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Copyright 1998-2024, Southern California OS/2 User Group. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

SCOUG, Warp Expo West, and Warpfest are trademarks of the Southern California OS/2 User Group. OS/2, Workplace Shell, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

The Southern California OS/2 User Group
USA

BYLAWS OF
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OS/2 USER GROUP, INC.
(also referred to as "SCOUG")
A CALIFORNIA PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION

ARTICLE 1
OFFICES

SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The principal office of the corporation for the transaction of its business is located in the County of Orange, California. The Board of Directors may change the principal office from one location to another within the named county and such changes of address shall not be deemed an amendment of these Bylaws.

SECTION 2. OTHER OFFICES

The corporation may also have offices at such other places within the State of California, where it is qualified to do business, as its business may require and as the board of directors may, from time to time, designate.

ARTICLE 2
PURPOSES

SECTION 1. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

The primary objectives and purposes of this corporation shall be: to support users of the OS/2 computer operating system, its derivatives and successors. Such activities include education, experimentation, and services for SCOUG members and the community at large. SCOUG encourages professionalism and technical competence.

ARTICLE 3
DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. NUMBER

The corporation shall have NINE directors and collectively they shall be known as the Board of Directors. The offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer constitute four of these director positions. The number may be changed by amendment of this Bylaw, or by repeal of this Bylaw and adoption of a new Bylaw, as provided in these Bylaws. All members of the Board of Directors must be regular members of SCOUG and must be at least 18 years old.

SECTION 2. POWERS

Subject to the provisions of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation law and any limitations in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws relating to action required or permitted to be taken or approved by the members of this corporation, the activities and affairs of this corporation shall be conducted and all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may delegate such actions and responsibilities as shall be deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors except as otherwise restricted within these bylaws.

SECTION 3. DUTIES

It shall be the duty of the directors to:

(a) Perform any and all duties imposed on them collectively or individually by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws;

(b) Appoint and remove, employ and discharge, and, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, prescribe the duties and fix the compensation, if any, of all officers, agents and employees of the corporation;

(c) Supervise all officers, agents and employees of the corporation to assure that their duties are performed properly;

(d) Meet at such times and places as required by these Bylaws;

(e) Register their addresses with the Secretary of the corporation. Notices of meetings mailed or telegraphed to them at such addresses shall be valid notices thereof.

SECTION 4. TERMS OF OFFICE

Each director shall hold office until the next annual meeting for election of the Board of Directors as specified in these Bylaws, and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies. The new directors shall assume their positions as the last item of old business at the next board meeting.

SECTION 5. COMPENSATION

Directors shall serve without compensation except that they shall be allowed and be paid reasonable advancement or reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of their regular duties as specified in Section 3 of this Article. Directors may not be compensated for rendering services to the corporation in any capacity other than director unless such other compensation is reasonable and is allowable under the provisions of Section 6 of this Article.

SECTION 6. RESTRICTION REGARDING INTERESTED DIRECTORS

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, not more than forty-nine percent (49%) of the persons serving on the board may be interested persons. For purposes of this Section, "interested persons" means either:

(a) Any person currently being compensated by the corporation for services rendered it within the previous twelve (12) months, whether as a full- or part-time officer or other employee, independent contractor, or otherwise, excluding any reasonable compensation paid to a director as director; or

(b) Any brother, sister, ancestor, descendant, spouse, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, or father-in-law of any such person.

SECTION 7. PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings shall be held at such place as has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, any meeting not held at the principal office of the corporation shall be valid only if held on the written consent of all directors given either before or after the meeting and filed with the Secretary of the corporation or after all board members have been given written notice of the meeting as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the board. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all directors participating in such meeting can hear one another.

SECTION 8. REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of Directors shall be held at such time as has been designated by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 9. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by any two directors, and such meetings shall be held at the place designated by the persons calling the meeting, and in the absence of such designation, at the principal office of the corporation.

No business other than that specified in the notice can be conducted at a special meeting.

SECTION 10. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Notice of regular meetings of the board shall be mailed to all members at least seven (7) days prior to the Board meeting. Such notice may be included in regular monthly mailings.

Special meetings of the board shall be held upon seven (7) days notice to all directors by first-class mail or forty-eight (48) hours notice delivered personally or by telephone or telegraph. If sent by mail or telegraph, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered on its deposit in the mails or on its delivery to the telegraph company. Such notices shall be addressed to each director at his or her address as shown on the books of the corporation.

SECTION 11. CONTENTS OF NOTICE

Notice of meetings not herein dispensed with shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting. The purpose of any regular Board meeting need not be specified in the notice. However, the purpose of special meetings must be specified.

SECTION 12. WAIVER OF NOTICE AND CONSENT TO HOLDING MEETINGS

The transactions of any meeting of the board, however called and noticed or wherever held, are as valid as though the meeting had been duly held after proper call and notice, provided a quorum, as hereinafter defined, is present and provided that either before or after the meeting each director not present signs a waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents, or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

SECTION 13. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS

A quorum shall consist of one half of the non-vacant authorized number of Directors, but including at least one officer.

No business shall be considered by the board at any meeting at which a quorum is not present.

The directors present at a duly called and held meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to do business notwithstanding the loss of a quorum at the meeting due to a withdrawal of directors from the meeting, provided that any action thereafter taken must be approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting or such greater percentage as may be required by law, or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of this corporation.

SECTION 14. MAJORITY ACTION AS BOARD ACTION

Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, unless the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of this corporation, or provisions of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law, particularly those provisions relating to appointment of committees (Section 5212), approval of contracts or transactions in which a director has a material financial interest (Section 5233) and indemnification of directors (Section 5238e), require a greater percentage or different voting rules for approval of a matter by the board.

SECTION 15. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the President of the corporation or, in his or her absence, by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence of each of these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the directors present at the meeting. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as secretary of all meetings of the board, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.

Meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Modern Edition, (c)1989 as may be revised from time to time, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws, with the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or with provisions of law.

SECTION 16. ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT MEETING

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors under any provision of law may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the board. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as the unanimous vote of the directors. Any certificate or other document filed under any provision of law which relates to action so taken shall state that the action was taken by unanimous written consent of the Board of Directors without a meeting and that the Bylaws of this corporation authorize the directors to so act, and such statement shall be prima facie evidence of such authority.

SECTION 17. VACANCIES

Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall exist (1) on the death, resignation or removal of any director, and (2) whenever the number of authorized directors is increased.

The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court, or convicted of a felony, or been found by a final order or judgment of any court to have breached any duty under Section 5 230 and following of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

The Board of Directors may notify, in writing, any director who has not attended two regular monthly Board of Directors meetings in succession that he is to appear at the next monthly board meeting to show just cause why his position should not be declare d vacant. At this meeting, the board may declare the position vacant by a majority vote of all directors present. If the corporation has less than fifty (50) members, directors may be removed without cause by a majority of all members, or, if the corporation has fifty (50) or more members, by vote of a majority of the votes represented at a meeting of members at which a quorum is present.

Any Director of the board may be removed for cause, by the Board of Directors, at any time. Removal shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the non-vacant directors. Notice shall be provided to the director in accordance with Article 3 Section 10 as relates to special meetings.

Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the President, the Secretary, or at a meeting of the board, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. Any board member who fails to pay his or her annual dues on time has, in effect, resigned their position. No director may resign if the corporation would then be left without a duly elected director or directors in charge of its affairs, except upon notice to the Attorney General.

Except for a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the members of this corporation, vacancies on the Board may be filled by approval of the Board. The members of this corporation may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the directors and shall do so if a vacancy is not filled by the Board within 60 days.

A person elected to fill a vacancy as provided by this Section shall hold office until the next annual election of the Board of Directors or until his or her death, resignation or removal from office.

SECTION 18. NON-LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

The directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the corporation.

SECTION 19. INDEMNIFICATION BY CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND OTHER AGENTS

To the extent that a person who is, or was, a director, officer, employee or other agent of this corporation has been successful on the merits in defense of any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding brought to procure a judgment against such person by reason of the fact that he or she is, or was, an agent of the corporation, or has been successful in defense of any claim, issue or matter, therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such proceeding.

If such person either settles any such claim or sustains a judgment against him or her while acting within the guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors, then indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings shall be provided by this corporation but only to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements of, Section 5238 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

SECTION 20. INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE AGENTS

The Board of Directors may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any agent of the corporation (including a director, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation) against any liability other than for violating provisions of law relating to self-dealing (Section 5233 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law) asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the provisions of Section 5238 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS

SECTION 1. NUMBER OF OFFICERS

The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Chief Financial Officer who shall be designated the Treasurer. The officers are ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. No member may hold more than one office at a time.

SECTION 2. QUALIFICATION, ELECTION, AND TERM OF OFFICE

Any regular member who is at least 18 years old may serve as an officer of this corporation. Officers shall be elected by vote of the regular members and shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed or is otherwise disqualified to serve, or until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 3. VACANCIES

Any vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, of any officer shall be filled by the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in any office other than that of president, such vacancy may be filled temporarily by appointment by the President until such time as the board shall fill the vacancy. Any vacancy must be filled by a person either elected to the board by the membership or subjected to a confirmation vote by the membership at the next member meeting for which notice of the appointment has been provided. Vacancies in offices of officers appointed at the discretion of the board may or may not be filled as the board shall determine.

SECTION 4. DUTIES OF PRESIDENT

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, supervise and control the affairs of the corporation and the activities of the officers. He or she shall perform all duties incident to his or her office and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at the business portion of all meetings of the members. He or she shall conduct the meetings in accordance with the bylaws.

SECTION 5. DUTIES OF VICE PRESIDENT

In the absence of the President, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions on, the President. The Vice President shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6. DUTIES OF SECRETARY

The Secretary shall:

  • Certify and keep at the principal office of the corporation the original, or a copy of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date.
  • Keep at the principal office of the corporation or at such other place as the board may determine, a book of minutes of all meetings of the directors, and, if applicable, meetings of committees of directors and of members, recording therein the time and p lace of holding, whether regular or special, how called, how notice thereof was given, the names of those present or represented at the meeting, and the proceedings thereof.
  • See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law. Be custodian of the records of the corporation.
  • Handle all official SCOUG correspondence.
  • Assemble agendas for both member meetings and Board of Director meetings.
  • Keep at the principal office of the corporation the master copy of the membership list containing the name and address of each member, and, in the case where any membership has been terminated, such fact shall be recorded in the membership list together with the date on which such membership ceased.
  • Exhibit at all reasonable times to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor, the Bylaws, the membership list, and the minutes of the proceedings of the directors of the corporation. In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7. DUTIES OF TREASURER

Subject to the provisions of these Bylaws relating to the "Execution of Instruments, Deposits and Funds," the Treasurer shall:

  • Have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the corporation, and deposit all such funds in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors.
  • Have responsibility for receipt of, and giving receipt for, monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever.
  • Disburse, or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the corporation as may be directed by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. in accordance with Article 6 of these bylaws.
  • Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's properties and business transactions, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses.
  • Exhibit at all reasonable times the books of account and financial records to any director of the corporation, or to his or her agent or attorney, on request therefor.
  • Render to the directors, whenever requested, an account of any or all of his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
  • Prepare, or cause to be prepared, and certify, or cause to be certified, the financial statements to be included in any required reports.
  • In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may be required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, or by these Bylaws, or which may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 5
COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

SECTION 1. COMMITTEES

The corporation shall have such other committees as may from time to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Such other committees may consist of persons who are not also members of the Board.

When the Board of Directors creates a committee, it shall specify a purpose and scope of activity for that committee. The board shall also establish a budget and a spending authorization limit for each committee.

SECTION 2. ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

The purposes of the Elections Committee is to encourage qualified members of SCOUG to pursue leadership positions on the Board of Directors and as officers of the group and to conduct the actual election process. The Elections Committee is a special committee which shall be appointed by the Board of Directors prior to each election. The committee shall consist of between 3 and 7 regular members. A majority of the Elections Committee shall not be current members of the Board of Directors. Election Committee members may not be nominated for office.

The Elections Committee shall operate in accordance with Article 12 Section 11 of these bylaws.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

The Board of Directors may authorize the formation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

The purpose of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) is to provide information, knowledge, understanding, and experience in a comparatively narrow field of interest. A narrow field of interest is that which might not be of paramount interest to a majority of members. Special Interest Groups provide a forum for the formal presentation of information or formal discussion and exchange.

Each Special interest Group shall have a SIG Leader. A SIG leader shall be appointed by the board from among the regular members. The duties and responsibilities of leaders are to plan topics for presentation and discussion, maintain decorum during meetings, and to assure the presence of necessary hardware, software, and facilities.

ARTICLE 6
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS

SECTION 1. EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS

The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may by resolution authorize any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or in any amount.

SECTION 2. CHECKS AND NOTES

Except as otherwise specifically determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as otherwise required by law, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation shall be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President of the corporation.

SECTION 3. LIMITATIONS

The Board of Directors shall not obligate the corporation for any amount greater than twenty-five (25) percent of the amount currently on deposit without the approval of the membership.

SECTION 4. DEPOSITS

All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.

SECTION 5. GIFTS

The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for the charitable or public purposes of this corporation.

ARTICLE 7
CORPORATE RECORDS AND REPORTS

SECTION 1. MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS

The corporation shall keep at its principal office in the State of California:

(a) Minutes of all meetings of directors, committees of the board and of all meetings of members, indicating the time and place of holding such meetings, whether regular or special, how called, the notice given, and the names of those present and the proceedings thereof;

(b) Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses;

(c) A record of its members, indicating their names and addresses and, if applicable, the class of membership held by each member and the termination date of any membership;

(d) A copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the members of the corporation at all reasonable times during office hours.

SECTION 2. DIRECTORS' INSPECTION RIGHTS

Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation. The information contained in these records shall not be used in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of this corporation.

SECTION 3. MEMBERS' INSPECTION RIGHTS

Each and every member shall have the following inspection rights, for a purpose reasonably related to the person's interest as a member and the information contained in these records shall not be used in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of this corporation:

(a) To inspect and copy the record of all members' names and voting rights, at reasonable times, upon five (5) business days' prior written demand on the corporation, which demand shall state the purpose for which the inspection rights are requested.

(b) To inspect at any reasonable time the books, records, or minutes of proceedings of the members or of the board or committees of the board, upon written demand on the corporation by the member.

SECTION 4. RIGHT TO COPY AND MAKE EXTRACTS

Any inspection under the provisions of this Article may be made in person or by agent or attorney and the right to inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

SECTION 5. ANNUAL REPORT

The board shall cause an annual report to be furnished not later than sixty (60) days after the close of the corporation's fiscal year to all directors of the corporation and to any member who requests it in writing, which report shall contain the following information in appropriate detail:

(a) The assets and liabilities, including the trust funds, of the corporation as of the end of the fiscal year;

(b) The principal changes in assets and liabilities, including trust funds, during the fiscal year;

(c) The revenue or receipts of the corporation, both unrestricted and restricted to particular purposes, for the fiscal year;

(d) The expenses or disbursements of the corporation, for both general and restricted purposes, during the fiscal year;

The annual report shall be accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants, or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.

ARTICLE 8
FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR OF THE CORPORATION

The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December of each year.

ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT

Subject to any provision of law applicable to the amendment of Bylaws of public benefit nonprofit corporations, these Bylaws, or any of them, may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the regular members present.

ARTICLE 10
PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING CORPORATE PROFITS AND ASSETS

SECTION 1. PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING CORPORATE PROFITS AND ASSETS

No member, director, officer, employee, or other person connected with this corporation, or any private individual, shall receive at any time any of the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the corporation, provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent payment to any such person of reasonable compensation for services performed for the corporation in effecting any of its public or charitable purposes, provided that such compensation is otherwise permitted by these Bylaws and is fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors; and no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of, and shall not receive, any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation. All members of the corporation shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that on such dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the assets of the corporation, after all debts have been satisfied, shall be distributed as required by the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation and not otherwise.


MEMBERSHIP PROVISIONS OF
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OS/2 USER GROUP, INC.
(also referred to as "SCOUG")
A CALIFORNIA PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION

ARTICLE 11
MEMBERS

SECTION 1. DETERMINATION AND RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

The corporation shall have two classes of members. regular members and honorary members. Any persons may apply for membership to the SCOUG. No person shall be denied membership to the SCOUG because of age, nationality, race, color, disability, sex, or sexual preference; nor because of religious, political, or ideological persuasion.

SECTION 2. REGULAR MEMBERS

(a) Regular members of SCOUG are those persons who apply for membership and who pay such dues as are established pursuant to Article 11, section 4. No member shall hold more than one regular membership in the corporation.

(b) Regular members are permitted the right to vote. Regular members who are at least 18 years old may hold office as an Officer or member of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERS

(a) Honorary members of SCOUG are those persons who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors and by its majority vote, have made substantial contributions to SCOUG or its purposes.

(b) Honorary members of SCOUG are not permitted to vote, nor are they able to serve on the Board of Directors or as an officer, unless that member is also a regular member.

SECTION 4. DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

(a) An annual membership dues is charged of all regular members. The amount of these annual dues is specified in a standing rule. A change in the rate may be proposed by any regular member by submitting the proposal to the Secretary in writing. The rate proposal shall be considered by the Board of Directors at the following SCOUG Board of Directors meeting. The proposal shall be published and mailed to all regular members at least seven days in advance of being voted upon. The proposal shall be submitted for a vote by SCOUG members at SCOUG monthly meeting following the consideration by the board.

(b) Memberships shall be nonassessable.

SECTION 5. NUMBER OF MEMBERS

There is no limit on the number of members the corporation may admit.

SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP LIST

The corporation shall keep a membership list containing the name and address of each member. Termination of the membership of any member shall be recorded together with the date of termination of such membership.

The record of names and addresses of the members of this corporation shall constitute the membership list of this corporation and shall not be used, in whole or part, by any person for any purpose not reasonably related to a member's interest as a member.

SECTION 7. NONLIABILITY OF MEMBERS

A member of this corporation is not, as such, personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the corporation.

SECTION 8. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

(a) Grounds for Termination. The membership of a member shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

  1. Upon his or her notice of such termination delivered to the President or Secretary of the corporation personally or by mail, such membership to terminate upon the date of delivery of the notice or date of deposit in the mail.
  2. Upon a determination by the Board of Directors that the member has engaged in conduct materially and seriously prejudicial to the interests or purposes of the corporation.
  3. If this corporation has provided for the payment of dues by members, upon a failure to renew his or her membership by paying dues on or before their due date, such termination to be effective thirty (30) days after a written notification of delinquency is given personally or mailed to such member by the Secretary of the corporation. A member may avoid such termination by paying the amount of delinquent dues within a thirty (30)-day period following the member's receipt of the written notification of delinquency.

(b) Procedure for Expulsion. Following the determination that a member should be expelled under subparagraph (a)(2) of this section, the following procedure shall be implemented:

  1. A notice shall be sent by first-class or registered mail to the last address of the member as shown on the corporation's records, setting forth the expulsion and the reasons therefor. Such notice shall be sent at least fifteen (15) days before the proposed effective date of the expulsion.
  2. The member being expelled shall be given an opportunity to be heard, either orally or in writing, at a hearing to be held not less than five (5) days before the effective date of the proposed expulsion. The hearing will be held by the Board of Directors in accordance with the quorum and voting rules set forth in these Bylaws applicable to the meetings of the Board. The notice to the member of his or her proposed expulsion shall state the date, time, and place of the hearing on his or her proposed expulsion.
  3. Following the hearing, the Board of Directors shall decide whether or not the member should in fact be expelled, suspended, or sanctioned in some other way. The decision of the Board shall be final.
  4. Any person expelled from the corporation shall receive a refund of dues already paid. The refund shall be pro-rated to return only the unaccrued balance remaining for the period of the dues payment.

SECTION 9. RIGHTS ON TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

All rights of a member in the corporation shall cease on termination of membership as herein provided.

SECTION 10. AMENDMENTS RESULTING IN THE TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIPS

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, if any amendment of the Bylaws of this corporation would result in the termination of all memberships or any class of memberships, then such amendment or amendments shall be effected only in accordance with the provisions of Section 5342 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

ARTICLE 12
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings of members shall be held at such place as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. ANNUAL AND OTHER REGULAR MEETINGS

The members shall meet annually at the March regular meeting for the purpose of electing officers and directors and transacting other business as may come before the meeting. The annual meeting of members for the purpose of electing directors shall be deemed a regular meeting. The time of the meeting shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the members shall be held monthly. The time of the meetings shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

(a) Persons Who May Call Special Meetings of Members. Special meetings of the members shall be called by the Board of Directors, the President of the corporation, or by the lesser of ten (10) Regular members or ten percent (10%) or more of the Regular members.

SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

(a) Time of Notice. Whenever members are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given by the Secretary of the corporation not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting to each member who, on the record date for the notice of the meeting, is entitled to vote thereat, provided, however, that if notice is given by mail, and the notice is not mailed by first-class, registered, or certified mail, that notice shall be given twenty (20) days before the meeting.

(b) Manner of Giving Notice. Notice of a members' meeting or any report shall be given either personally or by mail or other means of written communication, addressed to the member at the address of such member appearing on the books of the corporation or given by the member to the corporation for the purpose of notice; Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication.

(c) Contents of Notice. Notice of a membership meeting shall state the place, date, and time of the meeting and (1) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no other business may be transacted, or (2) in the case of a regular meeting, those matters which the Board, at the time notice is given, intends to present for action by the members. Subject to any provision to the contrary contained in these Bylaws, however, any proper matter may be presented at a regular meeting for such action. (3)The notice of any meeting of members at which directors are to be elected shall include the names of all those who are nominees at the time notice is given to members.

(d) Notice of Meetings Called by Members. If a special meeting is called by members as authorized by these Bylaws, the request for the meeting shall be submitted in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted and shall be delivered personally or sent by registered mail or by telegraph to the President, Vice President or Secretary of the corporation. The officer receiving the request shall promptly cause notice to be given to the members entitled to vote that a meeting will be held, stating the date of the meeting. The date for such meeting shall be fixed by the Board and shall not be more than ninety (90) days after the receipt of the request for the meeting by the officer. If the notice is not given within twenty ( 20) days after the receipt of the request, persons calling the meeting may give the notice themselves.

(e) Special Notice Rules for Approving Certain Proposals. If action is proposed to be taken or is taken with respect to the following proposals, such action shall be invalid unless unanimously approved by those entitled to vote or unless the general nature of the proposal is stated in the notice of meeting or in any written waiver of notice:

  1. Removal of directors without cause;
  2. Filling of vacancies on the Board by members; and
  3. An election to voluntarily wind up and dissolve the corporation.

SECTION 5. QUORUM FOR MEETINGS

A quorum shall consist of twenty (20) percent of the voting members of the corporation.

The members present at a duly called and held meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to do business notwithstanding the loss of a quorum at the meeting due to a withdrawal of members from the meeting provided that any action taken after the loss of a quorum must be approved by at least a majority of the members required to constitute a quorum.

In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of the members may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the votes represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article, if this corporation authorizes members to conduct a meeting with a quorum of less than one-third (1/3) of the voting power, then, if less than one-third (1/3) of the voting power actually attends a regular meeting, in person or by proxy, then no action may be taken on a matter unless the general nature of the matter was stated in the notice of the regular meeting.

SECTION 6. MAJORITY ACTION AS MEMBERSHIP ACTION

Every act or decision done or made by a majority of voting members present in person or by proxy at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present is the act of the members, unless the law, the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or these Bylaws require a greater number.

SECTION 7. VOTING RIGHTS

Each regular member is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote by the members. Election of Directors and Officers shall be by ballot. All other voting at duly held meetings may be by voice vote.

SECTION 8. PROXY VOTING

Members entitled to vote will be permitted to vote or act by proxy.

Members entitled to vote shall have the right to vote either in person or by a written proxy executed by such person or by his or her duly authorized agent and filed with the Secretary of the corporation, provided, however, that no proxy shall be valid after three (3) months from the date of its execution unless otherwise provided in the proxy. In any case, however, the maximum term of any proxy shall be one (1) year from the date of its execution. No proxy shall be irrevocable and may be revoked following the procedures given in Section 5613 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.

All proxies shall state the general nature of the matter to be voted on.

Proxies shall afford an opportunity for the member to specify a choice between approval and disapproval for each matter or group of related matters intended, at the time the proxy is distributed, to be acted upon at the meeting for which the proxy is solicited. The proxy shall also provide that when the person solicited specifies a choice with respect to any such matter, the vote shall be cast in accordance therewith.

SECTION 9. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Meetings of members shall be presided over by the President of the corporation or, in his or her absence, by the Vice President of the corporation or, in the absence of all of these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the voting members, present in person or by proxy. The Secretary of the corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of members, provided that, in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting.

Meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Modern Edition, (c)1989 as such rules may be revised from time to time, insofar as such rules are not inconsistent with or in conflict with these Bylaws, with the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, or with any provision of law.

SECTION 10. ACTION BY WRITTEN BALLOT WITHOUT A MEETING

Any action which may be taken at any regular or special meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the corporation distributes a written ballot to each member entitled to vote on the matter. The ballot shall set forth the proposed action, provide an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of each proposal, provide that where the person solicited specifies a choice with respect to any such proposal the vote shall be cast in accordance therewith, and provide a reasonable time within which to return the ballot to the corporation. Ballots shall be mailed or delivered in the manner required for giving notice of meetings specified in Section 4(b) of this Article.

All written ballots shall also indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement and, except for ballots soliciting votes for the election of directors, shall state the percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted. The ballots must specify the time by which they must be received by the corporation in order to be counted.

Approval of action by written ballot shall be valid only when the number of votes cast by ballot within the time period specified equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting authorizing the action, and the number of approvals equals or exceeds the number of votes that would be required to approve the action at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast was the same as the number of votes cast by ballot.

A written ballot may not be revoked after its receipt by the corporation or its deposit in the mail, whichever occurs first.

SECTION 11. NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCEDURES

The Elections Committee will nominate one or more individuals for each officer and board position. No individual shall be nominated for more than one position by the Elections Committee. Each nominee shall be a regular member in good standing and shall be at least 18 years of age.

The Elections Committee shall encourage nominees to make a written statement of candidacy.

At least 10 days prior to the election, the Election Committee shall prepare and mail a list of nominees for all elected positions, including any written statements submitted by the nominees to all regular members. This mailing may be included with any other monthly mailings.

At the time of the election, the Elections Committee shall explain the election process.

The following process shall occur for each officer position, in order of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Director positions:

Nominations will be accepted from the floor just prior to the election for each office. Any member nor already elected to a position during this election meeting may be nominated for any subsequent position from the floor.

Once nominations have been closed, all nominees will have an opportunity to make a verbal statement not to exceed two minutes in length. This statement may be given by a representative of the nominee.

Once all verbal statements have been made, a secret ballot election will be conducted by the members of the Election Committee.

All positions shall be elected by a plurality.

Each member shall cast, at most, the same number of votes equal to the position being filled. Should a ballot contain more votes than positions open, that ballot is invalidated. Each member may cast a maximum of one vote per nominee.

Upon the written request by any nominee for election to the Board and the payment with such request of the reasonable costs of mailing (including postage), the corporation shall, within ten (10) business days after such request (provided payment has been made) mail to all members or such portion of them that the nominee may reasonably specify, any material which the nominee shall furnish and which is reasonably related to the election.

If the corporation distributes any written election material soliciting votes for any nominee for director at the corporation's expense, it shall make available, at the corporation's expense, to each other nominee, in or with the same material, the same a mount of space that is provided any other nominee, with equal prominence, to be used by the nominee for a purpose reasonably related to the election.

SECTION 12. RECORD DATE FOR MEETINGS

The record date for purposes of determining the members entitled to notice, voting rights, written ballot rights, or any other right with respect to a meeting of members or any other lawful membership action, shall be fixed pursuant to Section 5611 of the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law.


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