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Junction City Teddy Bears

By-Laws of the Junction City Teddy Bears, Inc.

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Junction City Teddy Bears, Inc. (doing business as the Junction City Teddy Bears, JC Teddy Bears or JCTBears).

Article II - Purpose

The JCTBears is organized as a social club under the meaning of § 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code to bring together for social, recreational, educational and entertainment purposes those individuals with a common interests of Bears, Cubs and their admirers. We are bonded by friendship from the heart and mind in our efforts to generate camaraderie among ourselves, with fellow Bear Clubs and with the rest of the Gay Community. The JCTBears also are dedicated to holding and sponsoring events to benefit and bring recognition to the Bear Community and the Gay Community as a whole, and to raise funds in support of such not for profit organizations as approved by the membership.

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Furthermore, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under § 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. Qualifications:
Membership shall be open to any gay male of legal age (21 years) or older, who is initially sponsored/proposed for membership by one or more current members, and who:

  1. agrees to abide by the current published By-Laws and Policies of the club and

  2. pays his dues in accordance with the By-Laws;
    EXCEPT, that an application may be refused if the Board of Directors finds that the applicant's admission would prejudice the interests of the organization or hinder or otherwise obstruct or conflict with any purpose of the organization.

Section 2. Dues:
Dues, as set by the membership, shall be paid by each accepted applicant prorated from the month of enrollment and thereafter by the end of each fiscal year (see Article VII). Dues may be changed only once during any continuous twelve (12) month period. An initiation fee, as set by the Board of Directors, may be required from each accepted applicant to cover club expenses in providing caps, pins, tee shirts or other membership identification items.

Section 3. Rosters:
A Membership Roster will be maintained by the Secretary/Treasurer and provided only to members who permit their own name and address to be included in the roster. Discretion by members in the use of the roster is expected. Failure to comply qualifies that member for action by the Board of Directors (see Section 4, below).

Section 4. Termination:
Membership can be terminated in the following ways:

  1. By written resignation to any officer or by oral statement at any meeting of the club or its Board of Directors.

  2. Through nonpayment of dues.

  3. Based upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such Expulsion shall be based upon the same criteria for which an application may be refused (see Section 1 above) or a member's failure to act in accordance with Section 3, above.

Section 5. Guests:
Members are urged to bring potential new members as guests to club meetings and events. Such guests must be a gay male of legal age (21 years) or older. Guests will be allowed to attend any public event conducted by or sponsored by the organization, but are limited to attending two private meetings/events after which they are expected to make application and join the organization.

Article IV - Meetings and Events

Section 1. Regular Meetings and Social Events:
The JCTBears will hold their Regular Meetings and Social Events on the fourth (4th) Saturday night of each month unless necessary due to conflicts or other reasons a change is approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Event Policies:
The Board of Directors shall propose for membership approval policies as needed to control Regular Social Events and Special Events. Such policies shall include, but not be limited to, official hours, event fees, compensation and reimbursement to hosts, actions expected from hosts as well as the expected conduct of the members and their guest(s) at both private and public events. Current approved policies shall be published as an addendum to these By-Laws.

Section 3. Special Meetings:
Special Meetings may be called by the President or the Board of Directors at any time. A minimum of five (5) days pre-notification of the date, time, place and agenda must be given to all members.

Section 4. Annual Meeting:
The JCTBears shall hold an Annual Meeting in lieu of the Regular Meeting each January, or no later than March, for the purpose of electing Officers, receiving the annual report from the President and handling any other business. A Regular Meeting to solicit nominations and handle any other business shall be held prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 5. Membership Voting:
Except for a vote to alter, amend or repeal these By-Laws (see Article VIII, Section 2), all elections, questions and matters submitted to a vote by the members shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting.

Section 6. Board of Directors Meetings:

  1. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place at the call of the President. A minimum of 24 hours pre-notification of the date, time, place and agenda for any scheduled meeting must be given to all members as any member may attend Board meetings as a nonvoting observer.

  2. Emergency meetings may be called without notice to the membership and the actions taken at such meetings shall be reported at the next Regular Meeting.

  3. Three members of the Board of Directors are required for any vote to be taken by the Board. All Board actions shall be decided by a simple majority of its members voting.

Section 7. Rules of Order:
Except where otherwise required by these By-Laws all meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors and any standing or special committee shall be conducted in accordance with the 1993 Barns and Noble edition of 'The New Roberts Rules of Order'.

Article V - Officers and Terms

Section 1. Officers:
The JCTBears shall operate with a President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and three (3) Directors comprising the Board of Directors provided that, if no candidates are available for any one or all of the Director positions, their responsibilities as set forth in these By-Laws shall be assumed as follows: The President shall also function as Director 1, The Vice President shall also function as Director 2 and the Secretary/Treasurer shall also function as Director 3.

Section 2. Term of Office:
All six (6) officers shall serve a term of one (1) year and may be reelected or elected to another office, for an unlimited number of terms.

Section 3. Vacancies:

  1. Any vacancy for the offices of President, Vice-President or Secretary/Treasurer shall be filled by an election held at the next Regular Meeting or a Special Meeting called by the remaining members of the Board of Directors, and

  2. Any vacancy for a Director shall be filled by an appointment made by the President, provided that, if no candidate is available, that Director's responsibilities shall be assumed as noted in Section 1, above.

Article VI - Duties of Officers

Section 1. President:
The President shall

  1. Preside over all meetings of the organization and of the Board of Directors,

  2. Call any meetings of the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section 6.

  3. Be responsible for maintaining order and giving any needed guidance on parliamentary matters at all meetings or appointing a Sgt. At Arms / Parliamentarian to provide these services,

  4. Present an annual report as required by Article IV, Section 4,

  5. Take actions and make decisions as provided for in these By-Laws, and

  6. Perform all duties usually performed by a presiding officer.

Section 2. Vice-President:
The Vice-President shall

  1. In the temporary absence of the President, perform the duties of the President. In the case of death, resignation or disability of the President that post shall be filled as required under Article V, Section 3, and

  2. Conduct or supervise through an appointed/volunteer Membership Chairman the following activities:

    1. Maintaining supplies of these By-Laws, Event Policies, membership applications and a listing of all prospective members based upon member recommendations, meeting/event guests and personal contact;

    2. Soliciting prospective members and providing needed copies of club information and membership applications; and

    3. introducing all new members at the next meeting they attend.

Section 3. Secretary/Treasurer:
The Secretary/Treasurer shall

  1. Keep a complete record of all meetings of the membership and the Board of Directors, publishing such minutes to the membership within seven days after each such meeting,

  2. Act as Publicity Coordinator for the organization either conducting or supervising through appointed/volunteer chairmen the following activities:

    1. Newsletter - responsible for publishing the clubs' official newsletter to provide a method for all Officers, Coordinators and Chairmen to provide information related to their responsibilities to the membership and to generally entertain and inform the membership;

    2. Club Photographer - responsible for either photographing, or arranging to have photographed, all activities of the club;

    3. Web Site Web Master - responsible for maintaining the club's official web site, proposing content beyond web representation of Newsletter information (graphic and text) and development and design of such additional content approved by the membership,

    4. Keep a complete and detailed record in respect to all the financial affairs of the organization, maintaining all organization funds in a separate banking account,

    5. Order, maintain supplies, distribute and collect reimbursement for all official club wearing apparel and other necessary supplies, and

    6. Ensure all new member applications and payments are processed on a timely basis and the club roster is updated appropriately (see Article III, Section 3).

Section 4. Director 1:
This Director acts as Service Coordinator for the club either conducting or supervising through appointed/volunteer chairmen the following activities:

  1. Representing the club at all AIDS support groups' or other Gay-related service organizations' open meetings, participating as a member of such groups/organizations when official representation is requested/allowed, and keeping the membership aware of the activities and needs and of such groups/organizations.

  2. Representing the club at all Pride Week planning sessions for Pride Week events to be held anywhere within the North East Kansas area serviced by the club, proposing to the membership ways the club can/should participate in these Pride Weeks and coordinating the conduct of all approved participation.

Section 5. Director 2
This Director acts as Event Coordinator for the club either conducting or supervising through appointed/volunteer chairmen the following activities:

  1. Assisting the President in soliciting hosts, other facilities, for all regular monthly meetings; arranging with and advising hosts, or host facilities, any thematic social events to be held in conjunction with those meetings; and keeping the membership informed.

  2. Proposing to the membership dates and themes for special events the club can conduct in coordination with our host bar, or through other facilities, to both raise funds and the awareness of our club within the North East Kansas area; and for conduction the needed planning and coordinating the actual conduct of all approved events.

Section 6. Director 3:
This Director acts as Outreach Coordinator for the club either conducting or supervising through appointed/volunteer chairmen the following activities:

  1. Maintaining contact with all mid-America Bear clubs, ensuring those clubs are aware of our activities, keeping the membership aware of those clubs activities, proposing to the membership ways the club can/should participate in activities with these clubs, representing the club at any planning session involving approved joint activities, and keeping the members informed.

  2. Maintaining contact with other gay social groups within the North East Kansas/KC Metro area to exchange information on events of mutual interest, proposing to the membership ways the club can/should participate in activities with these groups, representing the club at any planning session involving approved joint activities, and keeping the members informed.

Article VII - Miscellaneous

Section 1. Fiscal/Operating Year:
The calendar year shall be used for both the fiscal and operational year of the organization.

Section 2. Amendment:

  1. Any proposals to alter, amend or repeal these By-Laws must be presented in written form and published to the members a minimum of 15 days prior to the meeting where the voting will be conducted.

  2. Action on such proposals may be taken at any Regular or Special Meeting by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present and voting.