ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be: New Castle Networking Group
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of the New Castle Networking Group (hereafter identified as NCNG) is to provide an opportunity for business and professional people to increase their business through the exchange of qualified business referrals.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
NCNG is an organized group of business and professional people limited to one member per business category. Membership in NCNG is open to anyone, regardless of age, race, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or gender. Membership is gained only after being voted into the organization by the organization's current membership. Membership of any one individual may be terminated at any time by a majority vote of the group's officers. Membership rolls will be kept by the Secretary, whose duties are described in ARTICLE V.
A member of NCNG is defined as any person who has been voted in as a member, attends meetings of NCNG 75% of the time per last 90 days, and gives a minimum of 2 referrals per month in total to the membership of NCNG.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS
An election of officers, open to the full regular membership, will be held at the first meeting in December each year. The term for elected officers is one calendar year beginning the first meeting in January.
Elections are performed by first nominating candidates for each office, and at the following meeting holding a vote. Voting will be by paper ballot, totaled and reported by the current Secretary. If the office of Secretary is vacant, another officer will conduct the vote.
Should an office be vacated at any time during the year, an election will be held to fill it at the earliest convenient time. Elections are held at regular meetings, described in ARTICLE VIII.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DUTIES
The officers of BCBE shall constitute a board consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, Social Chair, Membership Chair and Program Chair. The duties of each office are:
President
The President is responsible for BCBE's organizational stability. The President has the authority and responsibility to delegate tasks to the Vice-President, Secretary, and other officers. The President shall chair the regular meetings of NCNG. The President shall:
- Be the chief executive officer of the organization.
- Act as chairman at all business meetings of the organization.
- Represent the organization and the membership thereof to organizations and at gatherings where such representation is necessary.
- Oversee and administer any activities of the organization not specifically under the control of any other officer.
Vice-President
The Vice-President of NCNG is the President's assistant administrator. In addition to assisting the President to fulfill his (her) duties in handling NCNG business, the Vice-President shall assume the President's role in case of his (her) absence. The Vice-President shall:
- Act as chairman at all meetings of BCBE at which the president is not present.
- Assume all powers and duties of the president when and while such position is vacant.
- Assess the needs of the other officers and facilitate those needs through assisting other officers in their duties where requested.
Secretary
The Secretary shall:
- Keep up-to-date records of NCNG membership attendance.
- Manage official correspondence.
- Maintain a record of votes.
- Maintain a record of referrals.
- Be responsible for the production of a newsletter.
- Maintain all records of the organization.
- Be responsible for maintaining the organization's materials.
Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms shall maintain order during the meeting and insure that the meeting is on schedule.
The Sergeant at Arms shall also start the passing of the weekly referral sheet.
Social Chair
The Social Chair shall come up with "social events" for the organization, schedule and plan such events.
Membership Chair
The Membership Chair shall be responsible for seeking out visitors/prospective new members and welcoming them to NCNG. The Membership Chair shall also assist in helping new members become acclimated with the operations of the NCNG.
Program Chair
The Program Chair shall be responsible for scheduling speakers, preparing and giving the speaker's introduction, preparing and giving the week's Motivational Thought.
As befits a non-profit organization, volunteers will always be welcome to help the officers execute their duties. However, representations made in the name of NCNG must be made by officers of NCNG. This means that any contracts entered into on behalf of NCNG, such as placing a paid ad in the newspaper, must be signed by officers of NCNG. Members of NCNG who are not officers of NCNG may not enter into contracts on behalf of NCNG or present themselves as authorized representatives of NCNG. They may of course cite their affiliation with NCNG.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
Power Breakfast Meetings
Power Breakfast Meetings refer to the formal weekly meetings conducted by NCNG to promote the goals of NCNG. It will be necessary from time to time to conduct additional formal business at these meetings, such as elections, amendments to the charter, scheduling of special events, etc. This business will be held at the beginning of the regular meetings. During this segment, the President of NCNG will be in charge of all discussions, and parliamentary rules will be observed (within the limits of courtesy).
Board Meetings
Board Meetings are held one 15 minutes after the first regular monthly Power Breakfast Meeting.
All officers are required to attend the monthly Board Meetings. The regular business of the Board Meeting is the scheduling of speakers and the scheduling of socials.
A minimum of 6 officers need to be in attendance for a quorum. A quorum is needed only if an item is being proposed that needs to go before the full membership for a vote or if the status of a member is going to a vote.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
The membership of the NCNG shall be empowered to, from time to time and as it sees fit, amend NCNG's charter.
Procedures
Notice
Notice of any motion to amend the charter of the NCNG shall be given at a NCNG meeting no less than fourteen days before the meeting at which the matter is to be considered.
Approval
Any motion subject to the above provision must be approved by a two-thirds majority of members present at the time of consideration in order to take effect.
