Bylaws

BY-LAWS SISTERS IN CRIME, UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER

ARTICLE I

NAME:

The name of this chapter of Sisters in Crime shall be Upstate South Carolina Chapter, Sisters in Crime (hereinafter referred to as "the Chapter"). 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE:

To combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers and the general public as to inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contribution to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership in national Sisters in Crime is necessary in order to join the Chapter. Membership is open to all persons, male or female, who have a special interest in mystery writing and in furthering the purposes of national Sisters in Crime and the Chapter as outlined in Article II above.

Section 1: Active membership. An active member is a paid-up member of both the national organization and the Chapter.

Section 2: Honorary membership. An honorary member is a person who is elected such by the officers of the Chapter.

Section 3: Institutional membership. An institutional member is an organization such as an educational institution, business, or other group.

Section 4: Continuation of membership. Every member of the Chapter on the date these bylaws are adopted may continue active membership as long as her dues are current and she is a member in good standing.

ARTICLE IV

GENERAL MANAGEMENT:

Section 1: The general management, control, direction of affairs, funds and property of the Chapter shall be vested in the officers of the Chapter.

Section 2: No part of the net earnings of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of any member, director or officer of the organization or to any private individual. However, compensation may be paid for services rendered to, or for, the Chapter (subject to the provisions of Article V).

Section 3: If there shall be a cash surplus at the end of the calendar year, it shall be retained in the treasury of the Chapter to be used to further the purposes of the organization.

Section 4: No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Chapter shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office except as authorized by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS:

Section 1: (a) The officers of the Chapter shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be active members of Sisters in Crime and the Chapter. (b) Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the office of President and Secretary. However, no officer shall execute, acknowledge, or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law, or the bylaws, to be executed, acknowledged or verified by two or more officers. (c) All terms of office shall be one year. (d) Officers may be re-elected to consecutive terms, to continue in office for no more than five consecutive years. Officers may run for other offices at the expiration of their terms of office. Members may run again for their former elected offices after a period of one year.

Section 2: The President shall be the first executive officer of the Chapter and shall preside at all membership meetings. The President shall set goals and responsibilities, serve as an ad hoc member of committees, confer with other officers concerning major decisions, keep members informed, serve as Chapter spokesperson, and perform such other duties as may be deemed necessary.

Section 3: The Vice-President shall assist the President in her duties and may serve as substitute to preside over meetings and committees as directed by the President.

Section 4: The Secretary shall keep minutes, handle correspondence in coordination with the President, and perform such other duties as may be directed by the officers.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the Chapter and hold or deposit the same as directed by the officers. The Treasurer shall make disbursement from these funds as authorized by the officers, and shall keep accurate financial records. The Treasurer shall submit financial statements on an annual basis, or more frequently as requested by the officers.

Section 6: Should there be a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President shall succeed to the Presidency and shall serve until the next annual election. Any other vacancy of an office shall be filled by Presidential appointment, and the appointee shall hold office until the next annua1 election.

Section 7: None of the officers of the Chapter shall receive any salary or compensation for services rendered as such officers.

Section 8: Expulsion of Officers and Members. Officers may be impeached for dereliction of duty or malfeasance and any active member may be expelled from the Chapter for misconduct. An investigation of the charges shall be conducted as determined by the officers, and the person charged of such breach shall be fully informed of the charges made, including the source of such information. The person charged shall have a full and fair hearing to respond to the charges, and if the officers determine through a simple majority vote to proceed with the impeachment or expulsion, the matter shall be placed before the general Chapter membership. After both sides have presented their case to the membership, a simple majority vote will be taken and the results of the vote immediately instituted.

Article VI

NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES:

Section 1: Elections will normally be held in January of each year. Nominations can be made from the floor. Individuals who are unable to attend this meeting may submit their nominations in advance to the Secretary. At the January meeting, each candidate will be given the opportunity to present her qualifications to the general membership. If there is more than one nominee for an office, a written ballot will be used. If there is only one candidate for each office, balloting may be by a show of hands. The officers will assume their duties immediately. Election will be by an affirmative vote of a simple majority of all active members who participate in voting.

Section 2: The President shall determine and establish any methods necessary to effect a timely and effective election process.

ARTICLE VII

DUES:

Each member shall pay dues as established by the officers of the Chapter. If a member joins any time during the first quarter of the year, she will pay the full annual chapter dues. Members who join after that date will pay chapter dues on a prorated basis: April-May, ¾ annual dues; June-August-1/2 annual dues; September-December, ¼ annual dues. Any proposed increase in the Chapter dues shall be voted upon through a show of hands at a regular membership meeting.

National will determine national dues requirements and payment schedules.

ARTICLE VIII

DISCIPLINE:

Section 1: Non-payment of dues. A member will be declared not in good standing and her membership terminated if the member's dues remain outstanding and unpaid for three months.

Section 2: Misconduct. "Misconduct" is herein defined as conduct adverse or harmful to the purpose and/or repute of either the national organization or the Chapter. A member may be expelled for such conduct as described in Article V. Section

ARTICLE IX

BYLAWS AND AMENDMENTS:

Section 1: The Chapter shall abide by the guidelines set out by national Sisters in Crime and its bylaws. These proposed Chapter bylaws shall constitute the bylaws pro tern of the Chapter upon approval by the Chapter offices and national Sisters in Crime until amended and/or approved by the active membership at the first convenient meeting.

Section 2: Upon approval by the Chapter officers and national Sisters in Crime, the bylaws pro tern shall be distributed to the membership of the Chapter one month in advance of a membership vote of their approval. Approval of the bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of a simple majority of all active members who participate in voting.

Section 3: Amendment of the bylaws shall be submitted to the Secretary and accompanied by signature of twenty (20) percent of the active membership of the Chapter. To become effective, an amendment to the bylaws must be voted on by the general membership and approved by an affirmative vote of a simple majority of all active members who participate in voting.

ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION:

Section 1: To the extent permitted by law, the Chapter offices may indemnify and advance expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) to any present or former Chapter officer, agent or employee who was, is, or is threatened to be named defendant or respondent in an action or proceeding because such person was or is acting within the scope of her duties as a Chapter officer, agent or employee.

Section 2: The Chapter officers may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such person, whether or not the officers would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.

ARTICLE XI

DISSOLUTION:

Section 1: Dissolution of the Chapter shall be effected by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the active members who participate in the vote; provided all members have received advance notification of the vote.

Section 2: Upon dissolution of the Chapter, its property and assets shall be distributed as follows:

(a) All liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied and discharged or adequate provision made f or the satisfaction of all debts of the Chapter.

(b) Assets held by the Chapter requiring return, transfer or conveyance, which condition occurs by reason of the dissolution, shall be returned, transferred or conveyed.

(c) Any remaining assets shall be distributed among such charities and/or tax-exempt institutions whose purposes are, in whole or in part, compatible with those of the Chapter as determined by a simple majority vote of the Chapter officers.

ARTICLE XII

RULES OF PROCEDURE:

Section 1: Any policies or procedures not contrary to law or these bylaws may be approved or amended by a simple majority vote of the Chapter officers. Written notification of policy or procedures changes will be provided to members at the next Chapter meeting after such changes have been approved.

Section 2: Any meeting of the Chapter and/or its officers shall be conducted in accordance with any generally accepted procedure agreed upon by the Chapter officers and announced to the members, except that the President shall in all events be a full voting member of the Chapter.