Revised by Articles of Amendment CAPITAL PC USER GROUP, INC. (A Maryland Corporation) CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1: NAME The name of this organization shall be CAPITAL PC USER GROUP, Inc., hereafter referred to as the "CPCUG". ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE Section 1. The purposes of the CPCUG are as follows: a. To provide a forum for members of the personal computer community for their mutual benefit and increased understanding and utilization of the personal computer. b. To encourage experimentation and research in the current and potential uses of the personal computer. c. To provide an opportunity for all users of the personal computer to exchange ideas, knowledge and experience for the enrichment of all concerned. d. To provide an opportunity for both formal and informal education in computer applications, hardware, and software technologies. e. To provide a medium of communication with user groups in other areas (location and orientation). f. To provide an opportunity for the formation of special interest groups. g. To provide a medium for the exchange of public domain and contributed software. The illegal copying, use, or distribution of software will not be condoned. h. To assist members in acquiring computer hardware and software. i. To promote the effective interchange of ideas between members and vendors of IBM and compatible PC hardware and software. ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership in the CPCUG shall not be denied to anyone based upon race, creed, sex, or religion. Section 2. Membership in this organization is open to anyone interested in the IBM or compatible PC. Ownership of an IBM or compatible PC is not a prerequisite for membership. ARTICLE 4: RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Each member is entitled to a membership card which authorizes his or her participation in activities reserved to members of the CPCUG as defined by the Board of Directors. Section 2. Each member is entitled to one copy of the CPCUG's publication(s) as issued. Section 3. Each member is entitled to cast one vote in any election or CPCUG activity that requires general membership approval. ARTICLE 5: DUES Section 1. Dues shall be collected annually from members as specified in the Bylaws. ARTICLE 6: OFFICERS Section 1. Officers of the CPCUG shall consist of the following: a. President b. 1st Vice President c. Regional Vice President(s) d. Secretary e. Treasurer Section 2. The term of office for all officers is one year, commencing March 1. Section 3. With the concurrence of the Board of Directors, the officers shall execute the daily business of the CPCUG as provided in the Bylaws. ARTICLE 7: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following individuals: a. All officers of the CPCUG, b. Chairmen of the Special Interest Groups as defined in the CPCUG Bylaws, c. Immediate Past President, d. Other persons as designated by the Board of Directors. Section 2. In all Board of Directors decisions, each individual member shall cast one vote. ARTICLE 8: GENERAL MEETINGS Section 1. General meetings shall be held monthly or as directed by the Board of Directors. Section 2. The number of general meetings held shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Persons eligible to attend the general meetings shall be determined by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE 9: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS Section 1. Board of Directors meetings shall be held monthly or as directed by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE 10: ELECTIONS Section 1. General elections for CPCUG officers shall be held annually. Section 2. Elections shall be conducted according to the CPCUG Bylaws. Section 3. Candidates for office shall be CPCUG members in good standing. ARTICLE 11: FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS Section 1. The CPCUG shall be a not-for-profit organization according to Section 501C4, Social Welfare, of federal law. Section 2. An independent audit of the CPCUG's financial records shall be made annually by individuals designated by the Board of Directors. Section 3. In the event of the dissolution of the CPCUG, all assets shall be transferred in accordance with applicable U.S. Code and Maryland state law. ARTICLE 12: STANDING RULES Section 1. Any rules for the general government of the CPCUG not specifically covered in the foregoing articles shall be set forth in the Bylaws. Section 2. No Bylaws or other rules of the CPCUG shall take precedence over this Constitution. ARTICLE 13: CONFLICT OF INTEREST Section 1. No member of the Board of Directors may accept any pay for serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Section 2. The terms of any financial agreement between the CPCUG and a current member of the Board of Directors, or a person who has served on the Board of Directors within the year prior to the agreement, or a candidate for election or appointment to the Board of Directors must be must be fully disclosed to the general membership. Section 3. Any member of the Board of Directors who has a material interest in an issue being decided by the Board of Directors may not vote on questions related to that issue. ARTICLE 14: AMENDMENTS Section 1. A general or special meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors for the purpose of amending this Constitution. An official mail ballot, when author- ized and approved by the Board of Directors, shall constitute a special meeting for the purpose of amending this Constitution or the CPCUG Bylaws. Section 2. Each general member may cast one vote on the proposed amendments. Section 3. This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. Section 4. Notice of proposed amendments must be published to all general members prior to the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. ARTICLE 15: VALIDITY Section 1. The invalidity of any part of this Constitution shall not impair or otherwise affect in any manner the validity, enforceability, or intent of the balance of this Constitution. ARTICLE 16: RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS Section 1. A general or special meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors for the purpose of ratifying this Constitution and/or the CPCUG Bylaws. An official mail ballot, when authorized and approved by the Board of Directors, shall constitute a special meeting for the purpose of ratifying this Consti- tution or the CPCUG Bylaws. Section 2. The proposed Constitution and/or Bylaws shall be published and distributed to the CPCUG general membership prior to the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. Section 3. This Constitution and/or the CPCUG Bylaws shall be ratified only by a majority vote of all eligible members present and voting at the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. Adopted: ______________________________________________President ______________________________________________Secretary Date: ______________________________________________ CAPITAL PC USER GROUP, INC. (A Maryland Corporation) BYLAWS The CAPITAL PC USER GROUP, INC. shall be referred to as the "CPCUG". ARTICLE 1: MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership is restricted to individuals only. Companies, corporations, etc. cannot be enrolled as members of the CPCUG. Section 2. With the exception of the voting privilege, membership privileges of the individual enrolled as a member of the CPCUG extend to the members of his or her immediate family. ARTICLE 2. DUES Section 1. Annual dues for regular memberhip shall be set by the Board of Directors. Section 2. The name of any CPCUG member who has not paid his or her yearly dues within 45 days of the due date shall be removed from the general membership roster. ARTICLE 3: OFFICERS Section 1. All officers shall be elected from the general membership according to the procedures set forth in Article 11 of the Bylaws. Section 2. General responsibilities of CPCUG officers are to: a. Conduct day-to-day CPCUG business, b. Preserve the assets of the CPCUG. Section 3. Specific duties of CPCUG officers are as follows: a. The President shall: 1. Serve as the chief executive officer of the CPCUG, 2. Be responsible for the general conduct of the CPCUG. 3. Conduct all Board of Directors meetings and other special meetings as called by the Board of Directors, 4. Appoint directors as required, 5. Designate committees and appoint committee chairmen as required, 6. Call Executive Committee meetings. b. The 1st Vice President shall: 1. Serve in place of the President in his absence, 2. Serve as President for the remainder of the President's term if the office of the President is vacated, 3. Serve as the central administrator for managing all activities associated with a CPCUG office, 4. Manage the activities of the Special Interest Groups to include monitoring their status within the CPCUG. (See Article 5.) c. The Regional Vice President(s) shall: 1. Be responsible for coordinating and conducting monthly meetings and other periodic activities within their region as sanctioned by the Board of Directors, 2. Coordinate with CPCUG directors (see Article 6) to ensure that members of the region are afforded the opportunity to fully participate in all CPCUG activities, d. The Secretary shall: 1. Maintain records of CPCUG business, 2. Document decisions made by the Board of Directors, 3. Notify appropriate members of scheduled meetings. e. The Treasurer shall: 1. Maintain accurate financial records of the CPCUG .. records shall include all receipts and disbursements for the CPCUG, 2. Ensure that an independent audit of the CPCUG is conducted annually, 3. Reimburse members for general CPCUG expenses and capital expenditures, 4. Publish an annual financial report of the CPCUG, 5. Provide financial reports of the CPCUG to the Board of Directors at least quarterly, 6. Conduct an annual inventory of capital assets. Section 4. Removal of an officer from his or her elected position can be accomplished by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. The officer in question has the right to present a case for consideration and final resolution by the general membership. Notice of these proceedings shall be given at least thirty days in advance. ARTICLE 4: BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. General duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors include: a. Establish policy for the CPCUG, b. Approve the CPCUG budget, c. Make public any oral or written communication on behalf of the CPCUG, d. Sponsor meetings in the name of the CPCUG. Section 2. Specific duties of the Board of Directors include: a. Establish the amount of membership dues, b. Recognize, approve, and facilitate the formation of new Special Interest Groups, c. Confirm the President's appointments of directors and committee chairmen, d. Establish new offices for regional Vice- Presidents as required, e. Appoint officers to fill unexpired terms of office whenever the office becomes vacant. f. Recommend officers for removal from their elected positions. g. Remove officers from their elected positions by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting. Section 3. The following guidelines shall apply to Board of Directors meetings: a. Regular meetings shall be held monthly or as otherwise determined by the Board, b. All members of the Board of Directors will be notified of the time and place of Board meetings at least five working days prior to the meetings unless meetings are scheduled for the same time and place each month, c. Special meetings may be held at the request of any four members of the Board. Notification requirements as in Section 3b remain in effect. d. Upon majority consent of the Board members, an emergency meeting can be called without advanced notice. Section 4. If the CPCUG general membership has not adopted an official position on a CPCUG matter, any public statement or position held by the Board of Directors shall be clearly labeled as that of the Board alone. ARTICLE 5. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs) Section 1. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are formed to support the purposes of the CPCUG in a specific area of interest which has not already been addressed or which needs greater emphasis. Section 2. Membership in SIGs is open to all members of the CPCUG. Section 3. A SIG chairman is chosen from members of the SIG. Specific duties and responsibilities of the SIG chairman include: a. Presenting the appropriate documentation to the Board of Directors so that the Board may formally recognize the SIG, (See Section 4 below.) b. Attending Board of Directors meetings or sending a representative in his or her place .. the SIG chairman will present a report of SIG activities at the meeting. c. Maintaining an up-to-date roster of active SIG members. Section 4. A SIG becomes a recognized unit within the CPCUG when the following takes place: a. A meeting is held to discuss the formation of the SIG .. all interested parties are invited, b. The following documentation is presented to the Board of Directors; 1. A SIG charter which includes; a. An outline of the purposes, interests, and activities of the proposed SIG, b. Identification of the SIG chairman, c. An estimate and analysis of any expenses or anticipated revenue associated with the activities of the SIG, 2. A description of the SIG for the CPCUG newsletter, c. The Board of Directors votes and formally recognizes the SIG. Section 5. In order for a SIG to maintain its status as a recognized SIG and keep its membership on the Board of Directors, the following is required: a. The SIG chairman must submit SIG membership rosters at least annually, b. The SIG chairman or a designated representative must attend more than half of the Board of Directors meetings during the course of each year, c. The SIG must perform one of the following functions during the course of each year; 1. Give a presentation at the regional meetings, 2. Provide an article for the CPCUG newsletter, 3. Conduct a training seminar. ARTICLE 6. DIRECTORS Section 1. Subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint the following directors: a. Program Director b. Buying Group Director c. Education and Training Director d. Membership Director e. Vendor Relations Director f. Editor g. Public Domain Software Library Director Section 2. The President may appoint additional directors for particular tasks subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. Section 3. Directors serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Section 4. Duties and responsibilities of the directors shall be defined by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE 7. COMMITTEES Section 1. The President shall designate committees for short term projects. Section 2. Subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint committee chairmen. Section 3. Duties and responsibilities of the committees are defined by the President. ARTICLE 8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1. The Executive Committee is composed of all CPCUG officers. Section 2. The President may call meetings of the Executive Committee to handle day-to-day CPCUG business and discuss issues prior to presentation at the Board of Directors meetings. ARTICLE 9. QUORUM Section 1. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of the Board members present at the Board meetings. Section 2. At any general meeting, the general members present shall constitute a quorum. ARTICLE 10. PARLIAMENTARY CONDUCT Section 1. Unless otherwise specified, Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the procedures of the CPCUG for all CPCUG meetings. ARTICLE 11. ELECTIONS Section 1. Elections shall be held for CPCUG officer positions during the month of February. Section 2. Elections to office shall be by popular vote. Section 3. Elections shall be by ballot distributed to all general members. Section 4. Each member in good standing may cast one vote. ARTICLE 12. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Section 1. The fiscal year of the CPCUG shall commence March 1 and end on the last day of February. Section 2. All CPCUG activities that conduct regular financial transactions shall operate within a budget approved by the Board of Directors. Section 3. All CPCUG activities that independently manage their finances shall provide the Treasurer the following: a. A monthly financial statement, b. A proposed budget of anticipated income and expenditures on a quarterly basis. Section 3. All capital asset purchases exceeding $50 must be approved, in writing, by at least two CPCUG officers. Section 4. General CPCUG expenses shall be reimbursed by the Treasurer. Receipts for expenses exceeding $25 must be provided. Section 5. Profits that accrue to the CPCUG shall be used in the public interest. Section 6. A financial statement disclosing the fiscal condition of the CPCUG shall be published during the first four months of each fiscal year. ARTICLE 13. AMENDMENTS Section 1. A general or special meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors for the purpose of amending these Bylaws. An official mail ballot, when authorized and approved by the Board of Directors, shall constitute a special meeting for the purpose of amending these Bylaws. Section 2. All general members may cast one vote on the proposed amendments. Section 3. These Bylaws shall be amended only by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. Section 4. Notice of proposed amendments must be published to all general members prior to the meeting designated in Section 1 of this Article. Adopted: ______________________________________________President ______________________________________________Secretary Date: ______________________________________________