Third Draft Bylaws
Bylaws of Makers Local 256
Contents
ARTICLE I — NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1 - Name
The name of the organization shall be Makers Local 256. Makers Local 256 shall be a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Alabama.
Section 2 - Purpose
Makers Local 256 is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and education purposes. In addition to exploring the benefits of productivity through volunteer collaboration, the organization’s primary objectives are to create, educate, and learn.
ARTICLE II — Members
Section 1 - Eligibility
Section 1.1 - Regular Members
Regular members must have two signatures from board sponsors on a completed membership application.
Section 1.2 - Board Members
A member is eligible for a position of the Board of Directors if they have remained an active member for at least 3 consecutive months preceding the election.
Section 2 – Rights and Responsibilities of Members
Section 2.1 - Regular Members
The organization recognizes the rights of all members to have unattended access to the organization’s facilities. The organization also recognizes the rights of members to vote in all elections opened to regular members. This includes, but is not limited to, election of the Board of Directors. The organization requires members to pledge a monthly contribution which the member may change at his or her discretion. This contribution may take the form of volunteered services to the organization if a member is unwilling or unable to pledge a monetary donation. Members must also follow all rules set by the board pertaining to the organization’s facilities.
Section 2.2 - Board Members
Board members inherit all rights and responsibilities of regular members. The Board of Directors shall vote on all matters concerning the acquisition or release of resources, maintenance of facilities or organization, changes to these bylaws, and membership requests. They shall also hold at least one meeting per quarter. Board members determine eligibility for key access to the facilities of the organization.
Section 2.3 - Board Officers
Officers of the Board of Directors shall be selected by the newly elected board and consist of willing board members. Board officers may appoint a willing board member to temporarily fulfill the duties of the office in the event of their absence. Board officers may also lead a committee which fulfills the duties of the office. In addition to the individual tasks defined in these bylaws, the Board Officers may be assigned further tasks at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 2.3.1 - Chairman
The Chairman shall be responsible for leading general and board meetings.
Section 2.3.2 - Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
Section 2.3.3 - Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have custody of, and be held accountable for, all funds and securities of the organization, receive and give receipts for all monetary transactions of the organization, and deposit all such monies in the name of the organization. He or she shall publish a monthly financial report.
Section 3 - Resignation and Expulsion
Section 3.1 - Regular Members
A member may be expelled from the organization at the discretion of the Board of Directors if he or she fails to observe the responsibilities of a regular member.
A member may be abruptly terminated without warning if he or she commits a criminal act upon person or property while on organization premises or at organization functions.
Section 3.2 - Board Members
A member may submit a proposal to cast a revote for one or more given board positions during the elected member’s term. If this proposal is struck down by the board, a petition signed by one forth of current members will overturn this decision and invoke a public election for the given board positions.
Section 3.3 - Inactivity
A member is deemed inactive if he or she fails to provide a monthly pledged contribution for three months and shall forfeit membership.
ARTICLE III – Voting
Section 1 - Proposals
Written proposals must be submitted to a board member for sponsorship. If sponsored, a proposal must be made publicly available for review for no less than three days before the proposal may be voted on. Proposals shall be voted upon by the board of directors. The methods for determining the result of proposal vote (with the exception of bylaws amendments) are as follows:
- Majority of non-abstaining nay votes will cause vote to fail.
- Minimum two nays to reconsider proposal vote at next meeting.
- A membership vote can only be reconsidered once. A second vote resulting in at least two "Nay" votes causes a proposal vote to fail.
- Given less than two "Nay" votes, majority of non-abstaining "Yea" votes will cause the motion to pass.
- Once called to vote, a motion is open for vote for five days. At the end of which, the motion passes, fails, or is reconsidered.
Section 2 - Board of Directors
Elections for the Board of Directors shall occur semiannually at dates determined by the sitting Board of Directors and shall be open to all active members. Each voter shall vote “Yea” or “Nay” for each candidate. The number of "Yea" votes for a candidate must exceed fifty percent of votes cast for the candidate to be elected. When the election results are confirmed and announced, the board seats are vacated and assumed by the newly elected members.
Article IV – Revisions to These Bylaws
Section 1 – Revisions
Proposed revisions must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent out with regular board announcements. These bylaws may only be changed by a unanimous decision by the sitting board of directors.
Article V – Dissolution of the Organization
Section 1 – Dissolution
The organization may not dissolve less than 30 days from the time a proposal to dissolve passes.
Section 2 – Asset Distribution
In the event that a movement to dissolve the organization passes, assets may be liquidized to pay off any debt the organization may have accrued. Any remaining assets of the organization must be donated to an IRS 501c3 compliant charitable, educational, or scientific endeavor.
