CONCH BY-LAWS

NAME
The name of this organization is Continuing Newcomers of Chatham/Harwich whose acronym is CONCH

PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to continue the friendships and activities of the Chatham/Harwich Newcomers", after an individual is no longer eligible for membership in that organization.

MEMBERSHIP
All former "graduates" of "Chatham/Harwich Newcomers" are eligible for membership in CONCH. The future growth and participation in CONCH is impossible to predict. As membership grows, the size should be reexamined to avoid potential problems with CONCH becoming too large to fulfill its stated purpose.

POLICY STATEMENTS

1. The organization shall not discriminate against any prospective member(s) or enrolled member(s) on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, income, marital status, educational background, or any other factor.

2. CONCH offers trips and social events for the enjoyment of its members and not for fund raising. For this reason it is our policy that social events and trips be self-supporting. Refunds can only be made when a ticket is resold or costs recovered.

3. CANCELLATION OF GENERAL MEETINGS: If public schools in either Chatham or Harwich are cancelled, the general meeting is cancelled.

LEADERSHIP
Officers will consist of the following: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Director. Officers shall serve a maximum of two years in any one office and will be elected at the last general meeting of the year.

CHAIRMAN
The Chairman will preside at all meetings of the organization and will be responsible for the conduct of all business. The Chairman will be responsible for a yearly audit of the financial records. Before the March meeting, the Chairman shall appoint a Nominating Committee Chairman who will then select two more committee members. The Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of officers for presentation at the annual meeting.

VICE CHAIRMAN
The Vice Chairman shall act, in the absence of the Chairman, with the full responsibility and authority of the Chairman. 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 Board of Director and general meetings, handle all club correspondence, and be custodian of all club records.

TREASURER
The Treasurer will collect and disburse all monies of the organization and will keep an accurate account of the organizations finances. He/she will also be responsible for overseeing membership.

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
The Activities Director shall be responsible for overseeing all small group activities, such as bowling, bridge, biking, dine in, game group, singles groups, etc. Each small group is responsible for selecting its own successor chairperson prior to the annual meeting. The Director will also work in cooperation with the Vice Chairman to coordinate Travel and Day Trips.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the above five elected officers, the previous past president, and one at-large member appointed by the Chairman.

STANDING COMMITTEES
Each standing committee shall have a chairperson appointed by the Chairman/Board of Directors. The chairperson/co-chairs will be responsible for selecting committee members, if appropriate.

HOSPITALITY
This committee shall arrange for refreshments at club meetings. Reports to Vice Chairman.

PROGRAMS and PUBLICITY
This committee shall be responsible for the regular club meeting programs and appropriate publicity. Reports to Vice Chairman.

MEMBERSHIP
This committee shall be responsible for maintaining membership records and publishing a yearly directory. Reports to Treasurer.

SOCIAL EVENTS
This committee shall be responsible for the planning and overseeing of alternate-month activities. These events/activities should appeal to a broad spectrum of membership. Reports to Vice Chairman.

TRAVEL/DAY TRIPS
This committee shall be responsible for the planning and overseeing of all travel/day trips. These activities should appeal to a broad spectrum of the membership. Reports to Activities Director.

MEETINGS
The organization's year (and fiscal year) shall be from June 1 thru May 31 of the following year. General meetings shall be held on dates to be established by the Board of Directors. The last general meeting of the year shall be the annual meeting.

BUSINESS
A majority vote, with at least 50 members present at a regular general meeting, shall be sufficient for the transaction of club business--including the election of officers and authorization of unusual expenditures.

FINANCES
Annual dues will be set by the Board of Directors and payable by the first general meeting of the year, and go into the general fund. Monies collected for special activities will also be held in the general fund until disbursed for payment of that activity. The Treasurer shall pay out of the organizations checking account (1) all routine expenditures and (2) cost of special activities after authorization by the activity's chairperson or organization chairperson and/or Board of Directors. Any other expenditure in excess of $500 will require authorization of the Board of Directors and/or general membership. The Treasurer, Chairman, and Vice Chairman shall be authorized to sign checks. Expenses for the following can be paid out of the general fund: general meeting refreshments, administrative mailings, organizational costs for small group activities and all approved committees.

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Proposed amendments to the By-Laws shall be approved by the Board of Directors, then presented in writing to the full membership at least two months prior to being voted upon at a general meeting. Any amendment shall require a two-thirds vote of the active members present to pass (quorum 50).

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