ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of the association shall be the French Club of McAllen.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
The purpose of the organization shall be:
1. To promote fellowship and group effort among those interested in French culture and language, with a spirit of friendship between races, cultures and individuals.
2. To further the study of French language and cultures of French speaking countries.
3. To cooperate with and further the aims of local schools, college and university teachers and students.
4. To welcome and facilitate the integration and sojourn in our community of French speaking families or individuals through the cultural and social activities of the Club.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
There shall be six categories of members in the association: Family,
Individual, Winter-Texan, Student, Benefactor and Life Honorary.
Section 2.
Membership is open to anyone who subscribes to the purposes and
the spirit of the Club. Knowledge of the French language is not
a requirement.
Section 3.
All members shall have the full rights and privileges of membership.
Section 4.
Any person who has performed notable service for the cause of
the Club might be elected to
Honorary Life membership in the Club without payment of membership
dues.
Section 5.
Membership dues shall be established by the Board according to
category of membership, and shall be payable on a schedule determined
by the Board.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS, COMMITTEES, AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1.
The elective officers of the Club shall consist of a President,
Two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Director of Publicity
and Chairs of Committees.
Section 2.
The President shall be the executive officer of the Club under
the advice of the Board. The president shall preside over general
meetings and board meetings. He/She shall be responsible for the
election of officers, for the expansion of membership and for
encouraging mutual respect between members. The President is responsible
for the presentation of Scholar Awards and Scholarships at the
Awards Ceremony annual meeting.
Section 3.
The two Vice-Presidents, who shall serve in the absence of the
President, shall have the primary responsibility for the program
of the Annual Opening Meeting.
Section 4.
The Secretary of the Club shall maintain the minutes of all meetings
of the Board, maintain a register of all members, and produce
at the direction of the board a Directory of Membership.
Section 5.
The Treasurer shall receive and disburse as needed the funds of
the Club, keep records of all transactions, and submit a written
summary thereof to the Board at its meetings and to the members
at the Annual Opening Meeting. The Treasurer is responsible for
notifying members of the status of their dues to the Club.
Section 6.
The Club shall have an elected Board and ad hoc committees appointed
by the Board. The Board shall be composed of the President, the
Two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, Treasurer, and the Director
of Publicity.
(a) The Board shall determine the direction and the calendar of the Club, decide on the events to be organized, and have the authority over the expenditure of such funds as may come into the treasury of the Club. Under the general direction of the President the Board shall have the responsibility for carrying out the programs of the Club, coordinating the Scholar Awards committee, organizing the program for the annual opening meeting, and encouraging the expansion of membership.
(b) The Board shall meet on call of the President or the request of any three of its members. Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for any meeting which quorum must include the President or One Vice-President and the Treasurer.
(c) The elective members of the Board shall have the authority
to make a new appointment effective immediately, if in their view
any appointed members of the committee are unable to carry out
the responsibilities of their office, or because of vacancy.
ARTICLE V- ELECTION AND TERMS OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1.
A nominating committee composed of the President, two Vice-Presidents
and three club members shall submit nominations for elective officers
at a Board meeting prior to the May general meeting. Nominations
from club members shall be presented to the Board during the month
prior to the May meeting, as well as, during the meeting.
Section 2.
The first Vice-President shall normally succeed to the position
of President and the Second Vice-President to the position of
first Vice-President.
Section 3.
The officers shall be elected for terms of one year by the Board
of the Club and ratified by the members at the May meeting . Terms
shall commence at the close of said meeting.
Section 4.
The eligibility to be an officer shall be any member who demonstrates
a successful participation in the organization of Club activities.
Section 5.
The Board shall fill any vacancy that may occur on the Board for
the unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
The Board shall hold at least one meeting each year which shall
be known as the Annual Opening Meeting in September. The Board
shall meet as necessary to direct the Club. Additional meetings
may be convened in April (to prepare the awards and stipends/scholarships
for Awards Ceremony) and May (to organize plans for the next year's
activities and elect officers and Board members).
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended at any general or called meeting by two-thirds of voting members present and in the presence of two-thirds of the Board. Any proposed amendments, before being voted upon, must have been previously considered by the Board and sent by letter or email to the members one month before the vote.
BYLAWS
Applications for Stipends, Awards and Scholarships should be presented
to the Board in writing (before the April meeting) with a short
rationale on the title of the program and its dates.
Adopted September 19, 2002
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Stella Béhar, President
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Lillian Taylor, Vice-President
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Elsa Lorenzo, Treasurer
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Barbara Bunt, Secretary