Bylaws 

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Executive Club of Champaign County.

 

Article II: Purpose

The Executive Club shall be a not for profit organization committed to providing women in professional careers the opportunity for growth through education and networking.

 

Article III: Objectives

The objectives of the Executive Club will be to:
Section 1. Promote the opportunity for women in careers to grow professionally by providing a variety of programs at regular club meetings.
Section 2. Sponsor and promote projects designed to assist its members to identify and develop their professional potential.
Section 3. Raise public awareness of the skills and abilities of women within management, administrative, professional, and entrepreneurship roles.
Section 4. Refrain from political or charitable activities except in a limited manner as approved by the board of directors.

 

Article IV: Members

Section 1. Membership in the Executive Club shall be open to any full-time employee or owner/partner whose occupation includes setting broad policies, supervising, budgeting, hiring and comparable executive responsibilities. Specific guidelines for membership may be established from time to time by a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The eligibility of members that change employment positions may be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine continued eligibility. If a member is found to be ineligible, the current membership year may be completed, and membership may continue for one additional year thereafter. Members who terminate their employment may continue as members through the current year, and through one additional year thereafter.
Section 3. Upon a recommendation from the Membership Committee, a two thirds vote of the Board members present shall be required for approval of new members.
Section 4. Honorary membership may be bestowed upon individuals who by their actions have advanced the objectives of the Executive Club. Honorary members pay no dues, and have no vote in the organization. Upon a recommendation by the membership committee, a two-thirds vote by the Board shall be required for approval for honorary membership.
Section 5. At the member's request, Associate membership may be bestowed upon individuals who have officially retired, have reached 50 years of age, and maintained membership for 5 years. Associate members pay 50% of the regular dues and retain all the privileges of membership.

 

Article V: Finance

Section 1. The annual fee for membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Annual dues shall be payable during the month of October. Dues become in arrears on November 1. A member shall automatically be dropped from membership on January 1 if dues are not paid in full by December 31.
Section 3. For a new member, one year’s dues, or the pro-rated quarterly amount shall be paid upon acceptance of membership.

 

Article VI: Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of four officers: the president, the vice-president, the secretary, and the treasurer, and six additional directors. The six additional directors will each be responsible for one of the following areas: Membership, Programs, Logistics/Operations, Communication (newsletter/website), Social Events and Networking, and Outreach. The immediate past president shall be an ex-officio member of the Board. The immediate past president shall vote on matters coming before the Board only if the Board is otherwise deadlocked.
Section 2. The activities of this organization shall be managed and governed by the Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to make all decisions, and to take all actions concerning the affairs of this organization, except for those responsibilities specifically reserved herein for the membership. The Board of Directors shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parliamentary authority of the organization, and any other responsibilities specified in the Operations Manual of this organization or as directed by the president.
Section 3. Candidates for the offices of president or vice president shall have served at least one term on the Board of Directors. Each term shall be for the time provided in Section 6 below.
Section 4. The nominating committee shall consist of the vice president, who shall chair the committee, the immediate past president and two additional members at large appointed by the president, who are not members of the Board. The nominating committee shall nominate one person for each of the expiring or vacant offices and directorships, in April of each year. The nominating committee shall nominate the vice president for the presidency unless she declines to serve. The slate shall be published in the May and June newsletters. Additional nominees shall be permitted from the floor at the June meeting.
Section 5. The Board of Directors for the following year shall be elected in June. The Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of those present at the June meeting.
Section 6. The president and the vice president of the Board of Directors shall be elected to serve for one year, or until her successor takes office. The secretary, treasurer, and each of the additional six directors shall be elected to serve for two years, or until her successor takes office, and the terms shall be staggered, with the terms of the secretary and treasurer expiring in successive years, and the terms of three of the additional six directors expiring each year. An officer or an additional director may be nominated to serve as an officer upon the expiration of her current term, but shall not be eligible to serve again as an additional director until at least one year after her current term expires. All terms shall begin with installation at the Board meeting in September.
Section 7. If a vacancy in an office or in another directorship occurs before the end of a term, the Board of Directors shall appoint an interim Board member to serve the balance of the term, and shall give notice of this appointment to the membership at the next general meeting. If the vacancy is in the office of vice president, the Board must appoint a present or past Board member to fill the vacancy.
Section 8. The vice president shall assume the duties of the president during the president’s temporary absence or inability to serve. The vice president shall succeed to the presidency if a vacancy occurs.
Section 9. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held monthly at the time and date to be fixed by the president. Special meetings may be called by the president and shall be called upon written request of three members of the Board. Board members are expected to attend meetings regularly. Any Board member missing three consecutive Board meetings shall be brought up for review by the remaining Board members and may be removed by their unanimous vote.
Section 10. Each Director is responsible for reviewing and updating their respective section in the Operations Manual on an annual basis.

 

Article VII: Committees

Section 1. Each Director may have a committee to assist in her area of responsibility.
Section 2. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, committee membership will be on a voluntary basis, unless insufficient members participate, in which case they will be appointed by the President.
Section 3. A bylaws committee shall consist of five members. The members will be nominated and elected at the June general meeting. Two members will be from the general membership, and two must be Past Presidents and the fifth member will be the Ex-Officio who will chair the committee. Members will serve from September to September. An individual can serve no more than three consecutive years on the committee, and must be off two years before being eligible to serve again.
Section 4. A nominating committee shall be formed and shall be responsible for those duties as set forth in Article VI.
Section 5. Other special committees can be established by the board from time to time as the board deems appropriate to carry out the purpose and objectives of the organization.
Section 6. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee and Bylaws Committee.

 

Article VIII: Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1. Bylaws may be proposed by any member and must be submitted in writing to the Bylaws Committee for review. After review by the Bylaws Committee, the bylaw change will be submitted to the membership in writing.
Section 2. At the second meeting after the proposed changes to the bylaws have been sent to the membership, a vote will be taken. Passage requires a two-thirds vote of those present at this meeting.

 

Article IX: Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings of the organization shall be 12:00 noon on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise directed by the board of directors.
Section 2. Special meetings can be called by the president, the board of directors, or a quorum of members. At least 15 members are needed to constitute a quorum.

 

Article X: Parliamentary Authority

The book, Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern in all cases in which they apply unless in direct conflict with the bylaws.

 

Last Revised: April 2009