RAAVE By-Laws

Article I: Name 1. The name of this organization shall be Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts (RAAVE). 1. The fiscal year shall end on December 31. Article II: Purpose/Objective 1. To bring together people who share a common interest in caged birds, working together promoting conservation and education of a member and the general public. a. To educate members and the general public in the best care, keeping, maintenance, and breeding of caged birds. b. To support bird conservation. c. To publish a monthly newsletter concerning activities and interest of the club. d. To assist in bird adoptions, acting as a responsible third party. e. To assist in escaped bird rescues. f. To conform to the standards of the Internal Revenue Code as it relates to nonprofit organizations. Article III: Members 1. Any person interested in keeping and/or breeding caged birds may be a member. 1. Membership classes are as follows: a. Individual b. Family c. Juniors d. Seniors e. Seniors (2 year membership) f. Supporting g. Corporate h. International Termination a. Resignation may be asked for by action of the Board of Directors when, in its opinion, the actions or conduct of a member brings discredit to the club and its goals. Said members must be notified by the Secretary in writing. Said members shall receive a fair and impartial hearing by the Board of Directors with all parties involved present before the action is taken. If said member does not show up for the hearing he or she forfeits the right to a hearing and membership shall be terminated. In such a case as a member is expelled or disqualified said person’s current years dues shall be returned on a prorated basis by quarters left in the year. b. Expulsion from membership of any member convicted of a crime involving illegal importation, possession or treatment of birds. Any individual who misrepresents the club or whose conduct is inappropriate to the goals and objectives of the club may be withdrawn from membership or advertising upon review of the offending activity by the Board of Directors. c. Any member whose dues are unpaid. Dues a. Annual dues, due and payable upon the original month and day of joining will be: $20 Individual $12 International Postage (added to each category) $25 Family $15 Junior $15 Senior $30 Senior (2 year membership) $75 Supporting $125 Corporate b. The amount of dues may be amended when necessary by the Board of Directors. Article IV: Officers 1. Make Up a. Officers will be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. b. Board of Directors will consist of the officers and five members, a total of nine. c. Board Members must be members in good standing of the club. 2. Quorum a. Any Board of Directors meeting with five or more members present shall constitute a quorum. 3. Meetings a. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly. b. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by any three directors when seven days notice of that meeting is given to all Directors. c. Once the meeting begins, it will continue even if a Board Member leaves. 4. Removal a. Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed from the Board by a 2/3rds vote of a quorum of the Board. b. Any member who misses three board meetings during the term in office may be removed from the Board of Directors at the discretion of the Board. 5. Terms of Office a. Officers and Board members will serve for one year. 6. Vacancy a. If a vacancy on the Board of Directors is created, for any reason, the Board shall appoint a club member to that position for the remainder of the term. Article V: Duties of the Officers 1. President a. Shall represent the club in matter pertinent to the club. b. Shall preside at all meetings and enforce the bylaws and rules of order. c. Shall appoint all committee chairpersons and non-elected positions, subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors. d. Shall be authorized, along with the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer to cosign checks; two signatures shall be required. e. Shall have regular contact with the board members and committee chair persons assisting them as necessary. 2. Vice President a. Shall, in the absence of the President, perform all duties of the President. b. Shall be responsible for coordination club programs presented at each general membership meeting; seeing that they are educational and informative and in keeping with the purpose and objective of the club. c. Shall assist the President as requested. d. Shall be authorized, along with the President, Secretary and Treasurer to cosign checks, two signatures shall be required. 3. Secretary a. Shall attend all meetings and record minutes. b. Shall maintain records and related correspondence. c. Shall, in the absence of both the President and Vice President, perform all duties of the President. d. Shall present minutes of the previous meeting to the Board for approval by mail, fourteen days prior to the next meeting. e. Shall conduct all social and business correspondence for the club. f. Shall be authorized, along with the President, Vice President and Treasurer, to cosign checks; two signatures shall be required. 4. Treasurer a. Shall be responsible for all monetary collection and dispersal of the club. b. Shall place all funds received in a bank account held in the name of the club as approved by the Board. c. Shall keep accurate records of all financial transactions in the form of financial statements. d. Shall present an annual budget to the Board for approval no later than the first meeting following the end of the fiscal year. e. Shall be authorized, along with the President, Vice President and Secretary to cosign checks; two signatures shall be required. f. Shall prepare, or have prepared, as approved by the Board, all necessary County, State, and Federal reports, returns and legally required forms. g. Shall furnish all financial records to the club for inspection. h. Shall monitor the receipts of raffle and other club fund raisers. i. Shall present a written treasurer’s report showing beginning balance, income, and expenses and ending balance, to the newsletter editor and secretary at each monthly board meeting. j. Shall maintain a list of all assets belonging to the club and their locations. An annual listing of assets shall be presented to the Board at the January meeting. Article VI: Committees 1. Committees a. The following standing committees may be appointed by the President, subject to Board approval: 1. Newsletter 2. Raffles/Fund raising 3. Nominating 4. Hospitality 5. Bird Mart/Show 6. Advertising/Publicity 7. Membership 8. Consortium Coordinator 9. Bird Adoptions 10. AFA Delegate 11. School Visitation Committee 12. Web Site Editor b. President may appoint additional standing or special committees as the need arises, subject to Board approval. c. President, under direction of the Board, shall relate the responsibilities of each committee to its Chairperson. d. Activities of each committee are subject to Board review e. Prior to the December Board meeting of each year, committees will submit their operating plan, including budget, to the Treasurer. Article VII: Meetings 1. The regular meetings of the club shall be held on the third Saturday of each month, unless otherwise ordered by the Board. Article VIII: Elections 1. Board of Directors a. Shall be elected by the general membership annually at the December meeting, , to be installed immediately following election at the meeting. b. The ballot will list all nine positions; President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Board members at large. c. Board of Directors can vote to exempt Board of Director meetings due to special or social events. 2. Officers a. If the President is no longer able to perform duties the Vice- President will become President. b. Vice-President position will be filled in accordance with article IV section 6. 3. Term Limits a. Board members shall serve no more than three consecutive terms in the same office, unless approved by the Board. 4. Election Procedure a. NA. No later than October of each year, the President shall appoint one of the Board members to serve as chairperson of the nominating committee for election of officers and Board members to serve as chairperson of the nominating committee for election of officers and Board members for the ensuing year. The President shall declare all nominations open at the October meeting. b. The chairperson shall have a ballot prepared for distribution at the December meeting. This ballot shall list the names of the nominating committee presented. c. Definition of “family membership” regarding voting “family membership” entitles the family to two votes providing two family members are present at the election. d. Ballots are returned to the chairperson during the February meeting, at which time they will be tallied and results will be presented to the general membership. e. Installation and presentation of Board members and new officers shall take place immediately following election at the December meeting. f. After the general election sometime between the December and January general meeting a special meeting will be held with both incoming and outgoing Board Members present to ease the transition between the old and new board and to exchange information. g. Upon termination of membership on the Board, all persons shall return club property to the Secretary. Article IX: Personal Liability 1. The members, directors, officers, officials and duly authorized representatives of the club shall not be personally liable for any debt, liability or obligation of the club. All persons, corporations or other entities extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against the club may look only to the funds and property of the club for the payment of any such contract or claim for the payment or any debt, damages, judgments or decree, or of any money that may otherwise become due or payable to them from the club. Article X: Miscellaneous 1. Items not covered by the Bylaws. a. Any item not covered by Bylaws shall be dealt with by the Board of Directors. 2. Amendments to the Bylaws a. Any amendment to the Bylaws must first be approved by a majority of the Board and then submitted to the general membership for approval. 3. Rules of Order a. Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail where Bylaws of the club do not. 4. Disbanding of the club a. To disband the club, the decision must be discussed at three consecutive monthly meetings then voted on by club members. b. Upon disbanding, all club assets will be turned over to American Federation of Aviculture. Guidelines for Public Participation in Board Meetings 1. Prior to addressing the board, all speakers should state their name. 1. Questions and comments should be addressed to the entire board, not to individual board members, the president, or member of the audience 1. When a specific topic is under consideration, questions and comments should be confined to the matter under discussion, and not extend to any other matter 1. A limit of two minutes shall be allotted to each speaker on any given item. 1. A speaker who does not need the entire two minutes may not yield any unused portion of the time to another speaker. 1. On controversial issues, speakers for and against a given topic may be recognized alternately by the chair. 1. A board member may interrupt a speaker for the purpose of clarification and information. 1. Speakers are requested not to repeat points already made by previous speakers. 1. It is expected that speakers will observe the commonly accepted rules of courtesy, decorum, dignity, and good taste. Resorting to personalities will be ruled out of order, as will the use of intemperate, abusive, and defamatory language. 1. Written statements will be received by the board in addition to, or in lieu of, oral presentations. All members are responsible for maintaining an orderly meeting, free from personal attack. Everyone should remember that people generally respond in the manner in which they have been treated. If a member is repeatedly disruptive at one or more meetings, members can call the member to order and institute disciplinary proceedings. Penalties may include apologies, reprimands, eviction from the meeting place.