Article I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Gallatin Valley Newcomers Club.

Article II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSE

A.  The organization is organized primarily for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

B. To assist in the assimilation of new residents into the citizenship, civic and social activities of their new community. It is a charitable, social, and educational non-religious organization. The Gallatin Valley Newcomers Club is not to be used as a networking organization for business promotion. The membership directory cannot be used as a mailing/calling list. This statement will be included in the front of the directory.

C. To develop acquaintances and friendships among new residents as well as existing residents of the community.

Article III MEMBERSHIP

A. Qualification:

1. Active member: Any person who subscribes to the objects and purposes of the club may become a member upon payment of the regular dues. Newcomers may attend two luncheons before being required to pay dues.

2. Lifetime member: A member is eligible for lifetime membership at the end of five consecutive years of active paid membership. Lifetime dues are payable at the beginning of the sixth year. A lifetime member will have all the privileges of an active member.

B. Dues:

1. Dues shall be paid by each member of the club in such amount as determined by the Board. The dues will be reviewed by the Board every year.

2. The membership year runs from September through the following August.

3. In addition to regular dues, members shall be responsible for all reservations made and not cancelled by the restaurant deadline for canceling prior to a function.

C. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A. Shall consist of Officers to be elected by the majority vote of the members present and constituting a quorum meeting of the club.

B. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months. Any vacancy occurring during the term shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.

C. The members of the Executive Committee Shall serve in the following capacities:

1. President:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the Executive Committee.

c. Shall assist where needed with the Holiday Auction and in making recommendations to the Board of Directors for distribution of funds to the community.

d. Shall appoint any standing or special committees and chairs.

e. Shall approve all expenditures.

f. Shall be unofficial hostess at all club functions.

g. Shall send notice of all monthly Board meetings to all Executive Officers and Committee Members.

h. Shall serve as ex-officio member of the Executive Committee following her term as President.

2. Vice President:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President.

c. Shall Chair the Holiday Auction and make recommendations to the Board for distribution of funds to the community.

d. Shall assume the office of President the following year.

3. Treasurer:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall perform all duties pertaining to the collection of funds, including dues, and to the disbursement of funds.

c. Shall notify members whose dues have been delinquent for two months.

d. Shall make a brief monthly written report of receipts and expenditures and present report and receipts to the Executive Officers and Committee Chairs at the monthly Board meeting.

e. Shall prepare the yearly income tax return and mail no later than the deadline each year.

5. Secretary:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall make a written record of all monthly Board meetings.

c. Shall read the minutes of the previous Board meeting at the current Board meeting.

d. Shall write welcome notes to each new person attending a function.

Article V. COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

1. Publicity/Webmaster Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall have computer skills.

c. Will act as the club Webmaster.

d. Shall see that notices of meetings and all other publicity be released to newspapers, radio and television.

e. Shall build and maintain public relations contact lists and phone numbers.

f. May obtain an assistant as needed.

2. Newsletter Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall prepare all club information fliers, newsletters, calendars and any printed announcement of upcoming club activities.

c. Shall coordinate with all Committee Chairs all necessary information for any printed material or verbal communications.

d. May obtain an assistant as needed.

3. Historian Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall take pictures at club functions.

c. Shall obtain pictures of outings and events from other committee chairs and special interest groups.

d. Shall maintain the club scrapbook and make it available at monthly luncheons and coffees.

e. May obtain an assistant as needed.

4. Program Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall arrange the program for each luncheon.

c. Shall coordinate with Publicity/Newsletter Chairs all publication and communications.

d. Shall maintain a program resource file.

e. Shall coordinate with Luncheon Chair any microphones and special needs for each function.

f. Will obtain the door prize for each luncheon.

g. May obtain an assistant as needed.

5. Luncheon Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12 months.

b. Shall arrange for luncheon meeting places.

c. Shall negotiate menus and costs of luncheons.

d. Shall keep Head Call Chair and Publicity Chair informed of all pertinent luncheon information in a timely manner.

e. Shall coordinate with Program Chair any microphones and special needs for each function.

f. Shall obtain final guest count from the Head Call Chair and advise the restaurant.

g. Shall maintain a resource file.

h. May obtain an assistant as needed.

6. Membership Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall have computer skills.

c. Shall maintain all master lists including: lists of all paid members, Lifetime members, and telephone calling committee lists.

d. Shall make the Membership Directory available to all paid members at the November luncheon.

e. Shall provide the Newsletter Chair, Secretary, and Head Caller with a monthly update of new members. The update will be included in the monthly newsletter and be considered an addendum to the Membership Directory.

f. May obtain an assistant as needed.

7. Welcome/Hospitality Chair(s):

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall greet all members and guests at all luncheons and coffees.

c. Shall introduce new guests at all luncheons and coffees.

d. May obtain an assistant as needed.

8. Head Caller Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall solicit volunteers each year to create the Calling Committee.

c. Shall keep the Calling Committee updated with all additions and deletions from the master calling list, provided by the Membership Chair.

d. Shall keep the Membership Chair updated on additions and deletions from the master-calling list.

e. Shall relay all necessary reservation information to the Luncheon Chair.

f. Shall keep nametags updated and available for monthly luncheons.

g. May obtain an assistant as needed.

9. Special Interest Group Chair:

a. Shall serve for a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall coordinate with all Chairs of each Special Interest Group to insure that each Special Interest is organized and follow-up where needed.

c. Shall coordinate the Chairs of the Special Interest Groups monthly presentations.

d. Shall serve as the liaison between the Board and the Special Interest Chairs.

e. May obtain an assistant as needed.

10. Coffee Chair:

a. Shall serve a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall secure a coffee hostess and co-hostess for the months of September through May and July.

c. Shall advise Publicity/Newsletter Chairs of all pertinent information.

d. Shall coordinate the hostess and co-hostess through a letter or phone call explaining their duties.

e. Shall get the coffee pot to the hostess and make sure there are name tags available at the coffee.

g. May obtain an assistant as needed.

11. Helping Hands Chair:

a. Shall serve a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall write get well and sympathy cards when necessary.

c. Shall provide assistance to members in need.

d. May obtain an assistant as needed.

12. Assistant Treasurer:

a. Shall serve a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall collect money at the monthly luncheons.

c. Shall perform all duties of Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer.

13. Charity Research Committee Chair:

a. Shall serve a term of twelve (12) months.

b. Shall be a liaison between the committee and the board.

c. Shall supply the board with information necessary to make an informed decision about where our donations should go.

d. Shall fulfill all the duties that are required of the committee.

e. May obtain an assistant as needed.

14. Charity Research Committee (Not a Board Position).

a. Will be a fact finding group appointed by the President and Vice-President, approved by the board.

b. Duties will include posting of requests by charities and a review of the requests.

c. Compilation of a report demonstrating needs, money required, and method of accountability for review by the Board.

d. The selected organization(s) will be required to give an accounting to the membership of how the donated money is spent.

Article VI. BOARD

The Board is defined as the elected Officers known as the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs and assistants as may be appointed.

Article VII. MEETINGS

A. Regular meetings of the club shall be held monthly from September through May.

B. Special meetings of the club may be held at any time as called by the Executive Committee.

C. A quorum shall be necessary for the transaction of club business. A quorum shall constitute a majority of the members present.

D. Board meetings of the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs and any assistants as may be appointed shall be held the week before the monthly luncheon. Special meetings may be held at the request of two Executive Officers, due notice being given to all members of the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs.

E. A May Board meeting will be held with old and new Board members. The records will be passed from the old to new Board members at this time.

F. There will be one coffee in July.

Article VIII. SELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS:

A. Recruitment of new Officers shall begin in January. Elections are to be held in April.

B. The slate of nominees shall be submitted to the members of the club before the election.

C. Any active or lifetime member who has paid dues shall be entitled to vote.

Article IX. AMENDMENTS:

Amendments may be made to the constitution at any regular meeting of the club with the majority vote of the members.

Article X. DISSOLUTION:

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.