MIDDLE GEORGIA COLLEGE
WOMEN IN AVIATION
HEART OF GEORGIA CHAPTER
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this Middle Georgia College club/organization shall be:
Women in Aviation International, Heart of Georgia Chapter, with the chapter’s primary office located at Middle Georgia College, Aviation Campus, 71 Airport Road, Eastman, GA 31023. Chapter is organized and shall operate exclusively for chari
table, educational and scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Revenue law) (the “Code”). Purposes. Consistent with such limitations, the purposes of Chapter shall be to function as a chapter of Women in Aviation, International, West Alexandria, Ohio. In that regard, the Chapter shall:
(a) To develop leadership and responsible citizenship through service to the college and community. (b) To promote interest in and knowledge of aviation and aerospace. (c) To promote race and gender diversity in aviation careers
(d) To foster an atmosphere of camaraderie and cooperation between females and males of various races who are pursuing aviation careers
(e) To promote awareness of the numerous aviation careers, industries, and aviation events accessible to students
(f) To facilitate linkages between students, aerospace professionals and industry
(g) To encourage cooperation and teamwork through participation in projects and activities. (h) To provide networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. Section 2.03. Limitations. Chapter is not formed for pecuniary profit or financial gain; no part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual and no substantial part of its activities shall be on the carrying-on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and it shall not participate or intervene (including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, the organization shall not engage in any activities not permitted for a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. ARTICLE III
Sponsorship
This organization shall have an approved Middle Georgia College faculty/staff advisor who shall provide counsel on all activities, programs, and policies of the organization. The continued existence of the organization shall depend on the continued active participation of the approved advisor. ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section 4.01. Qualifications. Membership may be granted to any individual of good character who supports the mission and purposes of the organization, who is a registered student, faculty, or staff member of Middle Georgia College, who is a member of Women In Aviation, International, and who pays the annual dues as set by the Chapter. Section 4.02. Membership. Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic group, national origin, handicap, or gender. An individual will be required to attend three meetings every semester during enrollment at Middle Georgia College and pay the designated dues set by the Chapter to maintain the status as an active member. An individual will also be required to participate in at least one fund-raising activity and one community service activity each semester to maintain the status as an active member. Individuals not following the above procedures will be considered inactive and forfeit their rights as organization members to participate in voting, activities, and other Chapter benefits. Section 4.03. Voting. Each member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Proxies are to be in written form and shall be in the hands of the Secretary prior to the beginning of the meeting at which they are to be exercised. At the appropriate time the Secretary shall identify the proxy votes that are to be cast. For purposes of constituting a quorum, a proxy will be considered as a member present. Section 4.04. Dues. Dues for members shall be established by the Chapter. Dues will be collected from each member upon initial sign-up/registration and once a calendar year, in anticipation of payment to the organization. When any member is in default in the payment of dues, such member’s membership shall be terminated. Section 4.05. Resignation. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the Secretary; however, such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of the obligation to pay any dues or other charges theretofore accrued and unpaid. Section 4.06. Termination of Membership. The Chapter, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all of the active members, may suspend or expel a member, and may, by a majority vote of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership, or suspend or expel any member who shall be in default in the payment of dues. ARTICLE V
Fees and Dues
Any fees, dues, or assessments on the membership of the organization shall be nominal and shall be for the purpose of meeting the administrative costs of the organization. Funds for activities and projects undertaken by the organization shall be raised apart from such fees, dues, or assessments. ARTICLE VI
AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
2. Section 6.01. Officers. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Chapter may designate. Officers shall be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and not be on disciplinary probation. Elections of officers shall be by methods determined by the advisor and membership, but in no case shall more than a simple majority of the members present be required for election. Duties of elected officers shall be determined by the advisor and membership, and each officer shall be advised of the duties and responsibilities of his/her respective position at the time of election. Section 6.02. Appointment of Officers; Terms of Office. The officers of the Chapter shall be elected by the active members near the beginning of the fall semester, each school year, or, in the case of vacancies, as soon thereafter as convenient. The existing officers are expected to remain throughout the end of the calendar year to assist the new officers with meetings and becoming accustomed to their duties. New offices may be created and filled at any meeting of the Chapter. Officers shall be eligible for reappointment for a maximum of two terms in a specific office. At the termination of the second term the person will be eligible to run for a different office. Each officer shall hold office for a term of one (1) year, with the option of re-election, commencing the first meeting after elections are held. Vacancies existing by reason of resignation, death, incapacity or removal before the expiration of his/her term shall be filled by a majority vote of the active members. In the event of a tie vote, the President shall choose the succeeding officer. Officers will help nominate their successors. An officer elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of that officer’s predecessor in office. Section 6.03. Resignations are effective upon receipt by the Secretary of the Chapter of written notification. Section 6.04. Removal from office. Any officer may be removed at any time in the normal term of office due to any infraction listed in article IV or failure to fulfill duties listed in this article for office held. Removal requires a two-thirds majority vote from all active members
Section 6.05. President. The President shall be an active member of the Chapter and will preside at all meetings of the Chapter. The President shall perform all duties attendant to that office and may delegate duties to any other officers. The President will be responsible for the public relations of the Chapter, and in that capacity, shall represent the Chapter at all public functions. The President must demonstrate good leadership and communication skills, must be dependable and honest with a true desire to fill this office and its requirements, must be responsible, trustworthy, and must be a student at Middle Georgia College, enrolled in an aviation program. Section 6.06. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall be an active member of the Chapter and shall exercise all the powers, authority and duties of the President during the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall perform all duties attendant to that office, including the coordination of the annual Chapter report. The Vice-President shall perform other duties as requested and assigned by the President. The Vice-President must demonstrate good leadership and communication skills, must be dependable and honest with a true desire to fill this office and its requirements, must be responsible and trustworthy, and must be a student at Middle Georgia College, enrolled in an aviation program. Section 6.07. Secretary. The Secretary shall be an active member of the Chapter and shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Chapter in the books proper for that purpose. The Secretary shall send out official communications and notices and carry out such other correspondence necessary for the Chapter’s operation. The Secretary shall keep a current list of all active members and all persons interested in club activities and extend invitations to individuals, organizations, and such relative to Chapter functions and social events. The Secretary must show well-established communication skills, must be dependable, must have good computer skills, must show dedication, must be honest, responsible, and trustworthy, and must be actively enrolled in Middle Georgia College as a student or staff member. Section 6.08. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be an active member of the Chapter and shall keep the finances of the Chapter in the books proper for that purpose. The Treasurer shall also report to the Chapter at each regular meeting on the status of the Chapter’s finances. The Treasurer shall notify all members when dues are payable and receive all moneys. The Treasurer shall give receipts for all moneys and deposit same in the name of the Chapter in such repository selected by the Chapter. The Treasurer shall perform any other such financial duties to be assigned by the Chapter. The Treasurer must have good organizational skills as well as accounting and communication skills, must show dedication, must be honest, responsible, trustworthy, work well with others and must be actively enrolled in Middle Georgia College as a student or staff member. Section 6.09. Membership Chair. Responsible for scheduling/organizing a membership drive to help build membership for the chapter and WAI. The drive may also double as a fundraiser. Must be actively enrolled in Middle Georgia College as a student or staff member. Section 6.10. Outreach Chair. Responsible for researching and securing opportunities for the chapter to reach into the community and encourage people to become involved in the exciting world of aviation. Also extends to community service projects. Section 6.11. Faculty Advisor. A faculty advisor will be recruited by the organizational membership with the expectation that the individual will maintain an active involvement/interest in the activities and goals of the organization and promote and facilitate the organization and its membership. There will be no specific designated term of office for the faculty advisor. Once selected, that individual will remain the active advisor until the individual asks to be relieved of the responsibilities or until the membership of the organization requests a change of faculty advisor. ARTICLE VII
Committees
Special committees shall be formed as deemed necessary and in a manner determined by the advisor and membership. ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
Section 8.01. Annual Meeting. An annual meeting of the members shall be held each during August or the first month of the school year, whichever comes first for the purpose of electing officers and for the transaction of other business as may come before the meeting. Section 8.02. Regular Meetings. The organization shall meet on a regular basis at a time and place as determined by the advisor and membership. (a) No meeting of the organization shall be deemed official unless the approved advisor for the organization is in attendance. (b) All meetings official or unofficial are open to all members. (c) Reservation for meeting space shall be made by the advisor using an official Facilities Use Form according to Middle Georgia College procedures. Section 8.03. Quorum. A minimum of 25% of the active members present in person, or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at a membership meeting. (a) Meetings may be called by an officer or at the request of at least 10% of the active members, by notice e-mailed or telephoned, to each member not less than seven (7) days before such meeting. (b) The affirmative vote of 50% or more of the quorum shall be required for any action, resolution or election. (c) If a quorum is not present at any meeting of members, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting. Section 8.04. Conduct of Meetings. Official meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s rules of order. Robert’s rules can be viewed at www.robertrules.org
ARTICLE IX
Activities and Projects
Section 9.01. This organization shall be responsible for planning, organizing, financing, and conducting its own activities and shall itself supply the money, manpower and creative imagination necessary thereto, except that in the case of joint projects or activities undertaken in cooperation with other organization(s), such responsibility shall be shared with such other organization(s). Section 9.02. This organization shall undertake among its activities a number of major projects annually to serve the college and the community, and each shall involve all or most of the membership of the organization. Section 9.03. It is the responsibility of the organization to raise the funds necessary to carry out its program. It shall not solicit or accept more than occasional or incidental financial assistance from other organizations, businesses, or individuals in the community without giving something of value in return. Section 9.04. The organizations shall follow the guidelines and regulations set forth by the authorities of the college in regard to raising funds. ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
The Chapter Bylaws may be amended or new Bylaws adopted by a two-thirds majority of active members in good standing at a meeting called one month in advance for consideration of an amendment of these bylaws. Any and all amendments or new Bylaws must also be approved by Women in Aviation, International in order to take effect. ARTICLE XI
Duration
This organization shall exist as long as it continues to function in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and a policy relating to student organizations and extra-curricular activities established by the college, or until it is terminated:
a. by this organization upon its own determination and action; or
b. by the college for the organization’s failure to function in accordance with regulations established by the college. ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION
The Chapter may be dissolved upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the active members. If the Chapter is dissolved, the Chapter Officers shall be responsible for ensuring that all Chapter debts and obligations are paid, and that the remaining assets of Chapter are distributed as provided in the Women in Aviation, International Bylaws or as provided in the Articles of Incorporation. All Chapter records shall be sent to the Chapter Relations Manager, Women in Aviation, International, 7541 Tyler’s Hill Court, West Chester, OH 45069.
