ARTICLE I: NAME

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this organization shall be:
   
   
   1. To stimulate interest in basketry by perpetuating and education in the art of basketry;
   2. To educate the general public on the historic value and heritage relating to basketry;
   3. To promote conservation of natural materials;
   4. To support and encourage our members to be quality basketweavers.
   
   
2. Restrictions on activities:
   
   
   1. Money shall not be distributed to officers, directors, or other private persons except as the organization is authorized to pay compensation for services rendered and for the furtherance of the purpose set forth above;
   2. No substantial part of the activities shall be lobbying or otherwise attempting to influence.
   3. All activities will be permitted as stated in the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

1. All basketmakers 18 years and older will be eligible to join.
2. Class of membership shall be individual.
3. The amount of dues for each membership category shall be determined by the board.

 
ARTICLE IV: BOARD AND OFFICERS

1. The Board, charged with the management of this Association, shall consist of eleven active members, including the president, vice-president, public relations officer, secretary, treasurer, the immediate past president, the newsletter editor, the membership chairman, the advertising manager, the historian and the webmaster.
2. The Board shall meet as needed. Two weeks notice, in writing, shall be given for all Board meetings.
3. A quorum shall consist of five Board members.
4. The organization's officers shall be the elected offices of president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer and the appointed office of public relations, newsletter editor, the membership chair, advertising manager, immediate past president, historian, and webmaster.
5. The duration of an officer's term is one year; no officer shall serve more than two successive terms in the same office, with the exception of the treasurer who must be elected for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years.
6. The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
   1. President: Shall preside over all meetings of the Board and general membership; shall appoint all special committee chairs.
   2. Vice-President: shall preside over any meeting at which the president is unable to be present; shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the president; shall succeed the president at the end of the term; shall serve as program chairman.
   3. Public Relations Officer: Shall be in charge of public relations and publicity; shall notify news media of meetings and special events; shall arrange for exhibits and demonstrations by members.
   4. Secretary: Shall record minutes of all meetings; shall carry on correspondence; shall submit the minutes of the last membership meeting for publication in the newsletter.
   5. Treasurer: Shall receive and distribute funds; shall keep up to date financial records; shall present a written financial report at each Board meeting and at the annual membership meeting; shall submit a financial report for publication in each newsletter.
   6. Membership Chair: Shall collect and submit dues to the Treasurer and maintain the roster of paid members. 
   7. Advertising Manager:  Shall maintain written or verbal communication with newsletter advertisers and shall inform the LLBWA webmaster and newsletter editor of advertisers who should be acknowledged in LLBWA media publications.
   8. Newsletter Editor: Shall be in charge of preparing the official communication of the organization.
   9. Past President: Shall remain on the Board in an advisory capacity for a maximum of two terms immediately following term as active president.
   10. Historian:  Shall maintain a recorded history of the events and accomplishments of the organization.

   11. Webmaster:  Shall be in charge of maintaining the information on the organization’s official web site, “WWW.LLBWA.COM”.   

7. Board members may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the president or vice-president elect.
8. Any Board member who cannot attend a regularly scheduled meeting or Board meeting should notify the president in advance.
9. Vacancies during a term of office shall be filled by appointment of the president or vice-president elect with the approval of the Board.
10. The Board shall not incur any debts or pay any bills except as officially approved.

ARTICLE V: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1. A nominating committee consisting of the president, membership chairman, and two general members shall select one or more nominees for each office. The nominees shall have been a member of the Association for at least one year and shall be willing to serve.
2. The voting shall be carried out by mail.
3. Newly elected officers assume their duties on January 1 of the calendar year following the election.
4. Newly appointed officers assume their duties on the date of appointment.
5. Newly elected officers shall be installed at the first membership meeting of the calendar year following the election.
6. Newly appointed officers shall be installed at the first membership meeting following the appointment.
7. Officers are elected by simple majority.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

1. Membership meetings shall be held at least three times a year.
2. Board meetings shall be held as needed. Minutes of all Board meetings shall be kept on file with the Secretary.
3. A quorum at a general meeting shall consist of a majority of the members present.
4. Roberts Rules of Order shall be used at all meetings.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

1. The president may appoint committees such as membership, program, budget, history, newsletter, and/or conference.
2. Vacancies on committees shall be filled by the president with Board approval.

ARTICLE VIII: PROCEDURE FOR AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

1. Changes to the constitution may be recommended, in writing, to the Board by any member in good standing.
2. The constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Board.

ARTICLE IX: FISCAL YEAR

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION