Membership

Norridgewock Area Chamber of Commerce By-Laws

ARTICLE 1

The Organization shall be known as the Norridgewock Area Chamber of Commerce and may be referred to as the Chamber.

ARTICLE 2

Mission Statement: To promote a positive business environment that contributes to the community and economic vitality of the Norridgewock area.

ARTICLE III

Purpose: The purpose for which this organization is formed is to promote and perpetuate the business, commercial, manufacturing and civic interest of the Norridgewock area; to develop a public spirit in all, whereby a unified effort may be put forth to aid the area and make it a more prosperous, beautiful, and better place in which to live and work.

ARTICLE IV

Regular meetings of the Chamber shall be held on the last Thursday of each month at 8:00 am unless notified otherwise by the President or other assigned officer.

AMENDMENT MADE May 28, 2008: Meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of the month at 8:00 am for the first two months of the quarter and at 6:30 pm the last month of the quarter.

AMENDMENT MADE June 30, 2010: Regular meetings of the Chamber shall be held the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm, unless notified otherwise by the President or other assigned officer.

ARTICLE V

All members of the Chamber in good standing shall have the following rights:

  1. To attend all meetings of the Chamber;
  2. To engage in deliberations at meetings;
  3. To petition the Executive Board;
  4. To participate in all programs and activities sponsored by the Chamber;
  5. Each member shall be allowed one vote and must be present to vote;
  6. No member of the Chamber shall be allowed to utilize the name of the Norridgewock Area Chamber of Commerce for advertising or other commercial purposes without written approval of the Executive Board;
  7. Any member may be expelled by majority vote of the Executive Board for non-payment of annual investment after ninety (90) days from the date due, unless otherwise extended for good cause.

ARTICLE VI

A slate of candidates for various offices shall be presented at the September meeting by nomination from the floor and voted on at the October meeting. The term of office shall be one (1) year and shall take effect at the October meeting. The annual meeting will be in October. This date will be determined at the August meeting.

AMENDMENT MADE April 25, 2007: All officers will serve from January through December.

ARTICLE VII

The officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer, whose terms of office shall be one (1) year. The officers as a group shall comprise the Executive Board. Executive Board members must be in good standing. If the Immediate Past President holds another Officer position on the Board, the fifth member will be an active member voted from the members at large. Vacancies among the officers on the Board may be filled at any time to complete the unexpired terms of their predecessors. This will be complied with at a regular Chamber meeting with the members at large.

ARTICLE VIII

The following duties of the various officers shall be as follows:

President: The President shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the Chamber; shall call and preside at all regular and special meetings; shall act as an exofficio member of all standing committees and all special committees; shall see that the various votes of the Chamber are fulfilled; and shall appoint the chairpersons of all standing committees and special committees.

Vice-President: The Vice-President shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.

Immediate Past President: The Immediate Past President shall serve as advisor to the President and shall lend assistance to provide continuity and affect a smooth transition during changes in officers.

Secretary: The duties of Secretary shall be to keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Chamber and make a written report thereof; keeping a record of all motions made and seconded and the vote thereon; and to conduct all Chamber correspondence. The minutes of the meetings shall be sent to members two weeks prior to the monthly meetings for review and questions.

Treasurer: The duties of the Treasurer shall be to keep a correct account of all monies received and disbursed; to handle monies belonging to the Chamber; pay bills at the discretion of the Executive Committee; and to make a report at each regular meeting. The Treasurer will also insure that the Chamber stays within budget restraints.

ARTICLE IX

Membership shall run from the annual anniversary date of joining the Chamber.

AMENDMENT MADE October 24, 2010: Membership shall run from January through December in a given calendar year.

ARTICLE X

A quorum of at least five (5) members in good standing must be present at any meeting of the membership to conduct business. Special meetings may be called by the President or by majority vote of the Executive Board. The Executive Board must also have a majority which would consist of three (3) or more.

ARTICLE XI

These by-laws may be changed or amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present at the next regular meeting after proposed changes have been presented. Members must be notified in writing at least one month prior to a vote to adopt amendments to these by-laws.

ARTICLE XII

Standing Committees and duties:

Membership: Duties include maintenance of existing (to include billing and collection of dues) and recruitment of new members and welcoming of each new enterprise to Norridgewock Area Chamber. One member of the Executive Committee shall be a member of this committee. Dues will be turned over to the Treasurer at the next meeting with copy of application.

Community Events: Duties include the planning and conduct of all Chamber Community events and providing liaison with sponsoring civic organizations in the conduct of other events sponsored by those other organizations.

Program: Duties include obtaining speakers (when requested), arranging meeting sites, and planning the annual meeting.

Budget: Duties include reviewing financial records in preparation of the budget proposal for the coming year and presenting it at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall be a member of this committee.

ARTICLE XIII

Dues: Shall be broken down by size of business and will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Individual/Lay Member: Is defined as a full member of the Chamber with all associated rights and privileges of membership who does not own or operate a business in the Norridgewock area.

Civic/Non-profit/Educational: Self-explanatory

Small Business: Any business that employs between one (1) and (10) full-time employees.

Large Business/Multi-Business: Any business that employs more than eleven (11) full-time employees.

The amount of dues to be paid by various categories of members shall be by recommendation of the Executive Board at its October meeting and thereafter voted into effect by the members-at-large at the Chamber’s annual meeting.