WISCONSIN HANDWEAVERS, INC. CONSTITUTION

Article I – Name

Sec. 1 The name of this organization is Wisconsin Handweavers, Inc.

Article II – Objectives

This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law). 

The purpose of this organization is to: 

Sec. 1 Provide regular meetings with lectures and workshops to enhance and expand the members’ knowledge of handweaving. 

Sec. 2 Provide an in-depth fiber-arts library, which goes beyond resources available at public libraries.

Sec. 3 Provide state and regional exhibits of handweaving as an educational medium for the public and an incentive for quality work by the handweaver.

Sec. 4 Provide an outreach program of hand weaving demonstrations and lectures, classroom presentations, and advisory service.

Sec. 5 Provide an environment from which handweaving guilds and study groups may grow.

Sec. 6 Prepare, publish and distribute a newsletter as a network of communications and instructional resource.

Article III – Membership

Sec. 1 Any interested person, active weaver or not, Wisconsin resident or not, may become a member upon payment of dues.

Article IV – Officers

Sec. 1 The officers of this organization shall be:  President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four Directors, the Membership Chair, Newsletter Editor, Show/Sale Chair, Website Manager and Programs Chair. [Amended 12/11/21]

Article V – Amendments

Sec. 1 The Constitution and/or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a regular meeting.  The proposed amendments are to be published in the newsletter prior to the meeting at which the vote is to take place.  

Article VI – Dissolution

Sec. 1 Upon dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. 

BY-LAWS

Article I -  Policies

Sec. 1 Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, shall prevail.

Sec. 2 Officers, the immediate Past President and the ABK Liaison (ex-officio), shall be known as the Executive Board.

Sec. 3 Regular monthly meetings will be open to the public as long as space is available, subject to a nominal guest fee for special programs.

Sec. 4 Special functions requiring reservations shall be open to non-members on a space available basis.

Sec. 5 An attendance record shall be kept.

Sec. 6 The fiscal and operating year shall be from June 1 to May 31.

Sec. 7 An annual financial statement, with audit report, shall appear in the first issue of the newsletter after the audit.

Sec. 8 Entering and/or exhibiting in the annual Wisconsin Handweavers Show shall be restricted to members and invited Guild exhibits.

Article II – Dues

Sec. 1 The membership year is from June 1 through May 31.  Annual dues shall be payable to Wisconsin Handweavers, Inc. 

Sec. 2 Renewal notices will be published in the March and April newsletter.

Sec. 3 A second membership in the same family, at the same address, without the newsletter, shall be available at a one-half rate.

Sec. 4 Student membership is offered at a reduced rate by providing a current copy of a valid student ID.

Article III – Election of Officers

Sec. 1 Officers shall be elected for a two-year term and may be re-elected for successive terms.

Sec. 2 The Vice-President serves as President-Elect and shall become the nominee for President at the end of the President’s term of office.

Sec. 3 A vacancy in office shall be filled by the Board of Directors.  

Sec. 4 No one shall be eligible for the office of President who has not served on the Executive Board. 

Sec. 5 The Executive Board shall present for publication a slate of qualified candidates in the April newsletter.

Sec. 6 Voting shall take place at the April meeting and officers shall be installed at the May meeting.  Additional nominations may be made from the floor providing that the consent of each qualified candidate has been obtained.