ARTICLE I. Name.
The name of this organization shall be VILLAGE SQUARES.

ARTICLE II. Purpose.
The purpose of the organization is to provide the opportunity for enjoyment of Western Style Square Dancing, Round Dancing, and other related dancing and to promote the fun and fellowship of folk dance activity.

ARTICLE III. Activities.
Activities of this organization will consist of Club dances, special dances, classes, and Club-sponsored social events.

ARTICLE IV. Membership.
Section 1. Membership shall be open to couples, either married or single, who are graduates of a mainstream square dance course, who continue to dance as partners, and who are willing to support the Club's activities by their presence, monthly dues, and cooperation.

Section 2. Graduates of a Club-sponsored class will be considered on the recommendation of the class instructor and the vice president. Individual couples who are potential members must attend three Club dances and be sponsored by two active couples before their application is considered.

Section 3. Application by a couple for membership will be received by the vice president, who will present the application to the Club at the next business meeting. Upon a majority vote of the members present, the vice president will extend an invitation to join.

ARTICLE V. Guests.
Visitors to the Club are welcome to dance as Club guests. Those who visit on a regular basis are expected to apply for membership in the Club.

ARTICLE VI. Governing Body.
The Executive Council shall be the governing body and be comprised of elected officers. They are president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, social chairman, and publicity chairman. Elected officers may serve as husband-wife teams. The immediate past-president shall be a non-voting member of the Council.

ARTICLE VII. Meetings.
The Club shall meet in business session on the first dancing night of each month. The Executive Council shall meet once a month, preferably before the Club business meeting.

ARTICLE VIII. Election of Officers.
Section 1. The term of offices of president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, social chairman, and publicity chairman shall be twelve months. Elections shall be held at the scheduled business meeting in December. New officers shall take office in January. The first Executive Council meeting in January will be a joint meeting of both the outgoing/incoming officers for the purpose of orientation.

Section 2. The Executive Council shall appoint a Nominating Committee of four who will submit a slate of nominees willing and able to serve. Nominations from the floor are in order if the nominee has given prior consent.

Section 3. A simple majority of members present shall elect officers.

ARTICLE IX. Duties of Officers.
Section 1. President (a) Preside at all meetings of the Club and Executive Council. (b) Conduct the business of the Club in the name of the Club. (c) Recommend to the Executive Council the members of the Nominating Committee: appoint other committees and assign duties as needed.

Section 2. Vice President (a) Perform duties of the president in his absence. (b) Present names of potential members to the Club. (c) Organize beginner classes and encourage member participation. (See Article XIV for Beginner Class policies.)

Section 3. Secretary-Treasurer (a) Record minutes of business meetings. (b) Maintain membership roll. (c) Receive and disburse all Club finances and maintain all such records. (d) Notify members of delinquent accounts. (e) Prepare monthly financial report of collections, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. (f) Maintain inventory of Club-owned property.

Section 4. Social Chairman (a) Plan special events, including arranging for caller/cuer and facilities, with approval of Executive Council. (b) Arrange for refreshments as desired.

Section 5. Publicity Chairman (a) Publish newsletter. (b) Publicize activities. (c) Maintain scrapbook.

ARTICLE X. Duties of the Executive Council.
Section 1. The Executive Council shall prepare recommendations for Club approval by majority vote of members present to establish Club policy.

Section 2. Recommend dues for Club members and/or class membership, subject to Club approval.

Section 3. Recommend caller's and cuer's salary, subject to Club approval.

Section 4. Arrange for place to dance, subject to Club approval.

Section 5. Meet at least once a month, preferably before the Club business meeting.

ARTICLE XI. Amending the By-Laws.
These articles may be amended, rescinded or revised by 2/3 majority vote of members present at a regular meeting. Fifty-one percent of the members of the Club must be present for voting.

ARTICLE XII. Dues and Finances.
Section 1. Dues shall be paid on a monthly basis, payable the first Club meeting of each month.

Section 2. A membership shall be considered delinquent one month after dues become payable, and after notification by the treasurer, a member shall be suspended when it has been delinquent for two months. Any extenuating circumstances, however, may be taken into account at the discretion of the Executive Council.

Section 3. Leave of absence may be granted by the Executive Council for a maximum of six months.

Section 4. The amounts of continuing monetary commitments (fees, salaries, rents, etc.) shall be recommended by the Executive Council and approved by the Club membership. Approval of other expenditures deemed necessary and appropriate for the operation of the Club shall be the responsibility of the Executive Council.

Section 5. All payments shall be made by a Village Squares' check and all checks shall have the signature of the Club treasurer.

Section 6. A paid receipt must be presented to the treasurer for all expenditures to document purchase. Receipts must be presented without undue delay.

Section 7. All non-expendable items purchased by the Club shall become property of the Club and kept in storage by a person designated by the president. An inventory of these items will be maintained by the secretary-treasurer.

ARTICLE XIII. Attendance Policies.
Attendance at business meetings is expected but is not required.

ARTICLE XIV. Beginner Class Policies.
Section 1. Regular attendance of beginner class members is expected. Excessive absences may cause a delay in graduation and require additional expense.

Section 2. Each student is responsible for paying specified dues to the Club treasurer on the first class night of each month.

Section 3. A copy of the Beginner Class Policies shall be distributed to each couple in the class.

Amendment 2. Secretary/Treasurer
Reference - Article VI and VIII. Club voted at regular Club meeting in December 1986 to divide the office of Secretary-Treasurer into 2 separate positions: 1 Secretary and 1 Treasurer to become effective January 1, 1988.

Amendment 3. Associate Membership
Reference - Article IV. Associate membership shall be open to active Club members' children who are graduates of a Mainstream square dance class. Associate members are non-voting members whose membership is tied with the continued membership of the parents. (Approved 6/3/87.)

Amendment 4. Surviving Partner Membership
Reference - Article IV. In the event that the partner of a current or past member no longer participates in dancing, the remaining partner shall be eligible for continued membership at one-half the couple dues. (Revised 6/4/97)

Amendment 5. MASDA Representatives
Reference - Article IX. The MASDA representative couple will be elected in the same manner and time as other officers and shall be included in the Executive Council. Their duties shall be to represent the interests of the Club at all MASDA Board meetings and to provide continued communication between the Club and MASDA. The Club pays the MASDA annual dues for the MASDA representatives. (5/7/98)

Amendment 6. Separating Duties of Secretary and Treasurer
Reference - Section 3 of Article IX and Amendment 2. The duties of the Secretary shall be to record minutes of all business and board meetings, maintain membership rolls, and maintain inventory of Club owned property. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to receive and disburse all Club finances and maintain all such records, notify members of delinquent accounts, and prepare monthly financial reports of collections, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. (5/7/98)

Amendment 7. Definition of Associate Members
Reference - Amendment 3. Associate membership is open to dependents of active dues paying members. Associate members are not assessed dues. (5/7/98)