CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

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CONSTITUTION

AND BY-LAWS

Adopted January 9, 1930,

Amended November 30, 1978,

January 17, 1997,

January 12, 2001,

February 20, 2001 (By-Laws)

CONSTITUTION

Article I

The name of the organization shall be: "The American Club of Paris".

Article II

The purpose of this organization shall be the fostering and encouragement of social and cultural activities among Americans living in France and among other individuals concerned with American and international affairs.

Article III

The duration of the Association shall be unlimited.

Article IV

All American citizens shall be eligible for membership according to the rules of the Club as established from time to time either by the members or by the Executive Committee. The rules may also make eligible for membership persons not of American citizenship upon such conditions as may be provided by the rules.

Article V

The Club shall be governed by the Executive Committee, the twenty members of which shall be elected for two-year terms, and each one of who shall have one vote in all matters brought to a vote of the Executive Committee. Then Executive Committee members including the six Officers shall be elected at the annual Election Meeting, held in odd-numbered years. The other ten members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the Election Meeting held in the even-numbered years. Each former President of the Club and any other person as may be authorized by the By-Laws of the Club will serve at his or her discretion as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee. The officers of the Club shall be members of the Executive Committee and shall consist of the President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall serve for two-year terms and be elected by the members at the Election Meeting held during each odd-numbered year beginning in 1997. No officer shall serve in the same office for more than two consecutive terms or partial term provided that a partial term shall not be counted unless it is of at least one-year’s duration.

No member or ex-officio member of the Executive Committee shall be directly or indirectly remunerated for any services rendered to the Club.

The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, may establish committees as necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Club and may appoint the chairs of such Committees. The President represents the Club in all civil acts including appearances before the courts.

Article VI

Any vacancy among the officers or among the Executive Committee arising by reason of resignation, death, absence or disability may be filled for the on-going term at any meeting of the Executive Committee held thereafter.

Article VII

In addition to the officers designated in Article V hereof, the American Ambassador to France may be named Honorary President and the American Consul General at Paris, France, may be named Honorary Vice-President and such officers, if any, shall be advisory members of the Executive Committee. Honorary officers so named shall continue in office during their incumbency of their respective official posts.

Article VIII

The individual members of the Club shall not in any case be personally subject to or liable for any undertakings or financial or other obligations of the Club, all of which shall be settled or paid out of the assets of the Club exclusively.

Article IX

The finances of the association may come from dues, initiation fees, subsidies, and all other sources authorized by law.

Article X

Each member, upon election, shall pay an initiation fee and annual dues as fixed from time to time by the Executive Committee.

Article XI

This Constitution may be amended by a three-quarters vote of the members present at any annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided such amendment shall be contained in full in the notice of the meeting at which such amendment shall be presented.

The Executive Committee shall propose amendments. Amendments may also be proposed in writing over the signature of ten percent of all the members in good standing on the date of filing with the Secretary. Amendments proposed in the latter manner shall be filed with the Secretary, who shall submit such proposals to the Executive Committee at its next meeting. Within one month thereafter, the Executive Committee shall present such proposal with its recommendation thereon at a special meeting of the Club members called to consider it.

Article XII

A meeting of the Club members called for the purpose of considering the question of dissolution shall require a two-thirds vote of the voting members present to effect the dissolution, every voting member of the Club having been informed, at least three weeks in advance of the meeting, of the reasons for dissolution. The aforesaid meeting shall appoint three or more delegates who shall be charged with the liquidation of the affairs of the Club. Such delegates shall turn over any assets of the Club to one or more non-profit organizations as designated at the meeting. The meeting shall freely determine the disposition of the records of the Club.

AMERICAN CLUB BY-LAWS

(Subject to the Constitution)

Article I – Membership

Section I - Eligibility

Any American citizen and any person who is concerned with American and international affairs shall be eligible for membership, under conditions hereinafter described.

Section II - American Citizens

To preserve the unique purpose of the Club, the number of members who are American citizens shall always constitute at least 60% of the membership. Should members who are not American citizens exceed 40% at any time, then no new members who are not American citizens will be accepted, until such threshold is again met, and the votes of members who are not American citizens shall be limited proportionately to 40%.

Section III - Eligibility for Office

All members shall be eligible to hold office, provided however that only American citizens should be eligible to become President and further provided that at least 60% of the officers shall be American citizens. Members who are American citizens shall hold at least 60% of the positions on the Executive Committee.

Section IV - Honorary Members

A/ The American Ambassador to France, the French Ambassador to the United States, and the American Consul General at Paris shall be invited to accept Honorary Membership.

B/ All past Presidents of the Club shall become Honorary Members for life.

C/ Other persons of great distinction or who have rendered exceptional services to the Club may be elected to Honorary Membership at any meeting of the Executive Committee.

Section V - Employees of the United States Government

Any American citizen temporarily serving the United States in diplomatic status and employed in France for a period not anticipated to exceed five years may be admitted as a member of the Club without payment of any initiation fee.

Article II- Election of Members

Section I - Proposal

Two members to whom they shall be personally known shall propose all candidates for membership in writing. The application shall be filed with the Chair of the Membership Committee.

Section II - Duties of Membership Committee

The Membership Committee shall meet at the call of its Chair or acting Chair. It shall meet with all candidates for membership or designate one or more of its members to meet with such candidates and shall follow such other procedures as shall be approved by its members and by the Executive Committee in order to determine the appropriateness of any candidates for membership in the Club. At each meeting of the Membership Committee, it shall consider applications for membership which according to its procedures are suitable for consideration and it shall make its recommendations thereon, which recommendations shall be filed with the Secretary of the Club.

Section III - Duties of Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall receive and consider the recommendations of the Membership Committee and vote upon the applications so submitted by this Committee. A four-fifths vote of the members of the Executive Committee present shall be required for the admission of any candidate.

Section IV - Notice to Admitted Candidate

Each candidate selected for membership shall be notified of such election by the Secretary and the Membership Committee Chair and shall pay the initiation fee, if any, and dues for the current year, within one month after the mailing of such notice. The selected candidate shall become a member of the Club upon receipt of such payments by the Treasurer of the Club. If such payment is not made within the period specified, the sponsors of such candidate shall be notified of such non-payment and if, within fifteen days after such notice is given to the sponsors, the initiation fees and dues still remain unpaid, the selection of the such candidate shall be void and the application for membership shall be deemed withdrawn. Each candidate admitted shall be advised in writing that it is forbidden to use, or have used, for commercial purposes or other solicitation the membership list of the Club unless such action has been approved in advance by the Executive Committee and that any violation of this rule will subject the member to disciplinary procedures as set forth in Article X hereof.

Section V - Notice to Membership

The Secretary shall from time to time send to the members a list of the candidates who shall have been admitted to membership.

Article III– Resignations

Any member may resign in good standing at any time provided dues for the current year and any other indebtedness to the Club have been paid.

Article IV – Management

Section I - General Powers

The general management and conduct of the Club shall be vested in the officers and the Executive Committee of the Club. The Executive Committee shall have full power to take such action and to make such rules and regulations consistent with the Constitution and these By-Laws as it may deem in the best interest of the Club.

Section II - Officers

The officers of the Club shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Executive Committee. Unless modified by the Executive Committee, they shall have the following specific powers and duties.
The President shall have the duties of supervision and representation of the Club. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all committees, shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business of the Club, and shall preside at all meetings of the Club.
The First Vice-President shall replace the President when the President is unavailable to perform a specific function.
The Second Vice-President shall replace the First Vice-President when the First Vice-President is unavailable to perform a specific function, including that of replacing the President.
The Treasurer shall have responsibility for the Club funds and securities. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate account of receipts and disbursements in books of account and make financial reports. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the operation of the Club’s bank accounts and shall promptly inform the Executive Committee with to the same.

The Executive Committee may instruct the Treasurer to implement such arrangements for the operation of the accounts, as the Executive Committee shall deem appropriate.

The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer and shall assume such other responsibilities as may be requested by the Executive Committee.
The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings and shall keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee and of the members. All documents to be filed with, or sent to, the Secretary shall be filed with, or sent to, the Secretary at the Club's offices.

Section III - The Executive Committee Officers

The officers of the Club shall be the officers of the Executive Committee.

Section IV - Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President of the Club or at the call of the Secretary when the Secretary receives a request for such a meeting from a minimum of five members of the Executive Committee. In the case of unexcused absence of an Executive Committee member at three consecutive meetings, the President may ask the Executive Committee to declare that position vacant.

Section V - Vacancies

Any vacancy among the officers, or among the Executive Committee, arising by reason of resignation, death, absence or disability may be filled for the ongoing term of the vacant post at a subsequent regular meeting of the Executive Committee or at a special meeting of the Executive Committee called for the purpose.

Section VI - Committees

The President, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, may establish committees as necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Club and may appoint the Chair of each Committee. The President may elect to participate as a member of all such Committees.

Section VII – Benjamin Franklin Circle

The Benjamin Franklin Circle is hereby established to receive donations from members and non-members. The Benjamin Franklin Circle shall operate under the authority of the Executive Committee, which will appoint a Chair of the Benjamin Franklin Circle. The Executive Committee will oversee the operations of the Benjamin Franklin Circle and the Chair will report to the Executive Committee. The Chair of the Benjamin Franklin Circle shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.

Section VIII - Quorum

Fifty percent of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

Article V – Elections

Section I - Date of Elections

Each year one-half of the members of the Executive Committee shall be elected for a two (2) year term at the Election Meeting of the Club to be held at the time fixed by the Executive Committee during the month of May or June of each year. Club Officers shall be elected at the Election Meeting held in odd-numbered years.

Section II - Nominating Committee

Prior to the first of March of each year, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominating Committee. The Honorary Vice-President, if there is one, will serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee. If there is no sitting Honorary Vice-President, the Club President shall designate another Honorary Member to serve as Nominating Committee Chair. The Nominating Committee will be comprised of four other club members, selected by the Nominating Committee Chair, not more than two of who can be current members of the Executive Committee.

Section III - Nominations

Candidates for election to the Executive Committee and, in odd-numbered years, candidates for election as Club Officers shall be proposed by the Nominating Committee and may be proposed by independent nominations, as follows:

A/ Nominating Committee - The Nominating Committee shall select, from among the eligible members of the Club, a candidate for each position of officer and for each position of other Executive Committee members to be filled at each Election Meeting and a candidate for each officer position either from among existing Executive Committee members or those proposed by the Nominating Committee to be elected. The Committee shall submit its slate of candidates to the Secretary prior to the fifteenth day of April following its appointment.

B/ Independent Nominations - Independent Nominations for any of the positions to be filled may be made over the signature of ten active members of the Club, and shall be filed with the Secretary at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the Election Meeting.

Section IV - Elections

A/ By Acclamation - The Chair of the Nominating Committee, if there are no additional independent nominations, shall present the Nominating Committee's slate of candidates and ask for their election by voice vote of a simple majority of members present.

B/ Secret Ballot - If there are any independent nominations for any Executive Committee and/or officer position, the Nominating Chair shall conduct a written secret ballot of members present at the annual meeting. Two members who are neither candidates nor members of the Nominating Committee will count the ballots. Candidates shall be ranked based on the number of votes received, with those receiving the plurality being declared elected to the available Executive Committee positions. If no candidate for an office receives the plurality required for the election to the Executive Committee, then further ballots for the election to that office shall be taken subject to the requirement that all officers must be elected to the Executive Committee in order to be qualified to serve as an officer.

Article VI - Annual Meeting

The Club shall hold an Annual Meeting for the review of the accounts and such other business as may be appropriate no later than the month of January of each fiscal year as shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Article VII- Payment of Dues and Other Debts to Club

If any member does not pay his dues within sixty (60) days after the due date as fixed by the Executive Committee, or if any member fails to pay any indebtedness which he may incur to the Club within sixty days after a notice of such indebtedness shall be mailed to such member, and if such dues or such indebtedness be not paid within sixty days after receiving notice that continued non-payment could result in such person being expelled from the Club, then his name may be stricken from the rolls of the Club by a majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Committee.

Article VIII- Annual Accounts

A certified accountant (expert comptable) who shall be neither an officer of the Club nor a member of the Executive Committee shall be appointed annually by the Executive Committee to examine the most recent fiscal year's accounts of the Club and such supporting documentation as such accountant shall see fit. The appointed person shall report the results of the examination in writing to the Executive Committee prior to the first Annual Meeting following the appointment. This report and the Treasurer's annual report shall be presented to the Club at its Annual Meeting. The Club’s accounts shall be maintained on the August 31 fiscal year.

Article IX - Procedure

Where not otherwise prescribed herein, all Club and/or committee meetings shall be governed by “Robert's Rules of Order”.

Article X - Discipline

Section I – Expulsion

The Executive Committee may suspend or expel any member guilty of conduct such as to make such member, in its opinion, undesirable as a member

Section II - Notice

The Executive Committee shall not take action on the suspension or expulsion of any member until such member shall have been notified in writing of the charges against such member, which notice must be given at least seven full days prior to the meeting of the Executive Committee called to consider such charges.

Section III - Defense

Any member against whom charges have been filed shall have the right to reply thereto in writing and, in the discretion of the Executive Committee, may be afforded an opportunity to appear before it, to present personally the defense already submitted in writing.

Section IV - Vote

With the exception of the application of Article VII, no such member shall be suspended unless two-thirds of the members of the Executive Committee present shall vote for such suspension and no member shall be expelled unless the meeting shall have had a special quorum of at least a majority of its members.

Article XI – Special Meeting

A special meeting of the Club shall be called by the Secretary to follow immediately upon one of the scheduled luncheons of the Club upon the request in writing specifying the matter to be considered thereat, duly signed by fifteen active members of the Club in good standing.

Article XII Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a three-quarters vote of the Executive Committee members present at any meeting of the Executive Committee provided such amendment should be contained in full in the notice of the meeting at which such amendment shall be presented. Amendments shall be proposed in writing by at least four members of the Executive Committee. Amendments may also be proposed in writing over the signature of thirty members in good standing. Amendments proposed in the latter manner shall be filed with the secretary who shall submit such proposals to the Executive Committee at its next meeting where they can be considered.

Article XIII- Notice

When any notice to a member is required to be given under the Constitution or the By-Laws, it shall be sent by mail enclosed in an envelope addressed to the member at the address on record in the offices of the Club.

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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS