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LAS VEGAS GARDEN RAILWAY SOCIETY
BYLAWS
11/17/2007
ARTICLE 1.0
The name of this Club shall be: Las Vegas Garden Railway Society, herein after referred
to as LVGRS.
ARTICLE 2.0 - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE
Section 2.1 - To encourage the hobby of Garden Railroading by providing a congenial
membership for families interested in trains. To provide a source of education,
information, experience and encouragement, as well as volunteer assistance, for members
building their own garden or indoor layouts.
Section 2.2 - To provide members with the opportunity to build, furnish, and maintain a
modular layout.
Section 2.3 - To introduce the hobby to the public through periodic display of the
modular layout in locations open to the general public.
Section 2.4 - To encourage all members to volunteer, run trains, and discuss the hobby
with interested people at modular setups.
ARTICLE 3.0 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 – Membership shall be open to anyone who enjoys model railroading.
Section 3.2 – A membership shall encompass all family members (mother, father,
and children under eighteen (18) years).
Section 3.3 – Dues shall be assessed annually at twenty dollars ($20.00), running from
January through December. Dues are to be paid by March 1, or member will be dropped
from the LVGRS rolls.
Section 3.4 – A husband and wife shall have one vote each. (Children under eighteen
(18) years have no vote.)
ARTICLE 4.0 – ORGANIZATION
Section 4.1 – The Las Vegas Garden Railway Society Board, herein after referred to as
the Board, is the governing body. It is composed of seven (7) members: President, Vice
President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Directors, at large.
Section 4.2 – Election to the Board will be conducted according to Section 8.3 and 8.4.
Section 4.3 – The term of office for Board members is two (2) years. Elected Board
members term of office will become effective the first of December following the
November election.
Section 4.4 – No one under the age of eighteen (18) may run or hold an office.
Section 4.5 – The Board shall meet once a month at least ten (10) times a year, or as
directed by the President.
Section 4.6 – If a vacancy on the Board occurs before the term of office is completed, the
President, with approval of the Board, will appoint a replacement for the unexpired
portion of the term.
Section 4.7 – Recommendation of removal of a Board member, for cause, must be
approved by five (5) Board members then taken to the membership for a vote.
ARTICLE 5.0 – OFFICERS
Section 5.1 – The Board shall be comprised of seven (7) members. All members of the
Board are voting members. The President votes only when his/her vote will break a tie.
Section 5.2 – The President shall preside at all Board and General Membership Meetings
of the LVGRS, and is subject to the direction of the Board. The President shall have over
all charge of the affairs and property of the organization. The President has the privilege
of appointing all Chairpersons of committees and shall keep the Board advised of these
appointments. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees except the
Nominating Committee.
Section 5.3 – The President will provide a written agenda for monthly scheduled or
specially scheduled meetings. This written agenda will be provided to the Board and/or
membership at least two (2) days before the scheduled meeting, and approved at the
meeting. The President can participate in discussions of issues raised or resolutions
brought before the Board, but cannot initiate issues not on the agenda. The President can
vote on issues or resolutions, but only in the event of a tie vote.
Section 5.4 – The Vice President has the duties and exercises the powers of the President
in the absence of the President, his incapacity or death. If the office of the President
should become vacant, the Vice President shall assume such office of the unexpired term.
A new Vice President shall be appointed according to Section 4.6.
Section 5.5 – The Secretary will take and record minutes of all Board and General
Membership Meetings. The secretary should record all motions made, seconded and
passed by the Board and/or General Membership.
Section 5.6 – The Treasurer will keep accurate records of all monies received, e.g. dues,
donations, raffle proceeds, etc. and record all monies paid out. A financial report will be
submitted to the Board and also to the membership via the newsletter. Two (2) members
authorized by the Board will sign all checks drawn. The Treasurer shall maintain a petty
cash fund not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars ($250). Any projected expenditure
of over two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) must be Board and membership approved.
Section 5.7 – Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. All business
conducted without a quorum is unofficial and without standing. Such items may be
placed on the agenda of the next full meeting of the Board for official action.
ARTICLE 6.0 – MODULES
Section 6.1 – Modules: For each modular set-up a member shall be appointed as
chairperson to supervise set-up, scheduling, decoration, and operation of the modules.
Section 6.2 – Storage of Modules: It is recommended that storage of the modular tables
and associated LVGRS materials are kept in the LVGRS trailers or designated facility.
Section 6.3 – Maintenance of the modular tables will be the responsibility of the entire
LVGRS membership.
Section 6.4 – Construction of modular tables will be the responsibility of individual
members who own the module or volunteer to decorate the module, including costs
incurred. Any new modular tables will be constructed to LVGRS specs.
Section 6.5 – Purchase of any accouterments for the overall display, such as curtains,
garlands, lights, etc., will be voted on by the Board.
ARTICLE 7.0 - PUBLICATIONS
Section 7.1 – The President will appoint a member to Chair and coordinate publishing of
the LVGRS newsletter. The newsletter is to be published a minimum of twelve (12)
times per year. A different editor for each newsletter may be appointed as the Chairman
wishes. Minimum content of the newsletter shall be directed by the Board.
Section 7.2 – The President will appoint a Webmaster to maintain the LVGRS website.
ARTICLE 8.0 – STANDING COMMITTEES
All Standing Committees will report to the Board in writing.
Section 8.1 - Public Relations Committee: This committee is to handle all public
relations contacts.
Section 8.2 – Bylaws Committee: This committee of three (3) members is to supervise
Bylaws changes or amendments. A member must submit a written request to the Bylaws
Committee for amendment or change. The Bylaws Committee will either approve or
disapprove the Bylaws change/amendment within fifteen (15) days. If the
change/amendment is approved, it will be presented in written form to the full Board at
its next meeting for approval or rejection. If the Board approves, the change/amendment
is referred to the full membership for approval or rejection. If the change/amendment is
disapproved by the Bylaws Committee, the Board may overturn the committee by a two
thirds (2/3) vote and refer the change/amendment to full membership for approval or
rejection.
Section 8.3 – Nomination Committee: This Committee of three (3) members shall
select candidates for the election by September 15th preceding the elections. The list of
candidates will then be mailed to all members as a ballot, with a return envelope, by
October 10th. For a ballot to be counted it must be postmarked by November 10th.
Section 8.4 – Elections Committee: This Committee of three (3) will receive completed
ballots; verify validity of the ballot by the postmarked date of November 10th and the
official envelope. The Chairman will keep election results and ballots for a period of
thirty (30) days, and then destroy. Results will be reported to the Board no later than
November 25th. Members of this committee may not run for any Board (see Section 4.1) position
during the current election.
Section 8.5 – Membership Committee: This Committee, with the help of the Treasurer,
will maintain the official membership list and provide printed mailing labels for all mail
sent to the membership.
ARTICLE 9.0 – ADDITIONAL COMMITTEES
Section 9.1 – The President may appoint committees as needed. Some
suggestions are:
1) Sunshine Committee – sending out notes and cards when a member is ill, bereaved,
etc.
2) Social Committee – plan social activities such as bus trips to places of historical or
railroad interest.
3) Publicity Committee – handle all external publicity with the approval of the
President.
ARTICLE 10.0 - MEETINGS
Section 10.1 - Meetings will take place according to the LVGRS calendar designated by
the President. All meetings are open to all members. The January meeting will be held
to plan and schedule events for the coming year. The tentative calendar of LVGRS,
including train runs and activities, will be filled out at the January meeting.
Section 10.2 – To pass a motion will require the majority of members present at the
meeting.
ARTICLE 11.0 – EVENTS
Section 11.1 - A Train Run is defined as a gathering of members at a host garden railroad
or other location to meet and run trains or to discuss trains or model railroading in
general. At a hosted run it must be understood that the host sets the rules for the run.
The host can volunteer for the month of choice. More than one train run per month is
acceptable. Members without a layout are encouraged to co-host these runs.
Section 11.2 - To commit the LVGRS to any event requires the approval of the Board
and membership, except those described in Section 11.1. |
