Organized 1926 | Incorporated 1946
FIRST DRAFT – April 25, 1997
SECOND DRAFT – September 8 1997
ADOPTED – October 14, 1997
AMENDED – October 10, 2017
PREAMBLE
This constitution and By-Laws under it shall conform to the constitution and By-Laws of the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, Inc.
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization is the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, Inc.
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE
Section 1
The Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, Inc. (hereinafter called The Chamber) is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial, recreational, moral, and civic interests of the Moriches area. To promote integrity and good faith; just and equitable principles in businesses; uniformity in commercial usages; to acquire, preserve, and distribute appropriate statistics and information of value; and to have a part in representing this area in the consideration and decision of community, educational, town, county, state, and national issues.
Section 2
The Chamber shall be non-partisan and non-sectarian and shall take no part in, nor lend, its influence or facilities, either directly or indirectly, to the nomination, election, or appointment of any candidate for office in town, county, state, or nation. Nor shall any meetings of a political nature, whatsoever, be held within the premises occupied by or under the control of The Chamber
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
Any person, partnership, association, or corporation in business, or an individual residing in the community, and of good standing in the community interested and willing to assist in the promotion of the object of The Chamber shall be eligible for membership
Section 2
Application for membership shall be made to the Secretary of The Chamber on the approved form. The signed application shall be regarded as a representation of the applicant’s interest in, and agreement with, the objectives of The Chamber, and of the applicant’s promise to adhere to the By-Laws, rules, and regulations of The Chamber. The application shall be accompanied by advance payment of dues for the first year. A copy of the current By-Laws shall be given to a prospective member.
Section 3
There shall be three (3) classifications of membership;
- Professional and Business
- Resident
- Honorary – Shall be conferred only upon those individuals whom the Directors consider to have rendered conspicuous service to the community. Honorary members shall have no voting privileges, cannot hold any elected office, nor shall they be required to pay dues. The holding of any such Honorary Membership shall not preclude any member from also holding a Regular Membership and enjoying all the privileges and responsibilities of that membership.
Section 4
- A Professional of Business Membership shall be entitled to one vote.
- A Resident Membership may include both marital parties and entitle both to only one vote, and all privileges of The Chamber without payment of additional dues or fees.
Section 5
Any member may vote by proxy providing the proxy in writing be delivered to the Recording Secretary for filing prior to the vote. Delivery of the proxy may be accomplished by mailing or otherwise. The proxy must designate the individuals who may vote and the specific issue(s) upon which the individual is to vote.
An officer or a member of the Board of Directors may not vote by proxy at a Board of Directors meeting
Section 5(A)
Absentee ballots for election of officers or members of the Board of Directors are not permitted.
Section 6
Any member may be expelled by a ¾ vote of the Directors for any act, which, in the opinion of those Directors, is detrimental to the interest of The Chamber. In expulsion cases (except for non-payment of dues), written charges shall be presented to the Directors who, if they desire to act on the case, shall send a copy thereof to the member. In such cases, the President shall appoint three (3) members to investigate the chargers and report to the Directors. The member may appeal the decision of the Directors to the membership at the next regular business meeting of the Chamber. The membership may, by majority vote of members present at said meeting, override the Board of Directors. If no appeal is filed by the next regular business meeting, the decision of the Directors is then considered final. The procedure at both a hearing and an appeal shall be determined by the Directors, but the member shall be entitled to counsel (at their expense) if they desire. Should the Directors (or The Chamber, after an appeal) vote to expel a member, any prepaid dues shall be forfeited.