I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be The Women’s Club of Rice University, formerly known as Faculty Women’s Club of Rice University.

II. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Club is to promote friendship among women of Rice University and to welcome newcomers.

III. MEMBERSHIP

III. MEMBERSHIP: Membership shall include women in the following categories: faculty and professional staff; part-time faculty and staff; retired faculty and staff; post-doctoral fellows and research associates; wives and widows of the above categories; alumnae or wives of alumni, female family members of the prior categories whose membership application has been approved by the governing Board. Also eligible are women trustees or wives of trustees of the university, and visiting faculty or spouses of visiting faculty.

IV. CONTROL
The Club shall be governed by a governing Board, elected annually at the business meeting held at the end of the academic year. This Board shall consist of a President and five other members elected by the Club and the immediate past president, ex-officio. The President shall have been an active member of the Club for at least one year. The Board shall appoint the Secretary and Treasurer from its own membership. This Board shall serve one year. A vacancy on the Board shall be filled by a candidate nominated by the Board with the approval of the Club membership.
This Board shall transact all business of the Club and shall plan and carry out the programs for the year. It shall invite and welcome eligible members.

The President shall: preside over meetings, have signature authority for the Club, represent the membership to outside organizations, appoint special committees as needed, and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

The Secretary shall: maintain meeting minutes and distribute them to the membership for approval, handle correspondence, and shall preside over meetings in the absence of the President.

The Treasurer shall: supervise all financial transactions undertaken under the auspices of the Club, present and distribute a financial report at general meetings, maintain a list of paid members, have signature authority on Club bank accounts, keep financial records, and shall preside over meetings in the absence of the President and Secretary.

V. ACTIVITIES
One general meeting may be held each month of the academic year and may be of whatever nature the Board decides. Groups for special activities may be organized according to the wishes of the members.
There shall be at least two regular business meetings, one at the beginning and one at the end of the academic year, and other business meetings scheduled as needed. Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Board. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum.

VI. DUES
The annual dues shall be set by the Board with approval of the member¬ship. Any increase shall not exceed 50 per cent of the dues for the prior year.
The Board is responsible for procedures related to dues and shall send at the beginning of the academic year a written dues notice to those eligible for membership. Membership in the special activity groups shall be restricted to those who have paid their dues.
The First Lady or any female President of Rice University shall be considered an Honorary Member, and shall not be required to pay dues to the Club in order to maintain membership.

VII. MEMORIALS
According to the custom of the Club, memorial contributions shall be made from the Club’s treasury on behalf of the membership in the case of death of a member of the Club or a member of her immediate family. The contribution in an agreed upon amount shall be transferred to the Undergraduate Assistance Grant fund which shall be re-designated as the Undergraduate Assistance Memorial Fund.

VIII. ELECTIONS
Elections shall be held at the regular business meeting at the end of the academic year. During the March meeting the President shall name a chair for the Nominating Committee and shall ask for volunteers from the membership to serve on the Nominating Committee to prepare a slate for election. Nominations for the Board slate may be made to the Nominating Committee by the membership, Board, or President. Election shall be by a majority of those present if a quorum has been established.

IX. EQUIPMENT
All serving equipment now owned, and any later acquired by the Club, shall be used only in Cohen House, except at a meeting of the Club at another location.

X. COMMUNICATIONS
Written communications as mentioned in these bylaws may be printed and mailed or sent via digital communications or a combination of both.

XI. SPECIAL PROJECTS
In the event that the Club establishes a special project, then any donations contributed to the special project shall be designated as a separate line item or account and shall not revert back to the general Club accounts without approval by a majority at a general meeting with a quorum present.

XII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
In the absence of provisions to the contrary, Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall prevail.

XIII. AMENDMENT
This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any business meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the paid members present, if there is a quorum. Amendments shall be proposed from the floor or in writing at least one month before being voted upon, and the membership shall be notified of the same in writing at least two weeks before the meeting at which the vote is to be taken.

History of Document

Prior Version: April 17, 1985
Reworked Approved: April 13, 2011
Amendment to Dues: April 2014
Amendment to Name: April 13, 2016
Amendment to Membership: October 10, 2018