Humanist Association of Massachusetts

(A Chapter of the American Humanist Association)

Chapter By-Laws

1. The name of the Chapter shall be as stated in the entitlement.
2. It is the purpose of this Association to encourage the spirit of Humanism as expressed in Humanists Manifesto I and II and to guide our lives in harmony with the philosophy of Humanism as each of us may reasonably and responsibly to do so.
3. The Association will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a minimum of five members and a maximum of fifteen. Election to the Board by a majority vote of members present and voting will be held in January or each odd-numbered year. The new Board will take office at the conclusion of the meeting at which they were elected. At subsequent election meetings nominations to the Board shall be made by a nominating Committee selected by the Board or from the floor. At the first meeting after election the Board will choose from its own members the four officers whose duties are indicated in By-Laws four, five and six. All Board meetings will be opened to the membership.
4. The duties of the President (and those of Vice President in the absence of the President) shall be as follows:
   1. To preside over regular and special meetings of the Chapter;
   2. to Coordinate and work with all committees;
   3. To present to the membership a platform of goals to be attained during his term of office.
5. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:
   1. To transcribe the minutes of all scheduled meetings;
   2. To mail out such notices and Chapter communications as may be pertinent, with the understanding that other officers and members will assist in the preparation, duplicating and clerical functions of this work;
   3. To keep a file of Chapter correspondence.
6. The duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:
   1. To open and maintain a checking account in the name of the Chapter with his or her signature on file as the authorized depositor and administrator of the account;
   2. To collect and deposit all membership dues and special assessments; to deposit all other monies received from any source;
   3. To pay obligations of the chapter and petty cash as authorized by the President or a majority of the members at a regular meeting;
   4. To keep a record of all transactions for an annual audit by the other officers of the chapter at the end of the calendar year;
   5. To report to the members quarterly on the condition of the treasury.
7. Membership in the Association is open to all those who share its purpose (see By-Law Two) and who are in good standing in regard to payment of dues and assessments. All selected officers of the Chapter shall be members of the American Humanist Association.
8. Business meetings will require a quorum of seven members in good standing and will be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order.
9. These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members at a regular meeting or by a signature canvass by mail, with prior notice ten days required in advance.
10. The Board of Directors shall recommend to the membership a certified Humanist Counselor, AHA, for the position of Chapter Counselor. Appointment to this position shall require tow-thirds vote by members present and voting at a business meeting. The Chapter Counselor shall be responsible to the Board of Directors for the performance of his or her duties and shall, unless overruled by the Board in a specific instance, be the public spokesperson for the Chapter, and will act as the liaison officer with the AHA. The Chapter Counselor will be a member of the Board ex-officio, without vote, and will receive compensation for fulfillment of those duties which the Board Determines.

Approved by the General Membership January 30, 1983