BYLAWS (Adopted as of xxxx) Bylaw Workshop Amendment Proposal submitted by A,Paterson. 26th June,2003.

Why do we need to Amend the current Bylaws ? Here is my heart to heart thoughts which I reveal to you.

Rules and regulations are set only up as guidelines. The current bylaws are preventing much needed changes to occur in the Society which is depleted in numbers from the days the bylaws were last seriously ratfied, and when the membership was 200 strong. We are seeing a monthly turn out of 30 members on average. We are not a big entity although the bylaws would deem it so.

Times have changed, Commonsense and the introduction of overriding rulings in the best interest of the society are now required, if this Society is going to survive. The reality is that we still aren't that far away from last Septembers situation.

The bylaws are too overwhelming and choking for a society that only meets for two hours once a month. This month I have put in 60 hours in an effort to revive the Society. Despite having much unanimous support from the executive Board and many of the membership I am meeting many obstacles from a time warped set of bylaws.

I believe that the Society needs to be reorganized. A smaller management team would be more effective. With the power to make any proposed amendments to the bylaws.

The Executive Board should be allowed and able to handle the business and Bylaw side of the Society. To investigate this I have requested that the Parliamentarian be promoted to the Executive Board. This will ensure the Executive Board will adhere to the future bylaws within reason, and commonsense to prevent loss of time and much wastage of human resources.He will be the memberships eye on the Executive Board.

The Executive Council is hereby dissolved.

This would leave the Members-at-Large/Operations Team to focus on their own workload. However, they will meet as an Operations Team with the Chieftain twice per year to coordinate and report to the Executive Board.

This will separate the management and operational side of the Society. The Members-at-Large/Operations Team will be able to focus on longer term planning of new events and popular repeat events. Coordinating with the availability of the band and band members should be a high
activity.

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ARTICLE I

The name of the society shall be The CENTRAL COAST SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA.

ARTICLE II. The purpose of the society shall be:

A. To create and maintain a bond of fellowship with persons, clubs, societies and organizations interested in Scottish culture and heritage. The Central Coast Pipes and Drums are affiliated with our Society.

B. To promote, support and encourage the arts, culture and heritage of Scotland through sponsorship of an annual Robert Burns celebration, (scholarship aid suspended until account +$2k) and other appropriate activities such as Scottish Dancing.

C. To promote the study of Scottish genealogy.

ARTICLE III. Membership and Dues:
A. Membership shall be granted to all persons who apply and pay annual dues.
B. Dues shall be reviewed and established by the Executive Council and
approved by the majority of the members and shall be payable at the
beginning of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE IV.Management:

The society shall be managed by an Executive Board composed of
An Executive Board/Management Team
Chief, Vice-Chief, Secretary, Treasurer,
Past Chief and Parliamentarian.

They maintain and manage the affairs, funds and property of the society and shall comply with its bylaws. The Parliamentarian shall serve ex-officio.

B. The Executive Board shall meet at least quarterly at a time and place designated. Special Executive Council meetings may be called by the Chief upon notice to all council members, and shall be called upon the request of any three or more members in writing thereof.
C. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be three members of the Executive Council plus the Chief. Majority vote rules. Voting by proxy is not allowed.


ARTICLE V. Duties of the Management Team/Executive Board officers:
A.
1. CHIEF - The Chief shall be responsible for the overall functioning
of the society and shall preside at all meetings of the society and
Executive Council.
2. VICE-CHIEF - The Vice-Chief shall be the Chief-elect and shall
assist in running the society and act in the absence of the Chief.
Also will be responsible for the Societys' annual audit.
3. SECRETARY - The Secretary shall be responsible for recording
activities of the society including minutes of general membership
meetings and those of the Executive Council. The Secretary shall
also be responsible for correspondence assigned by the Chief, and in
conjunction with the Chairman of the Membership Committee shall maintain the membership list.
4. TREASURER - The Treasurer shall collect all revenues, pay all
obligations and maintain the accounts of the society. A report shall
be submitted at each regular meeting and a final accounting at the
end of the fiscal year which shall be subject to audit. The
Treasurer shall maintain accounts as needed in the name of The
Central Coast Scottish Society of California, such accounts
bearing four signatures, any two of which may authorize withdrawal of funds.
5.PARLIAMENTARIAN. Ex-Officio. To attend all meetings with the purpose of ensuring that the Executive Board accommodate the Bylaws where applicable or act in the best interest of the Society. This is a commonsense motion employed to save time and resources.
6.PAST CHIEF. Experienced advisory consultant with a vote.

B. Duties of the Operations Team/Members-at-large:
1. MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON - shall, in conjuction with the
Secretary and Treasurer, be responsible for the maintaining of the
list of members, shall contact potential members, provide
information to visitors and persons who inquire about the society
and keep in touch with drop-outs and lapsed members.
2.PROGRAM CHAIRPERSON - shall be responsible for providing programs for general meetings consistent with the enhancement of
Scottish heritage and culture, including the picnic and ceilidh,and
working closely with the Publicity Chairperson and Editor of the
CCSS newsletter.
3. PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON - shall be responsible for maintaining a current membership brochure and other promotional materials, providing information about the society, its meetings and activities to the media.
4.ROBERT BURNS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON - shall be responsible for making and coordinating all arrangements for the annual Robert Burns celebration. Proposed expenses should be submitted to the Executive Council for pre-approval.
5.BAND REPRESENTATIVE - Shall be responsible for coordinating Band musicians and membership volunteer turnouts for Society and Band at functions.

C. Appointive Positions:
1. At the discretion of the Chief, members of the society may be appointed to positions not requiring committees which include,
but are not limited to the following:
a. Editor of the newsletter b. Hospitality
c. Historian d. Auditor
e. Bard f. Seanachaidh
g. Sheriff h. Bard

2. The Chief may establish committees and chairpersons for activities
and events not included in the Standing Committees as required.
All special events' budgets shall be submitted in advance to the Executive Council for approval.


ARTICLE VI.Meetings:

A. There shall be one General Meeting each month on a date recommended by the Executive Council and approved by the membership. B. The Annual Meeting shall be held in December during which time the
annual report of the Treasurer is received and filed for audit; the new officers are installed; annual reports of committees are received as well as any other business that may properly come before it.
C. Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the society in all cases where applicable and not inconsistent with the bylaws of this society. Unless
The time to resolve the implementation would exceeds 30 days. Then the Chiefs override rule will apply and the issue thereby effective immediately. However a commonsense compromise with view to saving time and resources would be a better resolution.

D.A simple majority vote of those present shall prevail at all general and annual meetings of the society. Voting by proxy is not allowed.
E.The right to vote is not denied the Chief.


ARTICLE VII. Election of Executive Council:

A. Terms of Office:
1. Officers of the Executive Council and Members-at-Large shall be
elected for a term of one year.(Chief only may request a 2 year term in the interest of continuity and stability of the Society).
2. In the event of death, resignation or removal from office for any
reason. the Executive Council may appoint an interim to fill the
vacancy until the next election occurs. In the best interest of the Society the person filling the vacancy may be then be acclaimed or elected for a full term(of 1 year unelected,2 years elected by the Nominating Committee).

B. Nominating Committee:
The Nominating Committee shall be formed of five members as follows:
1.Two members from the Executive Council.
2.Three members from the membership shall be elected at the November meeting, none of whom may be members of the Executive Council.
In the event that three members from the membership are NOT elected as of the November meeting, or if one or more of those elected members decline to serve, the total number of members of the Nominating Committee shall be reduced accordingly.
3. The Nominating Committee shall present one eligible person for
each office to be filled at the October meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor, but that person shall have
given consent to be nominated.
4.Election may be by acclamation if there be but one candidate for
Office If there are two or more, election shall be by ballot.
5.A majority vote elects.

C.Date of taking office:
1.Officers and members-at-large assume the duties of their office as
at January 1st of the following year.
D.Absence from meetings:
1. When an officer or member-at large has been absent from three
consecutive council meetings without excuse, the Executive
Council may declare the position vacant and appoint an interim to
fill such position.

ARTICLE VIII.Amendments:

A.Proposed ammendments to these bylaws may be presented to the Executive Board in writing for approval. The Executive Board will announce its recommendation(s) to the membership. Also the proposed amendment to the bylaw will be by printed in the newsletter and website.

B.A simple majority vote of the members present at a general meeting shall be required to ratify an amendment.

ARTICLE IX. Non-Profit Status:
A.The Central Coast Scottish Society of California is organized for the society's non-profit purposes. Individual members will not derive profit therefrom. The Non-Profit Tax Exemption-Organization Entity ID number is on file with the society's Treasurer.

ARTICLE X. Political Limitation Clause:

A.No substantial part of the activities of The Central Coast Scottish Society of California shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and The Central Coast Scottish Society of California shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XI. Dedication/Dissolution Clause:

A.The property of The Central Coast Scottish Society of California is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes and no part of the net income or assets of this organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any private persons.

B.Upon dissolution or winding up of The Central Coast Scottish Society of California, its assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of this organization shall be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under Section 501 (C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.


ARTICLE XII: Aggrievances.
a. Any member who has an issue or aggrievance against any member in the Society should approach any member of the Executive Board with a written account addressed to the Executive Board.


ARTICLE XIII:

These bylaws of the period June 26th 2003 were submitted for the Parliamentarians consideration and were adopted by members of The Central Coast Scottish Society of California,XXXXX.


Previous bylaws revisions:
October 18th, 2002
September 18, 1998
January 9, 1997
June 21, 1996
January 13, 1995
November 17, 1994