The Oblong Chamber of Commerce
Bylaws
Article I – Name
The organization shall be known as the “Oblong Chamber of Commerce”.
Article II – Purpose
The Oblong Chamber of Commerce (from now on referred to as Chamber) is organized
for the purpose of advancing the Commercial, Industrial, Civic and General interests of
the Village of Oblong and Crawford County.
Article III – Limitations of Methods
The Chamber shall be nonpartisan and nonsectarian. The Chamber shall take no part in
or lend its influence or facilities, either directly or indirectly, to the nomination, election
or appointment of any candidate for office in the city, county, state or nation.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1. Eligibility: Any person, firm, association or corporation including social and
business clubs as well as other Chambers of Commerce located within Crawford County
having a supportive interest in the objectives of the Oblong Chamber of Commerce may
subscribe to one or more memberships by written application and prepayment of annual
dues, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. Business membership entitles all
employees of such business to participation in any and all Chamber activities except
voting.
Section 2. Voting: Any person, firm association or corporation holding a membership in
the Chamber shall be entitled to only one vote. Written verification of the individual
entitled to the vote shall be sent to the Chamber. The Chamber shall keep this list for
voting matters. Members shall have the right at any time to change their representative
upon written notice to the Chamber. At no time will any one member have more than
one vote. Majority of the Executive Board shall determine the outcome of voting at all
but general membership meetings. At general membership meetings the majority of the
voting membership in good standing will determine the outcome.
Section 3. Honorary Membership: Honorary membership shall include all the privileges
of active membership, except that of holding office, with the exemption from payment of
dues. Election to Honorary Membership shall require the affirmative vote of the
Executive Board.
Section 4. Termination: The Executive Board may impose reasonable terms &
conditions on the membership to include termination of membership for nonpayment of
dues or for any action detrimental to the objectives of the Chamber. A member subject to
termination shall have the right to a hearing before the Executive Board after reasonable
notice. A vote by three fourths of the board present shall be necessary to terminate.
Revised April 2007
The Oblong Chamber of Commerce
Bylaws
Article V – General Membership Meeting
Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the membership shall be held every
year at such date & time as designated by the Executive Board. A committee will be
assigned to work on all functions of this meeting along with the Executive Board. The
outgoing President shall serve as the Chair of all activities during the meeting & will
facilitate the transaction of business. Outgoing officers will offer summation of activities
of their respective division or office. Incoming officers may address the membership in
consideration of proposed future activities of their respective divisions or office.
Section 2. Executive Board Meetings: Shall be held monthly at a time and day set by the
officers when the majority can meet. This will be held throughout the year and any
change to the meeting time must be approved by the Executive Board.
Section 3. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the membership may be called either by
the President, by majority of the Executive Board or by not less than twenty-five percent
of the membership in good standing evidenced by a signed petition & presented to the
Executive Board.
Section 4. Quorum: At any meeting of the general membership, the presence of seven
members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.
Article VI – Officers
Section 1. Elections: Upon call to Order of the March meeting of the Chamber, the
members of the Nominating Committee shall present a slate of officers for the upcoming
year: President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and Directors. The newly elected
officers shall take office on April 1.
Section 2. Terms of Office: The officers and directors of the Chamber shall serve until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. An officer and or a director shall not
serve in the same elected office/position for more than three successive one-year terms.
Section 3. Powers & Duties: The officers and directors named in Section 1 of this article
shall have such powers and duties as usually and ordinarily devolved upon such officers
and directors. In the event of death, disability or absence of President, the Vice-President
shall have the power to act as President. Line of succession will be: President, V.P.,
Secretary/Treasurer, and Directors.
Section 4. Vacancies: In the event of the death, disability, resignation or removal of any
officer or director of the Chamber, the remaining members of the Executive Board shall
by majority vote elect a successor to serve out the remaining term.
Section 5. Removal of Officers or Directors: Any elected officer or director may be
removed for cause by a majority vote of officers & directors with notice of such
contemplated action having been given at a previous meeting. The resignation of any
officer or director for any reason may be accepted by a majority vote of the Executive
Board.
Revised April 2007
The Oblong Chamber of Commerce
Bylaws
Article VII-Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee will be comprised of a
President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and Directors. The Executive Committee
is authorized to conduct the business of the Chamber between regularly scheduled
meetings. This committee will also be known as the Executive Board.
Section 2. Special Committees: At the first meeting of the new fiscal year, the newly
elected President or Executive Board may create other committees that will facilitate the
work of the Chamber throughout the year.
Article VIII-Contracts, Checks, Deposits and Funds
Section 1. Contracts: The Executive Board may authorize themselves or any agents of the
organization to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name
of and on behalf of the Chamber, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.
Section 2. Checks, Drafts, Etc.: All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Chamber and in such a
manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Executive Board.
Section 3. Deposits: All funds of the organization will be deposited from time to time to
the credit of the Chamber in financial institutions or other depositories that the Executive
Board may select.
Section 4. Gifts: The Executive Board may accept on behalf of the Chamber any grant,
contribution, gift, bequest, device or donation for the general purposes or any special
purpose of the Chamber.
Article IX-Fiscal Matters
Section 1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Chamber will begin on the first day of April
and end on the last day of March in each year.
Section 2. Disbursements: No disbursements of the funds of the Chamber shall be made
unless the same shall have been approved, authorized and ordered by the Executive
Board.
Section 3. Budget: As soon as possible after the first day of April each year, the
Executive Board shall compile a budget of estimated expenses and have it ready for the
board meeting in May of each year. As passed by the Executive Board, with or without
modification, this budget shall be the appropriate measure of the Chamber. No division
may exceed its appropriation without first being brought before the Executive Board for
discussion & approval.
Revised April 2007
The Oblong Chamber of Commerce
Bylaws
Article X-Amendments
The power to alter, amend, or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws shall be vested in
the Executive Board and a committee made up to investigate the proposed amendment(s).
Such action may be taken at a regular or special meeting for which written notice of the
purpose shall be given and a required two-thirds vote of the Executive Board is obtained.
Revised April 2007