SMMCC Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - CLUB NAME AND EMBLEM

1. The club's name is "Smoky Mountain MINIs" hereinafter referred to as SMM, and the club will be nationally affiliated when such affiliation will be recognized as beneficial to SMM.
2. SMM will have an emblem which will feature the likeness of a modern MINI Cooper in front of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the SMM is the promotion and preservation, enjoyment and maintenance of all types of MINIs/Minis and related vehicles, the promotion and improvement of driving skills and automobile safety, and the improvement of the Mini's image.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in SMM is open to MINI owners or enthusiasts interested in the MINI/Mini and the objectives of SMM. Active Membership in is mandatory for all except associate or Honorary members.
2. Membership Categories:
   1. Active Members:  Enjoy all privileges and responsibilities implied.
   2. Family Members:  Spouse and any member of an Active Member's family.  An active Member's Family may share membership where one or both have met membership requirements.  A Family Member may vote and hold any club office.  Family Members shall hereinafter be referred to as Active Members.
   3. Associate Members:  Excused from all privileges and responsibilities of Active Membership.  Dues for Associate Members entitle them to receive all club mailings.
   4. Honorary Members:  A MINI/Mini enthusiast awarded a lifetime membership by a two-thirds vote of the Active Members present at a regular meeting in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the SMM and its objectives.  They are excused from payment of dues.

1. Membership will automatically lapse for non-payment of dues within thirty days after they become payable.
2. Any member may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of Active Members present at a regular meeting.  This shall be for infraction of SMM rules or for any action that is determined not to be in the best interest of SMM.  Before such action is taken, the Secretary shall notify the member in writing of such charges.  The member will have the opportunity to submit in writing, either at the meeting or in the SMM newsletter, or in person his answer to such charges.
3. Any member may resign from SMM by written notice to the Secretary and payment of any indebtedness to the SMM.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

a. Regular meetings will be held at least once monthly at a time and place specified in the "By-laws".

b. At any meeting where a quorum is not present no action may be taken except where sufficient written ballots are available and signed to constitute a quorum for purposes of that action. A quorum is one fourth of the Active Members of the SMM.

c. Except where otherwise specified herein, any motion shall be adopted by a majority vote. A majority is one half plus one of the Active Members present.

d. Special meetings may be called by any elected officer or by petition of a majority of the Active Members. Written notice or phone call must be made at least seventy-two hours prior to such a meeting.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

a. The elected officers of the SMM are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four board members. The offices of Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary may be combined. Four Regional Representatives shall be selected by the Executive Committee to serve with the Board of Directors to assure Representation of all state Members.

b. The officers' duties are those normally associated with those titles.

c. The term of office of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer is one year. The term of office of the Board Members is two years, with two terms expiring each year. Regional Representatives will be selected each year.

d. Any permanent vacancy in an elected office will be filled by election at the next regular meeting following the occurrence of the vacancy.

e. Nominations will be directed by the By-laws. Candidates who receive the highest number of votes are elected. If there is only one nominee for an office, that person will be considered elected upon confirmation by two thirds of the Active Members present.

f. A person who holds the office of President or Vice-President may not serve consecutive full terms.

g. In the absence of the Secretary at a meeting, the President will appoint a Secretary for the duration of the meeting.

ARTICLE VI - FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

a. No Officer, committee or member will incur debts or other liabilities on behalf of SMM without prior approval of two thirds of the Active Members present at a meeting.

b. Special Assessments may not be levied without the written and/or oral approval of two thirds of the Active Members.

c. The Treasurer and any one of the other elected officers will be authorized to sign all club checks. Two signatures are always required.

ARTICLE VII - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee will consist of the elected officers with the Vice-President as the presiding officer. The Committee will speak and act on behalf of SMM in any situation which requires immediate action if there is insufficient time to call a meeting, except as specifically prohibited in Article VI - FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. Such action shall be confirmed by a vote at the regular meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES

a. Committee Chairman will be appointed by the President.

b. Standing Committees will be:

a. Membership Committee - Will approve new members, issue membership cards, and maintain the membership roster compiled from approved membership applications.

b. Publicity Committee - Will be responsible for the preparation and dissemination of all information and publications of the Club.

c. Program and Events Committee - Will coordinate club events and in the interest of safety and accuracy will review the event chairman's plans for upcoming events. Will also be responsible for planning entertainment activities for regular meetings.

d. Technical and Safety Committee - Will conduct periodic safety checks on vehicles in any Club event. In non-speed events, this committee shall consist of all participants. Will maintain a Technical Library for member reference and provide evaluation of any work by members or outside service people.

e. Points Committee - Will maintain a record of points awarded members for participation in all club activities.

c. Each Standing Committee will consist of a Chair and sufficient members to perform the task. Committee members will serve at the pleasure of the Committee Chair.

d. A committee Chair may be removed or replaced by a majority vote of the Executive Committee

ARTICLE IX - BY LAWS

a. The By-laws contain the details for a smooth running SMM.

b. The By-laws may be changed, sections of subsections deleted or added by two-thirds vote of the Active Members present at a meeting.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

a. Any active member may propose an amendment by submitting it in writing to the Secretary, who will submit it to the publicity chairman for publication prior to its consideration at the next regular meeting

b. The proposed amendment must be passed by a two thirds vote of the Active Members present at a regular meeting and such ballots as are received prior to that meeting, in order for such amendment to be come effective. Votes may be received by mail or otherwise delivered, and shall be signed by the active member who is voting.

This constitution has been drafted and approved by the Founding Board of Directors on March 23, 2004.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN MINIs BYLAWS

A. DUES

1. Active Members (except Honorary Members): $20 per year to the SMM. A family Membership, including all interested family members is $25 per year.

2. Associate Members: $15 per year.

B. MEETINGS

1. Regular meetings are held at 6:30 P.M. on the 4 th Tuesday of each month at a location regularly published on the Website. The location shall be changed to best serve the members across the Region.

2. The order of business will be:

i. Call to Order

Introduction of Guests

Introduction of Members

ii. Reports

of the Executive Committee

of Other Committee

Announcements

iii Old and Unfinished Business

iv Nomination and Election of Officers (March and April)

v New Business

vi Oral Communications

Swap and Sell Announcements

Technical Questions and Answers

vii Adjournment

viii Refreshments

ix Entertainment

C. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. Nominations for elected office will be made from the floor or in writing at the meeting one month prior to the election meeting. At least one person must be nominated for each office.

2. The April meeting will be the election meeting, with new officers taking office in May.

D. FINANCES

1. The Club's fiscal year will be from May 1 to April 30.

2. An entry fee may be charged at any event at the discretion of the chairman of the program and events committee.

3. Fund raising may be accomplished by Club swap meets, advertising fees, sale of service items purchased by the club, etc.