By-Laws

                                      OF THE

                BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL

                       WOMEN’S NETWORK

 

 

Reviewed and Approved by the Executive Board

Ratified by the Membership on:  September 15, 2011

ARTICLE I – Organization Name

The name of the organization is “Business and Professional Women’s Network”. The organization may also be known by its acronym, BPWN.

 

ARTICLE II – Purpose of Organization

The Business and Professional Women’s Network is not organized for the purpose of realizing a profit.  The purpose of the BPWN is to promote and enhance the professional standing of women in Pitt County, North Carolina by:

-        Meeting the needs of local business and professional women seeking to support each other in business endeavors

-        Providing opportunities for learning experiences and for career and personal development

-        Creating a forum for exchange

 

ARTICLE III – Membership

1.     The membership year shall follow the fiscal year August 1 through July 31.

2.     Members shall pay a yearly membership fee (dues) as initially set by the Executive Board, with subsequent changes adopted as determined by a majority vote of the present membership.

3.     Dues are payable by August 31 of each year.  Dues for members joining during or after March of the fiscal year shall be half of the full year membership fee. Members whose dues are 60 days in arrears shall lose membership privileges until dues are paid in full. No dues shall be refunded to any member whose membership terminates for any reason.

4.     Membership shall be available to all persons who exercise discretionary authority in their professional positions and are interested in advancing the purposes of the organization.  Any woman interested in becoming a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Network shall submit in writing a signed application on the form approved by the Executive Board.

5.     Membership meetings are held monthly at convenient locations from August through June. Members are notified of the date, time, location and any associated cost by way of the monthly BPWN email notice, or member website announcement.

ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE BOARD

1.     The Business and Professional Women’s Network consists of its members and an executive board.

2.     The Executive Board is made up of members who are nominated by the Executive Committee and elected annually by the members and who serve for at least one year.  The Executive Board consists of ten members; however the Executive Board may change its structure and number of members, as it sees fit.

 

a.     The Executive Board is structured as follows:

 

President and Vice President                                    2 members

Secretary                                                         1 member

Treasurer                                                        1 member

Membership/Website                                               2 members

Special Programs                                            4 members

 

The chair of the Special Programs committee coordinates information to and from the Executive Board to the following subcommittee members:  Publicity, Social Events, Young Entrepreneur Award. The chair of the Membership committee coordinates information to and from the webmaster. The Past President may serve as an Advisory member on the board.

 

b.     Elections for the following business year are held during the regular membership meeting in May, or as otherwise determined by the Executive Board.

 

c.      Members of the Executive Board are expected to attend an Executive Committee meeting, scheduled once per quarter, and at other times as needed.

 

d.     Responsibilities of the Executive Board and each of its members are contained in Appendix A. The Executive Board may change its responsibilities and those of its members as it sees fit.

 

e.     The Executive Board is responsible for receiving and disbursing funds of the Business and Professional Women’s Network.  The operations of the BPWN are funded through membership dues, raffle fundraising, and other miscellaneous sources.  The BPWN incurs expenses related to meetings, advertising, printing, postage and mail box fees, bank fees, and similar charges.

 

f.       The Executive Board is not authorized to borrow funds on behalf of Business and Professional Women’s Network for any purpose.

 

g.      A majority of the entire Executive Board may, from time to time, vote to amend these by-laws.  All members of the Executive Board will be given notice at least fourteen days prior to the date of the meeting that proposed amendments or changes will be held subject to a vote.  To take effect, the amendments must be ratified by a majority of the members of BPWN at a regularly scheduled meeting. Members will be notified of the vote to ratify the amendments by email notice by public announcement at a membership meeting, and also by notice on the BPWN website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                               APPENDIX A

                                           TO THE

    BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK

                                         BY LAWS

 

                             RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

PRESIDENT

1.     Establish overall membership and Executive Board meeting schedules and locations and preside at meetings. Contract with restaurant, hotel or other facilities as needed.

2.     Appoint committees not otherwise provided for, and be a member (ex-officio) of all committees.

3.     Sign, with the treasurer, all contracts and obligations authorized by the Executive Board.

4.     Perform duties usually pertaining to the office, work closely with other officers and committees to assist with duties related to the functioning of the organization.

5.     The outgoing president shall automatically become an advisory member of the Executive Board for the following year.

6.     If unable to attend the membership monthly meeting or Executive Board meeting, arrange for the Vice President or another Executive Board member to preside, as needed.

 

VICE PRESIDENT

1.     Assume all duties of the President upon absence or resignation of the President.

2.     Serve in the capacity of President-Elect, unless otherwise determined by the Executive Board.

3.     Assist the President with functions of the position, as needed.

4.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting or Executive Board meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to address the duties, as needed.

5.     Send thank you notes to guests and new members.

 

 

TREASURER

1.     Keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements.

2.     Make a financial report at the end of the year.

3.     Obtain approval of the Executive Board before disbursements over $50 are made.

4.     Prepare and submit an annual budget to the Executive Board and membership at the beginning of the year.  Report monthly results to the Executive Board.

5.     Receive membership dues.

6.     Pay all BPWN expenses.

7.     Meet with outgoing treasurer at the bank to sign the signature card for the new fiscal year.

8.     Arrive at each monthly meeting no later than 15 minutes prior to the meeting to preside over the greeting table. Bring to each meeting: checkbook, member sign-in sheets, guest sign-in sheets, and receipt book.

9.     Deposit money collected at the meeting within 3 to 5 days after the meeting.

10.  Check the mailbox weekly for new membership applications and any mail.

11.  If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting, or Executive Board meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS CHAIR

1.     Be the spokesperson to the board concerning programs, social events, and the awards program.

2.     Select speakers and topics appropriate for the organization, promoting women in leadership and informing members about resources in the community. Plan networking programs.

3.     Give speaker information to the Publicity Chair at least two weeks before the individual speaks to ensure information makes timely notice in the newspaper and on website.

4.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting or Executive Board meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

 

SECRETARY

1.     Keep minutes of monthly meetings, Executive Board meetings, and maintain a record file.

2.     Send copies of the minutes to the Executive Board within one week of meeting.

3.     Maintain responsibility for official and general correspondence of BPWN and maintain official file records, including maintaining By-Laws.

4.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting or Executive Board meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

PUBLICITY

1.     Send announcements about upcoming meetings, member news, special announcements and recognitions, to the webmaster and to the local newspaper, for both Community Column and Work Week. Identify the speaker and the topic along with several points to spark interest for the meeting.  Invite the public and briefly state the nature of the BPWN.

2.     Submit announcements that the BPWN does not meet during July and/or any other schedule change in a timely fashion to the newspaper.

3.     Arrive at the meeting at least 15 minutes early to greet members and guests as they arrive. Be sure that new members or guests are greeted and placed in the care of a veteran member to make them feel welcome.

4.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

 

SOCIAL EVENTS

1.     Coordinate event planning for special BPWN social activities as needed.

2.     Report to Special Programs chair about activities, as needed.

3.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

 

SCHOLARSHIP/YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

1.     Contact local academic institutions to obtain student nominees for award program.

2.     Coordinate BPWN award committee and manage evaluation/review of award candidates.

3.     Report criteria for selection and winning candidate to Executive Board.

4.     Notify school coordinator and award recipient; arrange for their presence at BPWN meeting.

5.     Notify Special Programs chair of selection and coordinate notice to Publicity chair.

6.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties, as needed.

 

  

MEMBERSHIP/WEBSITE

1.     Arrive early to greet membership. Distribute name tags at the meetings.

2.     Coordinate with treasurer for the receipt of new member applications and dues.

3.     Notify president of new members and guests for official introduction at meeting.

4.     Keep copies of membership applications. Verify memberships and renewal information.

5.     Maintain and update membership list each month.

6.     Communicate with webmaster to update BPWN directory and address website matters.

7.     If unable to attend the monthly membership meeting or Executive Board meeting, arrange for another Executive Board member to cover the duties.

 

  

END OF BYLAWS

Updated and Ratified by Membership September 2011