Article 1

Name

The name of this organization shall be the: Men’s Cultural Alliance of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (MCA)

Mission Statement

The Men’s Cultural Alliance (MCA) is an organization of the male members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) whose purpose is to create friendship and camaraderie among its members by attending and participating in social, intellectual and sporting/athletic activities. The specific activities and programs are to be decided, coordinated and managed by the Board of Directors with input from the general membership.

Article 2

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the MCA shall be from July 1 until June 30

Membership

All male members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) are eligible for membership in the MCA. Applicants must be willing to abide by the By-Laws and must maintain an interest in the activities of the MCA.

Officers

There shall be the following officers: President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Qualifications of Officers

Any candidate for office must be a member in good standing and must have been a member of the MCA for a minimum of six (6) months.

Term of Office

Terms of office are for 2 years from date of election. Officers may serve successive terms and rotate into vacant leadership roles. The President is limited to two successive terms. In the event that a successor to the President is not identified by the Nominating Committee, the current President may exceed the two term limit by one (1) year.

Election of Officers

Candidates for each office shall be presented by the nominating committee at the January Board meeting and at the January membership meeting. Nominations from the floor will be taken at the February meeting of the membership. Officers shall be elected by voice vote at the March meeting, sworn at the April meeting of the membership, and assume their positions and responsibilities on the following July 1.

Article 3

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of the five (5) Officers and six (6) Chairpersons of the standing committees. The President may appoint a maximum of four (4) at-large members from the general membership for a term of three (3) years.

Article 4

Each member of the Board of Directors will keep an accurate accounting of duties and records of yearly activities. These records will be forwarded to the incoming Board of Directors successor in an orderly fashion at the last Board of Directors meeting of the fiscal year. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing President and the incoming President to oversee these transmissions.

An accurate inventory of all physical assets (except MCA funds) and their location will be kept in duplicate, one copy to be retained with the Treasurer records and one copy to be retained with the Secretary records. This inventory will be reviewed at least once annually at the first Board of Directors meeting of the fiscal year and verified. It shall be the duty of the current President to delegate the locations of these properties with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article 5

Meetings

The MCA shall hold a regular membership meeting in January, February and March at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once a month beginning in November and ending in April of the following year at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.

Article 6

Signing Officials

Two (2) MCA officers’ signatures are required on any check drawn on the MCA checking account up to $1000.00. Checks written in an amount greater than $1000.00 require a third signature from one of the designated officers of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN). All checks require the presentation of an invoice for the amount requested, along with the approval of payment by either the President or Treasurer of the MCA.

Article 7

Parliamentary Authority

All business of the MCA shall be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order (Revised). Protested business will not become binding until ruled upon by the Secretary.

Article 8

Membership

All members must submit a signed application accompanied by membership dues, said application to be approved or rejected by the Board of Directors. If rejected, the membership chairperson shall provide an explanation and a full refund will be made.

Dues

Membership dues are on a twelve (12) month basis from July 1 until June 30 of the following year. The membership renewal period is from July 1 until October 31 for the upcoming season. Those who join from November 1 until March 31 of the following year are registered for the current season. Those who join in April, May or June of the following year will be registered for the next season. The Board of Directors will review the dues schedule each March. Their recommendations will be presented at the general meeting for approval. Honorary memberships may be extended at the discretion of the Board.

Non-Payment of Dues

Non-payment of dues by a member may be considered equivalent to a resignation. The name will be dropped from the membership rolls, unless extenuating circumstances are given or known. No cancellations or refund of dues may be paid if a member resigns before the close of his membership year.

Membership Benefits

Voting and participation in all functions of the MCA require membership unless otherwise noted herein.

Voting: Eligibility to vote is limited to members in good standing. All voting is decided by simple majority except where specifically noted in the By-Laws. The responsibility of conducting the balloting rests with the Secretary. He may appoint assistants. The ballots must be retained by the secretary for sixty (60) days, after which time the votes may no longer be challenged.

Membership Policies

Luncheon guests are limited to males only unless otherwise specified prior to the initial luncheon announcement. Guests may not attend a luncheon or any other program or activity for which there is a waiting list. Otherwise only programs and activities inviting “guests” or “couples” will include non members.

Payments made for special events may be returned if the return request is made before the reservation deadline for the event.

All members are welcome to attend board meetings as observers.

Article 9

Duties of Officers

President

The President shall preside at all general meetings and Board of Directors meetings at which he is present, shall exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the organization, and shall serve as a member ex-officio on all committees except the nominating committee. In addition, the President appoints all committee chairpersons, subject to the approval of the Board. He also serves in any other capacity as required elsewhere in the Bylaws.

1st Vice-President

In the absence of the President, the 1st Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President.

2nd Vice-President

The 2nd Vice President shall oversee all ongoing programs, special events and activity groups. In the absence of the President and 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall assume the duties of the President.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall work in tandem with the Federation to keep accurate records of all funds received and spent. He shall present a detailed Treasurer’s report to the Board at each board meeting.

Secretary

The Secretary shall handle all correspondence for the Board, take detailed minutes at the board meetings and present the minutes for the Board’s approval by email within a reasonable time period following each board meeting.

Other officers may be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board.

Article 10

Vacancy of an Elected Office

In the event of a vacancy of any elected office (as defined in the By-Laws) for any reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor to serve the unexpired term within thirty (30) days of the vacancy.

Article 11

Expulsion

The Board of Directors, by two thirds (2/3) majority vote, can expel any member of the organization for the following reasons:

• Conduct unbecoming a member of the MCA.
• Malfeasance in office.
• Elected officers may be expelled from office for failing to attend two (2) consecutive board meetings without extenuating circumstances.

Article 12

Committees

The standing committees are:

• • Luncheon Meetings
  • Luncheon Speakers
  • Communication
  • Publicity
  • Membership
  • Volunteer

The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors shall appoint the chairpersons from the general membership. The chairpersons may establish their committees from the general membership, subject to approval of the Board of Directors. The president shall establish or dissolve special committees, with the advise and consent of the Board of Directors, as from time to time may be required, to sustain the functions of the organization.

The nominating committee shall be appointed by December 1 and be composed of two (2) elected officers:

• One (1) appointed member of the Board of Directors
• Two (2) members from the general membership, all of whom shall be appointed by the President.

The chairperson shall be selected by the committee from its membership. The committee shall meet at the chairperson's convenience prior to the January general membership meeting. Their report shall be presented as prescribed in the By-Laws.

Quorum

A minimum of twenty (20) members shall constitute a quorum at the general membership meetings of the MCA requiring a vote. At the Board of Directors meetings, one half (1/2) of the members shall constitute a quorum. Board of Directors meetings and voting on motions may be conducted by email, phone or teleconferencing.

Article 13

Amendments

Proposed amendments to the By-Laws will be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors, signed by three (3) active members. The Board will take action at its next scheduled meeting. Voting will proceed at said properly called Board meeting with a quorum present. A simple majority of eligible members present will constitute a quorum.

Article 14

Charitable Contributions

MCA shall make no charitable contributions.

Article 15

Dissolution

In the event of the dissolution of the MCA, any remaining funds and other assets will be donated as directed by the Board of Directors.

Article 16

These By-Laws shall supersede all previous documents and shall become effective 1/6/2020.