BY-LAWS
of
PIRATES IN PARADISE, Inc.
A Corporation Not For Profit
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The Corporation is organized for the following purposes:
1. Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to promote the
Pirates in Paradise Parrot Head Club as a humanitarian group sharing community
and environmental information for majority approved mutual benefits. The
Corporation will engage in activities which are charitable, educational, high
spirited, and promote the general welfare of the community.
2. Statement of Purpose. Pirates in Paradise, Inc. is a not for
profit organization dedicated to preserving and improving the environment,
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 Buffet and a tropical spirit.
3. Disclaimer. The Corporation is recognized by, but in no way
attached to Jimmy Buffett and his business interests in Key West, New Orleans,
Charleston, and Orlando. The Corporation is not associated with HK Management,
MCA Records, Island Records, Mailboat Records, or Margaritaville Records. The
Corporation stresses that Mr. Buffett’s name, song titles, lyrics, names of
businesses owned by Mr. Buffet, and the term “Parrot Head” are all registered
trademarks and should not be used for the pursuit of profit. Clubs are allowed
to use the term “Parrot Head” on t-shirts, etc., but not Jimmy Buffett’s name.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
The Corporation may have such offices as the Executive Board may require. The
principal office shall be located at PO Box 21265, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002 in
the County of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania. The registered office address
shall be located at Penncorp Services Group, Inc. 600 North Second Street, Suite
401, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1210 and the Registered Agent shall be Penncorp
Services Group, Inc.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
1. Club Membership. Membership in Pirates in Paradise, Inc.
shall be open to all, regardless of sex, creed, national origin or sexual
preference. A member will be considered in good standing so long as his dues are
current.
2. Dues.The annual dues of Pirates in Paradise, Inc. will be as
follows:
a. The annual dues will run from January thru December.
b. Dues renewals are due no later than the end of the January of each year.
c. Membership renewal notices will be mailed in December prior to renewal.
d. Membership will entitle a member to a membership certificate, welcome letter,
Pirates in Paradise, Inc. identification, and receipt of the Club newsletter,
Pirates Log.
e. Effective July 1, 2000, cost – Individual $20.00; Family $25.00 per
household. An individual member is considered to be one adult, head of household
at a single address. A family is considered to be two adults and any dependent
children living at a single address.
f. New applicants applying for membership shall pay initial dues according to
the following schedule.
January 1 - March 31 100%
April 1 - June 30 75%
July 1 - September 30 50%
October 1 - December 31 25%
3. Denial of Membership. The Executive Board may deny membership
in Pirates in Paradise, Inc. to any person whom the entire Executive Board
determines by a unanimous vote does not meet the requirements for membership.
4. Conduct: All members agree to recognize and adhere to the
attached “Code of Conduct
http://www.piratesphc.com/conduct.htm ”. Infractions
to the “Code” are subject to actions as stated in Section VI.B.
ARTICLE IV
MEETING OF MEMBERS
1. Social Meetings. The Corporation shall attempt to schedule at
least one social event each month. These events will normally include some type
of charity fund raising event.
2. Business Meetings. General Business meetings will occur at
least every other month. These meetings will be conducted by the President or in
his absence, a designated member of the Executive Board. Any member in good
standing may attend the business meeting and will conduct themselves in a
professional manner or will be asked to leave the meeting until they can conduct
themselves in a professional manner. All corporate decisions at the business
meeting will be by a simple majority vote of those present. Minutes will be
taken at all meeting and reported at the next general business meeting. All
meetings will be held within the geographical boundaries of the corporation.
3. Executive Board Meetings. The Executive Board will meet on an
as needed basis, at least semi-annually. Minutes from these Executive Board
meetings will be made available to all members in good standing and reported at
the next general business meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
1. Officers. The Corporation will elect the following officers
for a two year term under the conditions listed below: President, Vice
President, Secretary and Membership Director. The President and Membership
Director shall be elected in the odd years, the Vice President and Secretary
shall be elected in the even years.
2. Election Officer. The Executive Board shall appoint an
Election Officer to conduct and oversee the next election procedure on or before
November 30th. 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.
3. Nominations. The Election Officer shall mail, via US Mail, a
“call for nominations” to all members in good standing for all offices to be
elected in the upcoming year on or before Dec. 15. This notice will include the
offices to be elected, 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 Dec. 31, or in person at the January General Business meeting.
Qualified nominees, as determined by Bylaws and/or Executive Board, shall be
placed on the ballot.
4. Elections: The Election Office shall mail, via US Mail,
ballots to all members in good standing on or before January 31. A single
membership shall receive on ballot and a family membership shall receive two
ballots. Each ballot shall 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 contain the name of the Election Officer
and an address to where they can be mailed. All mailed ballots must be received
by the Election Officer postmarked no later than February 28. Ballots may also
be delivered directly to the Election Officer in person at the March General
Business meeting. Final results of the election shall be tabulated before the
end of the March Business Meeting and announced at that time. The Election
Officer shall then seal all ballots to be maintained for 30 days and then
destroyed.
ARTICLE VI
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS
1. President. The President shall have such powers and duties as
are usually exercised by such an office. He/she shall be the Executive Officer
of the Club and shall preside at all General Business Meetings, special
meetings, and meetings of the Executive Board. He/she shall assign the
individual responsibilities of the Vice Presidents. The President will work with
Committee Chairpersons and Vice Presidents in order to help insure all assigned
tasks are completed in a timely manner. He/she shall have the power to call
Special Meetings of the Club and the Executive Board. The President shall
appoint, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, and except as provided
elsewhere in these Bylaws, members to the Standing and Special Committees,
including vacancies. The President shall deal with other matters as may be
placed in his or her charge by the Executive Committee or membership. He or she
shall deal with and try to resolve complaints and issues within the Club and
with PHiP. He/she shall serve as a liaison with PhiP or designate this role to
another member of the Executive Board on a case by case basis.
2. Vice President. The Vice President shall, in the absence of
the President, have the powers and duties of the President. He/she shall serve
as liaison with other Parrot Head Clubs and Pirates in Paradise PHC Committees.
The Vice President shall serve as a member of the Ticket Committee. He/she shall
deal with other matters and/or powers that are delegated to the position by the
President or the Executive Board. He/she shall work to insure all PHiP/local
charity guidelines are met.
3. Secretary. The Secretary shall ensure that minutes are
recorded at all business and Executive Board meetings. He/she shall perform
other duties as designated by the President and Executive Board. The Secretary
will post the minutes from the monthly General Business Meeting via group email
list (or other standard email distribution method) within fourteen days of the
meeting. Copies will also be available upon request of any member in good
standing via individual email or USPS mail if requested with a SASE to the
secretary of record.
4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall record and keep track of all
financial function and transactions. He/she shall balance accounts, issue checks
for all charities and expenditures, based on receipts supplied. The Treasurer
shall perform other duties as designated by the President and Executive Board.
5. Membership Director. The Membership Director shall ensure
that there is an active recruiting program for new members and renewals within
the Pirates in Paradise PHC. He/she shall work with the Treasurer to ensure
membership lists are accurate and renewals are sent out on time. He/she shall
maintain membership roles and renewals and shall perform other duties as
designated by the President and Executive Board.
6. Eligibility Requirements. All Officers/Executive Board
Members shall be members in good standing for a period of no less than one year
prior to nomination/appointment.
7. Vacancies. Vacancies in all positions can be created by
resignation, abandonment of duties (as further defined), or by violation of any
articles of the bylaws. A position shall be defined as abandoned, if the officer
is absent from all business meetings without just cause for a period of three
consecutive months. Persons filling vacated positions shall be appointed for the
duration of the term by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
8. Abandonment. Abandonment and just cause will be determined
by a unanimous vote of all Board Members and Founders.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. Executive Board. The Executive Board will consist of the Club
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director and all
Founders. The Executive Board will be responsible for insuring all club
activities are conducted within the guidelines of Parrot Head in Paradise, Inc.
and the Club Statement of Purpose as outlined in Article I.2. 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 Board
will act on recommendations received from the general membership at the General
Business meetings and forward projects/concepts to the general membership at the
General Business meetings. The Treasurer shall be appointed as a member of the
Executive Board by majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board
to a one year term commencing January 1 of each year. All votes of the Executive
Board are subject to an 80% quorum of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
1. General. The following standing committees are established in
order to maximize involvement and participation of the Club members: Web Page,
Newsletter, Events, and Merchandise. Other special committees may be established
by the President, Executive Board and/or general membership to deal with
specific projects.
2. Committee Roles. The purpose of all committees is to ensure
that day to day functions and special events are completed in a timely manner.
To this end the committees, working under a Chairperson, are given the detailed
responsibility of specific events and activities. The committees are expected to
work closely with the Executive Board on all projects/events. They are also
required to keep the President and Board informed of all plans and progress.
a. Web Page - Maintain and keep Club
Internet Web Site current.
b. Newsletter-Ensure the Club newsletter is published at least four times a
year, normally January, April, July and October delivery.
c. Merchandise - Maintain an adequate supply of club merchandise with
proceeds going toward funding Pirates in Paradise PHC events.
d. Events: Coordinate schedule of all club social and charitable activities
and communicate to the Executive Board on a monthly basis.
ARTICLE IX
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/amendments to the bylaws will be researched and proposed by a
specially appointed Committee. Approval of changes shall be accomplished by a
51% vote via ballot of the total club membership in good standing by a mailing
or as a referendum on the election ballot following the outline of article V. 4.
A ballot not received is considered an abstention vote.
2. Infractions of Bylaws.
a. Any current Pirates in Paradise PHC member may submit in writing only
(signed, dated and clearly written), within 30 days of the occurrence of the
stated infraction/s, to the Pirates in Paradise PHC Executive Board, a
detailed statement regarding the alleged infraction/s of the Pirates in
Paradise PHC By-Laws, by any other current Pirates in Paradise PHC member.
b. The Board will inform, by letter, the Pirates in Paradise PHC member of
the alleged infraction/s against them, along with the name of the member who
has submitted the infraction. The member will be given 30 days to provide a
written response to the Board. If the member chooses not to respond within
30 days, the Board will move forward to a decision without the member's
input.
c. At the next scheduled Pirates in Paradise PHC Executive Board
meeting, after the 30 day deadline, the Board will evaluate the alleged
infraction/s and make one of the following decisions:
i. No Action - The alleged infraction has been
considered by the Board and the Board will take no action.
ii Action - The alleged infraction has been considered by the Board
and action is being taken as determined by a unanimous decision of the
Executive Board. The specific action is entirely left to the discretion of
the Executive Board and is to be based only upon the stated infraction.
d. If action is taken against a Pirates in Paradise PHC member for an
infraction/s of the Pirates in Paradise PHC By Laws, the member will be
informed in writing within 30 days of the Pirates in Paradise PHC Executive
Board's decision. The member who submitted the original statement of alleged
infraction/s shall be provided with a copy of the Board's decision.
e.
The Executive Board may suspend from Pirates in Paradise PHC any member whom
the entire Executive Board determines no longer meets the requirements for
membership set forth in Article II of these By-Laws and/or "Code of Conduct
http://www.piratesphc.com/conduct.htm ". This must be done by a unanimous
vote. The vote suspends such member's membership in Pirates in Paradise PHC
and all rights and privileges associated therewith.
f. At the next
scheduled Pirates in Paradise PHC meeting, the membership shall be informed
of the decision, and the information will be properly recorded in the
minutes.
g. Pirates in Paradise PHC Executive Board decisions are
considered final.
3. Pirates in Paradise Concert Ticket Point System.
a. The point tally will begin the day after the Parrot Heads in Paradise
Inc. appointed ticket coordinator announces the ticket allotment to Pirates
in Paradise.
b. The point tally will end on the day the following
year/time the Parrot Heads in Paradise Inc. appointed ticket coordinator
announces the ticket allotment to Pirates in Paradise.
c. If there is
more than one year between PHiP ticket allocations the Pirates in Paradise
points will continue to accumulate until a concert tour is announced.
d.
No more than 2 tickets per member household will be available to the highest
earners. This figure may be adjusted by the Ticket Committee and approved by
the Executive Board based on ticket availability.
e. Ties may be broken
by lottery.
f. 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 member with the next highest total.
g. All points will be awarded as per the following schedule subject to
approval by the Executive Board.
4. Pirates in Paradise Point Schedule.
a. Officers, Committee Chairs, Newsletter
Editor & Active Founders; 10 pts
b. Organize Charity Event: 8 pts;
c. Actively serve on any Committee: 5 pts;
d. Participate in charity function, community projects; assist in
planning/running happy hours: 3pts;
e. Special Contributions/Projects (e.g. write newsletter article, attend
general business meeting or committee meeting, contribute prizes): 2pts.
f. Additional points may be issued for other activities as determined by the
Ticket Committee and approved by the Executive Board.
5. Altruism: Events and/or activities sponsored by the Pirates in
Paradise 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
each year. The club will be involved in at least one environmental cause a 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 and should do so through the Events Committee.
6. Pirates in Paradise PHC Expenditures/Reimbursements/Budgets:
Pirates in Paradise PHC members wishing to be reimbursed or approved for
expenditures for Pirates in Paradise PHC related activities such as, but not
limited to; construction materials, necessary supplies for official club events,
other official and/or club sponsored functions, prior to spending moneys shall:
a. Obtain approval, in writing, from any executive board member for
expenditures not to exceed $50.00.
b. Obtain approval, in writing, from the executive board for expenditures of
$50.01 to $999.99
c. Obtain approval, in writing, from the executive board for expenditures of
$1000.00 or more and, in addition, expenditures of $1000.00 or more shall
not be approved by the executive board without first obtaining a vote of
approval from the membership at a general business meeting.
To obtain reimbursement, the member shall submit the written approval along
with the receipts to the Treasurer. Reimbursement requests submitted after the
adoption of this subsection will not be granted without meeting all of the
requirements of this subsection. No exceptions. Pirates in Paradise PHC members
who anticipate incurring expenses for club related activities should (after
obtaining proper Board approval) seek to have the company invoice the club
directly for the amount due. If this is not possible, then submit the receipts
to the Treasurer as indicated in the last paragraph.
ARTICLE X
SEAL
Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be in the form affixed below.
11 Day of March 2009
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
Amendments: These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by ballot and
by an affirmative vote of at least 51% as set forth in Article IX. 1. A ballot
not received is considered an abstention vote.