HUMANISTS OF COLORADO BY-LAWS

Revised and Approved by the Board on 2 Apr 2001
Revised and Approved by the Board on 3 Feb 2007

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1:

The name of this organization will be "Humanists of Colorado" (HOC), the duration of which is perpetual.

Section 2:

HOC is a chartered chapter of the American Humanist Association (AHA), and, as such, is organized and operated exclusively as a charitable organization within the meaning of Section 501 (c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended.

Section 3:

Upon dissolution, the assets of the organization remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities, shall be distributed to the AHA, or, if it, too, has dissolved, to any organization of humanistic, ethical culture, or scientific purposes which meet the requirements of Article I, Section 2 above, and as the Board directs.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSES

Section 1:

To function as a chapter of the AHA.

Section 2:

To promote and assist the development of Humanist organizations and groups within the state of Colorado.

Section 3:

To enhance the purposes of Humanism; to invoke the inherent dignity of humanity; to promote human rights; to eliminate the need for violence and war and to promote tolerance and peace.

Section 4:

To strive for justice; to do good for others; to advocate democratic principles; to affirm that ethics stem from human responsibility.

Section 5:

To promote the wise use of technology and science; to better the quality of life on the Earth; to promote the understanding of evolution.

Section 6:

To hold Humanist meetings; to provide for the education of Humanists; to promote the freedom of association; to sponsor, organize and promote educational events related to Humanist issues for members and the general public; and to publish Humanist literature and newsletters.

Section 7:

To promote the freedom of speech and the press; to promote religious freedom; to promote artistic, scientific, and cultural freedom.

Section 8:

To provide counseling in matters of ethics and human relationships; to ceremonialize marriage and other rites of passage; to strengthen the family and other positive human relationships.

Section 9:

To engage in any other activities which are consistent with the principles of Humanism.

ARTICLE III: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1:

The business of HOC shall be managed by a Board of Directors (Directors).

Section 2:

The number of Directors shall be a minimum of nine (9), the majority of whom shall be members of AHA. A quorum will be defined as one half of current Board.

Section 3:

Directors shall be elected for a staggered term of three (3) years. At the first election following the adoption of the By-Laws, three persons will be elected for one-year terms; three persons for two-year terms; and three or more persons for three-year terms. Subsequent annual elections will be for three-year terms.

Section 4:

No Director shall serve more than two consecutive terms of office. A Director may be re-elected following an absence of one year from the Board.

Section 5:

Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the majority of Directors at any Board meeting.

Section 6:

A Director shall notify the President or Secretary of any anticipated absence from a regularly scheduled meeting. Any Director having three (3) unexcused absences within a twelve month period may be subject to removal by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 7:

Under rules set by the presiding officer a board member may be removed by a majority vote for behavior contrary to the best interests of the Board.

Section 8:

Any director, officer, or member may be given reasonable compensation for expenses of meetings or other duties approved by the Board.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 1:

The Board shall elect officers of the organization at the first meeting following election of the Board at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2:

PRESIDENT: S/he shall chair or designate the chair of all meetings of the Board and membership, supervise the business and affairs of the organization, and prepare an agenda for such meetings in coordination with members of the Board. S/he and the Secretary shall sign all contracts and instruments authorized by the Board. S/he, with Board approval, shall appoint committees and chairpersons as deemed necessary for the effective functioning of the organization.

Section 3:

VICE-PRESIDENT: S/he shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, inability or refusal to serve. The VP shall perform such other duties as may be assigned and serve as ex-officio (non-voting) member of committees appointed by the President.

Section 4:

SECRETARY: S/he shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee and Board and provide notices required by the By-Laws. The Secretary shall be custodian of all instruments, documents and history of the organization and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board and the President.

Section 5:

TREASURER: S/he shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds. S/he shall supervise the receipt and giving of receipts for moneys due and payable to the organization from any individual or other source. The Treasurer shall establish and maintain a record of the income from all sources and inform the office of individual membership and subscriber payments for the mailing list update. The Treasurer shall present an accounting of receipts and expenditures at regular meetings of the Board and, if requested by the Board, present an annual financial report to the membership at the Annual Meeting. The Board has the option of appointing a non-Board member as Treasurer.

Section 6:

OTHER: The immediate Past-President may also serve as an ex-officio member of the Board.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

Section 1:

The Board may create volunteer committees deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of the organization.

Section 2:

The Board will appoint an Ad Hoc Nominating Committee each year to prepare a slate of nominees for Board positions. Each year a new slate of nominees will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting will be accepted if the individuals have agreed to serve if elected. The Nominating Committee will also recommend a slate of officers at the first meeting of the newly elected Board.

Section 3:

The Board may appoint a state-wide, non-voting Advisory Council to serve without the requirement of Board meeting attendance. The Council will act in an advisory capacity on matters related to state level policies and operations.

ARTICLE VI: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:

Membership in the organization shall be state-wide, voluntary and unrestricted with regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnicity or national origin.

Section 2:

Those desiring membership are expected to pay dues as set by the Board and agree to support the general philosophy of Humanism as portrayed in Article II above.

Section 3:

Membership may be withdrawn at any time by the member. A majority of the full Board may expel a member for behavior contrary to the best interests of the organization at a meeting where the member is invited to present defense under rules and procedures set by the presiding officer.

Section 4:

Membership levels and dues or fees associated therewith are Sustaining $60, Regular $24, Newsletter for non-members $12. There is provision for hardship cases where the board will accept $12 as a full year dues payment.

ARTICLE VII: ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

Section 1:

The annual membership meeting for the purpose of electing the Board of Directors, and such other business as may be necessary, shall be held each year in June at a time and place set by the Board.

Section 2:

Notice of date, time and place shall be given to eligible members at least thirty (30) days before the meeting. Notice shall be verbal at a regularly scheduled meeting and/or written.

Section 3:

Eligible voters shall be those whose dues are current as of the date of the annual meeting.

Section 4:

There shall be no proxy voting.

Section 5:

A quorum for business at all membership meetings shall be 10% of current members.

Section 6:

Agenda for the Annual Meeting may include: a) Verification of Quorum; b) Secretary's proof of due notice; c) Election of Board members. The agenda may also include the following: Reading and acceptance of any unapproved minutes of prior meetings; Reports of the President and other officers; Financial report of the Treasurer; Committee reports; Old or unfinished business; New Business.

Section 7:

Special meetings of the membership shall be called by the President, or by two (2) members of the Board, or by written request signed by 20% of current, dues-paying members. The President and/or Secretary shall notify the membership of the meeting and the proposed business thirty (30) days in advance.

Section 8:

ROBERTS'S RULES OF ORDER shall govern all the business meetings of the organization.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1:

These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the Board or by a vote of the members entitled to vote at the annual meeting, provided notice as specified in ARTICLE VII has been given.