BYLAWS FOR THE GREAT LAKES HUMANIST SOCIETY

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of the organization is the Great Lakes Humanist Society (GLHS).

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND GOALS

The Great Lakes Humanist Society is a not-for-profit educational organization created to foster a community of secular humanists dedicated to improving the human condition through rational inquiry and creative thinking, unfettered by superstition, religion, or any form of dogma. In accordance with our purpose, we have established goals:

·         To create a community of secular humanists who can support each other throughout the life span.

·         To provide a forum for intelligent exchange of ideas for those seeking fulfillment in an ethical secular life.

·         To develop through open discussion the moral basis of a secular society and encourage ethical practices within our own membership and the community at large.

·         To develop educational programs focusing on secular ethics, science, history and critical thinking for members, their children, and the public at large as alternatives to supernatural interpretations of the human condition.

·         To take action within our communities, and within the world at large, to improve the conditions of humanity and denounce bigotry, intolerance, and the persecution of ideas.

·         To support and defend the principles of democracy, free speech, and the separation of state and church as expressed in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE III: ELECTIONS AND VOTING

Ultimate authority resides in the members. The members elect the officers of the organization at the Annual Meeting. Organizational decisions will be arrived at by consensus where possible and majority vote when issues are contested. A secret ballot shall be taken if requested by at least one person.

All members shall be entitled to one (1) vote. In contests of more than two (2) candidates or choices, a plurality shall be sufficient. Votes must be cast in person at meetings.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERS

Section 1: Voting Membership

Membership in the Great Lakes Humanist Society shall be open to all persons adherent to the purpose and goals of Article II of these Bylaws. GLHS is a Charter Membership Chapter of the American Humanist Association (AHA). Voting members of GLHS must be members in good standing of the AHA. A portion of individual dues paid to the AHA will be returned to GLHS for local operation.

Section 2: Conditions of Membership

Application for membership shall be made to the American Humanist Association, specifying GLHS as the local membership chapter. GLHS retains the right to reject any membership application at the discretion of the membership. Membership terminates when a member fails to pay dues, resigns, dies, or is expelled. Any member may be expelled by a majority vote of the GLHS membership at a regularly scheduled or special meeting, for seriously obstructing the organization's business, misappropriating the organization's name or funds, or acting in a way that discredits the organization.

Section 3: Friends of GLHS

Persons choosing not to become members of the AHA, who would like to retain a formal relationship with the GLHS may do so by becoming a friend of GLHS. Friends of GLHS must adhere to the purposes and goals of Article II of these bylaws and are subject to all other conditions of membership. Friends may attend meetings as non-voting participants, and may participate in online activities.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1: Responsibilities

The Officers manage the affairs of the organization in accordance with these bylaws.

Section 2: Positions

The Officers of this organization shall consist of a president, who coordinates organizational activities and arranges for and conducts meetings, a vice president who fulfills the obligations of the president in his or her absence, a secretary who keeps minutes and other organization records, and a treasurer who receives deposits, disburses funds and maintains a financial record for the organization.

The membership shall elect not less than one and not more than four members to fill these positions at its annual meeting. If necessary, one person may hold two or more leadership positions.

Officers are elected to a one (1) year term, and may be re-elected without limit.

Section 3: Vacancies

Vacancies in leadership positions may be filled by the membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting or, if necessary, at a special meeting. A member elected to fill a vacancy will remain in office until the elections of the next annual meeting.

Section 4: Removal from Office

If at least one office holder or member calls for the removal of an office holder from office, all members shall be notified and a special meeting shall be held to resolve the issue. A majority vote of members present and voting shall be sufficient for removal.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular Meetings

Regular meetings shall be held at least quarterly at a place and time decided upon by the membership.

Section 2: Annual Meeting

An annual meeting shall be held for the purposes of electing officers, revising bylaws and carrying out other organizational business. The meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the membership. A quorum shall consist of the members present.

Section 3: Special Meetings

Any member may write to the President requesting a special meeting, claiming that an emergency exists requiring immediate action. The President shall present the request to the other officers, and they shall decide within two (2) weeks whether, when and where to hold a special meeting. The special meeting shall be held no later than four (4) weeks after the President’s initial receipt of the request. The President shall announce the special meeting to all members by letter, phone or e-mail at least one (1) week prior to the meeting. A quorum shall consist of the members present.

Section 4: Online Meetings

Online meetings may be held to carry out the day-to-day business of the organization and gain consensus. Where consensus on an issue cannot be attained, a face-to-face meeting will be conducted to resolve the issue. The election or removal of officers, adoption of bylaw changes, or the dissolution of the organization cannot be conducted during online meetings.

ARTICLE VII: ASSETS

The financial and material assets of this organization shall be owned by the membership. Such assets shall be controlled and used by the leadership only for the purposes approved by the membership.

ARTICLE VIII: RELATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Decisions to affiliate with or maintain formal relations with other national or local organizations are retained solely by the membership. All decisions of this sort must be approved by the membership at a regular, special or online meeting.

ARTICLE IX: MERGER, DISSOLUTION, DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

The membership has sole authority to merge with another organization, or dissolve and distribute the organizations assets. A proposal for merger or dissolution and distribution of assets must be approved by 2/3 majority of members present and voting at a special meeting called for this purpose. Notice of the meeting must be given to the full membership at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

Mergers will only be considered with non-theist organizations whose purpose is consistent with the purpose of this organization. After all outstanding debts and obligations have been met; assets may be distributed to any non-profit organization, which promotes humanism, atheism, or the separation of church and state. No assets shall be distributed to individuals.

ARTICLE X: PUBLICATIONS

The organization shall publish a newsletter at regular intervals. The organization may authorize other publications.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS TO THESE BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended at an annual meeting or special meeting by a majority vote of those members present and voting.

Revised and adopted January 19, 2003