BYLAWS (Adopted as of …..)
Bylaws Workshop Proposals submitted by Alistair Paterson. November 5th, 2003.

Now approved by Former Chief, now Society Sheriff Greg Gilchrist and

Former Chief, Bill Houston.


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, scholarships 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.
C. A Life Membership will be $200.

ARTICLE IV.Management:
The society shall be managed by An Executive Board/Management Team
Chief, Vice-Chief, Secretary, Treasurer, Past Chief and Society Sheriff.

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

B. The Executive Board/Management Team shall meet at least three times a year at a time and place designated. Extra Executive Board/ Management Team meetings may be called by the Chief upon notice to all Operations members, and shall be called upon the request of any three or more members in writing thereof.
C. At least three members of the Executive Board/Management Team Led by the Chief. Majority vote rules.

ARTICLE V. Duties of the Management Team/Executive Board officers:
A.
1. CHIEFTAIN - The Chief shall be responsible for the overall functioning
of the society and shall preside at all meetings of the society and
Executive Board/Management Team.
2. VICE-CHIEFTAIN - The Vice-Chief shall be the Chief-elect and shall
assist in running the society and act in the absence of the Chief, Liase with the Band.
and will be responsible for the Societys' annual audit.(may be a Past Chieftain)
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.SOCIETY SHERIFF. 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. To incorprorate the former Parliamentarian position in duties.
6.PAST CHIEF. An 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 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/camp 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 Board/Management Team for pre-approval.
5.BAND PIPE MAJOR - 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 h. Sunshine Representative etc

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 Board/Management Team for approval.

ARTICLE VI.Meetings:
A. There shall be one General Meeting each month on a date recommended by the Executive Board/Management Team 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 exceed 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.All Members are invited to the monthly meetings, and are encouraged to attend so as to have a say in the running of the Society. If members dont attend then thats their choice, they have to accept the majority decision of the attendance.
E.The right to vote is not denied the Chief.

ARTICLE VII. Election of Executive Board/Management Team:
A. Terms of Office:
1. Officers of the Executive Board//Management Team and Members-at-Large shall be
elected for a term of one year.(Chieftain may request a 2 year term in the interest of continuity and stability of the Society). This is currently in effect. Alistair will hand over the Chieftainship 1/1/06.
2. In the event of death, resignation or removal from office for any
reason, the Executive Board/Management Team 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). Members can remain at their posts.

B. Nominating Committee:
The Nominating Committee shall be formed of three members as follows:
1.One member from the Executive Board/Management Team.
2.Two members from the membership shall be elected at the November meeting, none of whom may be members of the Executive Board/Management Team.
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 next 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. Only 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 or as appropriately when appointed.
D.Absence from meetings:
1. When an officer or member-at large has been absent from three
consecutive council meetings without excuse, the Executive Board/Management Team
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/Management Team in writing for approval. The Executive Board/Management Team will announce its recommendation(s) to the membership. Also the proposed amendment to the bylaw will be by printed in the next newsletter and posted on the website.

B.A simple majority vote of the members present at a general meeting shall be required to ratify an amendment.( A and B can be done on the same night.) All Members are invited to the monthly meetings, and are encouraged to attend, so as to have a say in the running of the Society. If members dont attend then thats their choice, they have to accept the majority decision of the attendance.

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: Grievances.
a. Any member who has an issue or grievance against any member in the Society should approach any member of the Executive Board/Management Team with a written account addressed to the Executive Board/Management Team.

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. The Bylaws were consequently temporarily suspended by Chieftain Alistair Paterson under Roberts Rule until January 1st 2004.
The Bylaws were found to be counterproductive in the amendment procedure taking 3 meetings and 3 months to pass just one amendment. The Society accepted that they were to be suspended, rewritten, scrutinized by 2 former Chiefs. then reinstated with the aim of introducing and promoting time saving and commonsense decisions in the best interest of the Society.

Previous bylaws revisions:
January 1st, 2004
June 26th, 2003
October 18th, 2002
September 18, 1998
January 9, 1997
June 21, 1996
January 13, 1995,
November 17, 1994
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