Bylaws
International Federation of Trekkers, Incorporated
ARTICLE I
Purpose
Section 1.1
This organization shall be known as the International
Federation of Trekkers (IFT), Incorporated, and
hereinafter shall be referred to as the Corporation.
Section 1.2
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed
include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. To promote the humanistic philosophies and ideals
portrayed in the Star Trek mythos in a realistic
fashion, conducive to the continued existence and
responsible advancement of humankind.
2. To bring together those persons interested in
various aspects of Star Trek for the purpose of social
interaction and community service.
3. To promote within the community at large a more
positive impression of Star Trek enthusiasts as
intelligent, socially conscious, and active
individuals who are indeed very aware of, and
concerned about, the real world of today.
4. To provide, promote, and support education and
positive activism in the areas of human rights, racial
and sexual equality, the environment, and space
exploration.
5. To create and administer chapters worldwide for the
purpose of community service and social interaction at
the local level.
ARTICLE II
Location
Section 2.1
The principal office of the Corporation, from which
the general business of the Corporation will be
transacted and where the records of the Corporation
will be kept, shall be at such a place in the city of
Lorain, state of Ohio, as may be fixed from time to
time by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise
fixed, it will be at P.O. Box 242, Lorain, Ohio
44052-0242, USA.
ARTICLE III
Members
Section 3.1
The Corporation shall be a membership organization
with no capital stock. No dividends or pecuniary
profit of any character shall inure to the benefits of
its officers or members.
There shall be four (4) main classes of members:
1. Latinum membership - including :
a - Latinum Active Duty Members -- Active Duty Members
of the Corporation shall be those persons who pay
annual dues as provided by Article VIII, Section 8.3,
and who opt to participate in the activities of one or
more of the Chapters of the Corporation, at a level as
defined in Article VII. This level of member may hold
a position as the head of a department in a Chapter or
HQ.
b - Latinum Full Associate Members -- Associate
Members of the Corporation shall be those persons who
pay full annual dues as provided by Article VIII,
Section 8.3, and who opt not to participate in the
activities of the individual Chapters of the
Corporation or HQ.
c - Latinum Family Plan Members -- Those members who
occupy the same place of residence as a confirmed
Latinum Active Duty Member of the Corporation, and who
pay annual dues as provided by Article VIII, Section
8.3, shall be known as Latinum Family Plan Members of
the Corporation. No more than five (5) persons who
occupy the same place of residence shall be Latinum
Family Plan Members of the Corporation. This level of
member may hold a position as the head of a department
in a chapter or HQ.
2. Titanium membership.
3. Platinum membership.
4. Gold membership.
These other 3 membership options are for Members of
the Corporation who pay dues as provided by Article
VIII, Section 8.3, but of a lesser amount. These
members may opt for either reduced Active or reduced
Associate status in the Corporation. If they opt for
reduced Active Status, because they pay lesser dues
they may not hold a position as the head of a
department in a chapter or HQ, although they may fully
participate in the regular activities of their
chapter. These 3 levels are fully described below in
Section 3.6.
Section 3.2
Every applicant shall be fairly considered for
membership in the Corporation after receipt of the
required annual dues and a properly completed Request
for Membership, a sample of which is attached hereto
as Attachment #1. The sole authority to confirm and/or
deny membership upon/to any applicant to the
Corporation shall rest with the Board of Directors.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance or refusal
of membership within ninety (90) days of receipt of
their dues and Request for Membership by the Chief of
Operations. Membership to the Corporation shall not
be determined on the basis of race, physical handicap,
sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
Section 3.3
A member whose dues are current and who confirms to
the rules and regulations provided in these by-laws,
to the rules and regulations provided in the by-laws
of the principal Chapter to which said member belongs
(if applicable), and who conducts himself/herself
within the boundaries of the spirit of the Corporation
as determined by the Board of Directors, shall be
considered to be in Good Standing with the
Corporation.
Section 3.4
No member in Good Standing shall be arbitrarily denied
any of the benefits or entitlements of membership in
the Corporation.
Section 3.5
The term of membership in the Corporation shall be one
(1) calendar year per enlistment. Enlistment periods
for each applicant for membership will be calculated
from the date said applicant's correct annual dues and
Request for Membership were received. A re-enlistment
fee in the form of subsequent annual dues shall be
required thereafter on the anniversary of the member's
initial enlistment in the order to remain a member of
the Corporation. Provided that a member is in Good
Standing with the Corporation, there shall be no limit
to the number of times said member may re-enlist.
Section 3.6
Other entitlements of individuals membership shall be
determined according
to member class, as follows:
1. Latinum memberships :
a - Latinum Active Duty Status:
One (1) Certificate of Membership
One (1) Member ID Card per enlistment/re-enlistment
One (1) Annual Subscription to the Corporation's
periodic publication per
annual enlistment/re-enlistment.
One (1) Membership Manual per enlistment/re-enlistment
One (1) Stardate Chart.
Any other such benefits as are outlined in the by-laws
of the principal
Chapter to which said member belongs.
b - Latinum Full Associate Status:
One (1) Certificate of Membership
One (1) Member ID Card per enlistment/re-enlistment
One (1) Annual Subscription to the Corporation's
periodic publication per
annual enlistment/re-enlistment.
One (1) Membership Manual per enlistment/re-enlistment
One (1) Stardate Chart.
c - Latinum Family Plan Status:
One (1) Certificate of Membership
One (1) Member ID Card per enlistment/re-enlistment
Any other such benefits as are outlined in the by-laws
of the principal
Chapter to which said member belongs.
2. Titanium membership - A slightly reduced annual
dues is levied and a
reduced membership packet issued.
One (1) Membership ID Card and Certificate,
One (1) Stardate Chart.
One (1) Annual Subscription to the Corporation's
periodic publication per
annual enlistment/re-enlistment.
Plus any other such benefits as are outlined in the
by-laws of the principal
Chapter to which said member may belong.
3. Platinum membership - A reduced annual dues is
levied and a reduced
membership packet issued.
One (1) Membership ID Card and Certificate,
One (1) Stardate Chart.
Plus any other such benefits as are outlined in the
by-laws of the principal
Chapter to which said member may belong.
4. Gold membership - this is free - Such members are
registered with IFT
HQ and may be a part of chapter / department
activities but receive no
membership packet. They may also receive any other
such benefits as are
outlined in the by-laws of the principal Chapter to
which said member may
belong.
Section 3.7
Although the Corporation shall not be a military
organization in purpose nor practice, members of the
Corporation will be granted titles in the form of
military-type ranks, a list of which is attached
hereto as Attached #2. The procedure for assignment of
rank titles to individual members of the
Corporation shall be conducted according to member
class, as follows:
1. Latinum Active Duty, Latinum Family Plan, Titanium,
Platinum and Gold Active Duty Members – The Commander
of the Principal Chapter to which the Active Duty or
Family Plan Member is assigned shall determine the
rank title to which said member is entitled. All rank
assignments of Latinum Full Active Duty, Latinum
Family Plan, Titanium, Platinum and Gold Active Duty
Members will be subject to final approval by the Chief
of Operations.
2. Latinum Full Associate, Titanium, Platinum and Gold
Associate Status -- Assignment of rank titles to all
Associate Members of the Corporation shall be
determined by the Chief of Operations.
All members of the Corporation below the age of
sixteen (16) years will carry the qualifier "Cadet"
immediately before their title of rank. No members
below said age shall be granted a rank title above
"Cadet-Commander." If a member below said age has
rendered outstanding service to or on behalf of the
Corporation, said member may be granted the rank title
of "Acting Ensign" with final approval by the Chief of
Operations.
Section 3.8
The criteria for promotion up to and including the
rank of "Commander (first class)" shall include, but
are not limited to, the following: Length and quality
of service, responsibility, and commitment to the
goals and ideals of the Corporation. The criteria for
demotion from the rank of "Commander" (first class)
and below shall be addressed on an individual case
basis by the Chief of Operations. The procedure for
promotion and demotion within the Corporation up to
and including the rank title of "Commander (first
class)" shall be conducted according to member class,
as follows:
1. Latinum Active Duty, Latinum Family Plan, Titanium,
Platinum and Gold Plan Active Duty Members – The
Commander of the principal Chapter to which the Full
Active Duty / Family Plan / Enlisted Plan Active
Member is assigned shall determined the rank title to
which said member should be promoted/demoted. All
promotions/demotions of Latinum Active Duty, Latinum
Family Plan, Titanium, Platinum and Gold Plan Active
Duty Members will be subject to final approval by the
Chief of Operations.
2. Latinum Full Associate, Titanium, Platinum and Gold
Associate Members -- Promotion within the Corporation
of all Latinum Full Associate, Titanium, Platinum and
Gold Associate Members shall be determined by the
Board of Directors. Demotion of all Latinum Full
Associate, Titanium, Platinum and Gold Associate
Members and shall be determined by the Chief of
Operations.
Section 3.9
Promotion within the Corporation to the rank title of
"Captain" shall be
determined by the Board of Directors after due
consideration.
Promotion within the Corporation above the rank title
of "Captain" shall be
determined by the Board of Directors after
consideration and recommendation
by the Rank Review & Advisory Board.
Demotion within the Corporation from the rank title of
"Fleet Admiral" and
all ranks down to "Captain 3" shall be accomplished by
a majority vote of
Board of Directors.
Criteria for demotion from the rank of "Fleet Admiral"
and all ranks down to
"Captain 3" shall be defined on a separate /
individual case basis by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation after due
consideration and
recommendation by the Rank Review & Advisory Board.
Section 3.10.a
No Officer of the Corporation shall, at any given
time, hold in an active capacity more than one
position as provided for in Article 6.1 of these
bylaws, excepting the additional position of also
being a GEO Commander and the circumstances described
in Article 3.10.b.
Section 3.10.b
Regarding the positions of the Officers of the
Corporation referred to in Article 3.10.a. and Article
6.1 of these bylaws, the occasion may arise when
through the absence / disability of the appointed
member, or a position being vacant, that the duties
accorded to one of these positions may become
neglected. In such a case these duties may be
performed by one of more of
the other Corporate Officers 'pro tempore' at the
discretion of the Federation Council, the proxy for
the Chief of Operations always being the Chief of
Staff as per Section 6.7. The 'pro tempore'
performance of such duties does not entitle those
performing them to assume the title and privileges of
the position they proxy, respecting Article 3.10.a.
Section 3.11
Whenever possible, at least one (1) International
Conference of Members of the Corporation will be held
per year at a location, date, and time of the Board of
Director's choice. Notice of the International
Conference of Members will be sent to each member by
mail at least ninety (90) days prior to the day such
conference will be held. The International Conference
shall be chaired by the Chief of Operations or his/her
designee.
Section 3.12
The Board of Directors of the Corporation reserves the
right to expel any member who acts in violation of
local, state, or federal law; the provisions of these
by-laws; the by-laws of the principal Chapter to which
said member belongs; or whose conduct is in total
violation of the philosophy of the Corporation. Said
expelled member's current dues may be refunded at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. The sole
authority to expel members at any level of the
Corporation shall rest with the Board of Directors.
Section 3.13
No compensation will be paid to any member of the
Corporation for services to the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors (Federation Council)
Section 4.1
The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be
known as the Federation Council, and heretofore and
after shall be referred to as the Federation Council.
The number of the Federation Council will not be less
than five (5) members.
Section 4.2
Individuals eligible to become Federation Council
Members will be those persons who possess sufficient
organizational skills, and who have proven their
dedication to excellence in the furtherance of the
mission and goals of the Corporation. This Corporation
is committed to a policy of fair representation on the
Federation Council, which does not discriminate on the
basis of race, physical handicap, sex, color,
religion, sexual orientation, or age.
Section 4.3
The Federation Council shall be presided over by a
Chairperson and assisted by a Vice Chairperson. All
meetings and functions of the Federation Council will
be coordinated, catalogued, and executed by the
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Section 4.4
Unless otherwise specified in these By-Laws, all
issues before the Federation Council will be decided
by majority vote. The designated majority for all
votes undertaken by the Federation Council of the
Corporation shall be a sixty percent (60%) majority.
The percentage of voting stock of individual
Federation Council Members is as follows:
1. Chairperson -- The Chairperson of the Federation
Council shall have twenty percent (20%) of the voting
stock.
2. Vice-Chairperson -- The Vice Chairperson of the
Federation Council shall have twenty percent (20%) of
the voting stock.
3. The Admiral of Operations -- The Admiral of
Operations of the Federation Council shall have twenty
percent (20%) of the voting stock.
4. The Council Adjutant -- The Council Adjutant to the
Federation Council shall have twenty percent (20%) of
the voting stock.
5. The Director of Communications -- The Director of
Communications shall have twenty percent (20%) of the
voting stock.
Section 4.5
The term of each member of the Federation Council of
the Corporation shall be three (3) calendar years.
After this time, they must either stand down or be
reconfirmed in position by the President / Chief of
Operations and be ratified again by a majority of the
Corporations chapters.
Section 4.6
The Chief of Operations shall select the remaining
members of the Federation Council who shall be
ratified by the Chapters of the Corporation.
Confirmation of Federation Council members will take
place as the first order of business at the start of
the fiscal year. Federation Council members will be
confirmed by a majority vote of the Chapters of the
Corporation.
Section 4.7
When a member of the Federation Council dies, resigns,
or is removed, the Federation Council may elect any
member of the Corporation to serve for the duration of
the unexpired term.
Section 4.8
Any member of the Federation Council may be removed
from the Federation Council by an affirmative majority
vote of the current Federation Council. Notice of the
proposed removal will be given to Board members with
notice of the meeting. The Federation Council Member
involved will be given an opportunity to :
1. Present a written appeal before the meeting.
2. Be present and deliver their defense in person or
by proxy at the meeting at which his or her removal is
considered.
3. They may cast his or her vote in his/her own
defense.
Section 4.9
The Federation Council will be the sole authority to
grant and/or withdraw permission of the use of any
copyrighted material held by the Corporation,
including the name "International Federation of
Trekkers", "IFT", and the Corporation logo, a copy of
which is attached hereto as Attachment #3.
ARTICLE V
Meetings of the Federation Council
Section 5.1
An annual meeting of the Federation Council will be
held in February of each year. In addition to its
annual meeting, the Federation Council will hold
regular meetings a minimum of three (3) times each
calendar year, with monthly meetings being the
recommended norm.
Section 5.2
Special meetings of the Federation Council may be
called at any time by the Chief of Operations or in
his or her absence by the Chief of Staff or upon a
request by one (1) or more board members or by a
simple majority of the Officers of the Corporation.
Section 5.3
Notice of regular, special, and annual meetings will
be given by e-mail, mail or telephone at least one (1)
day prior such meeting is to be held. Any Federation
Council member who cannot attend a Council meeting,
must send a waiver notice to the Council via the
Secretary General saying that they cannot attend, or
ask that the meeting be postponed if they feel that
they must attend the meeting for some particular
reason. If a vote is to take place, and a Federation
Council member cannot attend in person... they should
send their vote to Council via e-mail beforehand or
appoint another Council member as their proxy,
otherwise their vote will be automatically waived
provided a sufficient quorum is present .
Section 5.4
At all meetings of the Federation Council, each
council member present will be entitled to cast one
(1) vote on a motion coming before the meeting. The
presence of a majority of the Federation Council will
constitute a quorum at a meeting.
Section 5.5
At a meeting at which there is a quorum present, a
sixty percent (60%) majority affirmative vote of the
Federation Council is required to pass a motion before
the council.
Section 5.6
Robert's Rules of Order will be the authority for all
questions of procedure at any meetings of the
Federation Council.
ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section 6.1
a) The Officers of this Corporation will be a Chief of
Operations, Chief of Staff, Admiral of Operations,
Council Adjutant, Director of Communications, the GEO
Commanders (the number of which to be determined from
time to time by the Federation Council), and the
Secretary-General.
b) The Chief of Operations, Chief of Staff, Admiral of
Operations, Council Adjutant and the Director of
Communications are the Executive Officers of the
Corporation sharing the corporate vote.
c) The GEO Commanders are Secondary Officers of the
Corporation and have an advisory role and do not vote
apart from at certain times as expressed in these
bylaws.
Section 6.2
The Officers of the Corporation will be confirmed by
the Chapters of the Corporation. Each Officer will
serve three (3) year terms.
Section 6.3
All Officers of the Corporation will, upon
confirmation, be signed into office with the
acceptance of the position as an Officer of the
Corporation.
Section 6.4
Any Officer may be removed by the Federation Council
by a majority vote. The matter of removal may be acted
upon at any meeting of the council, provided that
notice of intention to consider said removal and
documented reason for removal has been given to each
Federation Council member at least one (1) week
previously.
Section 6.5
A vacancy in any office may be filled by a majority
vote of the Federation Council for the unexpired
portion of the term.
Section 6.6
The Chief of Operations will be the president of the
Corporation and the Chairperson of the Federation
Council. It will be the duty of the Chief of
Operations to have general supervision of the affairs
of the Corporation. He or she will execute on behalf
of the Corporation all contracts, deeds, conveyance,
and other instruments in writing that may be required
or authorized by the Federation Council for the proper
and necessary transaction of the business of the
Corporation. He will also be responsible for the
Database maintenance, processing of membership
applications, and final editing of VOYAGES plus other
IFT publicity materials. Other duties may be added as
needed by Council.
The Chief of Operations will hold the rank of Fleet
Admiral.
Section 6.7
The Chief of Staff will be the executive vice
president of the Corporation and the Vice-Chairperson
of the Federation Council. It will be the duty of the
Chief of Staff to assist in the general supervision of
the affairs of the Corporation, to act in the absence
or disability of the Chief of Operations, and to
perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or
her by the Federation Council. In the absence of the
Chief of Operations, the execution by the Chief of
Staff on behalf of the Corporation of any instrument
will have the same force and effect as if it were
executed on behalf of the Corporation by the Chief of
Operations. The Chief of Staff will also coordinate
and represent Council Prime and its GEOs to IFT
Council and visa versa. The holding of this position
is dependent upon the person presently serving or
having served on GEO Prime as a GEO Commander. The
Chief of Staff will assist the Chief of Operations in
running the IFT
Main Office [duties as described above under Chief of
Ops] Other duties may be added as needed by Council.
The Chief of Staff shall hold the rank of Vice-Fleet
Admiral.
Section 6.8
The Admiral of Operations will be a vice-president of
the Corporation and a voting member of the Federation
Council. It will be the duty of the Admiral of
Operations to act in coordination / assistance in
media and public relations for the promotion of IFT,
to and for all levels of IFT. Will seek opportunities
to provide :
1. discount assistance to members and chapters for
conventions and other Trek events.
2. offers and perks for the members from promotional
endeavors at national and local levels.
The Chapter, Commendations Advisory Board duties will
also be fulfilled by this officer. Other duties may be
added as needed by Council.
The Admiral of Operations with hold the rank of
Admiral.
Section 6.9
The Council Adjutant will be a vice-president of the
Corporation and will serve as a voting member of the
Federation Council. It will be the duty of the Council
Adjutant to serve as an advisor to the Federation
Council. As well a being an advisor on all subjects,
specifically the Adjutant will oversee the Rank Review
& Advisory Board ... a fleet review promotion /
commendation board, for all IFT members at or above
the rank of Captain. The Adjutant will also head the
IFT Advisory Board, a body of experienced ex Council
members whom the Federation Council feels will be
useful in an advisory capacity to the Corporation.
Membership on this
Advisory Board is by invitation of Federation Council
only. The Adjutant will make sure that parliamentary
procedure is maintained within Federation Council
according to Robert's Rules of Order and that the
Fleet adheres to all IFT policies and By-laws. Other
duties may be added as needed by Council.
The Council Adjutant will hold the rank of Vice
Admiral.
Section 6.10
The Director of Communications will be a
vice-president of the Corporation and a voting member
of the Federation Council. The Director of
Communications' duties will be to coordinate regular
communication within IFT. He will represent the
Federation Council to the members by regular news /
info bulletins and coordinate fleet communications
from the support offices within IFT HQ, while also
encouraging fluid communications between the members /
chapters and from them to IFT HQ. His duties will
also include the issuing of IFT information packets
those interested in joining IFT and the issuing of new
/ renewed membership packets to paid up members.
Other duties may be added as needed by Council.
The Director of Communications will hold the rank of
Commodore.
Section 6.11
The GEO (Geographical Extension of Operations)
Commanders will be consultant directors [non-executive
officers] of the Corporation having an advisory non
voting role, except at certain times, as expressed in
these bylaws. It will be the duty of a GEO Commander
to act as a regional representative of the
Corporation, the parameters of said region to be
determined by the Federation Council. He or she, under
the supervision of the Chief of Staff and Chief of
Operations, will be responsible to provide
administrative support and guidance to the individual
Chapters of the Corporation whose principal offices
are within his or her designated region, to coordinate
and oversee the expansion and the furtherance of the
Corporation and its stated purposes within his or her
designated region, to act as an intermediary between
the individual Chapters within his or her region and
the Corporation, to ensure that the Chapters within
his or her designated region abide by the provisions
of these By-Laws and any other subsequent policy or
procedural literature published by the Corporation,
and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to
him or her by the Chief of Operations, the Chief of
Staff, or the Federation Council.
Section 6.12
The Secretary-General will be the secretary of the
Corporation and a non-voting member of the Federation
Council. He or she will be responsible for keeping the
corporate records. He or she will give or cause to be
given all notices of meetings of the Federation
Council and all other notices required by law or by
these By-Laws. The Secretary-General will be the
custodian of all the books, correspondence, and papers
relating to the business of the Corporation, excepting
the financial books maintained by the Chief of
Operations. The Secretary-General will present at each
annual meeting of the Federation Council a full report
of the transactions and affairs of the Corporation for
the preceding year and will also prepare and present
to the Federation Council such other reports as it may
desire and request at such time or times it may
designate. The Federation Council at its discretion
may elect an assistant secretary, not necessarily a
member of the Federation Council, who will perform the
duties and assume the responsibilities of the
Secretary-General as above set forth under the general
direction of the Secretary-General.
Section 6.13
Any Officer of the Corporation, in addition to the
powers conferred upon him or her by these By-Laws,
will have such additional powers and perform such
additional duties as may be prescribed from time to
time by said council.
ARTICLE VII
Chapters of the Corporation
Section 7.1
The GEO Commander, with approval from the Chief of
Staff, from time to time may at its discretion
commission local individual Chapters of the
Corporation in order to further its mission and goals
at the local level. The general establishment and
administration of such local Chapters will be
entrusted to an individual Chapter Commander, who
henceforth will be responsible for all activities
undertaken by said Chapter on behalf of or in the name
of the Corporation. The principal office of the
Chapter will be the home address of the Chapter
Commander or at a postal facility or some such other
address readily accessible to the Chapter Commander.
Section 7.2
The Chapter Commander will act as the chairperson of
and accountable individual for a single Chapter of the
Corporation. It will be the duty of the Chapter
Commander to establish and maintain his or her Chapter
in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and
any such subsequent policy or procedural literature
published by the Corporation, to act as representative
of and to the Corporation for his or her assigned
portion of the membership, to further the goals and
ideals of the Corporation at a local level, and to
perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or
her by the Chief of Operations, the Chief of Staff,
the GEO Commander to
which his or her Chapter is assigned, or the
Federation Council. The Chapter Commander will, on the
behalf of the Chapter he or she maintains, sign an
agreement accepting the responsibility for the
operation of the Chapter within the bylaws of the
Corporation.
Section 7.3
Any two (2) members of the Corporation may apply for
Chapter status by submitting a written request to an
Officer of the Corporation, who will forward said
request to the appropriate GEO Commander within thirty
(30) days of consideration. Applicants will be
notified of confirmation or denial of Chapter status
no later than ninety (90) days after receipt of their
request by the GEO Commander. If confirmed, the GEO
Commander will determine which of the two applicants
will act as Chapter Commander. In a situation where a
pre-existing organization applies for membership, the
current Chapter Commander shall retain his position.
The sole authority to confer, deny, or revoke Chapter
status in the Corporation shall rest with the
Federation Council.
Section 7.4
There shall be two (2) classes of Chapter, as follows:
1. Scout Status -- A Chapter consisting of two to four
(2-4) members of the Corporation.
2. Ship Status -- A Chapter consisting of five (5) or
more members of the Corporation
Section 7.5
Any individual who wishes to join a Chapter of the
Corporation, or who wishes to participate in the
meetings and/or activities of any Chapter for a period
exceeding three (3) consecutive or non-consecutive
months, must be a member of the Corporation in
accordance with Article III of the By-Laws.
Section 7.6
Chapters of the Corporation will hold meetings at
which Chapter business is discussed and which are open
to the public no less than six (6) times per calendar
year. Meetings will be held at a time and place of the
Chapter Commander's choosing, and notice of each
meeting will be given by mail or by telephone to all
Chapter members no less than seven (7) days before
said meeting is to take place. Meetings will be
presided over by the Chapter Commander or his or her
designee, and the quorum for Chapter meetings will not
be less than two (2) members of said Chapter.
Section 7.7
Chapters must maintain written files of their
activities and general business. The contents of these
files will include, but are not limited to, the
following: All correspondence to and from the Chapter,
minutes of all meetings held, a correct and detailed
accounting of Chapter finances,
membership data regarding
promotions\demotions\expiration of membership, and all
publications distributed by or on behalf of the
Chapter. Such files will be subject to inspection at
any time by the Chief of Operations, the Chief of
Staff, or the GEO Commander to which said Chapter is
assigned. Copies of all publications to be distributed
by or on behalf of the Chapter must be
sent in a timely manner to each of the following:
Chief of Operations, Chief of Staff, IFT Newsmagazine
staff, and the GEO Commander to which said Chapter is
assigned.
Section 7.8
All Chapters must maintain open and frequent
communications with the Corporation via the GEO
Commander to which they are assigned. Failure to
communicate in any given sixty (60) day period may
result in revocation of Chapter Status by the
Federation Council.
Section 7.9
Chapters may defray the cost of administration by
charging additional dues for Chapter membership. Such
additional dues will not exceed twenty-five United
States dollars ($25.00) or its equivalent per
individual per year, and must include therein the
appropriate fee for said individual's continued
membership in the Corporation. Fee for corporate
membership shall not exceed fifteen United States
dollars ($15) or its equivalent per individual per
year. All additional dues levied by the Chapter are
subject to final approval by the Federation Council.
No part of any additional dues levied by the Chapter
shall constitute personal pecuniary profit to any of
said Chapter's officers or members.
Section 7.10
No Chapter may recruit members exclusively for itself
outside the municipality in which said Chapter's
principal meeting place is located without prior
approval by the Federation Council. Chapter territory
shall be considered on an individual case basis by the
Federation Council, taking into consideration both
square mileage and population density. No Chapter may
claim in its membership an individual who resides more
than thirty (30) statute miles from the Chapter's
principal meeting place. Exceptions to this provision
will be submitted in writing by the individual in
question to the Federation Council for consideration.
Section 7.11
Members of the Corporation also belonging to another
Star Trek fan group or organization, with the command
position of Executive Commander (XO) or higher may not
assume a similar position of Executive Commander (XO)
or higher within the Corporation of the International
Federation of Trekkers. This does not prohibit said
individuals from being general members
in other such organizations or from participating
fully in other non-Star Trek organizations.
Section 7.12
All Chapter meetings, activities, and publications
must adhere to local, state, and federal law, the
provisions of these By-Laws, and any such subsequent
policy and procedural literature published by the
Corporation.
Section 7.13
Chapter Status may be revoked by the Federation
Council by majority vote. The matter of revocation of
Chapter Status may be acted upon at any meeting of the
Council, provided that notice of intention to consider
said revocation and documented cause for revocation
has been given to each Federation Council member and
the Chapter Commander in question at least one
(1) week previously.
Section 7.14
No Chapter or representative thereof shall enter into
contracts or agreements with private organizations and
businesses on behalf of the Corporation without prior
approval by the Federation Council.
Section 7.15
All Chapters of the Corporation are required to engage
in at least two acts of charity and or community
service per calendar year.
ARTICLE VIII
Finances
Section 8.1
The activities of the Corporation will be financed by
dues paid by its members and by the proceeds of
various fund raising activities and initiatives
authorized from time to time by the Federation
Council. The Corporation, where approved by the
Federation Council, in furtherance of its purposes,
reserves the right to enter into contracts with and
receive and expend grants from private organizations
and businesses.
Section 8.2
The annual budget of the Corporation will be adopted
by the Federation Council on or before February 1st of
the preceding year.
Section 8.3
The Federation Council shall annually determine an
equitable amount for dues for individual membership in
the Corporation. The amount of dues shall be
sufficient in the aggregate to defray the actual and
necessary expenses of maintaining the Corporation. The
Federation Council will notify each member of the
amount due to the Corporation no later than thirty
(30) days before
said individual member's membership will expire. Such
dues in the appropriate and full amount will be
payable in United States dollars to the International
Federation of Trekkers, Incorporated.
Section 8.4
All disbursements of Corporation funds will be made by
the Chief of Operations, or, in the event of his or
her absence, disability, or vacancy, by the Chief of
Staff.
Section 8.5
A financial statement will be provided by the Chief of
Operations on a quarterly basis for dissemination to
the Federation Council. This financial statement will
be given to the Chapters and the members of the
Corporation via the quarterly issue of 'VOYAGES' the
Corporations
newsletter.
ARTICLE IX
Committees
Section 9.1
The Federation Council may designate one or more ad
hoc committees, each of which will consist of at least
one (1) committee chair and two (2) or more committee
members. Committee members may be members of the
Federation Council, members of the Corporation, or
other interested individuals. The chair of the
committee will be appointed by the Chief of
Operations, who will act with the board's approval.
After consultation with the committee chair, the
Federation Council will appoint committee members. The
studies, findings, and recommendations of all
committees will be reported to the Federation Council
for consideration and action, except as otherwise
ordered by the Federation Council. Committees may
adopt such rules for the conduct
of business as are appropriate and as are not
inconsistent with these By-Laws, the articles of
incorporation, local, state, or federal law, and the
overall spirit of the Corporation.
Section 9.2
The Federation Council will have the following
standing committees:
1. Council Prime of the Federation Council -- This
committee will be chaired by the Chief of Staff and
will consist of all GEO Commanders. This committee
will serve as a deliberative body for Corporation
policy and procedure, and will make studied
recommendations to the Federation Council on various
aspects of Corporation administration and expansion
via the Chief of Staff who is their representative to
Federation Council.
2. IFT Advisory Board -- a body of experienced ex
Council members whom the Federation Council feels will
be useful in an advisory capacity to the Corporation.
Membership on this Advisory Board is by invitation of
Federation Council only. The Board is to be chaired by
the Council Adjutant.
3. IFT VOYAGES Staff -- This committee will be chaired
by an editor and will consist of no less than two (2)
staff reporters. This committee will be in charged
with the creation and compilation of the Corporation's
periodic newsletter to the membership. It shall be
responsible for the content, continuity, and layout of
each newsletter issue as prescribed by the Federation
Council.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous
Section 10.1
The Corporation will have the power to indemnify and
hold harmless any council member or Officer from any
suit, damage, claim, judgment, or liability arising
out of, or asserted to arise out of, conduct of such
person in his or her capacity as a council member or
Officer (except in cases involving willful misconduct
or negligence). The Corporation will have the power to
purchase or procure insurance for such purposes.
Section 10.2
The Federation Council may authorize any Officer or
Officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, in
addition to the Officers so authorized by these
By-Laws, to enter into any contract or execute and
deliver and instrument in the name of, and on behalf
of, the Corporation. Such authority may be general or
confined to specific instances.
Section 10.3
All checks, drafts, and other such orders for payment
of funds will be signed by the Chief of Operations or
any voting member of the Federation Council. In the
event of the absence, disability, or vacancy by the
Chief of Operations, all disbursements will be signed
by any two voting members of the Federation Council
pending approval by the Federation Council.
Section 10.4
The Corporation will keep correct and complete books
and records of account and will also keep minutes of
the proceedings of the Federation Council: and it will
keep at the registered or principal office a record
giving the names and addresses of the members entitled
to vote. All books and records of the Corporation may
be inspected by any Federation Council member or his
or her agent or attorney for any proper purpose at any
reasonable time. Copies of all books and records of
the Corporation for the current fiscal year may be
inspected by any member of the Corporation within
ninety (90) calendar days of notice and a processing
fee not to exceed twenty-five United States dollars
($25) or its equivalent.
Section 10.5
The fiscal year of the Corporation will be February
1st through January 31st.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
The Federation Council may amend these By-Laws to
include or omit any provision that it could lawfully
include or omit at the time the amendment is made.
Upon written notice of at least thirty (30) days, any
number of amendments or an entire revision of the
By-Laws may be submitted and voted upon and will be
adopted upon receiving a majority vote of the members
of the Federation Council and the Council Prime.
Article XII
Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of the Corporation and after
payment or the provision for payment of all the
liabilities of the Corporation, the Federation Council
will dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation
to organizations that are then qualified as tax-exempt
organizations under section 510(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue code. Upon dissolution of the Corporation, all
Chapters of the Corporation shall become autonomous
organizations and shall govern their own activities.
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