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CONSITUTION AND BYLAWS

OF THE

RIVER CITY ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, INC.

 

ARTICLE I: Name of Organization

 

Section 1

The name of the organization shall be known as the River City Association of the Deaf, hereinafter as RCAD or Corporation.

 

Section 2

RCAD shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida as a non-profit, educational and welfare Corporation. The Corporation shall be located in Duval County.

 

Section 3

This Corporation shall maintain a leadership role for other organizations with common interests and provide support in all projects that will advance the dignity, respect and welfare of the deaf and hard of hearing.

 

Section 4

RCAD shall be a cooperating member of the Florida Association of the Deaf, Inc., hereinafter referred to as FAD. This Corporation shall meet all of its o obligations including the payment of the annual quota as set forth by the FAD and sending their Representative to represent said Corporation.

 

ARTICLE II: Purpose

The purpose of this Corporation shall be to donate money and good to a charitable contribution to social or educational organization; help provide athletic activities of its members; sponsor said events; assist in civic programs where deemed necessary and deserving.

 

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1

Membership in the Corporation shall be active, and associate members.

 

Section 2

The Corporation shall serve its neighboring counties: Nassau, Clay, Baker and Duval.

 

Section 3

Membership in the Corporation shall be open to any individuals who are interested in the Corporation, its dedication and activities.

 

Section 4

Active members shall pay annual dues of $15.00 Senior citizens above 62 years of age shall pay $8.00 Said dues shall be effective in January of each year and will be subject to change with the approval of the membership. Members shall pay an admission fee of $3.00 per visit. Non-members shall be charged $5.00 a visit. Students (age 12 to college with I.D.) shall pay $3.00 per visit.

 

ARTICLE IV:  Officers

Section 1

The Executive Board of RCAD shall be:

  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Secretary
  4. Treasurer
  5. Assistant Treasurer
  6. Three (3) Trustees
  7. Representative to FAD
  8. Alternate Representative to FAD
  9. Past President

 

Section 2: Qualifications

The elected officers shall be deaf or hard of hearing; be a legal resident of Northeast Florida; have maintained a continuous membership with said Corporation through a two-year period. They must be of sound character with recognized ability in leadership capability.

 

Section 2 – Election

Election of officers shall be held in every two years in November and begin their duties in January following FAD Convention. A majority shall elect by ballot.

 

Section 4 – Terms of Office

  1. They shall hold office for two years and shall constitute the Executive Board. No Officer, except the treasurer, may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, but may be elected to another office. The treasurer may run as long as the membership elects to keep such person in office Biennial election of all officers is required.
  2. The FAD Representatives shall serve after the Biennial FAD Convention for two years.

 

Section 5- Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in any office before the next election of the Corporation, the Executive Board shall have the authority to fill the vacancy until the next regular election of officers. If the President should leave office, the Vice President shall immediately fill the position, then the Executive Board shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy of the Vice President.

 

Section 6- Resignations

If any officer ceases to serve for personal reasons or does not administer or carry his/her performance as an officer shall submit a letter of resignation to the Executive Board and vacant his/her position immediately.

Section 7 – Conducting of Business

The Executive Board shall be authorized to plan business and activities prior to regular business meetings. Prior approval from the Executive Board is required for any sponsored RCAD activities. Outgoing officers shall have thirty days to turn over corporate files to their successors.

 

Section 8- Duties of the President

  1. Preside at all meetings of said Corporation and the Executive Board.
  2. Call special meetings as deemed necessary.
  3. Rule on all matters in disputes.
  4. Have basic knowledge of parliamentary law and the Corporation’s Bylaws.
  5. appoint such committees as may be provided in these by laws and other committees he/she may deemed necessary in conducting the work of the Corporation.
  6. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee.
  7. Assign specific duties of each Corporate officer
  8. Perform all duties ordinarily associated with the office of the President.

 

Section 9 – Duties of the Vice President

  1. Preside in the absence of the President; or when asked to do so by the President; or when the business before membership makes it advisable for the President to step aside.
  2. Is Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws committee.
  3. Perform other duties assigned by the President.
  4. Perform all duties ordinarily associated with the office of the Vice President.

 

Section 10 – Duties of the Secretary

  1. Record the proceedings of all business meetings of the Corporation and the Executive Board meetings.
  2. Keep and update list of the names and addresses of all members of the Corporation.
  3. Maintain custody of all correspondence of the Corporation.
  4. Send copies of minutes to each member of the Executive Board within 10 days after each Board and business meetings. Minutes will be available to the Board for inspection before they are mailed out.
  5. Perform other duties assigned by the President.
  6. Perform other duties ordinarily associated with the office of the Secretary.

 

Section 11 – Duties of the Treasurer

  1. Receive and disburse all funds belonging to the Corporation.
  2. Keep accurate records of all transactions.
  3. Present financial reports at all regular business meetings.
  4. Deposit all funds in safekeeping in a depository bearing interest and insured by F.D. I. C.
  5. Have certain type of disbursements of the Corporation approved by the Board of Trustees.
  6. Secure counter-signatures on all checks from two of three duly authorized RCAD officers.
  7. Keep books open for review.
  8. Shall be bonded.
  9. Perform all the duties ordinarily associated with the office of the Treasurer.

 

(All accounts are to be in the name of said Corporation and all funds promptly deposited therein. All expenses shall be paid by checks.)

 

Section 12 – Duties of the Assistant Treasurer

  1. Assist the treasurer and perform other duties assigned shall be paid by the treasurer.
  2. Perform the duties of the treasurer during the treasurer’s absence.
  3. Shall be bonded.
  4. Perform all duties ordinarily associated with the office of the Assistant Treasurer.

 

Section 13 - Duties of the Board of Trustees

  1. Have oversight of all financial matters pertaining to the Corporation.
  2. contact regular audit of the treasurer’s books.
  3. Certify the correctness of the report as submitted by the treasurer.

 

Section 14 – Representatives to the FAD

1.      The elected persons shall represent the Corporation as their representative and alternate representative to the FAD for two years. The representatives shall attend all the board meetings of the FAD. They will act as liaisons between the Corporation and FAD and make reports between the two.

2.      RCAD shall reimburse their representative’s expenses as deemed necessary. If trip is over 200 miles, the Corporation shall pay for one motel night. The representatives shall be responsible for their own meals.

3.      The Corporation shall send their representatives to the Biennial FAD Convention. The representative’s expenses to the convention shall be combo, two motel nights. They shall pay for their own meals.

4.      Gas mileage for all meetings are provided by the FAD.

 

Section 15 – Duties of the Past president

The past president shall sit on the board as an advisor.

 

ARTICLE V – Meetings

 

Section 1

The regular business meeting of said Corporation shall be held on the first Saturday of every month except the months of June July and August which shall be social months. Other months not meeting shall be social.

 

Section 2

At any time by request of the President, a majority vote of the Executive Board may designate and alternate time for any of the Corporate meetings. Special meetings may be called upon where deemed necessary.

 

Section 3

Any business meeting may be suspended at any time for reasons of inability to meet.

 

ARTICLE VI – Committees

RCAD shall have three kinds of committees: Executive, Standing and Special as needed. The executive Committee are those who are elected as officers of said Corporation; the Standing Committee may either be appointed or elected and the Special committee are appointed by the President. Committees shall be comprised of four members.

 

ARTICLE VII – Quorum

A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of the Corporate members president with the exception made by the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE VIII – Order of Business

The order of business at regular meetings shall be as follows:

  1. Call to order
  2. 2. Invocation
  3. Roll Call
  4. Reading and Approval of Minutes
  5. Correspondences
  6. Reports of Officers
  7. Treasurer’s Report
  8. Report of FAD Representative
  9. Committee Reports
  10. Unfinished Business
  11. New Business
  12. Election and Installation of Officers (November)
  13. Announcements
  14. Adjournment

 

ARTICLE IX   - Amendment to the Bylaws

Amendments to the bylaws must be referred to the Constitution and Bylaws committee for screening before it is referred to the membership, prior to the next regularly scheduled business meeting, providing that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Such amendments must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote and becomes effective immediately upon passage.

 

ARTIVLE X -  Roberts Rules of Order

Any question of order related to parliamentary law, the Corporation shall recognize Roberts Rules of Order Revised as guide wherein this Constitution and Bylaws shall state differently.

 

ARTICLE XI – Dissolution

These bylaws will continue in effect unless and until dissolved by the membership herein. In the event of dissolution of this Corporation, any and all assets remaining after payment of all costs and expenses of such dissolution shall be distributed to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Museum and The Florida Association of the Deaf. This said organization was so chosen on the basis of their meritorious work among the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.

 

Standing Rules

  1. Clubs of the Deaf and Associations of the Deaf as defined in the Bylaws of the FAD which includes RCAD may not sponsor any type of event using the Association or Corporation name, nor place advertising in the Association or Corporation publications without first becoming fully affiliated member of the Association as provided in the Bylaws, and without prior approval of the Board of Trustees for the event.
  2. Bowling and other sports teams:

a: The Corporation shall pay sponsor fees, as required only.

b: Travel expenses, shirts, equipments shall be the responsibility of the participating players.

  1. There shall be no beer sales during the business session and while if there are children during the Valentine Socials, Easter Dinner, Chili Supper, Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner.
  2. Necrology (Death) The Corporation shall bow in silence for those in death and shall send flowers to the member in good standing.
  3. The Corporation shall send Miss Deaf RCAD (17-25 years old) to Miss FAD Pageant. “The winner of the Miss Deaf FAD Pageant must be present at least one Fund Raising Ball or event prior to going to the National Association of the Deaf competition. The FAD Pageant Director shall initiate these events and present it to the Board of Trustees for approval.”)Excerpted from the FAD Standing Rules of the Bylaws.)

 

OATH OF OFFICERS

“As an officer of RCAD, I will, at all times, discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability. I do hereby promise to observe and uphold the Constitution and By-laws of RCAD to promote its welfare, and to protect it from those who would willfully harm it. So help me God.”