Highland Lakes Women’s Club

Alpha Chapter

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1.  The name of the club shall be Highland Lakes Women’s Club, Alpha Chapter.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1.  The purpose of the club shall be to promote fellowship and a feeling of neighborhood pride within the Highland Lakes community; to promote beautification of our community.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  There shall be one class of membership, namely, active.

Section 2.  The club shall be limited to:

     1. Single-family dwelling residents of Highland Lakes , Dunnavant Place, and The Village at Highland Lakes 

     2. Former residents with an active membership who have moved within a ten mile radius - membership must be active at the time they move and the year          after the move without lapse of membership. 

Section 3.  The membership year and fiscal year shall be from June 1 through May 31.

Section 4.  The club’s membership list is not to be used for the promotion or solicitation of any activity without the prior approval of the HLWC officers.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section 1.  The fiscal year shall be June 1 through May 31.

Section 2.  Dues shall be twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year for active members payable at the first meeting of the fiscal year.

Section 3.  New member dues are payable upon admission to the club.  Individuals cannot participate on any committee of the club unless such individual                     has paid annual club dues. 

Section 4.  All money received from the club dues shall be spent only for projects of the club.

Section 5.  Money received from club dues shall not be spent on alcohol for any club meeting or function due to legal ramifications.

Section 6.  The books of the treasurer shall be audited at the close of each fiscal year and documentation made as to the standing of the club’s finances.  The                     books will be audited by the incoming Treasurer and one other club member to be appointed by the current President.

ARTICLE V – ELECTION OF BOARD OF OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of the club shall include: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. The Board of Officers are elected to serve one year and may succeed themselves in the same capacity if elected.  The term begins officers’ terms                         will coincide with the fiscal year June 1 through May 31.

Section 3.  Should an officer resign her term of office before the end of the term, an interim officer may be placed in the position and must be voted in by the                     membership at the next scheduled meeting. If the President resigns before the end of the term, an interim president cannot be named. The                     Board of Officers shall jointly fill this role until such time a new President is elected.

Section 4.  Officers shall be nominated and elected by the last meeting of the fiscal year.

ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS

Section 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings.  She will work with the board of officers in setting and monitoring the goals of the Highland Lakes Women’s Club.  She shall also be responsible for creating monthly meeting agendas and presiding over the monthly meetings. She is responsible for approving committee chairwomen to each of the standing committees. She shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees. During her term, she shall have administrative access to all websites and social media accounts associated with the Highland Lakes Women’s Club and share access as needed.

Section 2. The First Vice-President shall coordinate club sponsored programs and social activities outside of the regular monthly meetings.  She will also coordinate and work with the committee in the organization/updating and production of a neighborhood directory in years it is to be updated and reprinted. She shall preside over club meetings/activities in the absence of the President.

Section 3.  The Second Vice-President shall work with the President and First Vice-President and assist them in executing their duties. She shall be responsible for securing homes to hold Highland Lakes Women’s Club meetings.  She will also partner with the Hospitality Committee to arrange refreshments for meetings.  She shall also preside over club meetings in the absence of the President and the First Vice-President.

Section 4.  The Secretary shall keep and record minutes of all proceedings, conduct all correspondence pertaining to the club and keep an accurate record of all members.  She will be at least one of the Administrators for all of the HLWC related social media sites.  She will coordinate with the Website Coordinator (if there is one appointed) to help update and maintain the HLWC website as needed.

Section 5.  The Treasurer shall handle all finances of the club, keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, and pay out the same only on order of the President. She shall present a written report at each regular club meeting.   She shall also keep accurate membership information. 

ARTICLE VII – STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1.  The Standing Committees of the Highland Lakes Women’s Club may be organized as needed at the discretion of the Board of Officers.

Section 2. The Standing Committees include Hospitality, Community Outreach, Fund Raising, Beautification, Sunshine Committee, and Nominating                                       Committee.

Section 3.  Each Standing Committee shall appoint a Committee Chairwoman to lead the committee in performing its stated duties.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1.  The meetings shall be held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month unless ample notification of change is given.  At least four meetings shall be scheduled each fiscal year.  The months selected for the meetings shall be at the discretion of the officers.  Meetings shall be held in members’ homes but may be held in other locations if ample notification is given.

Section 2.  Suspension of Club Meetings: In the event of an emergency such as weather related events, pandemics, and civil unrest, in-person club meetings may be suspended or be held virtually until it is determined to safely hold in-person meetings.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Section 1.  These bylaws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting.  Amendments must first be reviewed and approved by the Highland Lakes Women’s Club Board of Officers.  These changes shall be presented to the membership prior to a vote at a general meeting. They may be presented at a meeting, through an email, on the HLWC website or other methods that clearly present proposed amendments.

ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION

Section 1.  In the event of the dissolution of the Highland Lakes Women’s Club, Alpha Chapter, the Board of Officers will make a recommendation to the membership regarding the disbursement or use of remaining club funds.  The recommendation shall be approved by a majority vote of all remaining members.

STANDING RULES

1.        Special Projects Coordinator shall coordinate details related to the Highland Lakes Women’s Club Home Tour, Christmas and/or Spring Tours. She, along with committee members, will identify and secure the homes to participate and partner with the homeowners, decorators, photographers, and volunteers to create a seamless event.

2.        Website Coordinator will work with the club Secretary to help maintain and update the HLWC website.

3.       Hospitality Committee: shall be responsible for coordinating food and drinks for the HLWC meetings.  They will also be responsible for food setup and              clean up for each meeting. 

4.       Community Outreach Committee: receives nominations for all suggested charitable donations.  They will be responsible for the vetting process of each charity.  They will present the charities to the membership for approval.

Guidelines for charity nominations:

• Charitable donations may benefit women, children, or families in need, and veterans, or the Shelby County community at large.
• Limited to local charities serving the Birmingham/Shelby County, Alabama area.
• Give favor to charities where our donation will make a significant financial impact.
• Charities previously selected for large fundraising and monetary donations are eligible to be nominated every three years. Charities selected for smaller scale fundraising may receive donations as often as the membership votes to approve them. This may include items donated by members and/or personal monetary donations by members.

5.        Fundraising Committee: will be responsible for presenting possible fundraising activities for our membership.  These funds will be used as a donation               to an approved charity voted on by the membership and/or beautification projects for Highland Lakes neighborhood. 

6.       Beautification Committee: will be responsible for presenting possible projects that will enhance the beauty of our neighborhood and will be beneficial               to Highland Lakes residents.

7.       Sunshine Committee: will be responsible for sending get well cards, sympathy cards, and celebratory cards to the members of HLWC and/or their                       family members. Committee members will be reimbursed for money spent on purchasing cards and postage for mailing them to HLWC members                     and/or their families.  To be reimbursed the committee member must submit the receipt(s) to the HLWC Treasurer.  

8.       Nominating Committee: will be responsible for securing volunteers to serve on the HLWC Board of Officers. They will make their recommendations to the current Executive Board for presentation to the membership for the members approval.