BY-LAWS OF THE WASHINGTON, D.C. CHAPTER OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB:

ARTICLE II- PURPOSE
The purpose of this Chapter is to cooperate with and to further the objectives of the Club in general and specifically within the geographical area served by this Chapter.

ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP

1. Any member in good standing of the Club shall be eligible for membership in the Chapter in accordance with the Club’s standing rules governing Chapters and membership. Termination of Club membership shall also terminate Chapter membership.
2. Only members of the Club are eligible for Chapter membership.

1. By-laws may be amended at any annual or other regularly scheduled meeting of the Chapter by a two thirds vote of those present and voting, provided notice of such amendment shall have been sent to all members of the Chapter at least two weeks previously.

1. Annual: The annual meeting of the Chapter for the purpose of receiving reports of officers and committees and to elect officers shall be held on such a day, time and place in November to be determined by the Executive Committee. Written notice of the meeting date shall be made to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
2. Special: Special meetings of the Chapter may be called at any time by the Executive Committee or shall be called upon written request of at least twenty (20) members addressed to the Executive Committee stating the purpose or purposes of said meeting. The Executive Committee shall notify the membership at least thirty (30) days in advance of the date, time, location and purpose of the Special Meeting.
3. Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the chair but not less than six (6) times in one year. Meetings may also be called by a majority of the Executive Committee or by petition signed by ten (10) Chapter members. Said petition is to be addressed to the Secretary and contain the purpose of said meeting.
4. Quorum: Twenty (20) members of the Chapter shall constitute a quorum for all Chapter meetings.
5. Parliamentary Procedure :Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Chapter meetings when not inconsistent with these By-laws and/or Standing Rules.

1. The Executive Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Chairs and Members at Large.
2. The Executive Committee may appoint or disband such other committees as it sees fit for the proper function of the Chapter. All committees shall have such duties and powers as assigned by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may appoint up to three (3) Members at Large to serve on the Committee.
3. A Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of candidates for each office. It shall consult the proposed nominees and obtain their consent to serve. The list of candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee shall be made known to all members of the Chapter at least thirty (30) days before the annual meeting.
   Any five Chapter members desiring to place an additional candidate in nomination may do so by sending to the Chapter Secretary, not later than five (5) days before the annual meeting, a nomination paper stating the office to be filled, the proposed candidate, and a statement from the nominee that he/she is willing to serve if elected.No person shall be elected to office unless nominated by one of the above methods.

1. In General
1. Administration of the Chapter shall be vested in the Chapter Executive Committee.
2. Officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected at each annual meeting, assuming their duties at the end of the meeting, and shall hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are chosen in accordance with Chapter rules. The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be eligible to hold the same office for more than two consecutive years.
3. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the administration of the Chapter in accordance with the Club By-laws and Standing Rules.
4. To be eligible for election or appointment to Chapter office, a candidate must be a member in good standing of the Club and Chapter.
5. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee at least two (2) months prior to each election. The members of the Nominating Committee may not be Chapter officers.
6. Should any vacancy occur on the Executive Committee, the Committee shall appoint a member of the Chapter to fill such vacancy until the next annual meeting.
7. The term of office of any member of the Executive Committee may be terminated for just cause by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of said Committee. Appeal of termination may be made to the Nominating Committee who shall select a five-member board to hear the appeal. The board shall hear evidence as necessary to arrive at a decision, which shall be final. Any position vacated by termination for cause shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee from a list of candidates provided by the Nominating Committee.
8. Any member of the Chapter elected to membership on the Board of Directors of the Club shall thereby become an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee during said term on the Board. The Regional Director shall also serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
2. Officers
1. Chairperson. The Chapter Chair shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Chapter, shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter and of the Executive Committee and shall be the representative of the Chapter to the Appalachian Mountain Club.
2. Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-chair shall serve as Chairperson in the absence of disability of the Chair, and assume other such responsibilities as may be assigned by the Chapter Chair and /or Executive Committee.
3. Secretary. The Secretary shall give notice of all Executive Committee and Chapter meetings; shall keep the minutes of all meetings and records of the Chapter; and shall conduct the correspondence of the Chapter. The Secretary shall report to the Club as required by the Club’s Standing Rules.
4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive all funds paid to or belonging to the Chapter and shall disburse the same under the direction of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep proper accounts, report on receipts and disbursements at each meeting of the Executive Committee; and submit a financial report annually.
3. Financial
1. The fiscal year of the Chapter shall be the same as the fiscal year of the Club.
2. Chapter funds may be appropriated only by the Executive Committee. Any Chapter member may request the appropriation of funds for a worthy cause at any Chapter meeting or through a written request and explanation presented to the Board of Directors of the Club through its treasurer.
3. No expenditure or financial obligation shall be incurred by an officer or committee of the Chapter for which the Club will be responsible without previous authorization by the Board of Directors of the Club.
4. Title to or leasehold of any real estate or property administered by the Chapter shall be taken in the name of the Club as the only legal entity capable of taking title, owning or leasing property. A Chapter officer may be authorized by the Board of Directors to sign a specific document on behalf of the Club.
4. Policy on Pronouncements :The Chapter, Committees, or members of the Chapter may not make any pronouncement involving policy or opinions in matters of public interest in the name of the Club without written consent of the Board of Directors.
5. Standing Rules :Chapter matters not covered in the By-laws may be covered by standing rules which may be formulated and/or amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Any rule may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members of the Executive Committee present and voting.