ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. The principal office of the corporation shall be located in the District of Columbia. The corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the District of Columbia, as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of the corporation may require from time to time.
Section 2. The corporation shall have and continuously maintain in the District of Columbia a registered office, and a registered agent whose office is identical with such registered office, as required by the District of Columbia Non-Profit Corporation Act. The registered office may be, but need not be, identical with the principal office in the District of Columbia, and the address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERS
Section 1. Members. The corporation shall have two classes of members. The designation of supporting member shall be anyone that has paid their membership dues at the set dues rate. The designation of volunteering member shall be anyone that has paid their membership dues at the set dues rate and has current volunteer paperwork on file. The Board may establish categories of contributing members, including without limitation, individual, group and organizational categories, and the fees and dues of each such category may be varied by the Board.
Section 2. Voting Rights. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members provided they have been a member for 90 days prior to the date of the vote.
Section 3. Termination of Membership. The Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board, may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing, and may, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel member who shall be in default in the payment of dues for the period fixed in Article XI of these by-laws.
Section 4. Resignation. Any member that does not renew their dues has effectively resigned, but such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid.
Section 5. Reinstatement. Upon payment of yearly dues a member will be reinstated.
Section 6. Transfer of Membership. Membership in this corporation is not transferable or assignable.
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the members shall be held on a date to be announced by the board of directors with 30 days notice of the meeting to the membership, for the purpose of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the election of Directors shall not be held on the day designated herein for any annual meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the members as soon thereafter as conveniently may be.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be called by the President, the Board of Directors, or not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the members having voting rights.
Section 3. Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the District of Columbia, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. If no designation is made or if a special meeting be otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the registered office of the corporation in the District of Columbia; but if all of the working members shall meet at any time and place, either within or without of the District of Columbia, and consent to the holding of a meeting, such meeting shall be valid without call or notice, and at such meeting any corporate action may be taken.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of any meeting of members shall be delivered, either personally, by e-mail, by U.S. mail and/or posting on the MAGDRL website, to each member entitled to vote at such a meeting, not less than ten nor more than fifty days before the date of such meeting, by or at the direction of the President, or the Secretary, or the officers or persons calling the meeting. In case of a special meeting or when required by statute or by these by-laws, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice. If mailed, the notice of a meeting shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, posted on the MAGDRL website, or sent via e-mail addressed to the member at his or her address, or e-mail address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
Section 5. Informal Action by Members. Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of the members, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of members, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by 2/3’s of the members entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Section 6. Quorum. The members holding one-half (1/2) of the votes which may be cast at any meeting shall constitute a quorum at such meeting. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of members, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 7. Proxies. At any meeting of members, a member entitled to vote may vote by proxy executed in writing by the member or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after eleven months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
Section 8. Manner of Acting. A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter to be voted upon by the members present or represented by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption thereof unless a greater proportion is required by law or by these by-laws.
Section 9. Voting by Mail. Where Directors or officers are to be elected by members or any class or classes of members, such election may be conducted by mail in such a manner, as the Board of Directors shall determine.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers. The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors. Directors need not be residents of the District of Columbia but must be members of the corporation.
Section 2. Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The number of Directors shall be at least three (3) and no more than eleven (11). Each Director shall hold office his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified.
Section 3. Regular Meetings. A regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without other notice than this by-law, immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of members. The Board of Directors may provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the District of Columbia, for the holding of regular meetings of the Board without other notice than such resolution. The Board of Directors must hold a minimum of one regular meeting per calendar year.
Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the President or any two Directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix any place, either within or without the District of Columbia, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board called by them.
Section 5. Notice. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least two (2) days previously thereto by written notice delivered personally or sent by mail, email or posted on the MAGDRL website to each Director at his or her address and/or e-mail address as shown by the records of the corporation. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. If notice be given by email, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when the email is sent and/or notice is posted on the MAGDRL website. Any Director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by law or by these by-laws.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board; but if less than a majority of the Directors are present at said meeting, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 7. Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws.
Section 8. Removal. Any Director elected by the membership or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer so removed.
Section 9. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors and any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.
Section 10. Compensation. Directors as such shall not receive any stated salaries for their services.
Section 11. Informal Action by Directors. Any action required by law to be taken at a meeting of directors, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the Directors.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a President, one or more Vice Presidents (the number thereof to be determined by the Board of Directors), a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as may be elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers, including one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers, as it shall deem desirable, such officers to have the authority and perform the duties prescribed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary. Only current members shall be entitled to be officers of the corporation.
Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation, except for the position of Treasurer, shall be elected biennially by the membership at the annual. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as conveniently may be. New offices may be created and filled at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified.
The positions of President, additional Vice President’s, and the odd numbered Directors will be elected on odd years. Per Article IV, Section 2 there shall be at least three (3) and no more than eleven (11) Directors.
The positions of Secretary, 1st Vice President, and the even numbered Directors will be elected on even years. Per Article IV, Section 2 there shall be at least three (3) and no more than eleven (11) Directors.
The Treasurer will be appointed yearly by the Board of Directors, directly after the annual election.
Section 3. Removal. Any officer elected by the membership or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the officer so removed.
Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation and shall in general supervise and control all the business and affairs of the corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the members and the Board of Directors. He may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the corporation authorized by the Board of Directors, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these by-laws or by statute top some other officer or agent of the corporation; and in general he shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
The President shall only be filled with a person who has previously filled a position on the Board of Directors or has been a chapter coordinator.
Section 6. Vice President. In the absence of the President or in event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice presidents in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. He shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of these by-laws; and in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws or as required by law; be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and see that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws; keep a register of the post-office address of each member which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such member; and in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. If required by the Board of Directors, the Assistant Treasurers shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. The Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the treasurer or the Secretary or by the President or the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees of Directors. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors in office, may designate and appoint one or more committees, each of which shall consist of two or more Directors, which committees, to the extent provided in said resolution, shall have and exercise the authority of the Board of Directors in reference to amending, altering, or repealing the by-laws: electing, appointing or removing any member of any such committee or any Director or officer of the corporation; amending the articles of incorporation; restating articles of incorporation; adopting a plan or merger or adopting a plan of consolidation with another corporation; authorizing the sale; lease, exchange or mortgage of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the corporation; authorizing the voluntary dissolution of the corporation or revoking proceedings therefore; adopting a plan for the distribution of the assets of the corporation; or amending, altering or repealing any resolution of the board of Directors which by its terms provides that it shall not be amended, altered or repeated by such committee. The designation and appointment of any such committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any individual Director, of any responsibility imposed upon it or him by law.
Section 2. Other Committees. Other committees not having and exercising the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the corporation may be appointed in such manner as may be designated by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Except as otherwise provided in such resolution, members of each such committee shall be members of the corporation, and the President of the corporation shall appoint the members thereof. Any member thereof may be removed by the person or persons authorized to appoint such member whenever in their judgment the best interests of the corporation shall be served by such removal.
Section 3. Term of Office. Each member of a committee shall continue as such until the next annual meeting of the members of the corporation and until his successor is appointed, unless the committee shall be sooner terminated, or unless such member be removed from such committee, or unless such member shall cease to qualify as a member thereof.
Section 4. Chairman. One member of each committee shall be appointed chairman by the person or persons authorized to appoint the members thereof.
Section 5. Vacancies. Vacancies in the membership of any committee may be filled by appointments made in the same manner as provided in the case of the original appointments.
Section 6. Quorum. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors designating a committee, a majority of the whole committee shall constitute a quorum and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee.
Section 7. Rules. Each committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these by-laws or with rules adopted by the Board of Directors
ARTICLE VII
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
Section 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation, in addition to the officers so authorized by these by-laws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2. Checks, drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Directors, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and if signed by an Assistant Treasurer, such instruments shall be countersigned by the president or a Vice President of the corporation.
Section 3. Deposits. All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select.
Section 4. Gifts. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATES OF MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Certificates of Membership. The Board of Directors may provide for the issuance of certificates evidencing membership in the corporation, which shall be in such form as may be determined by the Board. The name and address of each member and the date of issuance of the certificate shall be entered on the records of the corporation. If any certificate shall become lost, mutilated or destroyed, a new certificate may be issued therefore upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.
Section 2. Issuance of Certificates. When a member has been elected to membership and has paid any initiation fee and dues that may then be required, a certificate of membership shall be issued in his name and delivered to him by the Secretary, if the Board of Directors shall have provided for the issuance of certificates of membership under the provisions of Section 1 of this Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section 1. The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, Board of Directors and committees having any of the authority of the Board of Directors, and shall keep at its registered or principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any member, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.
ARTICLE XI
DUES
Section 1. Annual Dues. The Board of Directors may determine from time to time the amount of initiation fee, if any, and annual dues payable to the corporation by members of each class and of categories of members within each class.
Section 2. Payments of Dues. Default and Termination of Membership. When any member shall be in default in the payment of dues for a period of three (3) months from the beginning of the fiscal year or period of which such dues became payable, his membership may thereupon be terminated by the Board of Directors in the manner provided in Article III of these by-laws.
ARTICLE XII
SEAL
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall provide a corporate seal, which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation and the words “Corporate Seal………..”
ARTICLE XIII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Section 1. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the District of Columbia Non-Profit Corporation Act or under the provisions of the articles of incorporation or the by-laws of the corporation, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Section 1. These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by a majority of the Directors present at any regular meeting or at any special meeting, if at least two (2) days’ written notice is given of intention to alter, amend or repeal or to adopt new by-laws at such meeting.