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Article 1. Name. The name of this organization is the Cajun/Zydeco Connection, herein after
referred to as "CZC".
Article 2. Purpose. The CZC is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the
preservation, study, teaching, enjoyment, and appreciation of Cajun and Creole dance, music,
and culture.
Article 3. Location. The principle location of the CZC shall be Huntsville, Alabama and the
surrounding areas of northern Alabama and southern middle Tennessee.
Article 4. Rules of Order. While it is anticipated that meetings will generally be conducted under
relaxed rules of order, the rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority
governing the organization in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not
inconsistent with the CZC bylaws.
Article 5. Membership.
a) All persons interested in Cajun and Creole dance and music are eligible to become members
of CZC upon payment of dues. Membership shall be open to all persons regardless of race,
gender, geographic location, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation.
There will be three categories of membership:
1) Individual Member: Individual members, those who are interested in the purposes of the
CZC.
2) Sponsor/Corporate Sponsor: Individuals or corporations who want to make a sustaining
financial donation to CZC and its purposes.
3) Honorary Member: Honorary membership may be conferred by the Board of Directors to
individuals who have made a distinguished contribution to the CZC.
b) Membership dues and privileges are determined by the Board of Directors. Those persons
whose membership is paid for the current year will be members in good standing.
c) Members in good standing are entitled to attend annual and special meetings, to vote on all
questions coming before the membership, and to hold office and serve on standing or special
committees.
d) Members are welcome to attend meetings of the Board and to participate, without a vote, on
matters before the Board. Such members may contact the President for the time and location of
the next meeting and inclusion on the agenda.
Article 6. Meetings of the Membership.
a) The Annual Meeting of the Membership shall be held each year for the election of the Board of
Directors and the transaction of any necessary business. This meeting will be held at a time and
location determined by the Board of Directors, providing that it is scheduled between June 1 and
August 31.
b)Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President at his or her discretion, or
at the direction of the Board, or at the written request of at least 10% of the membership. Notices
of special meetings shall state the matters to be considered.
c) At least one month's notice shall be given of the annual meeting or at least 1 weeks notice
shall be given for any special meeting of the membership.
d) The quorum for transaction of business is at least 10% of the membership.
e) A simple majority vote of membership present shall transact any business brought before the
membership, including the election of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise noted in these
bylaws.
f) Each Member, either individual, supporting or honorary, and each Sponsor or Corporate
sponsor, shall have one vote which must be cast in person.
Article 7. Election of the Board of Directors.
a) At least three months before the annual meeting, the President shall appoint a Nominating
Committee of three or more members of CZC, one of whom should be a member of the Board of
Directors, to prepare a slate of nominees willing and able to serve on the Board.
b) The Nominating Committee shall report its slate of nominees for existing vacancies to the
membership at least one month prior to the annual meeting.
c) Additional nominations may also be made by written petition of five members to the President
at least 2 weeks prior to the election.
d) Election of the Board of Directors shall be by open election unless requested by majority of
the membership present to vote by secret ballot.
e) All nominees must be members in good standing.
f) The Board of Directors will assume positions on September 1. Outgoing officers are
encouraged to attend Board meetings through September, or longer if needed, to facilitate the
transition of responsibilities.
Article 8. Board of Directors.
a) There will be five members of the Board of Directors elected annually by the membership.
b) The Board is responsible for conducting the business of the organization in the name of CZC.
It has sole authority to set schedules and dates for the year; to set dues and fees at rates which
will cover costs of operation; to set honoraria paid to teachers and musicians, rental of necessary
facilities, and other incidental expenses; to engage facilities for classes and special programs; to
approve engagements and/or other special activities undertaken in the name of CZC.
c) The Board shall determine the need for and the responsibilities of standing or special
committees to carry out projects or special programs.
d) In the event of a vacancy among the Board, the remaining Board members may exercise the
powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled at the next regular election or by a majority vote
may appoint a member to temporarily
fill the vacancy until the next election.
e) A member of the Board may be removed from office after reasonable notice by two-thirds
majority vote of the entire Board.
f) Board Members at Large may be appointed or removed by a majority vote of the elected
Directors of the Board. The responsibilities, authorities and privileges of the Members at Large
will be determined by and granted by the Board of Directors. All terms of office for Members at
Large shall end on the 31st day of August of each
year.
g) In the event there shall be any dispute as to the interpretation of these By-laws, the elected
Board of Directors shall be the final authority.
Article 9. Meetings of the Board.
a) The quorum for transaction of business is at least three of the elected members of the Board
of Directors.
b) A majority vote of those voting is necessary to transact any business brought before the
Board.
c) As a minimum, Board of Director’s meetings will be held once per quarter. The officers will be
notified of the meeting at least one week prior to the scheduled date.
d) Meetings of the Board will be open to the membership with the following exception; closed
meetings may be held if there is a need to discuss the good name and character of an individual.
e) Dance and music leaders, whether or not they are members of CZC, may attend meetings for
the purposes of advising or receiving suggestions from the Board concerning the programs of the
CZC.
f) The policy for handling emergency decisions will be set at the beginning of the term of the new
board.
Article 10. Duties and responsibilities of the Board. There will be five members of the Board
of Directors elected annually by the membership. Following elections and prior to September 1st,
the new Board of Directors will determine a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
from within the elected Board. The new Board will also determine the division of additional duties
and responsibilities as they see fit.
a) President. The executive officer responsible for the operation of the group. The President
presides at meetings, calls regular or special meetings of the Board or membership as needed,
and appoints the Chairpersons of standing or special committees and Board Members at Large,
subject to the approval of the board.
b) Vice-President. Acts as President in the absence or illness of the President and in the event
of the President's resignation or incapacity to serve shall succeed to the office until the next
regular
Addendum - CZC's Articles of Organization
CZC Statement of Purpose
The purposes for which this organization is formed are as follows:
-- to encourage and support the practice of Cajun and Creole dance and music in the North
Alabama area and to promote the appreciation of Cajun and Creole culture.
-- to publish materials to achieve these objectives.
-- to train teachers, musicians, and leaders in order to further these objectives.
-- to assemble and maintain a library of materials related to Cajun and Creole dance, music, and
culture.
-- to act as an educational and nonprofit society.
-- to do all or any such things as may be conducive or incidental to the promotion of the above
purposes.
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