Academy Square Lacers
Bylaws
Article I – Name. This guild is known as the Academy Square Lacers. It is a non-profit organization.
Article II – Mission. The mission of the Academy Guild is to:
Section 1 – Gather and apply knowledge regarding Lace, to freely share and inspire lacemaking within ourselves and with future generations.
Section 2 – Build friendships, share talents and seek to offer charitable service to our community.
Article III – Membership
Section 1 – Open Membership. Membership to the Academy Square Lacers’ Guild is open to all. Academy Lacers may also be members of any number of other Lacing Guilds.
Section 2 – Definition. Membership to the Academy Square Lacers’ Guild is defined as anyone who has paid annual dues to the Academy Lacers.
Section 3 – Annual Dues. Dues are not prorated. They are used to cover costs for publishing the Guild booklet, postage for mailings, and supplies necessary for the support of the Academy Lacers. Changes in annual dues will be proposed by the elected officers and voted upon by the general membership. Changes will only be made when there is a simple majority in support.
Section 4 – Guests. A) Members may invite any number of guests. However, members are requested to keep in mind the available space for the date they wish to bring a guest. B) Individuals interested in the art of Lacing may attend on their own in order to learn about the Guild and practice the art of Lace.
Article IV – Meetings. Guild meetings shall be held at least quarterly.
Article V – Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year of the Academy Square Lacers is also its Calendar Year. Our fiscal year runs October 1st through the following September 30th.
Article VI – Elected Officers
Section 1 – Elected officials of the Guild include the position of President and Vice President.
Section 2 – Term of office. Each term of office shall be for 2-years.
Section 3 – Restrictions. Elected officers shall not hold more than one elected position at a time.
Section 4 – Conditions of Service. Are, A) the positions of President and Vice President are for a single-term. Additional terms may be served after a minimum one-term break. B) Individuals may repeatedly serve in all other elected positions without a term break.
Section 5 – Qualifications. In order to qualify for or to continue to hold an elected office members must be active participants of the Academy Square Lacers and are current in their annual dues.
Article VII – Elected & Appointed Officers’ Responsibilities
Section 1 – President. An elected post, conducts meetings and keep members aware of upcoming events.
Section 2 – Vice President. An elected post, plans, and coordinates each meeting program.
Section 3 – Secretary. An appointed post, shall, A) keep records and notes of Guild meetings and functions including attendance. B) Provide review of minutes of previous meetings at the beginning of each Guild meeting. C) Provide attendance information to Nominating Committees.
Section 4 – Treasurer. An appointed post, shall, A) open, maintain and provide a report of the funds received and held in the Guild’s petty cash and bank account. B) Quarterly report to the assembled Guild, or as needed separately to the President or Vice President, Annual Dues received, interest generated and total funds available in the Guild treasury. C) Prepare fiscal reports as required by law. D) Make records available for review to any active member at any time.
Section 5 – Historian. This appointed officer acquires and records historical Guild facts.
Section 6 – Newsletter Publisher. This appointed officer publishes a monthly newsletter and an annual Academy Square Lacers booklet.
Article VIII – Procedures for the Election of Officers. The first two-year term was also our guild’s year of organization, 2007. From that year elections of Academy Square Lacers officers shall be held, during September meetings, every other year.
Section 1 – The Academy Square Lacers president shall select a Nominating Committee of two persons from its general membership. No more than one elected officer shall be a member of the Nominating Committee.
Section 2 – Two candidates to an elected office are selected by the Nominating Committee and voluntarily consent to a proposed position.
Section 3 – Prior to the September Guild Meeting the Treasurer and Secretary verify to the Nominating Committee that consenting nominees’ dues are paid in full and that they are active participants in the Guild. The names of the candidates shall be presented to the general membership before the September meeting.
Section 4 – The Nominating Committee conducts the election of new officers during the September meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Absentee votes may be emailed to the Nominating Committee prior to the September meeting.
Article IX – Quorum. At a general meeting those present, with a minimum of 7, shall constitute a quorum. Amendments to the by-laws shall be by majority vote.
Article X – Fiduciary Responsibilities. The Elected and Appointed Officers, General Members and Guests of the Academy Square Lacers’ Guild place friendship, trust and interest in the well being of each other as our greatest gift. To this end all our planned Guild meetings, classes, travels and socials have but one purpose: for the enrichment and dignity of each member.
Article XI – Dissolution. If necessary to dissolve the Academy Square Lacers’ Guild, the charter and president’s pin shall be returned to the International Old Lacers, Inc (IOLI). As determined by the general membership all assets shall be distributed to other non-profit organizations.