Articles of Constitution

Metroplex Commodore Computer Club


Article I. Name, Purpose, Objectives

Section 1: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Metroplex Commodore Computer Club or MCCC.

Section 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of the MCCC is to organize individuals and their families into a common interest group of Commodore computer owners and enthusiasts.

Section 3: OBJECTIVES
The club shall operate as a not-for-profit organization whose objectives shall be to provide an educational, recreational, and self-improvement interest in computers through activities, communication, and training among its members.

Section 4: COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS
The club does not condone and will not tolerate at any club activity, the illegal reproduction of copyrighted materials.

Article II. Membership

Section 1: ELIGIBILITY
Membership status shall be extended to any person or family without regard to race, sex, color or creed upon receipt of a membership application and payment of dues.

Section 2: CLASSIFICATION
There shall be only one class of membership available and that shall be known as regular membership. Each member shall designate a chapter affiliation.

Section 3: REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
Charges against any member must be filed in writing with the club President, who shall call a Board of Directors meeting within 30 days of the filing. The meeting shall be a hearing in which the accused and the accuser may present their evidence and point of view. The Board of Directors must sustain these charges by a two-thirds majority vote to remove the accused. Exception: If the President is the accused, the Vice-President shall perform all duties for removal proceeding. Any person removed from membership may appeal the action of the Board of Directors by submitting his/her appeal in writing to the President. The matter will then be brought before the membership at the next regular meeting(s). A two-thirds majority vote of the membership attending in favor of the appeal is required to overturn the Board of Directors.

Article III. Meetings

Section 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
A Board of Directors meeting shall be scheduled monthly. The date, time, and place shall be set by the club President and approved by a majority of the Board. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the club President.

Section 2: CHAPTER EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
The Executive Committee shall meet as required for chapter business. The chapter President shall call such meetings and set the time and place.

Section 3: REGULAR CHAPTER MEETINGS
Chapter meetings shall be held at least eight (8) times annually (2 per quarter) and shall be open to all club members and visitors. The date and time shall be set and approved by a majority vote of the chapter membership. The place shall be set by the chapter executive committee.

Section 4: SPECIAL CHAPTER MEETINGS
Special chapter meetings may be called by the chapter President or a majority of the Executive Committee. The written request of 15 members or 20 percent of the voting membership (whichever is smaller) will require the President to call a special meeting within 15 days of receipt of such request and notification shall be made of the meeting time, day, place and purpose at least 5 days prior to the scheduled date.

Section 5: SPECIAL CLUB EVENTS
A minimum of two special events shall be scheduled each year. They shall be open to all club members. The date, time, and place shall be set and approved by the Board of Directors. Notice to the membership shall be published at least 30 days prior to the meeting date.

Article IV. Voting

Section 1: ELIGIBILITY
Each membership (person or family) is entitled to one vote per membership at all chapter and club meetings. Club officers and director representatives shall have one vote each at Board of Director meetings. Chapter officers shall have one vote each at their respective Chapter Executive meetings.

Section 2: CHAPTER BUSINESS
At a regular or special chapter meeting, a quorum shall be not less than 10 percent of the regular membership and not less than 5 voting regular members and 2 executive committee members.

Section 3: CLUB BUSINESS
Voting on issues affecting the entire club shall be conducted at regular or special chapter meetings. The outcome of such votes shall be determined by the total number of votes cast in all chapters. A minimum of 10% of the club membership shall have been present during the voting process.

Section 4: BOARD OF DIRECTORS & CHAPTER EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
The quorum for Board of Directors and Chapter Executive Committee meetings shall be greater than 40 percent of their respective membership. The outcome of voting at such meetings shall be determined by simple majority of votes cast unless otherwise specified in this constitution.

Section 5: BALLOTING
Voting shall be by show of hands unless a secret ballot is specified. For club business, a secret ballot may be specified only by the Board of Directors. For chapter business, a secret ballot may be specified by the chapter President or a majority of members present.

Section 6: PROXY VOTING
One proxy vote per non-attending membership may be cast on any issue, provided; (1) it is in writing and signed by the voting member and presented to the Secretary before the meeting begins; and (2) that it specifies approval or disapproval of the item or candidate at issue.

Article V. Board of Directors

Section 1: PURPOSE
The Board of Directors shall act as a guiding and planning committee in the best interest of and for the Metroplex Commodore Computer Club and its members. It shall have general management and administrative powers over the club properties and business affairs.

Section 2: ELECTED DIRECTOR OFFICERS
The elected officers of the Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, and Educational Training Coordinator.

Section 3: APPOINTED DIRECTOR OFFICERS
The elected officers of the Board shall appoint a BBS Coordinator and Newsletter Editor. These appointed officers shall have full privileges of Board of Directors membership.

Section 4: CHAPTER DIRECTOR REPRESENTATIVES
Each chapter shall be represented on the Board of Directors by the chapter President or his/her designee. An additional representative will be appointed by the chapter Executive Committee when the chapter membership reaches 60. Additional representatives will be appointed for each 40 members over 60.

Section 5: PAST PRESIDENT
The immediate Past President of the Board shall be a member of the Board provided he/she remains a club member in good standing.

Section 6: DUTIES
The duties of the Board of Directors shall be to act on all matters of policy; to propose a budget, to determine fees and charges not set by the Constitution; to act in a judicial capacity for disputes and club violations; to act as an advisor on matters brought before the membership; and to submit its own actions for approval of the membership.

Section 7: RATIFICATION OF ACTIONS
Action taken by the Board of Directors shall be reported to the membership in the monthly newsletter following such action. This action shall be deemed ratified unless objected to by a majority of any chapter membership within 45 days of notification. A majority vote of all chapters will be required to reverse the action, unless restricted by this constitution.

Section 8: RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS

Section 9: COMMITTEES
Each elected and appointed Director officer shall have the authority to establish committees to assist in fulfilling the duties of his/her office. Members of said committees shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 10: ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
Board of Directors officers shall be elected by the membership at chapter meetings each November. The Board of Directors will present a proposed slate of officers prior to the first chapter meeting in October. The membership may nominate additional candidates for any or all offices at October chapter meetings. The term of office shall be for one year beginning on January 1. In the event of an office being vacated before the term is up, the President shall appoint a replacement subject to approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 11: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
An officer may be impeached for improperly performing the duties of his/her office. Charges against any officer must be filed in writing with the President. The President shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors within 30 days of the filing. The meeting shall be a hearing in which the accused and the accuser may present their evidence and point of view. The Board of Directors must sustain these charges by a two-thirds majority to remove the accused from office. Exception: If the President is the accused, the Vice-President shall perform all duties for the removal proceeding. Any officer removed from duties may appeal the action of the Board of Directors by submitting his appeal in writing to the President. The matter will then be brought before the membership at the next regular meeting(s). A two-thirds majority vote of the membership attending in favor of the appeal is required to overturn the Board of Directors.

Article VI. Funds and Expenditures

Section 1: GENERAL
The operating funds of MCCC shall be received from members dues and various projects that the club may sponsor. All expenditures, authorizations, requests for checks and expense statements shall be approved and signed by the Treasurer or by the President in his absence.

Section 2: DUES
The dues for club membership shall be set by the Board of Directors. The approval of two-thirds of the Board shall be required for any modification to the dues structure.

Section 3: ALLOCATION TO CHAPTER AFFILIATES
Each chapter shall receive an allocation of funds as deemed necessary by the Board. Request for additional funds can be made by the chapter President with a formal expenditure request stating date, purpose of use, and signed by him.

Section 4: EXPENDITURE LIMITS AND APPROVAL
No member of the MCCC shall be authorized to make purchases in the name of MCCC except as provided by the constitution. No member shall be authorized to obligate the credit of MCCC beyond current free credit balance in the club's account. No monetary compensation shall be made to any member of MCCC for any services rendered in connection with their official duties. Only coverage of authorized expenses in performance of MCCC activities is warranted. Unusual expenditures not associated with regular established club activities shall be approved by the membership. Expenditures required to conduct regular club activities such as newsletter publication, software library, BBS, and meeting room expenses shall be exempt from specific approval requirements but shall be monitored by the Board of Directors.

Section 5: OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY
Any items which are purchased by the club to further club activities and goals will become club assets and will remain the sole property of the Metroplex Commodore Computer Club. Upon dissolution, all club assets will be distributed to a charitable or a non-profit organization.

Article VII. Chapter Affiliates

Section 1: FORMATION
The Board of Directors may approve the formation of Chapter Affiliates upon presentation of a petition bearing a minimum of 25 signatures of individuals having a desire to form the chapter.

Section 2: VALIDATION
After approval of the petition of formation for a chapter and the payment of dues from a minimum of 20 members from the petitioning group, the chapter will become official and valid. The first items of business at its first official meeting shall be to select a chapter name and elect governing officers.

Section 3: PRINCIPAL CHAPTER OFFICERS
The principal officers of the chapter shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Activities Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Reporter, and Librarian. The offices may be combined by a majority vote of the chapter, expect that there shall be a minimum of four elected officers.

Section 4: CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall act as a guiding and planning committee for the chapter. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers and the immediate Past President, provided he/she remains a member in good standing.

Section 5: CHAPTER OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 6: COMMITTEES
Chairmen shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 7: ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE
Chapter officers shall be elected by the chapter membership no later than December 31 and shall assume their duties of office the following January 1. The Executive Committee will present a proposed slate of officers one month prior to the election at which time the membership may nominate additional candidates for any or all offices. The term of office shall be for one year. In the event of an office being vacated before the term is up, the President shall appoint a replacement subject to approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 8: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Charges against any officer must be filed in writing with the President. The President shall call an Executive meeting within 30 days of the filing. The meeting shall be a hearing in which the accused and the accuser may present their evidence and point of view. The Executive Committee must sustain these charges by a two-thirds majority to remove the accused. Exception: If the President is the accused, the Vice-President shall perform all duties for removal proceeding. Any officer removed from duties may appeal the action of the Executive Committee by submitting his appeal in writing to the President. This matter will then be brought before the chapter membership at the next regular meeting. A two-thirds majority vote of the membership in favor of the appeal is required to overturn the Executive Committee.

Section 9: CHAPTER DISSOLUTION
Any chapter of the club may be dissolved by a vote of the Board of Directors. A chapter may be dissolved for failure to comply with the requirements of this constitution or for insufficient membership. Any member of the Board of Directors may initiate a motion to dissolve a chapter. Said motion, if seconded, will be tabled until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. At this time arguments may be presented by any interested members and a vote shall be taken. Upon dissolution, the chapter affiliation shall be transferred to a chapter designated by the Board of Directors.

Article VIII. Amendments to Constitution

Section 1: GENERAL
These articles of the MCCC Constitution shall be the operating procedure for this club. They may be amended or added to by a two-thirds majority of those voting.

Section 2: PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be drawn up and submitted by the Board of Directors or the Chapter. Presentation to the membership requires a two-thirds majority vote of the proposing group.

Section 3: PROCEDURE
All amendments must be given to the membership at least four weeks prior to adoption. A mail ballot may be used to adequately poll the entire membership. A repeat vote on the same amendment cannot be taken in less than 60 days.