By-Laws

BY-LAWS  

SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN WRITERS 

 

ARTICLE I – NAME AND LOCATION

This organization is formed under the unincorporated association non-profit laws of the State of Louisiana and is known as SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN WRITERS at times referred to herein as SCW, and is located in Westwego, Louisiana.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for literary and religious purposes, more specifically, to spread the gospel through literature, to provide support, encouragement, and education to its members in the development of their artistic and technical literary skills, to stimulate interest in and an appreciation for the art of writing and reading, to encourage cooperation and free engagement among writers and others engaged in literary endeavors, to disseminate information concerning developments and activities in the field of writing, to generally carry on any other affairs in connection with the foregoing, to exercise any right or privileges incident to or reasonably necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes of this association, to exercise the general powers of non-profit unincorporated associations, and for any lawful activity for which unincorporated associations may be formed under the Louisiana unincorporated association law.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership is available to all interested in the craft of writing and spreading the gospel through literature. No person shall be denied membership because of race, age, religion, gender, or national origin.

Section 2. Membership shall be obtained after completion of a membership application and paying the annual membership dues of $50.  Dues shall be pro-rated according to the remaining months in the year the membership application is received.

Section 4. Members who pay the annual membership dues shall be eligible for the following privileges and benefits:

  1. A member’s page on the SCW website to advertise their writing accomplishments, published works, website, social media and contact information.
  2. Eligible to contribute articles to the website blog after approval by the board of directors.
  3. Eligible to hold temporary positions as Members-At-Large on the Board of Directors. (See Article IV Board of Directors 2C)
  4. Eligible to promote his/her work without charge at tables reserved by the SCW at events, conferences, and festivals.
  5. Eligible to have his/her writing critiqued by members and to critique the writings of members during SCW critique sessions. Members who live more than 25 miles from the current place meetings are held may submit writing to be critiqued by email.
  6. Eligible for grants to attend writing events, conferences, and festivals.
  7. Eligible for other rights, privileges, and benefits that may be provided from time to time by the consensus of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DUTIES

Section 1.  The Board of Directors also called “the board” or “board” shall be: (1) Chairman of the Board, (2) not less than three nor more than five board members, (3) Members-at-Large. The Board shall be appointed by the Chairman with a majority consensus of the board of directors. All board members shall serve without compensation.  The Board shall meet annually.

Section 2. DUTIES

  1. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD: The Chairman represents the interests and concerns of the general membership. He/She shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, shall serve as spokesperson under the direction of the Board Of Directors, call and preside over any meetings of the membership and or Board of Directors, serve as ex-officio member of all committees, execute business as directed by the Board of Directors and established policy, and assist in the coordination of any SCW activities. The Chairman shall appoint Board members and Members-at-Large with a majority consensus of the Board of Directors.
  2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors represents the interests and concerns of the general membership, attend meetings of the board and have full authority to present, discuss and vote on SCW business. In the absence or incapacity of the Chairman, the Board of Directors shall choose one board member to assume the duties of Chairman.
  3. MEMBER-AT-LARGE: The Member-at-large is a temporary appointment made by consensus of the Board of Directors. He/She represents the interests and concerns of the general membership, attends meetings of the board and has full authority to present, discuss and vote on SCW business pertaining to the duties assigned to the Member-at-Large that include but are not limited to organizing monthly meetings, events, and conferences; maintaining records of members and donations; preparing SCW newsletter, website and publications; designing advertisements and marketing SCW activities.

Section 3. TERM

All members of the Board of Directors shall serve until the officer chooses to resign or is removed from office by consensus of the Board of Directors for behavior that is illegal according to state and federal laws of the United States of America or immoral according to the teachings of the Holy Bible. Any Member-At-Large appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Board present at any meeting.  Board members who resign shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify in their stead. Board members removed for illegal or immoral behavior are terminated immediately and must return all property of the SCW.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

These by-laws may be amended by an affirmative vote or written consent of a majority of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting or special meeting of the Board called for that purpose, the notice of which sets forth the purposed action or a summary of the changes made.

ARTICLE VII – DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution of this association, no assets shall inure to the benefit of any individual. Any and all assets in such case shall be donated to a non-profit organization, such organization to be selected and determined by the Board of Directors and in full compliance with all state and federal statutes governing such dissolution of property and assets.

 

Addendum

 

LOUISIANA LAW UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS

DONATIONS

An unincorporated association may be a beneficiary of a trust and has the capacity to receive donations inter vivos and mortis causa.

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/louisiana/la-laws/louisiana_revised_statutes_12-504

LIABILITY

A person is not liable for a breach of an unincorporated association’s contract merely because the person is a member, is authorized to participate in the management of the affairs of the unincorporated association, is a person considered to be a member by the unincorporated association or made the contract or incurred the obligation on behalf of the unincorporated association, if the fact that the person was acting for the unincorporated association was disclosed to, known by or reasonably should have been known by the other party to the contract or to the party owed performance.

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/louisiana/la-laws/louisiana_revised_statutes_12-506

A judgment or order against an unincorporated association is not by itself a judgment or order against a member or a person authorized to participate in the management of the affairs of the unincorporated association.

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/louisiana/la-laws/louisiana_revised_statutes_12-508

Louisiana Unincorporated Association Act

https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/louisiana/la-laws/louisiana_revised_statutes_title_12_chapter_5

 

FEDERAL LAW

EXEMPTION

IRS Publication 557 Application for Recognition of Exemption

ORGANIZATIONS NOT REQUIRED TO FILE FORM 1023

“Any organization (other than a private foundation) normally having annual gross receipts of not more than $5,000 (see Gross receipts test, later). These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501c3.  (Section 501c3, Organizations Chapter 3, Page 23)

REQUIREMENTS

  1. The organization is organized exclusively for and will be operated exclusively for, one or more the purposes (religious, literary, charitable, etc.)
  2. No part of the organization’s net earnings will inure to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals.
  3. The organization won’t, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation or participate to any extent in a political campaign for or against a candidate for public office.

(Section 501c3, Organizations Chapter 3, Page 22)