NORWALK NEIGHBORS AND NEWCOMERS CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

CONSTITUTION

Article I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Norwalk Neighbors and Newcomers.

Article II – OBJECT
The sole object of the club shall be the development of fellowship among new and change of life situation residents and their assimilation into civic and social activities of this community. No member may conduct any business for personal or any other financial gain at any club event or engage in any solicitation of club members for such purposes, except in connection with a fundraising effort approved by the board.

Article III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Qualifications

1. Any person who agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of this club, regardless of residency in the City of Norwalk, is eligible for membership.
2. Any member who moves from the area will maintain full membership for the duration of that club fiscal year. Continuation of membership thereafter will continue to be available at the regular membership fee.
3. All Executive Board and General Board members are required to be residents of Norwalk at the time they are installed into their board position.
4. Any Executive or General board member who moves and is no longer a resident of Norwalk will maintain full membership (including any board responsibilities - where willing) for the duration of that club fiscal year. Once their term is complete, non-Norwalk residents will not be eligible for any board position or participation in any board sub-committee.

1. The annual shall be $44.00 as of July 1. They will subsequently be reduced to $22.00 on January 1.
2. Prospective members are eligible to attend 2 regular club functions, after which membership is required.
3. Membership shall be for an unlimited time period unless the members determine the individual member is not in sympathy with club standards.
4. Membership shall be renewed annually. Membership may continue of life, as long as full membership dues are paid on an annual basis.
5. Members whose dues are not paid by the August meeting shall be notified by the telephone committee. Upon failure to pay dues on or before the September meeting, the member will be automatically dropped from the club.
6. Dues cover the cost of printing, postage, directory, liability insurance and auditor's fees, with the balance to offset main club expenditures.
7. Event reservations not received by the stated RSVP deadline in the newsletter may not be accepted, according to the event. Where a fee is concerned, a member's reservation will only be held once their payment is received by the event coordinator.
8. According to the event, refunds of fees paid for events shall not be given if a member does not cancel within a minimum 24 hours before the event is scheduled to start. Each event deadline is at the discretion of the event coordinator. If a spot was reserved for a member and/or their guests and proper cancellation does not occur, the member will be required to pay for the amount agreed upon prior to the event. Serious extenuating circumstances will be considered by the President or Co-Presidents.
9. According to the event, refunds for Babysitting for Events shall not be given if member does not cancel their babysitting reservation with the Babysitting for Events Coordinator within a minimum of 24 hours before the babysitting is scheduled to start. Each Babysitting for Events deadline is at the discretion of the Babysitting for Events Coordinator. If a spot was reserved for the member's child(ren) with a club babysitter and proper cancellation does not occur, the member will be required to pay the amount agreed upon prior to the event. Serious extenuating circumstances (such as a child having a contagious illness and/or fever as diagnosed by a doctor) will be considered by the Babysitting for Events Coordinator and the President or Co-Presidents before a refund is given.
10. If the club receives a returned check for dues or any event, the member must pay the club Treasurer in cash, immediately upon notification, the original check amount plus the bank fee for the returned check. After two (2) returned checks the member will be required to pay for any paid event in cash form.
11. According to the event, cancellation of an event may occur within 24 hours of the start of that event due to unforeseen circumstances preventing the event from occurring (such as inclement weather) or lack of interest by membership. The event coordinator(s) will notify attendees at least 24 hours prior to the start of the scheduled event, by email or phone, that an event has been cancelled, unless otherwise stated by the event coordinator(s). Refunds for any paid event cancelled by the club will be issued. The refund process and event rescheduling will be addressed at the time of the cancellation by the event coordinator(s) and/or committee person(s). The president or co-presidents and committee chairperson(s), together with the event coordinator(s), will decide to cancel an event due to unforeseen circumstances preventing the event from occurring or due to lack of interest.

Article IV – TERRITORIAL LIMITS
The territorial limits of this organization shall be Norwalk Township, which includes Norwalk, West Norwalk, East Norwalk, South Norwalk, and Rowayton.

Article V – OFFICERS AND BOARD
The officers of this club shall be President or Co-Presidents, as required, First Vice President/Ways & Means Chairperson, Second Vice President/Membership Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Kids Club Chairpersons, Social Club Chairperson, and Community Service Chairperson, who shall be elected for a term of office of one year and perform the duties prescribed in the club job description

Article VI – QUORUM
One-Third of the membership shall constitute a quorum.

BYLAWS (revised January 2007)

Article I – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. In January and February, the President(s) shall solicit nominations via the newsletter from all members for Executive Board positions (President(s) must have already been on a previous Board), as well as General board positions. Both self-nomination and nomination by a third party will be encouraged. A nominating committee will be formed consisting of the current President or Co-Presidents and the Advisor, as well as 3rd term Board members who are able to participate and members who have accepted nominations for President &/or Co-Presidents (if they are not one of the previously mentioned and would like to participate). The nominating committee will contact nominees and confirm their interest in being placed on the ballot. If there are no nominees for a particular position, the nominating committee may contact members and invite them to place their names on the ballot.
2. The election will be held at the March board meeting. A ballot will be circulated listing nominees for each position and including a write-in space for positions where no nominee exists. The election shall take place at the beginning of the meeting, the nominating committee shall collect and count the ballots and announce the results at the end of the meeting (candidates not present at the meeting will be notified by phone). A clear majority of the current board must be secured, if not enough board members are present at the meeting, votes will be solicited via phone by the nominating committee and the results announced to the Board and candidates via email and at the next Board meeting.
3. In the case of a tie the nominating committee shall cast the deciding vote.
4. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board, with the exception of the President or Co-Presidents, which are to be filled by the First Vice President/Ways & Means Chairperson if willing. A filled vacancy shall not constitute a term in office.

Article II – EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. The Executive Board shall consist of the nine elected officers (or as required): President or Co-President, First Vice President/Ways & Means Chairperson, Second Vice President/Membership Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Kids Club Chairperson, Social Club Chairperson, and Community Service Chairperson. All Executive Board members are required to be current residents of Norwalk at the time they are installed into office at the June Board Meeting. Exceptions to this rule will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the incoming and outgoing Presidents and can be voted on by the current Executive Board.
2. The General Board shall consist of the committee members of the following committees: Membership, including Publicity, Newsletter, Directory, Sunshine/Hospitality, Kids Club, Ways & Means, Babysitting Co-op, Social Club, Luncheons and the Advisor(s) (who shall be the outgoing President or Co-Presidents regardless of membership eligibility), together with the Executive Board. All General Board members are required to be current residents of Norwalk at the time they are installed into office at the June Board Meeting. Exceptions to this rule will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the incoming and outgoing Presidents and can be voted on by the current Executive Board.
3. Executive and General Board members may be relieved of duties for the best interests of the club by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
4. Every effort should be made to encourage new members to join the board. A person is eligible to hold the same board position for a maximum of three (3) consecutive years. There is no term limit for being a member of the board.
5. The outgoing Executive Board shall make every effort to leave at least $1,000.00 to the incoming Executive Board.

Article III – COMMITTEES

1. The President or Co-Presidents, with the approval of the Executive Board, shall appoint the Chairperson of standing committees, plus any other she/he shall deem necessary. The President or Co-Presidents shall be ex-officio member(s) of all committees.
2. There shall be such standing committees and special committees as are found necessary to direct the activities of the club in the fulfillment of its purpose.
3. The work of the committees shall be planned and presented by said committees with right of review and approval reserved by the Executive Board.

Article IV – MEETINGS

1. The annual meeting shall be the luncheon in May to which the Executive Board shall be present. Presentation of annual reports to the new Board shall be at the Old Board/New Board luncheon. Elected Officers shall be installed at the June Meeting, which is mandatory for all new officers to attend.
2. The fiscal year shall be from July 1st to June 30th, which is the same as the term of office for the elected officers and committee chairpersons. Dues will cover the same period as our fiscal year, July 1st through June 30th.
3. Regular Board meetings will be held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 8pm.
4. In an emergency, the Executive Board may change a meeting date, provided notice is given to all members.
5. Members who have houseguests are welcome to bring them to any function.
6. Non-members are invited only to those functions specified by the Executive Board and open functions.

Article V – ACTIVITY GROUPS
An Activity group may be formed at the recommendation of the Activity Chairperson when a sufficient number of members have expressed interest in such a group, with the approval of the General Board.

Article VI – AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Board, with the revised amendment presented in the monthly newsletter.

Article VII- TERMINATION DUE TO SOLICITATION PROCEDURE

1. 1st Alert: The President(s) and VP shall provide an email warning of the unacceptable practice of club solicitation to the offender and ask for a response/confirmation of this notice.
2. 2nd Alert: President(s) and VP shall make direct telephone contact with the offender re-emphasizing the club policy and express the seriousness of the offense and the possibility of expulsion.
3. 3rd Alert: A written certified letter will be provided by the President(s) and VP as a final plea to halt all solicitations. The letter will contain known examples of the solicitation.
4. Executive Board Vote: The Executive Board will vote on the termination of any member guilty of solicitation. Majority rules. The President only votes in the event of a tie.
5. Certified Letter of Termination