By-Laws

Highland Springs Woodchuck Club

Article I
Name and Location
The name of the organization is the Highland Springs Woodchucks, hereafter refer
red to as
the Woodchucks, located at 8030 Frankford Road, Dallas, TX 75252.
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of the Woodchucks shall be to:
1) Bring together residents with an interest in quality woodworking and other
compatible crafts,
2) Establish and maintain a clean and efficient shop,
3) Provide and put into practice rules governing the safe and efficient use of t
he
shop facility.
Article III
Membership
All residents of Highland Springs are eligible for membership in the Woodchucks
providing
they:
1) Read and sign the Shop Rules Agreement
2) Sign the Participation and Release form
3) Pay the current membership fee to Highland Springs with a note in the memo
portion specifying Woodchucks
Membership in the Woodchucks may be terminated by a voluntary resignation or rev
oked
for non-payment of dues, improper use of equipment, or violations of safety rule
s.
Membership may also be terminated for conduct not acceptable to the Woodchucks o
nly
after discussion and after a 2/3-majority vote of the members present at a regul
arly
scheduled meeting. Those who lose membership status will promptly remove all per
sonal
items from the shop. Dues are not refundable for any reason.
Article IV
Organization
A four-member board consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary and T
reasurer
shall manage the business and policies of the Woodchucks. The Shop Manager and
Assistant Shop Manager shall be ad hoc members and advisers to the board. Electe
d
officers may also serve simultaneously as appointed committee members.
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Duties of the President
1) Preside at regular and special membership meetings and board meetings
2) Financial authority in the absence of the Treasurer
3) Approve all reimbursement of expenses
4) Call special meetings of the membership or board as needed
5) Represent or appoint a representative in Woodchuck relationships with
Highland Springs staff and with other Highland Springs community activities
6) Appoint members to conduct an audit of Woodchuck finances at least annually
or upon change of Treasurer
7) Appoint a Shop Manager, Assistant Shop Manager, and ad hoc committees as
necessary to carry on efficient operation of the shop
8) Appoint a Nominating Committee one month before elections
9) All appointments shall be subject to the approval of the membership
Duties of the Vice President
1) In the absence of the President, the Vice President presides at Woodchuck
membership meetings and at board meetings and carries out all other duties of
the President
2) Has financial authority in the absence of the Treasurer and President
Duties of the Secretary
1) Keep and distribute a current list of members as provided by the Treasurer
2) Keep minutes of Woodchuck membership meetings and board meetings
including names of members in attendance
3) Keep all Woodchuck records including the master records of the Bylaws and the
Membership Packet
4) Send and tally all membership ballots
Duties of the Treasurer
1) Receive all money paid to the Woodchucks and protect and secure all financial
assets of the club
2) Arrange payment of Woodchuck expenses, supported by receipt and approved
by the President
3) Primary financial disbursement authority
4) Maintain an exact account of all receipts and expenditures and present a
financial report at quarterly Woodchuck meetings
5) Maintain a record of member dues payment and provide the Secretary with the
names of paid members prior to each quarterly meeting
Duties of the Shop Manager
1) Property custodian and responsible for the maintenance and proper operating
condition of all tools, equipment and machines
2) Responsible for replacement of consumable supplies
Duties of the Assistant Shop Manager
1) Assist the Shop Manager in his responsibilities and in the absence of the Sho
p
Manager carries out his responsibilities.
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Article V
Meetings
Woodchuck members shall meet quarterly (March, June, September and December) as
called by the President two weeks in advance. Special meetings of the membership
or the
board may be called as needed by the President or initiated by at least 1/3 of t
he
membership. Routine business shall be transacted by a simple majority vote of th
e
members present at a duly called meeting. A quorum consisting of a majority of t
he
membership (present or represented by proxy) is required to elect officers and c
onfirm
appointed officers, to amend the By-Laws and to approve purchases of $150 or mor
e.
Article VI
Elections
Woodchuck officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) shall be el
ected
annually. At least one month before the election meeting, the President shall ap
point a
Nominating Committee to prepare a slate of candidates for presentation to the
membership. Officers are elected for a term of one year. The President may fill
offices that
become vacant with interim appointments that run until the next election.
Ballots shall be distributed to the membership at least one week before the meet
ing date. A
simple majority of the total membership votes cast and returned before or on the
meeting
date shall be required for election of officers and confirmation of appointed of
ficers.
Article VII
Dues and Expenditures
Dues
In January members shall pay an annual fee to be determined each year by the
membership. New members joining after July 1 shall pay 50% of the annual fee. No
refund
of dues shall be considered. Fees may be used for expendable supplies, for purch
asing
tools and equipment and for maintenance and repair of equipment owned by the
Woodchucks as need is identified by the Shop Manager.
Expendable Supplies
Expendable supplies shall consist of: saw blades, other equipment blades such as
router
heads, drill bits, sandpaper, nails, screws and other fasteners, shop towels, gl
ue and other
routine shop materials.
Tools and Equipment
Sale of surplus tools and equipment donated by members or other residents shall
be
applied to the purchase and/or repair of major equipment or accessories.
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Emergencies encountered during the year may require a special assessment to cove
r
unusual circumstances, e.g. repair or replacement of equipment. Special assessme
nts
require a majority of the total membership voting in favor of the action.
Article VIII
Amendments
The Woodchuck By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of all members voting
including proxies. Proposed amendments shall be detailed in writing and distribu
ted with
a ballot to all members at least seven days in advance of a duly called meeting.
All
members attending the meeting shall have the opportunity to discuss and comment
on the
proposed amendments.
Article IX
Liability
Highland Springs, the Woodchucks and their officers, members, heirs, successors
or assigns
shall not assume liability and shall be held harmless for any and all harm, dama
ges, injury
or illness apparent now or anytime in the future incurring or alleged to be incu
rred during
the use of the shop space or use of equipment, machinery and/or tools therein. S
moking is
not permitted in the woodshop.
Amended 1/2008
Amended 6/3/2009
Amended 9/3/2009
Amended 12/6/2011
Amended 6/29/2012
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