BYLAWS OF THE
HOWARD COUNTY WOODWORKERS GUILD
Ratified February 3rd, 2024
Article 1 – Name
The name of this organization shall be ‘Howard County Woodworkers Guild‘.
Article 2 – Purposes
The purposes of this organization shall be:
- To provide a collegial group for members to share a common interest in all manner of woodworking crafts;
- To help members increase skills and craftsmanship;
- To make it possible to have special workshops, group purchases and discounts and seminars not generally available to the individual;
- To expose members to a variety of woodworking techniques and areas of specialization;
- To promote woodworking to the general public and preserve the knowledge of woodworking for the community;
- To promote safe operations in regard to the use and maintenance of any woodworking equipment;
- To manage the workshop located at the Bain Center for use by members and guests; and
- To contribute woodworking services to the community through volunteer efforts and community service.
Article 3 – Membership
Article 4 – The Executive Board of Directors
Article 5 – Elected and Appointed Officers of The Corporation, and Their Duties
Article 6 – Specific Duties of Elected Officers
Article 7 – Standing Committees and Duties
Article 8 – Subcommittees
Subcommittees shall be appointed with the approval of the Executive Board by the Executive Board member to whom the subcommittee chairperson reports.
Subcommittee chairpersons do not have voting privileges on the Executive Board. An Executive Board member shall represent the subcommittee to the President, the Executive Board, and the membership.
The number and type of subcommittees shall vary depending of the current needs of the Guild.
The Special Programs subcommittees shall report to the Vice President. Special Programs include but are not limited to seminars, educational workshops, demonstrations, trips, auctions, picnics, and ad hoc committees.
Committee or subcommittee chairpersons may delegate any of their responsibilities to volunteer members if the responsible chairperson informs the Executive Board, maintains close contact with the subcommittee and is responsible for the accomplishment of the duties of the office.
Subcommittee chairpersons shall report to the responsible Executive Board member prior to the monthly Guild meeting, or as needed.
Expenses for subcommittees within the Executive Board approved budget allocation shall be approved by either the subcommittee chairperson or the responsible Executive Board member, as assigned by the President.
Article 9 – Elections
Article 10 – Meetings
Article 11 – Amendments
Proposals from members to amend the bylaws shall be submitted to the Executive Board in writing and shall contain the current bylaw language, the proposed language change, and a justification for the change. Amendments proposed by members shall be subject to discussion at a regular meeting within two months of the submission, unless withdrawn by the member who submitted them.
Copies of proposed amendments shall be sent to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which a vote is taken to change the bylaws.
The bylaws are amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members present at a regular monthly meeting.
Except in emergencies, voting shall take place at a regular monthly Guild meeting.
During the meeting at which there is a vote on bylaw changes, there shall be discussion of changes and there may be revision of the proposed amendments resulting from discussion. Voting may proceed on proposals amended at a meeting without additional notice to members.
Copies of the revised bylaws shall be available to all members within 31 days after the vote that amends the bylaws.
Article 12 – Dissolution
At the date and time when the Board of Directors decides to dissolve the Guild, a record of all current members shall be preserved for the purposes of liquidated asset distribution.
In the event of an insolvent dissolution of the Guild, the laws of the State of Maryland shall govern how the assets of the Guild shall be processed to pay all expenses and liabilities, followed thereafter by the remaining assets shall be liquidated to their cash equivalent and distributed to all current members in equal percentages, except that the Treasurer and Membership Chair shall receive an additional five percent each for their work to administer the dissolution.
In the event of a solvent dissolution of the Guild, after all all expenses and liabilities have been paid, the remaining assets shall be liquidated to their cash equivalent and distributed to all current members in equal percentages, except that the Treasurer and Membership Chair shall receive an additional five percent each for their work to administer the dissolution.