The content herein may not be changed except by a Board-wide vote, as described in Article VII.  

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Belly Dance Guild (hereafter, “Guild”).  

ARTICLE II.  MISSION STATEMENT

The Guild is a membership organization for belly dance performers, artisans, musicians, photographers, teachers, students, vendors, producers, and enthusiasts. Our mission is to create an inclusive community that promotes the expressive arts rooted in Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic and Turkish (MENAHT) culture and ensure the continuing presence of belly dance as a vital and growing art form.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP    

Section 1.  Member Eligibility

The Guild is open to students, teachers, musicians, photographers, artisans, performers, producers, and fans of Middle Eastern-inspired artistry except as described in Section 2 of this article. 

Section 2. Exclusion of Membership

The Council of the Guild, and the Steering Committee of the Guild membership, shall have the right, at their sole discretion, to refuse an application for membership, or deny renewal of, or expel, a member, by majority of a quorum* vote of the Council. This decision may be appealed annually.

Section 3.  Membership Definitions and Benefits

Paragraph a. Membership Definitions

• "Member in Good Standing"
  A ‘member in good standing’ is current on dues and maintains current contact information with the Guild.
  
  
• "Active Member”
  An ‘active member’ is a member in good standing, that additionally has volunteered on at least one committee, Guild event, or other volunteer opportunity put forth by the Guild in the past membership year.

Paragraph b. Privileges of Membership

All members in good standing shall have voting privileges on Guildwide votes, may participate in all Guild events as availability and policy permits, and use all Guild services intended for the membership as listed in the publicly-available Membership Benefits document. Active members shall have all these privileges, and in addition may be eligible to hold elected and appointed offices, provided requirements for the office are met.

Paragraph g. Member Responsibilities

All members must abide by the decorum and expectations terms listed in their Membership Agreement.

ARTICLE IV.  DUES

Section 1.  Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Guild shall be set by the Board and noted in the Standing Rules.   

Section 2.  Amount of Dues

Annual dues of the members shall be set by the Board and noted in the Standing Rules.

Section 3.  Payment of Dues

Dues of new members may be paid at any time during the fiscal year, and, thereafter, are payable annually in accordance with the initial month of membership.  

ARTICLE V.  OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Council and Steering Committee Definitions 

• "Board"
  The Board refers to both Council and Steering Committee as one collective unit. Members of the Board must maintain current membership, including dues, for the duration of their tenure.

• "Council"
  The Guild Council consists of elected officials, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Finance Officer (“CFO”), Chief Program Officer (“CPO”), Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”), and Chief Enthusiasm & Membership Officer (“CEMO”) / Secretary.  

• "Steering Committee"
  The Steering Committee consists of the founding members of the Guild, and can also include other members in good standing, to provide guidance to the Council.  If a Steering Committee Member resigns or leaves, another person may be appointed by a majority of the Board into the vacated position.  The Steering Committee should be no more than eight people and consist of an even number of members.

Section 2.  Elected Officers

Paragraph a. Offices that are Elected

The Elected Officers of the Guild shall include CEO, CFO, CPO, CMO, and CEMO/Secretary.

Paragraph b. Length of Term

All Elected Officers shall serve a one (1) year term.

Paragraph c. Limit of Terms

No Elected Officer may serve more than four (4) consecutive full terms in any combination of Elected Offices positions.  Any member serving four (4) consecutive terms will be eligible to hold an Elected Office position again after a one (1) year absence.  

Section 3. Appointed Officers and Chairs

Paragraph a. Appointment

Potential Guild Steering Committee Members shall be presented to the existing Board for approval by majority vote of the Board. Additional officers and chairs to be appointed shall be presented to the Elected Officers for approval and appointment by majority vote of the Board.  All Appointed Steering Committee Members shall serve a one (1) year term.

Paragraph b. Eligibility

All appointed Steering Committee Members, officers and chairs shall be members in good standing.

Paragraph c. Length of Term

All Appointed Steering Committee Members shall serve a one (1) year term.

Paragraph d. Limit of Terms

No Appointed Steering Committee Member may serve more than four (4) consecutive full terms.  Any member serving four (4) consecutive terms will be eligible to hold an Appointed Steering Committee Member position again after a one (1) year absence.  

Paragraph e. All Other Appointed Officers and Chairs

• Offices and chairmanships shall be created or dissolved by a majority vote of the Council as necessary for operating the Guild.

• The Chair of a committee must be a member in good standing, and shall be under the direction of one officer of the Board as determined by the Council.

• A Chair may form a committee as approved by the Council.

• Any Guild Member in good standing may serve on a committee.

• Committees may include Non-Members in advisory (non-voting) roles only.

Section 4. Office Compensation

No Board Member shall receive compensation for service to the Guild, be it monies, goods, or service, from members or those outside the Guild unless otherwise decided upon by a majority vote of the Board.

Section 5. Voting

Paragraph a. Quorum

A majority of the members of the Board then serving shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting; and a majority of those present in either case shall have power to act in all matters.

Paragraph b. Voting within Board

• Board members shall have one vote each.

• In matters of policy, chair/committee appointment, Guild Partnerships, and day-to-day decisions, the Board may pass votes by a majority of the quorum. 

• All members of the Board shall have the Right of Dissent.  Right of Dissent is defined as the right of a member to refuse to comply with a decision of the Board with regard to the duties of said member if said member does not have the means of meeting the demands of the decision after engaging in due diligence and making all other reasonable efforts or if meeting the demands of the decision requires the violation of law.  Personal convictions or opinions are not grounds for refusing to comply.  A member refusing to comply must provide an explanation showing good cause.

Paragraph b. Guildwide Voting

• Guild members in good standing shall have one vote each (including Board members).

• In matters of great import such as Council elections, a General Election shall be held. All eligible Guild members may participate, and the Board must make a reasonable effort that each eligible member is aware of impending votes and nomination opportunities in a timely fashion.  Yes/no decisions may be passed by 65-35% Guild wide majority (percentage calculated from members who vote, not of the entirety of membership).

• The Council may veto a Guildwide decision by unanimous vote. Guild Steering Committee Members may challenge a veto of this nature, and require a Guildwide revote.

Section 6.  Election of Officers

Paragraph a.  Terms

Every year, the offices of the CEO, CFO, CPO, CMO, and CEMO/Secretary shall be up for Guildwide election.  

Paragraph b.  Incomplete Terms and Resignation

• Any vacancy that occurs in any elected office shall be filled by presenting an appointee to the remaining Council members and appointed by Board vote as detailed in Section 5, paragraph a. of this article.

• Council and Steering Committee Members may resign their position, with appropriate notice to the Board. 

Paragraph c. Nominees

• Any eligible member in good standing of the Guild may put themselves on the nominee list for Council elections.

• Dates for submitting to the list of nominees shall be determined by the Board and noted in the Standing Rules, with a reasonable effort made to make all members aware of impending deadlines.

Paragraph d. Voting

Council Elections shall be held in a manner accessible to the majority of members as determined by the Board.

Paragraph e. Installation of Officers

The change of office shall occur on a date set by the Board and noted in the Standing Rules.

Paragraph f.  In the Event of No Nominee

In the event there is no member willing to be a nominee for an office, an active member in good standing shall be appointed, or the duties of the vacant office distributed amongst members of the Elected Officers, as approved by unanimous Council vote.  Appointees to Council shall have all powers and privileges of the office as if they were elected, and may run for election during the next voting term.

Section 7.  Removal of Elected and Appointed Officers

Paragraph a.  Non-performance

A Council Member, or Steering Committee Member, or committee member not performing the duties of the office or position in a manner that allows the Guild to meet the needs of the membership may be removed from that office or position by unanimous vote of the Council, not including the officer or committee member being removed, for non-performance.  Non-performance is behavior such as, but not limited to: consistent failure to perform duties, having little or no communication with the Board, continuing to belabor a topic that has already been decided by majority vote to the point of derailment or otherwise not cooperating with the Board in the operation of the Guild.

Paragraph b.  Unacceptable Behavior

A Council Member, or Steering Committee Member, or committee member who behaves in a manner that is damaging to the Guild or its membership, impedes the operation of the Guild, or is contrary to the mission statement and goals of the Guild may be removed from office or position by a unanimous vote of the Council, not including the officer or committee member being removed.

Section 8.  Duties of Officers

Paragraph a.  CEO (Chief Executive Officer) 

The primary responsibilities of the CEO of the Guild include, but are not limited to,  setting and monitoring the goals of the Guild, running Guild meetings, appointing committee chairs and delegating tasks as necessary, ensuring that all Board and Committee Members are following through on action items, and acts as the liaison between the Guild Board and outside groups.

Paragraph b. CPO (Chief Programs Officer)

The primary responsibilities of the CPO include, but are not limited to, scheduling Board meetings, coordinating events and programs, directing event staff and volunteers.

Paragraph C.  CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)

The primary responsibilities of the CMO include, but are not limited to, directing and managing all branding, digital media, promotion of Guild events, and managing all internal and external communications.

Paragraph D.  CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

The primary responsibilities of the CFO include, but are not limited to, managing all financial obligations for the Guild, keeping accurate records and reporting to the Board and government entities on expenses and revenue.

Paragraph E.  CEMO (Chief Enthusiasm and Membership Officer)/Secretary

The primary responsibilities of the CEMO/Secretary include, but are not limited to, acting as the liaison between the Board and the General Membership, maintaining membership software, assisting members with questions and maintaining records of Board and General Meetings.

Paragraph F. Council Member Responsibilities

All Council Members must abide by the decorum, attendance and expectations terms listed in their Board Member Agreement.

Section 9. Duties of Steering Committee

Paragraph a.  General Steering Committee Member Duties

All Steering Committee members must abide by the decorum, attendance and expectations terms listed in their Board Member Agreement.

Paragraph b.  Specific Duties of Steering Committee Members

Specific duties for each Steering Committee Member will be outlined in the Standing Rules.  

Section 10.  Meetings

Paragraph a.  Board Meetings

1. Will be called by the CEO, and held at least once a month.

2. All Board Members shall be notified at least a week prior to a Board meeting.  

3. Council Members are required to attend all Board meetings, unless specifically excused.

4. Steering Committee Members are required to attend at least 50% of monthly Board meetings, and must make an active effort to represent their Areas and duties by proxy, and keep up-to-date on Board decisions and discussion if they are absent from a meeting.  

5. Finalized Board meeting dates will be posted for members to see, on the website. Meeting dates are subject to change at any point if a scheduling conflict arises for the Board, but the members must be made aware of the new date.

6. All Guild meetings are hybrid, unless otherwise stated.  If at any time any member of the Guild wishes to attend a Board meeting, they may. To do so, they must contact the Council via the email address to RSVP, and to receive time, location, and/or login information. Members must RSVP least three days before a meeting is to take place. 

ARTICLE VI.  REVIEWS

Section 1.  Financial Review

A member, other than a Board Member, shall make a review of the financial records once a year on a date set by the Board and noted in the Standing Rules, and provide a written report to the Board.

Section 2.  Bylaws Review

A reading of the Bylaws shall be done by the members of the Board once a year on a date noted in the Standing Rules, analyzing the Bylaws for current relevance, errors, consistency, and clarity.

ARTICLE VII.  AMENDMENTS

Amendments/changes to the Bylaws will be voted upon by the Guild membership in a manner determined by the Board.  Said amendments/changes to the Bylaws shall be communicated to the membership prior to the vote with enough time for deliberation.