Old Bylaws

The bylaws under which CMUG used to operate appear below. These were approved at the June 19, 1996 General Meeting, after appearing in the May and June 1996 BugBytes. They have been superceded by new bylaws approved in April 2004; you will find them here.

Note that the club's name at that time was "Central Maryland Microcomputer User's Group" (CMMUG).

Want to learn more about Robert's Rules of Order? Try here: www.rulesonline.com

Bylaws of the Central Maryland Microcomputer User's Group, Inc.

PREAMBLE

We the members of the Central Maryland Microcomputer User's Group, Inc. (hereafter referred to as "Corporation") do organize for the purpose stated herein,

ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Corporation is to promote teaching, education and programs to stimulate interest in the ability to program and apply the computer's use to our membership's advantage. Ownership of a computer is not a prerequisite of membership.

The objectives of the Corporation are the following:

a) To perform all other powers conferred upon this Corporation as authorized by Title Two of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland as amended.

b) To own, operate, lease, purchase the option, or otherwise acquire, hold, improve, mortgage, sell, rent, and hold property for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Corporation.

c) To sell goods and wares or merchandise for the purpose of promoting the objectives of the Corporation. However, the Corporation shall not engage in the promotion or stimulation of any business organized for profit.

d) To accept contributions and gifts to be used to attain the objectives of the Corporation.

e) To apply for necessary licenses and permits to engage in activities to promote the activities of the Corporation.

f) To lend or to borrow or to raise money to further the objects of the Corporation.

g) The Corporation is not authorized to issue Capital Stock and will not be operated for profit.

h) This Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, within the meaning of Section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

a) Membership shall be open to all persons interested in the goals and programs of this Corporation upon application for membership and payment of annual dues.

b) Membership will be terminated by resignation or non-payment of dues.

ARTICLE III: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

a) The Corporation shall be governed by an Executive Board consisting of the officers of the Corporation and a member of the Corporation chosen by the Executive Board who is not an elected officer.

b) The Executive Board shall be responsible for managing the activities of the Corporation, presenting and promoting policies and generally supervising the affairs of the Corporation. It shall approve all contracts, expenditures, sales, and transactions of every kind subject only to the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation and these By-Laws.

c) The Board shall meet at the call of the President at least annually or upon request of three (3) members of the Board to the President, Vice-President, or Secretary, providing ten (10) days written or telephone or facsimile notice be given to all members of the Executive Board stating the reason for the meeting.

d) A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

e) All meetings of the Executive Board are open to all members in good standing of the Corporation.

ARTICLE IV: THE OFFICERS

a) THE PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board and shall conduct the same in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order (current edition). He/she and the Secretary shall sign all legal documents approved by the Executive Board. He/she shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and any other as may be assigned by the Executive Board.

b) THE VICE-PRESIDENT shall perform the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence and such other administrative duties or others as may be assigned him/her by the President or by the Executive Board.

c) THE TREASURER shall keep the account books, checkbooks, and report the state of all funds and assets of the corporation, reporting to the Executive Board at stated times and at the Annual Meeting.

d) THE SECRETARY shall keep minutes of all meetings and Executive Board meetings, send all notices, carry on all correspondence, co-sign with the President all legal documents approved by the Executive Board and perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Board.

f) The Executive Board may appoint Assistant Secretaries and an Assistant Treasurer to do specific tasks it assigns.

g) All candidates for office and officers of the Corporation must be members in good standing of the Corporation and be at least 21 years of age by the beginning of their terms.

h) The officers will hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified.

i) Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of all the members present at any regular meeting of the Corporation.

j) The Executive Board may, by a majority vote of the Board, appoint a replacement officer to fill a vacancy resulting from the removal, resignation, or death of an officer. The appointed officer will serve for the balance of the term of the officer he/she replaces.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

a) Regular meetings of the Corporation shall be held monthly at a location designated by the Executive Board and are open to the public.

b) The Annual Meeting shall be held each year on the third Wednesday of June at which time officers shall be elected.

c) A quorum for the Annual Meeting or regular meetings shall be 20% of the membership.

d) Dues will be assessed on a 12 month basis. Dues will be recommended by the Executive Board and adopted by a majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the Corporation provided that such amendment be submitted in writing to the members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION

To consider dissolving the Corporation and disbursing the remaining assets, ten (10) days written notice must be given to all members. The voting will be held at a general meeting. In the event that a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present dissolves the Corporation at this general meeting, any assets remaining after payment of all outstanding debts shall be given to a nonprofit organization organized exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational purposes, (within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended). The receiving organization shall be determined by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members present at the same general meeting.