BYLAWS

of the Rotary Club of HoustonSkyline, TexasUSA

*Adopted by Membership July 1, 2008, [TO BE] amended February 10, 2009

Article 1 : Definitions

1. RCHS means the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline

2. Board means the Board of Directors of the this club.RCHS.

23. Director means a member of this club’sRCHS’ Board of Directors.

34. Member means a member, other than honorary member, of this club.the RCHS.

45. RI means Rotary International.

56. Year means the twelve-month period that begins July 1.

6.RCHS means the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline

Article 2: Board

Section 1 -The governing body of RCHS shall be the board consisting of 9 members of the club, namely, the president, president-elect, president-nominee, secretary, treasurer, and three four members-at-large, all of which are elected in accordance with article 3, section 1 of these bylaws, and the president and immediate past-president.The treasurer, secretary, and four directors shall serve two-year terms where in odd Rotary years the president-elect, secretary, and two directors will be elected, and in even Rotary years the president-elect, treasurer, and two directors will be elected. Each subsequent year the president become past-president, the president-elect shall become president. Board actions shall be decided by majority vote of the board with each of its members having one vote.For the 2008-2009 year, since there will not be an immediate past-president or president-nominee, there will be two additional member-at-large, thus keeping board of 9 members.

Section 2-–At the beginning of each fiscal year, the president will make and the Board will approve a budget of anticipated revenue and expense for the club administration, and submit a proposed budget to the RCHS Partners Foundation Trustees. The Board may also remove a Trustee for good cause, or fill a vacant Trustee position with a vote of the majority of the Board.

Section 3 - By June first of each year, the incoming president shall call a meeting of the incoming board and present his/her proposed budget of anticipated revenue and expense for the club administration, and submit a proposed budget to the RCHS Partners Foundation Trustees.

Section 3 - The Board may remove a Trustee for good cause, or fill a vacant Trustee position with a vote of the majority of the Board.

Not less than three months before the beginning of each fiscal year, the Board will elect one member to serve as a Trustee on the RCHS Partners Foundation Board for a three-year term. For the 2008-2009 year, the Board will elect three Trustees designating which is to serve the one-year term, two-year term, and three-year term.

Article 3: Election of Directors and Officers

Section 1 – At a regular meeting one month prior to the meeting for election of officers, the presiding officer shall open up nominations for put forth the proposed list of officers and directors, for the subsequent Rotary year, soliciting nominations from all members for a two-week period. Members may nominate themselves and/or other members for one or multiple positions. At a regular meeting two weeks prior to the meeting for election of officers, the presiding officer shall present the proposed ballot of all nominations for officers and directors. as agreed by president and president-electUpon confirmation of each member’s willingness to serve in the position(s) of which nominated, the nominated members , and ask for nominations by members from the floor, or by prior written nomination for president-nominee, secretary, treasurer, and directors.. The nominations duly made shall be placed on a ballot in alphabetical order under each office and shall be voted for at the annual meeting.

Voting will begin with the office of president-elect, allowing for unsuccessful nominees to place themselves on the ballot(s) for subsequent voting in other positions. After President-Elect, voting will occur for treasurer or secretary (depending on which is up for vote in that year) followed by voting for the two directors.

The candidates receiving the most, but not necessarily a majority of, votes shall be declared elected to their respective offices. The three two candidates for director receiving the top twohree number of votes shall be declared elected as directors. In the case of any ties, a second vote shall occur with the candidates tying for the most number of votes being the only candidates on the second ballot. The candidate for president-nominee elected in such balloting shall take the title of president-elect on July 1 in the year prior to taking office as president, and then take the title of president on July 1 in the year taking office as president.

Section 2 – The officers and directors, so elected, together with the immediate past president shall constitute the incoming board. By May first of each year, the incoming Board shall meet and elect a member to be the incoming sergeant-at-arms and elect one member to serve as a Trustee on the RCHS Partners Foundation Board for a three-year term.

Within two weeks after their election, the directors-elect shall meet and elect some member of the club to act as sergeant-at-arms.

Section 3 – A vacancy in the board or any office, or any officer-elect or director-elect, shall be filled by action of the president. A vacancy in one of the three Trustee positions shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the Board.

Article 4: Duties of Officers

Section 1 – President. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at meetings of the club and the board and to perform other duties as ordinarily pertain to the office of president.

Section 2 – President-elect. It shall be the duty of the president-elect to serve as a director, to preside at meetings of the club and the board in the absence of the president, and to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the president or the board.

Section 3 – Secretary. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep membership records; record attendance at meetings; send out notices of club, board, and committee meetings; record and preserve the minutes of such meetings; report as required to RI, including the semiannual reports of membership on January 1 and July 1 of each year, which shall include per capita dues for all members and prorated dues for active members who have been elected to membership in the club since the start of the July or January semiannual reporting period; report changes in membership; provide the monthly attendance report, which shall be made to the district governor within 15 days of the last meeting of the month; collect and remit RI official magazine subscriptions; and perform other duties as usually pertain to the office of secretary.

Section 4 – Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to have custody of all funds, accounting for it to the club annually and at any other time upon demand by the board, and to perform other duties as pertains to the office of treasurer. Upon retirement from office, the treasurer shall turn over to the incoming treasurer or to the president all funds, books of accounts, or any other club property.

Section 5 – Sergeant-at-Arms. The duties of the sergeant-at-arms shall be such as are usually prescribed for such office and other duties as may be prescribed by the president or the board.

Article 5: Meetings

Section 1 – Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of this club shall be set by the President and held sometime between the on the first week of Decemberand the last week of February of in each Rotary year, at which time the election of officers and directors to serve for the ensuing year shall take place.Upon approval by board and at least one month notice to members, the president can move the date of annual meeting by one week before or after the first week of December.

Section 2 – The regular weekly meetings of this club shall be held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Due notice of any changes in or canceling of the regular meeting shall be given to all members of the club. All members excepting an honorary member (or member excused pursuant to the standard Rotary club constitution) in good standing in this club, on the day of the regular meeting, must be counted as present or absent, and attendance must be evidenced by the member’s being present for at least fifty (50) percent of the time devoted to the regular meeting, either at this club or at any other Rotary club, or as otherwise provided in the standard Rotary club constitution, article 9, sections 1 and 2.

Section 3 – One-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the annual and regular meetings of this club.

Section 4 – Regular meetings of the board shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month immediately following the regular club meeting (approximately 7:30p.m.). . Due notice of any changes in or canceling of the board meeting shall be given to all members of the board. Special meetings of the board shall be called by the president, whenever deemed necessary, or upon the request of three (3) directors, due notice having been given.

Section 5 – A majority of the directorsshall constitute a quorum of the board.

Article 6 Fees and Dues

Section 1 – The admission fee shall be $100 to be paid before the applicant can qualify as a member, except as provided for in the standard Rotary club constitution, article 11.

Section 2 – The membership dues shall be $500 if 35 years old or older/ $300 if under 35 years old per annum, payable semiannually on the first day of July and of January, with the understanding that a portion of each semiannual payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine. The original 24 charter members shall pay $400 (≥ 35) or $200 (<35) per annum.

Article 67: Method of Voting

The business of this club shall be transacted by vocal voteexcept the election of officers and directors, which shall be by secret ballot with the President, President-Elect, and Secretary determining the winners and keeping all tallies confidential. The President shall determine whether the particular club action passed or not based on vocal assent. If more than five members together protest the determination of the president, then a secret ballot shall be taken on the particular disputed action. The President may determine that a specific resolution be considered by secret ballot rather than by vote by vocal assent.

Article 78: Four Avenues of Service

The four Avenues of Service are the philosophical and practical framework for the work of this Rotary club. They are Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service. This club will be active in each of the four Avenues of Service.

Article 89: Committees and Their Duties

Section 1 – Standing Committees. While additional ad hoc committees may be appointed by the president as needed, the standing committees of RCHS shall be:

  • Administration: conduct activities associated with the effective operation of the club;
  • Membership: develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the recruitment and retention of members;
  • Public Relations: develop and implement plans to provide the public with information about Rotary and to promote the club’s service projects and activities;
  • Service Projects: consider the Avenues of Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service to develop and implement educational, humanitarian, and vocational projects that address the needs of its community and communities in other countries.
  • Fundraising/Rotary Foundation: develop and implement plans to fundraise for the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline Partners Foundation and support the Rotary Foundation through both financial contributions and program participation.

Section 2 – Succession Planning. Club committees are charged with carrying out the annual and long-range goals of the club based on the four Avenues of Service. The president-elect, president, and immediate past president should work together to ensure continuity of leadership and succession planning. When feasible, committee members should be appointed to the same committee for at least two years to ensure consistency.

Section 3 - Appointment and Duties of Committee Chairs and Standing Chairs.

(a) The president shall appoint the chairs of each standing committee for his or her year as president and be ex officio a member of all committees and, as such, shall have all the privileges of membership thereon.

(b) The president shall also appoint the following standing chairs:

  • Ambassadorial Scholar: ensure RCHS continues to lead District 5890 in advertising, recruitment, and selection of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships, ensure RCHS nominates potential scholar to the District Committee, educates the club about the program through interaction with Houston Area Rotary Foundation Alumni Association and former scholars.
  • Polio: regularly updates RCHS on Rotary’s eradication of Polio and assists Rotary Foundation chair with raises funds for the Polio Plus Fund
  • Programs; works with President on weekly agenda through scheduling of speakers for weekly meeting.
  • Rotaract: constantly communicates and involves the Rotaract Club of River Oaks in RCHS meetings and activities.
  • Social: organize and schedule regular opportunities outside of weekly club meetings for RCHS members to fellowship
  • Youth Exchange/RYLA educates club about Rotary Youth Exchange and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program and solicits RCHS members as counselors, leads RCHS in recruiting and nominating potential RYLA and Youth Excahnge participants.

(c) Each chair shall be responsible for regular meetings and activities of the committee, shall supervise and coordinate the work of the committee, and shall report to the board on all committee activities. Each chair shall regularly meet with the president to determine what is needed by RCHS.

If vacancy occurs before December 31st of fiscal year, then the president is responsible for appointing committee members or committee chairs to fill vacancies. If vacancy occurs after December 31st of fiscal year, then the president-elect is responsible for appointing committee members or committee chairs to fill vacancies. Standing committees should be appointed as follows:

Administration

This committee should conduct activities associated with the effective operation of the club

Membership

This committee should develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the recruitment and retention of members.

Public Relations

This committee should develop and implement plans to provide the public with information about Rotary and to promote the club’s service projects and activities.

Service Projects

This committee should develop and implement educational, humanitarian, and vocational projects that address the needs of its community and communities in other countries.

The Rotary Foundation

This committee should develop and implement plans to support The Rotary Foundation through both financial contributions and program participation.

Youth Committee

This committee should direct the club’s focus on various Rotary youth and scholarship programs, including Ambassadorial scholarships, Interact, Rotaract, and RYLA.

Additional ad hoc committees may be appointed as needed.

(a) The president shall appoint the chairs of each committee for his or her year as president and be ex officio a member of all committees and, as such, shall have all the privileges of membership thereon.

(b) Each committee shall transact its business as is delegated to it in these bylaws and such additional business as may be referred to it by the president or the board. Except where special authority is given by the President, such committees shall not take action until a report has been made and approved by the President, and in certain circumstances by the board.

(c) Each chair shall be responsible for regular meetings and activities of the committee, shall supervise and coordinate the work of the committee, and shall report to the board on all committee activities.

Section 4 Article 10- Duties of Committees.

Club committees are charged with carrying out the annual and long-range goals of the club based on the four Avenues of Service. Each committee shall transact its business as is delegated to it in these bylaws and such additional business as may be referred to it by the president or the board.

The president-elect shall provide the necessary leadership to prepare a recommendation for club committees, mandates, goals, and plans for presentation to the board in advance of the commencement of the year as noted above. The duties of all committees shall be established and reviewed by the president for his or her year with reference to appropriate RI materials. Each committee shall have a specific mandate, clearly defined goals, and action plans established by the beginning of each year for implementation during the course of the year.

Except where special authority is given by the President, committees and chairs shall not take action until a report has been made and approved by the President, and in certain circumstances by the board. The duties of all committees shall be established and reviewed by the president for his or her year. In declaring the duties of each, the president shall reference to appropriate RI materials. The service projects committee will consider the Avenues of Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service when developing plans for the year.