Olathe Rotary Club - Olathe, Kansas, USA

Club Bylaws-Part 1 of 3

BYLAWS OF THE ROTARY CLUB

OLATHE, KANSAS

ARTICLE I
Rotary International Constitution and Bylaws

Section 1.
Olathe Rotary Club, having been granted a certificate of membership in Rotary International in 1937, thereby accepts, ratifies, and agrees to be bound in all things, not contrary to law, by the Rotary International Constitution and the bylaws of RI, and amendments thereto, and to faithfully observe the provisions thereof.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section 1. Types of Membership Olathe Rotary parameters for membership below follow the membership guidelines as outlined in the Rotary International Constitution.   A club may have 2 types of membership: Active and Honorary.
    (a) Active Membership
          Olathe Rotary Club membership should be made up of adult persons of good character and

good business and professional reputation. Olathe Rotary members should:
(1) be engaged as a proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or manager of any worthy and

               recognized business or profession; or
          (2) hold an important position in any worthy and recognized business or profession or
               any branch or agency thereof and have executive capacity with discretionary
               authority; or
          (3) have retired from any position listed in sub-subsection (1) or (2) above.
          (4) have their places of business or residence located in the locality of the club or the
             surrounding area. An active member moving from the locality of the club or the
               surrounding area may retain membership should the board grant such permission
              and said active member continues to meet all conditions of club membership.
     (b) Honorary Membership
          (1) Persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the further-
               ance of Rotary ideals and those persons considered friends of Rotary for their
               permanent support of Rotary's cause may be elected to honorary membership in
               more than one club. The term of such membership shall be as determined by the
               Olathe Rotary board.

          (2) Rights and Privileges
              Honorary members shall be exempt from the payment of admission fees and dues,
               shall have no vote and shall not be eligible to hold any office in the club. Such
               members shall not hold classifications, but shall be entitled to attend all meetings
               and enjoy all the other privileges of the club in which they hold such membership.
               No honorary member of a club is entitled to any rights or privileges in any other
               club, except for the right to visit other clubs without being the guest of a Rotarian.
              Honorary members are not included in membership totals and attendance.

Section 2. Classifications
Olathe Rotary shall have a well-balanced membership in which no one business or profession predominates. The club shall not elect a person to active membership from a classification if the club already has five or more members from that classification, unless our membership has more than 50 members, in which case the club may elect a person to active membership in a classification so long as it will not result in the classification making up more than 10 percent of the club's active membership. Members who are retired shall not be included in the total number of members in a classification. The classification of a transferring or former member of a club shall not preclude election to active membership even if the election results in club membership temporarily exceeding the above limitations. If a member changes classification, the club may continue the member's membership under the new classification notwithstanding these limitations.

Section 3. Transferring or Former Rotarian
A member may propose to active membership a transferring member or former member of a club, if the proposed member is terminating or has terminated such membership in the former club due to no longer being engaged in the formerly assigned classification of business or profession in the locality of the former club or the surrounding area. The transferring or former member of a club being proposed to active membership under this section may also be proposed by the former club. The classification of a transferring or former member of a club shall not preclude election to active membership even if the election results in club membership temporarily exceeding the classification limits.
(a) A transferring or former Rotarian will pay the dues and fees, and complete the necessary

      paperwork, as if a new Rotarian.

Section 4. Dual Membership
No person shall simultaneously hold active membership in more than one club. No person shall simultaneously be a member and an honorary member in Olathe Rotary.   No person shall simultaneously hold active membership in Olathe Rotary and membership in a Rotaract club.

Section 5. Holders of Public Office
Persons elected or appointed to public office for a specified time shall not be eligible to active membership in the Olathe Rotary Club, under the classification of such office. This restriction shall not apply to persons holding positions or offices in schools, colleges, or other institutions of learning or to persons who are elected or appointed to the judiciary. Members who are elected or appointed to public office for a specified period may continue as such members in their existing classifications during the period in which they hold such office.

Section 6. Limitations on Membership
The Olathe Rotary Club may not, by provisions in its constitution or otherwise, limit membership in the club on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, or national origin or impose any condition of membership not specifically prescribed by the RI constitution or bylaws. Any provision in our club bylaws that would impose such condition will be in conflict with the Rotary International Bylaws and Constitution, and will become null, void, and without effect.

The following in blue is currently under review by board.

Section 7. Membership Attendance
Each member should attend this club's regular meetings. A member shall be counted as attending a regular meeting if the member is present for at least 60 percent of the meetings, or is present and is called away unexpectedly and subsequently produces evidence to the satisfaction of the board that such action was reasonable, or makes up for an absence in any of the following ways:
(A) 14 Days Before or After the Meeting. If, within fourteen (14) days before or after the
     regular time for that meeting, the member
     (1) attends at least 60 percent of the regular meeting of another club or of a provisional club; or
     (2) attends a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary

Fellowship or of a provisional Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary

Fellowship; or

(3) attends a convention of RI, a council on legislation, an international assembly, a Rotary

institute for past and present officers of RI, a Rotary institute for past, present, and incoming

officers of RI, or any other meeting convened with the approval of the board of directors of RI or

the president of RI acting on behalf of the board of directors of RI, a Rotary multizone

conference, a meeting of a committee of RI, a Rotary district conference, a Rotary district

assembly, any district meeting held by direction of the board of directors of RI, any district

committee meeting held by direction of the district governor, or a regularly announced intercity

meeting of Rotary clubs; or
(4) is present at the usual time and place of a regular meeting of another club for the purpose of

attending such meeting, but that club is not meeting at that time or place; or

(5) attends and participates in a club service project or a club-sponsored community event or

meeting authorized by the board; or
(6) attends a board meeting or, if authorized by the board, a meeting of a service committee to

which the member is assigned; or
(7) participates through a club website in an interactive activity requiring an average of 30 minutes

of participation.
When a member is outside the member's country of residence for more than fourteen (14) days, the time restriction shall not be imposed so that the member may attend meetings in another country at any time during the travel period, and each such attendance shall count as a valid make-up for any regular meeting missed during the member's time abroad.
(B) At the Time of the Meeting. If, at the time of the meeting, the member is
(1) traveling with reasonable directness to or from one of the meetings specified in sub-

subsection (a) (3) of this section; or

(2) serving as an officer or member of a committee of RI, or a trustee of The Rotary Foundation;

(3) serving as the special representative of the district governor in the formation of a new club; or

(4) on Rotary business in the employ of RI; or
(5) directly and actively engaged in a district-sponsored or RI- or Rotary Foundation-sponsored

service project in a remote area where making up attendance is impossible; or
(6) engaged in Rotary business duly authorized by the board which precludes attendance at

the meeting.

Excused Absences. A member's absence shall be excused if
(A) the absence complies with the conditions and under circumstances approved by the board. The board may excuse a member's absence for reasons which it considers to be good and sufficient.
(B) the aggregate of the member's years of age and years of membership in one or more clubs is 85 years or more and the member has notified the club secretary in writing of the member's desire to be excused from attendance and the board has approved.
Attendance Records. Any member whose absences are excused shall not be included in
the membership figure used to compute this club's attendance nor shall such absences or
attendances be used for that purpose.

Section 8. Duration of Membership
(A) Period. Membership shall continue during the existence of this club unless terminated as hereinafter provided.
(B) Automatic Termination.
(a) Membership Qualifications. Membership shall automatically terminate when a member no

longer meets the membership qualifications, except that
(1) the board may grant a member moving from the locality of this club or the surrounding

area a special leave of absence not to exceed one (1) year to enable the member to visit

and become known to a Rotary club in the new community if the member continues to meet

all conditions of club membership;

(2) the board may allow a member moving from the locality of this club or the surrounding area

to retain membership if the member continues to meet all conditions of club membership.

(b) How to Rejoin. When the membership of a member has terminated as provided in subsection

(a) of this section, such person, provided such person's membership was in good standing at

the time of termination, may make new application for membership, under the same or another

classification. A second admission fee shall not be required.

(c) Termination of Honorary Membership. Honorary membership shall automatically terminate

at the end of the term for such membership as determined by the board. However, the board

may extend an honorary membership for an additional period. The board may revoke an

         honorary membership at any time.
Termination Non-payment of Dues.
(a) Process. Any member failing to pay dues within thirty (30) days after the prescribed time shall be notified in writing by the secretary at the member's last known address. If the dues are not paid on or before ten (10) days of the date of notification, membership may terminate, subject to the discretion of the board.
(b) Reinstatement. The board may reinstate the former member to membership upon the former member's petition and payment of all indebtedness to this club. However, no former member may be reinstated to active membership if the former member's classification is in conflict with article 7, section 2.
Termination Non-attendance.
(a) Attendance Percentages. A member must
     (1) attend or make up at least 60 percent of club regular meetings in each half of the year;
     (2) attend at least 30 percent of this club's regular meetings in each half of the year.
         If a member fails to attend as required, the member's membership shall be subject to

termination unless the board consents to such non-attendance for good cause.
(b) Consecutive Absences. Unless otherwise excused by the board for good and sufficient reason or pursuant to article 8, sections 3 or 4, each member who fails to attend or make up four consecutive regular meetings shall be informed by the board that the member's non-attendance may be considered a request to terminate membership in this club. Thereafter, the board, by a majority vote, may terminate the member's membership.
Termination Other Causes.
(a) Good Cause. The board may terminate the membership of any member who ceases to have the qualifications for membership in this club or for any good cause by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the board members, at a meeting called for that purpose.
(b) Notice. Prior to taking any action under subsection (a) of this section, the member shall be given at least ten (10) days' written notice of such pending action and an opportunity to submit a written answer to the board. The member shall have the right to appear before the board to state the member's case. Notice shall be by personal delivery or by registered letter to the member's last known address.
(c) Filling Classification. When the board has terminated the membership of a member as provided for in this section, this club shall not elect a new member under the former member's classification until the time for hearing any appeal has expired and the decision of this club or of the arbitrators has been announced.
Right to Appeal, Mediate or Arbitrate Termination.
(a) Notice. Within seven (7) days after the date of the board's decision to terminate membership, the secretary shall give written notice of the decision to the member. Within fourteen (14) days after the date of the notice, the member may give written notice to the secretary of the intention to appeal to the club, request mediation, or to arbitrate as provided in article 15.
(b) Date for Hearing of Appeal. In the event of an appeal, the board shall set a date for the hearing of the appeal at a regular club meeting to be held within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of the notice of appeal. At least five (5) days' written notice of the meeting and its special business shall be given to every member. Only members shall be present when the appeal is heard.
(c) Mediation or Arbitration. The procedure utilized for mediation or arbitration shall be as provided in article 15.
(d) Appeal. If an appeal is taken, the action of the club shall be final and binding on all parties and shall not be subject to arbitration.
(e) Decision of Arbitrators or Umpire. If arbitration is requested, the decision reached by the arbitrators or, if they disagree, by the umpire shall be final and binding on all parties and shall not be subject to appeal.
(f) Unsuccessful Mediation. If mediation is requested but is unsuccessful, the member may appeal to the club or arbitrate as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

ARTICLE III
Election of Directors and Officers

Section 1.
Directors shall be elected annually at a regular meeting in June. At a regular meeting one month prior to the meeting for election of directors, the presiding officer shall appoint a Nominating Committee to make nominations for three members of the board of directors, each to serve a two-year term. The nominations duly made shall be place on a ballot in alphabetical order and the three candidates for director receiving a majority of the votes shall be declared elected as directors.

Section 2.
In December of each year, the board of directors shall elect a vice president, secretary, and treasurer by majority vote. The vice president so elected shall serve as a member of the board as vice president for the year commencing on the first day of July next following the election, and shall assume office as president-elect on the first day of July immediately following the year of service on the board as vice president (the president-elect having assumed the office of president on the first day of July immediately following the year of service on the board as president-elect.)

Section 3.
The president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer and six directors, so elected, together with the immediate past-president shall constitute the board of directors. Within one week after the election of the board of directors-elect shall meet and appoint some member of the club to act as sergeant-at-arms.

Section 4.
A vacancy on the board of directors or any office shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the board.

Section 5.
A vacancy in the position of any officer-elect or director-elect shall be filled by action of the remaining members of the board of directors-elect.

Sections in blue under review by board:

Section 6.

The board may remove an officer, officer-elect, officer-nominee, or board member for cause following a hearing. The person to be removed must be provided written notice containing a copy of the charges at least 30 days before the hearing thereon. Such notice shall specify the time and place of such hearing and shall be served personally, by mail, or other rapid means of communication. At the hearing, such person may be represented by counsel. A vote to remove such officer, officer-elect, officer-nominee, or board member must be passed by a two-thirds vote of the entire board.

Section 6. Limitations on Membership
The Olathe Rotary Club may not, by provisions in its constitution or otherwise, limit membership in the club on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, or national origin or impose any condition of membership not specifically prescribed by the RI constitution or bylaws. Any provision in our club bylaws that would impose such condition will be in conflict with the Rotary International Bylaws and Constitution, and will become null, void, and without effect.

The following in blue is currently under review by board.

Section 7. Membership Attendance
Each member should attend this club's regular meetings. A member shall be counted as attending a regular meeting if the member is present for at least 60 percent of the meetings, or is present and is called away unexpectedly and subsequently produces evidence to the satisfaction of the board that such action was reasonable, or makes up for an absence in any of the following ways:
(A) 14 Days Before or After the Meeting. If, within fourteen (14) days before or after the
regular time for that meeting, the member
(1) attends at least 60 percent of the regular meeting of another club or of a provisional club; or
(2) attends a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club, Rotary Community Corps, or Rotary