Helping Hands in Geneseo
By-Laws

(Diabetes Support Group)

Dated: September, 2009

Table of Contents:

ARTICLE I: NAME

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

ARTICLE VI: FISCAL YEAR

ARTICLE VII: ORGANIZATION YEAR

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE IX: ORDER

ARTICLE X: INCURRENCE (LETTING) OF BILLS

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be Helping Hands in Geneseo, Incorporated. It shall be referred to in the By-Laws as Helping Hands or Helping Hands in Geneseo.

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ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Helping Hands was established as a source of educational programs and support in dealing with diabetes for diabetics, their families, and the general public.

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ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in Helping Hands is open to anyone who is interested in learning about diabetes.

SECTION A:

There shall be no dues required for membership in Helping Hands in Geneseo.

SECTION B:

Membership requirements are as follow: Each individual must attend at least 5 meetings in a fiscal year (from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31). If in the ensuing year, that quota is not met, they do not meet membership requirements for the following year. All eligible members are entitled to vote on business conducted by the group.

SECTION C:

Only active members will be allowed to vote in elections of the organization.

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ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION A: OFFICERS

1. The Executive Board shall consist of:
   
   1. President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer (or two serving as Co-Secretary/Treasurer)
   2. Three members from the active membership.
2. All Executive Board members will serve a one-year term.
3. At the end of their one-year term, the above named Executive Board members may be eligible for re-election to the same position or to another office. An Executive Board member may serve a maximum of two years in any office. Exceptions to this rule must be ratified by Helping Hands Executive Board by a two-thirds majority vote.

SECTION B: ELECTIONS

1. Election of Executive Board members will be held at the annual meeting in November of each year. Their term of service to begin in January of the following year.
2. Nominations will be taken from the active membership.

SECTION C: DUTIES OF OFFICE

1. The President shall preside at all board and general meetings. The President shall appoint standing and needed committees and be an ex-officio member of all committees, including the following:
   
   1. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Three members of the general membership who are not on the Board, who will be in charge of making a slate of officers for presentation in October and election in November of each year.
   2. The Program Committee, consisting of the Vice President and three members from the general membership. The duties of this committee shall be to find speakers and subjects for programs at general meetings. An agenda for the meetings for each year will be presented to the members at the January meeting, with as many programs scheduled at this time as possible. Any meeting for which no program has yet been scheduled will become a discussion meeting unless the committee is able to find a speaker for that meeting a month ahead of time.
2. The Vice President shall provide support to the President as needed, and preside at Board meetings and general meetings in the President's absence.
3. The Secretary shall record all minutes of regular meetings and executive meetings, keep a copy of minutes of the general meetings and board meetings in the files, and distribute copies of Board meetings to the Board at the next meeting. He or she will also provide members whose address we have with a quarterly list of meeting dates and times, as well as the planned programs for these meetings. The secretary will also notify the local newspapers of these meetings two weeks ahead of time so that the notice can be published in the newspaper. (Local papers include the Geneseo Republic, Moline Dispatch, and the Kewanee Star Courier.)
4. The Treasurer shall keep records of all income and expenses and prepare monthly reports for the Executive Board.
5. Past Presidents are invited to become active advisors and Board Members.
6. Interested health care professionals will be invited to act as an Advisory Board to provide professional guidance to the organization.

SECTION D: REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS

1. Any office vacancy due to resignation, illness, or death will be filled at the meeting immediately following such event.
2. Such replacement shall take place by nomination and vote of a quorum (20%) of rostered members.

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ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

SECTION A:

The President or any three of the Board Members may call Board meetings of Helping Hands in Geneseo.

SECTION B:

General meetings shall be held at least nine times a year at a time and place designated by the President and Board. At the October meeting, the Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers and board members for the upcoming year. The annual meeting shall be held in November of each year, at which time the election of officers and board members will take place.

Section C:

In order to pay the insurance annual amount and provide speakers with compensation, a fee of $2 per meeting is required for all

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ARTICLE VI: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year shall begin January 1 and end December 31.

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ARTICLE VII: ORGANIZATION YEAR

The organizational year shall begin on January 1, with the election of officers in November of the previous year.

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ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by the following procedures:

1. Presentation to the Board
2. Notification to active members
3. Two-thirds vote of approval by the Board within one month of the notification of active members.

The approved alteration or amendment shall not conflict with other provisions of these By-Laws or the Articles of Incorporation.

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ARTICLE IX: ORDER

Roberts Rules of Order shall prevail at all formal meetings of Helping Hands in Geneseo.

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ARTICLE X: INCURRENCE (LETTING) OF BILLS

SECTION A:

The approval of three current officers is needed for anyone who is not an elected officer to incur or let bills for Helping Hands in Geneseo. Incurred bills over $200 should be presented to the Board for payment. A receipt is required for payment.

SECTION B:

The President and Treasurer shall be authorized to sign checks. All checks issued for payment over $200 will require two signatures.

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ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION CLAUSE

In the event of dissolution of Helping Hands in Geneseo, all assets remaining after the satisfaction of liabilities shall be donated to one or more charitable, scientific, service or educational organizations. These organizations shall be selected by the Board of Directors and must qualify under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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