Bylaws

Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild Bylaws

Article 1 – Name
The name of the guild shall be Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild and shall be referred to as GLMQG.

Article 2 – Purpose
The guild’s mission is to encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through art, education, and community in southwest Michigan and beyond.

The guild shall endeavor to:
1) Encourage modern quilt making and collecting.
2) Provide educational activities such as speakers and demonstrations, special interest workshops and lectures.
3) Support and sponsor quilting activities such as community events that provide the opportunity to share the art and enjoyment of quilting.
4) Encourage new quilters and fiber artists in non-traditional fiber projects.

Article 3 – Membership

Section a. Membership in GLMQG is granted upon completion of membership application and payment of dues. Paid members in good standing receive a single vote in guild matters. The membership year shall run from January 1st to December 31st. Each member is required to keep dues current, payable within the first two months. Members joining after July 1st will pay a reduced amount. The annual due amount will be determined by the Executive Board, increases in the dues will be voted upon by the members of the guild.

Section b. Visitor Policy. Guests are welcome and encouraged. Visitors may attend two meeting free of charge. In some cases, visitors may attend special events for an additional cost above the member cost of the event.

Section c. Website members. Any individual, in-state, out-of-state or international, who wishes to follow our guild, will be given free membership with limited access to our website. Website members may participate in on-line meetings and on-line activities, but as a general rule, do not attend on-site activities. Website members do not receive a single vote in guild matters.

Article 4 —Executive Board Members

Section a. GLMQG Executive Board consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Web Coordinator, and shall be elected by the membership at the May Meeting. Persons holding office must be 18 years old, or older, and be a member in good standing. This board will meet as needed. Committee chairs shall be appointed by the President, as necessary, to carry on the business of the organization. All committees and chair persons are responsible to and accountable to the President.

Section b. The nominating committee will be formed in March. The nominating committee will seek nominations and secure the permission of each individual nominated. In April they will present this slate of nominees to the Executive Board. Following the approval of the slate of nominees, the nominating committee will present the nominees to the general membership in May. The Executive Board members are determined by a majority vote of those present. Voting will be conducted either by ballot or on-line.

Section c. Newly elected officers shall assume their duties at the close of the May meeting and shall remain in office for one year or until their successors have been installed.

Section d. Vacancies in unexpired terms of board members shall be filled by appointment of willing individuals as appointed by the board.

Article 5 — Duties of Executive Board Members

Section a. The President shall be responsible for the conduction of regular monthly meetings, chairing the Executive Board, appointing committee chairs, attending other committee meetings as needed as an ex officio member, and performing other duties as required.

Section b. The Vice President shall assist the President as necessary. The VP presides over general meetings in the President’s absence and generally assumes the role of President the next year.

Section c. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all monthly meetings of the GLMQG and shall maintain permanent records of all meetings, thus minutes will be posted to the website, for viewing by the members, within a week of the meeting.

Section d. The Treasurer shall receive and bank all GLMQG monies, disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board and maintain records of all funds. A brief financial report shall be made quarterly. All expenses must be submitted to the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall prepare the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and shall present it at the January meeting. The Treasurer’s books will be audited every year, in February by the President and the VP.

Section e. The Web Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date online presence, ensuring appropriate access for authorized members and enforcing guild policies about online communication.

Article 6 —Meetings

Section a. Membership Meetings. Membership on-site meetings are held bi-monthly. The alternate months will involve an on-line activity. Members will be notified of meetings via publication on the blog or other social networks. Special or board meetings can be called by the President or committee chairs.

Section b. Executive Board Meetings. The Executive Board shall meet at least four times a year. On a schedule that is agreed upon by the Executive Board members.

Section c. Special events or workshops. When the guild holds special events, such as lectures, classes, or retreats, members will be given first opportunity to reserve space, then nonmembers/guests as space permits. When space for such events is limited, spaces can be reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis. Additional fees to attend special events may be asked of members and guests as agreed upon by the Executive Board. Additional fees will be posted on the website prior to the event.

Article 7 — Amendment
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of GLMQG by a two-thirds vote of present active members, provided the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the Secretary previously. The Secretary will then post the revised bylaws to the guild’s website for the members to review, one month prior to when the vote will take place.

Article 8 – Dissolution
In the event of the disbanding of GLMQG, any and all funds remaining in the Treasury will be turned over to another education, tax exempt, quilt guild or to a charity. The recipient will be determined by a majority vote of the members present at a regular GLMQG group meeting.

Adopted May 2013