chamber
bylaws

Section 2. Membership Fees

The fees for the various classes of membership shall be set by the Executive Board.
Membership fees shall be payable on January 1 of each year, and shall be deemed delinquent after February 28.

Payment of membership fees shall entitle voting privileges as follows:
Membership classes one (1 ) and two (2) shall be entitled to one vote membership.
Membership classes three (3) and four (4) are not afforded voting privileges in matters of motion before the general membership.

Section 3. Resignation

Any member desiring to resign from the Echo Park Chamber of commerce may do so by nonpayment of dues or by submitting a letter of resignation to the Executive Board. Resignation by a paid member forfeits any refund or rebate of dues.

ARTICLE IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. Each member of the Executive Board shall be a member in good standing of the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall consist of four (4) members:

A. President
B. Vice President
C. Treasurer
D. Secretary

Section 3. Executive Board shall have the authority to:

A. Appoint additional officers or chairpersons as the business of the Chamber may require, with the time of office, authority, and duties to be determined by the Executive Board.
B. Shall have the authority to conduct all of the affairs of the Chamber.
C. Shall decide questions of policy as it relates to functions designated in the bylaws.

ARTICLE V. ELECTION

Section 1. Election to Executive Board

A. Election shall be held every two (2) years by ballot at the September general membership meeting of the organization.
B. The privilege of nomination and election to the Executive board shall be limited to members whose membership fees are paid, and have been members for at least one year prior to nomination.
C. Executive Board members shall serve for a term of two (2) years.
D. Executive board members may not serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms and shall be ineligible for re-election for a one-year period.
E. If an office remains unfilled after election or due to resignation, it shall be considered vacant and may be filled by the remaining Executive Board.

Section 2. Nominations

A. Nominations for the Executive Board shall be made by a nominating committee.

B. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) business members.

C. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be submitted to the Chamber at least one (1 ) month prior to the election meeting. At the election meeting, additional nominations may be made from the floor prior to voting.

D. Only those persons who have signified their consent to serve and meet eligibility requirements shall be nominated for, or elected to, the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

Section 1. 
The monthly general membership meeting of the organization shall be held as set by the Executive Board, at which time the members shall consider reports of the affairs of the organization and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the general membership.

Section 2.
The monthly meetings will be conducted under a prepared agenda to address issues that wholly pertains to the purpose of the Chamber of Commerce. Any persons or organizations attending general membership meetings as guests or other non-voting members may not participate in discussions or make motions pertinent to Chamber of Commerce business matters.

Section 3. 
The monthly meetings shall remain open to the general public for information purposes and attendees will incur the cost of the function. These meetings will not be forums for promulgating various interests and causes for the community-at-large.

Section 4.
Any bona-fide community organization may file a written request with the Executive Board of the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce requesting inclusion on the agenda. Such written request must ascertain the nature of their request and its relation as a business concern. Requests must be received at least ten (10) working days prior to the scheduled monthly meeting.

Section 5.
The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of six (6) times each year, time and place to be decided at their decision. These meetings shall be open to voting members for purposes of information, with only members of the Executive Board having voting privileges on matters before the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII. QUORUM

Section 1. Three members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transition of business.

Section 2. Those attending general membership meetings who meet the eligibility factors to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE VIII. DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.

The President shall:
Be the chief officer of the organization.
Preside at all meetings of the organization and the Executive Board.
Be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating committee.
Have the general authority and duties of management usual to the office.
Have such authority and duties as may be decided by the Executive Board and/or the general     membership by assent of vote.

The Vice President shall:
In the absence of the President, preside at all meetings.
Have such other duties and responsibilities as delegated by the President or the executive Board.

The Secretary shall:
Keep the minutes of all meetings.
Keep a current list of all paid members of the organization as directed by the Treasurer.
Prepare and mail all communications to the membership.
Handle all correspondence of the organization.
Keep a current copy of the Bylaws and standing rules available for reference at all meetings.
Perform such other duties as delegated by the President or Executive Board.

The Treasurer shall:
Be the custodian of all funds of the organization.
Keep accounts and receipts for expenditures.
Pay all bills as authorized by the executive Board
Keep bank account information available to the Executive board and/or the general membership.
Be responsible for filling out and forwarding all necessary forms required by the Internal Revenue  Service and State Franchise Tax Board.

Section 2. Vacancies

A. A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by the Executive Board.

B. In the case of a vacancy in the Office of President, the Vice President shall fill the office until the next election.

ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the organization, or at any other meeting of the members called for that purpose, by a two-thirds vote of those present. Notice must be given in writing of the proposed change at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE XI. LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS

No member of the organization shall be personally or otherwise liable for any of the debts, liabilities and/or obligations of the organization.

ARTICLE XII

No part of the funds raised or properties of the organization shall ever inure to the benefit of any officer or member of the organization.

ARTICLE XIII

The organization shall not directly or indirectly intervene in any way in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XIV

This organization is organized exclusively for non-profit purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

The organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (a) an association exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law or, (b) by any associated contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Laws.