Strange Birds of Little Rock

Parrothead Club By-Laws

 

 

Article I – General

 

  1. Name: The organization shall be called the Strange Birds of Little Rock, also known as The Little Rock Parrotheads.

 

  1. Purpose: The purpose of this organization is to promote the Strange Birds of Little Rock Parrothead Club as a humanitarian group sharing community and environmental information for majority approved mutual benefits. The organization will engage in activities that are charitable, educational, high-spirited and promote the general welfare of the community.

 

  1. Statement of Purpose: The Strange Birds of Little Rock Parrothead Club is a not for profit organization dedicated to preserving and improving the environment.  The Club is active in community oriented projects and concerns as a means of social interaction with like minded people interested in the lifestyle and music of Jimmy Buffett and a tropical spirit.

 

  1. Disclaimer: We are recognized by, but in no way attached to Jimmy Buffett and his business interests.  We are not associated with HK Management, MCA Records, Island Records or Margaritaville Records.  We would like to stress that Mr. Buffett’s name, his song titles, lyrics, names of businesses owned by Mr. Buffett, and the term “Parrot Head” are all registered trademarks and should not be used for the pursuit of profit.  Clubs are allowed the use of “Parrot Head” on t-shirts and Club merchandise, but not Jimmy Buffett’s name.

 

 

Article II – Membership and Dues

 

  1. Club Membership: Membership in The Strange Birds of Little Rock shall be open to all, regardless of sex, creed, national origin or sexual preference.  A member shall be considered in good standing as long as his/her dues are current.

 

  1. Dues: The annual dues of The Strange Birds of Little Rock will be as follows:

Prorated membership

January to March - $25 per person / $30 per family

April to June - $20 per person / $25 per family

July to September - $15 per person / $20 per family

October to December - $35 per  person / $40 per family
(Includes October of current year to December of following year)

    1. A family is considered two adults and any dependent children living at a single address.

 

  1. Denial of Membership: The Executive Board may deny membership in The Strange Birds of Little Rock to any person whom the Executive Board determines, by unanimous vote, does not meet the requirements for membership.

 

  1. Requirements for Membership: All potential members must have a desire to leave things a little nicer than they found them, enjoy doing things with a Caribbean Flair and desire a License To Chill year-round.  All potential members must agree to uphold this Club’s motto to “Party With A Purpose!”

 

  1. Conduct: All members agree to recognize and adhere to the club’s attached “Code of Conduct.”  Infractions are subject to actions stated in Article IV.B.

 

 

Article III – Meetings

 

  1. Social Meetings: The club shall attempt to schedule at least one social event each month.  These events will normally include some type of charity fund raising event.

 

B.     Business Meetings: General business meetings will occur at least every other month.  These meetings will be conducted by the club president, or in his absence, a designated member of the Executive Board.  Any member in good standing may attend the business meeting.  All present will conduct behavior in a professional manner, or will be asked to leave until they feel they can conduct such behavior in a professional manner.  All club decisions will at the business meeting will be by a simple majority vote of those present.  Minutes will be taken at all business meetings and reported at the following meeting. 

 

C.     Executive Board Meetings: The Board will meet on an as needed basis, at least semi-annually.  Minutes from these executive meetings will be made available to all members in good standing and reported at the next general business meeting.

 

 

Article IV – Chapter officers, Elections and Executive Board

 

A.     Officers and Elections

 

    1. Officers:  The club will elect the following officers on an annual basis:  President, Vice-President, Secretary/Keeper of the PHlock and Treasurer.

 

    1. Election Officer: The Executive Board will appoint an Election Officer to conduct and oversee the next election procedure on or before December 31st.  The election officer shall operate within the guidelines provided by the Executive Board.  The election officer shall maintain the privacy and integrity of all assigned duties.

 

    1. Nominations: The Election Officer shall mail, via US Mail, a “call for nominations” to all members in good standing for the offices on or before January 15th.  This notice will include the offices to be voted on, the dates and terms of the upcoming election and a statement that the election will be by ballots voting for a simple majority.  Nominations may be sent in writing to the club address of record, postmarked no later than February 28th, or in person at the general meeting of February, and be placed on the ballot.

 

    1. Elections:   The election officer shall mail, via US Mail, ballots to all members in good standing on or before March 15th.  A single membership shall receive one ballot and a family membership shall receive two ballots.  Each ballot will include the name of the member for whom it is intended.  The ballot will include all offices to be elected and all qualified nominees for each office.  It shall also include the name of the election officer and an address to where they can be mailed. 

 

All ballots must be received by the election officer postmarked no later than March 31st.  Ballots may be delivered to the election official in person at the April general business meeting.  Final results of the election shall be tabulated before the end of the April business meeting and announced at that time.  The election officer shall then seal all ballots to be maintained for 30 days and then destroyed.

 

B.     Executive Board:  The Executive Board will consist of the club president, club vice president, secretary and all participating founders.  A participating founder is defined as an original club founder who has remained in contact with the club and helped the club prosper. The Executive Board will be responsible for insuring all club activities are conducted within the guidelines PHiP and the Club Statement of Purpose outlined in these by laws.  The Board will be empowered to make decisions between business meetings to insure these goals are met.  All decisions will be by consensus, with each member having one vote.  The Founder may serve as a tie breaker if consensus cannot be reached. 

 

Any and all Board decisions will be reported at the next general business meeting.  The Executive Board will act on recommendations received from the general membership at general business meetings. The Executive Board will then forward projects and visions for the club at the next general business meeting.  All votes of the Executive Board are subject to an 80% quorum of the executive board.

 

 

C.     Responsibilities of Officers

1.      President:  The president shall 1] have such powers and duties as are usually exercised by such an office; 2] be Executive Officer of the Club and preside at all general business meetings, special meetings and meetings of the executive board; 3] assign the individual responsibilities of the vice president; 4] work with committee chair persons and vice president in order to assure all tasks are completed in a timely manner; 5] have the power to call special meetings of the Club and Executive Board; 6] appoint, subject to approval of the Executive Board, and except as provided elsewhere in these by laws, members to Standing Committees and Special Committees, and vacancies; 7] deal with and try to resolve complaints and negative issues within the Club and with PHiP; 8] serve as liaison with PHiP and with other Parrothead Clubs; or designate this role to another member of the Executive Board.

 

2.      Vice President: The vice president shall 1] in the absence of the president have all the powers and duties of the president; 2] serve as Ticket Committee Chair; 3] deal with matters and or powers that are delegated to this position by the Club President or Executive Board; 4] work to insure all PHiP and local charity guidelines are met.

 

3.      Secretary: the secretary shall 1] ensure that all general business meetings and Executive Board minutes are recorded, maintained and posted within 14 days or meeting; 2] perform other duties as designated by the Club President and Executive Board.

 

4.      Treasurer: The treasurer shall 1] record and keep track of all financial function and transactions; 2] balance account and issue Club checks based on Club-approved receipts supplied; 3] perform other duties as designated by the Club President and Executive Board.

 

5.      Community Service Coordinator: This office shall be an appointed position by the Club President.  The community service coordinator shall 1] act as contact person for all agencies wanting to associate with The Strange Birds of Little Rock and report to president or designee all such contact; 2] coordinate club donations for fund raising events; 3] perform other duties as designated by the Club President and Executive Board.

 

D.     Officer Eligibility Requirements: 

All Club officers and Executive Board members shall be members in good standing for no less than one year prior to nomination/appointment.

 

 

 

E.      Vacancies: 

Vacancies in all positions can be created by resignation, abandonment of duties or by violation of any articles of the by laws.  A position shall be defined as abandoned if the officer is absent from all business meetings without just cause for a period of two consecutive months.  Persons filling vacancies shall be appointed for the duration of the term by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

 

 

Article V – Committee

 

A.     General:

The following standing committees are established in order to maximize involvement and participation of the Club members.  Web page, Newsletter, Events, Merchandise, Membership.  Other special committees may be established by the President, Executive Board and/or general membership to deal with specific projects.

 

B.     Committee Roles:

1.      Web page: Maintain and keep Club internet Web Site current

2.      Newsletter: Ensure the Club Newsletter is published at least four times annually; normally January, April, July and October delivery.

3.      Membership: Ensures that there is an active recruiting program for new members and renewals within the Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC.  Works with the treasurer to ensure membership lists are accurate and renewals are sent out on time.  Maintains membership rolls and renewals, and communicates all changes to the Executive Board on a monthly basis.

4.      Merchandise:  Maintains an adequate supply of Club merchandise with proceeds going towards funding to Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC events.

5.      Events: Coordinates schedule of all club social and charitable events/activities and communicates these to the Executive Board on a monthly basis.

 

 

Article VI – Miscellaneous

 

    1. Adoption of Bylaws:  These bylaws have been approved by a majority of members in good standing at a general business meeting.  Future modifications and or amendments will be researched and proposed by a special committee.  Approval of changes shall be accomplished according to procedures as described in Article IV.A and included as a referendum on the election ballot.

 

 

    1. Infractions of Bylaws:

1.      Any current member of Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC may submit in writing only, a detailed statement regarding the alleged infraction(s) of these bylaws to the Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC Executive Board.  The submission must be made within 30 days of the alleged infraction(s) and must be clearly written, signed and dated.

2.      The Board will inform, by letter, the Club member of the alleged infraction(s) against them, along with the name of the accusing member.  The member will be given 30 days to provide a written response to the Board.  If the member does not respond within 30 days the Board will move forward to a decision without the member’s input.

3.      At the next scheduled Executive Board meeting, after the 30 day deadline, the Board will make one of the following decisions: A) No Action – the alleged infraction has been considered by the Board and no action will be taken. B) Action – The alleged infraction has been considered by the Board and action is being taken as determined by a unanimous decision by the Board.  The specific action is entirely left to the discretion of the Board and is to be based only upon the stated infraction.

4.      If action is taken against the accused member, a letter informing the member of the Board’s decision will be mailed within 30 days of the decision.  The member who submitted the infraction will be provided a copy of the Board’s decision.

5.      The Board may suspend any Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC member whom the Executive Board determines no longer meets the requirements for membership set forth in Article II of these Bylaws and/or Code of Conduct.  This requires a unanimous vote, and this will suspend such member’s rights, privileges and membership in the Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC.

6.      At the next scheduled general meeting, the membership shall be informed of the decision and the information will be properly recorded in the Club’s minutes.

7.      Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC Executive Board decisions are final.

 

C.      Concert Point System of LRSB PHC:

The point system will run from the first event after the (most) local Jimmy Buffett concert until the points are due for ticket purchase.  No more than two tickets per member household will be available to the highest earners.  This figure may be adjusted by the Executive Board based on ticket availability.  Ties may be broken by lottery.  All qualified members will be given a deadline for purchase of these tickets.  If that deadline passes the opportunity to purchase will go to the next member with the highest total.  All points will awarded as per the following schedule subject to the approval of the Executive Board:

 

1.                        Officers and Committee Chairs: 10 points

2.                        Organizing a charity: 5 points

3.                        Actively serve on any committee: 5 points

4.                        Participate in a charity function, community service project: 3 points

5.                        Assist in planning/running a happy hour: 3 points

6.                        Special contributions/Projects (write newsletter article, attend business meetings, contribute prizes): 2 points

7.                        Additional points may be awarded for other activities as determined by the Executive Board.

 

 

D.     Altruism:

Events and activities sponsored by Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC will have a portion of the proceeds raised donated to a designated charity.  The Club will donate time and or money to at least one local charity per year.  The Club will be involved in at least one environmental cause per year.  The Events Committee has the responsibility to make recommendations to the general membership as to which charities to support.  Individuals may also recommend charities through the Events Committee.

 

E.      Expenditures/Reimbursements/Budgets:

Strange Birds of Little Rock PHC members wishing to be reimbursed or approved for expenditures for Club related activities such as, but not limited to, construction materials, necessary supplies for Club events and other official club events should, prior to spending moneys shall:

1.      Obtain written approval from any Executive Board member for expenditures for less than $50.00.

2.      Obtain written approval from the Executive Board for expenditures of $50.01 to $999.99.

3.      Obtain in writing from the Executive Board for expenditures of $1000.00 or more.  Approval shall be approved by the Executive Board without first obtaining a vote of approval from the membership at a regular business meeting.

4.      To obtain reimbursement, the member shall submit the written approval along with receipts to the Club treasurer.

 

 

End of Document.

 

February, 02,  2006

 

 

 

 

 

Code of Conduct



1. It is the intention of the Little Rock Parrot Heads to provide social, community service, environmental projects and charitable activities for the enjoyment and benefit of all our members, guests, hosts and charities. All members of the organization shall be required to treat fellow members, guests and hosts and their property with respect. Members also agree to abide by all local, state and federal laws (including but not limited to) governing misuse of personal privileges, personal property and controlled substances.

2. Members of the LRPH, by virtue of their membership agreement, agree to demonstrate personal responsibility for their words, actions and deeds and not to exhibit behaviors that are harmful to themselves and the other members, guests and hosts or their property. We seek to provide a pleasant atmosphere in which to share our common love of the music and tales of Jimmy Buffett and to further the community, environment and charitable ideals that we seek to uphold.

3. LRPH will not condone behavior contrary to our objectives nor that which we feel is harmful or injurious to others. By virtue of your membership in the LRPH you have indeed agreed to “Party with a Purpose” in a most responsible fashion!