BY-LAWS OF THE CHICAGOLAND CHAPTER OF THE HUTCHINSON BELL

Our chapter is dedicated to promoting Florida College. We support the mission of The Hutchinson Bell to cultivate personal and professional relationships, communication, and connections with the college and our members.

ARTICLE I – NAME

This organization shall be known as the “Chicagoland Chapter of The Hutchinson Bell.”

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purposes and objectives of this organization shall be to establish mutually beneficial relationships among Florida College, its alumni and friends, this local chapter, and potential alumni in this region by:

(1) Providing information about Florida College, its operations and needs.

(2) Establishing and perpetuating friendship and understanding between Florida College, its alumni, and friends.

(3) Seeking out and providing information about Florida College to potential students, thereby encouraging such students to attend Florida College.

(4) Provide wholesome activities for youth that promote the above purposes.

ARTICLE III - LIMITATIONS

(1) This organization is NOT to be operated in connection with the work or worship of any church.

(2) This organization is organized exclusively for charitable, spiritual, educational and scientific purposes, including for such purposes as the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law).

(3) No part of the earnings of this corporation shall be for the personal benefit of members or officers. The corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth herein.

(4) No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The corporation shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office, including the publishing or distributing of statements.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or of any future corresponding provision of the United States Internal Revenue law.

(6) Upon dissolution of the corporation, the officers shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the corporation in such manner and to such organization or organizations as to be in compliance with section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Local Chapter By-Laws, Code of 1986, or of any future corresponding provision of the United States Internal Revenue law

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

The members of this organization shall be composed of friends or alumni of Florida College, whose annual dues to The Hutchinson Bell are paid and have designated the Chicagoland chapter as its local affiliation. All members shall be voting members, limited to members age 18 or older.

ARTICLE V - BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS

(1) The Board of Directors is the governing body for the chapter. Board members are elected to two-year terms at the annual meeting by its membership at large. The total number of board members shall be an odd number.

(2) The board member terms are staggered so that at each annual meeting only part of the board is up for re-election or replacement.

(3) Elected board members shall begin serving their term effective with the beginning of the subsequent fiscal year.

(4) A board member may be removed from the board by a two-thirds vote at any meeting at large.

(5) A board member who resigns from, is removed from, or otherwise vacates his/her office must be replaced by a majority vote at a meeting at large.

(6) Officers for this chapter shall be appointed by the board and shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer, all of whom may or may not be members of the board. Officers are not voting members of the board unless they are also board members.

(7) Each president/vice-president shall serve a two-year term.

(8) The office of president and of vice-president shall be limited to two successive terms. The president or vice-president may be appointed to any other office immediately following their terms in either of these offices. There is no limit on successive terms for the position of secretary or treasurer. Between June 1 and September 1 the board will appoint new officers as needed.

(9) The vice-president shall assume the position of the president if that once is vacated before the term is completed.

(10) Neither board members nor officers shall receive monetary compensation for their services. They may be reimbursed for expenses paid on behalf of the local chapter.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

(1) An annual meeting at large shall be convened for the purpose of electing board members. Annual meetings shall be held in March or April. (2) Meetings at large are called by the board and shall be held at least once per year, inclusive of the annual meeting.

(3) A quorum shall consist of the number of members present at any meeting at large. (4) Notification by e-mail or posting on the website to the membership shall serve as legal notice of meeting dates and locations, as determined by the board. (5) The President and Treasurer or their designees shall report on the activities and financial condition of the corporation at the annual meeting, at a minimum. (6) The Secretary shall prepare minutes of the board meetings and members meetings at large. The Secretary shall also be responsible for authenticating records of the corporation.

ARTICLE VII - BOARD MEETINGS (1) Board members and officers shall meet as needed to conduct the business of the organization. (2) The location, time, and manner of each board meeting shall be determined by the board. Members are welcome to attend. (3) The board may appoint committees from the membership at large to aid in accomplishing the activities of the organization.

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Revised 4/2019