Bylaws

ARTICLE I: NAME
           The name of this organization shall be CAPITOLERS.  It is a branch of the SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS.

ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE
This Chapter is chartered by the SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS, INC.

The purpose of this Chapter shall be, in common with that of the SOCIETY, to stimulate interest in, and appreciation for, the art of tole and decorative painting.
    
ARTICLE III: BASIC POLICIES
The chapter shall be a not for profit organization.

 The name of this Chapter or the name of any members in official capacities shall not be used  in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objects of the organization.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Capitolers requires that all Chapter members be members in good standing of the SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS., INC., and who, by accepting membership, thereby agree to be bound in all things not contrary to law, by these BYLAWS, and those of the SOCIETY.  Dues for the ensuing calendar year are payable October 1 and delinquent November 1.  New membership privileges are effective October 1 with the exception of voting, running for office or seminar fee at member rate which shall begin January 1.

Non-resident members of the SOCIETY may visit this Chapter as specified in the Standing Rules.

Non-member guests of the SOCIETY may visit this Chapter as specified in the Standing Rules.  Elections will be held at the November meeting by secret ballot.

ARTICLE V:  OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTIONS
The elected officers of this Chapter shall be President, First Vice President, Secretary,  Treasurer and two Board Members at Large.  Each board member shall have a vote concerning executive decisions.  The nominating committee shall consist of three persons appointed by the Board Members at Large with the Executive Board’s approval in August.  The nominating committee’s responsibility shall be to canvass the membership for members willing to serve on the board.  Nominations of officers shall be presented in the October newsletter and at the October meeting.  Following the nominating committee’s report, additional nominations from the floor will be accepted, provided prior consent of the nominee has been obtained.  Elections will be held at the November meeting by secret ballot.                                                    

Officers shall assume their duties on January 1 and shall serve for a term of one year.  No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the First Vice President for the unexpired term.  If the First Vice President does not desire to serve in the office of the President, the vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board, due notice of such election having been given.  A vacancy in office, except that of the President, shall be filled by the Executive Board for the unexpired term.

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
The PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the Executive Board; shall sign all checks on the treasury in the absence of the Treasurer.  The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee and perform such other duties as belong to her office.  The retiring President shall act as advisor to the Executive Board.  The President shall be responsible to see that all required reports are sent to the SOCIETY.

The FIRST VICE PRESIDENT shall serve as an aide to the President and perform the President’s duties in that officer’s absence.  The First Vice President shall be the chairperson or, with the Executive Board’s approval, appoint a chairperson for the monthly programs and workshops and shall be responsible for a committee for seminars.

The SECRETARY shall keep a correct record of all Chapter and Executive Board meetings.

The TREASURER shall be responsible for all monies and keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures.   The Treasurer shall present a statement of account before every Chapter meeting and when requested by the Executive Board, and shall make a complete report at the end of each Chapter year and present the report to the Chapter at the February meeting.  The Treasurer shall oversee membership receipts.

The BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE shall be responsible for insuring membership views are represented and abided by, and seeing Chapter Bylaws are followed.  One of the Board Members at Large shall be the Parliamentarian, and both shall be responsible for serving on a committee.

The APPOINTIVE OFFICERS of the Chapter shall be those appointed for special duties by the Executive Board as the board deems necessary.  Appointive officers shall be non-voting board members with the exception of the Newsletter Editor, Membership Chair and Communications/Publicity Director who, in addition to elected officers, shall have voting privileges.  If a member of the Executive Board holds two voting positions, they shall have only one vote.
                                                           
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held as stated in the Standing Rules.  The time and place will be determined by the Executive Board – sufficient notice to be given members.

One-fifth of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Chapter meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall consist of the elected and appointive officers of the Chapter.  The appointive officers shall be non-voting members.  The Executive Board member shall serve until successors are installed.

The duties of the Executive Board shall be:
to transact necessary business in the intervals between meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the Chapter.
to approve the plans of work for standing committees.
to prepare and submit to the Chapter a budget for the fiscal year January – December.

The Executive Board meeting shall be held before the regular Chapter meetings; the time to be fixed by the President.  Special board meetings may be called by the President.  The President must call an Executive Board meeting at the request of two or more board meetings.

The Executive Board shall review and update the responsibilities of the elected and appointive officers at the January joint board meeting.

If a board member is absent from three consecutive board meetings, the President shall ask said member to resign.  Five consecutive absences shall constitute automatic removal.

ARTICLE IX: FINANCES
The Executive Board shall have authority to expend funds for all financial obligations within the approved budget without the approval of the general membership.

Funds will be deposited in a checking account of the Treasurer’s choice.  Signature cards shall require the signature of the President and Treasurer.
                                                                                                           
The budget shall provide for operating funds for operational expenses for the incoming Executive Board until a proposed budget is prepared.

The financial records of the Chapter shall be kept on a calendar basis, from January 1 through December 31.  An audit committee shall consist of three members with board approval to audit books for that calendar year.  An independent audit must be done for receipts over $50,000.

ARTICLE X: STANDING COMMITTEES
Such standing committees may be created by the Executive Board as required to promote the objectives of the Chapter.  The following shall be permanent standing positions: Librarian, Newsletter Editor, Communications/Publicity Director, Hospitality, Seminar, Historian, Corresponding Secretary, New England Chapters Council Representatives, and Membership.  These positions will be appointed by the Executive Committee as outlined in the Standing Rules.

The appointive member or chairperson of all committees shall present plans of work to the Executive Board.  No committee work shall be undertaken without the Executive Board’s approval.

ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall govern the Chapter in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these Bylaws and those of the SOCIETY.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board.  These Bylaws may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given two weeks prior to voting.

A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of Bylaws as a substitute for existing Bylaws only by a majority vote at a Chapter meeting or by a majority vote of the Executive Board.  The requirements for adoption of a revised set of Bylaws shall be the same as in the case of amendments.

Prior to voting on them, all proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted to the SOCIETY for approval.

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION
All liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provisions shall be made therefore.

Assets held by the Chapter upon condition requiring return, transfer, conveyance, which condition occurs by reason of dissolution, shall be returned, transferred or conveyed in accordance.

Any remaining assets shall be distributed among such charities as may be designated by the Executive Board.  All dues collected and other income of the Chapter must be used for the purpose of the Chapter and shall not be used to the benefit of any individual member.

Standing Rules

Membership dues shall be $15.00 and the payment of dues and rules of membership shall correspond with those of the Society of Decorative Painters, Inc.

The financial records of this Chapter shall be kept on a calendar basis from January 1 through December 31.

Business meetings shall be held not less than six times a year.

With Chapter members approval, a grant maybe presented annually to the president for the purpose of attending the Annual Meeting and Convention of the Society of Decorative Painters.
Additional grants may be offered to other Chapter members.  Anyone receiving a grant shall attend those functions at the Annual Meeting that will benefit the Chapter, and shall be expected to provide a report to the Chapter thereon.

These standing rules may be amended by a majority of the voters at any meeting wherein there is a quorum.  Any changes so made in these Standing Rules are provisional and subject to approval by the Society of Decorative Painters, Inc.

It will be each committee chairperson’s responsibility to give a report at every Chapter meeting or to the President prior to the meeting.

The Capitoler Membership List is the sole property of the organization.  It is to be used exclusively by members for painting-related correspondence only.  This list may not be used under any circumstances by non-members.

The Chapter shall purchase liability insurance and bonding for those members who are signatories for Chapter accounts.

A static display of projects and information from member teachers and shops may be exhibited at meetings but no verbal promotion will be permitted.

Non-resident members or non-member guests of the Society of Decorative Painters and may attend two Chapter meetings annually.

Officers and committee chairpersons are authorized to spend budgeted items.  Budgets of the operating committees will be submitted to the executive board for approval within the limits of the annual approved budget.  Unbudgeted items equal to or less than $100 shall be approved by a responsible officer.  Unbudgeted items in excess of $100 shall be submitted to the executive board for study and recommendation.  This recommendation shall be submitted to the Chapter at  its next regular meeting for action
This procedure shall be followed in all cases where any committee asks for unbudgeted appropriation in excess of $50.  The Chapter shall not be responsible for any bills submitted after 45 days from the date of the bill.

All receipts must be submitted within 45 days of the event for which the expense was incurred.

Whenever these Bylaws and/or Standing Rules are amended, they shall by re-typed by the Secretary and distributed to the members of the Executive Board.

Each new member shall receive a copy of the current Chapter Bylaws, Standing Rules and Guidelines.  Subsequent changes shall be distributed to the entire membership via the Chapter Newsletter.

The following permanent standing positions will be appointed by the Executive Board for a one year term: Librarian, Newsletter Editor, Communications/Publicity Director, Hospitality, Seminar Chair, Historian, Corresponding Secretary, Membership Chair and New England Chapters Council.
The standing position of New England Traditions/New England Chapters Council (NET/NECC) Chapter Liaison shall be appointed by the Executive Board.

The Treasurer shall prepare and submit at the February or March meeting a budget for the fiscal year January – December.