ROTARY CLUB OF PAHRUMP VALLEY BYLAWS

Bylaws of the Rotary Club of Pahrump Valley

The name of this organization shall be Rotary Club of Pahrump Valley.  The locality of this club is as follows:  Town of Pahrump, County of Nye, State of Nevada.

Object

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
2. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Five Avenues of Service

Rotary’s Five Avenues of Service are the philosophical and practical framework for the work of this Rotary club.

1. Club Service, the first Avenue of Service, involves action a member should take within this club to help it function successfully.
2. Vocational Service, the second Avenue of Service, has the purpose of promoting high ethical standards in businesses and professions, recognizing the worthiness of all dignifiedoccupations, and fostering the ideal of service in the pursuit of all vocations. The role of members includes conducting themselves and their business in accordance with Rotary’s principles
3. Community Service, the third Avenue of Service, comprises varied efforts that members make, sometimes in conjunction with others, to improve quality of life of those who live within this club’s locality or municipality.
4. International Service, the fourth Avenue of Service, comprises those activities that members do to advance international understanding, goodwill, and peace by fostering acquaintance with people of other countries, their cultures, customers, accomplishments, aspirations, and problems, through reading and correspondence and through cooperation in all club activities and projects designed to help people in other lands.
5. Youth Service, the fifth Avenue of Service, recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.

The Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test is one of our most important distinguishing features.

Of the things we think, say, or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL, and better FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Article 1    Definitions

1. Board:The Board of Directors of this club.
2. Director: A member of this club’s Board of Directors.
3. Member: A member, other than an honorary member, of this club.
4. Quorum: One-third of the club’s ACTIVE membership at a club or annual meeting, and, a majority of the Board of Directors at a Board meeting.
5. RI: Rotary International.
6. Year: The 12-month period that begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June.

Article 2    Board

The governing body of this club is the Board consisting at a minimum of the president, immediate past president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.  In addition to the minimum makeup of the Board, our club has included on our Board the sergeant-at-arms, Executive Secretary, and two directors-at-large.  The Board will have a maximum of ten members.

Article 3    Elections and Terms of Office

Section 1 – Elections to be held yearly by the end of December.  One month prior to elections, members may nominate candidates for president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and any open director position.  The nominations may be presented by a nominating committee, by members from the floor, or both.  The sergeant-at-arms and the executive secretary are appointed positions by the president and not elected positions.

Section 2 – The candidate who receives a majority of the votes for each office is declared elected to that office.

Section 3 – A vacancy on the Board or any office shall be filled by a vote of the remaining members of the Board.

Section 4 – If after the election of a new Board, and before that Board-elect takes office, a vacancy of any officer-elect position or director-elect position shall be filled by a vote of the remaining members of the Board-elect.

Section 5 – Terms of officers other than President.

1. Each officer shall be elected as provided in the bylaws. Except for the president, each officer shall take office on 1 July following the election and shall serve for the term of office or until a successor has been duly appointed.
2. Term of President. The president shall be elected for one year, as provided in the bylaws, but not more than two (2) consecutive years.
3. Terms of officers:
   1. Vice President – two years
   2. Director – two years
   3. Treasurer – one year
   4. Secretary – one year
   5. President-elect – one year

Section 6 – Nominating committee.  The nominating committee shall have a minimum of three members and shall be appointed by the club president.

Section 7  — Qualifications.

A candidate for election must be an active member in good standing.  A candidate for all elected offices (such as President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) must have been a club member for a minimum of two years.

Article 4    Duties of the Board

Section 1 – President.  The president shall preside at club and Board meetings and shall follow Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.  The president shall be an ex officio member of all committees. 

Section 2 – Immediate Past President.  The immediate past president shall serve as a director.

Section 3 – President-elect.  The president-elect shall prepare for their year in office, taking advantage of District training opportunities and serving as a director the year prior to becoming president.

Section 4 – Vice President.  The vice president shall preside at club and Board meetings in the absence of the president and, if the president’s position becomes vacant before the end of their term, the vice president will step in.

Section 5 – Director.  A director shall attend club and Board meetings, and will serve at the pleasure of the president in various duties. 

Section 6 – Secretary.  The secretary shall keep membership and attendance records.  The secretary will also take the notes/minutes of the Board meetings, and will provide them to the Board before the next Board meeting.  The secretary will also maintain the membership roll on the District 5300 website.

Section 7 – Treasurer.  The treasurer shall oversee all funds and provide a monthly accounting to the Board, and an annual accounting of these funds to the membership. The treasurer is responsible to oversee the preparation and submission of the annual tax return.  The treasurer will chair a finance committee that prepares the annual budget.

Section 8 – Board members may perform additional duties as assigned.

Article 5    Meetings

Section 1 – Annual Meeting.  An annual meeting of this club shall be held no later than 31 December to elect the officers and directors who will serve for the next Rotary year.

Section 2 – The regular weekly meetings of this club are held on Tuesday at Noon on the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd,, and the 5^th week (if applicable),of each month.  Meetings may be held in person, virtual, or a combination of both.  Reasonable notice of any change or cancellation of the regular meeting shall be give to all club members.

Section 3 – Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month.  Meetings may be held in person, virtual, or a combination of both.  Special meetings of the Board are called with reasonable notice by the president or upon the request of two directors.

Article 6    Fees and Dues

Section 1 – The admission fee, as established by RI and/or the club, shall be paid before the applicant can qualify as a member.  Admission fees are set by the Board, and may be zero.

Section 2 – Membership dues shall consist of RI per capita dues, district per capita dues, club annual dues, and to include a member’s Paul Harris Fellowship monthly contribution.Club monthly dues shall be set by the Board on an annual basis at the beginning of each Rotary year.  Membership dues shall be payable in accordance with the policies of the club as established by the Board.

Article 7    Method of Voting

The business of this club is conducted by voice vote or show of hands except for the election of officers and directors, which is conducted by a written ballot.  The Board may provide a ballot for a vote on a specific resolution.

Article 8    Committees

Section 1 – Club committees coordinate their efforts in order to achieve the club’s annual and long-range goals.  Each club should have the following committees:

• Club Administration
• Membership
• Public Relations
• Rotary Foundation
• Service Projects
• Finance

Section 2 – Additional committees may be appointed as needed.

Section 3 – The president shall be an ex officio member of all committees and, as such, shall have all the privileges of membership.

Section 4 – Except where special authority is given by the Board, committees shall not take action until a report has been made and approved by the Board.  The president or the Board shall refer additional business to a specific  committee as needed.

Section 5 – Each committee chair shall be responsible for regular meetings and activities of the committee, shall supervise and coordinate the work of the committee, and shall report to the Board on all committee activities.

The committee structure is in harmony with both the District Leadership Plan and the Club Leadership Plan.  Clubs have the discretion to create committees that are necessary to effectively meet its service and fellowship needs. 

Article 9    Finances

Section 1 – Prior to each fiscal year, the Board shall approve the annual budget of estimated income and expenditures, as presented by the finance committee.

Section 2 –The treasurer shall deposit club funds in financial institution(s) designated by the Board, divided into two parts: club operations and service projects.

Section 3 – Bills are paid by the treasurer or another authorized officer.  Any bills, when not included in the annual budget or exceeding $250.00 shall be approved by one other officer or director before being paid.

Section 4 – A thorough annual review of all financial transactions shall be completed by a qualified person or persons appointed by the finance committee.  For the purpose of the annual review the finance committee will consist of three members appointed by the president, but will not include the treasurer.

Section 5 – An annual financial statement of the club shall be provided to club members no later than August 31.

Section 6 – The fiscal year is from 1 July to 30 June.

Article 10  Method of Electing Members

Section1 – A member shall provide a candidate’s name to the Membership committee, prior to submission to the Board.  A transferring or former member of another club may also be proposed for membership by the former club.  The proposal is kept confidential unless the Board instructs otherwise.

Section2 –  The Membership committee shall ensure that the candidate meets all of Rotary’s membership requirements and shall submit the candidate’s name to the Board within two weeks.

Section3 – The Board shall approve or reject the candidate’s membership within 30 days and shall notify the Membership committee, and the Membership committee will notify the proposer of its decision.

Section 4 – If no member of the club submits a written or verbal objection, to the Board within seven days after the club is notified by closed email from the secretary of the prospective member, that person, upon payment of the admission fee, is considered to be elected to membership.  If an objection is filed with the Board, the Board shall vote on this matter at its next meeting.  If approved despite the objection, the proposed member is elected to membership after admission fee payment.

Section 5 – If the decision of the Board is favorable, the prospective member is invited to join the club, educated about Rotary and membership requirements, and asked to sign the membership proposal form and to allow his or her name and proposed classification to be conveyed to the club.

Section 6 – The club may elect honorary members proposed by the Board.

Article 11  Types of Membership

This club shall be composed of adult persons of good character and good business, professional and/or community reputation.  This club shall have two kinds of membership, namely: active and honorary.

Section 1 – Active Membership:  A person possessing the qualifications set forth in the Five Avenues of Service may be elected to active membership in this club.

Section 2 – Transferring or Former Rotarian: The transferring or former member of a club being proposed to active membership must have no debts to the other club, their membership must be in “good standing”.

Section 3 – Dual Membership: No person shall simultaneously hold active membership in this and another club other than a satellite of this club.  No person shall simultaneously be a member and an honorary member in this club.  No person shall simultaneously hold active membership in this club and membership in a Rotaract club.

Section 4 – Honorary Membership:  Persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals and those persons considered friends of Rotary for their permanent support of Rotary’s cause may be elected to honorary membership in this club.  The term of such membership shall be as determined by the board.  Persons may hold honorary membership in more than one club.  Honorary members shall be exempt from the payment of admission fees and dues, shall have no vote, and shall not be eligible to hold any office in this club.  Such members shall not hold classifications, but shall be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all the other privileges of this club.  No honorary member of this club is entitled to any rights and privileges in any other club, except for the right to visit other clubs without being the guest of a Rotarian. 

Article 12  Attendance

Each member should attend a minimum of 50% of this club’s regular meetings (in person or via zoom), socials, or service projects. 

If a member is out of town and attending a meeting of another Rotary club, they must report that attendance to the club secretary to be credited for a meeting’s attendance.  If a member cannot attend a regular club meeting, they must notify the secretary that they will not be attending in order to be excused.

Article 13   Duration of Membership

Membership shall continue during the existence of this club unless terminated as hereinafter provided.

1. Non-payment of Dues:  Any member failing to pay dues within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt of the billing statement shall be notified in writing by the treasurer at the member’s last known address or email address.  The treasurer will also notify the secretary of this action.  If the dues are not paid on or before ten (10) calendar days of the date of notification, membership may be terminated, subject to the discretion of the Board.  Reinstatement:  The Board may reinstate the former member to membership upon the former member’s petition and payment of all indebtedness to this club. 
2. Non-attendance: If a member fails to attend as required, the member’s membership may be subject to termination unless the Board consents to such non-attendance for good cause.
3. Other Causes: The Board may terminate the membership of any member who ceases to have the qualifications for membership in this club or for any good cause by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the Board members present and voting, at a meeting called for that purpose.  The guiding principles for this meeting shall be The Four-Way Test; and the high ethical standards that one should hold as a Rotary club member. 
4. Notice: Prior to taking any action under this section, the member shall be given at least ten (10) calendar days’ written notice of such pending action and an opportunity to submit a written answer to the Board.  The member shall have the right to appear before the Board to state the member’s case.  Notice shall be by personal delivery or by registered letter to the member’s last known address.
5. Board Action Final: Board action shall be final if no appeal to this club is taken and no arbitration is requested.
6. Resignation: The resignation of any member from this club shall be in writing, addressed to the president or secretary.  The resignation shall be accepted by the Board if the member had no indebtedness to this club.

Article 14  Resolutions

Any resolutions or motions to commit the club to any position or action shall first be reviewed and approved by the Board.  If resolutions or motions are first offered at a club meeting, they shall be sent to the Board without discussion.

Article 15  Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular club meeting.  Changing the club bylaws requires that written notice be sent to each member ten (10) calendar days before the meeting, that a quorum be present for the vote, and that two-thirds of the votes support the change.  Changes to these bylaws must be consistent with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, the RI Constitution and Bylaws, and the Rotary Code of Polices.

The proper written notice for a bylaw amendment should contain these three components: 1) The proposed amendment, precisely worded, 2) The current bylaw, and 3) The bylaw as it will read if the amendment is adopted.  Additionally, the notice should include the proposers’ names and their rationale for offering the amendment.  It may also include other information such as whether a committee or board endorses or opposes the amendment.

Approved 01/04/2022