The 24 Karat Club SEUS Constitution and Bylaws

Article I: Name

  1. This Club shall be called the 24 KARAT CLUB of Southeastern UNITED STATES, Inc. (hereinafter referred to, as the CLUB)
  2. The offices of the 24 Karat Club of Southeastern United States, Inc. shall be located in the Southeastern United States.

Article II: Purpose

  1. The purpose of the CLUB is to foster the interest of the Jewelry Industry by forming a fellowship which unites people within the industry and related trades in the belief and practice that the greatest values are to be found in raising the quality of the industry by communicating new innovations, disseminating information of interest, exhibiting objects of special interest to the industry and assisting and promoting generally any act designed to improve the quality of the Jewelry Industry.
  2. The CLUB is a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Georgia non-profit Corporation Act; as such the club shall comply with all statutory regulations of the State of Georgia. No member shall receive pecuniary benefits of any kind at any time from the CLUB.

Article III: Membership

  1. There shall be three degrees of membership, and they shall be called:
    ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
    LIFE MEMBERSHIP
    RETIRED PARTICIPATING MEMBERSHIP
    Other degrees of membership may be added from time to time as the need shall occur. All such new degrees of membership, determined by the Board of Directors, shall be acted upon by the membership by two thirds vote of those present and voting. An abstention on this vote shall be considered no vote.
  2. The number of Active Members and the requirements for membership shall be determined by the Board of Directors. These requirements shall be the basis of considering future applications for Active Membership in the CLUB and shall not be contrary to those requirements set forth in the Constitution.Every member who holds an Active membership shall be one who is currently and primarily engaged in the Jewelry Industry or related trades as a representative of a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, importer, or one who is primarily engaged in the publication industry that promotes the dissemination of information and welfare of the Jewelry Industry and related trades. An Active member must be doing business in the Southeastern United States.
  3. Life Membership may be granted by the Board of Directors. Such members shall be in good standings in the CLUB for a period of at least seven years. Such member, meeting the requirements set by the Board of Directors shall pay such fees and dues set forth by the Board of Directors, and enjoy such rights and privileges as set forth by the Constitution.
  4. Retired Participating Membership may be granted to an Active Member upon their retirement from being engaged in the Jewelry Industry and/or related fields, or publication fields, who shall have held uninterrupted Active Membership in the CLUB for at least seven years and be in good standing. Such member shall enjoy the rights and privileges, and pay such dues and fees as shall be directed by the Board of Directors. Request for Retired Participating Membership shall be made in writing, setting forth such reasons for requesting this degree of membership, to the Board of Directors by this Active Member. In the shortest possible time such request will be acted upon, after full investigation shall be made, not later than thirty days after receipt of request.
  5. There shall not be more than three Active Members and/or two Life members held by representatives of the same firm or associated firm.Each applicant shall be a citizen or legal resident of the United States of America. The applicant must be an individual recognized in the jewelry industry, and have a minimum of two years experience in the jewelry business. The applicant must be sponsored by a member in good standing with the CLUB and fulfill all requirements for Active Membership. No member shall sponsor more than one applicant in a calendar year. Applications do not have to be voted upon in the calendar year of sponsorship, but the sponsor must be a member in good standing at the time the votes are cast for membership.
  6. All applicants shall be referred to the Board of Directors by the Membership Committee after an investigation of the applicant and the facts contained in the application. The Board of Directors shall have the option to either approve by a closed ballot vote of two thirds of those present and voting the applicant for membership; or the Board shall refer the application, upon a simple majority vote, to the next meeting of the membership for approval by a closed ballot vote of two thirds of those members present and voting. Should an application receive a majority of the vote by the Board of Directors but fail to receive approval by two thirds of the vote by the Board of Directors, the application shall be referred without debate to the membership for voting as outlined within this section.
  7. Any Active member who ceases to be engaged in the Jewelry Industry, or related fields for a period of twelve consecutive months must appeal to the board of Directors for a change in membership status. . The Active member shall have the right to request a change to Retired Participating Membership or appeal to the Board of Directors for an extension of twelve consecutive months to continue as an Active member. The Active member may make the request or appeal in writing, or may appear before the Board of Directors in person after giving a thirty day notice. Recovery from illness or injury shall not constitute cause for termination within this section.All duly qualified members in good standing shall enjoy the rights and privileges usually provided, such as participation in the deliberations of any membership or special meeting duly called by the Board of Directors or the President. Duly qualified members who are present in person may vote at annual or special meetings of the membership, each member shall have one vote. No member may vote by proxy.
  8. A duly qualified member shall not be in arrears of any financial obligation to the CLUB.
  9. Membership in the CLUB carries with it the pledge upon the part of the member to abide by and conform to all the rules and regulations of the CLUB. Further, it carries the pledge on the part of the member not to act in any way prejudicial to the object and interest of the CLUB. When such irregularities are reported in writing to the attention of the Board of Directors, action must be taken at the following meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish all procedures regarding reports, investigations, finding and actions.

Article IV: Officers

  1. The Officers of the CLUB shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Secretary, all of whom shall be from among the active membership and automatically become members of the Board of Directors.
  2. The Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the members by a majority vote of those eligible and present. They shall take office at the annual 24 KARAT CLUB Banquet, and they shall hold offices for one year or until their successors are installed.
  3. Should any office become vacant by reason of resignation, or for any other reason, such office shall be filled for the unexpired term through election by the Board of Directors by a majority vote.
  4. No member shall be eligible for office in the CLUB unless said member shall have held an active membership in the CLUB at least two years and shall be in good standing at the time of the nomination and election.
  5. The elected Officers of the 24 KARAT CLUB SEUS shall not succeed themselves in the same office more than twice.

Article V: Board of Directors

  1. The Board of Directors shall have full supervision and control of policies of the CLUB, and all CLUB functions and activities of all officers and all committees, and shall exercise all corporate powers of the CLUB excepting such matters as may otherwise be provided for in the Constitution and By-Laws. The immediate past President will become ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of the five officers and six elected members. The president may if so desired appoint a seventh member to the Board of Directors.
  2. The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of membership by a majority vote of those present. They shall take office at the annual 24 Karat Club Banquet or a meeting and shall serve until their successors are elected.
  3. Vacancies on the Board of Directors occurring during the year shall be filled by the remaining Directors by a majority vote.
  4. Life membership may be granted by the Board of Directors to members only; such life membership shall be granted freedom from payment of the annual dues.
  5. Retired participating membership may be granted to active members upon receipt of a letter from such member requesting such membership, of the Board of Directors may institute such request from the active member. The Board of Directors shall adopt such procedures as they deem necessary to institute such membership, and provide such privileges and rights as the Board of Directors deem to be in the best interests of the CLUB, except the right to vote.
  6. Any member of the Board of Directors who shall not attend two consecutive Board meetings may be dropped from the Board by discretion of the Board of Directors.
  7. No Board of Directors meeting may be held without an elected officer presiding at such meeting.
  8. The Board of Directors shall, in the best interests of the Club, be vested with the obligation to qualify and/or implement any section, phrase or word of the CLUB’s Constitution or By-Laws. However, any such action shall be brought to the attention of the membership at the earliest possible convenience. This obligation shall not in any way institute any changes in the basic Constitution.
  9. Until changes are instituted by two thirds vote of the Board of Directors, all previous resolutions, actions of previous Board of Directors shall prevail.

ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers

  1. The President shall exercise the usual functions of a President Officer at all meetings of the membership and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, preserve order, strictly supervise the observance of the Constitution and its By-Laws, appoint all regular committees and their chair-person(s), appoint all special committees and their chair-person(s), and designate the function of special committees in conjunction with the Board of Directors. The President shall have such further power and authority as the Board shall prescribe. In the event of the Presidents absence or disability the duties of his office shall devolve upon the Vice President. The President shall be ex-officio of all committees.
  2. The Vice President shall act as President in the absence of the President. He shall further perform such other duties as may be directed by the President and/or the Board of Directors.
  3. The Secretary shall act as President at all meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President. The Secretary shall be responsible for the notification of each member of every meeting of the membership; and of each member of the Board of Directors of its meetings, issue notices to the membership and keep a true record of the proceedings of all membership and Board of Directors meetings. The Secretary shall further be responsible for the Property Book of the CLUB. He shall further have such power and authority and duties as the President and/or the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
  4. The Treasurer shall preside at all meetings in the event of the absence of the President, Vice-President and Secretary. He shall have charge of the funds of the CLUB to collect and maintain a regular account of the same and submit a report of the financial condition of the CLUB at each annual meeting, or at any other meeting, as directed by the Board of Directors. His signature shall appear on every voucher or check where the finances of the CLUB shall be involved in addition to the signature of another qualified co-signer. A qualified co-signer shall be an elected Officer of the CLUB. The Treasurer shall have such further power and authority and duties as shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors and/or the President. There shall be an annual audit of the Treasurer’s accounts as prescribed by the Board of Directors.
  5. The Executive Secretary shall be charged with the responsibility for all correspondence, and shall further have power, authority and duties as prescribed by the President and/or the Board of Directors.

Article VII: Meetings

  1. Regular meetings of the membership shall be held twice a year.
  2. Board of Directors meetings shall be held at the discretion of the President. Further meetings as are necessary for the Board of Directors to conduct the affairs of the CLUB shall be arranged for at the convenience of the Board of Directors.
  3. The annual meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors, at which time the officers and the members of the Board of Directors shall be elected.
  4. All votes for election of Officers and Board Directors shall be a simple majority. On all other matters, not otherwise stated, a simple majority will suffice.
  5. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or in his absence by the Vice President with the consent of at least two other members of the Board.
  6. Special meetings of the members must be called by the President upon his receiving a written petition signed by at least twelve duly qualified active members.
  7. Members shall be notified by the Secretary at least seven days and not more than thirty days prior to the holding of an annual, a regular, or special, or Board of Directors meeting.
  8. Any member may attend any Board of Directors meeting to speak on any matter pertaining to the affairs of the CLUB, but shall not have the right to vote. This request shall be made in writing to the Board of Directors.

Article VIII: Amendments

  1. This constitution shall be amended by a vote of two thirds majority of the membership at any regular or special meeting.
  2. Provision for advance notice of amendment shall be proposed to members by email at least 30 days prior to the vote on the amendment.

Article IX Committees

  1. The Standing Committees of the CLUB shall be as follows:
    Budget and Finance Committee
    Membership Committee
    Constitution and By-Laws, and Rules Committee
    The Banquet Committee
    Nominating Committee
  2. The Budget and Finance Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of preparing a balanced operating budget for each year of budget operations, taking into consideration the income from such dues and fees from the membership, and the income from the sale of tickets from the banquet tickets.
  3. The Membership Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of establishing the form(s) used for all applications to the CLUB; for implementing the requirements for active membership in the CLUB; for the thorough investigation for all degrees of membership.
  4. The Constitution and By-Laws, and Rules Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of maintaining and refining and implementing the operations of the committees as expressed in the Constitution. The Chairman of this committee shall act as Parliamentarian on all matters pertaining to the interpretation of the Constitution, its By-Laws and Rules.
  5. The Banquet Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of planning the annual banquet of the CLUB. All matters pertaining to the banquet shall be its responsibility. It shall also be charged with the responsibility of the facilities for the annual membership meeting.
  6. The President shall appoint all committees, standing and special, to assist in administrating the affairs of the CLUB. All committees both standing and special shall have such additional duties, powers and authority as shall be determined by the Board of Directors and/or the President.
  7. All committees shall consist of at least one member of the Board of Directors who shall act as its chairman and shall have as many committee members deemed necessary to accomplish its function; all committees shall submit a written or verbal report of its work and findings for consideration to the Board of Directors.
  8. Special committees may be appointed by the President and/or the Board of Directors as deemed necessary. Special committees shall exist for the duration of their function; and upon rendering their findings directly to the Board of Directors for presentation to the membership; they shall cease to function unless ordered otherwise by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X DUES AND ACCOUNTS

  1. The initiation fee shall be payable upon acceptance of application for active membership. This fee shall be paid in addition to the annual dues upon final acceptance.
  2. The dues of the club shall include the required banquet tickets and contribution to the scholarship fund. The dues of the CLUB shall be due and payable within 60 days of the invoice being delivered. Members who are in arrears of dues or any account shall be sent written notice of such delinquency from the Treasurer to the address of record. Any Member with a financial obligation more than sixty days past the date due will be construed as not duly qualified. The Treasurer will present the name of any member deemed not duly qualified at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to terminate their membership.

ARTICLE XI ORDER OF BUSINESS

  1. The order of business at each meeting shall be as follows:
    a. Roll Call
    b. Reading of Minutes
    c. Reports of Officers
    d. Reports of Committees
    e. Election to Membership and Resignations
    f. Unfinished Business
    g. New Business
    h. Adjournment
  2. The order of business may be changed or suspended by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
  3. Such matters to be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors for their consideration by any member in person shall be considered prior to the stipulated order of business.

ARTICLE XII QUORUMS

  1. One fourth of the membership shall constitute a quorum to conduct the business of the CLUB at the annual and all regular meetings of the membership.
  2. Six members shall constitute a quorum to conduct the business of the CLUB at the regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII NOMINATING COMMITTEE

  1. The Nominating Committee shall be a standing committee which shall have the obligation of considering the best qualified active members to serve as Officers of the CLUB. It shall present recommendations for Officers of the CLUB to the membership, consider the best qualified members to serve on the Board of Directors, and prepare the voting ballots for consideration by the membership at the annual membership meeting.
  2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members, one of which will be the outgoing President and two from the membership.
  3. In considering members to serve on the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee shall attempt to bring in members who have not served in the past.

ARTICLE XIV Club Logo

  1. The 24 Karat Club, SEUS, logo may be used by any duly qualified member in any manner that does not bring discredit to the club.