ATLANTIC COUNTY SOCIETY OF THE DEAF
CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS
REVISED - APRIL 5, 1980
REVISED - DECEMBER 27, 1992
REVISED - NOVEMBER 26, 2016
Dated: November 26, 2016:
This copy supersedes all previous copies.
When anything is not covered in this constitution, Robert's Rules shall apply.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the organization is Atlantic County society of the Deaf, which is a non-profit organization established on March 31, 1966.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
The purpose for which this organization is formed is to serve the deaf community in South Jersey, bring them into better social life and understand the projects offered by Atlantic County Programs.
Inside or outside of this organization, the members are to be encouraged to foster the spirit of good fellowship and citizenship.
We may sponsor any sporting and/or social event that shall be brought up by a group from Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties only.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Active member - any deaf and hard of hearing or hearing resident 18 years of age or older.
All voting members of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties interested in civic betterment and pay the dues for active membership provided in the by-laws are eligible for active membership in this organization.
Hearing persons can be active members and can vote, but the majority quorum present must be deaf and hard of hearing active members.
Associate member - a hearing person or non-resident, deaf or hearing impaired, 18 years of age or older.
They shall have the privilege to participate in ideas and/or discussions within committees of this organization, but shall not have the privilege of voting and holding a position in office.
Shall pay the dues of associate membership as provided in the by-laws.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
The officers of this organization shall contain a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2 Member-at-Large, Immediate Past President.
The terms for these officers and 2 members at large shall
be two (2) years.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than seven (7) active members include four (4) officers - President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and two (2) Members-at-Large and
Immediate Past President.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT
Any amendment to this constitution shall submitted in writing at the club's general meeting of the organization.
Such amendment must be sign by three (3) active members of the organization.
The amendment shall be read by the Secretary under the heading of new
business of the general meeting.
If approved by the majority members of the organization that are present and would vote, the Board of Directors must review the amendment within 60 days of the vote.
If the Board of Directors approved the amendment.
The approved amendment shall become part of the constitution 60 days
after the vote.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
AMENDMENT
Any amendment to these by-laws may be proposed at a general meeting, to be adopted by a majority vote at the following board
meeting.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL MEETINGS
General Meetings, and Special Meetings, may be called by the option of the Board of Directors.
However, the final general meeting of the
organization is to be held the forth Saturday of November.
Before any General Meeting may be held, the Board of Directors must have a meeting also, and it cannot be more than ten (10) days prior to
the General Meeting.
The quorum for General Meeting shall be 10% or more of the active membership.
ARTICLE III
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings may be called for by the Board of Directors for a specific reason, like a special election, or vote, when the Board feels
it is necessary.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
The Board of Directors meetings shall be held no less than 4 times a
year.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Two Members-at- Large and Immediate Past President shall perform their duties as detail on the proceeding page.
The officers must have been an active member of the organization for more than (6) months.
The President and Vice President shall be ex-officio members as chairperson of committees.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The President shall:
-
Preside at all meetings and affairs of the organization
-
Decide on all questions of order
-
Appoint committees, temporary officers, and vacant board member seats subject to the approval of the board at a meeting, unless such appointments be otherwise specified
-
Countersign with the Treasurer all checks for payment of bills and vouchers
​
The Vice President shall:
-
Assume the duties and power of the President in the event of his/her absence or death or inability to perform
-
Shall be responsible to work with all chairpersons or committees
-
Report to the President on the status of all committees
​
The Secretary shall:
-
Keep all accurate minutes of the Board of Governors' meetings
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Present all required reports and correspondence at the meeting
-
Take charge of the seal, the Constitution and By-Laws
-
Permit inspection of the minute books of this organization by any good-standing member
-
Keep a file of all official communications and responses
​
The Treasurer shall:
-
Receive and keep official receipts for all transactions made
-
Keep a detailed account ledger of all monies received and disburse
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Render an update report at every general and Board of Directors meeting
-
Report to the Board of Directors as required
-
Countersign with the President on all check for payment of bills and vouchers
-
Allow two (2) Members-at-Large members to audit the financial report on a regular basis. It must have all two (2) signatures
​
​
The Members-at-Large shall:
-
Audit the Treasurer's financial report on a regular basis.
The Immediate Past President shall:
-
Automatically become a member of the Board of Directors
-
Have the privilege to act as advisory member to the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall:
-
Have the power to act whenever emergency arises
-
Approve all committees' services and expenses
-
Audit the Treasurer's financial reports on a regular basis
-
Name a place and time for their meetings and notify officers and committee chairperson at least one month in advance
-
Require all seven (7) Board of Directors be present to constitute that majority vote shall decide all questions before them
-
Have control of all events & make decisions (where not previously decided at a General Meeting) and regulate them to the best interest of the organization.

Any officers and members-at-large who misses any three (3) consecutive meetings without good cause shall be dismissed from their duties
ARTICLE VII
ELECTION AND INSTALLATION
The Officers, Two (2) Members-at-Large shall be elected by a majority vote at the General Meeting held the forth Saturday of November. 

The installation of new officers and board members shall be at the December Social Event.
Before entering upon their duties, they shall
subscribe to the following obligation:
"| (given name) hereby solemnly and sincerely swear that I will perform all the duties of the office to which I have been elected to the best of my ability and will abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of Atlantic County Society of the Deaf and strive for the advancement of its members."

The term of the new officers begins the following January.
The elected president shall appoint temporary members to fill the board members' seats vacated due to resignation or death or inability to perform. 

Elections for President, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large shall be in even numbered years for a two (2)-year term; Vice President, Secretary and Member-at-Large shall be in odd numbered years for two (2)-year term.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
All committee shall be appointed by the President unless other provisions for their selection shall be made on motion approved by the majority vote of the board members present.
Only active members may chair or lead committee or other business of the club.
All others may participate, but not be in charge.
Only active members can handle money.
ARTICLE IX
ANNUAL DUES
The annual dues for all active and associate members shall be paid in the month of January.
Annual membership dues for those under the age of 55 are $5.00 per person.
Annual membership dues for age 55 and over are $5.00 per person.
Annual membership for those members in arrears after the Forth Saturday of February will be $7.00 per person under age 55.
For those age 55 and over, the annual dues will be $7.00 per person.
For those Associate members, the annual dues will be $5.00 per person.
ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION
Dissolution of the organization shall be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of all current active members who must be present to vote at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Transfer of any funds in the treasury of this organization shall be determined by a majority vote of the members voting at this such meeting and given to any worthy non- profit organization related to deafness and within the State of New Jersey.