BYLAWS

OF

QUILTING GUILD OF THE VILLAGES, INC.

MARCH 2003

ARTICLE I:  NAME

The name of this organization shall be Quilting Guild of the Villages, Inc.

ARTICLE II: GOVERNMENT

These Bylaws shall govern this organization, herein called the Guild, following the rules of the Recreation Department of the Villages and enforced by the President and the Executive Board of the Quilting Guild of the Villages, Inc.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

The purpose of this 501(c) (4) non-profit organization shall be to promote an interest in and appreciation of the art of quilt making, sharing of quilting information and education with members and the community.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP/DUES

Section 1. Eligibility

A.      Membership in the Guild shall be open to all residents of The Villages who are interested in any and all aspects of quilting, who wish to learn and/or improve their quilting skills and who are currently members of a Villages quilting chapter.

B.      Individual chapters may establish membership guidelines providing they coincide with The Villages Fire Code restrictions for their room and the Guild Bylaws.

Section 2. Dues

A.      Any individual may become an active member of the Guild by payment of annual dues to both Guild and Chapter.

B.      Annual dues shall be determined by the recommendation of the Executive Board and the approval by two-thirds of the membership present.

C.      Membership dues shall be paid annually prior to January 15.

D.      Members moving from one chapter to another may not transfer funds from the former chapter’s treasury.  The member transferring will be responsible for paying dues in the amount of the new chapter minus the annual Guild dues.

ARTICLE V: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A.      The nominating committee will consist of two members from each chapter, and an Executive Board member will act a chairperson.

B.      This committee will be formed in September.  Members of the nominating committee are not eligible for nomination.

C.      The nominating committee will submit a proposed slate of officers to the membership at the October Guild meeting, when nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

D.      Voting will be held by written ballot.  Those ballots will be accepted from paid members only at the November Guild meeting.  New officers will be invited to attend all subsequent Executive Board meetings.

E.      New officers will be installed at the December meeting to assume duties January 1.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

Section 1. Elected Officers

A.      The officers of the Guild shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  They shall hold office for a term of two (2) years with elections for President and Treasurer in the odd years (i.e., 2009) and elections for Vice President and Secretary in the even years (i.e., 2008). 

B.      Vacancies in an office of the Guild shall be filled at the recommendation of the Executive Board subject to the approval of a majority of the membership at a Guild meeting.  This person will complete the term of the vacancy.

C.      Officers of the Guild may not be officers of their respective chapters.

D.       Any elected Guild officer may be removed, if needed, for non-performance of duties or criminal offenses by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.

E.      No more than two people from any one chapter may hold an office in the Guild.

F.      No officer shall be eligible to serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 2. Duties

A.  President

1.       Preside at all general membership and board meetings.

2.       Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

3.        Appoint committee chairpersons as the need arises.

4.       Act as a liaison between the Guild and The Villages Recreation Department.

5.       The President will review all bills and will co-sign any checks that exceed $500.00

6.       The President has the responsibility in the start-up of all new chapters in accordance with the rules of the Recreation Department of The Villages, Florida.

7.       The President is to sign any and all contracts entered into on behalf of the Guild along with the event chairperson.

8.       Perform other duties as required.

B. Vice President

1.       Act as chairperson to the program committee.

2.       Act as aide to the President and perform the duties of the President in her absence.

C. Secretary

1.       Record minutes of all general and board meetings.

2.       Conduct all guild correspondence as directed by the President.

3.       Read minutes of the previous meeting and submit for approval.

4.       Submit a copy of the Board and Guild meeting minutes to each Executive Board Member.

D. Treasurer

1.       Shall be responsible for collection, distribution and accounting for the funds of the Guild.

2.       Present monthly financial statements to the Executive Board and at the monthly Guild meeting.

3.       Submit the books for yearly audit

Section 3. Executive Board

A.      The Executive Board shall consist of the elected Guild officers and two representatives from each Guild chapter, one being the chapter president and one member-at-large. Each person has one vote at the Board meeting.  This will include substitutes for any chapter representative unable to attend.

B.      The Guild President shall call meetings of the Executive Board each month.  Additional meetings shall be called by the Guild President as needed.

C.      The chapter representatives shall report to their chapter the actions of the Executive Board.

D.      A quorum for a Board meeting shall consist of a majority of all Board members.

ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

A.      All standing committees serve at the discretion of the Executive Board.

B.      Membership—provides membership cards, maintains current membership list and compiles annual membership directory to include name, address, zip code, telephone, e-mail, and date member joined the Guild.

C.      Quilt Show—coordinates and plans biannual quilt show and will be chaired by at least two members who are from different chapters.

D.      Publicity—responsible for newspaper articles and other publicity as needed,

E.      Holiday—responsible for holiday activities as directed by the Executive Board.

F.      Historian—keeps the Guild scrapbook of all news clippings pertaining to the Guild and its members as well as other items of interest to the Guild.

G.     Program—work with the Vice President in organizing programs for the Guild.

Section 2. Special Committees

A.      Audit—shall consist of two Guild members, appointed by the President, to correlate receipts and disbursements of the Guild immediately after year end and report to the membership at the February meeting, along with a written confirmation of the audit to be added to the Treasurer’s books.

B.      Budget--will meet in March in the odd years and present a proposed two-year budget at the March Executive Board and April Guild meetings.  This committee will consist of the Guild President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Chapter Treasurers.

ARTICLE VIII. MEETINGS

Section 1. Guild Meetings

A.      The regular meeting of this Guild shall be the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.

B.      A quorum for Guild meetings shall consist of two-thirds of members present or no less than 75 members who are in attendance at the time of the vote

ARTICLE IX. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the Guild in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the rules of the Guild.

ARTICLE X.  CHANGE IN BYLAWS

Section 1. Instructions

A.      Changes in the Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board for consideration.

B.      All suggestions will be presented to the chapters before the monthly Guild meeting for discussion.

C.      Changes made need to be approved by two-thirds of members in attendance at monthly Guild meeting or not less than 75 members present at the time of the vote.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION OF GUILD

In the event of a decision to dissolve the Quilting Guild of the Villages, Inc., all liabilities shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions made.  All remaining funds of the organization shall be distributed to a non-profit 501(c) (4) organization whose purpose is similar to this Guild as determined by the majority of the remaining members.  No funds shall revert to the benefit of any individual member or chapter.

Approved January 2004

Revised April 2006

Revised March 2008