Constitution
Revision 3 July 2008
CONSTITUTION
OF NEW WORLD CELTS, INC.
ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the Corporation is "New World Celts, Inc."
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSES. The purposes of the Corporation, thereinafter referred to as the NWC, are to provide for the mutual assistance, enjoyment, entertainment, education, physical, mental and social benefit of its members and the general public; To promote, and advance knowledge of the Celtic influence in the formation of the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and throughout their histories to the present day; To promote and advance knowledge of the persons responsible for such influence; To promote and coordinate activities between all Celtic heritage groups/clans/families; to acquire, own, lease, mortgage, sell and develop real and personal property necessary or incidental to the operation of the NWC; to borrow money, contract debts and make contracts necessary or incidental to the operation of the NWC; and to do any and all lawful acts and things necessary pertaining, convenient or incidental to the foregoing purposes, or any part thereof, tending to increase the value, usefulness, comfort or convenience of the property or any part thereof at any time held by the NWC, and to have or exercise all the rights, powers and privileges pertaining to corporations of a similar nature organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida, but not, however, to have or exercise any right, power or privilege for any purpose for which corporations are not permitted to be formed under the general laws of the State of Florida as provided in the Florida Non-profit Corporations Statutes, Acts or Rules.
No part of the net earnings of the NWC shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the NWC shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes of the NWC. No part of the activities of the NWC shall be the carrying on of political or religious propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation regarding same, and the NWC shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office, nor any specific political party, nor any specific religious institution.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the NWC shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Upon dissolution of the NWC, the International Executive Committee (IEC) shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the NWC, dispose of all of the corporate assets in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for Celtic Cultural purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as the IEC shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Florida Superior Court of the County in which the principal office of the Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE 3. ADDRESS. The address of the main office or headquarters of the NWC is PO Box 0362, Dunedin, Florida 34697
ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS. The Voting Officers constituting the International Executive Committee shall be the International President, Executive Vice-President, Executive Liaison (Secretary) and Vice-Presidents of Finance (Treasurer), Membership, Public Relations, Marketing, Organizational Development, Special Events, and Long-Range Planning.
ARTICLE 5. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS: The following membership
classifications are established:
SECTION 1. REGULAR (INCLUDING FAMILY) MEMBERS.
SECTION 2. LIFE MEMBERS.
SECTION 3. ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS .
SECTION 4. HONORARY MEMBERS
SECTION 5. VOTING. Individual Regular, Family, Life and Organizational members shall have the right to vote on matters of Chapter business as delineated in the By-Laws.
SECTION 6. QUALIFICATION. There shall be no restriction on membership in regard to race, color, sex or religion. Members should be persons, families or organizations who are of Celtic heritage or influence, and/or with interest in supporting Celtic Culture.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS
SECTION 1. THE CONSTITUTION. The Constitution may be amended by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the corporate membership present and entitled to vote. No such vote shall be effective unless the IEC shall have first adopted a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and directing it to be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the membership entitled to vote. Notice setting forth the proposed amendments or a summary of the changes to be effected by such amendments shall be given to the membership previous to the vote.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS. The IEC shall have the power to make, alter, amend and repeal the bylaws of the NWC by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire IEC, provided however, that any such amendment shall be submitted to a vote of the voting membership of the NWC at the next voting meeting of the membership. Such amendments by the IEC are effective until and unless they are disapproved by a seventy-five percent (75%) vote of the members present and entitled to vote at the voting meeting next following the amendment so made by the IEC.
There shall be no amendments to the bylaws which are neither contrary to the purpose of the NWC to operate as an organization whose members are principally of Celtic heritage or influence nor contrary to the Mission Statement.
ARTICLE 7. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the membership shall usually be held during the Dunedin, Florida Highland Games subject to the approval of the International Executive Committee.
By-Laws
Revision 3 July 2008
CERTIFIED TRUE AND CORRECT
BY-LAWS OF THE NEW WORLD CELTS
Article I: Name Corporate Seal, HQ
Article II: Membership
Article III: Corporate Government, IEC, Celtic Senate
Article IV: Chapters
Article V: Membership Dues
Article VI: Voting
Article VII: Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws
Article VIII: Discipline
ARTICLE I. NAME, CORPORATE SEAL, HEADQUARTERS.
SECTION 1.01. NAME. The name of the Corporation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "NWC”) shall be New World Celts Inc.
SECTION 1.02. SEAL. The corporate seal shall have inscribed NWC thereon. A facsimile may be used and the following is an impression thereof.
SECTION 1.03 EMBLEM The Corporate emblem shall be as depicted above
SECTION 1.04 HEADQUARTERS. The Corporate Headquarters shall be established and operated for the conduct of corporate business in Dunedin, Florida, USA at PO Box 360 Dunedin, Florida 34697
SECTION 1.05. EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NAME AND MARKS. The Corporation shall have the exclusive right to use the name "New World Celts, Inc.". The NWC shall retain the exclusive and sole right to use, or to allow or refuse the use of all emblems, seals, badges, or other items incorporating the words "New World Celts" or any of the Corporation's Registered Marks.
No member, chapter, or other subdivision of the NWC shall use the NWC or any of its marks in any business pursuit or in any other activity which violates the Constitution, Bylaws, Mission Statement or Guidelines set forth by the IEC.
All items, distinctly marked as an event or chapter item offered for sale by any member, chapter, or other subdivision of the Corporation bearing the NWC name, or the name "New World Celts", or any registered mark of the NWC, shall be submitted and approved by the International Executive Committee in accordance with guidelines which the IEC may adopt. Unauthorized use of the NWC name, emblems, or marks shall be cause for fine procedures, removal, or suspension of the offending members, chapters or other subdivision of the NWC in accordance with Article IX of the Bylaws.
The IEC shall penalize violators of this section with a letter of warning. Such letter to include the date, time, location, identity of sales person present, and a complete description of item(s) in violation. A copy of this letter shall be forwarded to the President and Secretary of the IEC.
Any subsequent violation or any failure to remove the item(s) after receipt of notification of such violation, in accordance with guidelines which the IEC may adopt, may be fined for such a second offence in an amount not to exceed $100.00, or in the event of any such third or subsequent offence, a fine not to exceed $250.00 and/or suspension or revocation of the violating chapter's charter. All monies received as a result of such fine(s) shall be placed in the general treasury.
ARTICLE II. NWC MEMBERSHIP.
SECTION 2.01. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS AND TENURE. The membership classes are:
1) Regular members (including families);
2) Members-at-Large (Wild Rovers);
3) Organizational members;
4) Honorary members;
5) Life members.
SECTION 2.02. REGULAR MEMBERS. Regular members must be individual persons who are of Celtic heritage or influence, and/or with interest in supporting Celtic Culture. Family memberships include all persons of a singular household, but holding only one vote. The term of Regular memberships shall be for the year commencing on the date of initial payment of annual dues and ending at the end of the calendar year following the year they joined.
SECTION 2.03. ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS. Organizational members must be Scottish/Irish Clans, Family Organizations, Celtic Organizations which have Celtic heritage or influence, or businesses which cater thereto. The term of Organizational memberships shall be for two years commencing on the date of payment of annual dues and ending on December 31 of the subsequent year. Each Organization shall have only one vote at all meetings/business.
SECTION 2.04. HONORARY MEMBERS. Persons who have contributed substantially to the promotion of the mission of the New World Celts may be designated Honorary Members by the International Executive Committee or by Chapters as herein provided. Except where the IEC designates Honorary members-at-large, a person must first have their honorary membership proposed by at least three (3) members of a chapter who are in good standing. The Chapter Officers shall make the final determination whether a person qualifies as an Honorary Member of the chapter, by virtue of their contributions. Honorary memberships will be granted by chapter officers on a one year basis and will be evaluated by each concerned Chapter at the chapter’s first March meeting. The honorary membership in any given chapter may not exceed more than ten percent (10%) of the previous year's membership of Regular members in the chapter. The IEC may confer honorary membership at their discretion, provided, however, that honorary membership conferred by the IEC may not exceed one percent (1%) of the membership of Regular members of the NWC. Persons designated Honorary members by the IEC shall be Members-at-Large of the Corporation. Honorary members shall have no voting rights and shall enjoy honorary status for one year.
SECTION 2.04.1. SPECIAL HONORARY MEMBERS. The President of the IEC may grant Special Honorary membership status to a piper, or a musician of note, or a Gaelic teacher, or Poet/Bard, a person of Celtic Cultural importance and/or a NWC member in a like manner. The President will determine the term of this honorary membership based upon the contribution of the recipient although any lifetime recipients must be confirmed by the IEC. No Politicians nor ministers can be honored in this manner as this contradicts the mission statement. Selection may be by criteria established by the IEC not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws.
SECTION 2.05. LIFE MEMBERS. Life membership is restricted to the Founding Members of the NWC (Ten Original Members) or recipients of a Presidential Award of Life membership. The IEC President may present a Presidential Award to a NWC member for exemplary service to the NWC, confirmed by vote of the IEC. Life members are not obligated to be a member of a chapter.
SECTION 2.06. MEMBERSHIPS-AT-LARGE. Persons who qualify for membership in one of the four membership classes of the NWC may be granted Member-at-Large (Wild Rover) status by the IEC if such persons reside at least fifty (50) miles from the nearest chapter headquarters or at the IEC’s special discretion. A chapter’s headquarters shall be considered its mailing address. The IEC may grant memberships-at-large without limit. Wild Rover memberships may be in addition to chapter memberships with the paying of additional annual dues.
SECTION 2.07. MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES. No documents, to include Chapter membership cards, are to be issued at chapter level to any person and/or groups. Any person that does not have a current Corporate Membership Certificate is not to be considered a member. Any question regarding official membership should be directed to the IEC VP Membership.
ARTICLE III. INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT - INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE- CELTIC SENATE
SECTION 3.01. IEC. The members on the International Executive Committee shall be the International President, Executive Vice President, the International Vice Presidents and other appointed Committee Chairs. Appointed Officers, Committee chairs and members are on the IEC by appointment of the President, with approval of the Celtic Senate, for the President's term.
SECTION 3.02. ADVISORS TO THE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The sitting IEC President may appoint an Advisory Board of influential and deserving persons, who will have no voting authority but will be available to IEC officers for their input. All Ten Original Members are members of the IEC Advisory Board for life.
SECTION 3.03. QUARTERLY MEETINGS. The IEC shall meet for the purpose of the organization and transaction of any NWC Corporate business once a quarter with the Celtic Senate. These meeting dates will be communicated through the Executive Liaison. All meetings will be documented and minutes will be distributed to all Chapter Presidents, and through them to the membership.
SECTION 3.04. IEC MONTHLY MEETING. Monthly meetings may be called by the International President to manage the corporation's activities. These meetings may be attended by the Executive Committee, including the President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Liaison, Committee Members and Advisory Board Members.
SECTION 3.05. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Notice of all IEC Quarterly meetings, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, must be given by announcement by posting of the meeting on the corporate website. Regular meetings of the IEC may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be determined by the IEC.
SECTION 3.06. PRESIDING OFFICERS. At all meetings of the IEC, the President or a Vice President, or in their absence a person chosen by the Committee Members present, shall preside.
SECTION 3.07. DUTIES AND POWERS.
Section 3.07.1 The IEC shall supervise and be responsible for all affairs and property of the NWC and in no event shall any person or other entity dealing with the Officers of the Corporation be obligated to inquire into the authority of the Officers to enter into and consummate any contract, transaction or other action.
SECTION 3.07.2. The IEC shall have the power to inspect, at their discretion, all records, books, and accounts of the Corporation, or any subsidiary Chapter. It shall be the obligation of all subsidiaries and Chapters of the Corporation to make their records reasonably available to the IEC. Such obligation shall include, but not be limited to furnishing copies of requested records to the IEC. Minutes of Chapter meetings and financial reports shall be routinely submitted monthly to the IEC.
SECTION 3.07.3. Only the IEC shall be empowered to accept or reject membership into the NWC, and shall have the power to expel or suspend any member for cause.
SECTION 3.07.4. The IEC may employ personnel or advisors necessary to conduct business of the NWC, and shall be empowered to authorize the payment of reasonable compensation for their services. By formal action, the IEC may delegate specific authority to such person or to committees to act on behalf of the NWC.
SECTION 3.07.5. The IEC (by majority vote) may grant to any group of Ten (10) or more persons, who are not presently members of the NWC, unless released from their chapter, and who qualify as Regular members, a Charter for the formation of a chapter of the New World Celts, Inc. A minimum of five (5) persons qualifying as Regular members is required before a Charter will be issued to such a group. A chapter must have a minimum of five (5) Regular members in order to retain their Charter from year to year.
A smaller group of persons may be granted a charter by NWC Inc. with prior written approval from the IEC after a majority vote of the IEC.
SECTION 3.07.6 The IEC shall have the power to accept on behalf of the NWC any contributions, appropriations, or grants-in-aid from whatever source and in any form.
SECTION 3.07.7. The IEC may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire IEC Officers, require any Chapter that does not conform to the Constitution and Bylaws of the NWC, to surrender its Charter and all funds and property of the NWC. Any monies and the value of any property so received shall be given to an authorized beneficiary in the name of the NWC. From the date of a subsidiary entity's receipt of a written demand for surrender of its Charter made by the IEC, the entity to which such demand is directed shall immediately cease using the NWC name.
SECTION 3.07.8. All Corporate powers, except as otherwise provided for in these Bylaws and in the laws of the State of Florida (where the Headquarters of the NWC is located), shall be and are hereby vested in and shall be exercised by the IEC. The IEC may by general resolution delegate to committees, or to Officers of the NWC, such powers as they may see fit, except as provided under the laws of the State of Florida or the NWC Constitution.
SECTION 3.08. COMPENSATION. Officers shall not receive any stated salary for their services as such. However, by resolution of the IEC, expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special IEC meeting, sanctioned meeting, attendance at festivals, games, etc. or at other functions/locations as deemed appropriate to represent and/or market the NWC.
SECTION 3.09. INDEMNITY. The Corporation shall, to the extent legally permissible, indemnify each of the Officers of the IEC against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgements, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and legal fees reasonably incurred by them in connection with the defence or disposition of any action, suit or other proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which they may be involved or with which they may be threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of their being or having been such an Officer, except with respect to any matter as to which they shall have been adjudicated in any proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their action was in the best interest of the NWC; provided, however, that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such Officer, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise shall be approved as in the best interests of the Corporation, after notice that it involved such indemnification,
SECTION 3.09.1. By a disinterested majority of the members then entitled to vote; or
SECTION 3.09.2. By a majority of the disinterested Officers then in office, provided there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel to the effect that such Officer appears to have acted in good faith in the best interest of the NWC. To the extent that an Officer or agent of the NWC has been successful on the merits in defence their being or having been an Officer they shall be indemnified against expenses including Attorney's fees actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection therewith. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Officer may be entitled. As used in this paragraph, the term “Officer" include their respective heirs, executors and administrators, and an "Interested" Officer is one against whom in such capacity the proceedings in question or another proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then pending. Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which NWC personnel other than Officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
By action of its IEC, notwithstanding any interest of the Officers in the action, the IEC may purchase and maintain insurance, in such amounts as the IEC deem appropriate on behalf of any person who is or was an Officer of the IEC, or is or was serving at the request of the IEC as an Officer of another organization, against any liability asserted against them and incurred by them in any such capacity or arising out of their status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power or would be required to indemnify them against such liability under the provisions of this Article or of the laws of the State of Florida.
SECTION 3.10. IEC OFFICERS. The Officers of the NWC, Inc. shall be the President; Executive Vice President, Vice President of Finance, the Executive Liaison, the Vice Presidents of Public Relations, Special Events, Membership, Organizational Development, Marketing, and Long range Planning. No one person may hold more than a single office. The duties of the Officers of the International will be specifically enumerated in these Bylaws.
SECTION 3.11. PRESIDENT. Subject to the authority of the IEC, the President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation, the IEC, and Celtic Senate, and shall be an Ex Officio member of all IEC committees. The President shall be the co-signer with the Treasurer (IVP Finance) of all required notes, cheques, deeds, leases, mortgages, and other legal documents given on behalf of the International, and shall, if required by the IEC, execute security bonds on behalf of and at the expense of the NWC. The President shall have the power to call meetings of the IEC, and shall make a report of the work of the Corporate Officers and IEC at each annual and quarterly meeting of the International. The President has authority to veto or override any IEC or Chapter decision that demonstrates conflict with the By-laws and/or Mission Statement of the NWC.
SECTION 3.12. EXECUTIVE LIAISON. (Secretary) The Executive Liaison shall have charge of such books, documents, and papers as the IEC may determine. The Executive Liaison shall attend all the meetings of the IEC; and shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the IEC and members of the Corporation, make them available to any member at the IEC meetings, and distribute them to relevant personnel. He/She will also keep a record, submitted monthly by each Chapter Secretary, of all minutes of the NWC. He/she will act as a direct line of communication from the President to the Chapters and the IEC. At the request of the President, or as otherwise provided herein, he/she should give adequate notice of all meetings of the IEC. He/She will provide and maintain correspondence history for the President and Executive VP on corporate matters, and will maintain and regularly check the corporate PO Box. Chapter Secretaries will have like duties as pertains to Chapters and will submit to the Executive Liaison monthly the minutes of Chapter meetings.
SECTION 3.13. VICE PRESIDENTS
SECTION 3.13.1 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT. At the request of the President, or in the event of the President’s absence or disability, the Executive Vice President may perform the duties and possess and exercise the powers of the President; and to the extent authorized by law, the Vice President shall have such other powers as the IEC may determine, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the IEC. The Executive Vice President may continue to perform the duties of the President until such time as the IEC declares a vacancy and elects a qualified replacement to serve as President.
SECTION 3.13.2 VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE(Treasurer). The VP.F shall have custody of all funds and property of the Corporation, subject to such regulations as may be imposed by the IEC. The VP.F may be required to give bond for the faithful performance of the VP.F duties, in such sum and with such sureties as the IEC may require. The VP.F shall receive all Corporate funds, depositing the same in the name of the Corporation in such bank or trust company as may be designated by the IEC, and keep accurate record of all receipts and disbursements. When necessary or proper, the VP.F may co-sign with the President on behalf of the Corporation cheques, notes, and other obligations, given on behalf of the Corporation. The VP.F shall not make any disbursement of organizational funds other than corporate administrative expenses in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) without prior approval of the IEC and a second authorized signature. The VP.F shall enter regularly, on the books of the Corporation to be kept by the VP.F for the purpose, full and accurate account of all monies and obligations received and paid or incurred by the VP.F for or on account of the Corporation, and shall exhibit such books at all reasonable times to any Officer on application at IEC meetings. The VP.F shall make a full report of the financial status of the Corporation at each IEC quarterly meeting, and upon request, at any meeting of the IEC. The VP.F shall maintain contracts for storage areas for Corporate property. The VP.F will be the Committee Chair of the NWC Finance Committee which consists of the VP.F along with each Chapter Treasurer, and the Grant Procurement Officer. The VP.F shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Corporate Treasurer, subject to the control of the IEC. Chapter Treasurers will have like duties as pertains to Chapters. Every Chapter will set dollar limits allowed to be disbursed without Board Approval.
SECTION 3.13.3 VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP. The VP.MS is responsible for documenting, updating and managing the entire membership database, including renewals, and delivering relevant data to all Chapter Presidents and the IEC on a quarterly basis. This VP also ensures the generation of Membership Certificates for each member, Charter Certificates for each Chapter, Pub Certificates, and Special Recognitions as designated by the President. The VP.MS works in conjunction with the VP.F in the collection of dues. He/She shall keep a record, containing the names, alphabetically arranged, of all the persons who are members of NWC, showing their places of residence, and such book shall always be open for inspection at IEC meetings. He/She chairs the Membership Committee which consists of this VP along with Chapter membership chairs, or Chapter Vice-Presidents.
SECTION 3.13.4 VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS. The VP.PR is responsible for all communication to the public concerning the NWC, including but not limited to: TV and radio appearances, newspaper articles, NWC literature, internet pages and newsletters. This VP chairs the Communications Committee, which is comprised of an Assistant Vice-President-newsletter and all Chapter Secretaries.
SECTION 3.13.5 VICE PRESIDENT SPECIAL EVENTS. The VP.SE is responsible for the coordination and oversight of all major corporate fundraising events, the generation of guidelines for all NWC fundraisers, coordinating the NWC presence at Highland Games and Celtic Festivals, being a resource for guidance of new chapter activities in fund-raising and chairing the Special Events Committee, comprised of all Chapter Vice Presidents or Chapter designees.
SECTION 3.13.6 VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING. The VP.MK is responsible for the development and procurement of retail products sporting the trademarked NWC logo for sale to the public and Chapters, pricing of said products, and the ongoing confirmation of effective delivery of products while maximizing reasonable profit to finance our Mission Statement.
SECTION 3.13.7 VICE PRESIDENT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. The VP.OD is responsible for ensuring that Chapters have the information and support necessary to become successful. This VP will develop and maintain a policy/procedure manual describing How, When, Why, Who, What and Where so that most questions regarding Chapter genesis and operation will be answered in a consistent manner. This VP will also maintain contact with all new Chapters until their first anniversary on a routine basis, and will work closely with the International President to ensure their success.
SECTION 3.13.8. VICE PRESIDENT LONG RANGE PLANNING. The VP LRP is responsible for assisting the IEC President in determining the course of the organization. He will do this through member surveys, market determinations, feedback from beneficiaries and other Celtic Organizations.
SECTION 3.14. ELECTION, TERM OF OFFICE, AND QUALIFICATIONS OF IEC OFFICERS. The IEC President shall be elected every three (3) years along with the annual Chapter elections during the regularly scheduled Chapter meetings in February. The President will then appoint the remaining Officers of the IEC. All Officers shall serve until the close of business of the meeting at which their successors are appointed. All appointments need to be confirmed by the Celtic Senate at the next quarterly meeting of the IEC and Senate.
SECTION 3.14.1. CANDIDATES. Any qualifying member who wishes to be a candidate for an office on the International Executive Committee must contact the Executive Liaison before December 31 of the year prior to an election year and request to be placed in consideration for the appointment to that office.
SECTION 3.14.2. NOMINATION. The Executive Liaison shall fill out a nomination sheet on each candidate and forward it to the President immediately after the filing period closes.
SECTION 3.14.3. QUALIFICATION. To qualify for office on the International Executive Committee, candidate must have served, or currently be serving as a Chapter President or Vice President; or have served or be serving as an International Committee Chair or Appointed International Executive Committee Officer; or have relevant professional experience in the field and be willing to serve in said capacity
SECTION 3.14.4. APPOINTMENT AND CONFIRMATION. These Candidates for appointments submitting their names during the period shall have their names listed on the IEC Nomination form, if they meet the qualifications for office, as listed above. The candidates shall have an opportunity to present a photo and 200-word biography for review by the President and then the Celtic Senate at the IEC Quarterly meeting subsequently following the appointments.
SECTION 3.15. RESIGNATION OF IEC OFFICER. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the IEC.
SECTION 3.16. IEC VACANCIES. In case any office of the IEC becomes vacant by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or any other cause, the President will fill the vacancy, confirmed by the Celtic Senate, and the Officer so appointed shall hold office until the next succeeding President takes office unless removed for just cause.
SECTION 3.17. APPOINTED COMMITTEES. The IEC may from time to time appoint such other committees as they may deem necessary or advisable for carrying out the purposes and work of the Corporation and delegate to such committees such authority and powers as it may see fit to grant within the limits of the IEC's authority. A Vice President will Chair each Committee of the IEC. The membership of such committees shall be limited to Regular or Life members of the Corporation, and the tenure of each committee shall be fixed by the IEC. If not fixed, then at each election all committees will be vacated and re-filled, if necessary, by the incoming IEC. Membership and Special Events Committees should be formed at each Chapter level, with Committee Chairs becoming Officers.
SECTION 3.18. CELTIC SENATE. The Celtic Senate is comprised of all Chapter Presidents and Vice-Presidents, regular members who have been duly elected by the membership of the NWC. The Senate has the singular authority to approve/disapprove appointments by the IEC President to the IEC. The Senate may censure the International President, and if determined that the President’s actions to be a detriment to the organization, can remove the President from office with a 3/4ths majority vote of all Chapter Presidents at the next quarterly IEC meeting.
SECTION 3.18.1 SENATE APPOINTEE CONFIRMATION. The Senate shall review the qualifications of each candidate and make sure that the individual seeking office meets those qualifications.
(3.18.1A) SENATE REVIEW The Executive Liaison will present to the Senate a synopsis of the candidate(s) that have requested to be nominated for an International Executive Committee Appointed position along with records that either verify or dispute the candidate’s nomination.
(3.18.1B) DISQUALIFICATION. This Senate will disqualify any candidate not meeting proper qualifications.
SECTION 3.18.2 SECRET BALLOT. Approvals/disapprovals will be on secret ballot, counted immediately by non-involved members blindly selecting the numbers 3, 6,and 9 out of a hat with ten numbers (1-10).
ARTICLE IV. CHAPTERS.
SECTION 4.01. QUALIFICATION. All chapters must be established by the IEC in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws relating to the granting of charters for the formation of chapters. Each chapter shall be governed by the By-laws of the NWC. A chapter so established may exercise full power and authority over chapter business to the extent that the transaction of chapter business is consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the NWC. Chapter government is responsible for the organization of NWC activities at the chapter level, including overseeing the requirements of its membership and compliance by its members with the overall purposes of the NWC. No member should hold membership in more than one (1) duly chartered chapter.
SECTION 4.02. CHAPTER OFFICERS. Each chapter shall be managed and controlled by Chapter Officers who shall be elected annually by the chapter members to hold office until the next annual meeting of the members or until the election or qualification of their respective successors. The Officers shall consist of Chapter President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. The members of the Chapter may establish other positions to be held by elected Chapter members for the conduct of Chapter business. Provisions of these Bylaws relating to the conduct of business by the IEC shall apply to actions of any Chapter Officer so far as applicable. Only Regular or Life members may hold the offices of President and Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of a Chapter.
SECTION 4.02.1 CHAPTER OFFICER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Chapter Officers shall ascribe to the NWC Chapter Policy and Procedures manual.
SECTION 4.03. RESIGNATION OF CHAPTER OFFICER. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the IEC.
SECTION 4.04. CHAPTER OFFICER VACANCIES. In case any office of a Chapter becomes vacant by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or any other cause, the Chapter President will fill the vacancy, confirmed by the Chapter Officers, and the Officer so appointed shall hold office until the current Chapter term expires unless removed for just cause.
SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEES. Chapter committees may be established in accordance with procedures set out in these Bylaws for the establishment of Corporate committees, except that such committees shall be established under the authority of Chapter Officers.
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP DUES.
SECTION 5.01. MEMBERSHIP DUES.
SECTION 5.01.1. All new Regular members shall be assessed an annual membership of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) payable to NWC, Inc. Families residing in the same household joining as regular members will be assessed an annual membership fee of forty dollars ($40.00).
SECTION 5.01.2. All Wild Rover (memberships-at-large) shall be assessed an annual membership of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) payable to NWC, Inc.
SECTION 5.01.03. Organizational Members shall be assessed an annual membership of fifty dollars ($50.00) payable to NWC, Inc.
SECTION 5.01.04. Honorary Members do not pay dues.
SECTION 5.01.05. Life Members do not pay dues.
SECTION 5.02. COLLECTION OF DUES. It shall be the responsibility of each Chapter to collect the member's dues and directly submit such funds to the IEC. The annual assessment for renewals of membership shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and submitted to the IEC no later than January 31 of each year.
SECTION 5.03 PAYMENT OF DUES. All dues will be paid to the order of NWC, Inc and be submitted directly to the IEC.
ARTICLE VI VOTING
SECTION 6.01. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS. Individual Regular, designated Family, designated Organizational, and Life members shall have the right to vote on general business submitted to them by the IEC at any meeting of the Corporation.
SECTION 6.02. CHAPTERS. All Regular, designated Family, designated Organizational and Life members in good standing of a Chapter may vote on matters of that Chapter’s business. The Chapter Officer presiding at any NWC meeting where a vote of the members is taken, shall make the determination whether a particular member is in good standing and thus eligible to vote.
SECTION 6.03. QUORUM. At all meetings of the IEC or Chapter Officers a majority of the Officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the Officers present shall control.
SECTION 6.04. MAJORITY VOTE. At all meetings of the NWC at which there is a quorum present, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or the Constitution, a majority of the votes cast on any matter before the meeting shall control.
SECTION 6.05. PROHIBITION OF PROXY VOTING. There shall be no voting by proxy at any meeting of the members of the NWC.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS.
SECTION 7.01. AMENDMENTS. These By-laws and the Constitution may only be amended by the provisions 6.1 and 6.2 of the Constitution of the New World Celts, Inc.
ARTICLE VIII DISCIPLINE.
SECTION 8.01. SUSPENSION OR REMOVAL OF MEMBERS BY THE IEC.
The IEC may by its own motion decide to suspend or remove any member for just cause (felony conviction; placing of members in harm’s way, etc) The affected member shall be granted a hearing for the purposes of reconsideration of the IEC’s decision, by the IEC or a committee designated by the IEC for the purposes of such a hearing, if the member requests said hearing within thirty (30) days of receipt of the decision of the IEC. The member shall have the right to submit written documentation and to appear before the IEC or its designated committee at the reconsideration hearing. The IEC shall issue its final decision immediately if possible.
In emergency circumstances, where immediate action is necessary to protect the involved parties or the organization from civil liability or criminal liability, action may be taken immediately by the IEC to suspend or remove a member.