Alabama Woodworkers Guild, Inc.

Background

History

A few men in the Shelby County area founded the Alabama Woodworkers Guild in 1983. They thought it would be a valuable service to the community to provide a forum to promote woodworking skills and interests. So far, the history of the Guild has proven them right. They began their meetings in the woodworking shop of Pelham High School and after a short time Mr. Ronald Acton, an active organizer of the Guild, invited the members to meet at his place of business, Acton Moulding Company. The Guild continued to meet at Acton Moulding Company until 1999 when this business was closed. In the summer of 1999, the Guild moved its place of meeting to the business owned by Bo Thruston, another old friend and supporter of the Guild. The meetings are now held at Homewood Senior Center in Homewood, AL. The meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM, January through November. In December, a Christmas party is held which is a dinner with entertainment. Before most meetings, we hold a pre-meeting at 5:30PM where members demonstrate various skills and tools.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, if you enjoy woodworking you will benefit from being in the Alabama Woodworkers Guild. Complete an application and bring it to our next meeting or mail it to the address listed.

Bylaws

BYLAW ONE

NAME

The name of the association shall be the Alabama Woodworkers Guild (referred herein as the Guild).

BYLAW TWO

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office of the Guild shall be Homewood Senior Center at 816 Oak Grove Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209. The normal meeting location will also held at Homewood Senior Center. The Guild maintains a post office box as follows:

Alabama Woodworkers Guild

P.O. Box 26665

Birmingham, AL 35260

BYLAW THREE

MEMBERSHIP

ACTIVE MEMBER: Any person who complies with the goals of the Guild is eligible to become an active member with full voting rights and other privileges, if qualified under the rules as the Board of Directors may provide.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Any person in any way interested in the activities of the Guild may be granted an associate, subscribing, or honorary membership under such terms and with such privileges as the Board of Directors may determine.

VOTING: Each active member shall be entitled to one vote in the affairs of the Guild.

DURATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Membership in the Guild may terminate by voluntary withdrawal. All rights, privileges and interest of a member in or to the Guild shall cease on the termination of membership. Membership shall be nontransferable. Any member may, by giving written notice of such intention, withdraw from membership. Withdrawals shall be effective on fulfillment of all obligations to the date of withdrawal.

BYLAW FOUR

DUES

AMOUNT: The annual dues required for membership shall be determined by vote of the active members, on the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

Dues may vary from year to year, but will be the same for all active members. Dues for associate members shall be determined by a vote of the active members on recommendations of, and classifications suggested by the Board of Directors.

BYLAW FIVE

MEETINGS

MEETINGS: Meetings are generally scheduled for the third Thursday in each month, for the election of officers, receiving reports, and the transaction of other business. Meetings shall be open to active and associate members, visitors and potential members. Notice of such meetings, issued by the Newsletter Editor shall be mailed to the last recorded address of each member at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

QUORUM: At least 25 active members at an announced meeting shall constitute a quorum, and in case there are less than this number, the presiding officer may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is present.

ORDER OF BUSINESS: The order of business shall generally be as follows:

Call to order

Receiving communications

Reports of officers

Reports of Directors and Committees

Unfinished Business

New business (including program)

Election of Officers and Directors as required

Adjournment

The order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members present. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern, when not in conflict with these bylaws.

BYLAW SIX

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

ELECTIVE OFFICES: The elective offices of the Guild shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary/Treasurer and a minimum of six (6) Directors. Other officers and offices may be established an appointed by the active members of the Guild at the regular annual meeting.

TERMS: Officers shall be elected at the November meeting, assume office in January. Officers shall serve for a term of one (1) year and until successors are duly elected. Directors shall serve three (3) year staggered terms with two being elected each year. Officers and Directors are eligible for re-election. Vacancies in any office may be filled for the balance of the term by the Board of Directors.

PRESIDENT:

The President shall be the chief officer of the organization. Some of the president's duties include but are not limited to the following:

Be present at Guild meetings and meetings of the Board

Be a member ex officio of all committees

Communicate regularly to the membership

Promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the Guild

Conduct correspondence and carry into execution all votes, orders and resolutions not otherwise committed

Appoint such committees as necessary to operate the Guild

Appoint a Nominating Committee annually, consisting of a minimum of three (3) members whose duties are outlined below

Perform all other duties as are necessary.

VICE-PRESIDENT:

Duties of the Vice-President include but are not limited to the following:

Perform all duties of the President when the President is absent

Serve as Program Chairman

Serve as a member of the Board of Directors

Serve as ex officio member on all committees

SECRETARY:

Duties of the Secretary include but are not limited to the following:

Prepare and issue minutes of BOD meetings.

Responsible for all Guild correspondence

Maintain official Guild records

Establish and maintain a manual of all Guild policies

Give notice of and attend all meetings

TREASURER:

Duties of this office include but are not limited to the following:

Keep a list of all members of the Guild

Establish the mechanism to collect the dues

Keep an account of all moneys received and expended for use of the Guild

Make disbursements authorized by the Board of Directors or such persons as the active members shall prescribe

All sums of money shall be deposited in the bank or banks approved by the Board

Reports will be made when requested by the President

Funds may be drawn on the signature of the Treasurer, or in the event of an emergency, the President

Keep records as to any agents retained by the Guild

Prepare an annual report of transactions and condition of the Guild.

The duties of the Treasurer may be delegated to an Assistant Treasurer upon approval of the membership. The funds, books and vouchers on hand shall, with the exception of confidential reports submitted by members, at all times be subject to verification and inspection of the elective officers of the Guild. At the expiration of the term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver to the successor all books, money and other property of the Guild.

DIRECTORS:

The Board of Directors shall consist of at least six (6) members whose responsibilities shall be to insure effective operations of the Guild. The immediate past president and the elected officers shall be members of the "Board". Other past presidents may also be members. These individuals shall perform those duties delineated below and any others that the President may assign.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR:

The Editor is not an elected position but rather is appointed by the President. This highly visible function requires major time commitment, creativity and responsibility and is the principal vehicle the Guild has for communicating with the membership.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

This committee shall be appointed by the President in July of each year and will consist of at least three (3) members. The duties shall be to bring to the members during the October meeting a slate of officers who have expressed a willingness to serve, with elections in November.

BYLAW SEVEN

ELECTIONS

ELECTIONS:

The election of Guild officers and directors shall take place each November at the regular meeting. Any member shall be eligible for office, but only active members shall be entitled to vote. A slate of nominations shall be presented by the Board of Directors at the October meeting and nominations may then be made from the floor. Candidates who receive a majority of votes so cast shall be elected. Assumption of office begins January 1.

BYLAW EIGHT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The "Board" shall have supervision, control, and direction of the affairs of the Guild. It shall execute the policies and decisions of the membership, shall actively prosecute the Guild's objectives, and shall have discretion in the disbursement of funds. It may adopt such rules of conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable, and may, in the execution of powers granted, appoint subcommittees or agents to work on specific problems, reports or activities. The Board shall report to the membership on its activities. It shall meet on the call of the President. It shall also meet on demand of a majority of the active members of the Guild.

BYLAW NINE

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, in whole or in part, by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Guild.

BYLAW TEN

LIABILITIES

Nothing herein shall constitute members of the Guild as partners for any purpose. No member, officer, director, agent, or employee shall be liable for the acts or failure to act of any other members, officer, director, agent or employee of the Guild. Nor shall any member, officer, director, agent or employee be liable for his acts or failure to act under these bylaws, excepting only acts of omissions arising out of his willful misfeasance.

BYLAW ELEVEN

FUNDS

FINANCES: The Guild is not intended as a profit-making organization, nor is it founded with the expectation of making profit. This Guild shall use its funds only for objects and purposes specified in these bylaws.

BONDING: Personnel entrusted with the handling of Guild funds may be required, at the discretion of the Board, to furnish, at the Guild's expense, a suitable fidelity bond.

BYLAW TWELVE

INSIGNIA

The Board may adopt insignia, colors, badges, and flags for the Guild as it deems desirable.

BYLAW THIRTEEN

DISSOLUTION

The Guild may be dissolved by the vote of a three-fourth (3/4) majority of its active members. In the event of dissolution, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all assets of the Corporation by distributing for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall distribute the assets to the federal government or to a state or local government for public purposes.