I am posting the VIPACE bylaws so that VIPACE members will become aware of
what duties their elected officers are expected to perform and which they
are not.
The Secretary is not the PR/newsletter person and viceversa though I am
sure all members and officers are welcomed to publicize VIPACE anywhere
they feel it would be beneficial to the organization.
Jim




Turn off the television and turn on the computer.
Tutorials designed with the blind in mind!
http://trfn.clpgh.org/vipace/tutorials.html

Visit the Chatterbox at http://www.lm.com/~jvaglia/chatbox.html
Start of bylaws.
             VISUALLY IMPAIRED PITTSBURGH AREA COMPUTER
ENTHUSIASTS



     ARTICLE I
     Name and Purpose


Section 1.  The name of this organization shall be VISUALLY IMPAIRED
PITTSBURGH AREA COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS, referred to as 'Vipace'.

Section 2.  The purposes and objectives of this organization shall be to
disseminate and exchange information about computer hardware, software,
related technologies and information of a less technical nature of
interest to the group.  An emphasis shall be placed on sharing information
about access hardware and software and adaptive equipment in general.  The
organization may also advocate on behalf of its membership regarding these
issues.


     ARTICLE II
     Officers


Section 1.  There shall be an Executive Committee which shall consist of
the coordinator, Program Organizer, publicity/newsletter editor, Treasurer
and Secretary.

Section 2.  Terms of office shall be one (1) year, beginning January 1
following their election.  With the exception of the Secretary and
Treasurer, there shall be a limit of three (3) successive terms in any
position.  There shall be no limit to the number of terms for the
Secretary or Treasurer in their respective positions.

Section 3.  The Executive Committee shall act on behalf of the membership
between membership meetings with the exception of the dissolution of the
organization.  The Executive Committee shall be governed by, and shall not
countermand, any previously established resolution or policy of the
membership.

Section 4.  Vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by
election at the next membership meeting.

Section 5.  The Coordinator shall preside at all meetings of the
membership and Executive Committee.  The Coordinator shall be the chief
executive officer and shall ensure that all business and resolutions of
the membership are carried into effect.  The Coordinator shall cause
important correspondence to be distributed to the membership.  The
Coordinator shall be ex officio a member of all committees with the
exception of the nominating committee.

Section 6.  The Program Organizer shall schedule a speaker or arrange for
a program at each membership meeting.  In addition, the Program Organizer
shall make those arrangements needed to conduct the program.

Section 7.  The Publicity/Newsletter Editor shall publicize the
organization both internally through a newsletter and externally through
publicity releases.

Section 8.  The Secretary shall ensure that a record of the proceedings of
the Executive Committee and the membership meetings is kept and that
records and correspondence are maintained.   The Secretary is responsible
for performing such other duties as may be required.

Section 9.  The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds and other
property belonging to the organization or under its control and shall
deposit all funds in the name of the organization in a bank as may be
approved by the Executive Committee.  The Treasurer shall disburse the
funds of the organization within the membership-approved spending limits
as may be ordered by the Coordinator and shall render to the Executive
Committee and the membership such annual and periodic reports as may be
required by them.   The Treasurer's records shall be open for inspection
by the Executive Committee and the membership at a reasonable time and
place.


     ARTICLE III
     Meetings


Section 1.  Membership meetings shall be scheduled as often as monthly.

Section 2.  No quorum shall be required at membership meetings.  Motions
and/or resolutions may be passed by a majority present.  Changes to the
bylaws shall be made according to the procedure set forth in article VII
Section 1.

Section 3.  Appropriate notice of membership meetings shall be provided to
all members.

Section 4.  Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be convened at the
discretion of the Coordinator or at the request to the Coordinator by any
three members of the Executive Committee.


     ARTICLE IV
     Nominations and Elections


Section 1.  The membership shall hold elections annually in January.

Section 2.  By October 1, the Coordinator shall appoint a Nominating
committee.  At the November meeting the Nominating Committee shall present
a slate of candidates to fill elected positions consisting of not more
than one (1) candidate for each position to be filled, along with relevant
biographical information on each nominee.  Nominations will also be
accepted from the floor at that meeting, provided that such nominees have
expressed a willingness to serve and furnished a biographical sketch.
Nominations will be closed at the conclusion of the November meeting.  All
nominees must be current members of Vipace.

Section 3.  Paid-up members are entitled to vote in elections.  They may
or may not be present.  If they are absent, absentee ballots must be
delivered to the Secretary before the election is held and may be used
only for the first vote for any position.   A majority of votes cast is
required to elect each officer.   In the event of a person's t receiving a
majority, a run-off election for that position shall be held consisting of
the top two vote getters from the previous ballot.


     Article V
     Membership


Section 1.  Affiliation with Vipace shall be recognized by paying
membership dues.

Section 2.  Annual membership dues shall be set from time to time as
deemed necessary by the Executive Ckommittee with the approaval of the
membership.  Membership dues shall be payable each calendar year.  Payment
of dues during the last quarter of each year shall entitle the individual
to membership during that quarter and the entire next year.


     ARTICLE VI
     Committees


Section 1.  This organization shall have standing committees as listed
below.  Except for the Nominating Committee and the Newsletter Committee,
the chairs shall be appointed by the Coordinator on or before the February
meeting.   The Coordinator, in consultation with the chair of each
committee shall appoint committee members.

     A.  Nominating Committee.  By October 1 the Coordinator shall appoint
a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members of the
organization.  The Coordinator shall designate one (1) member to be
chairperson.  The Nominating Committee shall develop and present a slate
of nominees, one (1) name for each available position, and a brief
biographical sketch of each nominee.

     B.  Phone-tree Committee.  Each year, by the February meeting, the
Coordinator shall appoint a Phone-tree Committee chair.  Together, they
will form a committee consisting of at least three (3) members.  At least
one (1) member of this committee shall be a current Vipace member.   The
purpose of this committee is to inform the membership of events and to
survey the membership if necessary.

     C.  Newsletter Committee.  The Publicity/Newsletter Editor shall
chair this committee.  Together with the Coordinator he/she shall form a
committee consisting of at least three (3) members.  At least one (1)
member of this committee shall be a current Vipace member.  This committee
shall be charged with the responsibility to prepare and distribute the
organization's newsletter.

     D.  Fund-raising Committee.  Each year, by the February meeting, the
Coordinator shall appoint a Fund-raising Committee chair.  Together, they
shall form a committee consisting of at least three (3) members.  At least
one (1) member of this committee shall be a current Vipace member.  The
Fund-raising Committee shall annually make recommendations to the
membership concerning fund-raising policies and procedures and shall
execute those procedures to the extent authorized by the membership.

     E.  Social Committee.  Each year, by the February meeting, the
Coordinator shall appoint a Social Committee chair.  Together, they shall
form a committee consisting of at least three (3) members.   At least one
(1) member of this committee shall be a current Vipace member.  The Social
Committee shall plan social events in conjunction with monthly meetings
and/or other occasions.

Section 2.  Special Committees.  The Coordinator may appoint any special
committee on an ad hoc basis.

Section 3.  The Coordinator shall be ex officio a member of all
committees, except the nominating committee.


     ARTICLE VII
     Amendments


Section 1.  These Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the membership.

Section 2.  Membership shall receive notice of proposed bylaw amendments
at least two (2) days prior to the meeting.


     ARTICLE VIII
     Dissolution


Section 1.  Upon the dissolution of this organization, the Executive
Committee shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all of
the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all assets of the
organization to the Regional Library, or the Pittsburgh Blind Association
or such other local organization that serves the needs and interests of
blind or visually impaired individuals.
End of bylaws.