Constitution

Article I:  NAME AND MISSION STATEMENT OF THIS ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization is the Amityville Artists Circle, Inc. (AAC).  AAC is  a group of local artists who come together to kindle creative energies, support artistic endeavors and enrich the community through the promotion of arts and educational programs.

Article II:  OFFICERS
There shall be these officers:  President,  First Vice President,
Second Vice President,  Treasurer,  Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and a Membership Secretary each nominated from the membership and elected by a majority vote of the membership present.  Any member in good standing for more than six months is eligible for nomination.

IIA.    If sufficient members are not eligible, nomination may be open to the general membership.

Article III:  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the constitutional officers and committee chairs.

Article IV:  MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization shall be open to professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, and other interested in promoting art 18 years of age and older.

IVA:  Honorary members shall consist of members whom the AAC wishes to designate as such.

By-Laws

1.    There will be a meeting of the members once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise agreed by a majority vote of those  present at an Executive Committee meeting. 

2.   Annual dues for members  are due on the first of September each year. 

3.  A Life member named by two Officers and approved by a majority of members present at a meeting will be exempt from dues.

4.  Each year, the AAC will make an “Incentive Award” to a member of the graduating class of the Amityville Memorial High School art class, based on a portfolio review by a three member committee.  The competition is open to all Amityville High School graduating seniors regardless of race, gender or national origin. This is known as the “Shirley Ilsley Malone Award of the Amityville Artists Circle.”

5.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the AAC and of the Executive Board, enforce the rules in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws, appoint all committees not otherwise provided for, and shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating committee.

6.  The retiring President shall remain on the Executive Board for two years.

7.  The First Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and shall be in charge of fundraising, and the seeking of grants and donations.

8.   The Second Vice President shall act in the absence of the Treasurer and oversee all activities at the Gallery.

9.  The Treasurer shall receive, collect, hold and pay all AAC monies subject to the order of AAC Executive Committee or President; shall disburse the same at such times and for such purposes as the Executive Committee  should direct; shall report at each regular meeting of the Executive Committee and each     annual member business meeting; shall file required government reports in a timely manner, and shall be a member of the Budget Committee. 

10.   The Treasurer shall exhibit at all reasonable times the financial records to any Officer, or voting member. 

11.  The Treasurer and President shall prepare an annual budget for approval by the Executive Committee. 
a.  The books of account shall have a regular audit.
b.  Unbudgeted expenses must be approved by the Executive Committee.

12.     The Treasurer's books must be audited by no fewer than three active AAC members before passing on to a new Treasurer.

13.  The Recording Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and member meetings, the time and location , the names of those present, the proceedings thereof, and be the custodian of the records and corporate seal.

14.  The Corresponding Secretary shall send welcome letters and membership cards to new and renewing members
a.  Shall collect AAC mail from the post office and distribute.

15. The Membership Secretary shall maintain accurate membership records of AAC.

16.  Officers, upon retiring from office, shall deliver to the Executive Committee for permanent file, a job description of the current year in writing along with all original papers, accounts, monies and other property belonging to AAC; as well as deliver a copy of the above to their successor.

17.  Officers shall be elected biannually, and assume duties October 1.
a. Any officer may be elected to succeed him/herself for one term. b. An office may be extended to a third term by general vote. c. One person may hold two or more offices, except those of President and Treasurer.

18.  The President will appoint the Chair of the Nominating Committee.  At the May meeting two Nominating Committee members will be named by and voted on by the members at that meeting.
a.  The Nominating committee will develop a slate of candidates for constitutional officers as listed in Article II and present them at the June meeting.  Additional nominations may be considered from the floor at the June meeting.
b.  Election of officers will take place at the Sept. meeting.
c.  Installation of officers will take place at the Sept. meeting.

19.   Each members of the Board of Directors shall be a member of the Amityville Artists Circle, Inc.

21.  Absence from three consecutive, or a total of five Executive Committee meetings within a fiscal year without an explanation acceptable to the Executive Committee shall be considered a resignation from the Committee.

1. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the AAC between its membership meetings, shall make recommendations to the club, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these By-Laws. The Executive Committee shall be subject to the orders of the club and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the club.

23.  Regular business meetings shall be held in September, May and June except where otherwise voted by the club.  The May meeting shall be the Annual meeting.  All officers shall assume duties after installation.  A quorum shall be 15% of the membership in good standing for any Business, Special or Annual meeting.

24.  Special meetings may be called by the President.

25.  The Executive Committee shall hold regular meetings each month.  The Board shall determine the day of the month.

26.  The Executive Committee shall be fully responsible to set such rules and regulations and procedures that seem to be necessary and appropriate in connection with exhibits, demonstrations, teaching sessions, shows or such other related matters.  The Executive Board shall have the power to exercise absolute discretion to regulate these matters.

27.  The fiscal year shall be October 1 through September 30.

28.  There should be such standing committees as are thought to be desirable for the proper functioning of the club.  Each shall be under the supervision of the Chair appointed by the President.

29. The Budget Committee will consist of the President, Vice President(s), and Treasurer.

30.  These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a member meeting, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been sent to every Circle member at least two weeks but not more than six weeks in advance or has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting.

32.  The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised,” shall govern the club in all cases for which they apply and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.

Adopted May 1, 2010