The name of the organization is The Detroit Press Club, hereafter referred to as the “Club” or the “DPC”, a non-profit association incorporated under the Laws of the State of Michigan.
The objectives of the Club shall be to support, promote and recognize excellence in journalism in the Michigan region and to bring together people whose business or academic activities are related to the field of journalism; to provide a forum for newsworthy people; to disseminate information relating to professional journalism; and to execute awards programs in support of our mission.
Membership is open to individuals who are active in any field of journalism. This may include writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, reporters, producers or others with journalistic jobs along with those who support the mission of the organization. Upon request of the club, proof of activity within the last 12 months may be required. The Membership Committee in consultation with the Board of Directors shall be determined suitable proof.
Upon recommendation of any three members and with the approval of the Membership Committee, the Board of Directors of the Club may name honorary, non-voting members. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues.
A member who does not pay dues within a reasonable time after receipt of his or her membership renewal notice will automatically be stricken from the rolls of the Club. The Board of Directors the cut-off date. In order to rejoin the Club, a terminated member is required to reapply as a new member and is subject to the same criteria for membership as any new member.
Other than honorary members as noted above, each member must pay dues and renew membership on an annual basis upon receipt of the annual renewal notice. Continued eligibility for membership shall be determined by the Membership Committee at membership renewal time. Upon request of the Club, proof of activity within the past 12 months may be required. The Membership Committee will determine suitable proof in consultation with the Board of Directors.
Upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors, any individual’s membership may be terminated by action of the Board of Directors at any time if the member’s actions are determined to be not in the best interests of the Club.
The governance and management of the Club shall be the responsibility of the duly elected Officers and Directors.
The officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Club’s President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate past President and seven (7) Directors; all elected by the general membership in accordance with the Bylaws of the Club.
All Officers and Directors shall be elected for two (2) year terms. Terms of office begin January 1.
The elections shall be so scheduled that the President, the Treasurer and three (3) Directors be elected at the end of an even-numbered year. On the following odd-numbered year, the sitting Vice President assumes the title of President and an election is held for a new Vice President, Secretary and four (4) directors. Upon retirement, the President shall immediately assume the title of immediate Past President, become a voting member of the Board of Directors and hold that title for two (2) years.
All Officers and Directors must be members in good standing of the Club. The President, Vice President and at least three (3) Directors must be journalists unless the Board of Directors makes a specific exception to this rule. A journalist is defined as a member who earns at least 50 percent of his/her professional activities involved journalistic activity. The Board of Directors shall direct and supervise the policies of the Club and shall perform such other duties as specified in the Bylaws and by the President.
The Board of Directors shall direct and supervise the policies of the Club and shall perform such other duties as imposed upon it by the Bylaws. Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. By a majority vote, the Board of Directors may remove any Officer or Director whose actions are judged to be detrimental to the Club or to the running of orderly Board meetings. The member subject to removal shall not vote in an election of the Board related to that Board member’s removal.
Officers and Directors shall be elected by mail ballot or e-mail vote in November or December each year.
Members may not be nominated for more than one office, nor shall any member be simultaneously nominated as an Officer and as a Director.
Ballots shall be mailed to all members in good standing no later than December 1 or e-mailed by December 15th. The deadline for the return of the ballot shall be clearly marked on the ballot or specified in the e-mail. The place of return shall be clearly marked on the ballot. The ballots shall remain sealed until the President directs the Secretary or Treasurer and other members he appoints to open and count the ballots. E-mail votes will be directed to a Board Member designated as responsible for securing them. The numerical vote shall remain secret but the Secretary or Treasurer shall announce the results of the election to the President. The President shall then make the results known to the Board of Directors, the newly elected Officers and Directors and to the general membership. The announcement may be made by telephone, e-mail, at the next monthly meeting and/or on the Club’s Web site.
An Activities Committee shall be appointed by the President and shall have broad powers to advance the Club’s interests. The Activities Committee shall consist of members in good standing, the number to be determined by the President. Committee members shall be appointed for no specific terms and shall serve at the direction of the President.
The President may appoint such other committees as he or she and/or the Board of Directors shall deem necessary.
Meetings of the Club may be called by the President, or by a quorum of the Board of Directors, provided all members of the Club are sent notice at least seven (7) days in advance. All meetings shall be conducted under Robert’s Rules of Order, unless the President waives such rules.
The President may declare an annual general meeting at his discretion. All members in good standing shall be notified as to the date, time and place of such a meeting. At the annual general meeting, the President shall conduct appropriate business affairs of the Club.
Business affairs of the Club may be conducted at any regularly called meeting, providing the notice to members includes notification of the nature of the business to be acted upon at such meeting.
Any changes to these By-Laws must be approved by a majority of the full membership by mail ballot or by e-mail. Proposed changes must be published on the Club’s Web site or distributed directly to all members by mail or e-mail prior to any vote to change the By-Laws.
Approved by the membership: Date: _______________________________