Approved: 5 April 2008
Last updated: 6 April 2008
BAGHDAD CIGAR AFICIONADO CLUB
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1. NAME
:The name of the Club shall be THE BAGHDAD CIGAR AFICIONADO CLUB, referred herein as the Club.
SECTION 2. OBJECTIVES
:The objectives of the Club shall be to promote the appreciation of fine cigars, provide a venue for the smoking of cigars, and promote camaraderie among coalition military, civilian and contractor personnel.
SECTION 3. NOT-FOR-PROFIT
:The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits, remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club from any other source shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
SECTION 4. BY-LAWS:
The members of the Club may adopt and from time to time amend such by-laws as may be necessary or desirable to carry out these objectives.ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIPS
SECTION 1. ELIGIILITY
:Membership shall be open to all persons eighteen (18) years of age and older, who are cigar smokers and who subscribe to the objectives of the Club. The Club will not discriminate against any person based on race, religion, sex or political beliefs or affiliations. Memberships – Once elected to membership by the Board, a regular member shall be entitled to vote and exercise all the benefits of membership as defined herein. Club membership shall remain in perpetuity.
SECTON 2. DUES:
Membership dues shall be $50.00 per member. All members will pay dues, including Board Members. Military members of the rank E-5 and below membership fees shall be waived. Each paid membership shall entitle the new member to an official Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club shirt. NOTE: E-5 and below members will pay for the cost of their shirt.ARTICLE III
MEETING AND VOTING
SECTION 1. CLUB MEETINGS:
Club meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of every month.ARTICLE IV
CLUB OFFICERS
SECTION 1. OFFICERS
:The Club’s Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Supply Officer, and shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club business and its meetings. A primary and alternate will be assigned to allow for continuity due to rotation of personnel.
THE PRESIDENT
Shall be a Club member in good standing. The President shall be the Executive Head of the Club. It shall be the President’s duty to preside at all meetings of the Club. The President shall perform all duties usually pertaining to a presidential officer.THE VICE-PRESIDENT
Shall be a Club member in good standing. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the discharge of his/her duties, and in the absence of the president, the Vice-President will preside.THE SECRETARY
Shall be a Club member in good standing and keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Club and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. The Secretary shall have charge of all correspondence in the name of the Club, notify new members of their election to membership, notify members of meetings, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their email addresses and relevant contact data, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed by these by-laws.THE TREASURER
Shall deposit all moneys or dues belonging to the Club in a safe, designated for the purpose by the Club. The Club’s books and records shall at all times be open to inspection by the club officers and any regular members. The Treasurer shall report on the condition of the Club’s finances at every Board meeting. Upon expiration of his/her tour, shall deliver all properties and records of this Club to his/her successor.THE SUPPLY OFFICER
Shall be responsible for obtaining club related merchandise as voted upon by the membership. He/she shall account for all merchandise and shall turn over all generated revenue to the Treasurer as soon as practical. The Supply Officer shall ensure that all new members receive a club shirt as soon as practical upon each members joining.Current merchandise and prices are as follows:
- Coins: $10.00
- Shirts: $40.00
- Ball caps: $20.00
- Patches: $5.00
- Lapel pins/Golf ball markers: 2 for $5.00
- Travel mugs: $6.00
SECTION 2. VACANCIES:
Any vacancy occurring among the officers shall be filled by membership election at the next scheduled club meeting.
SECTION 3. HOLDING OFFICE
:No member may hold more than one office at a time.
ARTICLE V
THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. CLUB YEAR:
The Club’s fiscal year and official year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December.
SECTION 2. ELECTIONS:
Elections shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at the Club meeting or such special meetings as shall be called for the purpose of electing club officers.
SECTION 3. NOMINATIONS:
Any member in good standing may nominate any other member to club office.
ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES:
The President may at any time appoint standing or special committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as membership and any other fields which may be served by committees.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.
Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by the membership at any scheduled club meeting or by written notification to any club officer. For these purposes, electronic mail is suitable “written notification”
SECTION 2.
The by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled club meeting.
ARTICLES VIII
DISSOLUTION
SECTION I. DISSOLUTION:
The Club may be dissolved at any time by the consent of not less than 2/3 of the members during a scheduled club meeting. In the event of dissolution of the Club, none of the property of neither the Club nor any proceeds thereof or any assets of the Club shall be distributed by any members of the Club; but, after payment of the debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be disbursed to a charitable organization selected by the members.
ARTICLE IX
ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1.
Club meetings will follow the below format and include an opening prayer, acknowledgement of new members, departing members, guest’s present, birthdays and a cigar tip:
(1) Call the (38th, 39th, 40th, etc.), Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club Meeting to order.
(2) Open with a prayer:
(3) Roll Call: Report of the President: The President should always give a head count - total active membership. Founder: Mr. Bob Richardson, who founded the organization in March 2007 and is currently stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. "Hail" all new members (ask them to come up and introduce themselves). "Farewell" all departing members (ask them to come up and say a few words).
- Total head count: _____
- Club history: March 2007 by Mr. Bob Richardson, currently in Kabul, Afghanistan
- Hail new members & Guests
- Farewell departing members
- Cigar tip
- Announce Featured Cigar
-Announce Raffle Items
-Club Announcements
(4) Club business (reports):
Report of Secretary: Old business and New business. New business for us typically consists of nominating new Officers. Standard verbiage:
- Do we have any nominations for ______ (e.g. President, V.P., Secretary, etc.)?
- Are there any other nominations?
- If there are more than one nominee, select the member with latest rotation date.
- All in favor?
- Those opposed?
- Let the record reflect _______as the new (e.g., President, V.P., Secretary, etc.)?
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Supply Officer - new merchandise & items for sale
Reports of Committees: Only if you have formed any
(5) Conduct raffle
(6) Adjournment: "I make a motion to adjourn our ____(38th, 39th, 40th, etc.) Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club Meeting. Second? Third? So moved. Our next meeting will be on _____________."
ARTICLE X
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
The Rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order” (most recent available edition) shall govern meetings of the Board and all Club meetings in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws or special Club rules of order.
