SCOD Constitution (By-Laws)

SCOD CONSTITUTION

Non-Profit Organization BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

SCOD Membership and Dues [2015]

Section 1. Any person interested in the purposes of the organization who applies for membership in an appropriate classification of membership and who tenders the necessary dues shall thereby become a member.

Section 2. Annual dues for general members shall be $10.

Section 3. Annual dues for council members shall be $10.

Section 4. Annual dues paid in advance; members more than six months late after payment is due shall be dropped from active membership status.

ARTICLE II

Schedule and Quorum for Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held on the first Saturday of each month.

Section 2. Meetings are led and may be rescheduled by the President.

Section 3. The council (board of trustees) shall meet every month.

Section 4. Three (3) present council members constitute a quorum.

Section 5. Any member that attends meetings can be in the council.

ARTICLE III

Duties of the Officers and Trustees

Section 1. The president shall have executive supervision over the activities of the society within the scope provided by these bylaws; and presides over meetings. The president shall report annually on the activities of the society, and shall appoint members to committees, staff, ambassadors, and delegates.

Section 2. The vice-president shall assume the duties of the president in the event of absence, incapacity, resignation, or removal of the president.

Section 3. The secretary shall keep minutes, records, and documents of meetings and correspondences; maintain member list, and present annual reports.

Section 4. The treasurer shall be responsible for keeping society funds; maintaining adequate financial records; investments and deposit banking in the name of the society. The treasurer will collect dues, keep annual reports, and handle legal and tax laws and requirements.

Section 5. The council shall have the power to conduct all affairs of the society. It shall select candidates for office, pursuant to the constitution. The council shall decide questions of policy for expedient functionality, and follow the by-laws and regional laws to the best of their ability.

ARTICLE IV

SCOD Committees

Section 1. The society shall have the following standing committees:

(a) Library Committee. Responsible for collecting; cataloging; publishing; and caring for manuscripts, books, and other SCOD source material.

(b) Tavern Committee. Responsible for 'Public Hall' museum, store, library, maintenance, rooms, kitchen, workers, and public communication.

(c) Village Committee. Responsible for finding members, membership drives, processing new candidates, and providing housing options for them.

(d) Project Committee. Responsible for creating and managing programs and projects; and forming sub-groups for supporting productivity.

ARTICLE V

Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall form the basis for meetings, except in such cases as are governed by constitution or the by-laws.

ARTICLE VI

Amendment to the By-laws

Section 1. These by-laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by a two-thirds vote of those voting, provided notice was given at the previous meeting. Or they may be amended at a special meeting called for that purpose, with previous notice and a two-thirds vote. All proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing.

ARTICLE VII

SCOD Name and Nonprofit Policy

Section 1. Name. This organization is the 'Sustainable Cooperative for Organic Development', referred to as "S.C.O.D.".

Section 2. Nonprofit Policy. SCOD shall not be operated for profit, and its entire assets shall be devoted to the purposes for which it is organized (see constitution mission statements), by-laws, and amendments.

ARTICLE VIII

SCOD Purposes

Section 1. Purposes. The purposes of SCOD as set forth in its constitution are exclusively educational in nature, to wit:

“SCOD is an environmental and historical group dedicated to helping humans live more harmoniously with nature.”

a. To design alternative architecture, build organic communities, and support ecological produce (food, art, music, etc.)

b. To think, imagine, design, & create organically together in sustainable ways for environmental and historical education.

c. To love and protect Nature using art, architecture, and technology as stewards.

d. To explore and defend bio-diversity, alternative innovation, history, and environmental efforts.

e. To encourage others in positive, encouraging, cooperative ways.

f. To seek sustainable cooperation for organic dwelling.

g. To seek allies and maintain network communications.

h. To study history, arts, and sciences; and share and trade with many communities.

i. To sustain itself through public forums, communications, meetings, archives, and projects.

j. To handle and settle disputes internally, without involving external parties, for self-sufficiency.

k. To support Nature, cooperatives, environmentalism, history, arts, religious freedom, and peace.

ARTICLE IX

SCOD Council (Board of Trustees)

Section 1. Election and Powers. The Council shall have custody, control and direction of SCOD, its collections, properties, and other assets. Council Members (Trustees) shall be selected at the first Annual Meeting. Each Trustee shall serve until their successor is chosen and qualified; unless vacated by resignation, death, removal, or otherwise.

Section 2. Number. The number of Trustees constituting the Council shall be not less than three (3) nor more than twenty-five (25), and shall be fixed by resolution of the Council. Majority votes determine members of the Board, may resolve to increase or decrease the number to the extent permitted, provided that no decrease shall shorten the term of any incumbent Trustee.

Section 3. Classes. Each 'Trustee Term' is three (3) years, but council members can serve infinite consecutive terms, unless voted out by the Council.

Section 4. Vacancies. In case of any vacancy in the Council, a majority of the remaining Trustees may elect a successor to fill the unexpired term, and to serve until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 5. Absences. If any Trustee shall fail to attend three (3) consecutive Council meetings without excuse accepted as satisfactory by the Board, such Trustee shall be deemed to have resigned and the vacancy shall be filled.

Section 6. Removal. At any meeting of the Board of Trustees duly called, any Trustee may, by vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire Board, be removed from office and another may be elected by the Board to fill the unexpired term of the Trustee so removed.

Section 7. Meetings. The Annual Meeting for Council Membership decisions, shall be held in the first month of each year on such date and at such time and place as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees and named in the notice. Regular Meetings shall be held on the first Saturday of each month.

Section 8. Agenda for Regular Meetings. The agenda or order of business for each Regular meeting shall include the following:

(a) Call to order

(b) Roll Call

(d) Financial report

(e) Reports of Regular Committees

(f) Reports of any other Committees

(g) Report of the Director

(h) Old business

(i) New business

(j) Adjournment

Section 9. Notice of Meetings. Notice of the time and place of every meeting shall be sent not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty (20) days before the meeting, but is not mandatory if it is a regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 10. Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee who submits a signed written waiver thereof, whether before or after the meeting, nor to any Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice.

Section 11. Quorum. Three (3) present council members constitute a quorum.

Section 12. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by Council or any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all Council members or the committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. Such resolution and the written consents thereto by the members shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings.