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BYLAWS
GREATER DAYTON LGBT CENTER, INC.
(DBA Greater Dayton LGBT Center) ARTICLE I – Name and Mission The legal name of this organization is Greater Dayton LGBT Center, Inc., and is doing business as the Greater Dayton LGBT Center and is commonly referred to as “The Center.” The mission of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center is to help create programs that enhance the lives of sexual minorities in Dayton and the Miami Valley. ARTICLE II – Purpose The purpose of this organization is to fulfill the mission stated in Article I by offering a comprehensive, community based service organization to the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community of the Dayton and Miami Valley area in the following manner: To provide a meeting place with a healthy atmosphere that fosters genuine and authentic interchanges; To provide social functions as alternatives to those available in the community; To provide a newsletter that will act as a forum whereby the Greater Dayton LGBT Center can interpret its operation to its members and the community at large, for the publicizing of significant events, and for public dialogue and self expression; To provide support groups, where there is interest, a telephone Hotline and other communications services such as blogs or websites, for referral services which support members of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community; To provide consultation and educational services to other LGBT organizations and entities and to the community at large concerning sexual minorities and the concerns of the Greater Dayton gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community. The foregoing will serve as examples of the services offered to the LGBT community by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center but need not be limited to these purposes. In order to establish programming: ● The officers of the organization have the responsibility to insure that specific programs meet the guidelines of the purposes herein outlined. ● The officers of the organization shall submit to the membership any change in purpose for ratification according to the procedures for amendment of bylaws. ARTICLE III – Membership Support Membership shall be open to all persons who are in agreement with the purpose of the organization. There shall be no arbitrary criterion for exclusion of membership, especially on the grounds of race, sex, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity or expression, source of income, color, religion, marital status, ancestry, or familial status. It shall be the responsibility of any interested person to submit his/her name and current address to the Recording Secretary for addition to the membership list. It shall further be the responsibility of the member to keep the Recording Secretary up to date on any address changes. It shall be the responsibility of each member to contribute to the support of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. This shall be specified by the Board of Directors in terms of a membership fee. The fee will be set by the Board of Directors. The Recording Secretary will periodically clear the membership list of all inactive members, as determined by their lack of support and membership fee. ARTICLE IV – Officers The Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. Its members are elected by membership at the annual meeting or are appointed by the Board President as replacements to fill the unexpired term in case of a vacancy. The Board of Directors shall consist of nine member slots. This number may change via a policy revision by the Board of Directors. If there are even numbers of board members, the President shall vote only in case of tie. The Board of Directors shall elect its officers. Such officers may include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Counseling Director, and other such titles as may be descriptive of the duties and responsibilities of each member of the Board. The Board of Directors shall share the responsibilities of maintaining and promoting the purpose of the organization by mutual agreement. Titles and job descriptions shall follow common practices, e.g. the President presides at meetings, the Treasurer is accountable for the funds, the Recording Secretary keeps memberships lists, etc. It is expected that members of the Board of Directors shall attend Board meetings, additional meetings as necessary, and events sponsored by the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. Excessive absenteeism may result in member being released from duties on the Board and a replacement secured for the remainder of the term. The Board shall make such policy statements as are necessary to implement the purposes of the organization by program, service or other means. The term of office is three years. A member may serve more than one term. ARTICLE V – Meetings and Elections Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be elected annually at the Annual Meeting of the membership of the organization or be appointed in the interim by the President of the Board. The Board of Directors may appoint a nominating committee to secure a list of available candidates. Other candidates may be nominated from the floor if their consent to serve can be ascertained. The Board of Directors may also put before the membership any changes in the bylaws or purposes of the organization for approval. The change will be announced at least one month in advance of a meeting to verify the change by vote so members may verify their standing with the Recording Secretary in order to cast a vote. Votes on bylaw changes may be cast via mail or email. The annual General Meeting shall be held in the spring of each year. These bylaws have been revised and approved in the fall of 2007. All new versions must be dated herein. Last Updated ( Monday, 07 April 2008 ) |
