Toronto Woodturners Guild

Toronto Woodturners Guild

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME, LOCATION & MEETING TIME

A. This Organization shall be called Toronto Woodturners Guild

B. Located in the Woodshop of Humber College, 110 Carrier Dr., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

C. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month from September to June.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

A non-profit organization dedicated to providing practical facilities, education and information to those interested in advancing and promoting woodturning in West Toronto and adjoining municipalities.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

A. Type of Membership

1) Regular

2) Family

3) Honourary

B. Conditions of Membership

1) Regular Member must:

a) apply for membership in the Guild and pay the initiation fee as defined in the By-Laws;

b) pay annual dues as defined in the By-Laws;

c) be 16 years of age or older;

d) be accepted by the executive;

2) A Family Membership shall consist of one Regular member

along with his/her family members residing with the regular

member. These family members must be at least 16 years of

age and shall conform to Regular Member conditions with the

exception of paying initiation fees.

3) Honourary Membership may be granted by the Executive for

special or long service to the Guild. Honourary members will

have fees and dues waived.

C. Prospective Members, Guests

1) Any regular member may be accompanied by one guest per Regular meeting of the Guild.

2) A guest may attend only one meeting without applying to be a Regular member.

3) Non Member Vendors may attend Regular or other meetings only with Executive approval.

D. Chapter membership of the TWG in the American Association of Woodturners

1. that the TWG may apply for a Chapter membership on the AAW

2. that the TWG agrees to the requirements of the AAW Bylaws with respect to that membership

ARTICLE IV: ADMINISTRATION

A. An elected Executive shall include a President, Vice-President(s), Treasurer, Secretary and additional executive officers, as outlined in the By-Laws, shall operate the Guild in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws.

B. The Elected Officers in the Executive shall be Regular members of good standing who are residents of Toronto and adjacent areas.

C. The Executive shall set Annual dues and Initiation fees.

D. To assist the Executive in administering or operating the Guild, the Executive may establish such Committees as are necessary. A Chairperson or Co-ordinator may be appointed by the Executive from the membership to chair or co-ordinate the committees activities. To assist the Executive Officers of TWG in carrying out their duties, the Executive

Committee may appoint Executive Assistants to work closely with particular Executive Officers, as the need arises.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

A. All meetings of the Toronto Woodturners Guild shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order.

B. Regular Meetings

a) Shall be regularly scheduled by the Executive in accordance with the By-Laws.

b) Will consist of a brief business meeting including a financial report, and may consist of a demonstration or presentation, (teaching and/or learning periods), limited hands on time and some social activities.

c) The Executive may establish other meetings as the need arises.

C. Executive Meetings scheduled by the Executive as required in accordance with the By-Laws.

D. Annual Meeting Scheduled by the Executive as outlined in the By-Laws.

E. Special Meetings Scheduled by the executive or by the Regular members as provided for in the By-Laws. Special meetings may be called to deal with proposed changes to the Constitution and/or By-Laws, or other important business to be considered by the membership.

F. Quorum

a) In the case of the Executive, a Quorum shall consist of 4 members.

b) In the case of Special Meetings, and the Annual Meeting, a Quorum shall consist of 30% of the Regular members of record on the date of the previous Regular meeting. c) For the Regular Meeting, a Quorum shall consist of 30% of the members of record on the date of the previous Regular meeting.

G. Voting

Regular members in good standing only shall have voting privileges.

ARTICLE VI – RELATION OF CHAPTER TO THE CORPORATE ORGANIZATION

All Officers and Directors of this Toronto Woodturners Guild Chapter agree to be members in good standing of the American Association of Woodturners, Inc. While it is understood that the parent organization will provide advice and counsel, as requested, Local Chapters are advised that the nature and extent of their activities are left to their discretion. Demonstrations, while probably part of the normal activities of Local Chapters, are to be conducted solely at the discretion of Local Officers, and all safety and instruction is to be under their explicit direction and control. The national office strongly recommends placing some sort of sign or notice on or around any lathe used for demonstration; that safety eye protection must be worn and a full face shield when needed. Use a dust mask and wear hearing protection. The lathe is a potentially dangerous instrument only to be used with Chapter approved supervision.

ARTICLE VII – INDEBTEDNESS

AAW’s national office MUST be notified in writing PRIOR to a Local Chapter incurring any indebtedness for AAW.

ARTICLE VIII – AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOODTURNER’S DISCLAIMERS:

FISCAL AND LEGAL

The corporation, the American Association of Woodturners, Inc., specifically disassociates itself from any debts, obligations or encumbrances of the Local Chapter. The Corporate Board of Directors of AAW is not responsible for the debts, nor shares in the profits of the Local Chapters. The Corporate Organization does not shoulder any legal liability for accidents that occur during events of any kind sponsored or not sponsored by a Local Chapter. The Toronto Woodturners Guild specifically disassociates itself from any debts, obligations or encumbrances of the American Association of Woodturners. The Board of Directors of the Toronto Woodturners Guild is not responsible for the debts nor shares in the profits of the American Association of Woodturners. The Toronto Woodturners Guild does not shoulder any legal liability for accidents that occur during events of any kind sponsored or not sponsored by the National Organization.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
A. Any regular member, in good standing, may submit a written motion to the Secretary, not less than 30 days prior to the Annual or Special Meeting.

B. Said amendment will be presented to the Annual or Special Meeting and handled in the normal way and shall only be effected with the support of 2/3 (two-thirds) of the Regular members present at the meeting during which it is presented.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

A. Any regular member may submit a written motion to the Secretary, to amend the By-Laws prior to or at any Regular meeting.

B. Said amendment, to be effected must have approval by a two thirds (2/3) majority of the Regular members present at the next (regular, annual or special meeting).

ARTICLE XI: GUILD NAME OR LOGO

No one shall use the name Toronto Woodturners Guild or its Logo or any combination thereof, without the written authority of the Guild President and the prior approval of the Executive.

ARTICLE XII: DISSOLUTION OF THE GUILD

If, for any reason, it becomes apparent that the Guild is no longer viable, the Executive may propose at any Guild meeting, that proceedings, as outlined in the By-Laws, be instituted to dissolve the Guild.

Adopted this June 1st 2009

by the Executive Council at a regular meeting

and ratified by the membership.

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Dave Taylor Keith Reynolds Wayne Cardinal

President 1^st VP 2^nd VP

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John Buccioni Michael Finkelstein

Treasurer Membership Secretary