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 current address of RCMQG may be viewed on the RCMQG website contact page.  
​
The purpose of the RCMQG is to further members’ modern quilt skills and educate the community on modern and non-traditional quilting.

RCMQG is organized and will be operated 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.  
  
RCMQG is additionally organized to do any and all lawful acts that may be necessary, useful, suitable, or proper for the furtherance of accomplishment of the purposes of this Guild. 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.
​
RCMQG 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.
​
Within the scope of these purposes RCMQG is organized and operated to
  • Develop and encourage the art of modern quilting,
  • Work with other guilds and groups with a similar purpose,
  • Encourage new quilters and other fiber artists interested in non-traditional and non-art fiber projects,
  • Offer educational opportunities through classes, workshops and sharing of information, and
  • Support and provide opportunity for “community outreach” or other works that provide back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills.

​The assets and property of RCMQG are hereby pledged for use in performing its exempt purpose.

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.

No Private Inurement
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 the Purpose of the Guild

Membership:
General membership is open to any person regardless of age; gender; gender expression or identity; sexual orientation; race; color; creed; ancestry; ethnicity; language; nationality; place of origin; immigration status; parental status; marital/partnership status; socio-economic status; education level; political beliefs; religion (or lack thereof); physical, mental or developmental (dis)abilities; neuro(a)typicality; size; appearance; work and behavioral styles; the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, experiences and culture; quilting style or level of experience, who agrees to the purpose of the Guild, submits the Guild membership form, pays dues, and agrees to uphold the Guild’s values.

Members in good standing are eligible to:
  • Attend monthly meetings
  • Attend workshops and events with reduced fee (if applicable)
  • Vote 
  • Hold elected leadership positions within the guild

Values

Anti-Discrimination Policy. 
RCMQG does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of age; gender; gender expression or identity; sexual orientation; race; color; creed; ancestry; ethnicity; language; nationality; place of origin; immigration status; parental status; marital/partnership status; socio-economic status; education level; political beliefs; religion (or lack thereof); physical, mental or developmental (dis)abilities; neuro(a)typicality; size; appearance; work and behavioral styles; the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, experiences and culture; quilting style or level of experience; in any of its activities or operations.

Commitment to Inclusion
RCMQG members are united by our passion for quilting and the textile arts. We value compassion and inclusivity and promote these values by gathering members with diverse life experiences and creating opportunities for engagement, education, and action. Our community is strengthened when all members contribute their unique perspectives as they respect and honor the dignity of one another. Quilters of all cultures, ethnicities, races, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ages, and abilities are welcome in the RCMQG.

Commitment to Equity & Justice
As the Rocket City Modern Quilt Guild, we celebrate the diversity of race, culture, and identity among our members and our community. We take pride in how that diversity shapes our craft and strive to support our members in the integration of those perspectives with their modern quilting journey. We acknowledge systemic inequities and believe they harm us all. Therefore, we commit to the following:
-- Creating a brave, accepting space by treating all with dignity and respect, pursuant to our commitment to inclusion; -- Holding ourselves and others accountable by addressing inequity and injustice, including microaggressions, in our community; and 
--Creating purposeful opportunities for participation of under-represented groups through such avenues as
    -membership recruitment
    -speaking and teaching opportunities
    -community engagement activities; and 
-- Creating and promoting opportunities for our membership to act on these shared values.
As we evolve, listen, and grow as a community, we will strive to be allies for justice. 

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. Officers shall commit to upholding the guild values.

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.

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.

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. A quorum will be defined as 50% of the total number of members.

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 of those present at the meeting will be required for voting except when voting on officers and the executive board. Then the quorum must participate.

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..

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 bylaws of Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild and the DC Modern Quilt Guild,41 and the guidelines provided by the national Modern Quilt Guild