BY-LAWS
OF
COUNTRY SQUIRES
July 13, 2023
PREAMBLE
This club was founded in May 1960 by Dr. Eugene M. Austin and James E. Shepard, 2nd under the Name “Senior Citizens of New London, NH.” It was subsequently renamed the “Country Squires of New London” or “Country Squires” for short.
The club is a social luncheon group whose purpose is to promote fellowship among men of the greater New London area. Initially restricted to retires or semi-retired men living in the greater New London area, the club been opened to a wider group of men. Country Squires does not sponsor any political or social cause, however worthy.
ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
Applicants for membership must be men who are age 50 or older.
Section 2:
The process for joining the Country Squires is as follows:
- Attend a luncheon meeting as the guest of a current member and sponsor, who will introduce the applicant.
- Complete the Squires application form, signed by one sponsor who is a member in good standing, and submit it to the Membership Committee.
- Attend a subsequent meeting, where the applicant will pay for his meal and be voted for admission.
- Submit a fee in the amount of the current annual membership dues to the Treasurer.
Section 3:
The annual membership dues shall be established periodically by a vote of the majority of the members present at a regular meeting.
- The annual dues cover the fiscal year period from June 1 to May 31, and must be paid by the September meeting of each fiscal year.
- Applicants accepted for membership in April or May will, upon payment of dues, be credited with full payment for the next fiscal year.
- For members whose dues are not paid by the end of December, the Treasurer shall initiate communications to collect the dues or determine their continuing interest in remaining with the Country Squires.
Section 4:
Membership will be terminated for those members who indicate a change in their status (e.g. relocation, ill health), desire to leave the Squires, or stop paying annual dues and responding to communications.
Section 5:
If a former member wishes to be reinstated, he must come to a meeting and go through an election by members present at that meeting.
Section 6:
Cancellation of a reservation must be made by 2 pm on the Friday before the luncheon. A member who reserves a place, does not attend, and fails to provide a timely cancellation notice is liable for the luncheon cost unless there was an emergency or medical reason for not appearing.
Section 7:
The attendance of any one person as a guest is limited to two appearances a calendar year at luncheon meetings, not including any special meeting at which wives / partners are invited.
Section 8:
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these By-Laws, no person shall be denied membership, nor shall the coporation, its members, the members of its executive committee, or its officers, in any way discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion or sexual orientation.
ARTICLE II: OFFICERS
Section 1:
The officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer or two Co-Treasurers, a Web Master, each of whom shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the Annual Meeting (see Article III).
Section 2:
If the office of the President becomes vacant during the period of his term, it shall be filled by the Vice President. Any other vacancy which occurs during the same period shall be filled by appointment by the President.
Section 3:
The officers shall be elected to serve for a term of one fiscal year or until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.
Section 4:
The officers shall perform the usual duties of their respective offices.
Section 5:
The President may appoint such additional officers as are necessary to perform the functions of the organization. Such officers will serve during the term of the appointing President.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS
Section 1:
Regular meetings of the membership normally will be held on the second Thursday of each month throughout the year.
Section 2:
The Annual Meeting shall be held during the regular meeting in May of each year.
Section 3:
Twenty-five (25) members shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
An Executive Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Country Squires between meetings, and shall consist of the following members:
- President (who will chair the Executive Committee)
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer or Co-Treasurers
- Program Chair of Co-Chairs
- Membership Chair or Co-Chairs
- Web Master
- Immediate past President
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
Section l: Standing Committees
(A) Nominating Committee
At the regular meeting in February, a Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President. They shall nominate candidates for the offices specified in Section 1 of Article II and report at the Annual Meeting in May, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor.
(B) Program Committee
A Program Committee of no less than two and no more than five members shall be appointed by the President and will be responsible for planning the monthly meeting programs.
(C) Membership Committee
A Membership Committee consisting of two members shall be appointed by the President and will be responsible for: providing information about the Country Squires to prospective members; reviewing and accepting new member applications; managing name badges, greeting new members at each meeting; and identifying ways to promote membership in the Country Squires.
(D) Council of Past Presidents
A Council of Past Presidents, with the current President serving as Chairman, shall act in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee. It shall meet with the Executive Committee at such times as the Chairman deems necessary.
Section 2:
Special Committees shall be appointed by the President as needed.
Section 3:
Vacancies in Committees other than the Council of Past Presidents shall be filled by appointment by the President.
ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
These By-Laws were originally adopted in April 1985 and amended in May 1989, April 1990, May 1995, January 2020, November 2022 and most recently – July 2023.
The By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that the proposed changes are submitted to the members for review at least two weeks before a vote is taken.