NEW BEGINNINGS SUPPORT GROUP, INC. BYLAWS
ARTICLE I NAME
THE NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION SHALL BE NEW BEGINNINGS SUPPORT GROUP, INC.
“NEW BEGINNINGS”
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of New Beginnings Support Group, Inc. shall be to benefit the community by providing a support program for adults who are challenged after experiencing a loss and to find purpose and wholeness in all dimensions of their lives. The support will be emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual within a safe environment that promotes healing.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION 1 Membership shall be open to all adults who desire to participate in support groups, business meetings or special programs.
SECTION 2 New Beginnings Council shall review and establish dues at the beginning of each fiscal year.
SECTION 3 The fiscal year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of the same year.
SECTION 4 Membership shall be required for any person after a thirty (30) day trial period. Scholarships may be made available for those facing financial hardship.
SECTION 5 Membership shall be required for members of the Council and facilitators.
ARTICLE IV THE COUNCIL
SECTION 1 The Council shall be the governing body of New Beginnings. It shall consist of the officers, the standing committee chairpersons, members-at-large, and the immediate past president.
SECTION 2 The Council shall meet monthly at a time and place agreed upon by the Council members, no less than 10 per year.
SECTION 3 The Nominating Committee shall be selected from the membership, shall make nominations for each of the four (4) officer positions.
SECTION 4 All officers shall be elected at a duly called annual meeting. Only members of New Beginnings shall be eligible to hold office and vote. None of the earnings of the organization may inure any private shareholder or individual.
SECTION 5 In the event of a vacancy in any office during the year, by majority vote, the Council shall have the authority to appoint a replacement for the remainder of the year.
SECTION 6 The Council shall approve the expenditure of all funds.
SECTION 7 Up to three members MAY be appointed to serve as members-at-large and may be asked to serve on committees where needed.
SECTION 8 The immediate past president shall be defined as the New Beginnings president who served prior to the current president.
SECTION 9 Any Council member shall have the right to call an Executive Session. No minutes are taken during these sessions.
ARTICLE V THE ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting shall be held each year during the month of December. The meeting time and place will be established by the Council and publicized at least two weeks in advance of the annual meeting.
A weekly meeting may be considered the annual meeting. During the meeting, the slate of officers will be presented to the general membership for discussion and final vote.
ARTICLE VI OFFICERS
SECTION 1 The President shall be responsible for conducting all regular meetings of the Council and overseeing all of the officers and committees. A sign off is required for monthly financials and bank statements.
SECTION 2 The Vice President shall have oversight of the Program Committee and fill in for the President In his/her absence.
SECTION 3 The Clerk shall record the minutes of all regular meetings and the annual meeting. Copies of the minutes of regular Council meetings shall be made available to each Council member prior to the next scheduled meeting. The Clerk shall handle any official correspondence for the group.
SECTION 4 The Treasurer shall keep an accurate accounting of all funds received and spent by New Beginnings and provide a monthly report to the Council. The Treasurer shall also prepare an annual financial report at the end of each fiscal year. The Treasurer will be responsible for issuing checks in payment for services and expenses. The Treasurer, with the guidance and assistance of the Council,
will be responsible for the preparation of all official government reports including but not limited to: mandated annual financial reports with supporting documents.
ARTICLE VII STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 The Programs Committee will plan weekly meetings that encompass emotional, physical and intellectual aspects of healing. In addition, this committee may plan other special programs.
SECTION 2 The Social/Hospitality Committee will plan and assist with activities of a social nature with a focus on helping members. They will also be responsible for setting up meetings, provide refreshments, and seeing the premises are left clean after each meeting.
SECTION 3 The Publicity/Social Media Committee shall be responsible for keeping the group and the community at large informed of the N.B. purpose and programs.
SECTION 4 The Membership Committee shall maintain accurate records of all members of the group. The committee shall also staff the membership table.
SECTION 5 The Facilitator Committee will give attention to recruiting, equipping and training the support group facilitators. This committee will be responsible for setting up and staffing the support groups.
SECTION 6 The Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for soliciting donations from external sources and planning events.
SECTION 7 The Council shall appoint committee chairs or co-chairs from the membership of New Beginnings.
SECTION 8 The size of each committee and selection of committee members shall be at the discretion of the committee chairs.
ARTICLE VIII AD HOC COMMITTEES
Ad Hoc Committees may be formed at the discretion of the Council to give direction to various aspects of the program, as needed.
ARTICLE IX QUORUM AND VOTING PROCEDURES
SECTION 1 A quorum for the annual meeting shall be those members present at a meeting that has been announced at least two (2) weeks in advance.
SECTION 2 A quorum for a Council meeting shall be fifty percent (50%) of the membership of the Council.
SECTION 3 All official action at the annual meeting shall require a majority vote of the members present.
SECTION 4 All official action by the Council shall require a majority vote of the members present at a duly called council meeting.
ARTICLE X REVISION OF THE BYLAWS
SECTION 1 Any proposed revision of these bylaws must be submitted, in writing, to the Council for approval.
SECTION 2 Any revision of these bylaws shall require a majority vote of the Council.
SECTION 3 Any proposed revision of these bylaws, if approved by the Council, shall be presented to the New Beginnings membership for their approval by a majority vote of the members present at any weekly meeting.
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
New Beginnings as an organization shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend (collectively “indemnify” and “indemnification”) its officers, directors, employees and agents, past and present, from and against all claims, judgements, actions, damages, liabilities, settlements, costs and expenses (including and not limited to reasonable attorney fees and costs), whether or not involving a third party claim or whether or not caused by the negligence of New Beginnings or any indemnified party and whether or not the relevant claim has merit.
Revisions ratified by Council; March 20, 2024
Approved by the membership April 29, 2024
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