TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION
Central Delaware Blues Society
ARTICLE II. CORPORATE PURPOSE
Section 1. Nonprofit Purpose
This corporation is organized exclusively for promotion of musical arts, related charitable and educational 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 the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section 2. Specific Purpose
The specific objective and purpose of this organization shall be:
To promote and encourage the appreciation of all forms of Blues music and to support the musicians who perform it live, both locally and nationally.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility for Membership
Application for membership shall be open to anyone that supports the purpose statement in Article II, Section 2. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and annual dues. All memberships shall be granted without a vote of the board.
Section 2. Annual Dues
The amount required for annual dues shall be $25 each year, unless changed by a majority vote of the board members. Continued membership is contingent upon being up-to-date on membership dues. Lifetime memberships are available for $250.
Section 3. Lifetime Membership
Lifetime Membership may be awarded to members in good standing for 5 years and who have been active participants in the Board of Directors and committees during that time. The Board of Directors has sole authority to issue Lifetime membership in lieu of $250.
Section 4. Resignation and Termination
Any member may resign at any time without advanced notice to the Board or members. Resignation shall not relieve a member of unpaid dues, or other charges previously accrued and membership dues are non-refundable. A member can have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 5. Non-voting Membership
The board shall have the authority to establish and define non-voting categories of membership. Non-Voting positions include President Emeritus, Past President, Founders
Section 6. Membership Participation
All members are encouraged to participate in activities of the Central Delaware Blues Society.
Members may request time at Board of Directors’ meetings with 20 days advance notice including the subject and or materials included.
All members are free to submit proposals to the Board of Directors at any time. If the member wishes to discuss the proposal at a Board of Directors’ meeting, the member shall provide a copy of the proposal 20. Days in advance of the Board of Directors’ meeting.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers
The affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have control of and be responsible for the management of the affairs and property of the Corporation.
Section 2. Number, Tenure, Requirements, and Qualifications
The number of Directors shall be fixed from time-to-time by the Directors but shall consist of no less than four (4) nor more than fifteen (15) including the following officers: the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.
The members of the Board of Directors shall, upon election, immediately enter upon the performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. All members of the Board of Directors must be approved by a majority vote of the Board present and voting. No vote on new members of the Board of Directors, shall be held unless a quorum of the Board of Directors is present as provided in Section 6 of this Article.
Each member of the Board of Directors shall be a member of the Corporation whose membership dues are paid in full and shall hold office for up to a three-year term as submitted by the nominations committee.
Newly elected members of the Board of Directors who have not served before shall serve initial one-year terms. At the conclusion of the initial one-year term, members of the Board of Directors may serve additional three-year terms. Their terms may be staggered so that at the time of each annual meeting, the terms of approximately one-third (1/3) of all members of the Board of Directors may expire.
Each member of the Board of Directors shall attend at least six 6 monthly meetings of the Board per year. Attendance via electronic connection is acceptable.
Relatives may serve on the Board of Directors as long as their duties do not cause a conflict of interest or a fiduciary conflict with accounting standards or checks and balances. Relative include spouses, siblings, parent/child.
Section 3. Regular and Annual Meetings
An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and day in the month of January of each calendar year and at a location designated by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place, for the holding of regular meetings of the Board.
Notice of these meetings shall be sent to all members of the Board of Directors no less than ten (10) days, prior to the meeting date.
The Board of Directors may meet as often as necessary to accomplish tasks.
It is recommended that Board of Directors’ meeting dates be posted on Facebook, Central Delaware Blues Society website calendar and any other communication vehicle agreed upon by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two members of the Board of Directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any location, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them.
Section 5. Notice
Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days in advance of the meeting by telephone, facsimile or electronic methods or by written notice. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these by-laws.
Section 6. Quorum
The presence, in person of a majority of current members of the Board of Directors shall be necessary at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business, but a lesser number shall have power to adjourn to a specified later date without notice. The act of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws.
Section 7. Forfeiture
Any member of the Board of Directors who fails to fulfill any of his or her requirements as set forth in Section 2 of this Article by January 1st shall automatically forfeit his or her seat on the Board. The Secretary shall notify the Director in writing that his or her seat has been declared vacant, and the Board of Directors may forthwith immediately proceed to fill the vacancy. Members of the Board of Directors who are removed for failure to meet any or all of the requirements of Section 2 of this Article are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting and are not entitled to the procedure outlined in Section 14 of this Article in these by-laws.
Section 8. Vacancies
Whenever any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors it shall be filled without undue delay by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors at a regular meeting.
Vacancies may be created and filled according to specific methods approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. Compensation
Members of the Board of Directors shall not receive any compensation for their services as Directors.
Section 10. Informal Action by Directors
Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of the Directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by two-thirds (2/3) of all of the Directors following notice of the intended action to all members of the Board of Directors.
Section 11. Confidentiality
Directors shall use discretion and good business judgment in discussing the affairs of the Corporation with third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, Directors may discuss upcoming fundraisers and the purposes and functions of the Corporation, including but not limited to accounts on deposit in financial institutions.
Section 12. Parliamentary Procedure
Any question concerning parliamentary procedure at meetings shall be determined by the President by reference to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 13. Removal.
Any member of the Board of Directors or members of the Advisory Council may be removed with or without cause, at any time, by vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the members of the Board of Directors if in their judgment the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby. Each member of the Board of Directors must receive written notice of the proposed removal at least ten (10) days in advance of the proposed action. An officer who has been removed as a member of the Board of Directors shall automatically be removed from office.
Members of the Board of Directors who are removed for failure to meet the minimum requirements in Section 2 of this Article in these by-laws automatically forfeit their positions on the Board pursuant to Section 7 of this Article, and are not entitled to the removal procedure outlined in Section 13 of this Article. Upon removal of the member, the Board of Directors shall request return of all property of the Central Delaware Blues Society.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS
The officers of this Board shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers must have the status of active members of the Board.
Section 1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership. The President shall have the following duties:
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice President is a successive office. The person assuming this role should accept the position expecting to continue on in the Presidential role. In the event of absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President shall fill the of Role of President.
Section 3. Secretary
The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Executive Committee, and all meetings of members, will act as a clerk thereof. The Secretary’s duties shall consist of:
Section 4. Treasurer
The Treasures duties shall be:
Section 5. President Emeritus
Section 6. Founders
Section 7. Past President
Section 8. Election of Officers
The Nominating Committee shall submit at the meeting prior to the annual meeting the names of those persons for the respective offices of the Board. Nominations shall also be received from the floor after the report of the Nominating Committee. The election shall be held at the annual meeting of the Board. Those officers elected shall serve a term of one (1) year, commencing at the next meeting following the annual meeting.
Officers of the Executive Committee shall be eligible to succeed themselves in their respective offices for two (2) terms only.
Section 9. Removal of Officer
The Board with the concurrence of 3/4 of the members voting at the meeting may remove any officer of the Board of Directors and elect a successor for the unexpired term. No officer of the Board of Directors shall be expelled without an opportunity to be heard and notice of such motion of expulsion shall be given to the member in writing twenty (20) days prior to the meeting at which motion shall be presented, setting forth the reasons of the Board for such expulsion. The removed officer shall surrender all Central Delaware Blues Society property and receive an itemized receipt.
Section 10. Vacancies
The Nominating Committee shall also be responsible for nominating persons to fill vacancies which occur between annual meetings, including those of officers. Nominations shall be sent in writing to members of the Board at least two (2) weeks prior to the next meeting at which the election will be held. The persons so elected shall hold membership or office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committee Formation
The board may create committees as needed, such as fundraising, public relations, data collection, etc. The Board President appoints all committee chairs.
Section 2. Executive Committee
The four officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.
Section 3. Finance Committee
The treasurer is the chair of the Finance Committee, which includes three other board members. The Finance Committee is responsible for:
ARTICLE VII. CONTRACT WRITING
ARTICLE VIII. – CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND COMPENSATION
Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the Central Delaware Blues Society interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.
Section 2: Definitions
Interested Person
Compensation
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial. A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. A person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Section 3. Procedures
Duty to Disclose.
In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
Determining whether a Conflict of Interest Exists.
After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, the interested person shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest
An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, the interested person shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine:
Section 4. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.
Section 5. Records of Proceedings
The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:
Section 6. Annual Statements
Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:
Section 7. Periodic Reviews
To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:
Section 8. Use of Outside Experts
When conducting the periodic reviews as provided for in Article VII, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.
ARTICLE IX. INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. General
To the full extent authorized under the laws of the State of Delaware, the corporation shall indemnify any director, officer, employee, or agent, or former member, director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or any person who may have served at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation (each of the foregoing members, directors, officers, employees, agents, and persons is referred to in this Article individually as an “indemnitee”), against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by such indemnitee in connection with the defense of any action, suit, or proceeding in which that indemnitee is made a party by reason of being or having been such member, director, officer, employee, or agent, except in relation to matters as to which that indemnitee shall have been adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of a duty. The foregoing indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an indemnitee may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, resolution of the Board of Directors, or otherwise.
Section 2. Expenses
Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding, if authorized by the Board of Directors, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder.
Section 3. Insurance
The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a member, director, officer, employee, or agent against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power or obligation to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article.
ARTICLE X. BOOKS AND RECORDS
The corporation shall keep complete books and records of account and minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Articles of Incorporation
The Articles of Incorporation may be amended in any manner at any regular or a special meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that
Section 2. Bylaws
ADOPTION OF BYLAWS
We, the undersigned, consent to, adopt the foregoing Bylaws, as the Bylaws of this corporation. ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the Board of Directors on this ____ day of ______-, 20___.
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President – Central Delaware Blues Society, Inc.
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Vice President – Central Delaware Blues Society, Inc.
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Secretary - Central Delaware Blues Society
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Treasurer – Central Delaware Blues Society
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Witness