Bylaws of The Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce, revised as of 6/15/2006.

Article I - NAME  

The name of this organization shall be the Lyme - Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce.  

Article II - PURPOSE  

The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the civic, economic, and social interests of the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme.  

Article III - MEMBERSHIP  

Membership shall be open to residents of the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme and to others who have, in writing, declared their interest in the civic, economic, and social purposes of the Chamber.  

Article IV - ADMISSION  

A candidate for membership shall submit an application on a form provided by the Secretary, which application must be sponsored by a member of the Chamber and presented to the Membership Committee. If the application is approved by the Membership Committee, it shall be presented by the Secretary, with the Committee's recommendation, at the next business meeting. At such business meeting, the Secretary shall present the application and the committee's recommendation. Unless waived, voting shall be by call vote, and election shall result from a two-thirds favorable vote of the members present at the meeting.  

Article V - DUES - Severance  

The annual dues shall be determined by the Chamber at its annual meeting and notice of the amount due sent by the Treasurer to every member prior to the next monthly meeting. The annual membership dues may be waived for a member by the Board of Directors. Membership dues shall cover twelve months from July 1st to June 30th, and are payable in September of the current year.  

If any member's dues are unpaid   by the January meeting of the Chamber, the Treasurer shall notify such delinquent member that his membership is suspended pending payment, and that membership will be discontinued if payment has not been made within 30 days.

Article VI - OFFICERS - DUTIES  

The officers of the Chamber shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, , and Secretary, to be elected at the annual meeting and to serve for two (2) years from the date of election.  

The officers shall perform such duties as may devolve upon holders of such officers and titles, shall discharge obligations required by law, and be responsible for such other assignments as be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or by vote of the Chamber.   The Board of Directors may appoint an assistant to any office, the term of such assistant to terminate at the next election of officers.

Article VII - DIRECTORS  

A Board of Directors shall consist of six members in addition to the current officers. Two members shall be elected each year at the annual meeting to serve for a term of three years.  

The Officers of the Board of Directors shall be responsible for the conduct of ordinary business, act on legal and policy matters in behalf of the Chamber, and exercise all powers not otherwise delegated in the By-Laws, or reserved to the Chamber in plenary sessions, including appointment of Committees.   The Board of Directors shall approve all Chamber donations of more than $100.00 and shall present such approved donations to the membership at the next regular meeting.  

Article VIII - NOMINATING COMMITTEE  

The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members to be appointed by the President upon advice of the Board of Directors. One member shall serve for one year, one for two years, and one for three years; and thereafter one shall be appointed to succeed the retiring member to serve for three years. The member completing his or her term at the end of the year shall be Chairman for that year.

The committee shall report at the annual meeting, nominating one member for each position as officer and two directors for the ensuing year. The privilege of making nominations from the floor shall not be abridged.  

Article IX - MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE  

The Membership Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate membership list, reviewing applications of new members and making recommendations to the Chamber for the election of any candidate approved by the Committee; and in the event of rejection by the Committee, notifying the member sponsoring the candidate and returning the proffered fee.

The Committee shall coordinate recruitment of new Chamber members.  

Article X - VACANCIES  

Vacancies in any office shall be filled by a vote of the majority of members at any regular meeting upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee, or at a special meeting called for the purpose. Vacancies in the membership of the Board of Directors shall be filled by vote of the remaining members of the Board, such appointment to expire at the next annual meeting, at which time the Chamber shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term by vote upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy on any committee.  

Article XI - MEETINGS  

Regular meetings of the Chamber shall be held at such times and places as may be determined by the Chamber or Board of Directors in concurrence. Special meetings shall be called by the President after consultation with the Officers and Directors, and notice given one week in advance by the Secretary.  

The fiscal year shall be July 1 st to June 30 th.

The Annual Meeting shall be held during the last monthly meeting before the close of the fiscal year. A quorum shall consist of 21 members.  

Elections shall be by call vote unless otherwise decided by the Chamber.  

"Robert's Rules of Order, Revised", shall be the controlling reference.  

The agenda of the Annual Meeting shall include:  

 a. Call to Order  

 b. Reading and approval of the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting  

 c. Report of the Treasurer and the Audit  

 d. Reports of Standing and "ad hoc" Committee  

 e. Unfinished business

 f. New business  

 g. Setting of application fees and membership dues  

 h. Election of Officers and Directors  

 i. Adjournment

Article XII - AMENDMENTS  

These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the Chamber in any regular or special meeting, provided that notice shall have been given at a previous meeting not less than four weeks prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken.  

Article XIII – Donations by the Chamber

All donations to be made by the Chamber in an amount of greater than $100 must be taken for consideration and recommendation by the Board of Directors before a motion for a vote by the members is accepted.

Adopted June 15 th, 2006.