The Olympic Peninsula Enological Society is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the education of its members in viticulture
and enology, and the appreciation, enjoyment, knowledge, and proper use
of wine.
SECTION 1: MEMBERSHIP
1.1 General Any individual or co-resident couple, twenty-one
(21) or more years of age, is eligible for membership. Membership shall
commence upon acceptance by the Society of an application and receipt of
dues for one year. Each member is entitled to attend all Society
meetings, receive informational and educational materials distributed by
the Society, and has voting privileges. In the case of couple members,
both have voting privileges.
1.2 Meetings
1.2.1 Annual Meeting The annual meeting shall be held
each
spring (April – May) at such time and place as the
Board may direct.
The purpose of the meeting shall be the
election of Directors and for
transaction of such other
business as may come before the membership.
The annual
meeting may be held in conjunction with an event at the
board’s
discretion.
1.2.2 Special Meetings Special Meetings of the membership
may
be held from time to time, as deemed necessary by the
President or the
Board, or by petition of five percent (5%) of
the membership.
1.2.3 Notice Written or email notice (per members option as
noted on the membership application) of both annual and
special meetings
shall be given to the membership at least
four (4) weeks prior to the
meeting. The notice shall state the
time and place of the meeting plus
must contain a brief
statement of the agenda. Any subject may be brought
before
the membership at the annual meeting, whether or not set
forth in
the notice; however, special meetings can only
deal with the agenda as
published.
1.2.4 Quorum A quorum at any membership meeting shall
consist
of those members present. A majority of those
present may transact such
business as shall come before
the membership during the meeting.
1.2.5 Procedure The President or, in his/her absence, the
next
highest officer in rank present, shall preside at
membership meetings.
Meetings shall be conducted under
ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, REVISED.
A two-thirds
(2/3) vote of those present in person or by proxy shall be
required to suspend the rules.
1.3.Voting Each member shall be entitled to one (1) vote,
which may be cast in person or, upon resolution by the Board, by mail or
email.
1.4 Dues The amount of annual dues shall be determined from
time to time by the Board. Membership shall commence upon acceptance by
the Society of the application and receipt of dues and shall continue
until the last day of the twelfth (12) month thereafter, which will be
the renewal date. Members shall be advised of their renewal date through
notation on address labels of Society notices and such other means as
the board shall decide. Any member whose dues have not been received
within thirty (30) days after the renewal date shall be automatically
dropped from membership.
1.5 Non-Assignability Membership shall not be transferable.
1.6 Termination of Membership The membership of any member may
be terminated by the Board for cause, including but not limited to
non-payment of dues. A terminated member may request a hearing before an
officer or committee designated for such purpose by the Board.
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 2: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2.1 General The business and property of the Society shall be
managed by the Board, which shall include the officers designated in
Section 3.1, the chairpersons of the standing committees designated in
Section 4.1 and the most recent past president. The Board shall consist
of 7 to 10 directors.
2.2 Tenure Each Officer shall serve two (2) years and until a
successor has been elected. Each Chairperson shall serve for one (1)
year and until a successor is elected. Terms for officers shall be
staggered so that one-half (1/2) of the positions are up for election at
each annual meeting.
2.3 Nominations In January of each year the President shall
present to the Board for its advice and consent a nominating committee
consisting of three (3) members, one (1) of whom shall be a Director and
two (2) who are neither Officers nor Directors. At the annual meeting of
members the nominating committee shall submit nominees for election as
Officers, at least one of who shall be a member not currently serving as
a Director. Nominations from the floor may also be submitted. All
nominees shall have indicated to the President or the nominating
committee a willingness to serve prior to placement of the nominee’s
name on the ballot. The nominating committee shall also contact the
standing committees to determine one or more candidates for each
Chairperson position. Each committee chair shall be appointed by the
President from among those nominated.
2.4 Vacancy Any vacancy occurring on the Board may be filled
by appointment by the President for the remainder of the unexpired term.
2.5 Board Meetings The Board shall meet at least quarterly at
a time and place designated by the President. Special meetings of the
Board may be at such times and places as the President or three (3)
Directors shall designate by giving seven (7) days oral or written
notice thereof. Presence at any meeting shall constitute waiver of
notice thereof. Board meetings shall be open to any members wishing to
attend.
2.5.1 Quorum One-half (1/2) of the number of Directors serving
as such shall constitute a quorum. Except as otherwise
specifically
provided herein, the act of a majority of Directors
present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be
an act of the Board.
2.5.2 Procedure Board meetings shall be conducted under
ROBERTS
RULES OF ORDER, REVISED. A two-thirds
(2/3) vote of those present in
person or by proxy shall be
required to suspend the rules.
2.5.3 Minutes The Secretary of the Board shall take minutes
at
all regular meetings and at such other times as the
President may
direct.
2.6 Presiding Officer The President shall act as Chairman of
the Board.
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 3: OFFICERS
3.1 Officers The officers of the Society shall consist of the
President, the Vice-:President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Each shall
perform the duties usually incident to each office.
3.2 Officer Elections The officers shall be elected at the
annual meeting in accordance with Section 2.3. Each officer shall serve
for two (2) years and until a successor has been elected. The immediate
Past President will continue to serve as a Board member for one (1)
additional year.
3.4 Vacancies A vacancy in any office may be filled by the
Board for the unexpired portion of the term.
3.5 Removal The Board, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those
serving, may remove any officer at any time, with or without cause.
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 4: COMMITTEES
4.1 Standing Committees Standing committees shall include: (1)
Program, (2) Newsletter, (3) Membership and (4) Finance. The Board may
establish other standing committees as the need arises.
4.1.1 Program The function of the Program Committee shall
be
to develop an annual calendar of events, select teams from
the
organization to plan and conduct each event, and to review
and approve
event plans prepared by the teams.
4.1.2 Newsletter The Newsletter Committee shall be responsible
for informing the membership through a newsletter published at
least
four times a year.
4.1.3 Membership The Membership Committee shall receive
dues,
issue membership cards and maintain membership
rosters and mailing lists
for use by the Secretary and Newsletter
Committee.
4.1.4 Finance The Finance Committee shall be responsible for
the acquisition, control, care and maintenance of Society
property. It
shall also review the Treasurer’s procedures and
reports and otherwise
manage the Society’s funds consistent
with the objectives of the
Society.
4.2 Committee Chairpersons Chairpersons for each standing
committee are appointed by the President at the annual meeting in
accordance with Section 2.3. Chairpersons are to encourage
membership participation on their committees.
4.3 Committee Members All members of the Society in good standing
are eligible for membership on a standing committee.
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 5: INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
5.1 Indemnification The Society shall incorporate under the
laws of Washington State. It shall indemnify and advance costs to past
and present directors, trustees, and officers of the corporation, and
may indemnify and advance costs to any other person who is made a party
to a proceeding by reason of his, her, or its association with the
corporation, all to the fullest extent permitted by, and upon compliance
with, the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act and RCW 32A.08.026,
provided that no such indemnity shall indemnify any director, officer,
or other such person from or on account of acts or omissions of such
director, officer, or other person finally adjudged to be intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or from or on account of any
transaction with respect to which it was finally adjudged that such
director, officer, or other person personally received a benefit in
money, property, or services to which the director, officer, or other
person was not legally entitled. Any such indemnity shall continue as to
a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, or agent of
the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors,
and administrators of such person.
5.2 Insurance The Society shall have the power to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Society against any
liability asserted against and incurred by that person in such capacity
or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Society
would have the power to indemnify under the provisions of RXW 23A.08.026
(23B.17.030)
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 6: RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
6.1 Asset Ownership No portion of the assets of the Society
shall pass to any member, nor shall any member have claim or rights to
the title or interest in or to the property or assets of the Society.
6.2 Authority to Represent. No member shall publicly express
personal opinions or positions as those of the Society, or commit or
imply sponsorship of any event or product in the name of the Society
without the explicit knowledge and approval of the President. The
authority to represent the Society in all matters is vested in the
President or such person as the President may from time to time
designate to represent the Society for a specific time and purpose.
Go to top of Bylaws
SECTION 7: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the bylaws may be made by a majority vote at any
regular meeting of the members or upon vote of the majority of all
Directors then serving as such. Amendments must be presented in writing
to the body voting on the amendment at least 30 days prior to the vote.
Original issue approved by vote of the membership, as refined during
the membership meeting, on April 8, 2002.
Go to top of Bylaws