The Guild shall be organized and operated exclusively for educational, charitable and historical purposes.  No part of the Guild income shall inure to the benefit of any member, director (however styled), or officer of the Guild or any private individual.  Reimbursement for expenditures or the reasonable compensation for services rendered shall not be deemed to be distribution of income or principal.

Section 1 -  Membership shall be open to any individual interested  in the purpose of the Guild.

Section 2 -  The annual membership fee shall be determined by the  Executive Committee and voted on by the membership.

Section 3 -  The general meeting shall be open to non-members, who may be charged a fee as determined by the Executive Committee to help cover program expenses.

Section 4 - The fiscal year shall begin on June 1.  Membership in  the Guild shall automatically terminate at the end of the  fiscal year unless renewal of the annual membership fee.

Section 5 -  All members shall be asked to support the Guild by regular attendance at meetings, serving committees and/or serving as an officer.
 

Section 1 - The officers of the Guild shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.  Their term of office shall be for two years.

Section 2 - The officers shall be elected by majority vote of the General membership and installed at the annual meeting.  Their term of office shall begin at the end of the  annual meeting. 

Section 3 - The President, First Vice President and Treasurer will be elected in even numbered years.  The Second Vice President and Secretary will be elected in odd numbered years.

Section 4 -  No member shall be eligible to serve a consecutive term in the same office.

Section 5 - The immediate past President shall be an Ex-Officio member of the Executive Committee.
 

Section 1 - The President shall appoint the Nominating Committee  Chairperson prior to the March regular meeting to serve for a one year term.  The Nominating Committee shall consist of four additional members.  Two shall reside in Georgia and two shall reside in North Carolina.  One of these members from each state shall be elected each year to serve for a two year term.  No member shall be eligible to serve a consecutive term.  The task of the  Nominating Committee will be to: review the  responsibilities of each position to be elected  (President, First Vice President and Treasurer in even numbered years; Second Vice President and Secretary in odd numbered years; and two Nominating Committee members each year), identify qualified candidates, select the most qualified candidate, secure candidates’ permission to be placed in nomination, and make a report at the April regular meeting.  Nominations from the floor at the April meeting shall be permitted so long as all nominees have given prior approval to be nominated..

Section 2 - Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting in May by the majority vote of the general membership.  When a written ballot is needed, the Nominating Committee shall act as tellers.

Section 3 - The Executive Committee, by a majority vote, shall appoint someone to fill the unexpired term, should a vacancy occur in any office.
 

Section 1 - The President shall be the official representative of the Guild and shall preside at meetings.

Section 2 - The First Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President and conduct orientation sessions for new members as needed.

Section 3 - The Second Vice President will be responsible for Sewcials and additional duties as needed. 

Section 4 - The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings  at the meetings of the organization and shall have custody of all records and papers of the Guild not provided for otherwise.  The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence, shall read all pertinent letters at each monthly meeting and other such notices as may become necessary.

Section 5 - The Treasurer shall keep an accurate accounting of all receipts and disbursements and report monthly to the Guild.  Books shall be available for inspection at all times. An annual audit is to be completed and presented to the Executive Committee after the fiscal year ends. On election years, the out-going Treasurer shall present the audit.
 

Section 1 - The regular meeting of the Guild shall be on the 4^th Monday of every month, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee on a particular occasion.

Section 2 - The regular meeting in May shall be known as the annual meeting.

Section 3 - Any action of any officer or member can be overruled by a simple majority of the members.

Section 4 - A quorum for the transaction of business shall be 1/3 of the membership.
 

Section 1 -  The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the Ex-Officio and the Committee chairpersons.

Section 2 -  Meeting of the Executive Committee shall be held upon call of the President or a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, which constitutes a quorum.

Section 3 - The Executive Committee shall be empowered to  transact any routine or emergency business.
 

Section 1 - The President shall appoint standing and temporary committees as deemed necessary to carry out the purpose of the Guild.

Section 2 -  The President is an ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the Nominating Committee.
 

Section 1 - The fiscal year for the Guild shall begin June 1 and shall end May 31.

Section 2 - Members of the Guild shall pay yearly dues in an amount  determined annually by the Executive Committee. Dues are payable June 1.  To assure continuous membership, dues shall be paid by June 30.

Section 3 - Members joining the Guild on or after December 1 shall pay one-half the amount of dues for the year.

Section 4 - Guild monies shall be kept in a FDIC bank.  The President, First Vice President and Treasurer shall sign the signature card.  In the absence of the Treasurer, the President or First Vice President may issue checks.

Section 5 - The annual budget shall be presented at the June meeting for approval of the membership.

Section 6 - The results of the annual audit shall be presented at the June meeting.

Section 7 - Special accounts may be set up as necessary.
 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Guild. The duties of the Officers shall be as described in said authority.
 

The power to make, supplement, amend or repeal the By-Laws is vested in  the membership upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.  Notice of an amendment shall be read at a regular meeting under new business and published in the SCRAPBAG.  The said amendment shall be read again at the regular meeting with approval requiring a quorum vote of membership.
 

In the event that dissolution of the Guild is deemed necessary for any reason, approval of the membership shall be obtained by ballot.  Any assets remaining shall be applied and distributed first to final payment and discharge of any liability or obligation of the Guild.  Any remaining assets shall be distributed to charitable organizations by approval of the membership.

Revised November, 2010; (approved by the Executive Committee on November 9, 2010)      
(Read at November 22, 2010 general meeting and placed on web page and in the Scrap  Bag following that meeting)