ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Sterling Women’s Club.
ARTICLE II – OBJECT
The object of this non-sectarian, non-partisan club shall be to maintain an active, aggressive interest in all things that pertain to the moral, social and civic welfare of our town.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – Membership shall be open to all women of this town and adjoining towns who are interested in furthering the objectives of this club.
Section 2 – An active member shall support the activities of this club and serve on a working committee during the club year. She will have full voting privileges and be a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Section 3 – A Senior member shall be sixty (60) years of age or older with active member privileges.
Section 4 – A member in good standing may withdraw from membership by presenting her request in writing to the Corresponding Secretary.
Section 5 – Honorary members may be nominated by other members of the club and voted on by the membership. Honorary members will be members in good standing with full voting privileges.
ARTICLE IV DUES
Section 1 – Annual dues shall be $25.00 for active members and $15.00 for senior members and payable at the annual meeting in May. Honorary members are not required to pay dues.
Section 2 – Members failing to pay by the annual meeting shall be notified by the Treasurer. Membership dues not received by August 1st shall be considered as having voluntarily withdrawn from the club.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Section 1 – Regular meetings of the club shall be held on the second Thursday of each month from September to May, inclusive, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Board.
Section 2 – Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board at any time.
Section 3 – Eight (8) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4 – The annual meeting shall be held the second Thursday in May for the purpose of receiving reports, electing officers (when required) and the transacting of other business.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Section 1 – The officers of this club shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. The duties of the President may be shared equally by two members who act as co-Presidents. There shall also be four Directors, two chosen each year for a term of two years. This constitutes the Executive Board.
Section 2 – The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, be the Chairperson of the Executive Board and shall perform all other duties usually pertaining to this office. She shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section 3 – The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in her absence or at her request. She shall be Chairperson of Membership.
Section 4 – The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of the club and the Executive Board meetings and shall read these at the following meeting. She shall give an Annual Report.
Section 5 – The Corresponding Secretary shall handle all correspondence related to the Club.
Section 6 – The Treasurer shall collect all dues, issue membership cards, pay all approved bills, collect and disperse all moneys and keep an account of the same. She shall present a full statement at each club and Executive Board meeting and a full write, reviewed financial report at first meeting of the year.
Section 7 – The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers and directors. The duties of the Executive Board shall be to direct the affairs of the club, to regulate and approve all expenditures of the Club not to exceed four hundred ($400.00). Larger amounts must be voted upon by the membership. The Board may create, discontinue, or combine committees and fill vacancies in its own body for unexpired terms.
Section 8 – The outside accountant appointed by the Executive Board shall not be member of the Sterling Women’s Club, nor a person affiliated with the Club’s financial accounts. It is recommended that the financial review be performed yearly.
ARTICLE VII – NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Section 1 – The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members of whom two shall be appointed by the Executive Board and three from the floor. They shall be selected at the first fall meeting of the club.
Section 2 – The Nominating Committee shall select a list of officers for the ensuing year. In the selection of nominees for the office of Director, membership in the Club for two years shall be a prerequisite. In the selection of nominees for the office of Vice-President, succession in office shall be expected.
Section 3 – A list of nominees shall be presented at the regular meeting prior to the Annual meeting in May. Nominations from the floor may be made only at this time, provided the consent of each candidate has been obtained before her name is placed in nomination.
Section 4 – The election of officers shall be by ballot at the Annual meeting, a majority vote of members present and voting being necessary to elect.
Section 5 – If there is only one nominee for each office, by vote of the Club, the Recording Secretary shall cast one ballot for the entire list, or for as many as are the sole nominees for office.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and by-laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present and voting at any regular meeting provided the proposed amendments have been presented previously to the membership.
ARTICLE IX – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
In cases not covered by the Constitution and by-laws of this club, the Parliamentary authority shall be “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised Edition.”
