THE OKLAHOMA ART GUILD, INC.

BY-LAWS

Adopted October 17, 2005 

The Oklahoma Art Guild, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in October 1954 and incorporated in 1975.  The purpose of the organization is the promotion, education, and development of the visual arts.

ARTICLE 1 – OFFICERS

Section 1

The elective officers shall be President; First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Vice-Presidents; Recording Secretary; Publications Editor; Treasurer; and five (5) members of the Board of Directors, all the foregoing constituting the Executive Board.

Section 2

A nominating committee of three (3) members shall be appointed by the President sixty (60) days prior to the election.  This committee shall nominate one or more candidates for each office.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor before voting on the slate presented by the nominating committee.  Voting shall be by ballot or by acclamation.  Any nominee receiving a majority of votes of members present shall be declared elected. 

Section 3

Item 1 – If the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason, the First Vice- President shall assume the duties of President for the balance of the term.

 Item 2 – If at any time an officer-elect resigns, the active board will nominate one or more candidates to fill the vacancy, the nominee to be elected by vote of the general membership. 

Section 4

All officers are elected for a one-year term, except that two (2) members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for two-year terms in even years and the other three (3) directors shall be elected for a two-year term in odd years.  The annual election of the officers shall be held at the May meeting.  Those elected assume office June 1. 

Section 5

Any officer may be elected to succeed himself for one term.  An office may be extended to a third term by general vote. 

Section 6

The immediate Past President of the Guild shall serve as an advisor to the Executive Board for one year following the expiration of his or her term of office. 

ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section l

The duties of officers shall be such as implied by their respective titles, and such as are specified in the By-Laws. 

Section 2

The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all standing committees, and keep in touch with progress of committees.  The President shall be considered an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the nominating committee. 

Section 3

The First Vice-President shall arrange the monthly programs and shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. 

Section 4

The Second Vice-President shall be in charge of Memberships and shall keep an accurate list of members. 

Section 5

The Third Vice-President shall be in charge of the annual juried exhibition.

 Section 6

The Fourth Vice-President shall be in charge of the membership exhibition. 

Section 7

The Fifth Vice-President shall be in charge of workshops.

Item 1 – The workshop committee shall have two or more workshops a year.

 Item 2 – The workshop chairman shall attend workshops free of charge.

 Section 8

Item 1 – The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings, and a complete file of reports, and shall also keep correct account of business done by the Executive Board.

Item 2 – The Publications Editor shall produce and mail the monthly newsletter. 

Section 9

The Treasurer shall receive, collect, hold, and pay all Guild monies subject to the order of the Guild, Executive Board or President.   Routine expenses shall be paid on the order of the President; other expenses shall be allotted by the Board.  Special gifts of more than $50 shall be voted upon by the Guild.  The Treasurer’s books must be audited by a committee appointed by the President of no fewer than three active Oklahoma Art Guild members before passing on to the new Treasurer. 

Section 10

The officers, upon retiring from office, shall deliver to their successors, and the Board for permanent file, a job description for the current year in writing along with all notes, papers, accounts, monies and other property belonging to the Guild.  Records of these duties shall be maintained by the President in a master file which shall also contain a historical record of all actions taken by the Executive Board.  An extra copy of the master file shall be updated by the outgoing President and made available for review and reference by all active members.

ARTICLE III– AMENDMENTS

In order to effect change in the By-Laws, the proposed changes must be presented at the regular monthly meeting.  The monthly newsletter shall carry notification of the proposed changes and a two-thirds majority of members present at the voting shall pass the measure.

 ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

Membership in this organization shall be open to professionals, amateurs, hobbyists, and others interested in promoting art.  The guild may designate honorary members. 

Section 2

Honorary members shall consist of members whom the Guild wishes to designate as such. 

Section 3

Only members shall be entitled to vote. 

ARTICLE V – DUES (FINANCES)

Section 1

The annual dues of members of the Guild shall be $36.00 per individual.  Annual dues must be paid at the beginning of the Guild’s fiscal year and not later than the following month’s meeting to be included in the directory.  Two members of a family may pay dues of $36.00.  Companies actively engaged in visual arts related businesses may become members at the business rate of $36.00 per fiscal year. 

Section 2

A member having resigned in good standing and later wishing to be reinstated may do so by paying the current year’s dues. 

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1

An Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws Committee appointed by the President shall present in writing all proposed amendments for consideration by the Guild. 

Section 2

A Telephone Committee appointed by the President shall perform all duties that are necessary. 

Section 3

The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President:  Ways and Means, Awards, Publicity, Hospitality, Historian, Properties, Grants, and Web Director.  Special Committees shall also be appointed by the President as needed. 

ARTICLE VII– EXHIBITIONS

One judged Members’ Exhibition and one open Exhibition shall be held by the Guild each year, under such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may establish. 

ARTICLE VIII – FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Guild shall run from June 1 to May 31 each year and shall also be the membership year. 

ARTICLE VIX – SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIP

An Art Guild Member shall become a “Signature Member” when his or her artwork is accepted and exhibited in the OAG juried show for a minimum but not necessarily consecutive four (4) years.  To be eligible the Artist must be a fully paid member prior to entry in the OAG juried show.  Said Artist may then use “OAG” following his or her name.   

ARTICLE X – MEMORIAL

A Memorial Fund shall be established in honor of a deceased or former member of OAG.  As recognition, a CASH AWARD may be awarded to a member in an OAG exhibition.  Said Fund is to be invested in an interest bearing account and funded by donation or deposit from the Guild.  An amount may be established by the Board for an annual selection to be awarded by the Judge or Juror. 

ARTICLE XI – MEETING

Section 1

The regular meeting shall be held on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M.  When necessary, business may be transacted at any regular meeting. 

Section 2

Special membership meetings may be called by the President, all members being notified of such meetings. 

Section 3

The Executive Board shall meet at least every other month and, in addition, shall meet on call of the President.  Five (5) members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum.