Article 1: Name, Offices, and Purpose
Article 2: Members
Article 3: Board of Directors and Officers
Article 4: Meetings
Article 5: Amendment of Bylaws
1.1 Name. The name of this organization is Boulder Atheists, Inc.
1.2 Offices. The office/offices of the Boulder Atheists, Inc. shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
1.3 Purpose. Boulder Atheists, Inc. is organized 1) to promote atheism with public education, good deeds and community activities, and 2) to support separation of church and state.
2.1 Membership in Boulder Atheists, Inc. Membership is open to anyone who desires to support the need to educate the general public on the meaning and validity of atheism, and who supports the principles of church-state separation.
2.2 Application for Membership. Anyone seeking membership in the organization shall provide their name and address, phone number, or email to the Board of Directors. The Boulder Atheists, Inc will keep accurate records of its membership. No member's identification is to be made public without the express permission of that member.
2.3 Termination of Membership. Anyone can resign their membership at any time for any reason. The Board of Directors may terminate an individual's membership by letter giving the reasons and at least 30 days advance notice of the effective date of the termination. The member shall have a chance to be heard either orally or in writing before termination takes effect.
3.1 Composition of the Board. The Board of Directors shall number at least five members and must be an odd number. The Board of Directors is nominated from, and elected by, the membership of the Boulder Atheists, Inc.
3.2 Responsibilities of Officers. The duties of the Board of Directors will be assigned as needed based on the interest and skills of the Board members. Duties assigned shall include (but not be limited to):
At the first Board of Directors meeting after the election of officers, the Board responsibilities will be assigned to the elected members. After the first Board of Directors meeting of a new Board, a Board member will notify the general membership of duties assigned to each individual so that members know who is responsible for what tasks.
3.3 Board Elections. Board elections will be held at one of the regular meetings of the membership during the first quarter of each year. Nominations are open to any member.
3.4 Board Term of Office. The term of directorship shall be one year. Directors may run for re-election. In the event of a resignation, the vacancy shall be filled by membership vote at the next regular meeting of the organization. Any director may be removed for cause by the majority vote of the Board of Directors or the general membership.
3.5 Powers and Responsibilities of the Board.
3.5.1 The Board shall determine what program of activities will be undertaken by the Boulder Atheists, Inc.
3.5.2 The Board shall propose a budget for each fiscal year. The budget shall describe the activity program planned for the year and estimate the required expenses to implement the program. The budget shall state how the expenditure program will be financed.
3.5.3 After the close of each fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall present a report covering the activities of the organization for the past year including the assets and liabilities, revenue or receipts, and expenditures of the organization.
3.5.4 The Board may take emergency action to respond to events in a way that supports our organizational purposes if there is insufficient time for the membership to be notified and vote at a regular meeting.
3.5.5 No person shall communicate with the media, general public, or public officials on behalf of the organization who has not been authorized to do so by a majority of the Board. Therefore, the Board shall appoint two or more official spokespersons.
3.5.6 Board members shall attend at least 75% of all membership and board meetings.
4.1 Membership Meetings.
4.1.1 Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held monthly unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors. The location will be in Boulder County at a place and time determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings may be called by any two of the Directors. Any member may ask that an item be added to the agenda or make a motion that an item be put to a vote. If there is insufficient time at a meeting for all the new business to be transacted then it will be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting.
4.1.2 Notice of Meetings. Members shall be notified of all regular or special meetings at least seven (7) days before the date of the meeting. Notification includes notification by mail, telephone, facsimile machine or e-mail. The notice of any meeting shall include the agenda and any matters to be voted on. Members may vote by absentee ballot.
4.1.3 Quorum for Meetings. A quorum shall consist of at least six physically present voting members of the organization.
4.2 Board Meetings. The Board shall hold regular monthly meetings unless determined otherwise by the Board. Additional meetings may be held, as scheduled by request of any two Directors. Such meetings may be held "in person", or by mail, or by telephone conference call, or by e-mail. A majority of the total number of Directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
5.1 These Bylaws may be amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the separate majority votes of the membership and the Board of Directors.
Voted on and accepted 2 May 2004.
Amended and accepted 23 March 2008.
5.2 Amendment 1:
It is the principle of the Boulder Atheists, Inc. to prohibit racial, gender, religious, or sexual preference discrimination in any form in its dealings with members or nonmembers.
5.3 Amendment 2:
Should the Boulder Atheists, Inc. be dissolved, any assets of the organization will be used only to further the educational aims of the organization as listed in Article 1, paragraph 1.3 purpose of these bylaws.
5.4 Amendment 3:
Compensation and financial arrangements: All board members serve as volunteers and no compensation is provided. Any financial transaction over $250 shall be approved by the board in writing. The voting members of the board will be composed of individuals who do not have a conflict of interest concerning the transaction.
Amendments 1, 2, and 3 voted on and accepted 6/22/08.