By-Laws for LSS

Bylaws of the Lone Star smockers chapter of the Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc.

Article I
Name
This organization shall be known as the Lone Star Smockers Chapter of the Smocking Arts Guild of America and be formally affiliated and recognized by the Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc.

Article II
Purpose
The purpose of this local chapter shall be to establish high standards of quality workmanship and further the appreciation of the smocking arts and other associated handwork through education, teaching, and communication.

Article III
Membership
Any person who is interested in the purpose of this organization may become a member by application and payment of dues, regardless of race, creed, color, or sex.

Article IV
Dues
The dues required for membership in the Lone Star Smockers, shall be established annually by the Board of Directors. The dues required for membership in the Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc., shall be fixed by the National Board of Directors.

Article V
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be in conformance with the date specified by the Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc.

Article VI
Meetings
Meetings of the membership shall be held monthly on a day and time agreed-upon by them. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly on a day and time agreed-upon by them. The Board of Directors shall establish rules for guests' attendance at meetings. Twenty percent (20%) of the local members of the chapter currently in good standing shall constitute a quorum for regular meetings of the members.

Article VII
Elections
SECTION 1: All officers shall be elected annually at the November general meeting.
SECTION 2: Officers elected shall serve one year. No officer may serve simultaneously in more than one capacity on the board.

Article VIII
Officers
The officers of the Chapter shall be: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

President-is the executive officer of the Chapter. The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and Board of Directors, appoint all committee chairman and is an ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee. The president, with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, shall appoint all standing committees to be established by the local chapter. The president, upon the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, shall be authorized to sign any and all communication between the local chapter and the Smocking Arts Guild of America and any and all other documents relating to the exempt terrible status of the local chapter.

First Vice President-shall assist the President and serve in the absence of the president and shall serve as Chairman of the Program Committee; shall present a suggested program for the year to the Board of Directors for approval that its first regular meeting and shall present a program at each regular meeting of the chapter.

Second Vice President-shall be responsible for compiling and maintaining the records of the current membership, and notify members of pending renewals. Shall tend to all press publicity for the Chapter by sending out notices of all Chapter meetings.

Secretary-shall take and maintain a record of the minutes of the meetings of the General Membership and the Board of Directors and shall take care of correspondence at the direction of the president.

Treasurer-shall receive and disburse all monies and present a statement of the current financial condition at all meetings of the General Membership and the Board of Directors and be an ex-officio member of the budget committee. All checks must be signed by the Treasurer and the President or First Vice-President. The Treasurer will submit the books for an audit at the end of the fiscal year.

Article IX
Board of Directors
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers of the Chapter, the immediate Past President and the Chairman of all standing committees.
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors shall fill a vacancy in any office, except that of President, by appointment. Vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the First Vice-President.
SECTION 3. All officers and standing committee chairmen shall keep procedure books to be passed on to the newly elected officers and chairmen upon installation.
SECTION 4. Five (5) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

Article X
Committees
The Standing Committees of the Chapter shall be Budget, Newsletter, Hospitality, Library, Yearbook, Historian, Workshop, Fundraiser and Preemie Gown.  The chairman of each committee shall be appointed by the President, upon the advice and consent of the Board of Directors.

Budget- shall prepare a yearly budget to be presented to the Board of Directors for approval. The budget, as approved by the Board of Directors, shall be presented to the chapter for adoption by the October meeting.

Newsletter- shall be responsible for preparing, emailing, and/or printing, and mailing the bi-monthly newsletter.

Hospitality- shall be responsible for providing hostesses for General Membership meetings.

Library- shall be responsible for cataloging additions to existing library and pattern/plate inventory. Inspect items for damage before checking out or in. Collect fines on overdue or damaged items.

Yearbook- shall be responsible for preparing, printing, and distribution of the yearbook.

Historian- shall be responsible for compiling and maintaining the Chapter scrapbook.

Workshop- shall be responsible for coordinating the details of workshops.

Wee Care- shall be responsible for wee care programs and accounting for completed gowns.

Fundraiser- shall be responsible for planning and coordinating fundraising events.

Article XI
Parliamentary Procedure
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all procedure and parliamentary matters of the Chapter meetings, when they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the By-Laws.

Article XII
Amendments
The by-laws may be amended, repealed, or altered in part by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present at a scheduled meeting that has a quorum, providing all members have received written notice of such proposed amendments at least seven days prior to that meeting.

Article XII
Compliance
The local chapter shall make all efforts necessary to remain in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc., promulgated for governing local chapters.

Article XIV
Event of Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this Chapter, the assets shall be distributed to, and for the use of, such charitable or educational organizations meeting the requirements of section 501 (A) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any amendment thereof in force, as the Board of Directors shall then select and determine.

STANDING RULES

Article I
Meetings
SECTION 1. Meetings of the General membership shall be on the first and second Thursdays at each month.
SECTION 2. Members of the Board of Directors shall meet monthly at a date and time to be decided upon by them.
SECTION 3. In the event that the Fort Worth Independent School District cancels or delays classes because of bad weather, the General or the Board meeting shall automatically be canceled.
SECTION 4. Special meetings of the Board of Directors of the local chapter may be called from time to time by any two (2) of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meetings shall be mailed to each member of the Board of Directors at that member's last reported address at least five (5) days in advance of such special meeting.
SECTION 5. Guests shall be restricted to attending only two meetings with the exception of out-of-town houseguests of members.
SECTION 6. Twenty percent (20%) of the local members of the chapter currently in good standing shall constitute a quorum for a regular meeting of the members.

Article II
Dues
SECTION 1. Dues for membership shall be payable upon joining, prorated to March first. To maintain active status dues are renewable each March first thereafter.
SECTION 2. Total annual amount is $42.00. Division of this amount is: Lone Star Smockers Chapter, $12.00; Smocking Arts Guild of America, Inc., $30.00.
SECTION 3. Each member will be responsible for payment of their annual national dues by the first of January as required by the Smocking Arts Guild of America. 

Article III
Elections
SECTION 1. There shall be a nominating committee consisting of three members; one elected by the Board of Directors from the board, two to be elected from the membership by its members. The nominating committee shall be elected and announced at the meeting in September. A nominating committee shall elect its own chairmen. This committee shall report at the meeting in October.
SECTION 2. Elections shall be held annually at the November meeting.
SECTION 3. Voting shall be by voice vote unless there is more than one nominee for office, in which case a secret ballot shall be used. A majority vote of the members present shall constitute an election.
SECTION 4. Newly elected officers shall be installed in November and assume their duties at the January meeting.

Article IV
Name Tags
SECTION 1. All members shall wear hand-stitched name tags at all Chapter functions.
SECTION 2. Members not wearing a hand-stitched name tag shall fined 25 cents.

Article V
Library
SECTION 1. Books may be borrowed at any general meeting for one month period. They must be returned at the next general meeting.
SECTION 2. Books are overdue on the date following the expiration of the authorized loan period. An overdue charge of 50 cents per books shall be made for all or any part of the month following due date of a book, and fifty cents charge shall be added to each month thereafter until the book is returned to the library.
SECTION 3. Damaged or lost books must be replaced by the borrower or full value in cash paid to the librarian within 30 days of the due date of the book.

Article VI
Commercial Announcements
SECTION 1. Members or shop owners are not allowed to sell or to advertise at Chapter membership meetings.
SECTION 2. Unpaid announcements of the commercial nature or not printed in the newsletter.
SECTION 3. Newsletter advertising rates per quarter are: Full page, $40; half-page, $25; one-quarter page, $15; business card, $10.

Article VII
Finances
SECTION 1. The financial books are to be audited annually prior to the December meeting. The audit committee shall be made up of two members of the Board of Directors and one member from the General membership to be elected by them.
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors is authorized to spend up to fifty dollars without prior approval of the membership. Items included in the annual budget shall not require approval at the time of expenditure.

Article VIII
Workshops
SECTION 1. All workshop shall be announced in the newsletter.
SECTION 2. Reservations shall be made in the order in which checks are received.
SECTION 3. A refund, less a $2 registration fee, shall be made to anyone who has been accepted for a workshop and is not able to attend, providing their registration is assumed by another student. No refund shall be made unless the workshop is filled.
SECTION 4. Chapter members have preference, but if the workshop is not filled, guests are welcome.
SECTION 5. Check should be made payable to Lone Star Smockers.

Article IX
Programs
SECTION 1. Programs shall be open to all active members and their guests.
SECTION 2. Members of Lone Star Smockers shall not be paid for presenting programs.

Article X
Amendments
Amendments to the standing rules shall be made by majority vote of the members provided a quorum is present.

Rev.: February, 2009