RETIRED MEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GREENWICH

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
As of May 22, 1998

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE: On March 10, 1954 a group of retired men who had formed friendships through mutual interests in the Young Men’s Christian Association, Greenwich, Conneticut, organised the “Coffee Hour Club” under the leadership of Alfred Lorenz, a staff member of the Young Men’s Christian Association. On October 31, 1954, the “Club” was formally organised as the “Retired Men’s Association”.

Section 1 - The Constitution and By-Laws of the Retired Men’s Association adopted on February 12, 1997 and all amendments thereto are repealed and the following substituted in their stead to take effect May 22, 1998, with changes noted in italics.

Section 1 - The name of this organisation shall be “Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich” (hereinafter referred to as RMA). It shall be sponsored by the Young Men’s Christian Association of Greenwich, Connecticut (hereinafter referred to as the YMCA), which shall provide facilities for a meeting place and offer such aid and advice in the operation of the RMA as shall be required.

Section 1 - The purpose of this organization is to provide the means for the friend1y association of men who have retired from their regular profession or trade, and who have interests in Volunteerism, Fellowship and Service. The RMA shall be non-partisan, non- sectarian, not-for-profit and shall honor our flag and our country, supporting all efforts to achieve good government.

Scction l - There shall be four classes of membership, namely: Active, Sustaining, Non-Resident and Honorary.

Section 2 - An Active Memberihip candidate must be sponsored by two members, be 55 years of age or over, and be a resident of the Town of Greenwich. He must be retired from his normal occupation and must attend at least three meetings, not necessarily in succession, before becoming eligible for induction. His name must be published in the Cigar Box Bulletin prior to admission. Any questions as to the qualifications of a candidate should be presented to the President by the Membership Committee Chairman or by any Member for such action as the President deems appropriate. After induction the candidate becomes an Active Member contingent upon his continuously maintaining at least a Social Membership in the YMCA.

Sectión 3 - Sustaining Membership is for a Member who resides in the Town of Greenwich but is unable to regularly attend meetings. Non-Resident Membership is for a Member who has moved from the Town of Greenwich and is unable to regularly attend meetings.

An Active Member who is absent for ten or more consecutive meetings without satisfactory reason shall first be contacted by the Membership Committee advising him of his status. If such member does not give an explanation satisfactory to the Membership Committee, he shall thereafter be classified as a Sustaining or a Non-Resident Member depending on his residence.

Sustaining and Non-Resident Members are not eligible for voting privileges. The Membership Rosters shall be reviewed annually. At that time a letter shall be written to each such Member from whom no word has been received. If there is a lack of interest or no response, such member shall be dropped from the roster.

Sustaining and Non-Resident Members may return to Active Membership upon application and satisfactory assurance to the Membership Committee of compliance with the standards for Active Membership.

Section 4 - Honorary Membership may be conferred, at the recommendation of the Board of Directors and the approval of the Membership, to a non-member who has rendered outstanding seryice to the RMA. Such Membership does not provide for votiñg privileges and shall continue at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section 5 - Other than maintaining membership in the YMCA, as provided in Section 2 above, no dues shall be required for RMA Membership. The RMA operates on voluntary contributions.

Section 1 - The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the seven officers, the five most recent Past Presidents of the RMA who have continued as Active Members, and six Active Members elected from the Membership at large, two of whom shall be elected each year to serve terms of three years each. Others may be invited to attend Board Meetings only with the concurrence of the President or Acting President.

Section 1 - The Officers shall be Active Members and shall consist of a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Third Vice-President, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, with the concurrence of the President, appoint one Assistant Treasurer and the two Secretaries shall appoint one or more Assistants. All such appointments shall be Active Members but shall not be Officers.

Section 1 - The activities of the RMA shall be channelled through Standing, Appointed and Ad Hoc Committees.

Section 2 - The Standing Committees of the RMA shall be chaired by persons elected by the Membership. Committee members shall be selected by each Committee Chairman. These Committees shall consist of the following: Audit, Budget, Cigar Box Bulletin, Constitution and By-Laws, Membership, Program, and Volunteer.

Section 3 - The Appointed Committees of the RMA shall be chaired by persons appointed by the President and they shall serve during his term and at his pleasure.

Section 4 - Any Ad Hoc Committee of the RMA shall be established by the President for his term, chaired by a member appointed by the President, and to serve at his pleasure. Committee members shall be selected by the Chairman after review with the President.

Section 1 - Neither the RMA nor its officers, directors or members shall be liable for the loss of personal property, injury or accident sustained in connection with any meeting or other functions. This includes any trips or group attendance at places for whatever purpose. No insurance is provided.

Section 2 - No member shall state opinions or give commitments purporting to have the support of the RMA except the duly elected officers or the designated Committee Chaimen when specifically authiorised by the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - No member shall invite any outside person or persons to appear before the RMA without prior approval of the President or the one serving in that that capacity during his absence. The selections of program speakers shall remain in the handsa of the Program Committee working with the President.

Section 4 - No person shall be paid any salary or other compensation, except that any person that renders unusual or special service may be paid special compensation appropriate to the value of such service, if recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the RMA Members.

Section 5 - The RMA, it’s Directors, Officers, Committee members or other persons shall not be permitted gain or profit from the operation of the RMA.

Section 6 - No Director, Officer or Member shall take any action on behalf of the RMA not permitted to be carried on by an organisation which is tax-exempt under the provisions of the Internal Reveiiue Act and its regulations as they now exist or as they may be amended.

Section 7 - Upon any dissolution of the RMA, all its net assets, after settlement of its debts and obligations, shall be transferred to any organisation which is tax-exempt under IRS regulations.

Section 1 - The Nominating Council shall consist of five members none of whom is an Officer. It shall be the duty of the most recent Past President who, is still Active, to be a member of and to Chair the Council. At the end of his year as Council Chairman, he will serve the following year as a member of the Council provided he is still Active. Each year the Nominating Council will nominate one new member to serve three years, to be elected by the Membership.

Section 2 - The Council shall present the nominees for Officers, Directors, Standing Committee Chairmen and Nominating Council to the Membership at the next to last regular meeting in March. Nominations may be made from the floor and shall receive equal consideration. All nominees shall be Active members.

Section 3 - The Nominating Council shall operate independently from any Officer or group within the RMA. It is an entity unto itself and accountable only to the Membership.

Section 4 - The Annual Election by the RMA Membership Shall be the last regular meeting in March. The elected persons and the appointed Chairmen shall assume office on May first.

Section 1 — All vacancies of elected personnel Shall be filled by action of the Nominating Council and election by the Membership.

Section 2 - No vacancies shall be filled by automatic succession.

Section 3 - All vacancies shall be filled as soon as possible.

Section 4 - Any vacancies within a committee may be filled by the Chairman of that committee.

Section 1 - Regular Membership meetings, unless otherwise agreed upon by the RMA, shall be held at the YMCA on Wednesday each week at 10:00 AM. The Annual Meeting shall be held on the last Wednesday in April for the installation of those elected and for the presentation of Annual Reports. Robert’s Rules of Order shall prevail. The Treasurer’s report for the year cannot be completed until after the Annual Meeting and shall therefore be given at the next or following regular meeting. Fifty (50) members shall constitute a quorum for a regular or Annual meeting.

Section 2 - The Board of Directors shall meet the first Wednesday of each month at 9:00 AM. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President. A majority of Directors shall constitute a quorum at Board meetings.

Section 1 - Proposal for amendments to the Constitution must be presented to the President in writing for consideration of the Board of Directors and its recommendations. Such recommended amendments shall be announced to Members at a regular meeting, notification published in the Cigar Box Bulletin, and voted on at the next regular meeting.