By-Laws

Article I - Members

        Section 1. The members of the Club shall be persons who are book collectors, book lovers, and those engaged in the promotion of the arts pertaining to the production of books and who are interested in participating in the activities of the Club. They shall be admitted by the chair of the Membership Committee upon the receipt of an application and payment of dues.

Section 2. The annual membership dues shall be an amount set by the Board of Directors, payable in January of each year. Anyone joining after July 1 of the year will pay 50% of that year’s dues. Any member whose dues are in arrears for a period of one year shall be dropped from the rolls unless payment is excused by the Board.

Section 3. The Annual Meeting of the members shall be held each year at the May meeting for the election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before such meeting. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time at the direction of the President or of the Board of Directors. Meetings of the members shall be held at the regular meeting place of the Club or at such place as the Board of Directors may determine.

Section 4. Written notice of the time and place of the Annual Meeting and of Special Meetings of the members shall be given to each member at least  seven (7) days prior to the day fixed for the meeting.

Section 5. Ten per cent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Club.

Section 6. Members may vote via email. The ballot counter or secretary shall email each member individually, and the members’ individual replies will then be printed, put to one side, and counted once all have been received.

Section 7. Voting by proxy is not permitted.

Section 8. Notices under these Bylaws may be made by email or other form determined by the Board of Directors.

Article II - Directors

        Section 1. The business and affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of the officers and at least five (5) additional Directors who shall be elected by the members of the Club to serve for a term of two years or until their successors are elected and qualify. 

Section 2. Vacancies in the membership of the Board of Directors  may be filled temporarily by the Board, with permanent positions filled during the election at the next Annual Meeting.

Section 3. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors  shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Board, at least quarterly. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time at the direction of the President or at the request of three (3) or more Directors. Notice of special meetings shall be given to each Director at least one week (7 days) prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Five (5) Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article III - Officers

    Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The officers and Board of Director members at large shall be elected by the members at the Annual Meeting and shall hold office for a term of two years, and, with the exception of the President and Vice President, have a possibility of renewal for one additional two-year term. The Vice President shall be elected every two years and shall serve two (2) years as Vice President. The Vice President shall automatically become President at the conclusion of their second Annual Meeting and shall serve two (2) years as President. The Board of Directors shall select from their membership committee chairs, including the chair of the Membership and Nominating Committee and the chair of the Program Committee, and other positions as necessary.

Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors and shall in general perform all duties incident to the office of President.

Section 3. The other officers shall perform the duties incident to their respective offices. Hospitality and venue selection shall be the responsibility of the entire Board of Directors.

Article IV - Committees

        Section 1. The standing committees of the Club shall be the Membership and Nominating Committee and the Program Committee. The Board of Directors shall select the committee chairs, who will then recruit additional members to support the committees’ work.

Section 2. The Program Committee shall schedule the meetings of the Club and make the arrangements for speakers or other special events.

Section 3. The Membership and Nominating Committee shall recruit and approve new members, recruit a slate of candidates for elections, and manage the elections at the Annual Meeting.

Section 4. Each committee shall meet at the call of its chair.

Article V - Meetings

        Section 1. The Club shall hold at least six (6) meetings a year, including the Annual Meeting. The meetings shall be held normally at the designated meeting place of the Club.

Article V - Meetings

        Section 1. The fiscal year of the Club shall be the calendar year.

Article VII - Amendments

        Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended by affirmative vote of a majority of the membership at any regular or special meeting, providing that one week (7 days) written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given.

(Revision, approved May 8, 2024).