BYLAWS
OF
(Incorporated under the laws of the State of
Amended
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.
The location of the Registered Office of Ulster Project of Greater
Hutchinson, Inc., herein referred to as the "Corporation," is
Section 2.
The registered agent for the corporation shall be John Swearer, whose
address is the same as the registered office, there will be no other offices
unless determined by the board of directors.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed and controlled by a Board of at least twelve (12) and not more than eighteen (18) Directors, the exact number to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall at all times strive to maintain an equivalent number of Catholic Directors and Protestant Directors.
Section 2.
ELECTION
Section 3. QUORUM. A simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 4.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
The election of Directors may be by oral vote, show of hands,
or ballot
Section 5.
PLACE OF MEETING. The
Board of Directors may hold its meeting at such place or places within or
without the State of
Section 6. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Corporation shall be held on the first Monday in September, upon more than five (5) days written notice sent by United States mail or electronic mail to as many potential voting members of the corporation as can be notified of the meeting, at such place and at such hour as the Board of Directors may fix or as may be specified in such notice. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall immediately follow the annual meeting of the Corporation.
Section 7.
REGULAR MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held
not less frequently than once every three (3) months at such time and
place as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, or by a majority of the Directors. The same notice of special meetings shall be given as is required in the case of annual meetings, with the notice of each special meeting to include a statement of the purpose for which the special meeting is to be held.
Section 9.
ELIMINATING THE PERSONAL LIABILITY OF THE DIRECTORS
VOLUNTEERS. There shall be no
personal liability of a Director or Volunteer to the Corporation, its
policy holders, or members for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a Director.
Pursuant to K.S.A. 17-6002, et seq., this provision shall not eliminate or
limit the liability of a
director: (A) for any breach of
the Director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation, its policy holders or
members, (B) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law, and (C) under the provisions of K.S.A. 17-6424
and amendments
thereto, or for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper
personal benefit.
Section 10.
ACTION BY CONSENT. Any
action which, under the provisions of the laws of the State of Kansas or
under the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, might be
taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, may be
taken without a meeting if a record or memorandum thereof be made in writing
and signed by a majority of the Directors, or by a compilation of electronic
responses to vote on an issue presented to board by written or electronic
means, provided that such record, memorandum, or compilation shall be filed
with the Secretary of the Corporation and made a part of the corporate
records.
Section 11.
VACANCIES. Vacancies on
the Board of Directors may be filled by a vote of a majority of the
remaining Directors, although less than a quorum, but in no event less than
five (5) remaining directors. The election of Directors to fill vacancies
shall be by oral vote, show of hands, or written ballot.
Each Director so
elected shall hold office until his successor is elected at an annual or a
special meeting of the members.
A vacancy or vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist in
case of the death, resignation or removal of any Director, or if the
authorized number of Directors be increased, or if the members fail at any
annual or special meeting of members at which any Director or Directors are
elected to elect the full authorized number of Directors to be voted for at
the meeting, or if any Director or Directors elected shall refuse to serve.
ARTICLE
VOTING MEMBERS
Section 1.
Voting members of this Corporation shall include any adult who has
served as a host for a Northern Irish teen or counselor as part of the
Ulster Project of Greater Hutchinson; is a regular financial or in-kind
contributor to the project; or has previously served on the board or worked
on any committee therein and attends an annual meeting.
Regular contributions means those made for three consecutive years
immediately preceding any annual meeting.
A list of voting members shall be compiled at each annual meeting and
will not be increased until the next annual meeting.
Section 2.
Meetings of the voting members, annual and special, may be held
either within or without the State of
Section 3. The annual meeting of the voting members shall be deemed the annual meeting of the Corporation.
Section 4.
Special meetings of the voting members shall be called on written
request of nine (9) Directors or twenty-five (25) voting members.
Section 5.
Notices of meetings to voting members shall be mailed or sent
electronically.
Section 6.
The number of voting members appearing at an annual or special
meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the voting members, so
long as no greater or lesser number is required by law or the Articles.
The vote of a majority of the voting members present at a meeting at
the time of the vote, shall be the act of the members, unless the vote of a
greater number is required by law or by the Articles.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section l.
OFFICERS. The
Corporation shall have a Chairman or Co-Chairmen, one or more Vice-Chairmen,
Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer, all of whom
shall be elected for a term of one year by the Board of
Directors at its annual meeting. They shall hold their offices until their
successors are chosen and qualified.
All officers shall be chosen from the Directors.
Election of officers may be by oral vote, show of hands, or written
ballot.
Section 2. BONDS. The Board of Directors may require the Treasurer, and may require any other officer, to give bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties, in such sum and with such securities as said Board of Directors may provide. Such bond or bonds shall be renewed at least every three years.
Section 3.
Temporary
OFFICERS. The Board of
Directors may appoint such other temporary officers (for
example, Temporary Secretary or Temporary Treasurer) as it may determine, to
hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as
the Board of Directors may delegate to them.
Any such temporary officer shall be from the Board of Directors,
except a temporary treasurer who may be a counselor with the project.
Section 4. RESIGNATIONS. Any officer may resign at any time by filing his or her resignation in writing in the office of the Secretary of the Corporation. The acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5.
VACANCIES. Vacancies
occurring in the office of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary,
Treasurer, or Assistant Treasurer shall be filled for the
unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the Board of
Directors and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of
Chairman of the Board, and such other duties as from time to time may be
assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.
Section 7.
VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
In the event of the absence or disability of the Chairman of the
Board, the Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman of the
Board. The Vice-Chairman shall
also perform such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned to him
or her by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.
THE SECRETARY. The
Secretary shall:
a.
Record all the proceedings of the Corporation and Directors’ meetings
in a book to be kept for that purpose;
b.
See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions
of these bylaws or as required by law;
c.
Be custodian of the records of the Corporation;
d.
Make, keep and file all the books, reports, statements, certificates,
and all other documents and
records required by law;
e.
In general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary,
and such other duties as are provided by these bylaws and from time to time
as are assigned by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.
TEMPORARY SECRETARY.
If a Temporary Secretary shall be appointed
pursuant to the provisions of this Article then, at the request of the
Secretary, or in the Secretary's absence or disability, the temporary
Secretary designated by the Board shall perform the duties of
Secretary, and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject
to all restrictions upon the Secretary.
Section 10. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall give bond in such sum and with such sureties if required by the Board of Directors and such shall be renewed at least every three years. The Treasurer shall:
a.
Have charge and custody of all funds and securities of the
Corporation and shall deposit the same in the account of Hutchinson
Community Foundation as designated by the Board of Directors and shall
transfer funds, so as to minimize expenses, to a checking account at First
National Bank of Hutchinson, and have charge and custody of all funds and
maintaining the checking account at said bank;
b.
At each quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors and from
time to time as requested render a statement of the condition
of the finances of the Corporation, and render a complete financial report
at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors;
c. Receive and give receipt for monies due and payable to the Corporation from any and all sources and pay any amounts due and payable from the Corporation;
d.
In general, perform all the duties incident to the office of
Treasurer, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the
Board of Directors.
Section 11.
THE ASSISTANT TREASURER. The Assistant Treasurer, at
the request of the Treasurer, or in the Treasurer's absence or disability,
shall perform the duties of Treasurer, and, when so acting, shall have all
the powers, liabilities, responsibilities, and restrictions of the
Treasurer.
Section 12. TEMPORARY
TREASURER. If a Temporary
Treasurer shall be appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Article,
then, at the request of the treasurer or the Board, or in the absence of the
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, the temporary treasurer appointed by the
Board shall perform all the duties of Treasurer, and when so acting, shall
have all the powers and be subject to all the restrictions upon the
Treasurer.
COMMITTEES
Section 1. STEERING COMMITTEE.
a.
The Steering Committee shall consist of all the elected officers of
the Corporation and all of the Committee Chairs;
b.
Meetings of the Steering Committee shall be held at least monthly and
at the call of the Chairman when necessary;
c.
The Steering Committee shall oversee all committee activities, report
proceedings of the steering committee to the Board, and make recommendations
to the Board for business actions to be taken by the Board.
d.
A quorum of the Steering Committee shall consist of a simple majority
of the members and the affirmative vote of the majority of all members
present shall be required for the approval of any action;
e.
In the event a vacancy shall occur on the Steering Committee, the
Board shall appoint from its members a successor to fill such vacancy until
the next election unless the position vacated shall be an office for which a
successor is chosen as otherwise herein provided, in which case the
successor to such office shall fill the vacancy in such position until the
next election.
Section 2.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE. A
Nominating Committee shall designate nominees for election of the Board of
Directors. At the quarterly
meeting immediately preceding the Annual Meeting in each year, the Chairman
of the Board shall submit to the Board the names of a three-member
nominating committee consisting of Board members.
The Chairman of the Board shall designate one of the appointed
members as Chairman of the Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee shall designate nominees and report same to
the Board at least one month in advance of the date of the Corporation's
annual meeting. Additional
nominations may be made from the floor at the annual meeting
at the time of election of Directors.
Section 3.
Selection criteria will include gender, religion, relative age and school
grade level, interview results, like interests with the Northern Irish teen,
and date of application. The
Committee must work to represent as many
The host family
committee shall present recommendations for final approval of host families
for the project to the Board of Directors.
Section 4.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. The
Finance Committee will work with area churches, businesses, civic clubs and
individuals to fund the project.
The Finance Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of
supervising the financial structure of the Corporation and the preparation
of the annual budget and shall make its recommendations in connection with
all fiscal matters and the budget to the Board of Directors not less than
once each year. The Treasurer
shall be the Chairman of this Committee.
Section 5.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE.
The Public Relations Committee will be responsible for the Ulster
Project’s Media Policy and will be responsible with the Board
for all media interviews and media press releases, and for maintaining
communications throughout the organization.
This committee is also responsible for maintaining an up to date
website and a current mailing and electronic address list of all possible
voting members of the Corporation.
Section 6.
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE.
The Activities Committee will be responsible for planning and making
reservations for a Calendar of Events of the entire project.
The calendar will provide for two ecumenical prayer services. There
should be scheduled worship in both Catholic and Protestant churches.
Time of Discovery, service projects and social
activities shall be scheduled each week.
The Committee should balance host family times for meals with the
need to keep the teens together and occupied while they form friendships and
develop trust within the group.
Project counselors and/or leaders should be included on this Committee, if
feasible. It is suggested that
this Committee either include or get input from last year’s host families
and teens.
The activities committee shall present recommendations for final approval of
July activities for the project to the Board of Directors.
Section 7.
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
The transportation Committee will arrange vehicles and drivers to
transport teens and counselors to scheduled events as needed during July,
and facilitate carpools among the participating families.
Section 8.
OTHER NON-STANDING COMMITTEES
t
To serve as drivers to scheduled events as needed;
t
To provide or deliver beverages, snacks and meals;
t
To do clean-up and other services as needed; and
t
To plan and execute special events
ARTICLE VI
The Board of Directors shall approve the hire of all paid employees of the Corporation with a process approved by the Board, but at the least to include submission of a resume and a criminal background check by any applicant.
ARTICLE
An advisory board of teens who have hosted Northern Irish teens as part of
the Ulster Project of Greater Hutchinson shall be established each year.
This board shall meet at the same time of the Board of Directors, at
least quarterly, and provide input and insight as the Board makes policy and
other decisions for the future of the project.
Advisory Board members may serve as liaisons to committees and
actively participate in said committees.
ARTICLE VIII
SEAL
The Corporation shall not have a corporate seal.
ARTICLE IX
ACCOUNTING PERIOD
The books and records of the Corporation shall be kept on a calendar year
basis ending December 31st.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL
Section 1.
The Corporation has been organized as a NOT FOR PROFIT Corporation
with the purpose to operate solely and exclusively as a charitable, social,
benevolent, educational and religious organization, with the primary
purpose:
a.
to promote a peaceful parity of esteem between Roman Catholics and
Protestants in Northern Ireland by building tolerance, trust and ongoing
positive relationships among potential leaders from these Christian
traditions;
b.
to promote reconciliation between Northern Irish Catholics and
Protestants by fostering tolerance, understanding and friendship among
teenage future leaders;
c.
to present a program that brings Northern Irish teens of differing
Christian faiths together in a strife-free atmosphere that emphasizes
acceptance of all people, regardless of creed;
d.
to educate and encourage persons, particularly supporters, committee
members and American Host Families, to appreciate their roles as peacemakers
and mediators and to understand the purposes of Ulster Project;
e.
to encourage Northern Irish leaders and clergy involved in the
program to continue to foster the spirit of the Ulster Project among the
Northern Irish participants following each program; and
f.
to promote a spirit of community and commitment among American Ulster
Project participants.
Section 2.
In no event and under no circumstances shall any part of the funds,
property or assets owned or acquired by the Corporation, whether principal,
income or accumulations, or the net earning thereof, be distributed to, or
inure to the benefit of:
a.
Any donor to the Corporation or his/her heirs or personal
representatives;
b.
Any Director or Officer of the Corporation;
c.
Any Corporation, association, organization, society, trust or agency,
unless it be organized and
operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes, or
for one or more of such purposes; no part of the net earnings of which
inures to the benefit of any
private shareholder or individual, and no substantial part of the activities
of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence
legislation;
d.
The
Section 3.
The Corporation shall not engage in, and no part of the activities of
the Corporation shall at any time be, the carrying on of propaganda or
otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or to, directly or
indirectly, participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of,
or in opposition to, any candidate for such office.
Section 4.
Upon the dissolution of this Corporation, the governing body shall,
after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities
of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the Corporation
exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such
organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for
charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the
time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under §501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any
future United States Internal Revenue law), as the governing Board shall
determine, PROVIDED HOWEVER, the Board shall dispose of all of the assets to
Hutchinson Community Foundation Fund for Hutchinson, Hutchinson, Kansas, if
the same be in existence at the time of the dissolution.
Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the
District Court of the county in which the principal office of the
Corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such
organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are
organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section l.
DEPOSITORIES. Hutchinson
Community Foundation,
Section 2.
CHECKS, DRAFTS, NOTES,
Section 3.
STOCK IN CORPORATION.
This Corporation shall not have authority to issue capital stock.
Section 4.
WAIVER OF NOTICE. Any
Director or officer may waive any notice required to be given to him or her
under these bylaws.
Section 5.
DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION. No
attendance fee shall ever, under any circumstances, be paid to any Director of
the Corporation. However, Directors
may be reimbursed for necessary expenses actually incurred by them in connection
with attendance at an annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of
Directors.
Section 6.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST. In the
event that a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest develops
between any officer or Board member due to business or possible business
dealings with the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall review the facts and
shall determine whether a conflict of interest does in fact exist.
The Board members shall not vote on motion or issues which might involve
a conflict of interest. The
provisions hereof shall not per se prohibit any officer or Board member from
doing business with the Corporation.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT, ALTERATION, OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS
The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend and repeal
Bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE XIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Each present and future Director or officer of the Corporation shall have the
right to be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation, and the
Corporation shall indemnify each present and future Director or officer of the
Corporation against all liability, costs and expenses which may be imposed on or
reasonably incurred by him or her, including the amount of reasonable
settlements, in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding
hereinafter made or instituted in which he or she may be involved or be made a
party by reason of his or her being or having been a Director of officer of the
Corporation, or by reasons of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted
by him or her in any such capacity, except in cases wherein he or she shall be
finally adjudged grossly negligent in the performance of his or her duties as
such Director of officer. The right
of indemnification herein provided shall inure to each such Director or officer
whether or not he or she is a Director or officer at the time such liabilities,
costs or expenses are imposed or incurred and, in the event of his or her death,
shall extend to his or her legal representatives.
Each person who shall act as a Director or officer of the Corporation
shall be deemed to be doing so in reliance upon such right of indemnification;
and such rights shall not be exclusive of any other right which he or she may
have. None of the provisions of
this section shall be construed as a limitation upon the right of the
Corporation to exercise its general power to enter into a contract or
undertaking of indemnity with a Director or officer in any other proper case not
provided for herein.
_________________________________
Secretary of the Corporation