Woman's Society of Batesburg - Leesville

"Volunteering for a Smarter Community"


Woman's society of Batesburg - Leesville constitution

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Woman 's Society Of Batesburg-Leesville.

Article II – Objective

This club has been organized for the purpose of bringing together and equipping -women of our community to promote educational and civic progress in our city, state, and nation.

Article III- Club Meeting

Regular club meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of each month, September through May at 7: 00pm (unless club approves a change), the location shall be agreed upon by the club President and the hostess for that meeting. The fiscal year shall be from January 1 through December 31 in accordance with GFWC and GFWC-SC reporting.

Article IV – Officers

The officers of the club shall be President, Vice-president, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and Advisor /Parliamentarian. These officers will comprise the Executive Board Committee.

Article V- Duties of Officers

Section I: It will be the duty of the President to:

A. Preside at all meetings of the club and Executive Committee.
B. Call special meetings of the club, Executive Committee, and hold an annual planning workshop prior to the September meeting.
C. Appoint all standing committees and Department Chairmen.
D. Appoint all special committees.
E. Serve as ex-officio member to all committees.
F. Serve as the official representative of the club when required or appoint a replacement.
G. Have custody of the records and all papers of the club (from which other provisions have not been made).

Section 2: It will be the duty of the Vice President to:

A. In absence of the President, assume her duties.
B. In case of vacancy; serve the remainder of the President's term.
C. Serve as membership chairman; write monthly news articles for publication
D. Keep an accurate record of the membership and furnish the secretary and treasurer with this information.

Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:

A. Keep an accurate record of all meetings of the club and Executive committee.
B. Provide the president and Scrapbook chairman with a copy of the minutes.
C. Authenticate all acts and orders of the club in the absence of the president and vice president.
D. Assist the Historian in updating the club history.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

A. Receive all funds of the club and deposit promptly into the club's account under Tax ID# (BIN) 57-6034040.
B. Keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements.
C. Pay all bills in conjunction with the budget.
D. Submit a detailed report at each meeting to be filed with a copy for the President & Recording Secretary.
E. Serve as a member of the fund-raising committee.

Section 5: It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to:

A. Serve as Sunshine Chairman and send sympathy and congratulations notes or suitable gifts to Members, on the occasion of hospitalization, in the event of death of an immediate family member (husband, parent, or child) and at other times as determined by the President or Executive Committee.
B. Recognize members on special occasions with cards etc.; for the membership.
C. Assist Vice President with membership matters.
D. Address all correspondence received, at each club meeting, reply to all correspondence as needed.
Section 6: The immediate past President shall serve as Advisor Parliamentarian. In the event she cannot serve, the nominating committee shall appoint another past President to serve. It shall be her
responsibility to purchase and present the President's gift.

A. She shall advise upon the request of the President, but only the President can rule.
B. She shall attend the Executive Committee meetings as ex-officio.
C. She shall serve as Club Historian.

Section 7: The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:

A. Propose a budget and authorize payment of bills in excess of the budget.
B. Supervise the interests of the club.
C. Serve as Yearbook committee.
D. Fill all vacancies of the Executive Committee and other offices of the club for which other provisions have not been made.

Article VI - Membership and Attendance

Section 1: Membership is open to women interested in the objectives of the club

A. Applicants must attend one regular meeting of the club as a guest of an active member who will sponsor her.
B. The sponsor should inform her guest of the membership and club procedures. The guest should then indicate her intent.
C. Members requiring inactive status may become so by informing the Membership Chairman and paying the yearly dues. She may attend any meeting or social activities of the club.
D. Former members desiring to become active may do so by stating her intent in writing and paying the yearly dues.

Section 2: Termination of Membership

A. A member in good standing who moves away from the Batesburg-Leesville area shall be removed from the club roster. She shall be entitled to a letter of transfer and/or recommendation if requested.
B. Members who find it necessary to resign from the club shall give written notification to the President or membership Committee.

Article VII - Dues

Section 1: Annual dues of members shall be $45.00 payable at the September meeting. Dues for new members are payable at the first meeting following the acceptance of membership (with the exception of $3.00 for "Clubwoman " and $2.00 to headquarters).

Section 2: The Treasurer will notify all members of dues in arrears one week after the regular September meeting.

Section 3: Any member of 25 years is considered a Life Member and exempt from paying annual club dues, however she must attend no less than three meetings each club year, to remain on the membership roster.

Section 4: The Treasurer will notify the Secretary to remove the name of any member from the club roster who has not paid her dues by the November meeting or who has missed three consecutive unexcused meetings; each member should attend at least one half of all meetings during a year; all members are expected to participate in club projects, programs & fund-raisers.

Article VIII – Elections

Section 1: The Nominating Committee Shall:

A. Consist of 3 members appointed by the President.
B. Present a slate of officers at the March meeting biennially. Nominations from the floor will be accepted by the President. Nominees will be voted upon by the membership at the April meeting.

Section 2: Installation of new officers for the 2-year term will be at the regular May meeting in the action year.

Article IX - Departments and Standing Committees

Section 1: There shall be the following Departments:
A. Arts
B. Conservation
C. Education
D. Home Life
E. International Affairs
F. Public Affairs
G. Others in keeping with GFWC and GFWC-SC
H. Chairpersons shall serve a 2-year term corresponding with the officers. They shall be responsible for a program presentation at a meeting and a yearly report on their department.

Section 2: There shall be the following standing committees:

A. Fund Raising
B. Service Projects
C. Publicity
D. Scrapbook
E. Scholarship
F. Community Improvement Project
G. Devotional by monthly hostess
H. At the expiration of her term of office, each chairperson of a standing committee shall pass all pertinent material to her successor or the President in the event her successor has not been named. The Scrapbook be retained by the new administration for reference and may be presented to the past President whose term it covers (at the completion of the term).

Article X - Delegates to Convention

Section I: Delegates to the State, Regional, and General Federation Conventions are to be announced by the Executive Committee at least one month prior to the meeting.

A. Voting delegates to the State Conventions shall be the President and those approved by the club.

Section 2: Schedule of payment for attendance at Federation Conventions and meetings are follows:

A. For Summer Board, Midlands District Conference, and Winter Board, the club shall pay the registration fee and lunch for those attending.
B. For GFWC-SC Convention, the club shall reserve and pay for at least one room. The club shall pay registration, banquet meals, and car expense for up to two automobiles, If funds are available and only if funds are available.
C. In the event that the President and/or other delegates can attend the Southern Regional Convention or GFWC-SC Convention, the Executive Committee shall grant financial aid as the budget allows.

Article XI – Quorum

Section 1: A majority shall constitute a quorum of the Executive committee.
Section 2: A majority of the active members shall constitute a quorum for the regular business meetings of the club.

Article XII - Woman's Society of Batesburg-Leesville Woman Of The Year Award

This award is represented by an engraved silver tray given to the individual member who goes beyond the duties of her position for the betterment of the club. Selection is made by a vote from all members of the club at the April meeting and is presented to the winner at the May meeting each year.

Article XIII – Amendments

The President shall appoint a committee biennially in May to review the By-laws for effective functioning and possible changes needed. This committee will recommend possible amendments to the By-laws at the annual planning workshop for action by a majority of the members present and voting at the April meeting, the Executive Committee will consider proposed amendments deemed necessary at any time.

Article XIV-Rules Of Order

"Robert's Rules Of Order'' shall govern the proceedings of this club in all cases to which they are not in consistent with this constitution.

Article XV - Dissolution of the Club

In the event that the club should dissolve, all funds shall be disbursed at the discretion of the of the membership.

Revised August 2006
Lois Black - President