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Humanists of Utah Bylaws

HUMANISTS OF UTAH
By-Laws
I.      PURPOSE

The purpose of the Humanists of Utah is to offer an affirmative non-theistic educational program based on developing one’s human talents in order to practice the art of living; to promote meaningful activities and compassionate services that exemplify humanism; and to be an association where humanists can have a sense of belonging to a larger community that supports a positive philosophy of reason, integrity, and dignity.

II.     NAME and AFFILIATION

This Association shall be called “Humanists of Utah”, and shall be a Chapter of the American Humanist Association. The provisions of these by-laws are in conformity with and subservient to the by-laws and Articles of Incorporation of the American Humanist Association. Nothing herein shall be interpreted in any manner to be in conflict with the Constitution of the United States of America or the laws of our land required to maintain a tax exempt non-profit educational organization, nor with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

III.    MEMBERSHIP

Any person shall be eligible to a voting membership who is in general accord with the above-stated purpose and pays the membership dues established by the Association.

IV.     GOVERNMENT

  1. The Association shall be governed by its membership and, between meetings thereof, by a Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to five other board members. Terms of office begin on the date of the election. At the membership meeting in 2003 officers and two board members shall be elected for a two-year term, three board members shall be elected for a one-year term. At the membership meeting in 2004 three board members shall be elected for a two-year term. Thereafter officers and two board members shall be elected for two-year terms in odd numbered years; three board members shall be elected for two-year terms in even numbered years.
  2. A board member or officer who has three unexcused absences from board meetings in one calendar year will lose their board position.
  3. Board vacancies occurring for any reason shall be filled by appointment by the remaining board members. Appointees shall serve out the term of the vacancy.
  4. Except as otherwise prescribed in regulations of the membership or of the Board of Directors, the duties of the Board, the Officers and Committees of the Association shall be those customarily pertaining thereto.

    5. The fiscal year will run from January 1st to December 31st of each calendar year.

  5. The Board shall appoint an Auditing Committee in December of each year. That Committee shall audit the Treasurer’s books and report its findings to the next annual membership meeting.
  6. The Board may appoint as needed an Editor for the publication of a Newsletter/Journal, a Historian, a Webmaster, and a Librarian. The Board may appoint as needed Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.

V.      MEETINGS

  1. Regular meetings of the membership and of the Board shall be held at times and places set by the Board or the membership. Special meetings, social events, public programs, etc. may be scheduled by the Board or by a committee it appoints.
  2. Notices of all meetings will be published in the monthly Newsletter, on the Humanists of Utah website, or communicated to members through email or the US Postal Service.
  3. A quorum for the transaction of business at membership meetings shall consist of seven (7) members or 20% of the paid membership, whichever is greater.
  4. Except as otherwise provided in regulations of the membership or of the Board, all meetings of the Association shall be conducted in accordance with “Roberts’ Rules of Order”.

VI.     ELECTIONS

  1. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed at the Board meeting in August. Within one month thereafter it shall prepare a slate of names of one or more persons for each position to be filled as Director or Officer. The nominating committee’s slate of candidates will be printed in the November issue of the Newsletter or distributed to members electronically or by the U. S. Postal Service. Additional nominations may be made either at a meeting of the Board or of the membership or by petition of one member.
  2. The election for Officers and Board Members shall be held at the December membership meeting and shall be conducted by secret ballot.
  3. Election to each office shall be the nominee receiving the majority of the votes cast.
  4. An Election Committee appointed by the Board will check, count, and report the results of the balloting to the membership.

VII.    AMENDING BY-LAWS

Amendments of these by-laws may be initiated by a vote of a majority of the Board members or by those present and voting thereon at a regular membership meeting, or by petition of 20% of the members. Enactment of proposed amendments requires the approval of a majority of the members voting thereon.