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1. ORIGIN & NAME:
The Dance Club originated by Dorothy and Don Phelan on February 9, 1972, is named "TWO LEFT FEET", and this is also the Club emblem.
2. OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the TWO LEFT FEET are to improve and enjoy ballroom dancing.
3. MEETINGS:
Members Attendance:
Fulfilling the objectives of the Club, Members will meet for a dance party once each month, for a total of 12 dance parties per year.
Regular vs Special Dance Parties:
A Regular Dance party is one for which there are no extraordinary expenses for such things as a Live Band, a catered meal, professional entertainment, unusual decorations, etc. A Special Dance party is one which does require such extraordinary expenses. All dances will be Regular Dance parties, except those which have been proposed in writing to the general membership as a Special Dance, and then subsequently authorized by a vote of the general membership. The Special Dance proposal must include an itemized list of expected extraordinary expenses, and suggested admission fees for guests and members. The Guest Admission fee for any Live Band dance shall be at least $30 per Guest Couple.
Christmas Dance:
The December Christmas Dance will always be a Special dance, including a Live Band, and requiring an authorization vote for approval of the forecasted extraordinary expenses.
Extra Dances:
Extra dances, in addition to the 12 normally scheduled ones, may also be arranged. To do so requires the same type proposal and authorization vote as a Special dance, the only difference being that for extra dances, the ballroom rental cost is also considered to be an extraordinary expense. One example of an extra dance would be a New Year's Eve dance.
Guest Attendance:
Visitors who are Guests of a Club member are welcome. For normally scheduled "Regular" dance parties, visitors are charged $20 per guest-couple and this amount is collected at the door by the Hosts and Hostesses. When membership is at or near capacity, Guest tickets may be used for "Special" dances, with a Live Band. They will be: limited to control total attendance; sold and distributed before the dance; and priced at a minimum of $30 per Guest couple. The practice of granting one free dance to guests being proposed for membership has been discontinued. There are no longer any free dance parties for guests, under any circumstances.
4. MUSIC & EQUIPMENT:
All of the music equipment and dance music belong to the paid-up Club members. The Club music (dance records, tapes and CD's) and the Club music equipment (for playing of tapes at Club meetings and equipment for recording of dance tapes) is to be kept and maintained by the music director. Records, tapes and CD's will not be loaned out to Club members. If, for any reason, the Club is forced to disband, the Club's music and music equipment shall be auctioned off to said Club members, with the Executive Board determining the opening bids. If music and equipment cannot be disposed of at that price, it should be offered to the Club membership at a lower price before selling to a non-member at a lower price than the original opening bids. All monies derived from this sale, plus all monies remaining in the treasury, shall be evenly distributed among the membership.
5. MUSIC DIRECTOR:
The Music Director shall have full membership privileges but pay no Dues or Fees and receive none. Certain specific duties, for which he is solely responsible, are set forth in the attachment (at the end of these Bylaws) along with the duties of the Officers. The Music Director will also appoint an Alternate Music Director.
5a. ALTERNATE MUSIC DIRECTOR:
The Alternate Music Director is appointed by and serves under the direction of the Music Director. Certain specific duties for which the Alternate Music Director is responsible are set forth in the attachment (at the end of these Bylaws) along with the duties of the officers.
6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are established to perform, for a one-year term, the usual duties of such officials. Each year the incumbent Officers will select a slate of nominees for consideration by the members. Election will be by popular vote of the membership for the slate or for candidates nominated from the floor. Incumbents may serve successive terms of office, if their re-election is voted by a substantial majority of the members (75% or more of those present and qualified to vote).
7. CLUB ADVISORS:
Bonnie and Gus Briggs, having served the Club and its officers in an advisory capacity, have Honorary Lifetime membership with full voting privileges. They may attend all business meetings and all official dance parties (without dues or fees).
8. CLUB POLICY:
Income & Expenses:
The income of the Club is derived principally from membership dues, and supplemented by Guest fees, interest bearing bank accounts, and admission charges for Special dances such as the Christmas Dance and/or the New Year's Eve Dance. Dues are established at the lowest possible figure which will offset the scheduled rental of suitable ballroom space and defray such expenses as equipment replacement and repair, monthly newsletter, postage, toll calls, badges and party supplies.
Assessments:
Members will not be assessed for any reason. However, should the income from membership dues drop below the level necessary to support the Club, the dues will be adjusted upward or the Club will close, as determined by membership vote.
Business Meetings:
The Annual Business meeting of the general membership will be held during the January dance, or as otherwise arranged, and all members are expected to be present. Routinely, the agenda will include a Financial Report of the previous year, election or installation of Officers for the new year, and such other business as the officers or members may introduce.
Quorum:
A quorum for the conduct of any business not in conflict with these bylaws consists of a simple majority of members present and qualified to vote. For business that is deemed to be in conflict with the bylaws (as interpreted by a majority of the Officers), see Article 10, "Amendments."
9. MEMBERSHIP:
Membership Limit:
Total membership shall be limited to 76 couples (152 individuals), not counting the Honorary Lifetime Members, Gus and Bonnie Briggs. Once this limit is reached, new applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
Qualification:
To sponsor candidates for membership, the Sponsors must have been members for a full year and they shall be careful to select only qualified people who would be an asset to the Club. Membership is limited to Couples who demonstrate dance capability. A Couple is defined as a man and a woman. All club activities are shared as partners. If membership of either partner terminates for any reason except death, the membership of the other partner is also terminated. Any Member in good standing who has lost a partner by death may continue to belong to the Club. If he or she so chooses to form a new partnership, he or she may bring in a new Member as his or her partner, bypassing the waiting list.
Application:
Candidates apply for membership by completing the prescribed form and submitting it to the Club Treasurer with an initiation fee of $15.00. After an application is received, the Treasurer sees that the applicant's names are published in the next newsletter as candidates for membership. If the membership cap is in effect, their names are added to the bottom of the waiting list. Applicants whose names are published on the waiting list are considered candidates for membership. Candidates will be considered for membership only after they have met the following criteria: their names must appear in two consecutive club newsletters as candidates for membership and they must attend two club dances as guests. Members will have this period of time to evaluate the candidates. If any two Member Couples object for any reason, they must notify the President of their objection and the candidates will not be admitted. The names of those who registered the objection will not be revealed. In such case, the President will inform the Treasurer and the sponsoring club Member that the candidates have been rejected. The Treasurer will notify the candidates and refund their application fee. If no objections are received from the membership, the candidates will be notified of their acceptance and appropriate dues will be collected.
Dues:
Dues will be determined by the Executive Board on a yearly basis as dictated by anticipated expenses.
Automatic Termination:
Termination for nonpayment of dues shall be automatic as of the date of the February dance.
Reinstatement:
Any Member Couple (defined as the two persons who signed the original membership application), or any member who has lost his or her partner by death, who has been terminated for any reason may apply for reinstatement by submitting a written request to the Treasurer. The request would then be submitted for a vote at any business meeting of the general membership. A favorable vote of a majority of members present and qualified to vote would be required and a $15.00 reinstatement fee would be charged. The former Members would then be reinstated unless the membership cap is in effect. If the membership cap is in effect, then the Member's names would be placed at the top of the waiting list. Any former club Member applying for membership with anyone other than his or her original partner as recorded by club records will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.
10. AMENDMENTS:
Amendments to these bylaws may be effected by 75% of the Members present and qualified to vote, after written notification of the proposed amendment to all. Procedural changes to the attachment may be made upon approval of the Officers.
Amended: 10/92
1/96
1/97
1/02
1/06
DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
MUSIC DIRECTOR:
The Music Director will select and prepare the party tapes, oversee the operation and maintenance of all Club music equipment and maintain the integrity of the Club's record, tape and CD library. He will also appoint the Alternate Music Director, and any other alternates as deemed necessary. The Music Director is a regular member of the executive board.
ALTERNATE MUSIC DIRECTOR:
The Alternate Music Director will assist the Music Director in the setup, operation, takedown, and re-storing of the music equipment on dance nights. The Alternate Music Director will also remain prepared to step in at any time and substitute for the Music Director, in the absence of the Music Director. The Alternate Music Director is NOT a regular member of the executive board.
PRESIDENT:
The President will represent the Club in all of its contractual arrangements; will call business meetings and preside at all such gatherings; will name committees as they are needed and disband them when their assigned tasks are completed; will schedule parties and arrange ballroom rentals (coordinating with the Executive Board on the space selected for official parties). In essence, the President will manage the Club in its social, entertainment and business aspects, performing all needful services which are not clearly assigned or delegated to someone else. In the absence of the President, the Vice President will preside. In absence of both, either of the other officers may preside. The President will also provide a financial audit capability by having signature authority at the bank.
VICE PRESIDENT:
The Vice President will represent the Club in the President's absence and perform such other duties as the President may delegate. The Vice President will maintain an adequate supply of plates, napkins, eating utensils, etc, and other supplies as required (i.e. sign-in books, candles)
SECRETARY:
The Secretary will receive all communications, responding as directed or deemed appropriate, and will record the Minutes of meetings. As well as serving as custodian for official records of the Club (such as Minutes, Financial Statements, publications, etc.), other duties are:
- Publish the Club's Newsletter or other communications with its members.
- Maintain a current list of Member's email and postal addresses, with changes supplied by the Treasurer as they occur throughout the year.
- Publish the Club Roster (and party schedule) at least once each year.
- Maintain a file copy of all correspondence, newsletters and minutes.
- Furnish new members with a copy of the Club Roster and party schedule, along with Bylaws.
TREASURER:
The Treasurer will receive all funds from whatever source and deposit them in the currently established bank account of the TWO LEFT FEET, preparing deposit slips in duplicate to show the source and purpose of the funds, as well as the amount received. The Treasurer authorizes payment from the checking account of all disbursements exceeding $20.00 and pays from a Petty Cash fund all bills of lesser amounts. The Treasurer maintains the record copy of Club Roster, furnishing changes to the secretary as they occur.
Other duties are:
- Receive candidate applications for membership and assure correctness of payments.
- Notify Secretary of new Member's names, address and telephone numbers.
- Order permanent name badges for new members and when they arrive, deliver them for presentation at a party.
- Maintain the Guest Book and assure that proper payments are made and deposited.
- Maintain a record of the Member's attendance at parties.
- Maintain sufficient financial accounts to:
- Provide accurate financial information to Officers and Committees upon request of the membership (after first validating the treasury accounts by comparison with the Club bank account, and by balancing the petty cash fund with receipts and cash on hand).
- Maintain a waiting list of applicants for membership. (See waiting List Procedures, below)
WAITING LIST PROCEDURES
If a new Membership Application is received, and the Club membership limit has already been reached, the applicant's name will be placed on a waiting list. The Club Treasurer will be responsible for maintaining the waiting list. When the Club membership falls below the membership limit as established in the Bylaws, the appropriate number of applicants from the waiting list will be nominated for immediate membership by publishing their names in the Club Newsletter. If no serious objections are received from the membership, the nominated applicants will be notified of their acceptance. If any two Member-Couples object for any reason, the nominated applicants will not be admitted. If nominated applicants are thusly rejected, additional applicants will be nominated from the waiting list and the procedure repeated.
Amended: 10/92
1/96
1/97
1/06 |
