By-laws Of the

Blackhawk Woodcarvers

Rockford, IL

The name of this organization is the Blackhawk Woodcarvers, affiliated in Rockford, IL.

ARTICLE II. LOCATION

Club meetings will be held at the Ken-Rock Community Center at 3218 11th Street, Rockford, IL 61109, or at other designated locations) for a special event or a special program, as determined by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE III. MISSION

We are a community of people seeking to bring together local and area carvers to promote the value of woodcarving.

ARTICLE IV. PURPOSE

To provide a meeting place and forum for interested carvers to participate in the formation of ideas and information that promotes all aspects of carving, allows exchange of personal experiences and information, and promotes good will among club members and the Rockford community.

To preserve and insure continued growth in the art of woodcarving through facilitating carving classes, providing knowledgeable speakers, and conducting an annual woodcarver's show for the Rockford metropolitan area.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to anyone interested in carving and belonging to the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club.

Members will participate in the club activities and pay the required annual dues. Members shall be Entitled to vote on any question requiring a vote of the membership. They are privileged to become officers of the organization.

ARTICLE VI. THE ORGANIZATION

The ultimate authority in matters of policy, property, and programs rests in the members of the organization.

There will be a monthly business meeting on the third Wednesday morning of each month.

There will be a weekly carving meeting every Wednesday morning 8:30 to 11:30.

There will be an annual Wood Carving Show serving the region of Northern Illinois.

The President will call any special meeting.

The Fiscal year shall be from January through December.

ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS

Club officers will be elected by majority vote of members in attendance at the December business meeting. Elected offices are President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These elected officers will comprise the Executive Board. Terms of these offices are a maximum of two years and are concurrent with the fiscal year of the club.

In addition to the elected officers, the Executive Board will appoint the following chairpersons and committees:

Newsletter Editor/Publicity Chairperson

Show Chairperson

Membership Chairperson

Librarian

Program Committee

Nominating Committee

An elected officer may also serve as a chairperson or committee member.

Webmaster

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES

PRESIDENT

1. The President will conduct the club business meetings.

2. The President will monitor club planning and activities.

3. The President will call Executive Board meetings as needed.

VICE PRESIDENT

1. The Vice President will conduct the club business meetings in the absence of the President.

2. The Vice President will assume the office of President should that office become vacant.

3. The Vice President will chair the Program Committee.

SECRETARY

1. The Secretary will record meeting minutes.

2. The Secretary will report the club meeting minutes at the following business meeting.

TREASURER

1. The Treasurer will maintain all club financial records, make account deposits, and pay all club bills in a timely manner.

2. The Treasurer will present a monthly financial report at each club business meeting.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR/PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON

1. The Newsletter Editor/Publicity Chairperson will publish a club newsletter monthly.

2. The Newsletter Editor/Publicity Chairperson will submit press releases to the media of the club's forthcoming programs and the club's annual show and competition, and other activities.

SHOW CHAIRPERSON

1. The Show Chairperson will set the annual show date with the Executive Board approval.

2. The Show Chairperson or his/her designee will obtain the location for the annual show. The location will be approved by the Executive Board.

3. The Show Chairperson or his/her designee will obtain two judges for the competition at the annual show at $100.00 per judge.

4. The Show Chairperson or his/her designee will obtain the awards/ribbons for the show competition.

5. The Show Chairperson will appoint a person (or persons) to develop a show brochure and entry procedure and form, mail brochures/entry forms, accept entry forms, establish procedures for handling competition carvings at the show, establish records of award winners, and place awards/ribbons on proper entries.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON

1. Membership dues will be submitted to the Membership Chairperson who will issue membership cards and forward monies to the club Treasurer.

2. The Membership Chairperson will maintain a current membership list and distribute the list to club members at the end of January and August.

3. The Membership Chairperson will pursue methods to promote club awareness and new memberships.

LIBRARIAN

1. Maintain the club library.

2. Publicize library content to club members.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE

1. The Program Committee will consist of the Vice-President and two to three appointed members.

2. An instructional hands-on carving project will be the club meeting program once a quarter.

3. Program presenters by non-club members will receive a $50 honorarium.

4. Programs will be scheduled by the Program Committee. All club members are to help this committee obtain programs.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

1. Present slate of officers annually for election at the club's December business meeting.

2. Recommend a candidate for any position that becomes vacant during the club fiscal year.

WEBMASTER

1. Maintain the club website.

ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATION

A.  A maximum honorarium of $50.00 shall be made for a non-club member speaker or for a club function such as the annual Christmas party. Any other expenditure above $50.00 will require approval by the Executive Board.

B.  Carving class fees shall be paid by the participants. Any non-club member will be charged an additional $5.00 above the required fee.

C.  A memorial gift of $25.00 shall be given for the deceased member and/or his or her spouse.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION

In the case of dissolution of the organization, all its property and financial assets, after paying all just claims, will appropriately be conveyed to and vested either among the existing active members or a community not-for-profit agency. The Executive Committee will perform all actions necessary to effectuate such conveyance.

ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended or replaced at any meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote of attending members voting. Notice of any proposed change must be contained in the notice of the meeting.

Updated 4/2/08