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Lake Nipmuc Association Bylaws  (Microsoft Word, 47KB)

Lake Nipmuc Association Bylaws

PO Box 159

Mendon, MA  01756

ARTICLE I.  NAME               

The name of this organization shall be The Lake Nipmuc Association

 ARTICLE II.   OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Lake Nipmuc Association is to encourage, organize and support programs and activities that promote, restore and maintain the ecological

health of Lake Nipmuc through involvement in issues of Lake quality and watershed protection and management.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.   Membership shall pertain to all interested citizens regardless of place of residence.

Section 2.    Membership in the Association is open to any person who endorses the objectives of the Lake Nipmuc Association as set forth in the Bylaws

Section 3.   Any member whose dues are in arrears for the year prior to the annual meeting shall be subject to loss of membership pursuant to action of the Executive Committee as herein set forth. The Executive Committee shall examine the dues records of the membership at least once each year at the Executive Committee meeting prior to the Annual Meeting and will notify members in arrears. If such arrears are not paid in full by the Annual  Meeting, the Executive Committee will declare the membership of that member inactive.

Section 4.     The following classes of voting memberships are established:

                        Individual                         One voting membership

                        Family                              Two voting memberships

                        Business                          Two voting memberships

                        Benefactor                       Two voting memberships

                        Patron                              Two voting memberships

                        Steward                            Two voting memberships

ARTICLE IV.     DUES

                          Dues shall be $20.00 per year for individuals, and $25.00 per year for families.  Dues shall be subject to revision by a majority vote of the active members. Dues are payable on or before

                          January 1^st of each year.

ARTICLE V.    FISCAL YEAR

                      The fiscal year shall begin on January 1^st of each year and close on the last day of December.

ARTICLE V.    ELECTION OF OFFICERS            

  Section 1.      The officers shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 Section 2.       Officers shall be nominated and then elected by a majority of the membership present and voting at the final regularly scheduled  meeting in December of each year.  

Section 3.        The term of office shall be ------( Choose 1 year or 2 year terms)

Section 4.        A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term. 

Section 5.       The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall automatically  be members of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI.  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.      The President shall:

A. Preside over all general, special and annual meetings.

B. Preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors

C.Have full authority to act in the name of the organization in emergency situations, reporting actions taken to the other members.

D.Call general and special meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors as needed.

E. Be an ex officio member of all committees and appoint committees as needed.

F. Establish and coordinate, with the aid of the Board of Directors, a program of action and service for the organization.

G.Act as representative of the organization at all times.

H. Shall cosign disbursements with the Treasurer.

Section 2.  The Vice President shall:

A.   Stand in for the President when the President is unable to act because of ill health or other reasons.

B.   Act as membership chairman and be responsible for membership renewals.

C.  Be ready to assist in carrying out the President’s duties when asked by the President.

D.  Be ready to assume the presidency for the remainder of the current term in case the President is unable to do so.

E.   Serve as a member of the Board of Directors

Section 3.     The Secretary shall:

A. Attend all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors and keep accurate records of them.

B. If unable to attend a meeting, notify the president who will appoint an association member to serve in that capacity.

C.Prepare and make copies of minutes of meetings.

D.Compile an annual report of the organization’s activities and present it at the first meeting in January of the following year.

E. Be responsible for the distribution of notices of meetings

F. Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.    The Treasurer shall:                 

A.   Act as financial officer of the organization handling all funds held

      by the organization.

B.   Be responsible for the collection and depositing of all membership 

dues.

C.  Be responsible for the payment of all bills and obligations incurred

      by the organization, with the approval of the Board of Directors.

D.  Provide a monthly written financial report to the organization.

E.   Present an annual financial statement after the close of the fiscal year.

F.    Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any member of the Board of Directors, on request thereof.

G.  Cosign all disbursements with the President

H.   Notify all members whose membership dues have not been paid by June 1^st, on or about that date.

I.       Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.  The Board of Directors shall:

A.     Act as a governing body of the organization and assist the President in the fulfillment of the organization’s goals.

B.     Meet at the President’s discretion to discuss areas of concern to the organization.

C.    Establish a program of action and service for the year and present it to the general membership at the first regularly scheduled meeting in March.

D.    Authorize standing committees.

E.     Bring matters before the general membership for discussion and/or vote that the Board feels requires such action.

F.     Authorize the payment of bills by the treasurer.

ARTICLE VII.    COMMITTEES

                        The president, with the approval of the Board of Directors, may establish committees and appoint Chairmen and other members  thereto. Any member of the Association shall be eligible to serve as a Chairman or other member of a committee.

ARTICLE VII.    QUORUM

A.     The quorum for any meeting of the general membership shall be five (5) members in good standing.

B.     The quorum for any Board of Directors meeting shall be three (3) officers.

ARTICLE VIII.  ARTICLE OF ORGANIZATION

                  Our federal tax number is-----------

This organization is chartered under the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 180. Any amendment to the articles of organization filed with the State of Massachusetts shall be at a meeting called for that purpose. 

ARTICLE IX.  BYLAW AMENDMENTS

                 These bylaws may be amended at a special meeting called by the  Board of Directors for the sole purpose of amending the Bylaws. A two thirds vote of those members present and voting is required to amend these  bylaws.