Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name - The name of this club shall be THE SYRACUSE CAMERA CLUB

ARTICLE II

Objectives -The objectives of the club shall be to promote the art of photography and to promote camaraderie among its members.

ARTICLE III

Membership - Any person seriously interested in the art of photography is eligible for membership, subject to the provisions of the by-laws.

ARTICLE IV

Nomination and election of Officers - A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President in March and report its recommendations to the membership at the April competition meeting. The officers to be nominated are: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Names of the nominees shall appear in the issue of the Cable Release that follows the April competition announcement. Nominations from the floor shall be entertained at the May Competition meeting, and these names shall appear in the Cable Release that follows the May Competition. Voting for new officers shall take place at the May or June Competition meeting, at the discretion of the President.

Executive Committee - There shall be an executive committee, consisting of all the Officers, the chairpersons of all standing committees, past presidents, and such other members as the President feels can contribute.

ARTICLE V

Meetings - There shall be two regular meetings every month from September through June inclusive. Additional special meetings may be called by the President or a vote of the membership, or a regular meeting may be dispensed with by the majority vote of the membership.

ARTICLE VI

Quorum - A quorum shall consist of twelve members in good standing for the transaction of business. 

ARTICLE VII

By-laws - The members shall be empowered to adopt such by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution from time to time as they shall deem proper. Any changes in the by-laws should be announced in the Cable Release, and members who physically couldn't attend may vote.

Any proposed changes in the by-laws shall be announced in the Cable Release after being presented at a regular meeting. Voting shall take place at a meeting following this announcement. A simple majority of members voting shall indicate approval of change. Debate on any issue proposed for change shall be limited to 3 minutes per person.

Members who cannot attend should vote by proxy. 

ARTICLE VIII

Fiscal Year - The fiscal year of this club shall commence on September 1 and shall end on August 31.

ARTICLE IX 

Section 1 - Dues

The annual dues shall be the amount specified from time to time by a two-thirds vote of the club at any regular meeting. The club operates from September 1 to August 31 next succeeding. Annual dues are due on September 1. If a new member applies on or after February 1, the annual dues for such new member shall be one-half the full year's dues.

Section 2 - Household Membership

The first member of any household joining the club will pay regular annual dues. All other members of the household will pay one-half of the regular annual dues. Maximum rate per family - regular dues plus 1/2 the regular amount. Student rate - 1/2 the regular amount.

Section 3 - Competition Eligibility

After November 1 of each year, only Honorary Members and regular members whose annual dues are fully paid and not in arrears may compete.

Section 4 - Honorary membership

Honorary membership is automatically conferred on persons who have been active members for 25 years, or to those who have contributed in extraordinary fashion to the Club and have been selected by the Executive committee. Honorary members who enter the monthly competitions are expected to contribute an amount equal to one-half the annual dues. 

ARTICLE X 

Amendments - Amendments may be proposed at any regular meeting of the club, and discussed. They must be tabled, to be voted on a later meeting, having been recorded in the Cable Release. The proposed amendment shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the membership at any regular meeting.

Resolutions 

1. Meeting Time

Meetings shall begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Date of original resolution uncertain. Reaffirmed by the SCC Executive Committee on September 1, 2004.

2. Duration of the Business Meeting

In order to assure that the program for the evening commences in a timely manner, under no circumstances will discussion of business extend beyond 30 minutes. Date of original resolution uncertain. Reaffirmed by the SCC Executive Committee on September 1, 2004.

3. SCC Online Forum - syrcam

The SCC maintains an on-line photography forum. The forum will have two purposes: (1) to enable SCC members to post digital images for review and comment by other SCC members; (2) to allow SCC members to share information with and seek support from other forum participants through on-line discussions. Participation in the forum will be restricted to SCC members in good standing. A forum moderator will be found among the members of the SCC. Approved by the membership June 2, 2004.

4. SCC Online Forum - Beaver Lake Photo Group participation

Participation in syrcam is open to members in good standing of the Syracuse Camera Club and also to members in good standing of the Beaver Lake Photo Group. Approved by the membership of the SCC December 15, 2004.

5. SCC Pbase Gallery

The Syracuse Camera Club maintains a photo gallery on the pbase photosharing site, where members can post their photos and visitors may view or comment on them.

http://www.pbase.com/syrcam/

6. Outreach Committee

An Outreach Committee is a standing committee of the Syracuse Camera Club. The purpose of the Outreach Committee shall be to promote interaction between members of the SCC and the nonmember public. Approved by the membership May 18, 2005.

7.Image Committee

The purpose of the Image Committee shall be to facilitate and define appropriate inclusion of digital images in the SCC and to make necessary proposals to the membership to update any issues that may arise.