Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens Bylaws
June 15, 2018
Bylaws
Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens (DDSC)
Organized: September 20, 2015; Incorporated: May 9, 2018, Adopted June 15, 2018
Mission: To provide essential programs and services for Deaf senior citizens designed to enhance their physical, emotional, linguistic, economic and social well-being, and to advocate and promote their common interests.
Vision: DDSC members in the state of Delaware have full language and communication access to all programs and services provided to Delaware senior citizens, and a program of deaf-centric activities and events that enrich their lives during their golden years.
ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be known as Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens, hereinafter referred as DDSC.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
Section 1: The DDSC shall be a non-profit tax-exempt organization as defined by United States Internal Revenue Code to serve all Deaf persons over the age of 50 years old without regard to race, religion, sex, disability or nationality in Delaware to achieve accessibility in the public services and advocating their civil rights. The term, Deaf senior citizen, refers to a senior citizen who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, late deafened, or Deaf-Blind, and who uses American Sign Language.
Section 2: The purposes of DDSC shall provide educational, social, recreational and wellness services to all Deaf senior citizens in the state of Delaware: • Plan and promote events for Deaf senior citizens to enhance their socialization; • Provide workshops and activities to assist and improve mental alertness among Deaf senior citizens; • Provide seminars dealing with matters involving Deaf senior citizens’ well-being and safety; • Educate Deaf senior citizens with national, state and local resources which they could use to improve their mental and physical health, and social needs; • Work with public and private entities to ensure the inclusiveness of Deaf senior citizens in public services.
ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership in DDSC shall be open to all individuals who are at least 50 years of age and who support the objectives and goals of DDSC.
Section 2: Each member will be entitled to one vote on any motion that may arise during any general meeting of the DDSC.
Section 3: Termination of membership shall be by voluntary relinquishment of membership status or through majority action of DDSC Board.
Section 4: The annual membership year shall be from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.
ARTICLE IV — MEMBERSHIP DUES
Section 1: The Executive Board may propose to increase or decrease the amount of member dues to the voting members during the general meeting, subject to the majority vote of the voting members.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers of DDSC shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
Section 2: Each officer shall serve a term of two years.
Section 3: Each officer may be eligible for re-election.
Section 4: A vacancy occurring in any office other than the presidency shall be filled by the President, subject to approval of the DDSC membership at the next general meeting. Should the presidency become vacant, thatposition shall automatically be filled by the vice president, secretary, or treasurer, in that order of succession.
Section 5: Paid employees under contract of DDSC are ineligible to hold any DDSC elected offices.
Section 6: In case of misconduct during duty, misuse of DDSC finance or property, conviction of felony, or abandonment of duty, a motion for impeachment of an officer may be submitted to the general meeting by any DDSC member with signatures of ten other members with the reason(s) for impeachment. A motion to start impeachment must be approved by the majority of the members at the general meeting. If a motion to start impeachment is passed, then the officer being charged for impeachment must be notified and given at least fourteen (14) business days to prepare for defense before a special meeting can be called to vote on impeachment. The evidence by accuser and “his or her” defense by the accused must be presented fairly during the special meeting for impeachment. The members at the special meeting shall appoint an impartial person to chair the process for impeachment. Impeachment of an office requires two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present to be passed.
ARTICLE VI — DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1: The President Shall: a) Be the principal executive officer of DDSC. b) Preside at all meetings of the DDSC and Executive Board. c) Perform such other duties as appropriate to this office. d) Enforce order and strict observance of bylaws and rules. e) Appoint standing committees when needed. f) Oversee all standing committees. g) Have access to books of accounts, statements and other official documents. h) Appoint a member to serve as the Parliamentarian, when needed.i) Decide on all questions of order. j) Countersign checks, drafts and notes drawn by the Treasurer.
Section 2: The Vice President Shall: a) Have the power to perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the latter to act. b) Assist the President with general supervision over the internal affairs of the DDSC. c) Co-sign all checks in the absence of the President. d) Serves as a chair of the Bylaw Committee. e) Succeeds the President if the President vacates this office.
Section 3: The Secretary Shall: a) Keep accurate records of all meetings of the DDSC and the Executive Board. b) Conduct all official correspondence. c) Notify members of all regular, Executive Board or special meetings under the order of the President. d) Keep a list of all members of the DDSC and their classifications and addresses; list shall not be copied or loaned without permission of the membership. e) Bring a copy of Robert’s Rules of Order at every meeting.
Section 4: The Treasurer Shall: a) Attend all meetings. b) Receive and collect all monies and dues of the DDSCc) Sign all checks, drafts and notes drawn by the DDSC with the countersignature of the President. d) Keep an accurate account of each member and group and give the Secretary a copy. e) Shall prepare a written monthly report of all financial transactions of DDSC and a statement of all liabilities and assets and submit at each regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII — EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1: The Executive Board shall consist of all officers and up to three (3) general members selected by the President for purpose of participating in a given topic.
Section 2: The Executive Board shall meet at the discretion of the President.
Section 3: The purchase or sale of property, contract, and expenditures worth over one thousand ($1,000) dollars shall be subject to the approval of the membership, or when not possible by the Executive Board and three (3) general members appointed by the President.
Section 4: The Executive Board may approve transactions up to one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
Section 5: The Executive Board shall: a) Act as custodian of funds, properties, and records of DDSC; b) Have the power to purchase or sell properties: c) Accept gifts, bequests, or grants for the work of the DDSC; d) Make grants or loans for projects related to the purposes of the DDSC; e) At its discretion, employ, remove or suspend any employee of the DDSC; f) Determine the duties, salaries, and benefits of employees; g) Set the amount to bond for the offices of President and Treasurer and to authorize the necessary monies to secure such bond; h) Do everything proper to carry out the object of the DDSC unless otherwise prohibited by bylaws; i) Make the final decision with a majority vote in case of differences of interpretation of these bylaws; j) Not make personal loans to its officers or members.
Section 6: The Executive Board shall have power to a) delegate any powers of the Board to any committee, officer, or agent upon such written terms as it may consider wise, b) appoint any person or persons to hold in trust for the DDSC, and c) manage properties or assets belonging to DDSC.
Section 7: The delegation by the Executive Board of any power or authority shall not relieve the Board of any responsibility to exercise prudent judgment in the management of the DDSC, its financial affairs or to make inquiries into the financial transaction of DDSC or its agents and delegates.
ARTICLE VIII — COMMITTEE
Section 1: The President shall create any new standing or special committees with the approval of the Executive Board deemed necessary to carry out the policies, procedures, and programs of the DDSC. The powers, duties and responsibilities will be expressly defined, and committees shall confine their activities to those duties.
Section 2: Standing committees shall be used for continuing temporary actively. Special committees shall be formed for a single assignment only.
Section 3: Standing and special committees may be established and dissolved at any time by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 4: No committee or individual shall incur any indebtedness, or to obligate DDSC for any expenditures or to make any expenditures unless expressly authorized by the Executive Board.
Section 5: Each standing committee member shall serve for the term of two (2) years and each special committee member shall serve until discharged from its assignment.
Section 6: The chair of each committee will present to the Executive Board and membership a monthly or periodic report, specifics to be determined by the President.
ARTICLE IX — GENERAL MEETING
Section 1: The DDSC shall meet at least eight (8) times a year. The Executive Board shall determine the date, time, and location of the next general meeting.
Section 2: The biennial election and the installation of the officers shall be held during the month of May in odd numbered years. The new or re-elected officers take office on July 1st of the election year.
Section 3: Every candidate must be present at the general meeting or submit a formal letter of intent for their election to office to the Chairperson of the nominating committee.
Section 4: The President shall establish a nominating committee from among the active members before the biennial election.
Section 5: The order of business for the general meeting shall be as follows: 1. Call to order by the President 2. Reading/correction/approval of minutes of previous monthly meeting 3. Officers’ reports (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)4. Standing/special committees’ reports 5. Unfinished business 6. New business 7. Announcements8. Adjournment
ARTICLE X — QUORUM
Section 1: At least fifty percent (50%) of the Executive Board present shall constitute a quorum at any Executive Board meeting.
Section 2: Fifty percent (50%) of the active membership, determined by using the average number of participating members at the three most recent meetings, shall constitute a quorum at the general meeting.
Section 3: No business shall be officially transacted without the presence of a quorum.
ARTICLE XI — OATH OF OFFICE
Section 1: The following Oath of Office shall be administered to the incoming officers: I (name) as (position), promise that I will serve DDSC and perform the duties and responsibilities of my office to the best of my ability.
ARTICLE XIV — FISCAL YEAR
Section 1: The fiscal year of the DDSC shall be from January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE XV — AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Proposed amendments to the bylaws shall be submitted to the Vice President and the Executive Board.
Section 2: The proposed amendments shall be approved by the General Membership, after review and comment by the Executive Board.
Section 3: The proposed amendments shall be published (or printed) in the official publications of DDSC 30 days before the General Meeting.
Section 4: The proposed bylaws amendments shall be accepted by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the voting members at the general meeting.
Section 5: A proxy vote of an absent member shall be counted with a written note.
ARTICLE XVI — PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1: Unless otherwise provided for in these bylaws, the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority of the Association.
Section 2: The President may appoint a person, who is knowledgeable in parliamentary procedure, to advise in matters of conducting meetings of the DDSC and to interpret the bylaws of the DDSC when requested.
ARTICLE XVII — DISSOLUTION
Section 1: In the event DDSC is dissolved by formal action of a super-majority (three-fourths) quorum of deaf members present in good standing of DDSC. The remaining DDSC assets shall be used to pay for or to provide for the debts and obligations of DDSC and the remainder shall be set over and assigned to the Delaware Association of the Deaf.