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The Greater Comfort Area Chamber
of Commerce is a non-profit, Texas corporation,
with a 501-c-6 tax exempt IRS status. (Application filed and pending
receipt)
By Laws - under review
Article I. General
Section 1.01
The name of this organization shall be the
Greater Comfort Area Chamber of Commerce, hereinafter referred to as the
Area Chamber.
Section 1.02
The Area Chamber will not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicapping
condition, marital status, or political affiliation.
Article II. Purpose
Section 2.01
The purpose of the organization is to promote its
membership and the business interests of Center Point, Comfort,
Sisterdale, Waring and Welfare Texas. This is to be done by the
following objectives.
1.enhancing, advancing and promoting the
well-being of commerce, industry, agriculture, ranching, education,
artistic, and civic interests in the area,
2.undertaking an active leadership role in the community by
initiating, coordinating or developing programs for the benefit of
the business community,
3.encouraging communication between private and public sectors,
business and labor, etc.,
4.being a representative of the business
community and speaking on behalf of the business community to
municipal, provincial, state, and federal governments.
Article III. Membership
Section 3.01
Any person, association, corporation,
partnership, organization, or estate having an interest in the
objectives of the organization shall be eligible for membership.
Section 3.02
Membership dues shall be at such rate or rates,
schedule or formula as may be from time to time prescribed by the
Board of Directors, payable annually. Membership dues are
non-refundable.
Section 3.03
The organization shall have five classes of
members. The designation of each class shall be:
1.New Business
2.Business
3.Church or Non-profit
4.Family
5.Individual
Section 3.04
Those interested in membership may apply by
delivering to a Board Director an application in a form approved by
the Directors duly completed and signed by the applicant and
accompanied by the appropriate dues amount.
Section 3.05
Membership will be good from date of sign up to
the last day in the following year. Members who are in default of
membership dues for three months will forfeit all privileges until
dues are paid.
Section 3.06
The membership of the Chamber consists of
individuals, families, partnerships, corporations, organizations,
and governmental agencies that have paid dues.
Section 3.07
Members are entitled to one vote per membership
on each resolution put to a vote of the general membership.
Section 3.08
All members are encouraged to attend the regular
meetings of the Area Chamber and the general meeting held annually as the
Area Chamber Banquet.
Article IV. Board of Directors
Section 4.01
The Board of Directors shall consist of nine
directors. Members of the Board shall serve a two-year term, with
three Directors being elected annually by means of ballots furnished
to the general membership.
Section 4.02
All newly elected Board members shall be seated
at the regular February meeting and shall be participating members
thereafter. Retiring Directors shall continue to serve until March
1.
Section 4.03
The Board shall be comprised of the president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and five other persons. The
Board shall be comprised of a fair representation of the community.
No more than five Board members shall hold family or individual
memberships. No more than five Board members shall represent any one
segment of community interest. The services of the Board shall be
without fee as the Board shall be comprised of volunteers.
Section 4.04
The Board may from time to time appoint up to
three additional directors.
Section 4.05
The qualifications for serving as a Board Member
include:
1.member of the Greater Comfort Area Chamber of Commerce
2.own a business in Center Point, Comfort, Sisterdale, Waring or
Welfare and live in Kerr, Kendall County
3.the ability to lead
4.skill in oral and written communication
5.ability to interpret policies and guidelines
6.skill in organizing
Section 4.06
Any vacancy occurring on the Board and any directorship to be filled
by reason of an increase in the number of directors or resignation
of a director shall be filled by a vote of the Board. A director
elected to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term of the
predecessor. A director elected by reason of an increase in the
number of directors shall be for the remainder of that term.
Section 4.07
No more than one family member shall serve on the Board at any time.
Family members are defined as parent, spouse, child, siblings,
grandparent, grandchild, stepparent, and stepchild.
Section 4.08
Board members shall not accept pay, gratuity, or any other form of
compensation for their efforts or vote. All expenses incurred
working on Area Chamber projects are subject to Board approval.
Section 4.09
Any Board member who has three consecutive unexcused absences will
forfeit the Board position. Any Board member may be removed by a
majority vote of the directors if it is in the best interest of the
Area Chamber and its goals and is non-prejudicial.
Section 4.10
The Area Chamber shall indemnify and save harmless each director from and
against costs, charges or expenses arising out of the execution of
the duties of his or her office, and also from and against all other
costs, charges, and expenses which he or she sustains or incurs in
or about or in relation to the affairs of the Area Chamber, except such
costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his or her own
willful act or default.
Article V. Officers
Section 5.01
The officers of the Area Chamber shall be president, vice-president,
secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as may be elected in
accordance with the provisions of this article. All rules that apply
to Board members apply to officers. The term of office for the
officers shall be one year.
Section 5.02
The officers of the organization shall be elected annually by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors at the first meeting in
January. Officers must come from the Board members chosen by the
membership.
Section 5.03
The Directors may from time to time appoint such other officers and
agents and authorize the employment of such other persons as may be
necessary to carry out the objectives of the Chamber and such
officers, agents, and employees shall have such authority and
perform such duties as are determined by the Directors.
Section 5.04
The standard officer positions and duties are:
1.President: Official spokesperson for the organization; interprets
the organization to the community; represents the business and
professional leaders in activities; and serves as liaison between
the Area Chamber and external entities. Presides at meetings of the Board
and of the membership.
2.Vice-president: In absence of the President, perform those duties;
work with committee chairs; plan for future of the Area Chamber; and
administer internal operations of the Area Chamber.
3.Secretary: Keeps or supervises the keeping of the minutes of the
meetings; maintains Board and membership directories; update Board
notebooks; confirm attendance and determine quorum; and prepare
agenda for regular meeting.
4.Treasurer: Receives funds; makes deposits, makes payments;
accounts for funds; provides reports; obtains annual audits; and
maintains non-profit status.
Article VI. Committees
Section 6.01
Committees are to be appointed by a majority vote
of the Board. The president of the Board shall appoint the chair of
each committee. A committee is to carry out their instructions as
directed by the Board but has no power to commit the Chamber in any
agreement unless the project has been approved by a majority vote of
the Board. One Board member shall serve on each committee by
attending its meetings and representing the Board. Directors may not
delegate to any committee any power of the Directors.
Section 6.02
Committees can recommend policy to the Board but
may not set policy affecting the overall operation of the Area Chamber. A
committee may, however, set rules and regulations regarding
committee procedures or action concerning its operation.
Section 6.03
Minutes and records of all committees shall be
maintained by a committee member and will be available to any
Area Chamber member if requested.
Section 6.04
Committee representative will provide a report of
committee activities at the regular Board meetings.
Article VII Meetings
Section 7.01
A regular monthly meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held at a specified place to be designated by the
president. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the
president or at the request of any two directors. Special meetings
will be held at a place designated by the president.
Section 7.02
The Directors may from time to time fix the
quorum necessary to transact business, and unless so fixed, the
quorum shall be a majority of the Directors then in office.
Section 7.03
A resolution in writing, signed by all the
Directors, is as valid and effective as if regularly passed at a
meeting of directors.
Section 7.04
Directors shall keep regular minutes of their
transactions and meetings and shall cause them to be recorded. They
shall report on their transactions and meetings to the membership at
such times as the membership require. General information from the
regular meetings shall be published for the general public through
the news media or through a monthly newsletter.
Section 7.05
The annual meeting of the membership shall be in
the form of a banquet. Tickets will be sold to offset the expense of
the banquet. The objectives of the banquet will be to
1.recognize and thank the membership for support
2.recognize outstanding individuals in the community
3.recognize and thank outgoing Directors
4.recognize and introduce new Directors
5.provide information about the Area Chamber accomplishments
6.kickoff membership drive
Section 7.06
Regular meetings of the committees appointed by
the Board of Directors shall be held at a specified time and place
to be designated by the committee chair.
Section 7.07
Committees shall keep regular minutes of their
transactions and meetings and shall cause them to be recorded. They
shall report on their transactions and meetings to the Board of
Directors at the monthly regular Board meetings.
Article VIII Finances
Section 8.01
The Chamber shall have three funds
1.Banquet Fund - The Banquet Fund shall be used
for deposits of funds received relating to the Banquet and to pay
all Banquet related expenses. Following the closeout of the expenses
the balance of funds are moved to the General Fund and/or to the
Ambassador’s Funds as voted upon by the Board.
2.Ambassador’s Fund - The Ambassador’s Fund shall be used for
deposits of funds received as a result of the Ambassador Committee’s
fundraising efforts. This fund shall be used to promote the Center
Point, Comfort, Sisterdale, Warring & Welfare business community.
3.General Fund - The General Fund shall be used for deposit of funds
received as dues, donations, and all other funds paid to the Area Chamber
other than for the Banquet and for the Ambassadors Fund. These funds
shall be used to pay for the general expenses of the Area Chamber.
Section 8.02
As soon as possible after election of the new Board of Directors and
Officers, the Budget Committee shall compile a budget of estimated
expenses for the coming year and submit it to the Board of Directors
for approval.
Section 8.03
Upon approval of the budget, the President and
the Treasurer are authorized to make disbursements on accounts and
expenses provided for in the budget without additional approval of
the Board of Directors. Disbursements shall be by check.
Section 8.04
The Greater Comfort Area Chamber of Commerce shall obtain and maintain
a non-profit status.
Section 8.05
The Directors shall not borrow money for the
Area Chamber.
Section 8.06
The fiscal year of the Area Chamber shall begin on
March 1 and close on the last day of February in the next following
year or such other period as the Directors may decide from time to
time.
Section 8.07
The accounts of the Greater Comfort Area Chamber of Commerce shall be
reviewed as of the close of business on the last day of February by
a public accountant, or a special qualified audit committee. The
special audit committee shall not be comprised of any Director or
committee member. The review shall at all times be available to
members of the organization.
Article IX Miscellaneous
Section 9.01
Each member in good standing is entitled, upon
request, to a copy of the minutes of Directors meetings and
financial and other records of the Area Chamber.
Section 9.02
The Board of Directors is responsible for
formulating the policies of the organization. The policies shall be
reviewed annually and revised as necessary.
Section 9.03
The Area Chamber shall use its funds only to
accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws,
and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the
members of the Area Chamber. On dissolution of the Area Chamber, any funds
remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized
and qualified charitable, educational, scientific, or philanthropic
organizations to be selected by the Board of Directors.
Section 9.04
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed
and new bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the membership at any
regular or special meeting after notice of the modification has been
published.
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Contact us
to update your information, ask questions or send press
releases
Chamber phone:
830-995-4501 |
Annual Membership Fees:
Business = $130
Individual = $50
Church or Nonprofit = $60
Business Affiliate** = $60
**Each additional business owned by the same
individual, partnership or corporation may join at the Affiliate
rate.
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