(As Amended and Revised, 1993)

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this club, which was established in 1942 as FLINT WRITER'S CLUB, shall be FLINT AREA WRITERS. TOP

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section A - The Flint Area Writers is an incorporated non-profit organization. 
Section B - The purpose of the club shall be to bring together for mutual help and inspiration a group of people who write. Guests are welcome, but only members may read their manuscripts. TOP

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section A - To join the Flint Area Writers, a person must submit to the membership committee three copies of up to ten pages of prose or poetry along with an application.
Section B - Flint Area Writers does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, marital status, religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation.
Section C - Prospective members shall be considered on their writing quality.
Section D - Voting for prospective members shall be by secret ballot, by a majority of votes cast. The applicant will not be present at the meeting when he/she is voted on. Any member attending the meeting may vote on the acceptance of the applicant.
Section E - The applicant will be notified in writing whether or not he/she has been accepted. If membership is not immediately extended, reapplication may be in 6 months. TOP

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS

The officers of the Flint Area Writers shall be: President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer, and Resident Agent-Publicist. TOP

ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS

Section A - A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President in March or April. It shall be the duty of the committee to present a slate of candidates to the membership at an subsequent meeting designated the Annual Business Meeting. The meeting must occur before the last meeting in May. After the candidates have been presented, the President shall accept nominations from the floor.  Two members shall act as tellers. The election shall proceed by secret ballot.
Section B - Absentee ballots shall be in the hands of the Secretary prior to the election. The Secretary shall give the absentee ballots to the tellers in sealed envelopes marked "Absentee Ballot".
Section C - If a vacancy should occur in the offices of Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Resident Agent-Publicist after the annual election, the office shall be filled by appointment by the President. If the office of President should become vacant, the office shall be filled by a majority vote cast at any regular meeting. Absentee ballots must be received prior to the meeting. TOP

ARTICLE VI.

General Amendments
Section A - This Constitution may be amended at the Annual Business meeting by a majority of votes cast.  Absentee ballots must be received prior to the meeting.
Section C - Notice to amend, including the reading of the proposed amendments, shall be given at a previous regular meeting. TOP

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I. ANNUAL DUES
Section A - Cues will be set at the Annual Business Meeting upon presentation of a proposed budget by the Treasurer.
Section B - Annual dues are payable by May 31, or, for new members, upon acceptance, before they read for criticism.
Section C - The fiscal year runs from May 31 of one year to May 31 of the following year.
ARTICLE II. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section A - The President of the club shall preside at all business meetings. He/She may appoint all standing committees necessary to carry on the work of the club. It shall be the duty of the President to arrange for a meeting place, subject to approval of the membership.
Section B - The Vice President shall preside at the meetings in the absence of the President.
Section C - The Secretary shall keep a record of attendance and roll call.
Section D - The Treasurer shall record dues paid, disburse funds, and prepare an informal budget each April.
Section E - The Resident Agent-Publicist shall be responsible for the non-profit corporation's annual report and any other duties pertaining to corporate status as demanded by the State of Michigan. Resident Agent-Publicist will also act as club publicist.
ARTICLE III. REGULAR MEETINGS
The regular meetings shall be held at a place and at a time so to be agreed upon. The business meeting shall begin at a time designated by the President, followed by role-call and the reading of manuscripts.
ARTICLE IV. BY-LAWS AMENDED
These By-Laws may be amended at the Annual Business Meeting by a majority of votes cast, provided the amendment has been read at a previous regular meeting. TOP

This Constitution adopted July 8, 1983
(Revised as amended May, 1989)
(Revised as amended May, 1992)
(Revised as amended May, 1993) TOP