Bylaws and Articles
Triangle Calligraphers Guild

Approved 10/20/87, Revised 10/22/92

Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be "Triangle Calligraphers' Guild," to be referred to herein as the "Guild."

Article II: Purpose
The Guild shall promote the study, practice and appreciation of calligraphy, encourage excellence in practicing scribes and an exchange of ideas among ourselves and between other artistic disciplines. The Guild shall also work to further the public understanding and appreciation of the history and development of written forms and their application in visual communication.

Article III: Membership
Members are those persons who support the purpose of the Guild and have paid their annual dues.

There shall also be a category for junior Members (under 21). Dues for this category shall be set at one-half (1/2) the rate charged regular membership. Junior members shall enjoy the same responsibilities and privileges as the regular membership.

Article IV: Dues
Dues are payable at the time of the general meeting of each year. The amount of the dues shall be reviewed and established annually by the Board.

New members joining after January 1 shall be required to pay one-half (1/2) the amount of dues for that calendar year.

Article V: Officers
Guild business shall be conducted by a Board of Directors elected by the membership.

Section 1. The Directors of the Guild shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and a Publicity Chairperson. The immediate past Presidents(s) shall be ex-officio members(s) of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Nominations for the Board will be taken from the floor at a specified general meeting. If an office is not filled, it will be the duty of the Board members to recruit a nominee to fill the position.

Section 3. Election of the new Board members shall be at a specified general meeting at which time the nominees shall be presented as a slate. Individuals must have consented to their nomination prior to the election. The new Directors shall assume office at a specified time.

Section 4. The length of the term in office shall be an indefinite term of not less than one year with a suggested term of two years.

Section 5. Vacancies which occur on the Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment by the President and subject to subsequent approval by the Board.

Section 6. The Board of Directors is responsible for developing and carrying out the policies and programs based on the purpose of the Guild and in conformity with the desire of the members.

Article VI: Administration
The President shall:
1. Preside at Guild and Board Meetings
2. Have the power to call special meetings of the Guild or Board of Directors and convene special committees when necessary.
3. Have the power to approve bills for payment. The Treasurer also has this power.
4. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Board for one year and work to ensure that the Guild's purposes and policies are being adhered to and implemented effectively.

The Vice President shall:
1. Assume the responsibilities and duties of the President in his or her absence, and assist the president in those duties when necessary.
2. Be responsible for scheduling and otherwise completing all arrangements necessary to provide a program at each monthly general meeting of the Guild.
3. Introduce speaker or program at the general meetings.
4. Furnish the Publicity Chairperson and Newsletter Editor with a detailed description of the programs to be presented at the general meetings.

The Secretary shall:
1. With the assistance of the President, prepare an agenda for the current meeting.
2. Record and read the minutes of the general meetings and the meetings of the Board of Directors.
3. Maintain an attendance record of the Guild's members at the general meetings.
4. Satisfy the requirements of the facility administrators at each general meeting.
5. Maintain a Guest Register at the general meetings and report first-time visitors to the Newsletter Editor for a one-time complimentary copy of the newsletter.

The Treasurer shall:
1. Keep a record of and administer the Guild's finances including the Speakers Fund.
2. Have the power to approve bills for payment. The President also has that power.
3. Prepare a financial report for each general meeting as well as for each Board Meeting.
4. Keep the Secretary and Newsletter Editor informed of new members and changes of address.

The Newsletter Editor shall:
1. Be responsible for publishing and distributing the Guild's newsletter.

The Publicity Chairperson shall:
1. Notify the news media of the programs to be presented (based on the information furnished by the Vice President) for each general meeting and any other special events.

Article VII: Meetings
The Guild will normally convene once a month beginning in September and ending in May according to a schedule established by he Board.

Special Meeting may be called at the request of the President and/or the Board of Directors or as petitioned by the general membership.

Article VIII: Committees
The Guild has no standing committees.

There shall be special committees appointed by the President to carry out special tasks when needed, whose commissions shall expire when the purpose of the committees function is accomplished.

Article IX: Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order (revised) shall be used as a guideline for governing the Guild whenever they are not in conflict with these Bylaws.

Article X: Amendments to the Bylaws
The Bylaws of the Guild ma be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members present at a properly called meeting. The membership will be notified in writing of the proposed changes at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which they will be considered.

Article XI: Dissolution
On dissolution of the Guild, the board of Directors shall, after paying off the liabilities of the Guild, dispose of the assets of the Guild by donating them to an organization which has similar objectives or in some way agreeable to a majority of the members.