Constitution

ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be “Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri.”

ARTICLE II
Locality of the Club
The locality of this club is as follows: Kansas City, Missouri, including its metropolitan area.

ARTICLE III
Object of Rotary
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

  1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  2. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his or her occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
  3. The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his or her personal, business, and community life;
  4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

ARTICLE IV
Meetings
Section 1—This club shall hold a regular meeting once each week on the day and at the time provided in its by-laws.

In an emergency or for good cause, the board of directors of this club may change a regular meeting to any day during the period commencing with the day following the preceding regular meeting and ending with the day preceding the next regular meeting, or to a different hour of the regular day, or to a different place.

If a regular meeting falls on a legal holiday or in case of the death of the club president, or of an epidemic or disaster affecting the whole community, the Board may cancel such regular meeting. The board of directors of this club at it discretion may cancel not more than four regular meetings any one Rotary year for causes not otherwise specified.

Section 2—An annual meeting for the election of officers of this club shall be held no later than the thirty-first day of December in each year as provided in the by-laws of this club.

ARTICLE V
Membership
Section 1—General Qualifications. This club shall be composed of adult persons of good character and good business or professional reputation.

Section 2—Kinds. Membership may consist of eight kinds:
Active, additional active, second additional active, past service, senior active, non-resident senior active, military, and honorary membership.

Section 3—Active. This club may elect to active membership a person who is

(1) engaged as a proprietor, partner, corporate officer or manager of any worthy, recognized business or profession; or

(2) holding an important position in an executive capacity with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business or profession; or

(3) acting as the local agent or branch representative of any worthy and recognized business or profession having charge of such agency or branch in an executive capacity; and personally and actively engaged in the business or profession in which he is to be classified in the club and having his/her place of business or residence located within the metropolitan area of Kansas City.

There shall not be more than one active member in each classification of business or profession excepting the religion, news media, and diplomatic classifications, and excepting the provision for additional active members as provided in Section 4 of this article.

Section 4—Additional Active Member.

(a) Any active member of this club may propose for and the club may elect to active membership one additional person who is actively engaged in the same classification of business or profession as that of the proposer, whose classification shall be the same as that of the proposer. The qualifications of such additional active member shall be the same as set forth in Sections 1 and 3 of this Article for active membership and he must be associated in an executive or representative capacity with the active member. Upon the termination of the membership of the proposer, or upon the change of the proposer’s membership to Past Service Membership or Senior Active Membership, the additional active member shall be deemed to have applied for Active Membership in the Club but shall not be considered in the manner provided for new proposals for Active Membership, except that the Board of Directors shall, by majority vote, approve or disapprove such proposed active member; provided, however, that the Board shall first ascertain whether the proposer has any objection to said additional active member becoming an Active Member, and, if not, the Board shall further ascertain whether said additional active member desires to become an Active Member. If such member is approved by the Board of Directors, he/she shall be deemed an Active Member for all purposes and shall not be required to fulfill the regular procedures for election to membership. If such member is not approved by the Board of Directors his/her additional active membership shall terminate. In the event the membership of the proposer is terminated by reason of his/her death, the foregoing requirement of ascertaining any objection by the proposer shall be waived. Such additional active member is in all respects an active member except that he may not propose an additional active member under this paragraph.

(b) This club may, subject to the approval of the holder of the classification, also elect to active membership one additional person who is a former active member of another Rotary club and who is actively engaged at a place of business, or who resides, within the metroplitan area of Kansas City and who is otherwise qualified for membership provided:

(1) that there shall, in no case, be more than one additional active member elected under this paragraph of this section in respect of any one classification, and

(2) that any member so elected shall have terminated membership of his/her former club only because he ceased to be actively engaged in the territorial limits of that club in the classification of business or profession under which he was classified in that club, and

(3) that, although such additional active member is in all respects an Active member, he/she shall have no right to propose an additional active member under Section 4(a) hereof.

Section 5—Senior Active Membership

(a) Any active member of this club or past service or additional active member whose combined active and past service membership in one or more clubs conforms with the service requirements as hereinafter set forth,

(1) who has been a member of one or more clubs for a total of fifteen or more years, or

(2) who is of the age of sixty or more after having been a member of one or more clubs for a total of ten or more years, or

(3) who is of the age of sixty-five or more after having been a member of one or more clubs for a total of five or more years, or

(4) who is a present or a past officer of Rotary International
may, at his/her option, become a senior active member by notifying the secretary in writing of his/her intention to do so. The secretary shall present such notice to the Board of Directors who shall determine if the requirements of this Section 5 are met. Should the Board of Directors determine the requirements of this Section 5 are not met, the member shall have the same right of appeal to the Club as provided for forfeiture of membership in Section 6(d) of Article X. If the requirements of this Section 5 are met, the secretary shall notify the member in writing that his/her membership has been changed to senior active membership, as of the date of determination by the Board of Directors.

(b) This club may elect to senior active membership any former member of any club who was a senior active member or was eligible to become a senior active member at the time he/she ceased to be a member of the club.

(c) a senior active member shall have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of an active member, except that

(1) he/she shall not be considered as representing any business or professional classification; and

(2) he/she shall not have the right to propose an additional active member under Section 4(a) hereof. This club may admit to membership a qualified person in the classification of business or profession in which such senior active member may be engaged.

Section 6—Past Service.

(a) A former active member of a club, whose active membership was terminated because of his/her retirement from active, business, or professional life, may be elected a past service member in the club in which he/she held active membership or in any other club provided that he/she has held active membership in any one or more Rotary clubs for three or more years or has attained the age of 55 years irrespective of the length of his/her membership. Such former members may be elected to past service membership at the time of, or at any time after the termination of his/her active membership, provided he/she has all the other qualifications of a past service member. If his/her retirement from business or professional life occurs after he/she has ceased to be a member of a club, he/she is not eligible to past service membership. A past service member shall be required to pay an admission fee unless he/she was formerly an active member of this club, in which case he/she shall not be required to pay a second admission fee.

(b) An active member who, through no fault of his/her own, would otherwise lose his/her classification may, by action of the board, be elected to past service membership.

(c) A past service member shall have all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of an active member except that he/she shall not be considered as representing any business or professional classification nor may he/she become a senior active member (except as provided in Section 5(a) of this Article); nor shall he/she have the right to propose an additional active member under Section 4(a) hereof; he/she shall be excused from the attendance requirement of Article Vll; and he/she may, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, be excused from the payment of dues, but if so excused he/she should no longer be entitled to vote or be eligible to hold office in the club.

(d) Any retired person who would have been eligible for Rotary Club membership prior to retirement shall be eligible for election to past service membership, regardless of age or prior Rotary membership. The person's classification would be Past Service.

Section 7—Dual Membership. No person shall simultaneously hold active, senior active, or past service membership in this and another club. No person shall simultaneously hold active, senior active or past service membership and honorary membership in this club.

Section 8—Honorary Membership. A person who has distinguished himself/herself by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals, may be elected to honorary membership in this club.
Honorary membership shall be exempt from the payment of admission fees and dues, shall have no vote and shall not be eligible to hold any office in this club; shall not be considered as representing a classification, but shall be entitled to attend all meetings and enjoy all the other privileges of the club. No honorary member of this club is entitled to any rights or privileges in any other club.

Section 9—Religion, News Media, and Diplomatic Service. Representatives of more than one religious denomination, representatives of more than one newspaper and/or other news media, and diplomatic representatives of more than one government may be eligible for active membership under such classifications as set forth in this constitution.

Section 10—Public Office. Persons elected or appointed to public office for a specified time only shall not be eligible to active membership in this club under the classification of such office. This shall not apply to persons holding a position or office in schools, colleges, or other institutions of learning or to persons who are elected or appointed to the judiciary, or to those persons appointed directly or indirectly by the Governor of the State of Missouri or the President of the United States, persons holding public office of indeterminate periods of time (such as are controlled by U.S. Civil Service).
An active member in this club who is elected or appointed to public office for a specified period may during the period in which he/she holds such office continue as such active member in the club under the classification represented by him/her in the club immediately prior to such election or appointment.

Section 11—Rotary International Employment. This club may retain in its membership any member thereof who enters the employment of Rotary International, so long as he/she remains in such employment.

Section 12—Military Membership. The Board of Directors may award military membership to otherwise eligible persons in the armed forces of the United States who may be residing in the local community for a temporary period of time, under such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may deem just and proper.

Section 13—A non-resident Senior Active. The Board of Directors, upon application of the senior active member who ceases to be a resident of the metropolitan area of Kansas City, may permit such person to become a nonresident senior active member under such terms as the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may require or permit.

ARTICLE VI
Classifications
Section 1—Classifications.
(a) Each active member of this club shall be classified in accordance with his/her business or profession.

(b) The classification of each active member of this club shall be that which covers the principal and recognized activity of the firm, company or institution with which he/she is connected or that which covers his/her principal and recognized business or professional activity.

(c) How corrected. The board, in its discretion, may correct or adjust the classification of any member, whose membership has not terminated, if the circumstances warrant such action. Due notice of such proposed correction or adjustment shall be given to the member and he/she shall be allowed a hearing thereon.

Section 2—Limitations. The active membership shall consist of but one person from each classification of business or profession, excepting the religion, news media, and diplomatic services classifications, which may have more than one person in each such classification, and excepting the provision for additional active members.

ARTICLE VII
Attendance
Section 1—Should the record of attendance kept by the Secretary show on the first day of January, April, July, or October of each year that any member not excused from attendance requirements has failed to attend at least fifty per cent (50%) of the meetings during the three months prior to any one of the above dates, without excuse satisfactory to a majority of the Board of Directors, such member shall thereupon cease to be a member of the club, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to so notify the member.
Attendance may be made up in the following ways:

(a) If at any time after the usual time for the previous meeting and before the usual time for the following regular meeting of this club,

(i) he/she attends at least 50% of the time devoted for the regular meeting of another club or a provisional club, or

(ii) by direction of this club, he/she attends a regular meeting of a Rotaract or Interact club or Rotary Village Corps or a provisional Rotaract or Interact club or Rotary Village Corps, or

(iii) he/she attends a Convention of Rotary International, a Council on Legislation, an International Assembly, a Rotary Institute for past and present officers of Rotary International, a Rotary Institute for past, present and incoming officers of Rotary International, convened with the approval of the Board, the President acting for the Board of Rotary International, a Rotary regional conference, a Rotary International committee meeting, a Rotary district conference, a Rotary district assembly, any district meeting held by direction of the district governor, or a regularly announced intercity meeting of Rotary clubs,

(iv) he/she presents himself/herself at the usual time and place of a regular meeting of another club for the purpose of attending such meeting, and that club is not meeting at that time and place

(b) If, at the time of such meeting he/she is

(i) traveling with reasonable directness to or from one of the meetings mentioned in paragraph(a)(iii) of this section, or

(ii) on Rotary business serving as an officer or committeeman of Rotary International, or

(iii) on Rotary business serving as the special representative of his/her District Governor in the formation of a new club, or

(iv) on Rotary business in the employ of Rotary International, or

(v) directly and actively engaged in a district-sponsored or Rotary International or Rotary Foundation sponsored service project in a remote area where the opportunity for making up his/her attendance is completely impossible.

(c) A member who is dropped, desiring reinstatement, must appear before the Board of Directors at the next regular meeting following the one in which the member is dropped. The Board shall take such action as in their judgment be for the best interest of Rotary, and if such member is reinstated it must be by a majority vote of the entire Board. The classification of a member so dropped shall not be open until thirty days after the next Directors’ meeting.

(d) The Secretary shall certify that all attendance records as kept in the secretary’s office, are, to the best of his/her knowledge and belief, correct.

Section 2—Notice of make-up. In the cases set out in paragraphs(a)(ii); (a)(iii); (b) of Section 1 of this Article, the member shall only be counted as being in attendance if he/she personally gives notice of the fact to the club. In the cases set out in paragraphs(a)(i) and (iv), such notice may be given by the member personally or by the secretary of the club visited.

Section 3—Exemptions. A member’s absence may be excused if

(a) his/her absence is caused by protracted ill health or impaired or by a stay of more than two weeks in a country in which Rotary clubs do not exist so that he/she is physically unable to attend a regular meeting and the board approved his/her absence in which case his/her absence shall not be computed in the club’s attendance record.
In the case of intended absence in a country in which there are no Rotary clubs, the member shall inform the secretary of this club before starting his/her journey or, if that is impossible, in writing from that country. Before approving such absence, the board shall satisfy itself that the journey will prevent the member from making up his/her absence in accordance with Section 1(a) of this Article, or

(b) he/she is a Senior Active member and

(i) has been a member of one or more clubs for an aggregate of twenty years or more and has reached the age of 65 years,

(ii) has been a member of one or more clubs for an aggregate of fifteen years or more and has reached the age of 70 years. and he/she has notified the club secretary in writing of his/her desire to be excused from Attendance. In this case, if approved by the board, such member’s absences shall not be computed in the club’s attendance records, but if he/she so desires, his/her attendance may be so computed.

ARTICLE VIII
Directors and Officers
Section 1—The governing body of this club shall be a board of directors to be constituted as the by-laws of the club may provide.

Section 2—Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, the decision of the board in all club matters shall be final, subject only to an appeal to the club. The board shall have general control over all officers and committees and may, for good cause, declare any office vacant. It shall constitute a board of appeal from the rulings of all officers and actions of all committees. Appeal may be taken from any decision of the board to the club. On such appeal the decision appealed from shall be reversed only by a two-thirds vote of the members present, at a regular meeting specified by the board, a quorum being present, notice of such appeal having been given by the secretary to all members of the club at least five (5) days previous to such meeting.

Section 3—The officers of this club shall be a president, a president-elect, each of whom shall be a member of the board, and a secretary-treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the board as the by-laws of the club shall provide.

Section 4—Each officer shall be elected as provided in the by-laws of the club and, except as may otherwise be provided in relation to the president, shall take office on the first day of July immediately following his/her election and shall serve for the period of his/her election or until his/her successor shall have been elected and qualified.

The president shall be elected, as the by-laws of the club may provide, within the period of not more than two years but not less than eighteen months prior to the day on which he/she shall take office as president. He/she shall be a member of the board and shall serve as president-elect for the year immediately preceding the year in which he/she has to serve as president. The president shall take office on the first day of July in the Rotary year for which he/she is elected to serve as president and shall serve for the period of his/her election or until his/her successor shall have been elected and qualified.

Each officer and each director shall be an active (including additional active), senior active, or a past service member in good standing of this club. For a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of club president, the president-elect should attend the district presidents-elect training seminar and the district assembly. If for good reason he/she cannot attend the district assembly, he/she should send a designated representative from the club whose duty it will be to report back to him/her.

ARTICLE IX
Admission Fees and Dues
Section 1—Every active, senior active, and past service member of this club shall pay as an admission fee and annual dues as may be prescribed in the by-laws of this club except that a senior active or past service member who has held active membership in this club shall not be required to pay a second admission fee.

Section 2—A special assessment may be levied for emergency purposes by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting of the club, a quorum existing, provided that notice shall be mailed not less than one week in advance of such meeting, stating the reason for the assessment and the time and date of the vote thereon.

ARTICLE X
Duration of Membership
Section 1—Period. Membership shall continue during the existence of the club unless terminated as hereinafter provided.

Section 2—How terminated.

(a) Membership shall automatically terminate when a member ceases to have the necessary qualifications for membership, except that (1) an active member who, through no fault of his/her own, would otherwise lose his/her classification may by action of the board of directors of this club, be elected to past service membership; or (2) an active member moving from the territorial limits of the club, may be given special leave of absence for a period not exceeding one year to enable him/her to visit and become known to a Rotary club in the community to which he/she moves, providing he/she is still active in the same classification of business or profession and continues to comply with the attendance and all other conditions of Rotary membership; or (3) an active member who would be losing his/her classification without default on his/her part may retain his/her classification and be given special leave of absence for a period not exceeding one year to enable him/her to obtain new employment in his/her classification or in a new classification providing he/she continues to comply with the attendance and all other conditions of Rotary membership. The termination of his/her membership would take effect only at the end of the period of leave granted to him/her.

(b) When a past service member reenters active business or professional life his/her membership automatically becomes active membership if the classification is vacant. If the classification is not vacant, he/she continues as a past service member.

(c) Honorary membership shall automatically terminate on the thirtieth day of June next after the date of election. However, the board in its discretion may, by resolution, from year to year continue such honorary membership for the ensuing year.

Section 3—How to Rejoin. When the membership of an active member has terminated as provided in the foregoing Section 2, such person may make new application for membership, under the same classification or another classification. If elected to membership, he/she shall not be required to pay a second admission fee.

Section 4—Termination-Non-Payment of Dues. Any member failing to pay his/her dues within thirty (30) days after the prescribed time shall be notified in writing by the secretary at his/her last known address. If the dues are not paid on or before ten (10) days from the date of notification, said membership may terminate, subject to the discretion of the board.
Such former member, at the discretion of the board, may be reinstated to membership upon his/her petition, and upon the payment of all his/her indebtedness to the club, provided that no former member can be reinstated to active membership if his/her former classification has been filled.

Section 5—Termination for Other Causes.
(a) The membership of any member who shall cease to have the qualifications for membership in this club may be terminated by the board by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members thereof, at a meeting called for that purpose.

(b) The membership of any member may be terminated by the board, for a reason which the board may deem to be sufficient, by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members thereof, at a meeting called for that purpose.

(c) A member transferring from one firm to another cannot continue his/her membership in this club without first securing the written consent of the Board of Directors. If a member does transfer from one firm to another under the same classification, and if the Board of Directors shall refuse to give its consent to transfer of membership accordingly, then such personal membership shall be and become forfeited. The Board of Directors shall, by registered mail, notify the person of the forfeiture of his/her membership, and such person shall have the right of appeal hereinafter provided.

(d) Any member who shall become a member of any other club or organization in the metropolitan area of Kansas City, which limits its membership in any one line of business, and whose objects of purposes shall be similar to those of this organization, shall thereby forfeit his/her membership in this club.

(e) In the above cases the member shall be given at least ten (10) days’ notice in writing of such pending action and an opportunity to submit to the board a written answer. He/she shall also have the privilege of appearing before the board to state his/her case. Service of such notice shall be made by personal delivery or by registered letter to his/her last known address.

(f) In case of a decision to terminate membership the secretary shall, within seven days after the date of the board’s decision, notify the member in writing of the decision of the board. Such member may, within fourteen days after the date of such notice, give written notice to the secretary of his/her intention either to appeal to the club or to arbitrate as provided in Article XIV of this constitution. In the event he/she appeals, the board shall set a date for the hearing of the appeal at a regular meeting of the club, to be held within twenty-one (21) days after the receipt of such written notice of appeal. At least five (5) days’ notice of such club meeting and its special business shall be given in writing to every member of the club, and only members of the club shall be permitted to be present when such appeal is considered at such meeting.

(g) When the board has terminated the membership of an active member as provided for in this Section, the club shall not elect a new member under his/her former classification until the time for hearing the appeal, if any, has expired and the club’s decision or the decision of the arbitrators has been announced.

(h) The action of the board shall be final if no appeal to the club is taken and no arbitration is requested. If an appeal is taken, the action of the club shall be final.

Section 6—Resignation. The resignation of any member from the club shall be in writing (addressed to the president or secretary) and shall be accepted by the board, provided that all indebtedness of said member to the club has been paid.

Section 7—Property Interest—Forfeiture of. Any person whose membership in this club has been terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property belonging to the club.

ARTICLE XI
Community, National and International Affairs
Section 1—The general welfare of the community, the nation, and the world is a concern to the members of this club, and the merits of any public question involving such welfare shall be proper subjects of fair and intelligent study and discussion before a club meeting for the enlightenment of its members in forming their individual opinion. However this club shall not express an opinion on any pending controversial public measure.

Section 2—This club shall not endorse or recommend any candidate for public office and shall not discuss at any club meeting the merits or demerits of any such candidate.

Section 3
(a) This club shall neither adopt nor circulate resolutions or views, nor take corporate action, dealing with world affairs or international policies of a political nature.

(b) This club shall not direct appeals to clubs, peoples or governments, or circulate letters, speeches, or proposed plans for the solution of specific international problems of a political nature.

ARTICLE XII
Rotary Magazines
Section 1—Unless this club is excused by the Board of Directors of Rotary International from complying with the provisions of this article in accordance with the By-laws of Rotary International, every active, senior active, or past service member of this club, by acceptance of such membership, voluntarily subscribes to the official magazine or to the approved regional magazine prescribed for this club by the Board of Directors of Rotary International and to the BUZZ SAW, official publication of this club. Each subscription shall be handled in six (6) month periods and shall continue as long as he/she is a member of the club and to the end of any six (6) month period during which he/she may cease to be a member of the club.

Section 2—The amount of each subscription shall be collected by the club from each member semi-annually in advance and remitted to the Secretariat of Rotary International or to the office of such regional publication as may be determined by the Board of Directors of Rotary International.

ARTICLE XIII
Acceptance of Object and Compliance with Constitution and By-Laws
A member, by payment of his/her admission fee and dues thereby accepts the principles of Rotary as expressed in its Object and submits himself/herself to and agrees to comply with and be bound by the constitution and by-laws of this club, and on these conditions alone is entitled to the privileges of this club. No member shall be absolved from the observance of the constitution and bylaws on the plea that he/she has not received a copy of them.

ARTICLE XIV
Arbitration
Should any dispute arise between any member or members, or a former member or members, and the club, or any officer or the board of the club, relative to membership or to any alleged breach of the constitution or by-laws, or the expulsion of any member from the club, or on any account whatsoever which cannot be satisfactorily settled under the procedure already provided for such purpose, the matters in difference shall be settled by arbitration. Each party shall appoint an arbitrator and the arbitrators shall appoint an umpire. Only members of a Rotary club may be appointed as umpire or as arbitrators. The decision arrived at by the arbitrators, or, in the event of their disagreement, by the umpire, shall be final and binding on all parties.

ARTICLE XV
By-Laws
This club shall adopt by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-laws of Rotary International (and the rules of procedure for an area administration where established) and with this constitution, embodying additional provisions for the government of this club. Such by-laws may be amended from time to time as therein provided.

ARTICLE XVI
Interpretation
Throughout this constitution, pronouns of the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the terminology "mailed" shall include utilization of electronic mail (e-mail) and internet technology to reduce costs and increase responsiveness.

ARTICLE XVII
Amendments
Section 1—This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all members present, however, that such proposed amendment shall be offered at a meeting at least two weeks preceding that at which the vote shall be taken, and provided further that a written or printed copy of the proposed amendment, with notice of the date and time of voting shall have been mailed to each member at least one week before the meeting at which the vote shall be taken.

Section 2—Variations identified by addendum hereto shall not be changed except to conform them more closely to the standard Rotary Constitution then in effect.
(NOTE: Italics denote addendum showing variations applicable to this club.)


By-Laws

ARTICLE I
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of the club shall be held on Thursday of each week, at such hour and place as the Directors shall designate. Special meetings of the club may be called by the President or the Board of Directors, or by any ten members upon written notice to the Secretary-Treasurer to all members three days in advance of said special meeting. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that for which the meeting was called.

Director’s Meeting
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting each month at such date, place and hour as they may designate. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by any other three members of the Board upon personal or written notice served twenty-four hours prior to such meeting upon each Director. Six members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for any regular or special meeting.

Annual Meeting
Section 3. The annual meeting shall be held in July of each year at which time officers for the ensuing year elected at the annual election shall be installed.

Quorum
Section 4. Sixty or more members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of this club.

Proxies
Section 5. No voting by proxy shall be allowed.

Method of Voting
Section 6. The business of this club shall be transacted by viva voce vote except the election of the nominating committee and the election of officers and directors shall be by ballot.

Fiscal Year
Section 7. Each fiscal year shall begin July 1 and terminate June 30 each year.

ARTICLE II
Annual Election
Section 1. The annual election shall be held at the second regular meeting in December of each year at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors, and of which the member shall be given at least four week’s notice, at which time there shall be elected a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary-Treasurer, and three Directors.

Nominating Committee
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall present to the club the names of ten (10) members in good standing from which five (5) members shall be selected in the following manner: The club shall vote by ballot for five members on the list presented by the Board of Directors, and the five members receiving the highest votes plus the five most recent past presidents of the club who are members in good standing shall constitute the nominating committee.

Section 3. The nominating committee shall present to the club its selection of candidates for the various offices, as follows:

(a) The name of the then acting President-Elect, who shall be the sole candidate for election to the office of President.

(b) The names of two (2) members in good standing as candidates for election to the office of President-Elect.

(c) The names of two (2) members in good standing as candidates for election to the office of Secretary-Treasurer.

(d) The names of six (6) members in good standing as candidates for election to the three open positions on the Board of Directors.

Nomination of Members
Section 4. (a) Any five (5) members of the Club in good standing may nominate a candidate, or candidates, for any of the open offices; such nomination or nominations shall be made in writing and submitted to the President; each such nomination shall include the written consent of the candidate to stand for election.

(b) If any nomination/nominations is/are received from any five (5) members of the club in good standing, the President shall notify the membership in writing of such nomination/nominations.
Election of Officers


Section 5. (a) Printed ballots bearing the names of all candidates shall be mailed to all members of the club in good standing at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the annual election for their use in voting in the election. Such ballots shall include clear instructions on how votes shall be recorded on the ballot.

(b) Votes can be cast by mail or deposited in the ballot box at the Club meeting on election day. Ballots received after 12:15 p.m. on the annual election date shall not be counted. The vote shall be cast in sealed envelopes with the voter’s name written on the back thereof. The member shall indicate his/her choice of one of the candidates for President-Elect, one candidate for Secretary-Treasurer, and three of the candidates for membership on the Board of Directors; ballots on which votes are cast for more than the number of members to be elected to each office shall be termed defective ballots and shall not be counted.

(c) After the votes have been counted at the annual election, the candidate receiving the most votes for President-Elect shall be deemed elected.

(d) After the votes have been counted at the annual election, the three candidates receiving the most votes for Directors shall be elected as Directors.

(e) After the votes have been counted at the annual election, the candidate receiving the most votes for Secretary-Treasurer shall be elected as Secretary-Treasurer.

(f) In case of a tie for the offices of President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, or Director, those candidates tied shall be voted upon again at the annual election.

(g) A committee of three (3) election tellers shall be appointed by the President to open the ballot box, check the eligibility of the voters, record the votes cast and certify the results of the election to the President, who will forthwith announce the results to the Club.

(h) Only members in good standing will be permitted to vote at the annual election.

ARTICLE III
International Convention Delegates

Section 1. The President Elect and Secretary-Treasurer Elect of the club, elected by the membership at the annual election in December of each year, will be delegates to the International Convention of Rotary International held following their election to their respective offices.

Section 2. The President may, subject to the approval of the board, appoint other delegates to the International Convention.

ARTICLE IV
Election to Membership
Section 1. Persons shall be elected to membership in the following manner: Persons will be considered for membership only when proposed by one member and seconded by another member, on the official form of the club. The proposal shall contain the name, address, proposed business or professional classification, and a statement of the qualifications for membership. Such proposal must be filed with the Secretary of the club.

The secretary shall then refer the proposal to the Membership Classification & Qualification Committee for proper designation of classification, consulting with any member of the club with whose classification that of the proposed new member might seem to conflict. If approved by the Membership Classification & Qualification Committee, the secretary shall file the proposal with the Board of Directors.

The Membership Classification & Qualification Committee shall make careful investigation as to the qualifications and business record of the proposed member. The name, classification, business address, name of sponsors of the proposed new member and the Membership Classification & Qualification Committee’s recommendation of approval or disapproval shall then be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors who shall by majority vote, accept or reject the recommendation of the Membership Classification & Qualification Committee. If accepted by the Board of Directors, the name, business address, and name of sponsors of such proposed member shall be published in the BUZZ SAW advising that objections, if any, to such member shall be submitted to the secretary within ten days. If no objection, such member shall then be approved for membership. The secretary shall advise the Board of Directors and Membership Classification & Qualification Committee of any objection received. The Membership Classification & Qualification Committee shall consider any such objection and then deliver to the Board of Directors the committee’s written recommendation for approval or disapproval. The Board of Directors shall by majority vote approve or disapprove such proposed new member.

If the Board of Directors, shall by such majority vote approve such proposed new member, such member shall then be approached by one or both of his sponsors to attend a meeting of the New Member Orientation Committee whose duty shall be to inform the candidate about the privileges and responsibilities of Rotary Club membership and oversee the orientation of new members during their first year in the club.

An application duly filled in and signed by the proposed new member, accompanied by a photograph and the required entrance fee, together with dues for at least one quarter in advance, and attendance at a New Member Orientation Committee meeting shall constitute acceptance of the invitation to membership, and the new member may be presented to the membership at large at the next regular meeting.

Should a member so elected fail to accept the invitation within a period of time considered to be reasonable by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may declare the election null and void and have the name stricken from the roll.

ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this club shall consist of a President, President-Elect, and Secretary-Treasurer. The general direction of the Club’s affairs shall rest with a Board of ten directors, which shall consist of the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, the Immediate Past President, and six members of the Club, to be elected as provided in the By-Laws.

President
Section 2.
With the exception of the Nominating Committee, the President shall appoint all committees, shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Directors, may sign, or countersign with the Secretary-Treasurer all checks subject to such procedures as may, from time to time, be established by the Board of Directors, and perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office. With the exception of the Nominating Committee, the President shall be an ex-officio member of all standing and special committees and the General Committee-person representing this Club in Rotary International.

President Elect
Section 3. The President-Elect shall in the absence of the President perform the duties pertaining to that office and shall succeed to the office of the President at the time officers and directors regularly are installed.

Secretary-Treasurer
Section 4. (a) The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep a record of each meeting, also a correct list of all members, together with the name of the firm or corporation represented by them, and a full description of their business, their business and residence address, and telephone numbers, and from time to time prepare such data in appropriate form for publication in the roster. He/she shall keep a record of attendance of each member at each regular meeting. He/she shall send out notices of meetings, collect and receive all moneys due to the club, keep an accurate account of such money, and deposit the same in the name of the Club in a bank to be designated by the Board of Directors. He/she may sign, or countersign with the President, all checks subject to such procedures as may, from time to time, be established by the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep a record of the attendance at all meetings; attend to the correspondence; perform such other duties as are provided for herein, and in the By-Laws and as may be prescribed by the Club or the Board of Directors and as ordinarily pertain to this office. His/her salary shall be fixed by the By-Laws. He/she shall be required to give a corporation bond for the faithful discharge of his/her duties in the sum and with such company as may be required by the Board of Directors, the premium on which bond shall be paid by the Club.

(b) The Secretary-Treasurer shall be paid an annual salary of One Dollar ($1.00) or such other sum as may designate, provided that the amount of salary shall not be changed except with the consent of a majority vote of the club in regular meeting, at least ten days’ written notice having been given to all members of the purpose and time of vote thereon.

The Board of Directors
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall consist of ten members, four of whom shall be the President, President-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President, and six other members of the club, three of whom shall be elected each year. Each of the six directors so elected shall serve for two years.

Executive Director
Section 6. An Executive Director may be appointed by the Secretary-Treasurer and endorsed by the Board of Directors. Such Executive Director shall devote his/her entire time to the service of the members individually and collectively and work under the immediate direction of the President and Secretary-Treasurer; shall attend all meetings of the Club and Board of Directors and perform any duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors. The salary of the Executive Director shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and he/she shall be required to give bond in the sum and with such security as may be required by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director may or may not be a member of the club.

Time of Election
Section 7. The officers and directors shall be elected at a regular meeting in December of each year, in accordance with Article II, Section 1, of the By-Laws. In the event of any office becoming vacant, it shall be filled by the Board of Directors with a qualified member to serve during the remaining term of such office; provided, however, that should the office of President become vacant, the President-Elect shall succeed to the office for the remaining term of such office and shall serve as President for the next successive term for which he/she was elected as President, in accordance with Article V, Section 3, herein, and the office of President-Elect shall remain vacant during the remaining term of such office.

ARTICLE VI
Divisions
Section 1. (a) The President may subject to the approval of the Board, assign any or all existing committees (except Youth Camp Committees) into divisions.

Section 2. The President may, subject to the approval of the Board, appoint and designate the duties of Division Leaders of the aforesaid Divisions.

Section 3. Youth Camp Committees (Operations, Maintenance and Grounds) shall be under the direction of the Youth Camp Board.

ARTICLE VII
Committees

Section 1. (a) the President shall, subject to the aproval of the Board of Directors, appoint the following principal and standing committees:
Community Service Committee.

International Service Committee.

Membership Classification and Qualification Committee.

Membership Development Committee.

New Member Orientation Committee.

Program Committee.

(b) The President shall, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, also appoint such committees on particular phases of Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service and International Service and any other committees as he/she may deem necessary.

(c) The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

(d) Committees shall consist of a chairperson who shall be named by the President, and at least two other members selected by the Committee chairperson from the club membership. Where feasible or necessary for continuity, one or more members may be appointed for a second term or for more than one year terms.

(e) Each committee shall transact such business as referred to it by the President or the Board of Directors. Except where special authority is given by the Board, such committees shall not take action until Board approval is obtained.

Section 2. (a) Community Service Committee. This committee shall consist of a Chairperson, who shall be named by the President, and of not less than two other members. In the event other committees are appointed on particular phases of Community Service the Chairperson of such committees shall be members of the Community Service Committee.

(b) International Service Committee. This committee shall consist of a Chairperson, who shall be named by the President, and of not less than two other members. In the event other committees are appointed on particular phases of International Service, the chairpersons of such committees shall be members of the International Service Committee. This committee shall also devise and implement plans which will guide and assist the members of this club in discharging their responsibilities in matters relating to international service. In the event other committees are appointed on particular phases of international service, this committee shall supervise and coordinate the activities of such committees.

(c) Membership Classification and Qualification Committee. This committee shall consider all proposals for membership and shall thoroughly investigate the character, business, social and community standing and general eligibility of all persons proposed for membership and shall report its decision on each application to the Board of Directors. This committee shall periodically make a classification survey of the community and compile from the survey a roster of filled and unfilled classifications using the Outline of Classifications as a guide; shall urge upon the members the importance of proposing names for the unfilled classifications; shall review where necessary, existing classifications represented in the club; and shall counsel with the Board of Directors on all classifications problems.

(d) Membership Development Committee. This Committee shall periodically review the club roster of filled and unfilled classifications and shall take positive action to initiate and present to the Board the names of suitable persons to fill open classifications.

(e) New Member Orientation Committee. This Committee shall inform prospective members about the privileges and responsibilities of Rotary Club membership and oversee the orientation of new members during their first year in the club.

(f) Program Committee. This committee shall prepare and arrange the programs for the regular and special meetings of the club.

ARTlCLE VllI
Section 1. This club is a forum open for discussion of all public questions, but the club shall not, as an organization either advocate or oppose the election of particular candidates for public office nor any pending or proposed municipal, state or national legislation.

ARTICLE IX
Fees and Dues
Section 1. The admission fee, annual dues, and Rotary Foundation contribution of each active, additional active, senior active, non-resident senior active, and past service member shall be determined annually by the Board of Directors except that a member who has not reached the age of 35 years shall pay one-half the amount of the annual dues until the member reaches the age of 35, and the member shall not be required to pay regular dues and any Rotary Foundation contribution until January 1st of the year following the member's 35th birthday. Continuation in membership will be conditioned upon prompt payment of dues.

Section 2. Of the annual dues of each members, a sum, to be determined annually by the Board of Directors of the club, upon consulting with the Board of Directors of the Rotary Youth Camp Association, shall constitute a direct unrestricted voluntary contribution by such member to The Rotary Youth Camp Association, a tax exempt charitable organization, and the Treasurer of the Rotary club of Kansas City is hereby designated and authorized as the agent of this Club to receive and transmit such funds, and said Treasurer shall duly receive and receipt for such funds and transmit the same to said Rotary Youth Camp Association within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof and each such member by so paying such dues also constitutes said Club Treasurer his/her agent for the receipt and transmission of said funds as aforesaid. The Rotary Youth Camp Association has also heretofore constituted said Club Treasurer its agent for the receipt and transmission of such contributions to it.

Section 3. In the exercise of its discretion, the board of directors may grant an exception to the payment of annual dues by any club member conditioned by any terms and limitations deemed necessary and appropriate by the board.

ARTICLE X
Badges
Badges or tags shall be worn by each member at all club meetings for the purpose of individual and business identification. The style and form of the badge shall be determined by the Board of Directors and subject to change at any time.

ARTICLE XI
Resolutions
No resolution or motion to commit this club or any matter shall be considered by the club until it has been considered by the Board. Such resolutions or motions, if offered at a club meeting, shall be referred to the Board without discussion.

ARTICLE XII
Order of Business

The following shall be the Order of Business of both club and directors' business meetings:
First: Reading of the minutes.

Second: Report of Officers.

Third: Report of Committees

a) Standing committees.

b) Special committees.

Fourth: Unfinished business.

Fifth: New business.

ARTICLE XIII
Parliamentary Procedure-Amendments

Parliamentary practice in Club, Board, and Committee meetings shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

The By-Laws of the Club may be amended at any regular meeting, a quorum being present, by a two-thirds vote of all members present, provided, however, that such proposed amendment shall be offered at a meeting at least two weeks preceding the vote upon the same and that a written or printed copy of the proposed amendment, with notice of the time and date of voting, shall have been mailed to each member at least one week before the meeting at which the vote shall be taken.

RESOLVED, That the foregoing Constitution and By-Laws be and hereby are adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws of the Rotary Club of Kansas City, and all previous acts of this club which in any way may be in conflict with this Constitution and these By-Laws are hereby repealed, provided that nothing in this constitution and these By-Laws shall be construed to affect in a retroactive manner the membership of any person now a member in good standing in this club.

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