CONCH BY-LAWS

(Approved by the Board of Directors, July 29, 2008
Approved by the club membership on November 10, 2008)

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization is CONCH, a/k/a The Social Club of Lower Cape Cod (hereinafter referred to as "the Club").

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of the Club is to provide social and recreational activities for current and new residents of the Lower Cape Cod area, (i.e. , Chatham, Harwich and adjacent towns).

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
All residents of the Lower Cape Cod area who agree to abide by the By-Laws are eligible for membership.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
The Officers of the Club shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Director, who shall be elected at the annual meeting each year. Each Officer shall serve a one-year term, and may serve no more than two years in any one office. The duties of the Officers shall be as follow:

President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Club, shall preside at all general and special meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, and will be responsible for the conduct of all Club business. He/she will also be responsible for a yearly audit of the Club’s financial records.

Vice-President
The Vice-President shall act, in the absence of the President, with the full responsibility and authority of the President. He/she will also be responsible for overseeing the hospitality, programs, publicity and social events committees.

Secretary
The Secretary will keep a written account of all general, special and Board of Directors meetings, handle all club correspondence, and be custodian of all Club records.

Treasurer
The Treasurer will collect and disburse all funds of the Club, will keep an accurate account of the Club’s finances, and shall report the financial status to the membership at each general meeting. The Treasurer shall open and maintain a checking account in the Club’s name, and shall pay out of the checking account all routine expenditures and any special items approved by the membership or the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall submit all records for an annual audit to the President.

Activities Director
The Activities Director shall be responsible for overseeing all small group activities such as bowling, bridge, biking, etc., and for selecting a chairperson(s) for each group prior to the the first general meeting of the year. The Activities Director will also work in cooperation with the Vice-President to coordinate Travel and Day trips.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the above five elected Officers, the immediate past President, the Membership Director, and one at-large member appointed by the President. The Board of Directors shall establish policy, interpret the By-Laws, act for the Club between general meetings, and generally oversee the operations of the Club.

ARTICLE VI - STANDING COMMITTEES
Each of the following standing committees shall have a chairperson(s) appointed by the President. Each chairperson(s) will be responsible for selecting committee members, if appropriate.

Hospitality
This committee shall arrange for refreshments at club meetings. Reports to the Vice-President.

Programs
This committee shall be responsible for the regular Club meeting programs. Reports to Vice-President.

Publicity
Shall be responsible for publicizing the Club and its events and activities. Reports to Vice-President.

Membership
Responsible for maintaining membership records and publishing a yearly directory. Reports to the President.

Social Events
Responsible for planning and overseeing of alternate-month activities which will appeal to a broad spectrum of membership. Reports to the Vice-President.

Travel/Day Trips
Responsible for planning and overseeing of all travel/day trips, which should appeal to a broad spectrum of membership. Reports to the Vice President.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

1. The Club year shall run from June 1 to May 31.

2. General meetings shall be held during the Club year, with times, dates and locations established by the Board of Directors.

3. Special meetings may be called by the President upon advance notification of no less than two weeks.

4. The Annual Meeting of the club shall be in May of each year.

5. At all general and special meetings of the Club, business may be transacted with any two officers, plus fifty (50) members present.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The election of Officers shall be held at the Annual Meeting in May. Prior to the March general meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) members, one of whom shall be designated as Chairman, plus one (1) Officer. The Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of Officers for presentation at the March Meeting, and voted on at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE IX - FINANCES

1. Annual dues will be set by the Board of Directors, are payable 5. by the first general meeting of the year, and shall go into the general fund. Funds collected for special activities will also be held in the general fund until disbursed for payment of that activity.

2. The Treasurer shall pay out of the Club’s checking account (a) all routine expenditures and (b) cost of special activities after authorization by the activity’s chairperson or organization chairperson and/or the Board of Directors. Any other expenditure in excess of $500 will require authorization by the Board of Directors.

3. All contracts to be entered into on behalf of the Club shall be submitted to the President or Vice-President for review before signing.

4. The Treasurer, President and Vice-President are authorized to sign checks on behalf of the Club.

ARTICLE X - POLICY STATEMENTS

1. The Club offers trips and social events for the enjoyment of its members and not for fund-raising. For this reason, social events and trips should be self-supporting. Refunds will be made only when a ticket is resold or costs are recovered.

2. The Club shall not discriminate against any member or prospective member on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, national origin or marital status.

3. Publication on the CONCH website constitutes notification to members as of the date of posting.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be presented in writing, signed by the member(s) proposing, to the Secretary. The Board of Directors shall review the proposed amendment(s) and present the proposal and the Board’s recommendation to the full membership at the next general meeting prior to being voted on at the susequent general meeting. Any amendment shall require a two-thirds vote of those present and voting to pass.

Come join our club and enjoy the activities and friendships of life on the Cape!