2014 By-Laws
Article I — Name and Definition
The name of this organization shall be San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild (SDNCKG), hereafter known as the “Guild.” SDNCKG is registered in the state of California as an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association. The Association Registration Number for SDNCKG is 11388. The Guild is a nonprofit California association and is not organized for personal profit. All activities of the Guild shall be conducted in such a manner that no part of the net income shall benefit any individual member, except as that member may be hired as a lecturer/teacher by the Executive Board (The Board).
Article II — Purpose
SDNCKG is organized to promote the artistry and skill of the craft of knitting through workshops, monthly meetings, and informal knitting groups throughout the community. SDNCKG provides an educational and supportive environment for all knitters from beginning to advanced levels. Philanthropic projects are encouraged to provide support to charitable and non-profit organizations.
Article III — Membership and Dues
Membership shall be open to any person interested in the purpose of this organization upon payment of annual dues as established by the Executive Board. Annual dues shall be collected within the month of January and due on January 31st of each year.
Prospective members may attend two monthly meetings or two sub-group meetings as a guest before being required to pay dues. Paid members will receive the Directory and monthly newsletters.
Article IV — Meetings
A meeting of the general membership shall be held once per month on the first Tuesday of each month except for December.
Knit @ Nite shall meet on the first Wednesday of each month.
The Board shall meeting quarterly at a time and place determined by the President. The President may convene extra meetings if needed.
Members-teaching-members sessions will be coordinated by the instructor and the MTM coordinator. These sessions are open to members only.
Article V — Elections
In years when appropriate, a nominating chair and committee will be appointed by the Board in July. This committee will have responsibility of establishing a slate of nominees of Executive Officers and Chairs/Coordinators. The Executive Board will have final approval of the nominees. The President shall present a slate of officers at the November meeting.
Election of officers shall take place at the following January meeting by a show of hands. The candidate with the majority of the votes will hold the office. Officers shall take office as of the January meeting. A mid-year vacancy in office shall be filled by the Board. The officer so elected shall serve only until the next general election.
Article VI — Executive Board: Officers and Duties
The Executive Officers are the voting members of this organization and shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Program Chairperson. The standing officers shall determine the need for additional officers as the organization’s needs change. The resulting list of necessary officers shall be included in the next general election. The terms of all officers shall be for two years.
Duties
President: The President shall preside over all Board and member meetings of SDNCKG and coordinate all activities of the Guild. The President shall perform all other duties as required by the office.
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall act in place of the President in her absence or upon request of the President. If a vacancy in the office of President occurs, the Vice President will automatically become President. Responsible for maintaining and amending By-laws as necessary.
Secretary: The Secretary shall take notes at all general meetings and Board meetings and summarize them as necessary for the newsletter. The Secretary shall maintain all past and current minutes of Executive Board and General meetings. She shall conduct all Guild correspondence under the direction of the President. She shall serve as liaison to TKGA and sends cards and correspondence to Guild members as needed.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of SDNCKG. She shall collect all dues, assessment, contributions, donations, and other items of value, and shall report the financial status of SDNCKG to the Board. The Treasurer shall maintain the Guild’s bank account(s); prepare a monthly summary of finances which will be available to all members at the monthly meeting. The Treasurer shall sign checks for the disbursement of Guild funds, securing counter-signature as needed. The President is the counter-signer. The Treasurer also prepares an annual financial statement as of January 31 st of each year.
Program Chairperson(s): The Program Chairperson shall coordinate programs for the monthly general membership meetings. She shall contact contracted speakers and shall secure all information pertinent to the speaker’s visit, i.e. workshops, topic, supply lists, and facility needs and shall act as hostess for visiting speakers.
Article VII — Committees/ Special Appointments
Coordinators/Committee Chairs
The Board will also include non-voting standing committee chairs: Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Historian, Membership/Records Coordinator(s), Newsletter Distributor(s), Librarian, Philanthropy Coordinator, Retreat Coordinator, Members-Teaching Members (MTM) Coordinator, Holiday Luncheon Coordinator, Fair Coordinator, Stash Sale Coordinator and Pot-Luck Luncheon Coordinator and Stitch and Pitch Coordinator. The Coordinators shall be responsible for selecting their own working committee members as needed. Committees may be created or dissolved by the President subject to approval by the Executive Board.
Newsletter Editor(s)
The Newsletter Editor shall publish a monthly newsletter containing review of last months’ meeting, upcoming Guild events, and other pertinent information which needs to be communicated to the membership.
Webmaster
Shall maintain the Guild’s internet website & answer email.
Historian
The Historian shall take or have taken photographs and keep records of
newsworthy events and assemble scrapbooks as appropriate. Photographs taken at meetings shall be sent to the newsletter editor(s) as needed. All film, photographs, negatives, and scrapbooks will be the property of the Guild.
Membership Records
Shall maintain an up-to-date membership roster and is responsible for printing of the Membership Directory yearly.
Newsletter Distributor
Shall be responsible for mailing hard copies of the newsletter to those who cannot receive it electronically & send an email blast to members with a link for the current Newsletter.
Librarian
Shall organize library materials and make them available to members at
general meetings. Shall acquire and maintain Guild-owned library materials.
Philanthropy Coordinator
Shall coordinate Guild philanthropic projects and act as liaison to philanthropic organizations. The Philanthropy Coordinator may provide members with patterns and supplies for philanthropy projects.
Retreat Coordinator
Shall plan, coordinate, and organize Guild retreats twice per year.
Members - Teaching - Members Coordinator
The MTM Coordinator shall be responsible for organizing workshops held independent of monthly programs and workshops. This includes being the liaison with instructors, finding venues, and keeping the membership informed of
upcoming workshops.
Holiday Luncheon
Shall be responsible for planning and implementing the annual luncheon and fashion show held each December.
Fair Coordinator
Shall coordinate all requirements for the Guild’s participation at the San
Diego County Fair including meeting with Fair Officials, encouraging members to submit items, assisting members with information on how to submit items, scheduling volunteers to work at the Guild’s fair booth, and reporting results of prize members.
Stash Sale Coordinator
Shall collect stash from members; stores & prices it for our annual sale.
Pot-Luck Luncheon Coordinator
Shall organize members to bring salads & main dishes. The Guild provides dessert & drinks, paper products, table cloths & centerpieces, and coordinates their purchase and distribution.
Stitch and Pitch Coordinator
Shall serve as the liaison to the Padres Stitch and Pitch officials and informs members of upcoming events.
Founding President
The founding President shall have a permanent non-voting position on the Board.
Article VIII — Sub-Groups
General Guidelines for North Coast Sub-Groups – The Board does not involve itself in the operations of the Guild’s sub-groups. However, all sub-groups shall adhere to the following guidelines:
Sub-Groups are democratic organizations. Decisions (such as group activities, meeting places and times, designation of a contact person) are made by the groups as a whole, not by individual members acting independently.
The sub-groups’ contact person(s) are the liaison with the Board and newsletter editor.
Visitors to sub-groups are encouraged but are asked to join the Guild if they wish to attend sub-group meetings after two visits.
Sub-groups are an extension of the Guild. Members shall be respectful at all times of members and potential members.
Guild sub-groups will not meet at local yarn stores. Sub-groups will meet at a public coffee shop, restaurant, senior or community center or a member’s home in order to avoid a conflict of interest or show favoritism.
Article IX — Finances
The fiscal year of the Guild will be from February 1 st to January 31 st . Checks or withdrawals from SDNCKG funds shall require only the signature of the Treasurer. In the event funds must be expended and the Treasurer is not available, the President may sign. Financial reports are available at monthly meetings and upon request from the membership. Contracts may be signed by the President or Treasurer after approval by the Executive Board.
Article X — Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board. The general membership shall be informed that the By-Laws have been amended and are available for review upon request.
Article XI — Procedures for Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this organization, assets will be distributed only to a charitable organization or a fiber-related educational or social club exempt under the Internal Revenue Code. The Executive Board will determine to which organization the funds will be disbursed.