Article I- NAME

The name of the organization shall be the African American Photographers of North America (AAPNA) dba. African American Photographers of Central Ohio (AAPCO)

Article II- MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The mission of the club is:

To provide a supportive and enriching environment for Black artists that they may produce art that can be esteemed and shared with the community. Our primary focus is educating and inspiring our youth to be those who appreciate and produce images that reflect the positive aspects of African American life.

The objectives of the club are:

-Exhibiting positive images produced by members and youth at several venues based in Columbus and Central Ohio.

-Sponsor neighborhood “Theme” projects and workshops to increase our appreciation in the community.

-Hold monthly meetings that will include both group business and educational agendas.

Article III- NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1 – Officers of the group shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Program Director. Only one person can hold each office at a time.

Section 2 – Officers are elected for a period of 2 years. Nominations shall be made at the January monthly meeting and published in the following newsletter. Voting shall take place at the February general meeting. Results shall be announced at the February meeting and the installation of officers shall be made at the March meeting.

Section 3 – All members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination to any office and to vote for candidates except as provided in Section 5 of this Article. Nominees must accept the nomination prior to any vote.

Section 4 – No qualifications shall be established as a candidate for nomination for any office except president & vice president. To be a candidate for president or vice president, an individual must have served as an officer, and have been an active club member in good standing for two years.

Section 5 – Ballots shall be prepared, elections supervised, and tabulations of results made by two members at large selected by random process, who shall also prepare rules for the use of absentee ballots. The members-at-large cannot be running for any office.

Section 6 – Voting shall be closed ballot.

Section 7 – Officers shall be elected by a majority of ballots cast. When no nominee receives a majority, the two nominees receiving the greatest number of votes shall face a runoff election, which shall be conducted as soon as preliminary tabulations can be made, and ballots prepared. Elections results shall be announced and an officer shall be installed following a runoff election, at next monthly meeting following the balloting.

Section 8 – If any office becomes vacant prior to the expiration of a term of office, the President shall appoint a successor with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

The appointee shall hold office until a successor is elected in the next general election in accordance with procedures established for general elections.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Section 1 – The President shall preside at all monthly meetings and Executive Committee meetings, shall appoint the Newsletter Editor, Host/Sergeant-at-Arms, and all standing and special committees, and may designate chairs for those committees. The President is an ex officio member of all committees.

Section 2 - The Vice President shall attend all monthly meetings and Executive Committee meetings. Answer to the president. Responsible for carrying out the president directives and assisting the president on club matters.

Section 3 – The Secretary shall record and maintain records of the Executive Committee and monthly meetings, shall read these minutes at either meeting upon request, shall process all correspondence and maintain relationships with other organizations where necessary to receive information and disseminate it among the membership. The Secretary maintains the roster of all members and publishes updated rosters for the membership on a regular basis. The Secretary shall prepare the paper ballots for the annual elections.

Section 3 – The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds accruing to the organization, shall establish and maintain a checking account and other accounts in the name of the organization along with the President, shall record all receipts and expenditures, shall submit a monthly financial report at the Executive Committee meeting and at the general meeting, and shall maintain current and accurate financial records to be passed on to a successor. The Treasurer shall ensure that the Treasurer and President sign all checks.

Section 4 – The Program Director shall conceive of and develop both internal and external programming for the group and will actively seek input for programs from the Executive Committee and general members. The schedule of events for the group shall be maintained by the Program Director and shared with the Executive Committee and general members at least three months in advance.

Section 5 – The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers, the immediate past President, and the chairs of all standing committees established in the constitution. The Newsletter Editor shall be invited to attend. It shall set policy and plan activities of the organization.

Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be made by a majority of those committee members voting at an Executive Committee meeting.

All Executive Committee meets shall be closed to all members.

Decisions of the Executive Committee may be amended, modified, or reversed by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members at any monthly meeting.

Section 7 – The Secretary shall appoint one or more individuals to maintain the roster of all members and publish updated rosters for the membership on a regular basis.

Section 8 – The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for publishing a monthly newsletter.

Section 9 – The Secretary shall be responsible for auditing the financial records of the organization on a semiannual basis to ensure the records are properly kept and there are no irregularities.

Section 10 – All officers and chairs of standing or special committees may appoint assistants or additional committee members to assist them in the performance of their duties.

ARTICLES V –MEETINGS

Section 1 - Regular monthly meetings of the organization shall be held the third Friday of each month at a location and time determined by the Executive Committee, which is announced at the previous monthly meeting and published in the newsletter.

Section 2 – Executive Committee meetings, if needed, will be held on the Monday following the monthly meeting of each month. Each meeting will be held at a time and place designated by the President and announced at the previous monthly meeting.

Section 3 – Committee meetings will be held at the call of the chairs, which shall notify all committee members of the time and place of meetings.

ARTICLES VI – AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

Section 1 – any member in good standing at the annual February meeting may introduce an amendment of the constitution of the organization.

Section 2 – Argument supporting and opposing the amendment shall appear with the proposed change. Any proponents and opponents may prepare the arguments.

Section 3 – The Secretary shall prepare closed ballots upon request of any member. Two members at large shall supervise the voting, and shall tabulate votes. Members will be chosen by random process.

Section 4 – At the monthly meeting where the voting takes place, proponents and opponents shall be afforded a reasonable time and opportunity to present arguments.

Section 5 – A two-thirds vote of the total members in good standing present at the monthly meeting is necessary for the passage of any amendment if a quorum is present. A vote may not be taken until a quorum is present, and the amendment shall be held over until a quorum is present.

Section 6 – A quorum for purposes of voting on a constitutional amendment, shall be 35% of the members in good standing as determined by the Treasurer and the Secretary.

ARTICLE VII – MEMBERS

Section 1 – No one shall be denied membership because of race, creed, color, age, sex, disability, or country of origin.

Section 2 – A member shall be in good standing and entitled to vote, attend eight (8) meetings, serve on any committee and hold office or any appointment if they are at least 18 years of age, have an interest in club activities, and have paid current dues.

ARTICLES VIII – DUES

Dues shall be determined by the Executive Committee and shall be paid by February 1st of each year. If a member fails to pay dues by February 1st, the member is no longer in good standing.