Constitution

The following free translation of the Constitution of “The American Women’s Club of Curaçao”, established in Curaçao, was accepted by the Club members at a meeting held on (date, if accepted).

ARTICLE I – NAME AND LOCATION

The name of this organization shall be the American Women’s Club of Curaçao, also known, as AWC; hereinafter referred to as “Club”. Its seat shall be Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the Club are to promote philanthropic and social activities, as well as to promote friendship among the American women residing in Curaçao.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

1. Those women living in Curaçao, who possess the nationality of the United States of America, or those women whose husband and/or children possess the nationality of the United States of America, or those women of Canadian nationality may be admitted as general members.
2. Those men residing in Curaçao who possess the nationality of the United States of America may be admitted to the Club as postal members. In return for payment of dues, postal members receive the Club newsletter, telephone directory all mailings and are invited to all social activities.
3. The Board may grant honorary membership to those members who have the Club for fifteen (15) consecutive years. Honorary membership may also be granted to the wife of the American Consul General or if the American Consul General is a woman, honorary membership will be granted to her personally. Although honorary members are not required to pay annual dues, they retain all other rights, privileges and obligations held by the general membership.
4. All those who meet membership requirements may apply in writing for a general or postal membership with the Secretary. The Board shall verify that all membership requirements are met and shall make a decision within one (1) month after receipt of such request for admission as a general or postal member.

ARTICLE IV – RESIGNATION AND REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP

1. The general or postal membership shall be revoked under the following circumstances:

   a) By resignation in writing to the Membership Committee or to one of the Board members; however dues shall not be refunded as a result of this resignation.

   b) By non-payment of dues for six month after due date.

   c) By death of the member.

   d) By subsequent loss of the necessary requisites for membership.

   e) By leaving Curaçao.

   f) By written notification from the Club’s Board of Officers to a member who the Board feels is not keeping the interests of the Club in mind; does not fulfill the necessary obligations to the Club or if the continuation of the membership in question is not, within reason desirable.

2. Honorary membership shall be terminated according to the provision of Article IV, #1, a, c, d, e, and f.

ARTICLE V – DUES

General and postal members’ dues are fixed by the meeting of the members. These dues are payable in full in September of each year and must be paid by the November meeting of the Club. Dues, once paid, are non-refundable.

ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS

1. The Club’s Board of Officers is comprised of five (5) adult members, who with the exception of the Liaison Officer, are elected by the Club’s membership for a one (1) year term of office.
2. The Officers of the Board are:

   a) President:

1. Presides at all meetings of the Board
2. Prepares and presents the agenda for all general meetings
3. Has a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure
4. Has a thorough understanding of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club
5. Oversees all committees
6. Acts as the Club’s official representative

b) Vice President:

1. Takes over the President’s duties in case of her preclusion or absence
2. Performs such duties as the President and/or Board may designate
3. Works in an advisory capacity to the President

c) Secretary:

1. Keeps the minutes of all Board and membership meetings
2. Handles all Club correspondence, along with the President’s assistance
3. Keeps the Club’s central filing system
4. Shall have club records, at all times, open to the inspection to any Club member
5. Shall be responsible for maintaining supply of Club stationery

d) Treasurer:

1. Collects monies and administers bank accounts in the Club’s name
2. Submits a written financial report at the Club’s meeting every three (3) months, those months being: September, December, March and June. Upon approval of said report, the Treasurer is released of any responsibilities to the Club for those actions mentioned in the aforementioned report.
3. Maintains strict separation of the operating monies and those for charitable endeavors
4. Any monies spent must be accounted for by a receipt
5. A committee shall be appointed by the out-going President to audit the Treasurer’s books before turning them over to the new Board
6. Power of signature with respect to checks shall be held separately by both the Treasurer and the President I. Approval must be obtained by at least (1) other Board member prior to signing checks over Fl. 500.00 II. Any checks written over the amount of Fl. 1,000.00 shall require two (2) signatures

e) Liaison Officer:

1. Ensures adherence to this Constitution in its integrity
2. Acts as a Liaison between the preceding year’s Board and the current year’s Board
3. Is always the preceding year’s President I. If, for any reason, the preceding year’s President is unable to hold this position, the members shall elect an Officer for the preceding year’s Board as Liaison Officer.

3. The Board shall meeting monthly, with minutes taken at these meeting and kept on record.
4. At a meeting of the members, with a two-thirds majority vote, the entire Board or an individual Board member may be dismissed from her duties due to neglect of her office.

   a) The office of a Board member shall expire with the loss of the general membership status

5. In May, the outgoing Board will present to the membership a nominating slate of Officers for the succeeding year’s Board.

   a) Competing candidates may be presented at this time.

6. Elections will be held once a year at the June meeting.

   a) New candidates to the Board are elected by an absolute majority of the votes cast at the meeting of the members.

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEE SETUP

1. The meeting of the members is authorized to make by-laws in order to set up committees who will in turn take charge of special duties within or for the Club.

   a) These committees will be staffed on a voluntary basis

   b) All committees must present a written annual report to the membership and are under an obligation to keep costs at a reasonable level.

ARTICLE VIII – FUNDS OF THE ORGANIZATION

1. The monies of the Club are comprised of:

   a) dues of the general and postal members are fixed annually at the meeting of the members

   b) accrued interests, gifts and casual profits

2. Expenses, if any, are to be fixed at the meeting of the members.

ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS AND VOTING OF MEMBERSHIP

1. Meetings of the Club’s members shall be held on the first (1st) Thursday of each month. If the first (1st) Thursday of the month is also the first (1st) day of the month, the meeting may be moved to the second (2nd) Thursday of that month.
2. Meetings are held in the homes of the general or honorary members on a voluntary basis. Members hosting a meeting should select a co-hostess. Members, who are unable to host a meeting in their homes, are encouraged to volunteer to be a co-hostess.
3. Decisions taken at a meeting of the members are adopted by absolute majority of the votes cast. Each general member may cast one (1) vote.

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION AND DISSOLUTION

1. Resolutions to amend the Constitution or to dissolve the Club may only be adopted by a majority of two-thirds (2/3’s) of the total general membership.
2. The resolution to dissolve the Club shall include a provision stating that the assets and liabilities of the Club shall be liquidated according to Article 1680 of the Civil Code of the Netherlands Antilles. Upon declaring dissolution, the Club shall appoint liquidators.

ARTICLE XI – BY-LAWS

1. The meeting of the members is authorized to draft by-laws in order to more fully amplify this Constitution. These by-laws may not conflict with this Constitution or with the law. Article IX, #3 shall apply when establishing by laws.