Related Page

 

 Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Ellsworth              Revised June 2015

      Section 1- At a regular meeting one month prior to the meeting for election of officers, the presiding officer shall ask for nominations for president, president-elect, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. A nominating committee will present the nominations. Further nominations may also be taken from members from the floor.  The nominating committee will be appointed by the president on or before the second meeting in October.  The nominations duly made shall be placed on a ballot in alphabetical order under each office and shall be voted for at the annual meeting.

 

      Section 2-The incoming new president, after consultation with the other officers, shall appoint the chairpersons for the following standing committees: Club Service, Membership, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service.  The new officers and the new chairpersons, along with the past president, will be the board of directors. The board of directors shall then elect two members of the club to act as Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms.

 

     Section 3- A vacancy on the board of directors or any office shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the board.

 

     Section 4- A vacancy in the position of any officer-elect or director-elect shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the board of directors-elect.

 

     Section 1- The governing body of the club shall be the board of directors consisting of eleven members: the president, president-elect, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, the immediate past president, and the chairpersons of the five standing committees.

 

     Section 1- President.  It shall be the duty of the president to preside at meetings of the club and board of directors.  The president shall also be expected to perform other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of president.  The president shall be an ex officio an member of all committees and, as such, shall have all privileges of membership thereon.

 

    Section 2- President-Elect.  It shall be the duty of the president-elect to preside at the meetings of the club and board of directors in the absence of the president, to be a member of the board of directors, and to perform other duties that may be assigned by the president or the board.

 

     Section 3- Vice-President.  It shall be the duty of the vice-president to preside at meetings of the club and board of directors in the absence of the president and president-elect and to perform other duties as ordinarily pertains to this office.

 

     Section 4- Secretary.  It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the records of membership, record the attendance at meetings, send out notices of meetings of the club, board and committees, record and preserve the minutes of such meetings, make the required reports to RI, including the semiannual reports of membership, which shall be made to the general secretary of RI by 31 January and 31 July of each year, and including prorated reports to the general secretary on 1 October and 1 April of each active member who has been elected to membership in the club since the start of the July or January semiannual reporting period, the report of changes in membership, which shall be made to the general secretary of RI, the monthly report of attendance at the club meetings, which shall be made to the district governor within 15 days of the last meeting of the month, collect and remit to RI subscriptions to The Rotarian, and perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office of secretary.

 

     Section 5- Treasurer.  It shall be the duty of the treasurer to have custody of all funds, accounting for the same to the club annually and at any other time upon demand by the board, and to perform such other duties as pertain to the office of treasurer. Upon retirement from office, the treasurer shall turn over to the incoming treasurer or to the president all funds, books of accounts, or any other club property.

 

     Section 6- Sergeant-at Arms.  The duties of the sergeant-at-arms shall be such as are usually prescribed for such office and such duties as may be prescribed by the president or board.

      Section 1- Annual Meeting.  An annual meeting of this club shall be held on the first Tuesday in December each year at which time the election of officers to serve for the ensuing year shall take place.

 

      Section 2- Weekly meetings of this club shall be held on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.  Due notice of any changes in or canceling of the regular meeting shall be given to all members of the club.

 

      Section 3- Attendance.  All members excepting an honorary member (or member excused by the board of directors of this club, pursuant to article VIII, section 2(b) of the standard Rotary club constitution) in good standing in this club, on the day of the regular meeting, must be counted as present or absent, and attendance must be evidenced by the member’s being present as per the Rotary International Guide Lines. Attendance time devoted to the regular meeting, either at this club or any other Rotary Club, or as otherwise provided in the standard Rotary club constitution, article VIII, section 1.

 

      Section 4- Quorum.  One third of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the annual and regular meetings of this club.

 

      Section 5 - Regular meetings of the board shall be held monthly.  Special meetings of the board shall be called by the president, whenever deemed necessary, or upon the request of two members of the board, due notice having been given.

 

      Section 6- A majority of the board members shall constitute a quorum of the board.

      Section 1 - The annual membership dues shall be payable annually on the first day of July, with the understanding that twelve dollars of the annual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to THE ROTARIAN magazine.  The annual membership dues, with recommendation from the directors, will be set by vote of the club.

 

      Section 2 – For new members joining after July, dues for the remainder of the fiscal year will be prorated dues.

The business of this club shall be transacted by viva voice vote.

The president shall, subject to the approval of the board, appoint the following standing committees: Club Service committee,

        Vocational Service committee, Community Service committee, Membership Committee and International Service committee.      Each committee shall consist of the chairperson of the committee and at least two other members.       

The president shall, subject to the approval of the board, also appoint such committees on particular phases of club service, vocational service, community service, membership and international service as deemed necessary.

Where feasible and practicable in the appointment of club committees, there should be a vice-chair or co-chair for each standing committee, additionally provision for continuity of membership, either by appointing one or more members for a second term or by appointing one or more members to a two-year term.

Each committee shall transact such business as is delegated to it in the by-laws and such additional business as may be referred to it by the board, such committees shall not take action until a report has been made to the board and approved by the board. 

   

 Section 2- Club Service Committee

(a)   The chairperson of the Club Service committee shall be responsible for all service activities and shall supervise and coordinate      the work of all committees appointed on particular phases of club service.

(b)   The president may, subject to the approval of the board, appoint the following committees on particular phases of club service:

                          Club Bulletin committee

                           Fellowship committee

                           Program committee

                           Public Relations committee

(c)  The president may appoint the president-elect or the vice-president to oversee and coordinate the work of the classifications, membership and Rotary information committees.

      Section 3- Community Service Committee

(a)   The chairperson of the community service committee shall be responsible for all community service activities and shall supervise and coordinate the work of all committees appointed on particular phases of community service.

                     Section 1- Club Service Committee.  When feasible there should be a Club Service committee made up of the chairperson and the chair people of each phase committee under Club Service.  This committee would then devise and carry into effect plans which will guide    and assist members of this club in discharging their responsibilities in matters relating to club service.

 

(a)   Club Bulletin Committee.  This committee shall endeavor, through the publishing of a weekly club bulletin, to stimulate interest and improve attendance, announce the program for the forthcoming meeting, relate Highlights of the previous meeting, promote fellowship, contribute to the

Rotary education of all members, and report news of the club, of its members, and of the worldwide        Rotary program.       

(b)   Fellowship Activities Committee.  This committee shall promote acquaintance and friendship among the members in organized

        Rotary recreational and social activities and do such work in pursuance of the general object of the club as may be assigned by          the president.    

(c)   Program Committee.  This committee shall prepare and arrange the programs for the regular and special meetings of the club.

(d)   Public Relations Committee.  This committee shall devise and carry into effect plans (1) to give the public general information about Rotary, its history, object, and scope; and (2) to secure proper publicity for the club.

 

                                Section 2- Community Service Committee.  This committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this club in discharging their responsibilities in their community relationships.  The chairperson of this committee shall be responsible for the community service activities of the club and shall supervise and coordinate the work of any committees that may be appointed on particular phases of community service.

 

                Section 3- International Service Committee.  This committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist the members of this club in discharging their responsibilities in matters relating to international service.  The chairperson of this committee shall be responsible for the international activities of the club and shall supervise and coordinate the work of any committees that may be     appointed on particular phases of international service.

 

             Section 4- Vocational Service Committee.  This committee shall devise and carry into effect plans which will guide and assist members of this club in discharging their responsibilities in their vocational relationships and in improving the general standards of practice    in their respective vocations.  The chairperson of this committee shall supervise and coordinate the work of any committees that may be appointed on particular phases of vocational service.

  

                Section 5- Membership Committee.  This committee shall consider all proposals for membership from the personal side and shall thoroughly investigate the character, business, social and community standing, and general eligibility of all persons proposed for membership and shall report their decisions on all applications to the board.

 

     (a)  Attendance Committee. This committee shall devise means for encouraging attendance at all Rotary meetings, including    attendance at district conferences, regional conferences and international conventions.  This committee shall especially      encourage attendance at regular meetings of other clubs when unable to attend meetings of this club; keep all members informed   on attendance requirements; promote better incentives for good attendance; and seek to ascertain and remove the conditions that contribute to unsatisfactory attendance.

(b)   Classification Committee.  This committee shall as early as possible, but no later than 31 August of each year, make a classification survey of the club; shall compile from the survey a roster of filled and unfilled classifications, applying the classification principle; shall review where necessary, existing classifications represented in the club; and shall counsel with the board on all classification problems.

(c)   Rotary Information Committee.  This committee shall inform prospective members about the privileges and responsibilities of Rotary club membership:  keep members informed about the history, object, and activities of Rotary at all levels; and oversee the orientation of new members during their first year in the club.

 

  Upon written application to the board, setting forth good and sufficient cause, leave of absence may be granted excusing a member from attending the meetings of the club for a specified length of time.

 

      Section 1- The treasurer shall deposit all funds of the club in some bank named by the board.

 

  Section 2- All bills shall be paid only by checks signed by the treasurer. A thorough review by a certified public accountant or other qualified person shall be made once each year of all club’s financial transactions.

 

  Section 3- Officers having charge or control of funds shall give bond as may be required by the board for the safe custody of the funds      of the club, cost of   the bond to be borne by the club.

 

      Section 4- The fiscal year of this club shall extend from 1July to 30 June.  The payment of per capita dues and magazine subscriptions       to RI shall be made by 31 July and 31 January of each year on the basis of the membership of the club on those dates.

 

        Section 5- At the beginning of each fiscal year the board shall prepare or cause to be prepared a budget of estimated income and    estimated expenditures for the year, which having been agreed to by the board, shall stand as the limit of expenditures for the respective purposes unless otherwise ordered by action of the board.

                Section 1- The name of a prospective member, proposed by an active member of the club, and shall be submitted to the board in writing, through the membership committee. A transferring or former member of another club may be proposed to active membership by the former club.  The proposal for the time being shall be kept confidential except as otherwise provided in this procedure.

                Section 2 - The board shall ensure that the proposal meets all the classification and membership requirements of the club constitution.                                                                                                                       

                Section 3 - The board shall approve or disapprove the proposal within 30 days of its submission, and shall notify the proposer, through the club secretary, of its decision.

                Section 4 - If the decision of the board is favorable, the prospective member shall be informed of the purposes of Rotary and of the privileges and responsibilities of membership, following which the prospective member shall be requested to sign the membership proposal form and to permit his or her name and proposed classification to be published to the club.

                Section 5 - If no written objection to the proposal, stating reasons, is received by the board from any member (other than honorary) of the club within seven (7) days following publication of information about the prospective member, that person, shall be considered to be elected to membership.

        Section 6- Following the election, the president shall arrange for the induction of the new member; the club secretary shall report the new member to RI; and the Rotary information committee shall provide the appropriate literature for presentation at the induction and assign a member to assist in the assimilation of the new member.

No resolution or motion to commit this club on any matter shall be considered by the club until the board has considered it.  Such      resolutions or motions, if offered, at a club meeting, shall be referred to the board without discussion.

Meeting Called to Order

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians

Correspondence and Announcements

Committee Reports if Any

Any Unfinished Business

Any New Business

Address or Other Program Features

Adjournment

These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been mailed to each member at least ten (10) days before such meeting.  No amendment or addition to these by-laws can be made which is not in harmony with the club constitution and with the constitution and by-laws of RI.

 

Committee Assignments

For years, Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self has been channeled through the four Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of club activity. To get started on a project, think broadly about how your club and its members could contribute within each avenue.

Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the smooth functioning of Rotary clubs. Learn about effective club service in Membership and Training.

Vocational Service involves club members serving others through their professions and aspiring to high ethical standards. Rotarians, as business leaders, share skills and expertise through their vocations, and they inspire others in the process. Learn more.

Community Service is the opportunity Rotary clubs have to implement club projects and activities that improve life in the local community.
Learn more about community service and assessing your community.

International Service encompasses efforts to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the world and to promote world understanding and peace. It includes everything from contributing to PolioPlus to helping Rotary Youth Exchange students adjust to their host countries.