BELTON
AREA PARTNERSHIP
Belton, SC
BY-LAWS
Article I - Name
This organization shall be known as the Belton Area Partnership.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1 - The purpose of the Partnership is to protect and promote the interests of the Belton Area, including nearby communities who share common interests.
Section 2 - Simultaneously, the Partnership shall direct its full efforts in support of the objective of the Belton Area Partnership including:
*To promote economic expansion within the Belton Area by encouraging the most effective use of both private and public resources.
*To formulate and execute group activities which are aimed at improving business and civic conditions in the area served by the Partnership.
*To set up and administer whatever committees may be deemed necessary to carry on the activities of the Partnership.
*To coordinate all activities of the Partnership.
Article III -
Membership
Section 1 - Membership in the Belton Area Partnership shall be open to any duly licensed commercial establishment, non-profit organization, or individual upon approval by the Board of Directors by a simple majority of a quorum and payment of appropriate fees.
Section 2 - Upon termination of a member company's representative, the company should designate a new representative for the duration of their membership.
Section 3 - To retain membership in the Belton Area Partnership , a person, a firm, or an organization must pay dues in an amount approved by the Board of Directors. Billing date shall be December and payable in January. Dues for new members will be prorated for the first year then set on regular billing cycle. Membership accounts more than 120 days past due shall be considered canceled.
Article IV - Board
of Directors
Section 1 - The Board of Directors shall be composed of 12 active members of the Partnership, in good standing, including the 4 officers. Terms of Directors shall be staggered so that no more than 4 shall be elected by the general membership at its annual meeting each year, to serve in office for the next 3 calendar years.
Section 2 - Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled by election by the other Directors in office, and the Directors so elected shall hold office for the unexpired terms of the discontinued Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may be removed by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors, for conduct determined to be unacceptable.
Section 3 - This Board shall have the authority to act on all matters of business, except those reserved for the general membership by these by-laws.
Section 4 - Any Director who shall be absent for three consecutive regular monthly meetings shall be considered to have resigned as such Director for the remainder of his term unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
Article V - Officers
Section 1 - Officers of the Partnership shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its annual meeting and shall serve for one term of one year in the next calendar year. The President shall not serve more than 2 consecutive terms in the same office. These officers shall serve as the Executive Committee, and shall be empowered to act for the Belton Area Partnership in the interim between regular meetings of the Board of Directors on such matters as are directed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 - Job Description for Officers: The President will preside over the Board of Directors and general membership meetings and will be responsible for the overall operation of the Partnership. The President shall appoint chairmen/committees as necessary to carry on the activities of the Partnership. The President will also act as liaison between the Partnership and agencies, organizations, businesses, media and any other groups dealing with the Partnership. The Vice President will preside in the absence of the President over the Board of Directors and general membership meetings and will be responsible for recruitment of new members and improvement of meeting attendance. The Secretary will be responsible for recording minutes of the Executive Committee, Board of Director and general membership meetings and will establish and maintain the Partnership's files. The Treasurer will be responsible for the management of Partnership funds collected to include maintenance of checking and savings accounts, payment of all bills associated with the operation of the Partnership and collection of membership dues. The Treasurer will also chair the Budget/Finance Committee which will prepare the annual budget.
Article VI -
Meetings
Section 1 - The regular meeting of the Belton Area Partnership Board of Directors shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month at a time and location specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 - Special board meetings and general membership meetings may be called by the President provided that reasonable advance notice is given each member.
Section 3 - A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the board of directors. A minimum of 7 board members must be present for action to be binding. Any decisions made at meetings of the Partnership will be determined by a simple majority vote, of the board members present at the meeting.
Article VII -
Committees
The President shall appoint, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the following standing committees of which a member of the Board shall be chairman:
A. Finance and Budget will be chaired by the Treasurer and shall be responsible for preparing an annual budget for the calendar fiscal year; for a method of assessment for approval by the Board of Directors; and for raising other funds as may be needed from time to time.
B. Nominating Committee shall be comprised of 5 members; 3 active members from the general membership; one officer from the Board of Directors, and one officer who shall serve as chairman. This committee shall be appointed in September and be responsible for submitting a slate of directors for election at the general membership meeting.
C. The President shall appoint other committees necessary to implement the Partnership's programs.
Article VIII -
Amendments
These by-laws may be amended at any regular or special Board of Directors meeting by a 2/3 vote of all Board members, provided the proposed amendment has been circulated to the general membership in writing at least 10 days prior to the meeting.