Bylaws

AMENDED 7/1/98

The name of this unincorporated organization shall be

"THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE CLUB OF RI".

The principal purpose of the Business Exchange Club is to provide members of varied professions the opportunity through fellowship to further the members' business of financial interest. This is to be achieved by exchanging between members leads, ideas, and information. It is not the aim of this club to exchange business between members, that is their decision, but membership in the club imposes no such responsibility upon the various members.

The Business Exchange Club is neither a civic organization nor a social organization, but it may undertake civic or social activities upon approval of a majority of a quorum of the membership of the club.

SECTION I. The Business Exchange Club shall have the following officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

SECTION II. Each officer is responsible for the performance of his/her duties at each meeting, and is authorized and obligated to assign his/her duties to another in the event he/she shall be absent from a meeting.

A. The President shall preside at the meetings and be responsible for supervising the affairs of the club. He/She shall timely notify all members of meetings. He/She shall be responsible for welcoming and introducing new members into the club.

B. The Vice-President and or Secretary shall act in the President's absence. He/She shall welcome guests, explain to them the purpose and operation of the club and secure their application. He/She shall be responsible for coordinating and developing membership. He/She shall record attendance, tips, leads, and keep active roll of all members. He/She shall distribute a current copy of the By-Laws and all amendments to all temporary members

C. The Treasurer shall collect and provide an accounting for all dues, pay all dues, pay all appropriate bills and make a regular financial report to the club, no less often than every six months.

D. The Secretary shall record all attendance, tips, leads, and keep an active roll of all members, temporary members and guests.

SECTION I. All officers shall be elected by a majority of a quorum at the second meeting each January and July. For purposes of the Constitution and By-Laws a quorum at any duly called meeting shall be one-half of the membership of the club.

SECTION II. All officers shall serve for a six-month term commencing September 1, 1985, and each February 1st and August 1st thereafter.

SECTION III. There shall be appointed by the President at the first meeting each January and July a nomination committee to select candidates for offices for the next term. It is suggested that the membership of such committee shall be made up of the current President and past two presidents. Said committee shall select a slate to be presented to the club at the proper time for elections.

SECTION I. This club shall meet weekly at a place determined by the membership.

SECTION II. Guests and temporary members are encouraged to attend all meetings except the meetings which they will be voted upon for permanent membership.

SECTION I. The membership of the club would be limited to an amount determined by the membership, subject to adjustment by a majority vote of a quorum.

SECTION II. One representative shall be allowed for each business or profession. Membership in this club shall preclude membership in any other like organization. If one member representing a business or profession changes said profession to one that is represented by another member, such member with the longest seniority shall be the only representative of the common profession.

SECTION III. In the event that certain members represent overlapping professions, a quorum of the general membership may vote to suspend the application of SECTION II of this article; provided, the provisions of this section shall apply only upon the approval of all members of the overlapping professions.

SECTION I. Any member may sponsor a prospective member and shall present him/her to the membership as a guest. The entire membership represented as a quorum of the club has the responsibility of deciding whether this prospective member will fill a vacant profession or offer the club a new profession and whether this profession is advantageous to the club.

SECTION II. Any guest who has attended a minimum of four meetings may be voted on for acceptance into the club as a temporary member by a majority of a quorum at the regular business meeting.

SECTION III. Upon satisfactory completion of temporary membership, usually 90 days, a temporary p member may be voted on for acceptance into the club as permanent member. Permanent membership in the Business Exchange Club requires a unanimous vote of a quorum of the permanent membership. The President will notify the club at least one week prior to any vote for permanent membership. This vote will be a voice vote unless a member privately requests of the President that the balloting be secret. The President must honor all such requests. All discussion concerning a prospective permanent member should be help prior to the meeting. Neither the Club nor the individual being considered can benefit from an open discussion help during a regular meeting. The temporary member will be advised by an officer not to attend the meeting when balloting on their membership is to be done. An officer of the club will notify the temporary member of the results of the balloting prior to the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - DUES AND LEADS

SECTION I. There shall be monthly dues of an amount determined by a majority of the membership, payable each month in advance. There will be a discounted amount when paid at least quarterly. Members are responsible for prompt payment of their dues. No bills or statements will be sent. The Secretary and/or the Treasurer will include dues notifications when appropriate at the regular weekly meeting. A member whose dues are in arrears by more than 45 days shall be considered delinquent.

SECTION II. A member who does not have a lead for another member at a meeting shall be considered absent. A lead may be given to another member any time preceding the meeting. It is important to understand that it is the lead and not the physical presence at a meeting that the member is responsible for. This is to enhance the strength and longevity of the club and to insure the members relationships to the club and each other. There shall not be a reserve of one member's lead from week to week. Membership in the club will consist of both leads as well as attendance at regular meetings. Each member will be responsible to attend regular meetings and provide a minimum of one lead at each meeting. Absence from any meeting must be with reasonable excuse and the member is responsible to notify the Secretary and/or Vice President or any seated officer. Should any member not provide four leads each month, that member will be considered absent. Any member who has four three absences in a six-month period, without reasonable excuse, and without advising the Secretary, will be considered delinquent.

SECTION I. A member who is delinquent in his/her membership as a result of dues or attendance may have their membership in the club canceled. Should a delinquency exist, the matter may be brought to the attention of the membership at voted in by a majority of a quorum at any regular business meeting.

SECTION II. Any member who has been dropped from membership for delinquency can request reinstatement. It will then be the responsibility of the President to bring this matter up for discussion and vote by a majority of a quorum at any regular business meeting.

SECTION III. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep an attendance record. In the event of a dispute concerning attendance, the record as kept by the Secretary shall be conclusive and shall determine the status of all members.

SECTION IV. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep a record of all dues. In the event of a dispute concerning dues, the record as kept by the Treasurer shall be conclusive and shall determine the status of all members.

SECTION V. Any member may obtain a leave of absence form active participation in the functions and purposes of this club for any reasonable cause and SECTIONS I, II and III if this article will not apply, provided the member has the approval of a majority of a quorum of the general membership and dues are paid in accordance with ARTICLE VIII.

SECTION VI. The membership, or any member, may bring to the President's attention the lack of contribution to the cub of any member based on the purpose as stated in ARTICLE II. The President shall then appoint a committee of three members to discuss his/her interest in the Business Exchange Club and continued membership in the organization.

SECTION VII. If the actions taken in accordance with SECTION VI above are not successful, a member may be removed for the Business Exchange Club by a majority of a quorum at a regular business meeting voting in secret.

SECTION VIII. Hardship leave of absence and leave of membership are subject to review by all of the seated officers. Their vote will determine the approval of any action. A tied vote of the officers would require a majority vote by a quorum at any regular meeting for approval. Any member may apply for hardship by requesting a private meeting with the seated officers of by submitting a request in writing.

SECTION I. There shall be no age, sex, race, religious or national origin limitation in consideration of any individual for membership.

SECTION II. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the club membership at a regular meeting with at least a one-week notice by the president. All amendments must be in written form and kept on record. All amendments are to be distributed to all members, temporary and permanent, during at least two consecutive regular meetings.

SECTION III. Committees: All committees will be chaired by one of the seated officers. The President will appoint all committees.

SECTION I. There shall be appointed, by the President, a Social Committee, and its duty shall be to arrange for all periodic social events. Such functions may be partially funded from the clubs treasury.

SECTION II. A plaque for the past president shall be paid for out the club's treasury. It is the new President's responsibility to secure this gift.

SECTION III. There shall be a steering committee consisting of five club members. This committee shall meet on a bi-monthly basis to establish and promote the future goals and direction of the club.

A. This committee shall consist of five members as follows: the two immediate past presidents, two individuals from the general membership, and the current president as an ex-officio member with full voting rights.

B. All members of the committee shall serve for a period equal to two terms of the general officers.

C. The initial committee will consist of two members (one past president and one general member) who will serve for a period equal to one term of the general officers so that rotation off of the committee will be staggered.

D. Thereafter, the one general member will be selected by the nominating committee concurrently with their nomination of the general officers.

E. Should any member of the steering committee vacate his or her seat, the President shall appoint a replacement from the general membership to serve the remainder of that term.

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Last modified: July 12, 2002