About Us:

Article I

Name:           The name of the organization shall be The Women’s Club of

                     Norwell, Inc.  Established 1959. 

Article II

Object:             A.  The object of the Women’s Club of Norwell, Inc. shall be philanthropic, educational  and social.  Funds raised will be used to provide financial support primarily to local, non-profit organizations; scheduled and “as needed” help to individuals and groups in the community such as families or individuals struggling with illness, loss or other challenges; scholarships for high school graduates for higher education; and remembrance and support for club members at appropriate times, in each case as voted on by a majority of club members at a monthly meeting or decided by the President in consultation with the other board members, as detailed in Articles IV and VI of these by-laws.  Said purpose is in accordance with the requirements of tax exempt, not-for-profit organizations. 

                         B. Club Year shall run September through June. 

Article III

Members:          A.  Eligibility for membership requires only that the

                             applicant be a resident of Norwell over 18 years old. 

                         B. Dues shall be determined each year by a majority

                             club vote in the spring for the following year. 

                             Members whose dues have not been paid by

                             November 30^th will be considered to have resigned

                             and will not be listed in the Membership section of

                             the annual Yearbook. New members joining in March-

                             June shall only be required to pay 60% of the regular

                             membership dues to join for the rest of that club 

                             year.  Renewing  members must pay the full

                             membership dues at any time they renew during the

                             year.

                          C. Membership Responsibilities and Benefits:

    1) Participate in monthly meetings

    2) Participate in fundraising events including,  

          but not limited to:

             a)   supporting events through participation 

                and/or donations,

   b)   chaperoning (or arranging for another  

   adult) at least one youth dance per year,

   c)   assisting in at least one event per year

                                 3) Have opportunities to support members of the

                                       community through the Club’s Community      

                                       Outreach activities.

                                 4) Participate in the Club’s decisions about 

                                       donating the funds it raises.

                                 5) Receive the monthly newsletter, “The Chatter”

    6) Receive a copy of the Yearbook, containing  

        the By-Laws, Membership List and club 

        calendar, which is produced and distributed in

        January of each club year.  The Yearbook is

        solely for the use of club members and is not

        to be supplied to any outside entity or person. 

Article IV

Officers and Board:

A.  Officers & Executive Board:  The Officers of the Women’s Club of Norwell, Inc., elected annually by June, shall include President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chairperson and Membership Chairperson.  Together with immediate past Presidents, they shall constitute the Executive Board for the following club year.

B.  Budget:  A budget shall be prepared by the Executive Board for each fiscal year and presented for member approval by a majority vote in September.

C.  President:  The President shall be the official representative of the club and have full authority to act in the name of the club (in consultation with other board members) when time constraints require a decision prior to the next monthly club meeting.  The President shall preside at all monthly meetings and Executive Board meetings.  She shall prepare a written agenda for all general and board meetings.  She shall oversee all club activities.

D.  Vice President:  The Vice President shall assist the President and preside in the absence of the President at general and board meetings.  She will assist the President in the oversight of all club activities.  She shall also be the chairperson for the Donations Committee.

E.  Secretary:  The Secretary shall keep a record of the minutes of all meetings and oversee the preparation of the Chatter.   She shall collect/store detailed event information provided by existing chairpersons at year’s end.   If unavailable to attend a general or board meeting, the secretary shall delegate such responsibilities to another member.

F.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall pay all bills; have charge of the accounts, deposits and signing of checks.  She shall maintain our Liability Insurance.  She shall present a monthly financial report at each general and board meeting.   She shall be responsible to store and keep the cash box and ensure the availability of adequate change for appropriate events.  She shall delegate such responsibilities to another member if unavailable to attend a general or board meeting or event.

G.  Fundraising Chairperson:  The Fundraising Chairperson shall act as liaison between the Executive Board and the chairperson(s) for each individual fundraiser.  She shall work with the Executive Board to decide which events to hold each Club year.  She shall assist the chairperson(s) for each fundraiser with the preparation of a budget and seek the Executive Board’s approval thereof.  She shall provide guidance and assistance to fundraiser chairpersons as needed.

H.  Membership Chairperson(s):  The Membership Chairperson(s) shall supply information to prospective members, accept applications and collect dues.  Membership Chairperson(s) shall maintain accurate membership records and oversee the preparation and distribution of the annual Yearbook.  Membership is also responsible to provide nametags and attendance sign-in at all general meetings.  This committee focuses on making new and potential new members feel welcome. 

Article V

Meetings:              A.  General meetings of the Women’s Club of Norwell

                                 shall be held on a monthly basis, from September

                                 to June, as decided by the Executive Board.

B.  The May meeting shall be deemed the club’s

     “Donations Meeting,” at which club members will determine (by majority vote after discussion) where the majority of the funds raised during that year will be allocated.   

Article VI

Donations:             A.   A Donations Committee will be formed for each

                                  club year, to be chaired by the Vice President. 

B.   All requests for donations will be funneled through this committee, which will present such requests and their recommendations thereon to the club for a majority vote at a monthly meeting.  Although the club will consider donation requests at any monthly meeting during the year, the club will postpone as many such decisions as possible until the May Donations Meeting so as to have the benefit of knowing how much money has been raised before making the majority of the club’s annual donations. 

C.  The Donations Committee will present information to the Club at the May Donations Meeting to help the members decide how to allocate its funds. 

Article VII

Nominations:            The Executive Board, in conjunction with existing chairpersons, shall appoint or seek volunteers for board and chair seats for the upcoming year beginning in February.  Nominations should be finalized and voted on by members (by majority vote) no later than June. 

Article VIII.

Committees:

A. Committees shall be established and do such work as directed by the Executive Board.

B. All officers and committee chairpersons shall provide information in the spring to their successors for the following year.  Written information shall be given to the next chairperson and/or the club Secretary for safekeeping.