BY-LAWS of the
Lowcountry Stargazers
ARTICLE I - MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the organization shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:45 PM unless otherwise directed by the President, in which event the members shall be given ample notice by the President of such change.
ARTICLE II - QUORUM
Section 1. A Quorum is defined as at least three officers convened to conduct business relating to the normal administration of the organization.
Section 2. For unusual or significant decisions, a quorum will consist of 15% of the membership present at a regular meeting.
ARTICLE III - DUES
Regular Members. The annual dues of a regular member shall be Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) and may be prorated from the date of joining. Additional family members are Five Dollars ($5.00) each.
ARTICLE IV - FUNDS AND DISBURSEMENTS
Section 1. Funds. The monies collected from dues shall be first used for the production and mailing of the organization publications. Any additional monies may be used to cover cost involved with organization projects.
Section 2. Special funds. Special funds received by way of donation, grant, or other gifts shall be first used for the purpose for which they are solicited if such a purpose is defined. Any additional monies may be used for other authorized expenditures.
Section 3. Expenditures. All expenditures shall be approved by a majority of the Officers. All disbursements shall be paid by check signed by the Treasurer or the Secretary. Receipts for expenditures shall be submitted to the 0rganization, and a check for disbursement issued by the organization within 90 days of the expenditure. Extensions for payments after 90 days may be approved by majority vote at a regular meeting, a Quorum being present as defined by Article II,
Section 2. No officer shall dispense funds to himself/herself.
Section 4. Compensation: Officers and other members performing duties or services are volunteers and shall receive no compensation from the organization; however, members or other persons may be reimbursed for approved direct expenses.
ARTICLE V - FISCAL AFFAIRS
Section 1. Fiscal year: The fiscal year of the organization shall begin annually on the first day of July and close on June 30th.
Section 2. Audits: The financial statements of the organization shall be submitted for audit each year as of 30 September. The President, Vice President and Secretary shall select the auditor, and the auditor shall render the audit report to those officers.
Section 3. Fiscal Officer: An audit of all funds received and expended during the previous fiscal year shall be conducted by two (2) officers, not including the Treasurer, within 30 days after the end of the fiscal year. The results of the audit shall be reported to the membership at the next members meeting following completion of the audit.
Section 4. Organization funds:
4.1 All funds and property received by or coming into custody of the organization belong to the organization and are entrusted to the organization to be expended only for the purposes authorized.
4.2 The financial affairs of the organization shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the records shall be kept in such a manner as to readily show the financial condition of the organization.
4.3 No member of the organization is authorized to commit the funds of the organization, or otherwise obligate the organization except to the extent that funds are available to the organization for discharging such commitment.
4.4 All funds received for the account of the organization shall be acknowledged by issuance of a receipt unless received through the mail, or where a canceled check is acceptable to the payee as a receipt. In all cases, an official receipt will be provided upon request.
4.5 All funds received by the organization shall be deposited in a bank account or depository in the name of the organization.
4.6 All withdrawals from such account shall be made by check or similar orders and signed by the Treasurer or Secretary.
ARTICLE VI - RULES OF ORDER
The rules of order contained in Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall govern the organization's business meetings.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
Committees shall be formed as needed.
ARTICLE VIII - DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
The President shall assign duties of committees.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
These By-laws shall be amended by a 2/3 vote of members by proxy and or absentee ballot or in person that the proposed amendment was printed in a bulletin provided to the members at least one week prior to the vote to amend and/or in the previous LCS Newsletter.