The name of this organization shall be called Open Door Club 24 Hour Drop In Center, Inc.
Section 1: The principle object of the club shall be to provide, manage, operate, and maintain such physical and material facilities as may be deemed necessary or desirable in furthering the aims and purposes of the substance abuse groups in the area served by the club.
Section II. The Club shall undertake, when, as, and if deemed feasible, to provide meeting places, club and recreation room or build libraries, dormitories, medical and hospital facilities, and such other facilities as will aid in carrying out the principal object of the club.
Section III: To do any and all other things consistent with the principle objects of the club which may contribute to the well-being of its members or anyone affiliated with substance abuse therewith, to purchase, acquire, hold, sell, convey, mortgage, lease, and exchange real estate and personal property of every nature, kind, and description whatsoever.
Section I. Sobriety shall be interpreted whenever mentioned in these by-laws as total abstinence from alcoholic beverages and drugs.
Section II. There shall be two classes of membership: regular and auxiliary. An Auxiliary member would be a member of Al-Anon.
Section III: Any alcoholic/addict who shall have been consistently sober and affiliated with a 12 Step program for not less than one month shall be eligible to become a regular member of the club.
Section IV. Every applicant for membership must be sponsored by not less than two regular members and approved by a majority vote of the executive committee. A negative report of the executive committee may be overruled by the club by a two-thirds vote by ballot of the regular members present and voting, taken not later than the regular meeting next succeeding the meeting at which such negative report is made.
Section V. All voting on applications at a regular or special meeting will be done by written, secret ballot, except when unanimously approved by the voting membership (quorum).
Section VI. NON-MEMBERS GUESTS: a) No non-member shall be allowed in Club without the supervision (sponsorship) of a club member. b) All non-members must sign "Guest Book" along with club member sponsoring the guest.c) If the club member (sponsoring guest) leaves the premises (he) or (she) is responsible to see that the non-member also leaves or is turned over to another member (providing that this member is in agreement/sponsorship.
Section VII. Guest privileges may be extended to visiting members of Alcoholics Anonymous or to other persons under such terms and conditions as may be authorized by the club, and are subject to the rules and regulations stated in Section 6.
Section VIII: Membership dues shall be regular members $15.00 a month, payable in advance. A special rate of $75.00 for 6 months or $150.00 for one year is available if paid in advance. All dues paid are non-refundable.
Section X. Any person who may have rendered outstanding service to the club or to Alcoholics Anonymous may be elected an Honorary Member of the club upon a three-fourths (3/4) vote by ballot of all regular members of the club. The title of Honorary Member shall carry with it none of the obligations of the club but shall entitle the holder to all the privileges except those of making motions, of voting, and of holding office.
Section XI. Loss of sobriety by any member shall automatically terminate his membership in the club. Any person whose membership shall be terminated under the provisions of this section, may again become eligible for membership upon fulfillment of the requirements of Sections 3 & 4 of this article, except that for members with less than one year's membership the period of suspension shall be for ninety (90) days, after a second relapse.
Section I. The Executive Committee (Board of Directors) shall consist of seven members.
Section II: Any member who is a regular member of the club in good standing shall be eligible to be a member of the Executive Committee. All such members, between bi-yearly elections by the regular members, shall be appointed by the President of the club if vacancies should occur before the next regular election.
Section IIa. All such members shall be elected by the membership. The elected executive board shall vote among themselves as to the office of president, etc.
Section IIb. The above amendment (Article 4, Section 2) shall only apply when a regular monthly membership fails to have a quorum. That is, if the Executive Committee duly posts thirty days notice of a regular membership meeting and not enough members in good standing attend to constitute a quorum.
Section III. Membership meetings must be announced by written notice which is to be posted in a prominent place in the club at least thirty (30) days before meeting.
Section IV. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the club and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these bylaws. The Executive Committee is subject to the regular membership of the club and none of its actions shall conflict with actions taken by the regular membership of the club.
Section V. Executive Committee meetings shall be held monthly. Special meetings may be called by the President and shall be called upon written request of any four members of the Executive Committee. Members of the Committee must not miss more than two (2) consecutive meetings nor attend less than eight (8) meetings in one years time without valid reason. A Committee member who does so shall automatically forfeit his membership on the Executive Committee.
Section VI. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section VIII. Any members from the Board of Directors shall have the power to temporarily suspend a member who breaks house rules until an emergency meeting is called by the Board of Directors (as soon as possible).
Section I: The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Alternate.
Section II. The officers of the club shall have direct supervision of the affairs of the club. They shall perform the duties prescribed in these by-laws and the parliamentary authority adopted by the club, and such other duties that are not inconsistent with these by-laws.
Section III. The President shall be chief executive officer of the club.
Section IV. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by the President or the Executive Committee, and in the event of the absence or disability of the President shall be vested with the powers and duties of that office.
Section V. The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of each meeting. He/She shall have custody of all corporate books, records, and papers, except those delegated to the custody of other officers. He shall attest corporate documents and affix the corporate seal thereto when required, and perform all other duties incident to the office.
Section VI. The Treasurer shall keep the Board of Trustees abreast of the Club's financial status. Treasurer shall be the protector of records concerned with the business transactions involving the receipt and disbursement of club funds: Ledger, Account Books, Check Book, Investment Documents (CDs etc.), Bank Correspondence & Statements. He shall collect the dues of the members and keep accounts thereof. He shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements of the club in books belonging to the club, and shall deposit all funds coming into his hands in depository or depositories designated by the Executive Committee. He shall disburse funds of the club as may be ordered by the Executive Committee or by a person delegated by the Executive Committee taking proper vouchers for such disbursements. He shall render to the President and the Executive Committee of the club monthly, and to the regular membership at least bi-monthly an account of the transactions and financial condition of the club. He shall perform such other duties as the Executive Committee may prescribe from time to time.
Section VIa: Additional Duties of the Treasurer: The following Club Records shall be kept in a Bank Safety Deposit Box for protection and for future reference: a) All investment records - CDs - anything pertaining to club assets. Records of Business Transactions for previous years - 52 weekly reports consisting of weekly cash receipts and dance audit sheets. Treasurer's (Club's) ledger - if not being used in current year. d) Copies of current and prior year's letters (format) sent to Savings Investment Institutions showing all signatures (8) of those people eligible to authorize withdrawal from club's funds: (3) signatures - Board of Directors and (5) signatures - Board of Trusteese) Set of By-Laws and House Rules. Any records, files (Investment Documents) concerned with the positions of Treasurer cannot be removed from premise -- Club's Office nor Safety Deposit Box without notifying the Treasurer who will see that the following procedure is adhered to: e1) Person requesting removal of any of the above mentioned shall sign for their removal showing the date of removal. e2) This shall be done in the presence of the treasurer and one other witness who shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
Section VII. The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in collecting dues and other duties as prescribed by the Treasurer.
Section I. The Grievance Committee, consisting of five regular members and two alternates shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Committee each year at the first meeting after the annual membership meeting in which the Executive Committee members are voted into office (February). Any vacancies which may occur shall be filled by the same process at the next Executive Committee meeting following the vacancy. Members of the Grievance Committee shall serve for one year. All grievances shall be carefully considered by them, and their recommendations shall be presented to the President to be offered to the membership at the next regular or special regular membership meeting held. No member of the Executive Committee may be a member of the Grievance Committee.
Section II. The President may appoint such special committees set up as from time to time may seem advisable under contract of the Executive Committee.
Section I: The regular meetings of the club shall be held on the first Saturday or Sunday of each month. The regular January meeting shall be for the purpose of electing officers who in turn will serve for a two year period or until their successors are qualified.
Section II. Special meetings may be called by the President or any four members of the Executive Committee upon the written request of same for the time and date set forth in such request. Upon the failure or refusal of the President or Executive Committee to call said meeting as requested, said members may convene a meeting and any action regularly taken at such meetings, provided a quorum is present, shall be of the same forc8 and effect as though said were called as requested. Notice of any special meeting must be posted on the club bulletin board for a period of seven (7) days prior to the date of such meeting, and a written notice must be sent to all members in good standing.
Section III. A majority of twelve (12) members on file and in good standing shall constitute a quorum.
Section IV. To replace the regular monthly meeting of the membership, of which there are seldom enough to meet a quorum, the membership shall elect each member of the executive board and they will govern the club until such time as they are in office.
Section V. Membership Meeting for voting: a) Letters shall be mailed to all members (30 days in advance) notifying them of date and time. b) Notice shall also be posted on Club's Bulletin board of same. c) Open Door Club - Records are opened to Membership at specified times. They are never closed.
Section I. Board of Trustees shall consist of 5 members - chairperson and 4 other members and shall serve as follows: a) Chairperson and 1 other member 3 Consecutive years; b) 2 Members - 2 Consecutive years; c) 1 Member - 1 Year. One member will be elected each year by majority vote of membership.
Section Ia: Every member of this Board must have 5 years sobriety, suggested no less than three. There will be no exception. Any member who breaks his sobriety is automatically disqualified and must be replaced.
Section II. The sole purpose of this Board will be for the protection of Club funds. Maximum expenditure of Club funds is set at $500.00 by Board of Directors with the exception of expenses which must be paid out regularly to keep the club in operation (Le. rent, CL&P, etc.). Neither the Board of Directors nor the membership can exceed their limit ($500.00) without approval of Board of Trustees. Any request to exceed this amount is to be treated as follows: a) Board of Directors must submit in writing to the Board of Trustees the requested amount and it's explicit purpose; b) Board of Trustees will vote on whether to allow or disallow the expenditure - majority vote will rule.
Section III. Removal of Club Funds (CDs or other investments) from their respective institution will require a total of 5 signatures: a) Any two signatures from Board of Directors as shown: President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer; b) Any three signatures from Board of Trustees; There will be no exceptions to this rule.
Section IIIa. A formal letter must be forwarded to Investment Institutions informing people in charge (officers) of this procedure (example of format for CDs):
Date:/NAME OF INSTITUTION/
This is to inform you that the following signatures represent those people eligible to authorize withdrawal from the Open Door Club Savings Certificate Account.
Board of Directors
President (person's name) (person's signature)
Treasurer (person's name) (person's signature)
Assistant Treasurer (person's name) (person's signature)
Board of Trustees (person's name) (person's signature)
Five signatures will be required for withdrawal as follows:Any two signatures from Board of Directors as shown above. Any three signatures from Board of Trustees as shown above. Signed by Treasurer, Signed by President. Copies to: a) Club's Attorney b) Chairperson of Board of Trustees c) Club's Safety Deposit Box d) Club's Office File (Bank Correspondence file)
Section IV. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors are two separate entities. They will duly respect each others functions as stated in these By Laws. The Board of Trustees shall have no power in the direct supervision of the affair of the club. As Article V, Section 2 states in these By Laws. this is the function of the Board of Directors and should not be violated. The Board of Directors shall have no power in the removal of club funds in excess of the set limit ($500.00) without approval from the Board of Trustees as stated in Section 5 of this Article and should not be violated.
Section V. A 3/4 vote by membership can override the decision of the Board of Trustees.
These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the club present and voting at any meeting, providing that proposed amendment has been posted openly in writing in the club at least thirty days (3) before the vote meeting is held.
1) No violence physical or verbal (threats) will be tolerated. (i.e. destructive behavior of any sort): a) Members or Guests: Any physical harm done to a person or persons will result in suspension for a period to be determined by the Board of Directors. b) Verbal Abuse - This shall constitute verbal abuse: b1) Excessive use of crude and vulgar language including swearing and cursing at members. b2) Bullying - yelling, screaming, and arguing including displays of agitative or stirring type behavior to arouse or trigger unrest and conflict in club. General welfare of Club Members (group) shall be placed above the individual exhibiting this type behavior. c) Club Property: Purposeful destruction (vandalism) or unauthorized removal (stealing) of any Club properties will result in immediate loss of key and dismissal. Further legal action may be taken depending upon severity of destruction to club properties.
2) No Alcohol or illegal drugs allowed in the Club.
3) No personal radios or tape players are allowed in the Club.
4) No pets are allowed in the Club - Except for a Club Mascot.
5) No pan-handling allowed in the Club.
6) No sleeping allowed in the Club.
7) No intimate behavior allowed in the Club.
8) Only members may answer the telephones: a) House Phone to be answered "OPEN DOOR CLUB;" b). Pay Phone to be answered "HELLO".
9) No one except the coffee maker and on duty telephone volunteer is to be behind the coffee bar during AA meetings. Card playing in the Club Room is to stop 1/2 hr. before AA. meetings. Behavior outside of Club Room will not disturb AA. meetings.
10) Length of AA meetings shall not exceed 1 1/2 hours.
11) Doors will be open 1/2 hour before AA meetings and remain open until 1/2 hour after meeting.
12) Only members in good standing may play cards. Disqualified members may not play until they are duly re-instated.
13): Smoking allowed in designated areas only. a) 1st violation will receive a warning; b) 2nd violation- $5.00 fine 3rd violation- $10.00 fine; c) $5.00 will be added for each violation thereafter with a $15.00 limit; d) Membership will be revoked until fines are paid.
Violation of Rules #1 and #2 will result in a person being barred from the Club for a period of thirty days. All other violations may result in a written warning from the Executive Committee and/or other measures as the Executive Committee sees fit. Such warnings and other measures would be by majority vote of the Executive Committee.