By-Laws

 

The Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild

Bylaws

 Adopted August 2020

Article I: Name and Purpose

 
1.01 Name: The name of the guild shall be the Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild. Hereafter referred to as the Guild or CLT MQG.

1.02 Purpose: The purpose of the CLT MQG is to provide a community for modern quilters in the area. To further members’ quilting skills the guild shall:
a. Develop and encourage the art of modern quilting and develop the enjoyment of quilting in all forms.
b. Provide educational opportunities through workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and the sharing of information.
c. Support and provide opportunity for charitable and other works that provide back to the community.
d. Work with other guilds and groups with a similar purpose.

1.03 The Guild is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
This guild is additionally organized to do any and all lawful acts that may be necessary, useful, suitable, or proper for the furtherance of accomplishment of the purposes of this Guild. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on
(a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or
(b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The assets and property of the Guild are hereby pledged for use in performing its exempt purpose.
In the event of dissolution, all funds and goods owned by the guild shall be donated to a non-profit organization(s) that is voted and agreed upon by the Executive Board. The organizations to be considered should be those with a focus on quilting or fiber arts or be organizations that have been recipients of CLT MQG charity projects.

1.04 No Private Inurement: No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth above.
 

1.05 Lobbying: No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
 

1.06 Privacy: The membership directory is made available to all members, with the understanding that the list will not be used for commercial gain or fraudulent purposes. The list may be used exclusively for CLT MQG business by the Executive Board only and every effort will be made to protect the privacy of each member.

1.07 Solicitations: The directory may not be used for solicitations that are not for the exclusive business purposes of the CLT MQG.

Article II: Membership

 
2.01 Membership:
a. Membership shall be open to any person interested in modern quilts and modern quilt making, and who adheres to the purposes of the CLT MQG.
b. Members are given the opportunity to participate in all meeting activities. These include swaps, bees, show and tell, sew-ins, etc.
c. Members are entitled to the privilege of voting, holding office or serving on committees. Each member receives one vote on each matter.

Article III: Dues and Fees

 
3.01 Dues:
a. Dues shall be collected annually and become due on January 1st. After March 1st, any member who has not renewed will be removed from the directory. Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st.
b. Members who join after June 30th shall pay half the annual rate.
c. Dues are not refundable.
d. The amount of dues shall be set annually by a majority decision of the Executive Board and approved annually by a vote from members. This vote will occur at the time of the January general meeting.
e. The CLT MQG maintains membership in the Modern Quilt Guild, Inc.
f. Membership may be revoked in cases of actions that threaten the non-profit status of the Guild or as determined by the Executive Board.
g. Guests are welcomed and encouraged. A guest may visit two times before they are expected to pay membership dues.

3.02 Fees:
a. Fees may be charged for special classes or lectures. Fees to be agreed upon by the Executive Board.
b. Treasurer shall collect these fees and they shall be held and identified in the Guild checking account.
c. Fees may be refundable in the event of the cancellation of the class or for a reasonable change of circumstances.
d. Fees shall be published in advance via membership email, at the general membership meeting, on the Guild website and/or on social media.
e. Guild members doing a presentation or workshop shall be offered a fee of $50 for each presentation or workshop.

Article IV: Meetings

 
4.01 General Membership Meetings: These take place on the last Tuesday of the month. Meetings start at 6:30pm and adjourn at 8:30pm.
Members are notified of each meeting in the monthly email, on the CLT MQG Blog site and on Social Media platforms. Place is included in this notice. Changes to meeting time and/or day may be made should circumstances require it.

4.02 Executive Board Meetings: Board meetings shall occur quarterly as determined by the President.

4.03 Minutes of meetings. Minutes of general meetings shall be emailed to all members within 7 days of the meeting. Minutes of Board Meetings are available upon request.

4.04 Quorum: No action may be approved without the vote of at least a majority of the board officers. This constitutes a quorum. (3 out of 4). In the case of a tie in any matter, the President shall have a tie-breaking vote.

4.05 Voting: Every act or decision brought before the general membership shall be decided by a majority of members present at the meeting. Each member is entitled to one vote on each matter. Voting may be by voice, show of hands, or by ballot.

Article V: Financial Administration

 
5.01 The fiscal year shall be from January 1st through December 31st.

5.02 Internal Audit: If deemed necessary, a committee consisting of one Executive Board member and 2 General Members, appointed by the Executive Board, shall conduct the audit. On completion, the findings will be shared with the General Membership.

5.03 The Executive Board shall adopt a budget to be presented for approval by the membership no later than the December meeting.

5.04 The January meeting of the guild shall be considered the Annual Meeting where the Treasurer shall deliver the Financial Report for the prior financial year.

Article VI: Elections
6.01 The Executive Board shall be comprised of 4 members: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

6.02 The term of office is for one year, from January 1st to December 31st.

6.03 Any member may nominate another member for the Executive Board, with their prior permission, or they may self-nominate. This can be done in person at a meeting or via the official CLT MQG email.

6.04 In the event of no nominations from the membership, the Executive Board shall nominate, with prior permission, qualified candidates for successor Board Members. This slate of nominations shall be presented to the membership in the October newsletter. Voting shall take place at the final meeting of the year. Election of Board Members shall be decided by a majority of members present at the meeting.

6.05 Upon leaving their post, all outgoing Board Members must turn over all pertinent information, books and data to the newly appointed officer within 4 weeks of the election.

6.06 Resignation and Replacement. An officer may resign at any time. As a result of resignation, any officer position, with the exception of President, may be appointed by the Executive Board. If the President resigns, the Vice-President shall assume the role of President, and the Executive Board shall appoint a new Vice-President.

6.07 No one shall hold a single board position for longer than 2 full consecutive terms. One year must pass before serving in that position again.

Article VII: Duties of officers

 
7.01 President: The President shall serve as the public representative of the CLT MQG.
The President shall-
a. Preside at all general meetings, board meetings and special events.
b. Actively participate in leadership and decisions about topics such as annual planning, programs, events, challenges, budgeting and membership.
c. With the approval of the Executive Board, appoint any Committee chairpersons as deemed necessary. The President shall attend any committee meetings as an ex officio member as necessary. Chairperson of said committee is accountable to the President.
d. Coordinate committee activities.
e. Prepare agenda for General and Board meetings.
f. Provide lead in charity projects.
g. Be signatory on checking accounts along with treasurer.

7.02 Vice President: Shall assist the President as necessary.
The Vice-President shall-
a. Preside over general meetings in the President’s absence.
b. Develop program calendar for speakers, demonstrations and workshops.
c. Be responsible for conducting programs by inviting guest speakers, arrange for workshop space and assist as needed during each workshop or presentation.
d. Develop and maintain a resource file of potential programs and speakers.
e. Coordinate accommodations and assist in speaker’s needs and requirements for the duration of the visit.

7.03 Secretary:
a. Shall keep and maintain minutes of all monthly meetings of the CLT MQG. Minutes (including Treasurer’s Report) to be emailed to membership within 7 days of monthly meeting.
b. Shall keep minutes of Executive Board meetings and make available to Board within 7 days of said meeting.
c. Shall be responsible for the online presence of the CLT MQG by maintaining website, email account, and all social media accounts under the direction of the Executive Board.
d. Shall create standards and website/social media etiquette. Only the secretary may post on any of the social media platforms.
e. Shall be responsible for taking pictures at general meetings and uploading pictures to the CLT MQG website/social media platforms in a timely fashion.
e. Shall be responsible for keeping members informed of upcoming meetings and events through email or website posts.

7.04 Treasurer:
a. Shall receive and bank all CLT MQG monies within 30 days of receipt.
b. Shall disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board. All requests for reimbursements must be accompanied by receipts.
c. Shall maintain records of all funds.
d. Shall pay the annual membership dues to the National MQG, as well as submit tax forms to IRS and maintain an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
e. A Treasurer’s Report shall be made at each general meeting.
f. Shall prepare a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and shall present to members at the final meeting of the year.
g. Shall deliver a financial report in January of the prior year.
h. Shall be signatory on checking accounts along with the President.
i. Shall serve as Membership Chairperson. Duties include-
* respond to all membership requests in person or online,
* keep a current membership directory,
* ensure that members’ dues are current,
* maintain registration with National MQG,
* Treasurer shall remove entries of members whose dues have expired.

Article VIII: Bylaw Amendments

 
The executive Board may propose an amendment to the Bylaws at any time. The proposed amendment must be emailed to all members of the CLT MQG two (2) weeks prior to a regular meeting. Voting shall occur at that meeting with the majority of members attending constituting an affirmative response. These Bylaws shall take effect immediately upon their adoption and supersede any and all previously adopted Bylaws.

CERTIFICATION:
The undersigned, being the duly elected and qualified Secretary of the Charlotte Modern Quilt Guild, hereby certifies that the foregoing Amended Bylaws of the Guild were duly adopted by the membership of the Guild effective on the 12th day of December, 2023.

 

2024 CLT MQG Board: 

 

President - Margaret James
Vice President - Jane LeBlanc
Secretary - Lindsay Henricks
Treasurer - Kate Engelbrecht