Article I - Name and Purpose

Section 1.01. Name. The name of this organization shall be Band of Gold Boosters.

Section 1.02. Purpose. The organization is organized and operated for the charitable and educational purposes of the Band of Gold.

Article II - Membership

Section 2.01. Qualification. All parents, guardians, or other persons with a child enrolled and attending Port St. Joe High School and participating in the Port St. Joe Band of Gold shall be considered qualified for membership in the Port St. Joe Band of Gold Booster Club.

Section 2.02. Voting Member. All qualified individuals completing an annual membership form shall be considered voting members. The principal and members of the licensed teaching staff of Port St Joe High School shall be non-voting, advisory members of the organization. Although not required to be a voting member, a contribution to the organization in any amount not to exceed $40 is requested.

Section 2.03. Rights and Responsibilities. The members shall have the right and responsibility to attend meetings and events sponsored by the organization, serve on the committees, and be nominated and elected to office. Voting members shall have the right to vote for the officers, review and approve the annual budget, and approve amendments to these bylaws.

Section 2.04. Quorum. The members present at any membership meeting of the organization, provided three (3) or more non-executive board members are present, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum the membership may not take action. In that event, any matter brought before the membership at a meeting at which quorum is not present shall be discussed and decided by the Executive Board.

Section 2.05. Meetings. There shall be at least one general annual meeting of the membership in February at which the officers are elected. Such additional business or special meetings may be held alone or in conjunction with an event sponsored by the organization as is determined by the Executive Board or at the request of three (3) or more members in writing to the Executive Board.

Article III Executive Board

Section 3.01. Membership. The Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers of the organization.

Section 3.02. Qualification. All parents, guardians, or other persons with a child whom is actively participating in the Port St. Joe Band of Gold and has done so for a minimum of one (1) school year, at the time of taking office, shall be considered qualified to participate as a member of the executive board.

Section 3.03. Authority. The affairs, activities and operation of the organization shall be managed by the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall transact necessary business during the intervals between the meetings of the membership and such other business as may be referred to it by the membership or these bylaws. It may create Standing and Special Committees, approve the plans and work of standing and special committees, prepare and submit a budget to the membership for approval, and, in general, conduct the business and activities of the organization.

Section 3.04. Meetings. The Executive Board shall meet monthly to prepare for general membership meetings and to conduct the affairs of the organization.

Section 3.05. Quorum. A quorum of the Executive Board for the conduct of business shall consist of at least three (3) officers in attendance.

Section 3.06. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Executive Board (including amendment of these bylaws) or of any committee may be taken without a meeting if all the members of the Board or committee consent in writing to taking the action without a meeting and to approving the specific action. Such consents shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board or of the committee as the case may be.

Section 3.07. Participation in Meeting by Video or Audio Conference Call. Members of the Executive Board may participate in a meeting through use of video or audio software/applications or similar communications equipment, so long as members participating in such meeting can hear one another.

Section 3.08. Reimbursement. Executive Board members shall serve without compensation with the exception that expenses incurred in the furtherance of the organization’s business are allowed to be reimbursed with documentation in accordance with the organization’s financial policies, and prior approval.

Article IV Officers and Their Elections

Section 4.01. Officers. The officers of this organization shall include one President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such additional officer(s) as may be elected or appointed by the Executive Board from time to time.

Section 4.02. Election. A nominating committee composed of the current President and at least one additional officer shall begin seeking nominees in January of the year in which the candidates will be elected and develop a slate of candidates. The candidates shall be announced to the membership as soon as possible. Additional nominees may be solicited from the floor on the day of the election. Only those who have consented to serve shall be eligible for nomination, either by the committee or from the floor. Officers shall be elected at the February meeting of the organization by the members present. Officers shall assume their official duties on the last day of the current school year following their election or, in the case of a newly created position, directly after being voted into office.

Section 4.03. Term. Officers shall serve a one-year term. Officers may be elected for up to two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 4.04. Vacancies. A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Board.

Article V Duties of Officers

Section 5.01. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Executive Board shall in general supervise and control all of the activities of the organization. The President shall be a member of the Executive Board and, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Board and all meetings of the membership. The President shall vote only in the case of a tie in a vote of the Executive Board or the membership. The President shall select and appoint the chairpersons of all Standing and Special Committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of the organization.

Section 5.02. Vice-President(s). The Vice-President(s) shall be a member of the Executive Board and, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Section 5.03. Secretary. The Secretary shall be a member of the Executive Board. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of the membership and the Executive Board, shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with these Bylaws, shall be responsible for the publishing of meeting minutes, shall manage and keep an accurate tally of the volunteer records and, in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Executive Board.

Section 5.04. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Board. The Treasurer is the authorized custodian to have oversight of all funds of the organization in accordance with the organization’s financial policies. The Treasurer will organize, document, and record all financial activities. The Treasurer will be diligent and conscientious in ensuring all funds are received and spent in accordance with the organization’s tax-exempt purpose, bylaws and budget. The financial records belong to the organization and must be available to the other officers and members upon request.

The Treasurer shall:

• Prepare an annual budget for review and approval by the members.
• Ensure that numbered receipts are provided for cash received by the organization.
• Ensure that all funds are timely deposited in the organization’s authorized bank account(s).
• Ensure that payments and disbursements are authorized by approved budget, or an amendment to the budget.
• Present a written financial report (including income and expenditures and comparing budgeted amounts to actual year-to-date amounts), at each General Membership Meeting of the membership and at other times as requested by the Executive Board.
• See that an annual financial review or audit, as appropriate based on budget size, is conducted and presented to the Executive Board, General Membership, and other stakeholders.

Article VI Finances

Section 6.01. Budget. The Executive Board shall present to the membership at the first regular meeting of the membership after the officers have been elected, or as soon thereafter as practicable, a budget of anticipated revenue and expenses for the year. This budget shall be used to guide the activities of the organization during the year, including serving as approval for anticipated expenditures. Any substantial deviation from the budget must be approved in advance by the membership.

Section 6.02. Obligations. The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers to enter into contracts or agreements for the purchase of materials or services on behalf of the organization.

Section 6.03. Loans. No loans shall be made by the organization to its officers or members.

Section 6.04. Checks. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money on behalf of the organization shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other member of the Executive Board. Checks shall bear notice of this requirement above the signature line as follows, "Two signatures required."

Section 6.05. Banking. The Treasurer shall ensure that all funds of the organization are timely deposited to the credit of the organization in such banks or other depositories as determined by the Executive Board. All deposits and disbursements shall be documented by a receipt, an invoice, or other written documentation. Sequentially numbered receipts shall be provided, with a copy kept, whenever cash is turned over or collected. All deposits and/or disbursements shall be made as soon as practicable upon receipt of the funds, normally daily, immediately after received and counted. If debit or credit cards are established in the name of the organization, a policy approved by the Executive Board shall be developed and used that includes a list of the authorized users, daily/monthly/annual spending limits, and review and oversight provisions. No personal charging on the card by the authorized users shall be allowed.

Section 6.06. Financial Controls. The organization shall adopt appropriate financial controls to ensure the integrity of its funds. Specifically, without limitation, the organization shall maintain separation of financial controls so that, minimally:

• All expenses must be approved by the membership by way of approval of an annual budget, or amendments thereto, or be approved by separate resolution of the Executive Board;
• All checks must be endorsed by the Treasurer and one (1) other member of the Executive Board, and checks of the Organization shall include above the signature line a notice to this requirement;
• An officer or other person without check signing authority designated by the Executive Board shall review and reconcile all bank statements on a monthly basis; and,
• At least annually the Organization shall hire and supervise an outside accountant or auditing firm to conduct a review of corporate financial records.

Section 6.07. Financial Report. The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each membership meeting of the organization and prepare a final report at the close of the year in accordance with the organization’s financial policies. The Executive Board shall have the report and the accounts examined annually by a certified public accountant (CPA) who shall be hired by the Executive Board to perform a financial review or compilation.

Section 6.08. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the organization shall be from January 1 to December 31 but may be changed by resolution of the Executive Board.

Section 6.09. Financial Record Retention. All records of the organization shall be maintained and destroyed in accordance with law, and standard record retention guidelines. Financial records shall be maintained as follows:

Article VII Committees

Section 7.01 Committee Purpose. A committee will perform committee specific tasks on behalf of the club and will take on duties as necessary ensuring those tasks are completed. The committee’s purpose is serving the club members and those individuals the club represents.

Section 7.02 Committee Expenses. Committee expenses shall be in accordance with the approved budget. It is the responsibility for the committee chair to verify funds available before obligating or spending personal funds. If a committee incurs expenses beyond the available budget, the club member is not guaranteed reimbursement for the amount beyond what is available in the budget. The budget will require a member vote for amendment.

Section 7.03 Standing Committees. Standing committees are those which exists on a permanent basis and may include but are not limited to:

• Marching Uniform Committee
• Fundraising Committee
• Snack Committee
• Banquet Committee
• Trip Committee 

Section 7.04 Special Committees. Special committees may be appointed by the president from time to time for accomplishing specialized tasks. These committees will be stood up when needed and be dissolved once the specialized tasks are completed.

Section 7.05 Committee Reports. Committee chairs shall deliver reports at each general meeting providing information on completed and ongoing tasks. If the committee chair is unable to attend a written report shall be delivered to the club secretary for presentation at the meeting and entering into the official minutes.

Article VIII Discipline

Section 8.01 Conduct Unbecoming. Conduct unbecoming a member of the Band of Gold Boosters is defined as any conduct that:

• is incompatible with the best interests of the public or of members of the Band of Gold Boosters;
• or tends to harm the standing of Band of Gold Boosters in the local or global community. 

Section 8.02 Written Allegation. If a written allegation of conduct unbecoming a member of the Band of Gold Boosters is made, the club president shall immediately appoint a special investigator to investigate the matter (or, if the club president is accused, the immediate past president shall act). The special investigator shall provide a report of investigation to the executive board.

Section 8.03 Consideration of the Report. The executive board shall consider the report of investigation and determine whether to hold a hearing on the matter. The President shall notify the accused member of the investigation results and whether the Board intends to pursue the allegation(s). If a hearing is held, the board shall then meet and report its decision, whether the member did or did not engage in conduct unbecoming and, based on that decision, the appropriate disciplinary action, if any, as follows:

• verbal reprimand;
• written reprimand;
• suspension from office or club membership;
• removal from office or club membership.

The determination of the discipline should be based on the seriousness of the unbecoming conduct and be determined by a three (3) person panel composed of one executive board member and two (2) general members. All disciplinary actions shall be documented in club records. 

Section 8.04 Right to Appeal. If either the accused member or the investigator believes that some part of the investigation or determination process was faulty, either party has the right to appeal the board’s decision(s) to the club membership. The appeal shall be heard at a special meeting of the club members in good standing. The decision of the club membership to uphold, reverse, or change the board’s decisions(s) shall be final.

Section 8.05 Obligation to Report Criminal Wrongdoing. If, at any point during the conduct unbecoming process, possible criminal wrongdoing is discovered, the matter shall be reported to the proper authorities.

Section 8.06 Confidentiality of the Investigation. All materials, facts, and information related to the investigation, determination, and appeal (if any) shall be kept confidential at all times by any parties or persons involved in any part of the process.

Section 8.07 Retention of Records. The club shall retain all official records on the matter (allegation report, investigation report, hearing record, board report, and appeal record if any) in a confidential file.

Article IX Conflicts of Interest

Section 9.01. Existence of Conflict, Disclosure. Directors, officers, employees and contractors of Organization should refrain from any actions or activities that impair, or appear to impair, their objectivity in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Organization. A conflict of interest may exist when the direct, personal, financial or other interest(s) of any director, officer, staff member or contractor competes or appears to compete with the interests of the Organization. If any such conflict of interest arises the interested person shall call it to the attention of the Board of Directors for resolution. If the conflict relates to a matter requiring board action, such person shall not vote on the matter. When there is a doubt as to whether any conflict of interest exists, the matter shall be resolved by a vote of the Board of Directors, excluding the person who is the subject of the possible conflict.

Section 9.02. Nonparticipation in Vote. The person having a conflict shall not participate in the final deliberation or decision regarding the matter under consideration and shall retire from the room in which the Board is meeting. However, the person may be permitted to provide the Board with any and all relevant information.

Section 9.03. Minutes of Meeting. The minutes of the meeting of the Board shall reflect that the conflict was disclosed and the interested person was not present during the final discussion or vote and did not vote on the matter.

Section 9.04. Annual Review. A copy of this conflict of interest statement shall be furnished to each director or officer, employee and/or contractor who is presently serving the Organization, or who hereafter becomes associated with the Organization. This policy shall be reviewed annually for information and guidance of directors and officers, staff members and contractors, and new officers and directors, staff members and contractors shall be advised of the policy upon undertaking the duties of their offices.

Article X Indemnification

Every member of the Executive Board, officer or employee of the Organization may be indemnified by the Organization against all expenses and liabilities, including counsel fees, reasonably incurred or imposed upon such members of the Board, officer or employee in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding to which she/he may become involved by reason of her/his being or having been a member of the Board, officer, or employee of the Organization, or any settlement thereof, unless adjudged therein to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of her/his duties. Provided, however, that in the event of a settlement the indemnification herein shall apply only when the Board approves such settlement and reimbursement as being in the best interest of the Organization. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition and not exclusive of all other rights which such member of the Board, officer or employee is entitled.

Article XI Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the membership by a majority vote of the members present, provided that at least thirty (30) days' notice of the proposed amendments has been made to the membership, or alternatively the membership waives the required notice.