ARTICLE I – Organization
SECTION 1.
The name of this organization shall be “The Washington Park Camera Club (WPCC) of Chicago
SECTION 2.
Its objective shall be to foster and maintain an association for the mutual enjoyment of photography. Encourage the advancement of members in the knowledge and practices of the science and the art of photography. Make mutual contributions to the progress of photography and explore and embrace new technologies that advance the practice of photography.
SECTION 3.
The fiscal year of The Washington Park Camera Club shall begin on the 1st day of July and shall end on the thirtieth (30) day of June of the next year. All references to the word “year” or “years” in this Constitution and By-Laws refers to fiscal year.
SECTION 4.
The Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall each prepare and present a computerized report at an annual meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of June.
SECTION 5.
All Business and Executive Committee meetings shall be held at the WPCC location (if feasible) on the Tuesday, following the 2nd Saturday and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
ARTICLE II – Membership
SECTION 1.
Any adult (21 years and older) interested in the practice of photography may apply for membership in WPCC.
SECTION 2.
All applications for membership must be forwarded to the Membership Committee, who shall record all applicant information, receipt date of application and amount of paid dues.
SECTION 3.
Members are required to pay annual dues, which are set by the Executive Committee and approved by the membership at a regular meeting. Dues are set at a level to meet the expenses of the club and to ensure a reasonable reserve of about 5% over budgeted annual expenses.
SECTION 4.
Any former member who has relocated out of the State of Illinois and wishes to keep their membership or renew their membership may do so at half the current annual dues. This reduced fee will entitle the member to field trips, workshops, photo shoots and competitions (prints and dpi). Dues will be waived for past WPCC Presidents over the age of 65 years. The End-of-the-Year Banquet is not included.
SECTION 5.
Dues of current members must be received by November 1st. Any member deemed delinquent in dues payment shall be notified by the Financial Secretary whereupon the member is expected to remit delinquent dues no later than the December regular meeting. Failure to meet this requirement will result in referral to the Executive Committee for consideration of membership cancellation.
New members accepted to membership any time after January 1st will pay half the current annual membership dues as a one-time exception. New members thereafter will pay dues by November 1st as the normal course.
To compete in monthly competitions, members must be in good standing.
SECTION 6.
Any member whose membership has been cancelled/terminated may appeal to the Executive Committee for re-instatement up to ninety (90) days after notification of cancellation.
SECTION 7.
Termination of membership shall cause members to relinquish all rights, interest or entitlement to property, assets and privileges of WPCC.
SECTION 8.
Any member wishing to be reinstated must pay one full year dues, regardless of the month returning.
SECTION 9.
To be an officer of WPCC, or participate in monthly competitions, workshops, lectures or field trips, member must be in good standing, i.e. current with dues, no misconduct adjudication before the Executive Committee or membership cancellation.
SECTION 10.
Club Membership: Membership in the WPCC entitles one to attend all monthly and annual meetings, field trips, workshops, and programs of instruction and learning, club competitions, club celebrations, End-of-the Year-Banquet; and provides access to club facilities and experienced members for guidance, consultation and collaboration. These activities and prerequisites are in direct support of the club objectives. Members shall expect a richly rewarding photographic experience as a member of WPCC. All members in turn are expected to contribute to this array of benefits and opportunities, to serve on at least one committee, and to participate in mind and spirit in the camaraderie of the club. The willingness and enthusiasm of member participation makes the club what it is and can be.
WPCC Affiliation: This club shall be affiliated with the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA). The Treasurer without further authoritative instruction is authorized to obtain and to maintain such membership by paying all required dues and fees.
ARTICLE III – Officers and Duties
SECTION 1.
The Officers of The Washington Park Camera Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer.
SECTION 2.
The President shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee; and he/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees; shall perform all duties consistent with his/her office; sign all written contracts or obligations of the club; shall preside at all regular or special meetings. The president shall have the power to establish any special committee.
SECTION 3.
The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in his/her absence and any other duty delegated to him/her by the President; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 4.
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and preserving minutes of all business meetings; shall read minutes of previous meeting at the regular monthly business meeting; in the absence of the President and Vice-President, he/she shall call the meeting to order and preside; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 5.
The Financial Secretary shall keep a complete computerized record of all financial transactions; shall collect all member dues and issue a receipt; shall provide a list of collected dues and bank deposit receipts within 7 days of collection, to the Treasurer at the next regular meeting; shall submit a list or 2nd receipt copy of collected dues of new members to the Membership Committee; shall pay all bills as directed by the Executive Committee and maintain an account of receipts and expenditures; shall sign all checks along with one other authorized signature; shall submit a copy of monthly reconciled bank statements to Treasurer; shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees involved with collection of funds for WPCC; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.
The Treasurer shall present at each Business meeting the financial data of the WPCC from a computerized monthly report which is received from the Financial Secretary; shall along with the Finance Committee, have a principal responsibility for developing the WPCC annual budget of income and expenses to be presented to the Executive Committee and for submittal to the membership for approval; shall be an authorized signer on all WPCC accounts, and a co-signer on all checks along with the Financial Secretary; shall perform all duties consistent with his/her office; shall in the absence of the Financial Secretary assume those responsibilities; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 7.
During the temporary absence of any officer of the Executive Committee, the President may appoint a member to fill the temporary vacancy.
ARTICLE IV – Nomination and Election of Officers
SECTION 1.
Nomination and election for all officers shall be held (every two years) at the last regular meeting in June. Officers will be installed to office at the annual End-of-the-Year Banquet.
SECTION 2.
The President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of three or more of its WPCC members to recommend members to be nominated as officers.
SECTION 3.
The President shall serve no more than two consecutive years.
SECTION 4.
The Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to serve a term of two (2) years. Term shall commence with the fiscal year and will end on the last regular club meeting of the month of June.
ARTICLE V – Dues
SECTION 1.
Annual membership dues are payable by November 1st of each year.
SECTION 2.
New members who joins on or after the 1st of January, will pay half the current annual dues.
ARTICLE VI – Meetings
SECTION 1.
The WPCC Official Business meeting will be held on the Tuesday after the CACCA inter-club Competitions (2nd Saturday of the Month) from October through June at the Washington Park Field House and shall be open and accessible to all paid members. The annual meeting will be held on the 2nd Tuesday in June.
SECTION 2.
Special meetings of the WPCC of not less than one quarter (1/4) of paid membership, may be called via email or phone call, at any time by the President, or upon the request of a member, or by the Executive Committee and be held at the Washington Park Field House if feasible.
SECTION 3.
WPCC Print and DPI Inter-Club Competitions shall be held on the “Tuesday before” the CACCA Inter-Club Competitions (held on the 2nd Saturday of each month) between October through May at the Washington Park Field House and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
ARTICLE VII – Standing Committees
There shall be established standing and ad hoc committees as needed.
ARTICLE VIII – Amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws
SECTION 1.
Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws may be presented by the By-Laws Committee at any WPCC business meeting but shall not be or made ratified until the next business meeting.
SECTION 2.
Reasonable notice of the nature and purpose of the proposed amendment shall be given to the members in advance of ratification.
SECTION 3.
The affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of paid members is necessary for the amendment to become effective.
ARTICLE IX – Quorum
SECTION 1.
A Quorum of the membership at any regular meeting shall consist of not less than one-third (1/3) membership.
BY-LAWS
BY-LAWS 1.
Members must notify the Secretary of any changes of home address, phone number and/or e-mail address not later than 30 days from the effective date of change.
BY-LAWS 2.
A motion to adjourn is not debatable.
BY-LAWS 3.
To overrule the decision of the chair a two-third (2/3) vote shall be required.
BY-LAWS 4.
Roberts Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions, issues and procedures not covered by the WPCC Constitution and By-Laws.
!["Group Photo"
[Photo Credit: Collette Hurd]
On June 17, 2023, the members of the Washington Park Camera Club concluded their club year for 2022 to 2023 with the highly anticipated "End of the Year Banquet," which took place at the Washington Park Refectory. During this memorable event, various awards, including the EOTY awards, plaques, certificates of participation, as well as the titles for Print and Image of the Year and Person of the Year, were bestowed upon deserving recipients. Additionally, the 2023 to 2025 Executive Board was officially introduced to the entire membership. It was an evening filled with delectable food, delightful company, and a truly fantastic time that was enjoyed by all in attendance.](https://washingtonparkcameraclub.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)