DEAF AWARENESS WEEK

(D.A.W.)

ARTICLE I

BY-LAWS

1.1 These By-laws (hereinafter referred to as the “By-laws”) shall govern the affairs of Deaf Awareness Week (D.A.W.) of San Antonio, a non-profit organization (hereinafter referred to as “D.A.W.”) organized under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSES

The purposes for which the corporation is organized are:

2.1 to promote and support Deaf awareness at local, state, and national levels.

2.2 to inform and educate hearing Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

2.3 to foster interaction among (delete “for”) Deaf and Hearing citizens.

2.4 to provide leadership opportunities for the Deaf.

2.5 to collect, solicit, receive and otherwise obtain funds to finance the purposes of the Corporation.

2.6 to take action, enter into agreements and exercise the powers conferred upon corporations formed under the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act in order to accomplish its charitable and educational purposes, including but not limited to the power to accept donations of money or property, whether real or personal, or any interest therein, wherever situated.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERS

3.1 The membership of D.A.W. shall consist of two (2) representatives from each organization/group in Bexar County, Texas, that serves the Deaf.

3.2 Also, up to ten (10) at-large members may be elected.

3.3 A current list of these organizations, and their representatives shall be kept by the Recording Secretary of D.A.W.

3.4 It is the responsibility of each organization to maintain current membership.

3.5 At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members must be Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

3.6 Qualifications for admission to D.A.W. are persons of either sex and of any race, creed or ethnicity.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

4.1 All officers must be members of D.A.W.

4.2 The officers of D.A.W. shall consist of:

President

First Vice-President

Second Vice-President

Recording Secretary

Corresponding Secretary

Treasurer

Public Relations Officer

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

5.1 D.A.W. meetings shall be announced at date and time chosen by the President with the approval of the members.

5.2 Notice of the time, date, and place of D.A.W. meetings must be promulgated in writing at least ten (10) days before the meeting.

5.3 Any person may attend the meetings, but only members may propose motions, discuss matters or vote.

ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

6.1

ARTICLE VII

VOTING RIGHTS

7.1 Only members may vote.

7.2 Each member shall be entitle to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote the members.

7.3 A motion shall require a majority vote of members present and voting to pass.

7.4 Voting shall be by open or written ballot.

7.5 Any election of officers that involves two (2) or more candidates shall be by either open or written ballot.

7.6 A written ballot shall be used if demanded by five (5) or more members at the meeting before the voting begins.

ARTICLE VIII

RESIGNATIONS

8.1 Any member may resign from D.A.W. by submitting a written letter of resignation to their organization with a copy to the Recording Secretary of D.A.W.

ARTICLE IX

QUORUM

9.1 The presence of not less than five (5) members shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of D.A.W.

ARTICLE X

PROXY

10.1 There shall be no voting by proxy.

ARTICLE XI

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

11.1 The term of office for all officers shall be two (2) years, beginning on January 1 and ending on January 31 of the following year.

11.2 Voting for new officers shall occur at the regular November meeting.

ARTICLE XII

VACANCIES

12.1 A vacancy in any office may be filled by a vote of the members for the unexpired portion of that term.

12.2 If an officer or committee chairperson misses three (3) or more consecutive meetings, that position shall be declared vacant.

12.3 Any officer shall be removed from office with cause by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting.

ARTICLE XIII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

13.1 The PRESIDENT shall

a. preside at all D.A.W. meetings as set forth and at any special meetings.

b. appoint the standing and ad hoc committee chairs, as needed, with the approval of the members.

c. Sign all contracts after approval by the members.

d. Serve as “ex-officio” member of all committees except that of the nominating committee.

e. Call a special meeting when it is necessary.

13.2 The FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT shall:

a. perform all the duties of an absent President.

b. succeed to the Presidency at the end of the term as First Vice-President.

c. sign contracts in the absence of the President.

d. sign checks in the absence of the President.

e. be responsible for all committees appointed under this office.

f. serve as “ex-officio” member of all committees appointed under this office.

g. perform such additional duties as assigned by the President.

13.3 The SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT shall:

a. preside over meetings in the absence of the President and the First Vice-President.

b. be responsible for all committees appointed under this office.

c. serve as “ex-officio” member of all committees appointed under this office.

d. perform such additional duties as are assigned by the President.

13.4 The RECORDING SECRETARY shall:

a. give all notices as provided in the By-laws or as required by the By-laws.

b. take minutes of general and special meetings and keep these minutes as part of the D.A.W. records.

c. maintain custody of D.A.W. records.

d. keep a register of the mailing address of members and of their organizations.

e. perform such additional duties as are assigned by the President.

f. perform all duties incident to the office of Recording Secretary.

13.5 The CORRESPONDING SECRETARY shall:

a. be responsible for all correspondence of D.A.W.

b. keep copies of all correspondence.

c. perform such additional duties as are assigned by the President.

d. be responsible for reserving a room for the monthly meetings.

13.6 The TREASURER shall:

a. have charge of all D.A.W. funds.

b. make a monthly financial report to the membership.

c. sign all checks.

d. write checks and disburse funds to discharge the obligations of D.A.W. Funds may not be drawn from D.A.W. or any of its accounts for amounts greater than $300 without the signature of the President or First Vice-President.

e. maintain the financial books and records of D.A.W.

f. keep funds collected in advance for the next term in a special fund

g. perform such additional duties as are assigned by the President.

13.7 The PUBLIC RELATIONS Officer shall:

ARTICLE XIV

COMMITTEES

14.1 All committees and committee chairs of D.A.W. shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the members.

14.2 Ad hoc committees shall be appointed as needed, by the President with the approval of the members.

14.3 The term of office for all committees and committee chairs shall be for a period of one year or less.

14.4 The standing committees shall be as follows:

a. Publicity

Under the Second Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for publicizing all events and activities of D.A.W. in both the Deaf and hearing communities.

b. Deaf Festival

Under the Second Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for all facets of the

Deaf Festival events.

c. Social Life

Under the First Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for all social activities held in conjunction with Deaf Awareness Week.

d. Banquet

Under the First Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for all aspects of the D.A.W. Banquet.

e. Fund Raising

Under the Second Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for raising funds to support D.A.W. activities.

f. Budget

Under the First Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for establishing and implementing a budget for D.A.W.

g. Auditing

Under the Second Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for checking, auditing and approving all financial records and reports of D.A.W.

h. Education

Under the Second Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for activities that increase the knowledge and awareness of D.A.W.

i. Hearing Involvement

Under the First Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for informing and enlightening the hearing community about Deafness and issues of concern to Deaf people as well as about D.A.W.

j. Miss Deaf San Antonio Pageant

Under the First Vice-President. This committee shall be responsible for all aspects of the Miss Deaf San Antonio Pageant.

k. Sea World

Under the

l. Fiesta Texas

Under the

ARTICLE XV

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

15.1 The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) people elected by the membership.

15.2 The Nominating Committee will be elected at the August meeting, and will be responsible for presenting a slate of nominees and securing consent of the nominees before presenting them to the floor.

15.3 Nominations may be taken from the floor, but nominators are responsible for securing consent from the nominees before placing their names in nomination.

ARTICLE XVI

AMENDMENTS

16.1 These By-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of members present and voting.

16.2 All amendments to these by-laws shall require one (1) month advance notice.