ARTICLE I: Name

 

The name of this book club shall be The Butterfly Book Club.    

 

ARTICLE II: Mission Statement

 

The mission of this book club is to inspire reading and the discussion of literary works of African-American authors; while providing an atmosphere that promotes sisterhood, unity, and community involvement.

 

ARTICLE III:  Membership

 

Section 1.  This book club will be open to all women.  The maximum number of members for this book club shall not exceed 12 members.  Upon reaching the maximum number of members, an additional chapter of this book club shall be generated.  All chapters shall not exceed 12 members.

 

Section 2.  New Membership:  Active members will vote on whether new membership should be granted to the applicant.  The new membership voting will take place following the applicant’s attendance at the second meeting.  The applicant will be notified by mail regarding the outcome of the vote.

 

Any person wishing to join this book club will have to do the following:

·         Submit a completed application and a non-refundable $10.00 application fee.

·         Attend two consecutive meetings before the month of November.

 

Section 3.  Members who request a leave of absence from the book club must submit a leave of absence form at least one week prior to the next scheduled book club meeting.  Approved leave of absences are valid for a period of two months or less.  Leave of absences are available one time per year.  Members returning from a leave of absence must attend the next scheduled book club meeting.

 

ARTICLE IV:  Dues

 

Section 1.  Membership dues shall be $60.00 per year.  Annual payments of $60.00 are due by March 31st.  Checks will be accepted and should be made payable to The Butterfly Book Club.

 

 

Section 2.  Any member who fails to pay her annual dues by the March 31st deadline will be given a warning letter by the book club treasurer.  If the member does not comply with the guidelines of the warning letter, the member will be deemed suspended from the book club.

 

A reinstatement fee of $50.00 (in addition to the dues) will have to be paid in full before membership is reinstated.  The suspension period shall not exceed three (3) months.  After the three (3) month period has expired, the member shall be terminated from the book club.

 

Section 3.  Members are responsible for all returned checks and any fees associated with the check.  If a member’s check has been returned, future dues from the member will be accepted only in the form of cash or money order for a period of one (1) year. 

 

ARTICLE V:  Duties of Officers

Section 1.  The President shall:

a.       Act as the book club director.

b.      Responsible for book club operations.

c.       Enforce all objectives of the book club.

d.      Act as authorized signer on bank account(s).

e.       Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Section 2. The Vice President shall:

a.       Preside in the absence of the president.

b.      Work with president in defining and executing the goals of the book club.

c.       Act as chairperson of the quarterly officers meetings.

d.      Act as authorized signer on bank account(s).

e.       Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Section 3.  The Secretary shall:

a.       Maintain a membership list.

b.      Be responsible for the maintenance of the record book.

c.       Record any meeting minutes and distribute typed minutes to the book club members.

d.      Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Section 4.  The Treasurer shall:

a.       Act as custodian of all funds of the book club.

b.      Keep record of account, including bank statements.

c.       Make disbursements as authorized by the President and/or Vice President.

d.      Act as authorized signer on bank account(s).

e.       Present a financial statement at the monthly meetings and/or upon request.

f.        Perform other duties as assigned.

 

ARTICLE VI:  Meetings

 

Section 1.  Monthly meetings of the book club shall be held on the third Saturday of every month, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

 

Section 2.  Members are responsible for attending monthly meetings regularly.  If any member misses two (2) consecutive meetings without communication to the secretary, she will be determined to be non-compliant in her membership agreement.  A warning letter will be mailed to the member and a response must be received within 7 calendar days.  If no response is received before the deadline, she will be withdrawn from the book club.  If a member is unable to attend a meeting for any reason, she must contact the secretary immediately before the meeting. 

 

ARTICLE VII:  Code of Conduct

 

The objective of the code of conduct is to foster an environment that is safe, fun, and conducive to the enjoyment of the book discussion among book club members.  Violations of the code of conduct can result in any of the following:  warning, suspension, or the loss of current membership and banned from future membership.  The president will investigate all reported violations, determine if a violation actually occurred, and will take the appropriate measures as needed.  Accepted membership into this book club and receiving a copy of these bylaws is an indication to your acceptance of the code of conduct.  It is therefore agreed that this code of conduct will be abided by and if any part of the code of conduct is violated by a member, the member may be warned, suspended, or have her membership revoked.

 

The book club has adopted the following code of conduct:

 

• To comply with the bylaws.
• To use the mission as a guide.
• To attend book club functions regularly and promptly.
• To represent The Butterfly Book Club in a positive manner.
• To maintain an appropriate attitude toward all book club members.
• To respect the opinions and/or viewpoints of other members.
• To take responsibility for our own actions.
• To inform the elected officers of any concerns or problems that may arise and refrain from making the problem worse by getting more members involved.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  Disbursement of Book Club Funds

 

Section 1.  If the book club decides to cease operations, the book club funds will be donated to the Ohio Literacy Network.  No book club member (past or present) will be allowed to keep any portion of the book club funds.

 

BOARD OF OFFICERS

President:  Afonda Johnson

Vice President: Danielle McKnight-Zellner

Secretary:  Alva Collins

Treasurer:  Shannon Cunningham