Woman In Business, Inc. 2019 Bylaws
(Approved 6.12.2019)
Article I – Name
The name of the Association shall be “Woman In Business, Inc.”
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of “Woman in Business, Inc.” shall be:
(1) To foster the development of women who work and women who intend to enter or return to the work force.
(2) To network and promote our products, skills and services and encourage their use within the Association.
(3) To support women and provide a network of sharing business experiences, knowledge and ventures
(4) To advance the interests of business and working women through legislation, communications and Association Membership.
(5) To provide a congenial atmosphere for discussion of issues and experiences relevant to women.
(6) To sponsor and participate in workshops, seminars, and learning opportunities of special interest to women.
Article III – Membership
(1) Application for Membership – Membership applications may be submitted at any time to the Membership Chair or Committee.
(2) Dues – Membership is on a rolling basis throughout the year. At any time a prospective or new member can express interest, apply, and pay membership dues that will expire and be eligible for renewal twelve months from the date that membership began.
(3) Membership is Active upon payment of annual dues.
(4) Corporate Members – Those organizations that pay annual corporate-rate dues so that their employees may attend any and participate in all “Woman In Business, Inc.” functions at Member rates.
(5) Non-payment of Dues – Members will be removed from the “Woman In Business, Inc.” Member List and its online Directory if their annual dues are not paid in full within 60 days of receiving a membership renewal notice.
(6) Guest: Members may bring a guest to Monthly Meetings at the membership price for 1 meeting. Members may bring the same guest twice; however, it is expected that the guest will determine by attendance after two meetings whether or not to pursue membership.
Article IV – Meetings
(1) The Annual Meeting shall be held the second Wednesday of JUNE. Officers shall be elected and Committee Reports presented.
(2) Regular Monthly meeting shall be held the second Wednesday of each month unless otherwise announced.
(3) Board Meetings shall be held once per month. The times and dates shall be determined by the Board.
(4) A quorum must exist for a vote to be binding at Board meetings. A quorum is considered 2/3 of the Board Members. All Committee Chairs shall have the right to cast 1 vote on all motions at any board of directors meeting that they attend.
(5) Email Voting Policy: From time to time special situations arise when a committee or board action is required between regularly scheduled meetings that require attention. When the board’s/committee’s position is obvious and discussion is not required, an email vote may be considered an option of polling the BOD. In these limited situations, electronic polling of board or committee members by email is permitted.
Article V – Officers
(1)
A. President – Who shall preside over all Meetings, represent the Association, appoints and oversees committees, and other duties as appropriate.
B. Vice President – Who shall replace, support, and assist the President as required.
C. Recording Secretary – Who shall record, type, and distribute agendas and minutes of all Meetings.
D. Corresponding Secretary – Who shall conduct all general correspondence for the Association and keep updated files of all Association activities.
E. Treasurer – Who shall collect, bank, and disperse the
Association’s funds and provide financial reports regarding the Association at each Board Meeting.
(2) Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in odd numbered years.
(3) The President and Vice President shall serve two-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
(4) Officers shall serve two-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. In the event that no member comes forward at the end of an officer’s term to fill that position, and the outgoing officer is willing to continue in that position, a waiver of term limits will be granted with member’s approval at the annual meeting.
(5) Three unexcused absences from Board Meetings shall be grounds for dismissal.
Article VI – Board of Directors
(1) The Board of Directors of “Woman In Business, Inc.” shall consist of the officers and elected Directors.
(2) Directors shall assist the Officers in carrying out the policies and objective of the Association.
(3) Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in even numbered years and shall serve two-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
(4) Three unexcused absences from Board Meetings shall be grounds for dismissal.
(5) At the Board’s discretion, non-voting Emeritus status can be awarded to past Board members and officers to participate in the Board’s ongoing planning.
(6) The Board will direct that an audit be conducted annually prior to the Annual Meeting (or immediately prior to the end of the current Treasurer’s term, whichever comes first) to inspect the financial records of the Association and report the findings to the Board prior to the Annual Meeting.
Article VII – Committees
(1) Committee Chairs are voted on annually by the Board.
(2) Each Committee Chairperson will be responsible for recruiting additional members for their Committee.
(3) Committees will meet as needed at the discretion of the Chairperson.
(4) Committee Chairperson shall be responsible for submitting a Monthly Report to the Board of Directors at the Monthly Board Meeting. If they are unable to present their report, they must send a member of their Committee or send the report to the President prior to the meeting.
(5) The Committees shall be:
A. Executive Committee: shall consist of the Officers of the organization and be empowered to act in emergency situations.
B. Publicity: Shall write press releases and contact local newspapers, radio and television stations with regard to upcoming events and/or Meetings. Additionally, they maintain and update the organization’s social media, website, and e-newsletter.
C. Membership: Shall maintain an active Member Roster and solicit new Members.
D. Program: Shall research and establish a calendar of programs for the organization’s Monthly Meetings. Shall confirm speakers at least 1 week before scheduled meeting. Shall introduce the Speaker at the meeting. Shall be responsible for getting a biography from the Speaker and sending the information to the Publicity Committee at least 6 weeks prior to the event.
E. Scholarship: Shall evaluate the criteria established for the Scholarship and make recommendations on any necessary changes to the Board of Directors. Shall engage our local school districts to solicit applications, and administer the distribution of awards at the annual meeting.
F. Ad Hoc Committees: Shall be formed among the Board and Members at the direction of the Board to perform specific tasks or objective, and dissolved after the completion of the task or achievement of the objective. Routine committees include Festival of Trees, Bylaws Committee, Nominating Committee, and the annual Scholarship Fundraiser event.
ARTICLE VIII – Amendments
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of Members present at the meeting scheduled for this purpose provided notice of the proposed amendment is included in the Monthly Meeting notice sent to each Member at least 30 days prior to the Meeting at which the vote to amend said Bylaws is to take place. Whenever possible, Amendments should be submitted for the Annual Meeting, but may be submitted for approval at a special meeting if the need for such request would cause the organization to operate in violation of established Bylaws and with the same required notice as for the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE IX – Dissolution of the Association
In the event of a termination, dissolution or winding up of the Association in any manner or for any reason; its remaining assets, if any, shall be distributed to one or more organizations described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or as amended, supplemented or superseded.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – 2019
(1) The President shall create agendas for all Meetings and ensure that the Secretary receives all information necessary to keep the “Woman In Business, Inc.” files updated.
(2) The Vice President shall assist the President with Monthly Meetings and Committees.
(3) The President shall distribute the Agenda prior to the BOD Meeting and Recording Secretary shall distribute the Minutes from previous meeting to all Board Members no later than 24 hours prior to the next BOD Meeting.
(4) Any member requesting reimbursement from WIB should have prior approval for the expense from the Board of Directors and must present valid receipts for those reimbursements.
(5) Attendance at Board Meetings and Monthly Meetings by Officers and Directors is a necessity. The Board of Directors shall determine if a Member’s duties are not being fulfilled and shall review the position if necessary. Three unexcused absences from Board Meetings shall be ground for dismissal of a Board Member.
(6) The Membership Chairperson shall be the official greeter at Monthly Meetings, announce new Members at their first Monthly Meeting, and provide information on new Members to the designated person for profile in the Newsletter and Directory.
(7) The Board of Directors and any applicable Program Chairpersons shall collaborate in order to determine the topics to consider for WIB’s calendar of events.
(8) Honorary/Emeritus Board Members shall cast no vote, but provide valuable input to the Association. All past Presidents are considered Non-Voting Honorary Board Members.
(9) The president may call upon the Executive Committee for an emergency vote as needed.
(10) The Association shall contract the services it needs within the Member Roster whenever possible.
(11) The Secretary will forward requested e-mails to our Membership Chair for Woman In Business issues.