Bylaws of Allied Artists of WV, Inc.

Allied Artists of West Virginia, Inc.

REVISED BY-LAWS of the Allied Artists of West Virginia

ARTICLE I - NAME

This non-profit, educational and cultural association shall be known as Allied Artists of West Virginia.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage artists, to hold exhibits from time to time, to foster art generally and to further the art interest of the community.
To establish branches in civic centers over the State of West Virginia, as the Board of Directors sees fit, in order to make the program of Allied Artists of West Virginia as inclusive of all interests as possible.
For doing and carrying on of all and every kind of business pertaining to the operation of an association as described in the charter, not inconsistent with the laws of the United States and the laws of the State of West Virginia.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

ARTISTS shall be defined as those doing original and creative work in the field of fine arts. ARTISTS-CRAFTSMEN shall be defined as persons who do original, creative work of acceptable design and technique which is related to the materials and method of work employed. This may include work in glass, fibers, ceramics, jewelry, metalry, enamel, stitchery, wood carving, and related arts. However, work which lacks originality or is badly designed and executed cannot be considered as satisfying requirements for membership.
Membership classifications shall be Active, Honorary, and Members-at-Large.
- ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP shall consist of professional and amateur artists who are residents of West Virginia, doing original work, who have been accepted under the provisions of these by-laws and all previous by-laws, who have paid their dues for the current year, and have attended meetings, when they can, and contribute to the work of the organization.
  - INACTIVE STATUS shall apply to members who have failed to pay dues by December 1. Inactive members' names will be removed from the mailing list
  - Inactive members may be reinstated on the membership and mailing lists by paying dues for the current year. Inactive members are ineligible to attend social functions, participate in exhibits and shall have no vote
- HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be conferred by a majority vote of the membership upon those persons who have materially assisted in the cultural growth of the community, especially as it relates to the Allied Artists of West Virginia. Honorary memberships shall endure for life. Honorary members shall have no vote.
- MEMBERS-AT-LARGE shall consist of former members in good standing who now reside outside of West Virginia. Dues shall be the same as those for active membership.
- Any question pertaining to the status of membership shall be decided by the Board.
Procedures for applying for membership:
- Candidates for active membership shall be voted upon by the Membership Acceptance Committee at meetings to be held twice a year in October and February, or, if necessary, upon special call of the President. The Membership Acceptance Committee shall be appointed by the President and composed of five members. Each candidate shall present to the Membership Acceptance Committee the required number of original works or slides of good quality. A vote of approval by at least three (3) of the five (5) committee members is required for acceptance of a member. During the year of their tenure, the same five persons shall serve upon the Membership Acceptance Committee. Following acceptance, the candidate shall pay his dues for the fiscal year then current and shall participate actively in the organization's functions. Slides may be submitted in lieu of the original work only when submission of the work is impractical. The chairperson of the Membership Committee shall make the determination. Active members shall have equal voice and vote in the conduct and business of the organization.

ARTICLE IV - DUES

Dues for active membership and members-at-large shall be thirty ($30.00) for each member annually for the fiscal year, beginning September 1. Members who have not paid their dues by December 1 will be placed on inactive status.
Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of dues.
Former members who resigned in good standing may be reinstated by a payment of dues for the current year.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the organization shall be held monthly, September through May, or at any other time upon call of the President. All meetings shall be held at a place designated in the meeting call, and the membership shall be advised by notices sent to the last available address on record with the organization at least five (5) days in advance of the meeting, whether it be a regular or a special meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President or in his/her abscence, by the Vice President.
The President shall preside at all meetings and in his absence, the Vice President shall preside. If both these officials are absent a president pro tempore may be designated by vote.
A quorum for any called meeting shall consist of at least ten percent (10%) of the current voting membership. A voting member is an active member who has paid his current dues and is in good standing. The treasurer shall maintain a current list of eligible voting members.
Agenda at any regular meeting: OR Business Meeting:
- Call to Order
- Acceptance of the Minutes of the last Regular and of all Special Meetings
- Treasurer's Report
- Report of the Executive Committee
- Unfinished Business
- Communications
- Reports of Standing and of Special Committees or Responsible Persons
- New Business
- Adjournment

ARTICLE VI - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The annual election of officers shall be held sometime during the month of May at a regular meeting for which members receive written notice mailed at least five (5) days before the meeting. Officers elected at this meeting shall be invested immediately to begin active service for a term of two (2) years.
As noted in the charter, the officers shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, a Recording Secretary, and a Corresponding Secretary.
The President shall, in the period between meetings, be the functional head of the organization. He/She shall have the power to select committees to assist him/her in the conduct of the affairs of the organization and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
The Vice President shall preside and function in the absence of the President and shall succeed to the office in case it becomes vacant.
The Recording Secretary shall keep record of all meetings, attendance and the general business of the organization. He/She shall be responsible for preservation fo the minutes and for delivery of all records in his/her official custody to the incoming successor or President.
The Corresponding Secretary shall supplement the work of the Recording Secretary by carrying on correspondence needed in the proper functioning of the organization and shall be able to be an aide to the President in promotional work. He/She shall be responsible for sending out notices of meetings to the membership.
The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and properties of the organization, subject to the control of the officers, and shall account for them at the end of the fiscal year, or upon call. He/She shall be empowered to conduct all the duties regarded as generally necessary to the operation of a Treasurer's office and shall issue checks and collect all dues. He/She shall maintain a current record of the voting members and all categories of membership.
Nomination for officers shall be made by a nominating committee of three (3) active members who shall be appointed by the president in January, or at least two months before the election. A slate of officers, recommended by the Nominating Committee, shall be presented at the regular meeting one month prior to the annual meeting for the election of officers, but additional nominations may be made from the floor. Any nominee shall be disqualified if he/she is not a member in good standing. Specifically, for active members, non-payment of dues shall disqualify a nominee from holding office.
Voting may be by written ballot; a simple majority of votes cast being sufficient to elect. In case of a tie, the President or the acting president shall vote to break the tie when more than one person is nominated.
In case of vacancies caused by resignations, removals or deaths, the President shall appoint successors pro tempore and they shall hold office until an election is held and their successors duly qualified.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

The Executive Committee shall be composed of all duly elected officers of the organization for the current year. The immediate past president shall be an advisor to the Executive Committee. The current standing commitee chairpersons plus other past presidents as are requested by the President to serve shall, together with the Executive Committee, form the Board.
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to act for the organization between regular meetings, in time of emergency or upon request of the membership.
All standing committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President as soon as possible after the election. Each chairperson shall submit a list of the committee members as soon after appointments as possible. The President shall appoint the following standing committee chairpersons:
- Membership Acceptance (Duties set forth in Article III, Section 3)
- Annual Exhibits
- Public Relations
- Programs
- Art Education
- Editor of Newsletter (area reporters)
- Long Range Planning
- Directory
- Marketing
- Nominating
There shall be special committees such as audit, quality control or other ad hoc committees appointed by the president as the need arises.
All committee chairpersons shall keep written records of their meetings and work. These records and reports shall be submitted to the succeeding chairperson or the president at the completion of the work.
Two-thirds (2/3) of a committee's voting membership shall constitute a quorum.
In keeping with the objectives set forth in the charter, the organization shall hold at least one annual exhibit and in this all committees shall assist the Annual Exhibit Committee.

ARTICLE VIII - EXHIBITS

The annual exhibit of the organization shall be held with these provisions:

Original work only shall be accepted for the exhibit.
The exhibit shall be open to all active members in good standing. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, the exhibit may be open also to honorary members, inactive members and non-members who are resident of the State of West Virginia, who are eighteen (18) years or age, and who pay an entry fee as determined by the Executive Committee.
A sale of the works shall be conducted in conjunction with the exhibit under the Exhibit Committee or a special committee. The organization shall receive a commission of thirty percent (30%) for each work sold at the exhibit.
Plans concerning the choice and number of judges, expenses, honorarium, etc. for each exhibit shall be presented to the Board by the chairperson of the Exhibit Committee. Final decision shall be made by vote of the Board.
Decision of the judge or judges is final; and prizes, if available, are to be awarded accordingly.
The Annual Exhibit chairman and the President, jointly shall have the authority to pass upon any question or problem pertaining to eligibility of a work or art offered for exhibit, eligibility of membership, and all other matters pertaining to the annual exhibit.
Other exhibits may be held during the year by action of the membership, under such terms and conditions as may be provided by them.
Participation in all other activities including sales may be limited to active members.

ARTICLE IX - VOTING

Each bona fide voting member may cast one vote on any matter put before the organization, or may bring any matter before it
The voting shall be verbal or by a show of hands, except as provided herein above for elections
Under specific circumstances, the vote may be conducted by private ballot, if the members wish.
In case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote, except as provided herein above for elections.
Unless otherwise specified by these by-laws, general parlimentary rules shall be used.

ARTICLE X - RULES OF PROCEDURE

The rules of procedure at meetings of the members of the assocation shall be according to Robert's latest book on parlimentary procedure, as far as applicable and when not inconsistent with these by-laws. The rules of procedures may be suspended by majority vote of those present and voting at any meeting.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS

Alterations or amendments to the by-laws shall be considered at any meeting of the members of the association and become effective if a majority of the members at such meeting, either present in person or represented by proxy, vote in favor of such change in by-laws provided that notice at least 30 days before the meeting is provided the members of the association with provisions for voting by proxy.

ARTICLE XII - GENERAL

These by-laws shall be available at any time to all members of the Allied Artists of West Virginia. An official copy shall be kept on file with the Recording Secretary.

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