IWCB By-Laws

The name of the organization shall be "The International Women's Club of Boston" (IWCB).

The International Women's Club of Boston (IWCB) is a social organization for women in and around Boston. We offer all our members - new and long-term residents, expatriates and Americans a space to meet new people, share experiences and learn about different cultures, lifestyles and traditions.

The IWCB is open to all women residents of the Greater Boston area, either foreign-born or American-born, with an interest in promoting mutual understanding and cultural exchange. Membership shall be limited to sixty at any time. Members are required to attend at least two events in any membership year and are encouraged to contribute ideas and their time towards arranging events. No member shall use the Club for commercial purposes or financial gain.

Annual dues are $20.00. The membership year runs from September to August. Prospective members are eligible for two e-newsletters and two months' access to events before joining.

The Executive Committee of the IWCB shall comprise a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Members of the Board are elected for one-year renewable terms at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The chairs of each committee are also to serve on the Executive Committee.

In the event of a vacancy of an officer on the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee will recruit someone from the active members to fill the position, until the end of the IWCB year, when voting can then take place.

organize Executive Committee meetings once a month and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June;
send a list of topics to be discussed to the Secretary in advance of each Executive Committee meeting and AGM;
be authorized as a signatory for the IWCB bank account; and
handle all financial matters in the absence of the Treasurer.

The First Vice-President or, in her absence, the Second Vice-President shall deputize for the President in her absence.
The First and Second Vice-Presidents shall serve as Co-chairs of the Activities Committee.

collect and hold all monies on behalf of the IWCB and deposit them in the IWCB bank account;
disburse funds as directed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee;
keep a correct account of all money received and paid out by her, and report to the Executive Committee at each meeting;
prepare a written annual financial report for submission at the Annual General Meeting;
send out the by-laws and the Club
directory to new members when they join; and
serve as Chair of the Membership Committee.

keep the minutes at Executive Committee meetings and maintain a record book for them and the by-laws; and
conduct the general correspondence of the Club.

Membership Committee
Activities Committee
e-Newsletter, Web Page and PR Committee
Book Club Committee
Resources Committee
Movie Club Committee
Lunch Bunch Committee
Charity Committee
Cookery Class Committee
Cookery Book Committee

follow up prospective members' enquiries;
compile an annual membership database, recording each member's name, address, home and cell phone numbers, email address, date of birth, nationality, availability and dues paid;
send a copy of the membership database and by-laws to all members once a year; and
report regularly to the Executive Committee on progress of membership.

write and distribute the monthly e-newsletter;
introduce new members via the e-newsletter;
design and maintain a website which will include information about the Club for prospective members, a calendar for the year, and resource material submitted by the Resources Committee;
develop the public image of the Club; and
along with the Membership Committee, seek out and encourage new sources of membership

organize monthly Book Club meetings; and
send out details of books and venues to the Book Club members.

All committee members are expected to attend meetings as scheduled. In the event that they are unable to attend a particular meeting, they should notify the committee chair. As a courtesy they should also notify the committee chair if they plan to be out of town for any period over seven days and make arrangements with another committee member to take over their roles if needed.

Meetings shall be open to the general membership to encourage participation and recruitment for Club activities.

Committee chairs shall arrange to have minutes taken at each meeting and a copy sent to the secretary to share with the Executive Committee. Committee chairs will also keep copies of the minutes to transfer to their successor at the completion of their term. All records remain the property of the IWCB.

There shall be an Annual General Meeting on the first Wednesday of June at 12 noon during which:

there will be a general discussion about the Club and its future directions;
officers will be elected; and
if necessary by-laws will be amended.

Any revisions to the by-laws must appear on the AGM agenda which will be sent out to the membership one week prior to the AGM. Revisions to the by-laws require a two-thirds vote of those members present at the AGM. All other decisions can be presented at the AGM and are passed with a simple majority.