ARTICLE I. NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Androscoggin Valley Community Network (AVCNet).
ARTICLE II. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
Section 1. AVCNet is an organization dedicated to
bringing the power of telecommunications and information
access, both local and global, to the citizens and
organizations of the greater Lewiston/Auburn area.
Created in the belief that AVCNet can provide a unique
service to electronically link the region through
telecommunications, the group believes that online access
to information can promote civic participation, educational
excellence, economic vitality, and community involvement
for all of our citizens.
Section 2. No part of the net earnings of the corporation
shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, official or
individual. The corporation shall not engage in
propaganda or intervention in any political campaign on
behalf of any candidate for public office. No substantial
part of the activities of the corporation shall involve
attempts to influence legislation.
Section 3. In the event of the dissolution of the
corporation, and prior to the completion thereof, all
liabilities and obligations of the corporation shall be paid,
satisfied, and discharged, and all of the remaining assets,
property and income owned or held by the corporation
shall be expended for or applied to the purposes, by
transferring and conveying such assets, property and
income to one or more corporations or organizations
organized and operated exclusively for charitable or
educational purposes, to which exemption from income
taxes has been granted under Section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding
provision of any future United States Internal Revenue
Law), and no part of such remaining assets, property or
income shall be distributed to members or to any other
persons whatsoever.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be open to any individual or
organization interested in the objectives of the AVCNet
upon payment of dues.
Section 2. Each membership shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 3. Annual membership dues shall be receivable in
the Androscoggin Valley Community Network (AVCNet)
fund on or before June 30 of each year for the succeeding
twelve months. Membership categories will include
"Individuals" and "Organizations." The Board of Directors
may establish other categories as needed. The Board shall
set the membership dues schedule by policy. All
membership dues and any other contributions are
tax-deductible to the extent allowed under the Internal
Revenue Code.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be an annual meeting in May for the
election of officers and the transaction of other business at
a time and place to be determined by the Board of
Directors. Ten members present shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. A special meeting of this organization may be
called by the Board or by the written request of ten
members upon two weeks notice.
Section 3. The Board may conduct business with a
quorum of one-half of the total board membership present,
and shall meet as often as advisable, provided it meets at
least once every six months.
Section 4. A Board meeting may be called by the
Chairperson or by any two other Board members, upon one
week's notice.
Section 5. All AVCNet meetings, both general
membership and Board meetings, shall be announced on
the AVCNet discussion list at least two weeks prior to the
meeting.
ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND BOARD
Section 1. This organization shall have the following
officers: Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The terms
for the officers will be for two years.
Section 2. There shall also be a Board of Directors which
shall consist of the officers and the members-at-large. A
minimum of five members-at-large shall be elected to the
Board for each two year term. The Board may appoint any
member of the organization to be a member-at-large at any
time between elections. Such appointments shall be
subject to ratification at the next meeting of the general
membership.
Section 3. The terms of the Board members shall
commence on July 1 of each year.
Section 4. Officers and Board members shall be elected by
a majority of those present and voting at the annual
meeting. A nominating committee, appointed by the
Chairperson and confirmed by the Board, shall submit a
slate of candidates and nominations may be made from the
floor.
Section 5. Any vacancies on the Board or among the
officers due to an unexpired term shall be filled by the
Board, and such appointment shall be for the length of the
term vacated.
Section 6. No officer will be eligible for more than two
successive terms in the same office. Board
members-at-large shall be limited to three successive
terms.
ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers shall have the usual duties and
authority exercised by officers of a non-profit corporation.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Board of Directors may appoint
committees as they deem advisable with necessary powers
and authorities. The persons serving on committees may
be either Board members or other members of AVCNet.
ARTICLE VIII. FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The fiscal year shall run from July 1 to June 30. All funds shall be deposited to the account of the Androscoggin Valley Community Network and shall be disbursed by the Treasurer as authorized by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be made at any meeting of the general membership by a two-thirds vote of those present, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members at least a week before the meeting.
ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.
Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, when not in conflict with these Bylaws, shall govern the proceedings of this organization and of the Board of Directors.
The Androscoggin Valley Community Network is a collaborative organization composed of information providers and information consumers in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area. The purpose of AVCNet shall be to facilitate the electronic dissemination of information between area residents, educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses and to serve as a gateway to wide area networks, such as the Internet and FIDONet.
In fulfilling this mission, AVCNet seeks to:
1. Introduce area residents to the power of telecommunications by assisting individuals and organizations in accessing AVCNet and educating them about the online resources available through AVCNet, other networks and information providers.
2. Provide area residents with free access to community-based information.
3. Offer electronic mail services for AVCNet users to communicate among themselves and with others globally through the Internet.
4. Work with local information providers and other community service organizations to provide an effective and efficient system for delivering community-based information.
5. Set up AVCNet nodes in public locations for individuals who lack the equipment and/or means for accessing the network otherwise.
6. Promote, foster, assemble, or construct an increasingly sophisticated telecommunications infrastructure in the community to provide for continually improving services.
This document should be reviewed for relevancy on or before August 1, 1996.
—Adopted by the AVCNet Board of Directors, 7/11/95
—Reviewed by the AVCNet Board of Directors, 5/22/96
Institutional use of the avcnet.org domain name is dependent on the institution being a member in good standing of AVCNet.
Names issued under the avcnet.org domain are issued on a first come, first served basis.
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