Constitution and By-Laws
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be Oklahoma Camera Club, Inc.
Article II – Objectives
The objectives of this club shall be –
- Association for the mutual enjoyment of photography
- Encouraging the advancement of the science and art of photography
- Making mutual contributions to the progress of photography
Article III – Membership
Any person active or interested in the practice of photography may make an application for membership in the club as provided in the By-Laws.
Article IV – Officers
Section 1 – The officers of this club shall be a President, First Vice-President (President-Elect), Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Their terms of office shall be for a period of one year. The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected officers.
Section 2 – The Executive body of the Club for guidance, operation, and transaction of official business – subject always to review and approval by the membership- shall be an Executive Board. The board shall consist of nine members. The President shall be one of the nine members of the Board for the term of his office and shall serve during the next one-year term as an ex-officio (without vote) advisor. The First Vice President (President-Elect), Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be members of the nine-member board during the term of their office. At each annual election, two Directors shall be elected to the Board for a term of two years.
Article V – Vacancies
Section 1 – If the office of President shall for any reason become vacant, or if the President becomes incapacitated or absent, the duties shall be assumed during the interim by the First Vice President, or during a similar inability for the First Vice President to serve, then the Second Vice President.
Section 2 – If any office other than that of President shall become vacant, the Executive Board shall appoint a Member to serve until the next annual election.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1 – Regular Meetings of the Club shall be held at such times and in such places as may be decided by the Executive Board.
Section 2 – Special meeting of the Club shall be called at any time by the President, or any other officer or director upon written request by not fewer than ten members, or by the Executive Board.
Section 3 – The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be the first meeting held during the month of May in each year, and officers and directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. Notice of such meeting shall be published prior to the meeting, stating the time and place, and nature of the official business to be transacted. Should a quorum not be present, the business meeting shall be adjourned, from time to time, and reconvened upon the call of the Executive Board.
Article VII – Amendments
Section 1 – This Constitution may be amended at any meeting of the Club upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership present, provided (1) notice of intention to amend the constitution and (2) notice of the nature and purpose of the proposed amendment shall have been given to members at least one month in advance.
Section 2 – The By-Laws may be amended, adopted, or revoked, in any manner not in conflict with the Constitution, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the membership present at any regular meeting provided notice of (1) intention to amend, adopt, or revoke, and (2) notice of the nature and purpose action shall have been given to the members at least a month in advance.
Article VIII – Removal of Officers
Any officer or director of the Club may be removed for cause, by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the Club.
Article IX – Quorum
Section 1 – A quorum of the membership, certified by the secretary, at any Annual Meeting or Election or other business meetings shall consist of not less than one-fourth of the regular membership.
Section 2 – A quorum of the Executive Board at any meeting for the transaction of official business shall consist of not less than five of the Board’s membership.
Section 3 – When, for whatever reason, the Executive Board shall have fewer than nine members, (Death, Resignations, etc) then, until restored to full complement by appointment, a simple majority of Executive Board members shall suffice to conduct the club’s business.
Article X – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Club shall begin the first day of July each year and shall end the thirtieth day of June in the succeeding year.
Article XI – Approval of Constitution and By-Laws
This Constitution and these By-Laws shall be regarded as officially adopted upon their approval by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the membership present, pursuant to the Constitution of this Club as adopted on October 1, 1931, and subsequently amended, and upon such adoption said Constitution and By-Laws of October 1, 1931, are hereby repealed.
BYLAWS OF THE
OKLAHOMA CAMERA CLUB, INC.
Article 1- Membership
Section 1-Any person interested or active in photography may make an application for membership in the Club. There shall be three kinds of membership, namely; Regular Membership, Inactive Membership, and Honorary Membership. A descriptive listing of all membership types shall be included in the Yearbook.
Section 2 - Application for regular membership shall be made upon the required form presented to the Secretary. The Secretary shall refer all applications to the Executive Board promptly and such Board shall upon whatever investigation of the applicant they may deem proper, act upon such application.
Applicants shall be notified of their acceptance or rejection.
Section 3 - Any active member who is unable to participate actively but retains a strong interest in the club and meets the eligibility requirements for inactive status may request the Executive Board to grant inactive membership. The inactive member will be designated with a (1 or other symbols in the directory and shall receive a directory and the Hypocheck and attend any meeting, but will not participate in competitions, judging, etc. Active status may be restored by notifying the Secretary and paying the current fee, or by review of the Executive Board.
Section 4 - Membership shall be terminated upon resignation in writing to the Secretary, upon conduct disapproved by a majority vote of the Executive Board subject to appeal by a vote of the membership, or by failure to pay dues. Members who shall be in arrears two months in payment of dues shall be notified by the Secretary, and unless payment is made by the end of the third month in arrears, membership shall be deemed canceled forthwith. Any member whose membership has been canceled for cause may make an application for new membership, as provided herein. A member may be reinstated, where such prior membership has been terminated upon resignation submitted to the Club, during a time that all dues have been fully paid to date of resignation.
Section 5 - Termination of membership shall cause forfeiture of all rights, interest or title of any member to property, assets, and privileges of the Club.
Article II — Dues
Section 1- Annual membership dues shall be paid by each member of the Club according to a dues schedule which shall be established by the Club's Executive Board.
Section 2 - All dues are payable in full and in advance on or before the first day of July of each year. New members shall pay dues for the current year according to the dues schedule established by the Executive Board.
Section 3 - Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues.
Article III - Nomination, Election, and Installment of Officers
Section 1- Officers and Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting and Election, provided however that a quorum as provided by the Constitution is present.
Section 2- Nominations of officers and directors shall be by a Committee of three members appointed by the President. Nominations of this committee shall be presented at the meeting immediately preceding the Annual Election and shall be published. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member.
Section 3 - The newly elected officers and directors shall take office at the last meeting in June of each year and shall serve for their term as provided by the Constitution, or until their successors are elected and qualified.
Article IV - Duties of Officers
Section 1-The President shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and the Club and with the approval of the Executive Board shall; appoint the chairpersons of all Standing Committees; appoint the chairperson and members of Special Committees; sign all written contracts or obligations of the Club; function as an ex-officio member of all committees; Officially represent the Club.
The President shall prepare, or direct the Treasurer to prepare, and submit to the Executive Board in advance of the first regular meeting in July of each year an annual budget for presentation to the membership at such meeting. Such budget shall serve as a financial guide for the club activities during the year. On or before the first day of May, or at any other time when the Executive Board may deem an audit advisable, the President shall appoint an Audit Committee for the examination of the books and records of the Treasurer or other Club records. The President shall also make a report at the last meeting in June of the progress of the Club during the past year, including a statement of the financial condition of the Club as of that date. The President shall carry on any and all duties of the office of President as directed by the Board and in such a way as to promote the effective operation of the Club.
Section 2 - The First and Second Vice-Presidents in the order named, shall perform the duties of the office of President during the absence of the President or during a vacancy in that office. Each shall be a member of the Executive Board, shall perform such other duties as the Board may direct.
The current and incoming Chairpersons of the Oklahoma International Exhibition of Photography, if not members of the Executive Board, shall be Ex-officio members of the Board. Ex-Officio members of the Board shall serve without vote.
Section 3 - The Secretary shall keep the minutes of business meetings of the Club and the Executive Board; shall keep and be the custodian of the records of the Club; shall conduct the Club's correspondence, and shall perform such other duties as the President or the Board may direct.
Section 4 - The Treasurer shall act as custodian of all Club funds; shall render bills for dues and acknowledge their receipt; shall, in co-operation with the secretary, provide members with official membership cards; shall pay bills as directed by the Executive Board; shall keep Club funds in a bank approved by the Executive Board; shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures with written reports therein to the President and Board upon request, and shall perform such other duties as the President of the Board may direct.
Section 5- The President shall call frequent meetings of the Executive Board as deemed necessary for the conduct of Club business, but not less often than once a month. Any quorum of five Executive Board members may convene at any time upon the President's failure to call one such meeting a month.
Article V - Duties of Executive Board and Committee
Section 1- It shall be the duty and function of the Executive Board to carry on the routine business and to guide the activities of the Club in such a way as to relieve members of such responsibilities and insofar as possible to eliminate the necessity for transacting business at meetings other than those specified for that purpose.
Section 2 - The Executive Board, through the President, shall keep the membership informed of the Club's financial status, business affairs, and other undertakings, and shall welcome expressions of opinion by the membership.
Section 3 - The Executive Board shall delegate duties of the various officers and committees not specifically provided by the Constitution or these By-Laws, and shall charge the President with the duty of administration of the activities of the club, all directives of the Board, and the proper function of all committees.
Section 4 - The Executive Board shall formulate, or approve, all rules for competitions or other activities of the Club.
Article VI - Suspension of by-Laws
Any part of these By-Laws may be temporarily suspended upon a majority vote of the membership present and constituting a quorum.
Article VII - Conduct of Meetings
Should a dispute arise over the conduct of any meeting, Robert's "Rules of Order" will apply insofar as they do not conflict with provisions of the Club's Constitution and By-Laws.
Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws adopted through January 1995 are incorporated herein.