Blairstown Business Association

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this association shall be to further business and civic standards in the Township of Blairstown and neighboring communities by enhancing the profitability of its members and improving the economic base of the neighboring communities.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be available to any individual who lives in, or owns or operates a business in the Township of Blairstown or a neighboring community. A member in good standing is one who has paid dues for the current year.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
Section One The officers of this association shall be President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The duties of the officers shall include, but not be limited to, the following: · President: the President shall be the executive in charge and shall preside over all association business meetings, make all appointments, represent the association as required, and fulfill all other duties as required. · First Vice President - The First Vice President shall assist the President as requested in fulfilling his/her duties, shall be responsible for obtaining program speakers, shall preside over all meetings in absence of the President and fulfill other duties as required. · Second Vice President - The Second Vice President shall be responsible for membership and shall assume the duties of the First Vice President in his/her absence. · Secretary - The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all association meetings and submit same for approval, and send and receive all association correspondence. · Treasurer - The Treasurer shall maintain all financial records relating to the association and shall be authorized to pay all association bills, and submit a written financial report of the association's financial status at all regular meetings. The Treasurer shall maintain the checking account for the association. Said account shall require the signatures of two of the following three officers: President, First Vice President, and/or Treasurer. Financial reports shall be audited annually by March 15 for the prior year by the Audit Committee. Section Two · The officers, together with the immediate Past President, shall constitute the Executive Committee. · Duties - The Executive Committee shall handle emergent association business between regular association meetings. The Executive Committee shall establish a budget for the current year.

ARTICLE V - TERMS OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS
1. The terms of office of all officers shall be one year. Any officer may succeed himself/herself in the same office once. The term of office shall be January to December. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the President in September, shall consist of three members in good standing. They are to present a slate of officers at the regular meeting in October. Nominations from the floor may be made 2. Elections shall be held at the regular November meeting. 3. Vacancies - Any elected position shall be declared vacant if : a. written resignation is tendered to the Executive Committee; or b. The Executive Committee determines that the officer in that position is not carrying out the duties of the office If a vacancy is declared, a replacement shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee 4. Eligibility for Office - Any individual who has been a member in good standing for a period of not less than six months shall be eligible to hold office.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the association shall be held once a month at a time, date and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. · Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee or, when requested in writing to the secretary, by three or more members in good standing. · Notice of all meetings shall be made to the membership by the Secretary not less than seven days in advance of the meeting date.

ARTICLE VII - QUORUM
Ten percent (10%) of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum. A simple majority of the quorum may approve any matter brought before the association.

ARTICLE VIII - DUES
1. The amount of the membership dues shall be determined at the Annual Meeting in November and shall be payable prior to January 31st of each year, or at the time a new member joins. 2. The association shall send dues notices in December each year. Any member not in good standing will be maintained on the membership roster, but will be deleted from the membership directory, website, or from receiving other member benefits. A business that joins after June 30 of any year shall be assessed dues in the amount of 50% of the annual dues for that year.

ARTICLE IX - VOTING PRIVILEGES
Every member in good standing in attendance at a meeting shall be entitled to vote. Only one individual from a member company shall be entitled to vote.

ARTICLE X - RULES OF PROCEDURE
Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the procedure of the association.

ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
The Executive Committee or any member in good standing may recommend amendments to these by-laws. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the general membership not less than 14 days in advance of the meeting at which the amendments are to be discussed and voted upon. An affirmative vote by a simple majority of members in good standing in attendance at the meeting shall be sufficient to adopt the amendments.

ARTICLE XII - COMMITTEES
In addition to the standing committees, the President shall appoint such committees as he/she deems necessary to carry out the goals of the Association. Committees shall bring proposals to the Executive Committee for approval. Approved proposals will be presented to the general membership as a report. · Audit Committee · Business Expo · Community Contributions - Scholarships and Donations · Directory · Membership Committee · Nominating