The Guild of Metalsmiths

Bylaws

A Non-Profit Organization Dedicated to the Art of Metalworking

P.O. Box 11423
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55111

Index
1 Purpose 2 Membership 3 Fiscal Year 4 Dues 5 Property 6 Meetings		7  Board of Directors 8  Officers 9  Duties of Officers 10 Nominating Committee 11 Election of Directors and Officers 12 Amendments

August 8, 1990

BYLAWS OF THE GUILD OF METALSMITHS as adopted at a Board of Directors and General membership meeting December 13, 1978 for enactment in 1979 and then as amended on August 8, 1990 for enactment immediately.

Purpose and Objective The Guild is organized solely for educational purposes and preserving the historical traditions of the metalsmith's art. These objectives are accomplished by providing workshops, publications, conferences, lectures, and demonstrations that are available to members and the general public alike. The purpose of these programs is to educate the membership and the general public. This is accomplished by promoting the exchange of information, skills and knowledge to preserve the metalsmith's art and create a supportive atmosphere for high standards of craftsmanship.

Membership A strong organization is composed of persons actively involved and feeling committed to the goals of the organization. Members gain from their organization not only by receiving but also by giving. One gets out of an organization that which one puts into it. Therefore, all members are encouraged to contribute to The Guild of Metalsmiths, insofar as their time and skills permit, by giving of their time, talents and services on at least one occasion during the year. Contributions include but are not limited to serving on a committee, planning for an activity, setting up demonstration sites, making phone calls and making deliveries.

Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the GUILD shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.

Dues The Board of Directors of the GUILD, with membership approval, may determine from time to time the amount of the annual dues payable in advance on the fifteenth day of January for that fiscal year. Presently dues are $17* for single, family or organizational membership. A family membership is a membership that includes all members of one immediate family. *(These were the dues in 1990, current dues ca. 2001, are $30/yr.)

Property The property of the GUILD is irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes: no part of the net income assets of the Guild shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer or member thereof or to the benefit of any private persons. Upon the dissolution or winding up of the GUILD, all its assets remaining after payment or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of the GUILD shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation or corporation which has established its tax status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Meetings There shall be a minimum of six (6) meetings each year, location and dates to be determined by the Board of Directors. Whenever practical, an agenda shall be mailed to all members before a meeting. For major issues voting shall be by majority vote of the members present. Meeting Specifics: Guild meetings are to be held six (6) times per year, normally the second Wednesday evening of the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December, unless a holiday, in which case one week later.

Board of Directors The Board of Directors of the GUILD shall consist of seven (7) members elected from the membership. The members of the Board shall upon election proceed with performance of their duties and continue in office for a period of two years. Successors shall assume their duties within thirty (30) days after the election. It shall be the responsibility of the board of Directors to establish the policies and general operating procedures of the GUILD. During the Term of election, a Board member may be removed for any of the following reasons: A.  Voluntary resignation B.  Death C.  Failure to attend three (3) Board meeting unless excused by the Board D.  Expulsion for a charge of misconduct. Such expulsion shall be made only upon a majority vote of the full Board.

Officers The officers of The Guild shall include a President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected by the membership at the December meeting for a one year term. August 8, 1990

Duties of Officers PRESIDENT: shall preside at all membership meetings of the GUILD and the Board of Directors, is ex-officio member of all committees with vote, shall communicate to the Board of Directors and GUILD members continually on the GUILD activities. VICE PRESIDENT: will act in the absence of the President TREASURER: shall maintain current GUILD roster, have custody of all monies deposited in bank, maintain financial records and provide annual report tot the members or when requested by the Board of Directors. RECORDING SECRETARY: shall maintain records of all GUILD meetings, and have records available at meetings. HISTORIAN: the HISTORIAN shall be appointed by and shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The HISTORIAN shall keep GUILD photographs, a set of archives of the METALSMITH, published articles, clippings, etc, pertaining to The Guild and memorabilia of The Guild and its membership. EDITOR: The EDITOR shall be appointed by and shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The EDITOR is responsible for the publication, mailing and maintenance of the METALSMITH

Nominating Committee At least three (3) months before the end of the fiscal year, the PRESIDENT shall appoint a nominating committee which shall prepare a list of nominations for the Officers for one year terms and for the Board of Directors for two (2) year terms. The nominating committee may nominate more than one candidate for each office and more candidates than there are vacancies for the Board of Directors. For this committee the president shall secure the services of three (3) members well acquainted with activities of the GUILD. Any member may furnish additional names of qualified persons for directorship to the nominating committee for consideration at any time before the committee renders its report.

Election of Directors and Officers Nominations from the floor shall be accepted at the time of the elections. Elections will proceed by ballot and those filled ballots will be collected and counted by the recording secretary with the aid of the nominating committee. The results will be announced at the meeting and will also appear in the next GUILD newsletter. The 1979 Board of Directors election shall be three (3) persons for one (1) year terms and four (4) persons for two (2) year terms. This process will overlap Board membership for continuity of administration.

Amendments These bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered in all or in part by a majority vote at duly organized meetings of the GUILD. The Proposed Changes shall be mailed to the last recorded address of each member at least (15) days before the time of the meeting to consider the change.