Rocket City Modern Quilt Guild Bylaws
The name of the guild shall be the Rocket City Modern Quilt Guild and will be referred to as RCMQG or Rocket City MQG.
The purpose of the RCMQG is to further members’ modern quilt skills and educate the community on modern and non-traditional quilting.
Affiliation. The Guild is an affiliate member of the Modern Quilt Guild Inc. Through a group exemption with the Modern Quilt Guild Inc., the Guild is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Indemnification:
To the extent permitted by law, every person who is or was a Board member, employee, or committee member of the Guild shall have a right to be indemnified by the Guild against all reasonable action, suit, or proceeding in which they may become involved as a party or otherwise by reason of their being or having been a Board member, employee or committee member of the Guild.
Membership:
To be a member in good standing a member must be current with their dues.
Members in good standing are eligible to:
- Attend monthly meetings
Attend workshops and events with reduced fee (if applicable)
Vote at meetings
Receive a RCMQG membership card
Executive Board:
Terms are for 1 year and positions are elected by a general vote. Board members may be removed by a vote of the remaining Executive Board.
A minimum of two officers are required.
President: The President shall be responsible for conducting regular monthly meetings, chairing the Executive Board, attending other committee meetings as needed as an ex officio member and performing other duties as required. Additionally, the President will be responsible for appointing other committee chairs. The President shall be signatory on checking accounts along with the Treasurer.
Vice President: The Vice President shall be a member of the Executive Board. The Vice President shall preside over general meetings in the President's absence and assist the President as necessary.
Secretary: The Secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all monthly meetings of the RCMQG and shall maintain permanent records of all meetings
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall receive and bank all RCMQG monies, disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board and maintain records of all funds. A brief financial report shall be made at each meeting or on an as-needed basis. All expenses must be submitted to the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall prepare the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and shall present it at the November Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall be signatory on checking accounts along with the President.
There will be an audit of the RCMQG funds annually. The audit will be conducted by a committee of RCMQG members.
The Treasurer will also serve as the Membership Coordinator who:
- Responds to all membership requests in person and online and keeps a current membership roster.
Ensures that members' dues are current.
Removes members who do not renew their membership by the January meeting.
Committee Chairs:
Committees and chairpersons shall have no authority except that which is granted by the President and or the Executive Board. Special committees shall be appointed by the President, as necessary, to carry on the business of the organization. All committees and chairpersons are responsible to and accountable to the Executive Board. Committee Chairs can create a committee as necessary to assist in a role. Committees may be dissolved at the discretion of the Committee Char.
Committee Chair Positions may include but are not limited to the following:
Web Maven
Responsible for maintaining an online presence.
Updates RCMQG information online from the direction of the Executive Board and other committee chairs. Creates and ensures that standards of website etiquette are maintained by all members online as necessary.
Photographer
Responsible for taking pictures at RCMQG meetings & events.
Responsible for uploading pictures to RCMQG Flickr group in a timely fashion.
Challenge Coordinator
Responsible for creating guild challenges.
Responsible for coordinating judging/voting and prizes for guild challenges.
Charity Coordinator
Creates and maintains a list of local charities interested in receiving quilts.
Proposes donation opportunities to RCMQG membership.
Organizes the delivery of any quilts made to the various charities.
Program Coordinator
Develops a program calendar on a yearly basis for speakers, demonstrations, and workshops. Program calendar to be submitted to executive board for approval.
Invites guest speakers, arranges for the workshop space, and establishes applicable fees.
Assists and provides coverage during each workshop or presentation.
Develops and maintains a resource file of potential programs and speakers.
Meetings
General meetings are held once a month.
The Executive Board shall meet as required no less than quarterly.
Special meetings can be called by the President or Committee Chairs
Calendar Year: Jan 1-Dec 31. Annual meeting to be held in November
Guests Guests are welcomed and encouraged. A guest may attend two meetings before they are expected to pay membership dues. Guests are welcome to attend Workshops or Sewing Saturdays with the payment of a nonmember fee.
Dues
Dues will be collected annually. Members that join RCMQG midyear will pay a prorated rate. Payment of dues is required for membership. Dues will not be refunded.
Quorum
A Quorum is the minimum number of members in attendance needed to conduct business at a meeting. The executive board shall set the quorum.
Amendment
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of RCMQG by a two-thirds vote of present active members, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the Secretary previously.
Changes in Bylaws should be published prior to voting. Bylaws shall be reviewed as needed by the Executive Board.
Voting
A simple majority will be required for voting except when voting on officers and the executive board. Then the quorum must be present.
Tax Exempt Status
Requirements to be exempt as an Organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Qualification. The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Dispensation of Earnings. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article II, Section A(1) and in Article I, Section C of this constitution.
Restrictions on Activities. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Dissolution
In the event of the disbanding of RCMQG, any and all funds remaining in the Treasury will be turned over to another educational, tax exempt, quilt guild or to a charity.
The recipient will be determined by a majority vote of the members present at a regular RCMQG meeting.
Adapted from the Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild.
