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Puget Sound
Chapter

Sisters in Crime Puget Sound Chapter Bylaws

Reviewed and Revised August 2000
Approved September 2000

Article I

The name of this organization shall be the Puget Sound Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Article II

The purpose shall be to increase awareness of women mystery writers, to share our individual expertise as readers and writers, to support women mystery writers, and to support issues of literary interest to women.

Article III

Membership is open to all persons who have an interest in mystery writing. A prerequisite is that one must belong to the national organization of Sisters in Crime.

Nonpayment of dues to either the national or chapter organization shall cancel the membership and the person shall be notified.

Each member shall have one vote in formulating or changing policy of the local chapter, such action to be initiated at a chapter meeting. The members are to be notified prior to the next meeting when a vote shall be taken on the issue. The vote may be made by mail or at the meeting.

Local membership dues are payable at the January meeting of each year; the amount to be determined at the previous June meeting. If there is a surplus at the end of the fiscal year, it shall be retained in the local treasury and its use be determined by proposal and vote of the membership.

Article IV

Officers of the Puget Sound Chapter shall be two Co-Presidents and a Secretary-Treasurer to serve for one year beginning in January and ending the following December.

The Co-Presidents shall determine the division of the official duties, which include chairing meetings and assuming ultimate responsibility for each meeting's agenda.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep minutes of the meetings and receive dues. She shall also send a timely monthly reminder of the next meeting to all members and notify unpaid members. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep itemized records of the chapter's treasury which shall be audited by the Co-Presidents annually in January.

As the membership grows, the kind, number, and duties of the officers may be changed by proposal and vote of the members. An officer may be relieved of her duties by her own resignation or by vote of the membership. Nomination of officers shall take place at the October meeting and a vote shall take place at the November meeting with assumption of duties at the January meeting.

Article V

Meetings are to be held monthly, except December. Additional meetings as necessitated by business or program shall be determined by membership vote.

A quorum shall be five (5) members in good standing.

Article VI

Dissolution of the Puget Sound Chapter of Sisters in Crime shall take place only after a proposal from a 2/3 affirmative vote of the membership. Any assets at that time shall be distributed to meet unpaid obligations and any surplus donated to a non-profit group to be chosen by the membership at that time.

Article VII

These Bylaws may be changed and/or amended by proposal and vote of a simple majority of the membership.