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Bylaws of the
Channel Islands Woodturners A local Chapter of the
American Association of Woodturners, Inc. A Nonprofit Corporation
Article I - Organization and Location
The Channel Islands Woodturners (initially called the Ojai Valley Woodturners Guild) was formed as an informal club and chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, Inc. (AAW) in 1996 to serve the woodturners of Ventura County and surrounding areas. These Bylaws, adopted on October 26th, 2002, serve to formalize the organization of this Chapter and its relationship to the AAW. The formal name of this Chapter will be the Channel Islands Woodturners.
Article II - Officers
This Chapter will be located in Ventura County, California and will use the address of its current President as its address of record.
Article III - Relation of Chapter to the Corporate Organization
All officers of the Channel Islands Woodturners agree to be members in good standing of the American Association of Woodturners, Inc.
While it is understood that the parent organization will provide advice and counsel, as requested, Local Chapters are advised that the nature and extent of their activities are left to their discretion. Demonstrations, while probably part of the normal activities of Local Chapters, are to be conducted solely at the discretion of Local Officers and all safety and instruction is to be under their explicit direction and control.
The National Office strongly recommends placing some sort of sign or notice on or around any lathe used for demonstration, that safety eye protection must be worn and a full face shield used when needed. The lathe is a potentially dangerous instrument only to be used with Chapter approved supervision.
Article IV - Purposes
In addition to supporting the general purposes of the AAW, the purpose of the Channel Islands Woodturners is to promote education and the art of woodturning among the membership and the general public. This may include, but is not limited to:
1. Providing a meeting place for local woodturners.
2. Sharing ideas and techniques regarding this craft.
3. Facilitate the trading of wood and tools.
4. Providing education, demonstrations, and instruction.
5. Participation in community events for public education.
Article V - Membership
Membership is open to anyone interested in woodturning, regardless of their level of skill or knowledge. The membership dues are set each year by the Chapter and are over and above membership fees paid directly by each individual to the national organization.
Chapter members are encouraged to join The American Association of Woodturners, which entitles them to receive the AAW Journal and directory and be eligible to attend the AAW annual conference.
Article VI - Meetings
Regular meetings of this Chapter are held on the fourth Saturday of the month unless otherwise arranged with prior notice to the members. Meetings are held at various locations in the homes and workshops of members. Special meetings or other gatherings and demonstrations may be scheduled at the discretion of the officers. Notice of topic, location, time and date for each meeting will be sent to members prior to the event.
Article VII - Officers
A. Number and Election. The elected officers of this Chapter shall be President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Program Chair, and Librarian. These officers shall be elected each November. Such other Officers, Assistant Officers or Committee Co-Chairpersons and members as may be deemed necessary may by elected by the Chapter members or appointed by the elected officers.
B. Term of Office. Each Officer shall hold office for one year (January - December), and may be re-elected.
C. Removal. Any Officer elected or appointed may be removed when it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Chapter. Removal will be accomplished by a majority vote of the Chapter's paid-up members in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting. Notice of a possible vote to remove an officer must be given at the previous regularly scheduled meeting.
D. Vacancies. A vacancy in any Office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled by a majority vote of the members or of the Officers for the unexpired portion of the term.
E. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Chapter. The duties include:
1. Supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Chapter.
2. Conduct Chapter meetings.
3. Guide the educational program with the aid of the Program Chair.
4. Encourage interaction with the public and other woodturning groups in the area.
5. Act as the principal contact person with the AAW.
F. Vice-President. In the absence of the President or in the event of his/her death, inability, or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the President.
G. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect all membership fees and all other monies belonging to the Chapter and disburse monies as needed to pay for the expenses and activities of the Chapter. He/She will be responsible for keeping current and accurate records of monies that flow through the Chapter and also for ensuring that all Chapter Officers are current paid-up members of the national organization.
H. Newsletter Editor. The Newsletter editor shall be responsible for publishing a monthly Chapter Newsletter which summaries important information from the previous meeting and describes future Chapter meetings and events. He/she is responsible for seeing that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws.
I. Program Chair. The Program Chair, in consultation with the President and other officers, shall be responsible for coordinating the demonstration topics and logistics for regularly scheduled meetings.
J. Librarian. The Librarian shall be responsible for ordering and maintaining, the Chapter's library of books and videotapes. A list of the contents of the library and a record of borrowing and return of materials shall be kept and the library made available at the regularly scheduled meetings. Library materials will be made available to paid-up members in good standing without a fee.
Article VIII - Voting
Formal votes to elect or remove officers or to change these bylaws shall be by a majority vote of the Chapter's paid-up members in attendance at a regularly scheduled meeting and notice of such action must be made at the prior regularly scheduled meeting. Proxy votes will be allowed if a member cannot be present and may be conveyed by verbal or written notice to one to the elected officers.
Article IX - Indebtedness
AAW's national office MUST be notified in writing PRIOR to a Local Chapter incurring any indebtedness for AAW.
Article X - American Association of Woodturners' Disclaimers: Fiscal and Legal
The corporation, the American Association of Woodturners, Inc., specifically disassociates itself from any debts, obligations or encumbrances of the Local Chapter. The Corporate Board of Directors of AAW is not responsible for the debts nor shares in the profits of the Local Chapters. The Corporate Organization does not shoulder any legal liability for accidents that occur during events of any kind sponsored or not sponsored by a Local Chapter. The Channel Islands Woodturners specifically disassociates itself from any debts, obligations or encumbrances of the American Association of Woodturners. The Officers and members of the Channel Islands Woodturners are not responsible for the debts nor share in the profits of the American Association of Woodturners. The Channel Islands Woodturners does not shoulder any legal liability for accidents that occur during events of any kind sponsored by the National Organization (AAW).
Article XI - Channel Islands Woodturners' Disclaimer
The Channel Islands Woodturners may not incur debt for its own local activities. However, prudent encumbrances upon the monies currently held in the treasury or upon anticipated dues or event fees may be approved by the Officers of the Chapter in the normal course of business.
By accepting membership each member recognizes and agrees that the Channel Islands Woodturners is not responsible, as an organization, for any legal liability for accidents that occur during events of any kind sponsored by the Local Chapter. The Local Chapter is a group of individuals who accept fiscal and legal responsibility for their own actions. Woodturning is a potentially dangerous activity and members personally accept for themselves the risk of injury by participating in the activities of the Local Chapter. Each member is responsible for his/her own safety and is encouraged to teach and promote safe working methods for others.
The AAW currently provides limited liability coverage to our Local Chapter. This liability policy covers only non-member third parties that might be injured by an AAW member during a public event participated in or sponsored by the Local Chapter. It specifically does not cover injury to members or demonstrators at meetings or activities sponsored or not sponsored by the Local Chapter. It does not cover a Chapter member who is not a member of AAW. Therefore it shall be the policy of the Channel Islands Woodturners that only AAW Members may demonstrate at public events of this Chapter.
Article XII - Amendments
These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by a vote of a majority of the Chapter's members who are present at the time of the vote at a regularly scheduled meeting. Notice of a possible vote to change the bylaws must be given at a prior regularly scheduled meeting. Copies of all modifications to these Bylaws MUST be filed with the national office of the AAW.
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Acceptance of these Bylaws:
These bylaws have been drawn up, agreed upon, and adopted by the Local Chapter known as the Channel Islands Woodturners, in Ventura County, California on October 26th, 2002.
Signed: President: __s/ Sam Turner__________________
Vice President: __s/ Chuck Stevenson _________
Treasurer: __s/ Ron Lindsay__________________
Newsletter Editor: _s/ David Frank_____________