Amended January 6, 2022
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 refer to fiscal year.
SECTION 4
The Treasurer shall prepare and present a computerized report at an annual meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of June.
SECTION 5
All regular club meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) on the Tuesday of each month between September of one year and July of the following year and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
SECTION 6
All Business meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) on the Tuesday, following the second Saturday of the month and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
SECTION 7
All Executive Committee meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) at the discretion of the President and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
Article II – Membership
SECTION 1
Any adult, 21 years and older who is 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 the 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 and new members must be received by October 1st. Any member deemed delinquent in dues payment shall be notified by the Treasurer whereupon the member is expected to remit delinquent dues no later than November 1st. Failure to meet this requirement will result in referral to the Executive Committee for consideration of membership cancellation.
New members, accepted to the membership at 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 October 1st.
To participate in any club activities, including participation in the competition, members must be in good standing.
SECTION 6
Any member whose membership has been cancelled/terminated may appeal to the Executive Committee for reinstatement 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 participate in monthly competitions, workshops, lectures, field trips and/or to be an officer, members must be in good standing, when representing Washington Park Camera Club.
Dues should be current, and the member must not have any misconduct adjudication before the executive committee (whether inside or outside of the club meetings) or if the member has cancelled their membership.
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, 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 the president 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 their absence and any other duty delegated to the vice-president 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, the secretary shall call the meeting to order and preside; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 5
The Treasurer shall present at each Business meeting the financial data of the WPCC from a computerized monthly report, shall collect all member dues and issue a receipt; 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 provide a list of collected dues and bank deposit receipts within 7 days of collection, 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 President; shall perform all duties consistent with his/her office; and shall be a member of the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6
During the temporary absence of any officer of the Executive Committee and member from any ad-hoc committee, the President may appoint a member to fill that temporary vacancy.
Article IV – Nomination and Election of Officers
SECTION 1
Nomination and election for all officers shall be held (every two years).
SECTION 2
The nomination slate will be opened to paid club members, who are in good standing, during the March Business Meeting of the election year.
The nomination committee will present the new slate during the April Business Meeting.
SECTION 3
Elections shall be held during the May Business Meeting of the election year.
SECTION 4
Officers will be installed to office at the annual End-of-the-Year Banquet/meeting.
SECTION 5
The President shall appoint a nominating committee composed of three or more of its WPCC members to recommend members to be nominated as officers.
The nomination committee will select a chairperson.
SECTION 6
The President shall serve two consecutive years.
SECTION 7
The Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected to serve a term of two (2) years. Officers will be installed to office at the annual End-of-the-Year Banquet/meeting.
Article V – Meetings
SECTION 1
All regular club meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) on the Tuesday of each month between September of one year and July of the following year and shall be open and accessible to all paid members, visitors, and potential members.
SECTION 2
All Business meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) on the Tuesday, following the second Saturday of the month and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
SECTION 3
All Executive Committee meetings shall be held at a feasible location, including Washington Park Field House or via remote meeting (example: Zoom) at the discretion of the President and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
SECTION 4
Special meetings of the Washington Park Camera Club, 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 or via remote meeting (example: Zoom).
SECTION 5
Washington Park Camera Club 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 or via remote meeting (example: Zoom). and shall be open and accessible to all paid members.
Article VI – Standing Committees
SECTION 1
The president establishes the standing and ad-hoc committees as needed.
SECTION 2
Committee members shall select a chair for their standing committee at their first meeting.
SECTION 3
Each committee’s chairperson, members and its necessity will be reviewed annually.
Article VII – 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 VIII – 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-LAW 1
Members must notify the Secretary of any changes of home address, phone number and/or e-mail address no later than 30 days from the effective date of change.
BY-LAW 2
A motion to adjourn is not debatable.
BY-LAW 3
To overrule the decision of the chair a two-third (2/3) vote shall be required.
BY-LAW 4
Roberts Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions, issues and procedures not covered by the WPCC Constitution and By-Laws.
