LOCAL GROUP 740 BYLAWS

1. DEFINITION OF THE LOCAL GROUP:

A.  The name of this organization shall be EASTERN OKLAHOMA MENSA and will herein be referred to as EOM.  EOM is a local group of American Mensa, Ltd. (herein referred to as AML) and is subject to the Constitution of Mensa, the Bylaws of AML, and the resolutions adopted by the American Mensa Committee (herein referred to as AMC).

2.  MEMBERSHIP:

A.  Membership in EOM shall be open to all members of AML in good standing in the geographic area assigned to Group 740 by the AMC, or as otherwise assigned by AML.

B.  Mensa members in good standing who are not also members of EOM are welcome to participate in the social activities of EOM at the invitation of the host/hostess, but may not vote or hold office in EOM, nor may they participate in EOM's business activities unless they are the National Ombudsman or his/her surrogate, members of the AMC in the discharge of their responsibilities, or invited by the Executive Committee (herein referred to as ExCom) of EOM.

3.  OFFICERS AND MEETINGS:

A.  The elected officers of EOM shall be Local Secretary (herein referred to as Loc Sec).  Assistant Local Secretary, Membership officer, and Treasurer.  These positions are listed in the order of succession to Loc Sec.

B.  All officers must be current members in good standing of AML and of EOM.

C.  The duties of the elected officers shall include:

I.            Loc Sec --

Preside over ExCom meetings.

Be responsible for the adherence of EOM to these Bylaws.

Function as the Liaison between EOM and the AMC.

Arrange for any member of EOM to receive copies of any available requested information at a minimal cost to the requesting member (see 3. M.);

            II.            Assistant Local Secretary --

Assist the Loc Sec.

Preside in the absence of the Loc Sec.

Serve as chairperson of any committee for which a chairperson has not been specifically appointed;

            III.            Membership Officer --

Maintain records concerning prospective and current EOM members.

Provide member information via The local group newsletter to EOM (See 3. M.).

Provide a copy of the EOM Bylaws and a member list to each new member of EOM (See 3.M.).

            IV.            Treasurer --

Be responsible for EOM funds and the disbursement of same as authorized by the ExCom.

Provide information to the Editor for publication of the Treasurer's Reports as outlined in Section 5 of these Bylaws.

            V.              Member-At-Large

May be appointed to any appointive office or committee.

Elected officers shall serve a two-year term of office commencing August 1st of the year of their elections.  All officers shall serve concurrent terms.  The position of Loc Sec may not be held by the same person for more than two consecutive terms.  (Service of a term constitutes service of at least 50% of that term.)  A replacement for an elected officer is considered to be an elected officer whose term of office ends with the next regular election.  The ExCom shall fill vacated positions (excepting Loc Sec) by appointment.

In the event that the position of LocSec becomes vacant, the Assistant LocSec shall assume the position of LocSec.  A new Assistant Loc Sec shall then be appointed as set forth above.

The ExCom shall appoint a Program Chairperson whose duties shall include:

Arranging the program, place, date, and time of the regular meeting.

Providing all information concerning the regular meeting to the Editor by the fifteenth day of the month preceding the scheduled meeting.

The ExCom shall appoint an Editor whose duties shall include:

Publishing the monthly EOM newsletter.

Submitting the local group newsletter to the Post Office by such date s to allow delivery to EOM members by the first day of each month.

Including a list of members of EOM as part of each June issue of the local group newsletter (See 3. M.)

Including the EOM Bylaws as part of the January issue of the local group newsletter of every odd year.

Publishing forthwith and unedited the quarterly Mini-Minutes as received from the AMC.

Publishing forthwith and unedited any submission from any officers (or committee) of EOM which is pertinent to that office.  (Other submissions by officials will have equivalent status to that of any other member of EOM.

If, in the Editor's sole judgment, the publication of any such submission could incur liability, the Editor shall delay publication of the submission pending advice from AML.

The ExCom may also appoint whatever other officers and committees it deems necessary and shall define the duties and qualifications of its appointees.

The terms of office of appointed officers and committees may not exceed the term of office of the officer or ExCom appointing them, except those officers or committees whose functions extend past the end of the current term of office may remain in office, but are subject to removal by the succeeding officer or ExCom which would otherwise appoint them.  (Such officers or committees must be specified in the Bylaws.)

Proctors are appointed by AML following the recommendation of them by the Loc Sec or Regional Vice Chairman (RVC).  The ExCom may appoint a Testing Coordinator who may or may not be a Proctor if deemed necessary.

D.  The governing body of EOM shall be the ExCom and shall consist of the five elected officers.  (A quorum shall consist of a majority of member of the ExCom.  Decisions of the ExCom will be determined by a majority vote of the ExCom.  The ExCom will make all decisions of a business nature for EOM including the determination of the levying of dues, the manner of collection, the amount, and exemptions (if any) for good cause.

E.  Elected officers may be removed from office by means of a recall election, ballots for which must be either an insert to, or part of, The local group newsletter, or ballots that are mailed separately to all members of EOM.

F.  If an elected officer of EOM fails to attend at least one Scheduled ExCom Meeting in three consecutive months and is not present at three consecutive Scheduled ExCom Meetings, that member will be presumed to have resigned their position as an elected officer of EOM.

G. Appointed officers may be removed from office by the ExCom.

H.  A regular meeting of EOM shall be held at least once every three months.  It is strongly recommended that the Program Chairperson schedule a regular meeting at least once every month.  The regular meetings shall not be scheduled earlier than the seventh day of the month.  The Program Chairperson should give high priority to scheduling the meetings on Saturdays to facilitate attendance by all members of EOM.

Scheduled ExCom meetings shall be held at least once every three months, but no more than one Scheduled ExCom Meeting shall be held in one month.  The date, time, and place of the Scheduled ExCom Meetings will be determined by the ExCom and will be published in the local group newsletter at least seven days prior to the meeting.  Every effort should be made to hold ExCom meetings in conjunction with regular meetings of EOM to facilitate attendance by all EOM members.  Emergency sessions of the ExCom may be held without prior publication.  Every member of the ExCom must be notified in advance of any ExCom meeting.  All ExCom meetings are open to any member of EOM.

Additional Meetings of EOM or SIGs may be scheduled by any member of EOM.  The Program Chairperson should be consulted to avoid conflicts.  Notice of any such meeting will be published in The local group newsletter if the Editor is notified by the fifteenth day of the month preceding the scheduled meeting.  The host/hostess of any such function may specify conditions or restrictions of any such meeting.

I.  Special business meetings of the ExCom or of EOM may be called by either the Loc Sec, the ExCom, or by ten per cent of the membership of EOM.  The agenda may include only that business for which the meeting is being called.

J.  All officers, elected or appointed, shall turn over all files, office equipment, and materials pertaining to their offices to either their successor(s)  or a member of the ExCom no later than four weeks after leaving office.  The officer receiving materials intended for another officer must turn them over to the proper officer no later than four weeks after receiving them.  (Note:  Failure to turn over the files, equipment and other materials of office may be considered an act inimical to the Society.)

K.  The chief executive officer of EOM shall be titled Local Secretary.

L.  Each member of AML may bring one guest to any EOM function unless that function is designated a family gathering (in which case, multiple guests per member will be permitted) or unless otherwise specified by the host/hostess.

M.  Prospective members of AML may attend three EOM functions.

N.  EOM members who do not want their addresses, phone numbers, or other information published must so notify the Membership Officer in writing.

4.  ELECTION PROCEDURES:

A.  Prior to February 1st of every odd year, the ExCom shall appoint an Election Committee of three members to receive nominations, print and distribute ballots, receive, count and certify the ballots, and report election results.  The Election Committee shall designate one of its members a Chairperson.  (The ExCom shall make the assignment if the Election Committee is unable to do so.)  The names and addresses of the Election Committee and the nominating procedures shall be furnished to the Editor by February 15th for inclusion in the March issue of The local group newsletter.  If any member of the Election Committee shall fail to serve, the ExCom may appoint a substitute whose name and address shall be published in the next issue of The local group newsletter.

Each Nomination shall be made in writing with the consent of the nominee and shall be endorsed in writing by any three members of EOM in good standing.  Nominations must be received by April 1st by any member of the Election Committee.  The Election committee shall insure that there are at least two candidates for Loc Sec and at least one candidate for each of the following offices:  Membership Officer, Treasurer, and the fifth member of the ExCom.  The Election Committee shall provide the names of the nominees to the Editor by April 15th for inclusion in the May issue of The local group newsletter.

B.  The Election committee shall provide the ballots, campaign statements, and voting instructions to the Editor by May 15th for inclusion in the June issue of The local group newsletter or mail the ballots, campaign statements and voting instructions by such date as to reach the members of EOM by June 1st.  The election shall be by secret ballot.  The nominee receiving the most votes in each category shall be that new officer.  The first runner-up for Loc-Sec shall be the Assistant Local Secretary.  A tie in any category shall be settled by a random drawing of the ballots for the nominees holding the tie votes.  The ballots must be received by the Chairperson of the Election Committee by July 1st.  The sealed ballots shall be opened in the presence of and tallied by the entire Election Committee at an open meeting between July 1st and July 15th.  The date, time and place of aforesaid meeting will be set by the Election Committee and furnished to the Editor by June 15th for inclusion in the July issue of The local group newsletter.  The deadline for any challenges to the election shall be September 1st.  The challenge(s) shall be made in writing to the Loc Sec who will call a meeting consisting of the Election Committee, the ExCom, the challenger(s), and any other interested parties.  Any actions by the ExCom in the meantime shall not be affected by the outcome of any such challenge.

C.  Neither elected members of the ExCom nor candidates for elective office in the election may be on the Election Committee.

D.  EOM  shall hold an election of officers during June of every odd year.  The ballots shall be mailed as either an insert to, or part of, the June issue of The local group newsletter, or be mailed separately.  Provisions shall be made for the return of the ballots by mail.  Ballots must be received by July 1st.

E.  The election Committee shall follow the Code of Election Procedures presented at the time of its appointment by the ExCom.  Election rules and procedures shall not change between February 1st and September 1st of the election year.

5.  PUBLICATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT:

A.  A financial report must be published in The local group newsletter at least once every three months.  The report shall contain schedules of income, expenses, and balances for all funds under the control of EOM, including RG, scholarship, and other special funds.

B.  A financial report shall be furnished by the outgoing Treasurer to the Editor by July 15th of each election year for publication in the August issue of The local group newsletter.

C.  A financial report shall be furnished by the incoming Treasurer to the Editor by August 15th of each election year for publication in the September issue of The local group newsletter.

6.  AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS:

A.  Proposed changes to these Bylaws must first be approved by a majority vote of the ExCom.  The proposed changes shall then be submitted to the AMC.  Following AMC approval, the proposed changes shall be submitted to EOM for balloting.

B.  Ballots shall be mailed to all members of EOM as inserts in or as part of, The local group newsletter or as a separate mailing.

C.  There must be a minimum of ninety days between the date of publication of the proposed amendments and the deadline for receipt of ballots.

D.  EOM Bylaws or Bylaw amendments are not effective until approved by both the AMC and EOM membership.  A simple majority of the ballots returned by EOM members shall determine approval of the Bylaws or Bylaw amendments by EOM. 

7.  PETITION PROCEDURES:

A.  The members of EOM shall exercise ultimate authority by petition.  Only one question shall be permitted per petition.  A copy of the petition signed by at least twenty members of EOM shall be filed with the Loc Sec.  Within 31 days, the question and a ballot shall be mailed to each member of EOM either as an insert in, or as part of, The local group newsletter or mailed separately.  This mailing shall occur not less than fifteen days nor more than thirty days before the deadline for returning the ballots.  The question shall be placed in force by a simple majority of the returned ballots.

B.  In the case of petition amendments to the Bylaws, the question shall be made part of proposed new Bylaws which the ExCom shall bring up to the current Minimum Standards.  Within 31 days after receiving the question, the ExCom shall submit the proposed Bylaws to the AMC for approval.  Within 31 days after AMC approval is received, the proposed Bylaws and a ballot shall be mailed to each member of EOM either as an insert in, or as part of, The local group newsletter or as a separate mailing.  This mailing shall occur not less than ninety days nor more than 120 before the deadline for returning the ballots.  A simple majority of the ballots returned by EOM member shall determine approval of the Bylaws or Bylaw amendments by EOM.

C.  In the Case of Petition for recall or Bylaw amendments, the balloting shall be supervised by a committee consisting of three members.  The first member shall be selected by the petitioner.  The second member shall be selected by the ExCom.  The third member shall be selected by the first two members and shall serve as the Chairperson and receive the mailed ballots.