EstablishedMarch 5, 1967 |
IncorporatedJuly 5, 1967 |
By-LawsNovember 7, 1993 |
ARTICLE I
Section 1: Name
The name of the Club shall be Germania Club of Kansas City.
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of the club shall be to promote a consciousness and appreciation for the German heritage, to futher the social interests of its members, and to create a strong bond of friendship among the members.
Section 3: Functions
The functions of the Club shall include only such social activities as may be deemed advisable by the Officers and Directors in the best interest of the Club members and their guests. The Club shall be neutral in matters of politics and religion.
Section 4: Membership
Membership in the Germania Club shall be open to persons willing to support the Club's purpose as stated in Section 2 above. The number of members can be limited by majority vote at any general meeting. The membership shall be composed of Charter, Active and Honorary members.
It shall be the objective of all active members to attend all regularly scheduled membership meetings and to support all social events.
Section 1: Officers
The officers of the club shall consist of a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Treasurer. The officers shall be elected biannially so as to assume their duties on January 1st of odd-numbered years. All officers shall be elected from general membership.
Section 2: Duties and Responsibilities of the President
It shall be the duty of the Pesident to appoint committiees, plan and/or organize the social activities of the Germania Club of Kansas City and to consult with other officers and assist them in carrying out duties specifically assigned for them. The President shall preside at all meetings. He/She may attend all committee meetings at his/her discretion as an ex-officio member.
Section 3: Duties and Responsibilities of the First Vice-President
It shall be the duty of the First Vice-President to perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, and to help plan and take charge of all social activities and entertainment of the Club. He/She shall be chairman of the Entertainment Committee. All social activities shall be contracted for, only after specific authorization by the Officers and Directors.
Section 4: Duties and Responsibilities of the Second Vice-President
It shall be the duty of the Second Vice-President to take charge of, and to maintain the Club's property. He/She shall be responsible for the purchase of all food, drink and/or refreshments.
Section 5: Duties and Responsibilities of the Recording Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to maintain the minutes of each meeting, prepare revisions to the By-Laws, and to maintain a complete file of Club mailings and activities. He/She shall prepare the ballot as prescribed in Article VII, Section 5. At the end of his/her term, he/she shall hand over all of the records to the new Recording Secretary.
Section 6: Duties and Responsiblilites of the Corresponding Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to carry on all correspondence of the Club, except that of other officers, and mail statements of dues and all notices of Club activities to members. He/She shall maintain an accurate record of members and their addresses.
Section 7: Duties and Responsiblilities of the Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to handle the receipt and disbursement of all money of the Club, to prepare an itemized monthly statement for the President showing income, expenditures and cash balance, and to maintain the Club's books. He/She shall be responsible for the issuing of checks and the payment of all Club bills, and the preperation of a statement of members' dues for mailing by the Corresponding Secretary. He/She shall make only such disbursements as have been authorized by the Officers and Directors. He/She shall sign membership cards when dues have been paid, and cooperate with the Corresponding Secretary in maintaining a complete and accurate list of members and their addresses.
Section 8: Responsibilities of Officers, General
The Officers of the Club shall have no power to make the Club liable for any debt or debts unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors, except for the ordinary running of the Club. Nobody should make any commitments without securing the Board's approval.
Section 9: Reports
The Officers of the Club shall make a report at an Annual Meeting covering the activities of the preceding calender year, including a fully detailed report of the financial transactions of the Club for the same period.
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board shall consist of twelve Directors. The President, First Vice-President, Secong Vice-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary shall be members of the Board during their terms of office. In addition, the Chairman of the Karnevalsgesellscaft and the Chairlady of the Ladies' Circle shall serve as members of the Board concurrent with their Committee Chair terms. Three Directors shall be elected for a two-year term by a vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting every other year in those years when Officers are not elected, thus ensuring the services of experienced Board members at all times. The Immediate Past President of the Club shall continue to serve as a member of the Board for two years after leaving office as President. If the incumbent President is re-elected for a subsequent term, then there is no Immediate Past President and the directorship normally reserved for the Immediate Past President shall be vacant until a new President is elected. If a President of the Club is removed form office in accordance with Article XI, then he/she shall not be eligible to serve as Immediate Past President.
Section 2: Duties and Responsiblities of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall have the authority, by majority vote, to do all things deemed necessary and expendient, consistent with the By-laws, to control and manage the Club and its affairs.
Section 3: Meetings
The Board of Directors and Officers shall meet at such times and places as shall be determined by the President. It shall be necessary for a minimum of seven members to be present in order for the Board to conduct buisness.
Section 4: Club Property
It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to prescribe and publish rules regulating the use of property belonging to the Club.
Section 5: Vacancies
The Officers and Directors shall have the authority to appoint interim Officers, Directors or committee members to fill any unexpired term, and such appointment shall run until the next election.
Section 6: Dues and Initiation Fees
The Officers And Directors shall have the authority to adjust annual dues and initiation fees, if any, at their discretion. Any adjustments in the dues rate shall be explained and justified at the first Annual Meeting following such a change.
Section 7: Cosignatory
The Board of Directors shall elect one of their members to act as consignatory, along with the Treasurer, on all Club checks. Under no circumstances shall more than one signature be per- mitted to any one household.
Section 8: Auxiliaries
Auxiliaries may, at the discretion of the Officers and Directors, be formed for specific purposes, such as flights, charters, etc. Members of such auxiliaries shall be entitled to participate in Club activities, but shall not have the power of vote, nor may they maintain their own treasurey.
Section 1: Committees
There shall be three standing committees in the Club:
A--Entertainment Committee
B--Karnevals Gesellshaft
C--Ladies Circle
Section 2: Entertainment Committee--First Vice-President, Chairman
The First Vice-President shall have the authority, with the approval of the Officers and Directors, to appoint whomever he/she wishes, and as many as deemed necessary to serve on the Entertainment Committee. It shall be the function of this committee to prepare for the approval of the Officers and Directors, a schedule of events for the Club, and to fulfill whatever other duties in that connection the President shall ask of them.
Section 3: Karnevals Gesellschaft
The Elferrat shall function as a committee, under the direction of a Chairman. The Elferrat Chairman will automatically be a member of the Board of Directors. He shall be elected by the Elferrat members' written ballot, the election to be held annually, during the first Elferrat meeting following the Maskenball. He will become Chairman immediately and also assume his position on the Board of Directors at that time.
The Elferrat shall consist of 15 members. As positions become open within the Elferrat, they will be filled in the following manner: Any Elferrat member may propose an individual for membership. Upon nomination the proposed member must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the entire Elferrat. He must be a member of the Club or agree to join the Club. In the event of multiple candidates/openings, a written ballot shall be taken. The confirmed candidate will then be invited to join the Elferrat and will become a member upon his acceptance for the invitation.
The purpose of the Elferrat is to perpetuate Karneval (Fasching, Mardi Gras) in the community and to establish and maintain relationships with other organizations with similiar goals. The Elferrat is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of Karneval traditions within the scope and guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
The Elferrat shall plan and execute all functions which relate specifically to Karneval. As a standing committee of the Club, the Elferrat has no contractual powers; therefore, the execution of any binding contracts must be done by the Board of Directors. Any powers possessed by the Elferrat are at the discretion of the Board of Directors within the Club's By-Laws. Specific areas of responsibility and functions granted to the Elferrat are to be outlined, from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Ladies Circle
The Ladies Circle shall function as a committee, under the direction of a Chairlady. The Ladies Circle Chairlady will automatically be a member of the Board of Directors. She shall be elected by the Ladies Circle members by a written ballot, the election for a two-year term to be held every other year during the month of November. She will take office as Chairlady and also assume her position on the Board of Directors on January 1.
The Ladies Circle membership is open to female members of the Club who wish to join and take part in the projects and social activities of the Circle.
The purpose of the Ladies Circle is to sponsor, plan and execute the Club's annual Christmas Party, to assist the Club in other ways mutually agreeable to its members within the guidelines established by the Board of Directors, and to foster friendship among its members through internal social activities.
The Ladies Circle, as a standing committee of the Club, has no contractual powers; therefore, the execution of any binding contracts must be done by the Board of Directors. Any powers possessed by the Ladies Circle are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Specific areas of responsibility and functions granted to the Ladies Circle are to be outlined, from time to time, by the Board of Directors.
Section 5: Audit Committee
The Officers and Directors shall appoint, at least once a year, an Audit Committee to check the records of the Treasurer. An Audit Committee shall participate in the transfer of the financial records of the Club from an out-going Treasurer to a new Treasurer before relieving the out-going Treasurer of responsibility.
Section 1: Advisory Council
Past Presidents, except the immediate past President, shall form the Advisory Council. It shall be the function of the Advisory Council to serve in an advisory capacity to the Officers and Directors upon request, but shall have no vote at such meetings.
Section 1:Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be during the months of October, November, or December. The principle order of buisness shall be full report of the year's activities, a complete financial report for the year and the election of officers and directors. Officers will be elected in even-numbered years and directors in odd-numbered years, to serve for the following two calendar years. The Officers or Directors elected shall take office on the following January 1st. Any Club member holding Club property shall confirm this in writing at this meeting.
Section 2: Business Meetings
Business meetings of the Club, in addition to the Annual Meeting, may be held at the discretion of the Officers and Directors. All business meetings shall be open to members only. All business meetings called in accordance with the By-Laws shall be authorized to conduct business. At least ten days written notice shall be given to the membership of the time and place of all business meetings.
Section 3: Parliamentary Rules
All Germania Club meetings, both membership and administrative, will be governed by "Roberts Rules of Order". Any questions on parliamentary procedures will be adjudicated by these rules.
Section 1: Candidate Eligibility
A presidential candidate shall have been a member of the Club for a minimum of three years.
A candidate for any office, except that of President, as well as for the Board of Directors, shall have been a member of the Club for a minimum of one year.
Section 2: Nominating Committee
The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee prior to Election Meetings. The Nominating Committee shall prepare one slate of Officers, or Directors, to be included on the ballot at the Election Meeting. Advice of all candidates for office shall be included in the notice of meeting sent to members.
Section 3: Other Candidates
Any member in good standing, who qualifies under Article VII, Section 1, may declare himself/herself a candidate for any office by giving written notice to the President at least thirty days before the Annual Meeting. The membership shall be advised of that person's candidacy in the written notice of the meeting, and he/she shall be included on the prepared ballot.
Section 4: Other Nominations
Any member in good standing may nominate from the floor any other member in good standing, who qualifies under Article VII, Section 1, for any office. Such a person, upon accepting the nomination, shall be included on the ballot.
Section 5: Balloting
The Recording Secretary shall prepare a ballot showing the nominations by the Nominating Committee, plus any other candidates who have complied with Article VII, Section 3. The President shall appoint three members in good standing to act as election clerks. The election clerks shall tabulate the ballots, and immediately report their findings to the membership there assembled. There shall be no write-in votes cast.
Section 1: Amendments
Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws must receive a majority vote of the Officers and Directors. Such Amendments must then receive a majority vote at a business meeting. Proposed Amendments shall be submitted to the membership in writing prior to a membership meeting.
Section 2: Merger
A motion for the merger of the Club with any other organization shall require approval by a two-thirds majority of the Officers and Directors, after which it shall be submitted to the members at a meeting called for that express purpose, and shall require a majority vote of two-thirds at that meeting. Persons who have been a member less than twelve months shall not be entitled to vote at such a meeting.
Section 3: Dissolution
A dissolution of the Club can take place only with the recommendation of the Officers and Directors and a two-thirds majority vote of the Club members.
Section 1: Requirements of Membership
Membership in the Germania Club shall be open to a person qualifying under Article I, Section 4, who subscribes to the aims and purposes of the Club, and who is recommended by a member in good standing. The written application of such a person shall be submitted to the Officers and Directors for action. Applicants must be eighteen years of age or older.
Section 2: Types of Membership
A--Single memberships shall be considered to include but one person.
B--Family memberships shall be considered to include man and wife and all children under eighteen years of age.
C--Charter members (the first 50 members of our Club).
D--Honorary members are selected by membership and approved by the Board.
Section 3: Dues
Dues shall be payable in advance at a rate set by the Officers and Directors. New members admitted after July 1st shall pay one-half of the yearly rate, thereby making all dues payable on January 1st. Money so collected shall be used to defray the everyday expenses of the Club. Dues not paid by January 31st shall cancel the membership.
Section 4: Application Forms
An application form shall be provided by the Recording Secretary and approved by the Officers and Directors. Such forms shall be used in accepting all new members.
Section 5: By-Laws
All persons, upon acceptance as members of the Club, shall be furnished a copy of these By-Laws.
Section 6: Children of Members
Children of members who have attained the age of eighteen shall be given preference in accepting new members.
Section 1: Rules of Conduct
A--A member shall not, by any means whatsoever, endeavor to undermine the administration in office, or endeavor to split the Club into two or more factions, nor to change the purpose or direction of the Club, other than by direct action through the Officers and Directors.
B--A member shall not endeavor to use the Club for his own personal gain, nor to use the Club for business purposes. Members shall be permitted to conduct business with one another by mutual consent of the parties concerned.
C--Membership lists shall not be made available to any firm or individual for business purposes.
Section 1: Recall
A--Any Officer or Director of the Club, for good and sufficient reason, shall be subject to recall and removal from office by a majority vote at a membership meeting.
B--Any member who violates the Rules of Conduct or the
best interests of the Club, can be expelled by a majority
vote at a membership meeting. Such a person shall be
notified by the Corresponding Secretary that his/her
membership privileges have been withdrawn.
