Minnesota Lace Society By-Laws

Article I: Name

The name of this society shall be the Minnesota Lace Society.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this society shall be educational; to promote interest in lace and handmade lace making among members and the public.

Article III: Members

The Minnesota Lace Society (the Society) membership year runs from September 1st through August 31st.

• Section 1:
  The membership of this society shall consist of any person who expresses an interest in making, collecting or studying lace and who pays the prescribed dues. Each member agrees to comply with the Society’s by-laws.
• Section 2:
  Honorary membership may be conferred upon individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of lace collecting or lace making or have rendered distinguished service to the Society, only upon approval of the members of the Executive Board. The Executive Board has the right to specify the terms of the honorary membership.
• Section 3:
  Members in good standing shall have the right to participate in Society functions.
• Section 4:
  No member in good standing may use Society resources, materials or invoke the Minnesota Lace Society name, insignia, or association with the Society for personal gain without permission of the Executive Board. Members in good standing may use their membership in the Society to verify their credentials.
• Section 5:
  The annual dues amount shall be determined by vote of the membership. Dues are payable September 1st of each year. Members shall receive an approximate 90-day prior notice that dues are payable. Members whose dues are not paid by the October meeting shall be dropped from membership in the Society.
• Section 6:
  Should a member engage in conduct that is harmful to the good reputation and objectives of the Society, written complaints may be brought forth by an objecting member to the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall investigate the complaints and bring in their written decision as to whether the complaints are sustained or not. The Executive Board, by majority vote, shall have the power to take corrective action with a member up to and may include their resignation. The member in question shall have the right to present a written appeal before the Executive Board. Members are subject to the Code of Conduct policy.

Article IV: Officers

• Section 1:
  The elected officers of the Society shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All other appointed positions, including Demonstration Chair, Donations Committee, Education Chair, Newsletter Editor, Program Chair, and Social Media shall be appointed for a predetermined period by the President as needed.
• Section 2:
  Officers shall be elected by the membership for a term of two years. No elected officer shall serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office. President and Secretary shall be elected in even numbered years and Vice President and Treasurer in odd numbered years.
• Section 3:
  Any member in good standing may nominate a candidate for elected office. Nominations are taken on or before the April meeting.
• Section 4:
  Election of officers shall be held at the May meeting by ballot or show of hands. Their term of office shall begin on September 1st.
• Section 5:
  Officer vacancies shall be filled as approved by the board.

Article V: Duties of Executive Board Officers

• Section 1: President
  • The President shall:
    1. Oversee and ensure that the stated goals and intentions of the Society as a whole are respected and met within all activities.
    2. Preside at business meetings and be responsible for the agenda of the meeting.
    3. Assist Treasurer as needed with completion and filing of all tax returns.
    4. Maintain backup information.
• Section 2: Vice President
  • The Vice President shall:
    1. Work with the President to meet the goals of the Society.
    2. Work with external group contacts (outside Minnesota Lace Society) for the Society’s benefit.
    3. Fill in for the President as needed.
    4. Work with the President on backup information.
• Section 3: Secretary
  • The Secretary shall:
    1. Record meeting minutes and provide them to the membership and to the newsletter editor for the publication of the newsletter.
    2. Along with the Treasurer, maintain the list of members in good standing as well as update members’ interest list for annual distribution and provide information to the newsletter editor as needed.
    3. Work with the President, Vice President, and Treasurer on internal or external correspondence pertaining to the Society.
    4. Maintain the Society asset list.
• Section 4: Treasurer
  • The Treasurer shall:
    1. Handle all monetary transactions of the group in a timely manner.
    2. Collect dues, oversee budget and maintain written records of all transactions.
    3. Ensure budget appropriations are adhered to by officers and designated members.
    4. Make recommendations of budget adjustments to Executive Board.
    5. Prepare a financial summary at the end of the business year.
    6. Provide membership information to the secretary.
    7. Ensure timely completion and filing of all tax returns with assistance from the President.

Article VI: Duties of Appointed Board Positions

• Section 1: Demonstration Chair
  • The Demonstration Chair shall:
    1. Coordinate public programs and demonstrations including communication with the venue and organizing member volunteers.
• Section 2: Donations Committee
  • The Donations Committee shall:
    1. Receive donations that are lace related.
    2. Inspect items received and determine disposition.
    3. Adhere to the current Donations Policy.
• Section 3: Education Chair
  • The Education Chair shall:
    1. Track classes offered by our teaching members.
    2. Summarize educational opportunities offered by our members to have available at demonstrations and online.
    3. Find lace teachers and coordinate workshops for members and other interested individuals as space is available.
• Section 4: Newsletter Editor
  • The Newsletter Editor shall:
    1. Prepare and distribute a monthly newsletter to the membership, especially September through May, with summer mailings as needed.
• Section 5: Program Chair
  • The Program Chair shall:
    1. Organize and present monthly programs or any other type of program as approved by Executive Board. Programs should be scheduled for three months in advance so proper notification can be made as needed.
    2. Work in collaboration with other members to promote programs to the public through social media.
• Section 6: Social Media
  • The Social Media members shall:
    1. Maintain the website, Facebook and Instagram and others as need to promote the Society, its demonstrations, meetings, and programs.

Article VII: Board of Officers

• Section 1:
  Executive Board shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
• Section 2:
  The Board of Officers consists of executive board positions and the appointed board positions.
• Section 3:
  The Board of Officers shall meet for the purpose of conducting the business of the Society, make recommendations to the Society, and shall perform other such duties as specified in these by-laws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the Society.
• Section 4:
  Any member in good standing may attend the business meeting.
• Section 5:
  The President may call a special meeting of the Executive Board.
• Section 6:
  Three officers shall constitute a quorum. At least one of these officers shall be an Executive Board member.
• Section 7:
  Any activity by which the Society is represented shall be approved by the Executive Board. Activities will be documented for purposes of record keeping and protection of the stated purpose of the Society (see Article II).

Article VIII: Meetings

• Section 1:
  The regular business meetings of the Society are held monthly, September through May.
• Section 2:
  General meetings are an educational and social function of the Society and may contain programs.
• Section 3:
  Five members shall constitute a quorum.
• Section 4:
  The Society shall operate on a membership year September 1st to August 31st. The Society shall operate on a financial year January 1st to December 31st.

Article IX: Parliamentary Authority

• Section 1:
  The Parliamentary Authority shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised in all cases not otherwise covered in these by-laws.

Article X: Amendments

• Section 1:
  These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the responding membership. Voting on proposed amendments shall not take place for a period of at least 45 days after introduction at a regular business meeting.

Article XI: Dissolution

• Section 1:
  If the Society is dissolved, and after all bills are paid, the remaining funds and property will be distributed to a similar non-profit organization.