The Northwest Ring of Fire

RING #339 OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MAGICIANS

RING CONSTITUTION

Approved October 10, 2002

ARTICLE I, NAME

Section 1. This organization shall be known as The Northwest Ring of Fire, Ring 339 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Section 2. The Headquarters of this organization shall be Lynnwood, WA.

ARTICLE II, STRUCTURE

Section 1. This organization shall be incorporated under the laws of Washington State, as a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE III, OBJECTIVES

Section 1. To organize, associate, and encourage those interested in the art of magic and its advancement.

Section 2. To foster and advance the magical talents, creativity, and knowledge of the Ring membership.

Section 3. To promote fellowship and social interaction, exchange of ideas and cooperation between those interested in the magical arts.

Section 4. To cultivate and advance the art of magic in the fields of entertainment, education, and other cultural areas. We will be known as a teaching and learning ring.

Section 5. To promote to the magical community an applicable code of ethics as established by the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

ARTICLE IV, MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. There shall be four classes of Ring Membership: Active, Junior, Honorary, and Family.

Section 2. An active member must be at least 18 years of age and shall have been interested in magic for at least two years.

Section 3. A Junior member must be at least 12 years of age and less than 18 years of age and have been interested in magic one year. Upon reaching the age of 18, Junior members immediately become Active members with all privileges.

Section 4. Ring Honorary membership may be awarded to an individual who has significantly advanced the Magical Arts.

Section 5. All Ring members must join the International Brotherhood of Magicians and remain members in good standing.

Section 6. As a conditions of membership all Ring members shall pledge to be bound by the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE V, OFFICERS

Section 1. The affairs of the Ring shall be directed by a Board of Directors comprised of the following elected Officers and Directors: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, and three (3) Directors. Terms of office for officers shall be for one (1) year. The terms for the Directors shall be three (3) years. The President shall not hold office for more than two consecutive terms.

ARTICLE VI, QUORUM

Section 1. At least 6 (six) members of the Board of Directors must be present at any Board meeting to constitute a quorum.

Section 2. At least 25% of the members of the organization must be present at any regular Ring meeting to constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII, AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTITUTION

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be approved at any regular business meeting of this organization by a three fourths vote of the members present, provided that this proposed amendment or amendments have been posted and/or read at the two immediately previous regular Ring meetings, or provided that such proposed amendment or amendments have been distributed to the membership and received three fourths votes of those votes cast by mail ballot.

ARTICLE VIII, GOVERNING BODY AND INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD MAGICIANS

Section 1. Any provisions within the Ring Constitution and By-laws that are in conflict with the Constitution and By-laws of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and/or laws covering the state of Washington will be superceded by the rules and laws issued by the latter governing bodies.

 

RING BY-LAWS

Approved October 10, 2002

ARTICLE I, MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND PRIVILEGES

Section 1. Application for Active membership must be made on an approved membership form and be signed by the applicant. The application must be endorsed by two Active or Honorary members of the Ring stating that the applicant is of good character and worthy of membership. The current membership fees established by the Board of Directors will accompany the application.

Section 2. Junior memberships are secured by the same procedures as is required for Active membership. Junior members shall enjoy the same privileges as Active members except that they shall have no vote in the meetings or hold office; however, they may serve on committees. Upon reaching the age of eighteen years they shall be recognized as Active members.

Section 3. Honorary Membership in Ring 339 may be granted individuals who have attained distinction in the Magical Arts. Recommendations for the Ring Honorary Lifetime Memberships shall be initiated by a unanimous recommendation of the Board of Directors and shall be decided by a three fourths majority vote of the members present at a regular business meeting in which the this item of business is on the published agenda or via a mail ballot. In addition to their distinction, Ring Honorary Lifetime Members shall possess the same privileges as an Active Member, but pay no dues. A one year Honorary Membership can be awarded by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Family Membership constitutes of at least one parent, guardian, or relative sponsor and one (or more children). Family Membership shall be entitled to no more than one vote.

ARTICLE II, MEMBER SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

Section 1. Members my be suspended or expelled from membership or removed from the executive offices of the Ring for any conduct which is not in the best interest of the Ring; violation of the Code of Ethics; and violation of the Ring Constitution and By-laws. The decision to expel, suspend, or remove from office rests on first, a recommendation by the Board of Directors to do so, followed by a three fourths majority vote of the membership at a meeting in which the membership is notified of the issue at least one month prior to the voting. Members coincided for expulsion, suspension, or removal from office will be formally notified and be given due opportunity to meet with the Board and membership prior to any vote on such an action.

ARTICLE III, DUES

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall establish annual dues for all membership classes during the annual budgetary review. Any changes in rate will be published in the Ring newsletter. Dues shall be payable before March 15th (Ides of March) for the following calendar year.

Section 2. Any member who becomes in arrears may be subject to late payment fees, and if for a period of greater than three months shall, subject to decision by the Board of Directors, forfeit their membership and be subject to reinstatement only upon making application as a new member.

ARTICLE IV, DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to: be the Chief Executive Officer of the Ring, guiding it with the due council with the Board of Directors; preside at all meetings of the organization; and serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 2. The President shall, after due council with the Board of Directors, appoint standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out the Ring’s activities and functions. It is mandatory that the President upon assuming office promptly assign the following positions and committees.

  1. An Auditing Committee, which shall audit the books of the treasurer at the end of the fiscal year and provide a written record of their audit to the Ring Board of Directors.
     
  2. A Budget Committee, which shall present a proposed annual budget to the Board of Directors within forty-five days after the start of the fiscal year.
     
  3. A Scribe, who shall submit monthly reports and other articles to The Linking Ring.
     
  4. A Historian, who shall maintain the historical archives and critical permanent records of the Ring.
     
  5. An Editor, who will be responsible for the publication of the Ring newsletter.

Section 3. The Vice Presidents shall assist the President in the duties of that office, and in the absence of the President the 1st Vice President shall serve as the Ring’s presiding officer. The Vice Presidents may serve as an ex officio members of committees in substitution for the President and assume other duties delegated to them. The Vice President will serve on the Budget Committee and jointly with the Secretary maintain the Policy and Program Manual; if one is maintained.

Section 4. The Secretary shall keep a true record of all meetings; files of significant correspondence related to the Ring; execute in a timely manner the Ring correspondence including submission of required reports and requested information to the executive office and officers of the International Brotherhood of Magicians; and perform other duties as delegated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary in conjunction with the Vice President is responsible for updating annually the Ring’s Policy and Program Manual, if one is maintained.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall oversee all deposits and receipts of money of the Ring and shall assure prompt payment of all properly approved Ring obligations. The Treasurer shall maintain accurate accounting records of all receipts and disbursements and report the status of these against the Ring’s budget to the Board of Directors on a schedule specified by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer will also Chair the Budget Committee and review the Ring’s financial accounts and recommend alternative banking facilities and investments.

Section 6. The official business of the Ring shall be administered by the Board of Directors. They shall consider and take action on any proposals submitted to it by members of the Ring. They may act upon such proposals or prepare from them a suitable motion to be presented for consideration at any regular meeting of the Ring.

Section 7. In the case of death, resignation, or inability of any officer to serve, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor. Such successor will serve until the next annual election.

Section 8. The Board of Directors shall investigate all grievances arising from conduct unbecoming a Ring officer or member. They may present proposals to the membership for action to expel, suspend, or remove from office members for such conduct.

ARTICLE V, FINANCIAL, COMMITMENTS, & SECURITY BONDS

Section 1. No officer or other member of the Ring shall make any expenditure or enter into any contract that becomes a financial obligation of the organization, unless the expenditure or contract has been approved by the Board of Directors either as a special commitment or as part of its annual budget. Committee Chairs of major functions, e.g. public shows and banquets, shall submit a budget to the Board for the approval prior to commitment of funds.

Section 2. An emergency fund in an amount agreed upon by the Board shall be established for the President’s use to cover unforeseen expenses. Payments made from this fund must be reported to the Board of Directors who may sustain it at the authorized level. Approval for payment of an extraordinary expense beyond the limit of the fund shall be authorized only upon the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 3 Fiduciary Bonding. Board of Directors may, at their discretion, waive the requirement for a Fiduciary Bond for the Treasurer. If a Fiduciary Bond is required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall be personally responsible for the premium for this bond, unless the Board of Directors decides to subsidize its cost.

ARTICLE VI, METHOD OF ELECTION

Section 1. The Board of Directors will annually recommend candidates for nomination for the elected offices of the Ring. This shall be completed by 60 days prior to the date of the annual election, the first regular meeting in September. Such recommendations shall not exceed two candidates for each office and shall be published in the Ring newsletter at least sixty days prior to the election. In addition any qualified member may be nominated for offices of the Ring by petition, provided said petition is submitted to the Ring Secretary before September 1 and is signed by two Active or Honorary members. Elections will be accomplished by mail.

Section 2. Thirty days prior to the annual election an official ballot containing the names of all qualified nominees shall be distributed to each Active and Honorary member. Ballots shall be marked and returned no later than the date designated on the ballot and the address shown. The ballots shall be sent to in an envelope marked "Election Ballot" and delivered to a Ballot Committee, consisting of three members appointed by the Board. The Ballot Committee shall secure and count all ballots and report the results to the Board within one week after the election. The decision of the Ballot Committee shall be final in instances involving the validity or questionable marking of a ballot. Election to all offices shall be by a simple majority of the ballots cast. Nominees named for elective offices, which are uncontested, shall be elected with out balloting.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall in establishing the rules and timetables for the conduct of the election be guided by the principle that all qualified members should have the privilege of voting.

Section 4. Elected officers assume their responsibilities after the first regular meeting in December.

ARTICLE VII, MEETINGS

Section 1. The Ring shall hold its regular meetings on the second Thursday of the month. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, meeting dates that conflict with holidays or other events may be canceled or moved to a different date. The Board of Directors may shift the meeting night to accommodate special events and it may add additional meetings for lectures and other magic or social activities.

ARTICLE VIII, AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 1. Amendments to the By-laws may be approved at any regular business meeting of this organization by a two thirds vote of the members present, provided that the membership has been notified of the proposed changes at least two months prior to meeting and the proposed amendments have been posted in the two business meetings immediately prior to that in which when the vote is taken.

ARTICLE IX, GENERAL

Section 1. The Board of Directors will maintain a Policy and Program Manual as needed to provide working guidelines for the ring officers and membership. The Policy and Program Manual will be updated annually and will be based on Board decisions that delegate responsibilities and create actions that maintain direction and focus to Ring activities and policies.

Section 2. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Ring business meetings when not in conflict with the Ring’s Constitution and By-laws or Washington State laws covering this organization.