CONSTITUTION OF THE TRYON CIVITAN CLUB
NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA
(Revised September, 2006, August, 2008 & March, 2010)
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ARTICLE 1 – Name and Motto
SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be the Tryon Civitan Club, New Bern, North Carolina, operating under charter granted by Civitan International.
SECTION 2. The motto of this organization shall be “A Better World Through Civitan.”
ARTICLE II – Allegiance and Objectives
SECTION 1. The true Civitan is a distinctive type of citizen: We desire to develop within ourselves, in our associates and in our community, a strong civic pride and conscience.
SECTION 2. The members of this Club shall meet together regularly in an atmosphere of fellowship, for the purpose of acquiring a broader knowledge of public affairs and community needs; and through instruction, discussion and study, to become better prepared for intelligent leadership and cooperation in the solving of civic problems.
SECTION 3. The objectives of this organization are primarily the building of good citizenship and the promotion of international goodwill. Other important objectives are the loyal support of our government in peace and war; aid to mentally retarded and developmentally disabled individuals; conservation of natural resources; and the achievement of greater public safety. We may promote such other worthy local objectives as the particular needs of our community may appear to warrant and which are not contrary to the constitution and bylaws of Civitan International.
ARTICLE III – Membership
SECTION 1. Any person, 18 years of age or older, who is of good character and reputation, is eligible for membership in Tryon Civitan Club. Membership shall continue until forfeited or resigned.
SECTION 2. There shall be 3 types of membership, as follows:
(A) Active Membership. Any person possessing the qualifications above shall be eligible for Active membership. Other qualifications shall be as herein elsewhere stated.
(B) Project Membership. Any person possessing the qualifications above who is unable to attend the Club meetings on a regular basis, shall be eligible for Project membership. They will be required to pay International and District dues and any other amount required by the Club. In the event a Project member does attend a meeting, they will be charged for any meal they eat.
(C) Honorary Membership. Qualifications: Any adult who has distinguished themselves in an unusual and praise-worthy manner or an active member who has become incapacitated may be elected by the membership to honorary membership in this Club.
Conditions: Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of initiation fees or dues, shall have no vote and shall not be eligible to hold any office in the Club, shall have no interest in any of the funds or property of the Club, and shall be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all other privileges of the Club.
ARTICLE IV – Duration of Membership
SECTION 1. (A) Active and Project membership shall endure for life unless terminated as hereinafter provided.
Honorary membership shall endure for life unless the Board of Directors of the Club designates a different term.
SECTION 2. Termination – Misconduct:
(A) The membership of any member who fails to conduct themselves or their business in accordance with the principles and ethics of Civitan, or who ceases to have the stated qualifications for membership in Civitan, may be terminated by the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote of the Board at a meeting called for that purpose, provided that said member shall have been given at least ten days notice in writing of such pending action and an opportunity for a hearing. Such action must be initiated in writing by a member to be presented to the Board. Said member may be represented at the hearing before the Board of Directors by any other member or members of the Club.
(B) In case of such termination of membership, such former member may, within thirty (30) days after the date of the Board’s action, submit a written notice of their intention to appeal to the Club. The Board shall thereupon set the date for such hearing, which shall be at a regular meeting of the Club held within thirty (30) days after the receipt of such written notice of appeal.
(C) It shall require a majority vote, by secret ballot, of the members present at a regular meeting to sustain the action of the Board of Directors in expelling a member for misconduct and such vote shall be final.
SECTION 3. Termination – Nonpayment of Dues:
Any member who refuses, neglects or fails to pay quarterly dues by the end of the quarter for which they are due shall be contacted by the Treasurer.
Any member whose dues are delinquent for two (2) quarters will be automatically suspended prior to billing from International. Such member, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, may be reinstated to membership upon payment of all indebtedness to the Club and upon such conditions and requirements as may be set by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Resignation – Resignation of any member when made in writing and delivered to the President or Secretary shall become effective immediately.
SECTION 5. Project Membership – In place of a resignation, an Active member in good standing may request a Project Membership as designated in Article III, Section 2(B) of this Constitution.
SECTION 6. Leave of Absence – Any Civitan in good standing may request a leave of absence up to six (6) months if sufficient cause is submitted in writing to the Board. Leaves of absence shall be granted only if the member is in good standing, the reason for the leave of absence is sufficient, in the discretion of the Board, and the member pays, in advance, to the Club, the amount of all International and District dues which will be payable by the Club during the requested leave of absence period.
SECTION 7. Forfeiture of Interest in Club Property – Any member whose connection with this Club shall be severed by resignation, death, expulsion or otherwise, shall forfeit all interest in any property belonging to the Club and shall return their member handbook, membership pin and any chevrons to the Club.
ARTICLE V – Meetings
SECTION 1. This Club shall meet regularly the second Tuesday of each month for a dinner meeting and the fourth Tuesday of each month for a lunch meeting; provided, however, the Board shall have the authority to cancel a meeting at its discretion.
SECTION 2. The meeting of this Club for the election of Officers and Directors shall be held in June
of each year.
ARTICLE VI – Initiation Fees and Dues
Each Active and Project member of this Club shall pay an initiation fee and annual dues such as may be prescribed in the By-Laws of this Club.
ARTICLE VII – Directors
SECTION 1. General Powers
– The business and affairs of the Club shall be managed by the Board of Directors or by such executive committees as the Board may establish pursuant to the By-Laws of the Club.
SECTION 2. Number, Term and Qualifications – The number of Directors of the Club shall be six as of October 1, 1996. The term of an elected Director shall be two years, and the terms of the Directors shall be staggered so that three Directors are elected each year. In addition to the six elected Directors, the immediate Past-President shall serve a term of one year in office as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII – Officers
The officers of the Club shall consist of a President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms, Chaplain, Club Education Manager and such other officers as the Board from time to time deems necessary.
