Article One: Organization

1. The name of this Organization shall be TriState Midrange Users Group, abbreviated to TSMUG.  The address for purposes of receiving mail is: PO Box 1781, West Chester 45071-1781.
2. The association is a non-profit Organization and shall not make nor declare dividends.

1. The specific and primary purpose for which this association is formed is to advance the state of the art of data processing on IBM midrange systems through mutual education, dissemination of technical and non-technical information, exchange of ideas and open discussions.
2. Limitations:  The Organization shall have no power of authority over its members.

Section One – Classes of Membership
1. The membership with the Organization shall be divided into four classes: 
1. Company:  This membership may be held by a company actively engaged in utilizing an IBM midrange computer. 
2. Vendor:  This membership may be held by an individual or company actively engaged in merchandising of supplies, products or services related to computers. 
3. Individual:  This membership may be held by any individual not associated with a vendor but whose company does not sponsor a company membership. 
4. Honorary:  This membership may be granted for one year to any individual at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. 
2. The Representatives of each membership shall be known as Associates.
3. A Company or Vendor membership may have an unlimited number of Associates.

Section Two – Qualifications for Membership
1. There will be no limit to the number of members.
2. A certificate of membership shall be issued and the rights and privileges of members shall not be assignable.
3. The application for membership shall be in writing on a form provided by the Organization and shall be submitted directly to the Secretary of the Organization.  After due investigation and approval by the Secretary, the Board of Trustees shall act upon this matter at the next regularly-scheduled meeting and notify the applicant.
4. Members shall assume no liabilities on behalf of the Organization other than to their normal membership fees.
5. A member who becomes undesirable may, at the discretion of a majority of the Trustees, have his/her privileges to continue membership reviewed by the Trustees.  If expelled from membership, he/she forfeits all rights, benefits and membership fees thereof. 
1. An expelled member may appeal their expulsion to the Trustees for review. 

Section Three – Rights of Membership
1. All Associates shall have all privileges of membership.
2. A membership roster may be published annually provided there is sufficient sponsorship to cover all costs associated with its publication.  Each member in good standing shall receive a copy of the membership roster when published.  Each member shall be given the right to refuse publication of their information in the roster.  The company name, primary member contact name and company statistics are the only member data to be contained in the roster.
3. The membership roster is not to be used for financial gain.  The roster is provided to assist members in problem solving, and may be provided to assist non-members in problem solving.

Section Four – Membership Fees – Obligation of Membership
1. Annual membership dues shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees who will recommend to the membership at large any changes to be voted on by a quorum of the members.
2. Dues shall be due and payable annually on September 1.
3. If a member shall fail to pay his/her annual membership fee on or before October 1, he/she will be dropped from the membership.
4. The member will be charged guest fees for meetings attended after his/her membership expires including any meeting at which he/she renews his/her membership.
5. Dues for new members and members whose membership has expired will be the entire annual fee, if more than six months of the current year remains, and one-half of the annual fee, if six months or less of the current year remains.
6. Fiscal Year:  September 1 – August 31.

Section Five –Membership Code of Conduct Policy
Code of Ethics Enforcement:  Violations are defined as flagrant attempts to solicit business or recruit employment at any TSMUG function.  Instances which are not flagrant would include the following:
1. Casual passing of business cards.  This would usually be interpreted as a means of  introduction for one or two people at a time.  Carte blanche distribution of business cards would not be covered in this case.
2. A member discovers another member is a recruiter and on his or her own time visits the recruiter.  At no point should TSMUG be used as a reference or contingency for the contact. 
3. Through networking, a member discovers a job opening and applies for the position.  Again, at no point should TSMUG be used as a reference or contingency.  In this case, even the phrase “…after talking to you at the TSMUG meeting…” used in a cover letter could be construed as a violation if additional emphasis is made to that contact.
4. Buying or selling of vender products or services entirely outside the scope of a TSMUG event is also permissible regardless of the initial contact.

It is Membership’s responsibility to investigate any allegations or incidents.  If such wrongdoing is incidental, a quick discussion with all affected parties is sufficient.

If the incident is warranted, the details must be documented and presented to the Board for summary judgment.  If found guilty, the member is disciplined, with the violation becoming part of the member’s record.

1. Written letter from the Membership chair noting the details of the violation, the judgment of the Board, and the recording of such.
2. Same as above, with inclusion of a letter from the President emphasizing the need for control.
3. All the above, plus that person is banned from all TSMUG events and membership for a period of three full years.  Upon reinstatement, the slate is wiped clean.

Article Four:  Meetings

Section One – Regular Meetings
1. The Organization shall hold regular meetings monthly, at locations to be announced in advance.  The membership, by vote taken pursuant to the provisions hereinafter stated, may suspend regular meeting of this Organization but such suspension shall not continue for more that three (3) successive meetings.

Section Two – Special Meetings
1. Special meetings of this Organization may be called by the President at his/her discretion when it is in the best interest of the Organization.  Notes for special meetings shall state the reason that such meeting has been called and the business to be transacted at such meetings.

Section Three – Quorum
1. The presence of not less than twenty (20) or one third (1/3) of the registered Associates, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of this Organization.  If a quorum exists, all motions shall be carried by a simple majority unless otherwise stated in these Regulations.

Section Four – Parliamentary Authority
1. Parliamentary procedure is not required for normal conduct of meetings, but may be used at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.  Any questions regarding conduct of meetings and the resolution of all questions involving Parliamentary procedures shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order Revised (http://www.robertsrules.com/)  except as the same may be inconsistent with these Regulations.

Section Five – Notice of Meeting
1. Notices of all meetings shall be mailed to all members at their addresses as they appear in the membership roll book at least seven (7) days but not more than twenty (20) days before the schedule date set for such meeting.

1. One vote only per membership shall be allowed.  The Associate representing the member company/vendor during voting must be an employee of that member company/vendor.
2. At all meetings, except for the election of Officers, Trustees and modifications to organizational Regulations, all votes shall be verbal for by a show of hands.
3. For the election of Officers, ballots shall be provided and there shall not appear any place on the ballot any mark or marking that might tend to indicate the person who cast such ballot.  There  shall be no voting done by proxy.
4. Votes pertaining to the modifications to the Regulations will be by ballot.

Article Six:  Governing Body

1. The control and management of the Organization shall be vested in the Board of Trustees.  They shall perform all duties imposed on them by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the State of Ohio or by these Regulations.
2. These Regulations shall be controlled and governed by the law of the State of Ohio and the resolution of all disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Ohio.
3. The Officers of the Organization shall consist of President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Membership, Treasurer and Secretary, all of whom shall be members of the Board of Trustees.

Section One – Composition of Board
1. The business of this Organization shall be managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the six (6) Officers.  At the discretion of the newly seated Board the past President may be asked to participate in Board meetings as a non-voting member for a period not to exceed 90 days.  The Trustees to be chosen for the ensuing term shall be chosen for a term of one (1) year.
2. An Associate may hold only one elected office at a time.  A membership may hold only one elected office at a time.
3. Each director shall have one (1) vote and such voting may not be done by proxy.
4. Vacancies in the Board of Trustees shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the remaining members of the Board for the balance of the term.
5. The President of the Organization by virtue of that office shall be the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
6. Each standing committee of the Organization may send one representative to a Board meeting as a non-voting guest for the purpose of direct communications with the Board.
7. A director may be removed when sufficient cause exists for such removal.  The Board of Trustees may entertain charges against any Officer.

Section Two – Meetings
1. A majority of the members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum and the meetings of the Board shall be held monthly prior to the regular meeting.  Special meetings of the Board shall be held pursuant to the call of the President and notification of the date, time, place and purpose of such meeting shall be given to each member of the Board at least five (5) days prior to the date of such special meeting.

Section Three – Rights of the Board
1. The Board of Trustees shall have no power to assume liabilities on behalf of the Organization for an amount in excess of the funds of that Organization nor for any personal or unapproved obligations or expenditures for any member of the Organization.
2. All expenditures of group funds by the Board above one-thousand dollars ($1,000)  must be approved by the membership.

Section Four – Duties of Trustees
1. The Board of Trustees shall have control and management of the affairs and business of the Organization.
2. They shall perform any and all duties imposed on them by law, the Articles of Incorporation, and these Regulations.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Section Five – Election of Trustees

1. The Board of Trustees shall be elected by a majority vote of members responding to a mail ballot prior to the May meeting.  Such Trustees, including the original Trustees, shall be eligible for reelection for a second term, but shall not be allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms on the Board.
2. Upon election of a new President, the current President may be required at the discretion of the President elect, to advise the Board as a President pro tem for period not to exceed 90 days.

Section Six – Compensation of Trustees
1. Trustees shall serve without compensation, except they shall be allowed and paid actual and necessary expenses in association business, subject to prior approval by the Board.

Section One – President
1. The President shall preside at all membership meetings.
2. The President shall present at each October meeting of the Organization an annual report of the work of the Organization.
3. The President shall appoint all committees, temporary and permanent.
4. Responsibility for verifying that all books, reports, and certificates required by lay are properly kept and filed, resides with the President.
5. The President shall be one of the Officers permitted to sign the checks and drafts of the Organization.
6. The President, while supervising and controlling the affairs of the Organization, shall be subject to control of the Board of Trustees.

Appoint the newsletter editor and web site editor.