Article 1—General

Section 1: Name

This organization is incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado and shall be known as the Hot Sulphur Springs Chamber of Commerce Incorporated.  It shall be referred to as “The Chamber” or “Chamber” herein.

Section 2: Purpose

The Chamber is organized to advance the general well-being and prosperity of the citizens and businesses of Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, and surrounding communities.

Section 3: Area

The area includes Hot Sulphur Springs as well as all of Grand County, Colorado.

Section 4: Limitation of Methods

The Chamber of commerce shall observe all local, state and federal laws which apply to 501 (6) organizations.

Article 2—Membership

Section 1: Eligibility

Any person, association, corporation, partnership or estate having an interest in the objectives of the organization shall be eligible to apply for membership.

Section 2: Application

Applications for membership shall be in writing on forms provided for that purpose.  The application must be signed and may be subject to review before acceptance. Membership renewals must be submitted in advance of January 1^st of each calendar year. New applications are accepted throughout the Chamber year.

Section 3: Investments

Membership investments shall be a set rate, schedule or formula payable annually.

Section 4: Termination

Any member may resign from the Chamber upon written notification.  Any member may be expelled for non-payment of dues.  A hearing which the board of the Board of Directors will preside will be held to determine justified cause.  Member may contest termination by making a presentation to the Board of Directors in writing or in person, and if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors may be reinstated.

Section 5: Voting

Any member in good standing is entitled to cast one vote in any proceeding where votes are required.

Article 3—Meetings

Section 1: Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the corporation in compliance with Colorado state law will be held during March of each year.  Place and time to be determined.  All members shall be notified by postal address, e-mail, or other contact information provided on the application.

Section 2: Additional Meetings

General meetings of the Chamber can be called at any time by the President.  Special meetings can be called by five (5) members together in good standing.  A notice of at least five (5) days will be required.  Mailed notices, e-mailed notices or phone calls are acceptable forms of notification.

Section 3: Board of Director Meetings

Board of Directors meetings will be once a month or more as needed to review all requests and business, and vote on all parts as required in these by-laws.  Board meetings are open to members.  Members cannot vote at Board meetings.  The public is welcome to Board meetings, but only members may make presentations without invitation from the Board of Directors.

Article 4—Officers

Section 1: Determination of Officers

The board of Directors shall be five (5) members, not to exceed nine (9) without revision of these by laws.

Officers shall be volunteer positions held by Chamber members in good standing.  Volunteers must present themselves to the Board and be present to apply for position desired.  Board approves or denies requests.  Each Officer position is for a term of one year. If no new volunteers come forward at the end of a term, the individual currently in office may retain their position for another year. Individuals may serve multiple terms of office. All officers shall be active paid members.

Section 2: Duties of Board of Directors

1. Executive/President; The President shall serve as the chief volunteer officer of the Chamber and shall preside at all meetings of the membership.  The President shall delegate the responsibilities of the Board, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.  The President, along with the advice and counsel of the Board of Directors, will determine all committees, approve all committee leaders, and assist in the selection of committee personnel.
2. Vice President; The Vice President is a support to the President and can step in to fulfill the duties of the President if the President is unable to perform them.
3. Treasurer; The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safeguarding of all funds received by the Chamber and for their proper disbursement.  Such funds shall be kept on deposit in a financial institution, or invested in a manner approved by voting membership.  Checks are to be signed by any one of the three board members that are signers at the financial institution.
4. Secretary; The Secretary shall be the chief administrative officer and serve as advisor to the President.  The Secretary shall also be responsible for recording and reporting the minutes of each Chamber meeting.
5. Communications Manager; The Communications Manager shall be responsible for managing newsletters, the website and other Chamber communication.  The Communications Manager shall also coordinate advertising for publication.

Section 3: Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall be five (5) members, not to exceed nine (9) without revision of these by-laws.

Article 5—Finances

Section 1: Funds

All money paid to the Chamber shall be placed in a general operating fund.  Funds unused from the current year’s budget will be placed into a reserve account on the following year’s budget.

Section 2: Disbursements

Upon approval of the budget, the Treasurer is authorized to make disbursements on accounts and expenses provided for in the budget as approved by the Board of Directors with consent of membership at the annual meeting.

Section 3: Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Chamber shall close on a date convenient to the activities of the year, January 1^st to December 31^st.

Section 4: Budget

A budget shall be adopted and published for the membership, prior to the annual meeting each year.

Section 5: Annual Audit

The accounts of the Chamber shall be audited annually by an auditing committee comprised of Chamber members in good standing. This committee shall be selected by the Board of Directors.  An outside source may be used for the audit.

Article 6—Dissolution

The Chamber shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws, and no part of said funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the Chamber. Upon dissolution of the Chamber, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized or qualified charitable, educations, scientific or philanthropic organizations to be selected by the Board of Directors.

Article 7—Revisions

These bylaws may be amended or altered by the vote of the majority of members in good standing with the chamber at any regular or special meeting.  Any proposed amendments or alterations shall be submitted to the President in writing at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting in which they are to be acted upon.  This will give the officers adequate time to research the legalities involved.