V - Board of Directors and Executive Committee

The Board of Directors shall consist of elected officers, a past president and committee chairmen.  The Executive Committee, composed of the elected officers, is the governing body of the Carlisle Area Newcomers Club.  It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to coordinate plans and activities of the Club and have general management of the Club and its affairs.  The retiring President shall remain on the board after her term of office is completed.  She will serve as an advisor to the board regarding all club business.  If the retiring President is not available to accept this position, any former President may serve in her place.

ARTICLE VI - Officers and Their Duties

No elected officer shall serve more than two successive years in the same position, but may be re-elected after a two year interval.

Section 1: Officers

The officers of the Carlisle Area Newcomers Club shall be President, first Vice-President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  These officers shall constitute the Executive Committee and shall meet at the call of the President.  They shall assume their duties after the installation in May.  It is the duty of the outgoing officers to train the new officers so that the Club will continue to function smoothly.  Training is to take place in a pre-installation meeting.

Section 2: Duties of the Officers

A.    President: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.  The President shall call special meetings when necessary; appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, all chairmen of the committees except the Nominating Committee Chairman.  She shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees; have general supervision over all matters pertaining to the Club and see that harmony is preserved and laws of the Club enforced.  Her address shall constitute the official mailing address of the Club.  The retiring President shall remain on the board in the position of Past President after her term of office is completed as an advisor regarding all Club business.  If she is not able to accept this position, any past President may serve in her place.

B.    First Vice President: The First Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President at regular Club meetings.  The First Vice President shall serve as Program Chairman and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.  Should the office of President become vacant,  it shall be automatically filled by the First Vice President.  She may ask for assistant(s), if needed. She shall undertake the writing and sending of “Thank You” notes to speakers/entertainers.  The First Vice President will automatically assume the office of President after completing her term as Vice President.  

C.    Second Vice President: The Second Vice President shall, in the absence of the President and the First Vice President, exercise the powers and perform all duties of the President, as well as such other duties as may be requested for coordinating and supervising the activities of these special interest groups.  She shall work together with the sub-chairmen of these groups and be responsible for seeing that these groups are formed and into action at the proper time.

D.      Secretary: The Secretary shall take minutes at meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and the monthly membership meetings, receive written reports and make reports available to current and incoming officers and committee chairmen. 

E.       Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and be responsible for all dues and fees for the Club and shall be charged with the responsibility of maintaining the Club's finances.  She shall disburse funds on the order of the Executive Committee and get receipts, expenditures, and bills outstanding.  She shall draw up a proposed budget at the beginning of the Club year and present this proposed budget to the Executive Committee for consideration. 

Article VII - Committee Chairmen and their Duties

Section 1: Committee Chairmen  

A.      Committee Chairmen are appointed by the President with Executive Committee approval. The standing committees for the Carlisle Area Newcomers Club are as follow in Section 2 and special committees formed as necessary in the future.

B.      All Committee Chairmen shall keep a record of their duties as chairmen to be passed on the their successors.

C.      A Committee Chairman is appointed for one year, but may succeed herself by approval of the Executive Committee for one more year.

D.      Committee Chairmen shall consult with the Board of Directors so as to carry out the Club program They shall call committee meetings when necessary and shall report activities at regular Club meetings.

Section 2: Duties of Standing Committee Chairmen

A.  Membership: Shall be responsible for making an initial personal contact with newcomers in the Greater Carlisle Area, to encourage membership in our Club and explain the function of the group and its activities.  When interest in the organization is expressed, a follow-up contact shall be made.  She shall be responsible for keeping the membership roster up to date.  She will also co-chair the annual Friendship Reception.  She shall also keep an accurate list of the members and dates of admittance into the Club, shall notify members if they become delinquent in their dues, and keep the Newsletter editor advised monthly of new members.    

B.   Hospitality: Shall greet all members and introduce guests and new members to members present at each meeting.  She shall be responsible for taking attendance at meetings and making name tags for those attending.  She will also co-chair the annual Friendship Reception.

C.  Ways and Means: Shall devise plans for raising funds for the Club.  Shall give the Treasurer reports of all projects and funds raised.

D.  Publicity: Shall prepare publicity item regarding Club activities, programs, and about members when newsworthy for press, radio and television Shall give notices of meetings, regular or special, to the press.

E.   Historian: Shall keep a scrapbook for such publicity items relating to the Club and its functions and any pictures taken during Club meetings or socials and special occasions.

F.   Civic: Shall promote interest in community welfare and coordinate volunteer service committees.

G. Newsletter: Shall prepare a newsletter to be distributed to members at least once a month, listing Club activities and other information

H. Social: Shall be responsible for planning and organizing social functions throughout the Club year, having at least four in every Club year.

I. Refreshments: Shall be responsible for arranging to have refreshments at the monthly meetings.

J. Telephone: Shall be responsible for obtaining a committee to contact Club members by phone when necessary.

K. Webmaster:  Shall be responsible for the Club website and all computer issues related to Club business.

L. Parliamentarian: To interpret parliamentary procedures at meetings whenever necessary.  To amend the by-laws of the Club when required. 

M.  Sunshine: Shall be responsible for sending cards to members who are ill, have had a baby or a death in the family.

N.  Memorial: Shall be responsible for arranging for the purchase, planting, and care of the Memorial Dogwood tree and the planning of the Annual Memorial Service and reception to be held in the spring of each year. (The exact date for this will be determined by when the tree can be safely planted.)

Article VIII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1: Election

Election of officers will take place at the April meeting.  Members will be presented with a slate of candidates for office at the March general meeting.  Candidates will also be listed in the April Club newsletter.

Section 2: Nominating Committee

The slate of officers shall be determined by a Nominating Committee.  This committee shall be composed of four members in good standing selected by the Executive Committee.  The slate of officers shall be presented to the Board of Directors for its approval at the March Board meeting prior to the presentation of the slate to the general membership at the March meeting.

Section 3: Vacancies

A vacancy in any office shall be filled by appointment by the President with approval of the Board of Directors.  The office of President is automatically filled by the First Vice President if vacated.

ARTICLE IX - Quorum

The majority of members present and in good standing shall constitute a quorum necessary for a vote.

ARTICLE X - Resolutions

No resolution or motion to commit the Club on any matter shall be considered by the Club until it has been submitted to and approved by the Executive Committee.  After the Executive Committee has discussed and approved a resolution or motion committing  the Club, notification must be mailed to the general membership at least ten days prior to a general meeting, stating that said resolution or motion committing the Club will be presented and put to a vote at that general membership meeting.  The Club may then proceed to take such action as the majority present and in good standing decides.

ARTICLE XI -Amendment Procedures

Any resolution of motion to amend the by-laws must be submitted in writing to the President, who will then submit it to the Board of Directors and to the general membership one month and voted upon the next.  Passage shall require a two-thirds vote of the votes cast.

ARTICLE XII - Disbursements of Funds  

Being a non-profit organization, at the end of each fiscal year, the financial records will be reviewed to determine if present funds are in excess of projected operating expenses for the following year.  Should this occur, any excess monies will be given to a local charity selected by the Board of Directors with approval by the general membership.  In the event the group should disband with money still in the treasury, after expenses, remaining monies shall go to a local charity chosen by the Board of Directors with the approval by the general membership.