Northwest Indiana
Woodworkers Association

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Constitution and Bylaws

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE

NORTHWEST INDIANA WOODWORKERS ASSOCIATION

  ARTICLE I

NAME:  The name of this organization shall be as set forth above in the title of this Constitution and is to be charted in the State of Indiana as a non-profit, educational organization.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this organization shall be:

          To encourage members interested in woodworking to join together to help
           each other in their woodworking endeavors;

          To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas;

          To provide demonstrations of woodworking techniques/operations.

  ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP:  Any person interested in the art of woodworking may become a member of this Association.

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS:  This Association shall meet regularly once a month or as otherwise provided by the Bylaws of this Association.  Special meetings may be called by a majority vote at any regular meeting at which a quorum is resent, by the Executive Committee, or by the President.

ARTICLE V

DUES:  Every member of this Association shall pay dues as prescribed in the Bylaws of this Association.

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS:  The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.  All officers, together with the immediate past President, shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Association, having general administrative powers.  The term of office shall commence on January 1 and 
shall continue for one year.

ARTICLE VII

QUORUM:  A majority of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of 
the Association.  The President may, at his discretion, appoint the chairmen of committees to the Executive Committee.  Upon appointment, committee chairmen will have equal status and full voting authority as members of the Executive Committee.

 

BYLAWS OF THE

NORTHWEST INDIANA WOODWORKERS ASSOCIATION

(N.I.W.A.)

ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Membership in The Northwest Indiana Woodworkers Association will be extended to individuals only.

Section 2.  All active members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Association and all members share in its responsibilities.  These responsibilities include support of its purpose and constructive contribution to its program and activities.  Any conduct not consistent with these standards may be reason for non-renewal of membership in the Association.

ARTICLE II – DUES

Section 1.  The dues of the Association will be set by a vote of the general membership.  Exemptions from dues payments will require a two-thirds vote of members present.  Exemptions are renewable but must be approved by two-thirds majority every 12 months. 

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular meetings shall be held on the 4th Thursday of each month at such hour and place, as the Association from time to time shall designate.

Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by a majority vote at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present, or by the President.

Section 3.  The Executive Committee of this association shall meet at least quarterly.

ARTICLE IV – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section 2.  Nominations for Association officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee appointed by the President at least five weeks prior to the election.  This committee shall consist of three active members.  The committee shall present its report at the regular meeting preceding the meeting at which the election is to take place, and shall present only the names of active members who have consented to serve if elected.  Further nominations may be made from the floor by any active member at the time of the election.  All elections shall be by secret ballot, unless a secret ballot is dispensed with by unanimous vote with a majority vote of all members present necessary for a choice.

Section 3.  Elections of officers shall be held at the November meeting each year.  Newly elected officers will be introduced and installed in office at the conclusion of the December meeting program and shall take office at the meeting in January.  Officers will serve for a term of one year, subject to removal, and until their successors are elected.

Section 4.  Any vacancy of office, except the office of President, shall be filled by a special election at the next meeting following the announcement of the vacancy.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.  The President presides at meetings of the Association and the Executive committee; appoints committees and has general supervision of the operation of the Association.

Section 2.  The Vice President is responsible for the conduct of a program, which meets the needs of the members; presides in the absence of the President; in case of vacancy in the office of President, shall be elevated to that office for the remainder of the term.

Section 3.  The Secretary has custody of the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws and all other records and documents of the Association; keeps an accurate record of the meetings and activities of the Association and of the Executive Committee; and transmit the same to his successor in office.

Section 4.  The Treasurer receives and disburses, with the approval of the Executive Committee, all association funds and keeps an accurate account of all transactions.  The Treasurer shall make financial reports to the Association or the Executive Committee upon request, and shall transmit the accounts and all undistributed funds to his successor in office.

Section 5.  No officer shall receive any salary or fee for serving.  However, officers shall be entitled to reimbursement for approved expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of their office.

Section 6.  The Executive Committee shall transact the business of the organization.  A simple majority vote shall govern unless otherwise specified.  The Executive Committee shall authorize all expenditures and shall not create any indebtedness in excess of Association income.

ARTICLE VI – DISSOLUTION AND LIABILITY

Section 1.  This Association and its members shall be responsible for expenses incurred at its direction in connection with its operations, functions and activities.  In the event of dissolution of this Association, any assets remaining after payment of all outstanding debts shall be equally distributed among all members in good standing at the time of dissolution.

Section 2.  The Association will not be liable for any injuries or bodily harm resulting from the operations and activities of the Association.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of this Association by a two-thirds vote of the members present.  A notice of such proposed amendment shall be mailed to all members at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting at which the amendment is to be considered.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ORIGINALLY ADOPTED ON MAY 24TH, 1990, MERRILLVILLE, INDIANA.

Last update May 14, 2008

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