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The Rotary Club of White Plains is Club 5043, District 7230, Zone 32, Region USCB,
Federal tax ID 13-6111471.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1712, White Plains NY 10602.
Our "Foundation of the Rotary Club of White Plains" is tax exempt,
New York State #219346, tax ID 13-6165380.
Website created August 2001.
The Rotary Club of White Plains was chartered
October 1, 1919, charter number 540.
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RCWP CONSTITUTION
POLICY ADDENDA BY BOARD |
BY-LAWS OF THE ROTARY CLUB
OF WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK
As Amended January 4, 2011
ARTICLE I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1. At the annual meeting of the club held on the first Tuesday in December, the presiding
officer shall ask for nominations for president, president-elect, vice-president, secretary, treasurer
and four new directors. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed each year by the president,
consisting of five members, three of whom shall be past presidents. The Nominating Committee
has the responsibility of making recommendations to the board of directors for the officers and
new board members for the ensuing club year, commencing the following July 1. In formulating
its recommendations, the nominating committee shall undertake a comprehensive review of the
entire club membership. These recommendations shall be submitted to the board of directors prior
to its October meeting, so that the Board may have sufficient time to deliberate prior to the
annual meeting in December, at which the nominating committee shall present its nominations.
Nominations from the membership at large may also be made at the annual meeting in December.
If the total number of nominations is equal to the number of positions to be filled, the elections
may proceed. If the total number of nominations is greater than the number of positions to be
filled, the nominations shall be placed on a ballot in alphabetical order under each office. The
annual meeting shall then be recessed and then reconvened one week later for the purpose of
holding the election. The candidates for president, president-elect, vice-president, secretary and
treasurer receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected to their respective offices. The
candidates for the four directors' positions receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared
director-elect. The terms of all elected officers and directors shall begin on the following July
first; the terms of the officers shall be for one year; the terms of the directors shall be for three
years.
Section 2. A vacancy in the board of directors or any office shall be filled by action of the board
at any time during the year.
Section 3. Promptly after its election the Board may elect additional members who have served
Rotary with unusual and special distinction.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The governing body of this club shall be the board of directors, consisting of eighteen
(18) members of this club, namely, twelve (12) directors and the president, vice-president,
president-elect, secretary, treasurer and immediate past president, all elected in accordance with
Article I, Section 1 of these bylaws, plus such members as may have been elected under the
provision of Article I, Section 3.
ARTICLE III
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. President. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at meetings of the club and
board and to perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of president.
Section 2. President-elect. It shall be the duty of the president-elect to preside at meetings of the
club and the board in the absence of the president and to perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the president and the board.
Section 3. Vice-President. It shall be the duty of the vice-president to serve as a member of board
of directors of the club and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the president or
the board.
Section 4. Secretary. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the records of membership,
record the attendance at meetings; send out notices of meetings of the board; record and
preserve the minutes of board meetings; make the required reports to Rotary International,
including the semiannual reports of membership on January 1st and July 1st each year; the
monthly report of membership and attendance at the club meetings, which shall be made to the
district governor immediately following the last meeting of the month; and perform such other
duties as usually pertain to this office. The secretary shall be an ex officio member of the
attendance committee and the membership committee.
Section 5. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to have custody of all funds, accounting
for same to the board quarterly, and to perform such other duties as pertain to his/her office.
Upon his/her retirement from office he/she shall turn over to his/her successor or to the president
all funds, books of accounts or any other club property in his/her possession. The treasurer shall
be an ex officio member of the finance committee.
ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of this club shall be held on the first Tuesday of
December each year at which time the election of officers and directors to serve for the ensuing
year shall take place.
Section 2. The regular weekly meetings of this club shall be held as follows: Tuesday, 12:15 P.M.
Due notice of any changes in or canceling of the regular meeting shall be given to all members of
the club.
All members excepting an honorary member (or member excused by the board of directors of this
club for good cause) in good standing in this club, on the day of the regular meeting, must be
counted as present or absent, and attendance must be evidenced by the member being present for
at least sixty (60) percent of the time devoted to the regular meeting, either at this club or at any
other Rotary club.
Section 3. One-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the annual and regular
meetings of this club.
Section 4. Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held monthly and at such other
times and places to be determined by a quorum of the board. Special meetings of the board of
directors shall be called by the president, whenever deemed necessary, or upon the request of
two (2) members of the board,
notice having been given to all Board members via email, fax or USPS at least three (3) days before such meeting.
Section 5. A majority of the board members shall constitute a quorum of the board.
ARTICLE V
FEES AND DUES
Section 1. An admission fee set by the board of directors shall be paid before an applicant can
qualify as a member.
Section 2. The membership dues shall be payable in whole on the first day of July, or
semiannually on the first day of July and of January, with the understanding that a portion shall
be applied to each member's subscription to the official Rotary International magazine.
ARTICLE VI
METHOD OF VOTING
The business of this club shall be transacted by viva voce vote except for a contested election of
officers and directors, which shall be by ballot.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. (a) The president shall, subject to the approval of the board, appoint standing
committees through which the work of the club is carried out. The club's standing committees are
grouped under the following functional divisions:
- Membership
- Public Relations
- Club Administration
- Service Projects
- The Rotary Foundation
A director of each of the divisions shall be appointed, to be responsible for monitoring the
functioning of each of the committees within his/her respective division.
(b) With the approval of the board, the president may appoint, from time to time, special
committees for time-limited studies and projects. Such committees will cease to exist once their
assignments have been completed.
(c) The president shall be ex officio a member of all committees and, as such, shall have all the
privileges of membership thereon.
(d) Each committee shall transact such business as is delegated to it in the bylaws, and such
additional business as may be referred to it by the president or the board. Except where special
authority is given by the board, such committees shall not take action until a report has been
made to the board and approved by the board.
(e) Following January 1 each year, the president, president-elect, vice-president and directors of
the five divisions will confer to assign club members to each of the standing and special
committees, for the club year commencing the following July 1. There are no limits on the
number of terms that any member may serve on any particular committee, although the benefits
of rotation and change of membership on individual committees are to be kept in mind when
establishing committee rosters.
(f) Each committee shall hold at least one meeting per year.
(g) Each committee shall submit to the president a written annual report by May 31.
Section 2. Membership Division
(a) Membership Committee. The membership committee shall consider all proposals for
membership and shall investigate the character, business, social and community standing and
general eligibility of all persons proposed for membership, and shall report its recommendations
to the board.
(b) Classification Committee. The classification committee is responsible for undertaking the
annual classification survey; for informing the membership development committee and the
board of unfilled classifications; and for reviewing all proposal cards from the standpoint of
classification and designating the appropriate classification.
(c) Membership Development Committee. The membership development committee shall seek to
recruit new members of outstanding character and high professional standing. It shall seek to
devise and propose efforts to increase membership. It shall present to the board the names of
suitable persons to fill unfilled classifications.
(d) Induction Committee. It is very important that new members obtain a comprehensive briefing
on Rotary International. The members of this committee are responsible for this function. This
includes informing new members about the history and objectives of Rotary International, our
district and the club. The responsibilities of club members, including in particular participation in
club activities and financial support shall be stressed. This committee shall also plan the induction
ceremonies for new members.
Section 3, Public Relations Division
(a) District Affairs Committee. This committee shall keep the members of the club informed of
District activities and seek maximum support of such activities. It shall collaborate with District
leadership in the planning of District events.
(b) Publicity Committee. This committee is responsible for maximizing publicity about the club in
the local media, including daily and weekly newspapers, radio stations and cable TV stations.
The Public Relations Committee shall also keep the editors of the District Digest informed about
club activities.
Section 4. Club Administration Division
(a) Attendance Committee. Regular attendance requirements are defined in the Rotary Club
Constitution. The Attendance Committee shall make sure that the members of the club meet the
required conditions. It shall report violations to the board of directors. The Attendance
Committee shall also seek to maximize attendance and report the attendance rates to the board.
The secretary shall be an ex officio member of the Attendance Committee.
(b) Bulletin Committee. This committee is responsible for the publication of the weekly Bulletin
which shall contain a report on the previous meeting and provide other information of general
interest to the members of the club. Information on the programs planned for the next three
meetings shall also be listed.
(c) Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for managing the finances of the club.
This includes the review of the financial statements of the club and making such recommendations
to the board of directors as it may deem appropriate. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year,
the president, president-elect and the finance committee jointly shall prepare a budget of
estimated income and expenses for the coming year, and shall advise the board of directors
and the applicable committees the amounts expected to be available for the service purposes of the club.
The budget shall be submitted to the board for approval in July.
Once approved, the budget shall stand as the limit of expenditures for purposes specified
unless otherwise ordered by action of the board.
The treasurer shall be an ex officio member of the Finance Committee.
(d) Health and Welfare Committee. This committee shall extend appropriate amenities to ill
members. It shall also extend appropriate amenities to members and/or their families in times of
happiness, sorrow or need.
(e) Program Committee. This committee is responsible for planning all programs of the club. This
includes programs related to the four Rotary avenues of service, club assemblies, new member
biographies, occasional programs of entertainment and others. In the discharge of this
responsibility, the Program Committee shall be attuned to the interests of the club and maintain
effective liaison with the board of directors and the applicable committees of the club.
(f) Sergeant-at-Arms Committee. This committee is responsible for scheduling two club members
to staff the reception - sign-in table for each regular club meeting. These persons shall be
responsible for collecting the price of tickets and for completing the financial report on funds
collected for lunch. Funds collected shall be turned over to the treasurer or his/her representative.
The two designated members shall also discharge certain other required duties at the reception
table.
(g) Social Activities Committee. This committee has the responsibility of planning and organizing
the social activities of the club, which shall provide for the participation of the families of club
members. The social activities committee shall initiate its planning activities very early during the
Rotary year and then make appropriate recommendations including dates to the board of
directors.
Section 5. Service Projects Division
(a) Fundraising Committee. This committee has the responsibility for developing, planning and
managing the club's fund-raising events. The objective of this committee is to generate funds for
the needs of the club's commitment to community and international service and for the provision
of scholarships to students from White Plains high schools. This committee is also responsible for
making recommendations to the board of directors with regard to appeals for financial support to
club members including planned giving.
(b) Local Community Service Projects Committee. This Committee is responsible for initiating
and developing community service projects and reviewing requests for financial support which
come from local charitable organizations. The committee is responsible for formulating
recommendations to be submitted to the board of directors which will determine appropriateness
and funding.
(c) Vocational Service Committee. Vocational service is one of the four Rotary Avenues of
Service. This committee shall undertake a study of particular programs or projects to implement
this Rotary International requirement. In doing so, this committee shall seek guidance from
Rotary International, the District and other clubs. At the completion of the study the committee
shall submit recommendations to the board of directors. After such recommendations have been
approved, the vocational service committee will undertake the necessary steps for
implementation.
(d) World Community Service Committee. This committee is responsible for exploring and
selecting projects in other countries in conjunction with a Rotary club in the designated region.
The committee is also responsible for reviewing projects and requests for funding that come from
the District and Rotary International. The committee is responsible for formulating
recommendations to be submitted to the board of directors which will determine appropriateness
and funding.
Section 6, The Rotary Foundation Division
(a) Rotary Foundation Committee. The Rotary Foundation committee shall encourage the
members of the club to support the Rotary Foundation.
(b) Scholarship Committee. This Committee shall conduct a program of interviewing high school
seniors recommended by their principals for consideration as candidates for scholarships. The
total amount to be awarded shall be based on figures determined by the finance committee. The
committee shall organize the annual scholarship awards meeting. The committee shall monitor the
scholarship performance of students who have been awarded scholarships and invite them to
report before the club membership.
ARTICLE VIII
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Upon written application to the board, setting forth good and sufficient cause, leave of absence
may be granted excusing a member from attending the meetings of the club for a specified period
of time.
ARTICLE IX
FINANCES
Section 1. The treasurer shall deposit all funds of the club in a bank or banks to be selected by the
board. A copy of the bank statement(s) shall be included in the treasurer's periodic report to the
board.
Section 2. All bills shall be paid only by checks signed by the treasurer or other authorized officer
upon appropriate vouchers.
Section 3. An accounting review by a certified public accountant or other qualified person shall
be made once each year, unless the board of directors decides otherwise.
Section 4. The president, treasurer and the secretary shall be authorized check signers. The board
may authorize additional signatories at its discretion. Officers having charge or control of funds
shall give bond as may be required by the board for the safe custody of the funds of the club, the
cost of the bond to be borne by the club.
Section 5. The fiscal year of this club shall extend from July 1st to June 30th of the ensuing year,
and for the collection of members' dues shall be divided into two (2) semiannual periods
extending from July 1st to December 31st, and from January 1st to June 30th. The payment of
per capita dues and magazine subscriptions to Rotary International shall be made on July 1st and
January 1st of each year, on the basis of the membership of the club on those dates.
ARTICLE X
METHOD OF ELECTING MEMBERS
Section 1. Active members
(a) The name of a prospective member proposed by an active member of the club, or by
recommendation from the secretary of another Rotary Club of which an individual has been a
member, shall be submitted to the Club secretary in writing. The proposal shall be kept
confidential temporarily except as otherwise provided in this procedure.
(b) The application shall be forwarded to the classifications committee to assess eligibility of the
proposed member from the standpoint of classification and to assign a classification.
(c) The application then shall be forwarded to the membership committee to determine if the
proposed member meets the eligibility qualifications as put forth in the Rotary International
bylaws. This process shall provide for the sponsor to elaborate on the qualifications of the
proposed member.
(d) The recommendation of the Membership Committee as to whether to accept or reject an
application then shall be forwarded to the board to consider and approve or disapprove the
recommendation of the Membership Committee.
(e) If the decision of the board is favorable, the name of the proposed member and his/her
classification is to be published to the club. If no written objection to the proposal, stating
reasons, is received by the board from any active member of the club within ten (10) days
following publication of the name of the prospective member, the club secretary shall inform the
proposer who shall then inform the applicant of the decision. The sponsor is then responsible to
bring the applicant to a pre-induction meeting to be scheduled by the Induction Committee.
If any objection has been filed with the board, it shall consider the same at any regular or special
meeting of the board and shall ballot on the proposed member. If not more than two negative
votes are cast by the members of the board in attendance at such regular or special meeting, the
proposed member shall be accepted..
(f) If, after having attended the pre-induction meeting, the proposed member wishes to accept
the invitation to join, with payment of admission fee and dues as prescribed in Article V of these
bylaws, that individual shall be considered to be elected to membership.
(g) Following the member's acceptance into the club, the club secretary shall issue a membership
card to the member and shall report his/her name to the General Secretary of Rotary
International.
(h) The new member shall be formally inducted at a regular meeting of the club.
Section 2. Honorary Members
The board has the option of electing honorary members each Rotary year. These shall be
individuals who have served this community or Rotary in exemplary fashion. Honorary members
have no vote and are not required to pay dues.
ARTICLE XI
RESOLUTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. No resolution or motion to commit this club on any matter shall be considered by the
club. Such resolutions or motions, if offered at a club meeting, shall be referred without
discussion to the board which has the sole authority to make commitments for the club
Section 2. Any appeal to the club, or to its members as Rotarians, for charitable or other
contributions shall be handled in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 1 of this
article.
ARTICLE XII
ORDER OF BUSINESS
All general club meetings shall start with the pledge of allegiance, a patriotic anthem and an
invocation.
ARTICLE XIII
PROTOCOLS
Section 1. The list of members of the club shall not be used by anyone for commercial, political or
fundraising purposes.
Section 2. No member of the club shall take any action which might reasonably be construed as
acting on behalf of the club without prior approval from the president or the board of directors.
Section 3. In the conduct of correspondence on behalf of the club, only the official club
stationery shall be used.
Section 4. The custody, retention and destruction of club records shall be governed by guidelines
approved by the board of directors.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any regular club meeting, a quorum being present, by a
two-thirds vote of all members present, provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have
been sent via mail, email or fax to each member at least ten (10) days before such meeting. No
amendment or addition to these bylaws can be made which is not in harmony with the standard
Rotary club constitution and with the constitution and bylaws of Rotary International.
Amendments approved by the membership at the meeting of January 4, 2011
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BYLAWS (Approved 20110104).DOCX |
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