About Us

WESTBRIDGE CAMERA CLUB
COLUMBUS, OHIO

Website: www.westbridgecc.com
Revised and Adopted 5/25/2003
Editorial Corrections 6/13, 8/25, 8/26/03, 9/1/04

ARTICLE I -- NOMINATION, ELECTION, AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The Nominating Committee shall:

(a) Be chaired by the Immediate Past President who shall select two additional members;
(b) Prepare a slate of at least one candidate for each elective office;
(c) Keep all transactions and deliberations confidential to its members;
(d) Give each nominee a copy of the duties of the office being sought;
(e) Report in writing its slate of candidates to the Club at least one month in advance of the Annual Meeting. This report shall be sent by U.S. mail and/or electronic mail to all Club members;
(f) Seek additional nominations from the floor;
(g) Conduct the election at the Annual Meeting.

Section 2: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of members present at the Annual Meeting.

Section 3: Newly elected officers shall be installed at the Annual Awards Banquet and shall assume the duties of their respective offices on July 1.

ARTICLE II -- DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The PRESIDENT shall:

(a) Preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Executive Committee;
(b) Appoint the chairs of those standing committees not headed by elected officers;
(c) Appoint a Club Historian;
(d) Appoint a Webmaster;
(e) Appoint a representative or liaison to any other organization with which the Club may decide to affiliate;
(f) Appoint a committee at his/her discretion, or on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, to audit the financial records. Audits may be conducted annually or whenever there is a change in Treasurer;
(g) Appoint special committees or individuals to special assignments as deemed necessary;
(h) Sign written contracts or obligations after authorization by the Executive Committee;
(i) Function as ex officio member of all committees;
(j) Report at the Annual Awards Banquet on the progress of the Club during the preceding year;
(k) Conduct the duties of office so as to promote the effective operation of the club;
(l) Serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms of office.

Section 2: The VICE PRESIDENT shall:

(a) Perform the President's official duties during the absence of the President;
(b) Chair the Education Committee;
(c) Perform such other duties as the Executive Committee may direct;
(d) Serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms of office.

Section 3: The SECRETARY shall:

(a) Keep the minutes of all business meetings of the Club and of the Executive Committee;
(b) Keep records of the Club, including current copies of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules of Competition, both in written and in suitable electronic form;
(c) Conduct the Club's correspondence;
(d) Check the membership list to ensure that all competition winners' dues are current;
(e) Record competition award winners and convey that information to the Webmaster for publication in the Club newsletter, and on the Club website;
(f) Present awards to competition winners;
(g) Keep members' cumulative scores based on winning entries;
(h) Provide to members, in cooperation with the Treasurer, a printed list of members' names, phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses;
(i) Determine if a quorum is present at all business meetings;
(j) Chair the Public Relations Committee;
(k) Order all awards for the Annual Salon, special shows, and competitions during the year.

Section 4: The TREASURER shall:

(a) Act as custodian of all Club funds;
(b) Pay bills as authorized by the President or Executive Committee;
(c) Maintain accurate records of all Club transactions, including receipts and expenditures as authorized by the President or Executive Committee;
(d) Set up and maintain a Club checking account;
(e) Remind members when annual dues are due, receive dues, and acknowledge their receipt if so requested;
(f) Maintain a list of current paid members for use by the Competition Chair and Secretary during competition;
(g) Make a semi-annual written report to the Executive Committee on the condition of the Club treasury. This report shall be summarized in the Club newsletter, and on the Club website.

Section 5: MEMBERS AT LARGE shall:

(a) Serve on the Executive Committee;
(b) Not serve as committee chairs.

Section 6: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

(a) If the President does not fulfill assigned duties, or commits fraud or other misdeeds, the Vice President shall seek the approval of the Executive Committee before requesting resignation of the President.

(b) Any other elected officer may be asked to resign or may be removed from office for not fulfilling assigned duties or if fraud or other misdeeds are committed. Such removal will be accomplished by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE III - APPOINTED POSITIONS

Section 1: The President shall appoint chairs of the following Standing Committees:

(a) Membership
(b) Hospitality
(c) Competition
(d) Exhibitions

Section 2: The Education and Public Relations Committees are Standing Committees chaired respectively by the Vice President and the Secretary.

Section 3: The CLUB HISTORIAN shall:

(a) Preserve past records, including minutes of previous Business Meetings, records of past awards, past newsletters, and such memorabilia as are deemed of historical importance;
(b) Serve at the President's pleasure.

Section 4: The WEBMASTER shall:

(a) Maintain an up-to-date Club website that describes the Club in general and provides information on upcoming programs and other activities, lists of recent award winners, news of member activities, announcements of current and upcoming exhibitions, photographic tips and other items of interest to the membership;
(b) Print copies of the Club newsletter, and send them via U.S. mail to members who request them;
(c) Be appointed by the President in consultation with the Secretary.
(d) Appoint, in consultation with the Secretary, a Web Advisory Committee who shall advise the Webmaster and provide back-up capabilities in case the Webmaster is temporarily unable to keep the website updated.

Section 5: A CLUB REPRESENTATIVE to any organization sharing the Club's goals, such as the Photographic Society of America (PSA), if appointed by the President, shall:

(a) Work with the Public Relations Committee to periodically publicize during Club meetings the activities and services offered by that organization;
(b) Bring current issues of the organization�s publications to Club meetings for members to read or borrow;
(c) Periodically write articles about the organization for Snapshots, the Club newsletter; and on the Club website;
(d) Maintain individual organizational membership, if available;
(e) Serve at the President's pleasure.

Section 6: Members of Standing Committees shall be selected by the respective committee chairs.

ARTICLE IV -- DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES

Section 1: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Conduct routine business and planning activities so as to relieve members of such responsibilities and reduce or eliminate the necessity for transacting business at membership meetings other than at the Annual Meeting;
(b) Set the annual dues;
(c) Arrange for a meeting place for regular meetings;
(d) Meet at least once during the summer and at the call of the President or request of any three (3) Executive Committee or any five (5) Club members.
(e) Determine periodically whether the Club should maintain membership in any other organization sharing its goals.

Section 2. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Promote the growth of the club membership;
(b) Welcome guests, speakers, and judges at all Club meetings;
(c) Prepare and maintain a promotional flyer with the advice of the Public Relations Committee;
(d) Prepare and maintain a New Member Packet to include an application blank, the Competition Rules, Constitution and Bylaws, current copy of the Club newsletter, and related information;
(e) Prepare and maintain permanent nametags for active members and encourage their use.

Section 3: THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Be responsible for refreshments at regular meetings;
(b) Reserve site, plan menu, decide on food source (caterer or member contributions), obtain door prizes, and plan decorations for the Annual Awards Banquet and for any special meeting(s), as directed by the Executive Committee.

Section 4: THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Develop educational and entertaining programs for meetings, workshops, outings, and other Club activities;
(b) Decide on a program for the Annual Awards Banquet.

Section 5: THE COMPETITION COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Recruit and instruct judges for club competitions;
(b) Conduct regular competitions based on Competition Rules, including provisions for classes of prints and slides;
(c) Conduct the Annual Salon competition;
(d) Arrange for recognition of judges with a suitable gift;
(e) Arrange for necessary equipment and all photographs entered in the Annual Salon to be transported to the banquet site;
(f) Return all photographs in good condition to members following the Annual Awards Banquet;
(g) Review the Competition Rules annually and make any necessary changes after consulting with the Executive Committee and notifying Club members;
(h) Be in charge of all Club property and equipment.

Section 6: THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Direct the preparation and distribution of all Club publications, including the Club newsletter, the Club website, and any press releases;
(b) Assist the Membership Chair in preparing a promotional flyer;
(c) Include the Webmaster and the Web Advisory Subcommittee.

Section 7: THE EXHIBITIONS COMMITTEE shall:

(a) Arrange for venues for members to display their work to the general public;
(b) Determine how such works are to be selected;
(c) Prepare a budget to provide income to cover expenses. No funds from the Treasury shall be used for exhibitions without a vote of the members.

Section 8: The AUDIT COMMITTEE:

(a) Shall be appointed by the president;
(b) Shall perform an audit of all financial records annually or on change in Treasurer;
(c) May not include the incumbent Treasurer.

Section 9: Each standing committee may, with the approval of the President, establish subcommittees to carry on assigned activities.

ARTICLE V -- MEMBERSHIP

Section l: Any person who meets the requirements listed in the Constitution may apply for Club membership by completing the membership application blank and payment of dues.

Section 2. Renewal of membership is accomplished by payment of annual dues before the first Competition Meeting.

Section 3: Renewing members who have not paid dues for three (3) months after the due date shall be reminded by the Treasurer.

Section 4: If payment is not made within one month after the reminder by the Treasurer, the Secretary shall notify the member that Club membership is terminated.

Section 5: Exceptions to required dues payment may be made by the President in cases of incapacitation or severe hardship.

Section 6: Members who resign or are removed from membership shall return all Club property in their possession. Termination of membership shall remove all rights, privileges, and interest in or title to property, assets, and privileges of the Club.

Section 7: No member whose dues are not current may participate in any Competition or serve in any leadership position.

Section 8: Each year, individuals who have been members for 25 years shall be granted Life Membership. This entitles those individuals to all the privileges of membership without them having to pay the annual dues. Life members shall be announced at the Annual Banquet.

ARTICLE VI -- MEETINGS

Section l: Regular meetings shall be held the first and third Wednesday of each month, September through May. Other meetings may be scheduled at the option of the Executive Committee.

Section 2: All regular meetings shall be open to nonmembers.

Section 3: The first meeting of the month (September to April) shall be an educational program under the direction of the Education Committee.

Section 4: The second meeting of the month (September to April) shall be a Competition under the direction of the Competition Committee, based on the rules as proposed by the Competition Committee and approved by the Executive Committee.

Section 5: The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be the first regularly scheduled meeting in May.

(a) The agenda shall consist of election of officers and any proposed amendments to Club documents;
(b) Written notice of the time, place, and nominees for office shall be sent by the Secretary to members one month in advance by U.S. mail or by electronic means to all Club members;
(c) Proxy votes may be submitted. A proxy vote is defined as a signed authorization by an absent member instructing another member to cast a vote for that absent member;
(d) Absentee votes are not permitted.

Section 6: The second meeting in May shall be the competition for the Annual Salon during which members submit their best work as defined in the Competition Rules.

Section 7: There shall be an Annual Awards Banquet, held in early June, to which guests are especially invited. The site selection, food, door prizes, and decorations shall be the responsibility of the Hospitality Committee. Preparation of photographic entries from the Annual Salon judging and transportation of equipment shall be under the direction of the Competition Committee.

ARTICLE VII -- CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Section 1: The order of business for regular and special meetings of the club shall be determined by the President.

Section 2: Conduct of all meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order as applicable to and consistent with the club's Constitution and Bylaws.

Constitution and Bylaws were prepared by the Constitution Committee on March 26, 1977. Wallace Cash, Chm., Marvyth Bonham, Bob Rusiska, and George and Laurie Butts. 2001-2003 Revision Committee: Eleanor Helper, chair, Laurie Butts, Wallace Cash, and Bill McCracken.

Article II, Section 1 (f) revised to relax requirements for financial audits as approved by voice vote September 1, 2004.

Article V, Section 8 was added after voice vote of membership at the first meeting in September, 2005.

The name of the club's newsletter was removed from this text, September 2007, since that name ("Snapshots") is no longer in use.