It is time to renew your membership in CWG. Only paid members may vote in the elections on September 1st. Elections this year will be via Google Form which will be sent in the Newsletter and active from September 1 through September 7. Results will be announced Tuesday the 8th 7pm at our virtual annual meeting.
We now have membership billing cycles which give you 12 months from the day you sign up. This membership is not set to auto-renew. You will be given the option to renew in 12 months. Please fill out this new member survey and follow the link provided to make payment: https://forms.gle/ejf4oNPUACWXBKwM7
We will be voting on our four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director positions.
Board members are community minded people who are enthusiastic about cultivating a caring and supportive environment that enables all of the members to thrive in their art. You may request to be added to the ballot until noon August 31 by emailing: chattanoogawritersguild@gmail.com. There will also be write in options for each office.
We will be voting on amendments to the bylaws. Full bylaws are on this website under the “About” tab. Each amendment will be voted upon individually.
Article I: Description
1. Purpose. The Guild promotes, encourages, and supports writing and fosters a supportive, caring environment for writers in the Chattanooga community.
Revision:
1. Purpose. The Guild promotes, encourages, and supports writing and fosters a supportive, caring environment for writers in the Chattanooga community.
2. The Guild does not take sides in religious, political or social issues, but supports all members in their constitutional rights of free speech. The Guild does not necessarily endorse the opinions of members or speakers at Guild events or in its publications.
(Note: The purpose of this amendment is preemptive caution to avoid lawsuits and to set boundaries to those who would attempt to align the guild with positions and causes.)
Article II: Members
2. Meetings.
- Proxy Voting. Voting may be in person or by proxy. Proxies shall be in writing, signed by the member, and specify the person for whom the vote is to be cast or the action to be taken. Proxies may be presented at the meeting by a third person or mailed to the secretary. A member attending a meeting may revoke an earlier proxy. In the case of two or more proxies from the same member, the most recent shall be valid, and if it cannot be determined which proxy is the most recent, no proxy shall be valid.
Revision
1. Proxy Voting. Voting may be in person or by proxy. Proxies may be performed using any technology deemed efficient by the directors which reasonably guarantees one vote for each member.
(Note: The current global health crises has placed a situation before us where the directors must adapt to the needs of the guild and find innovative means for solving problems.)
Article V: General Provisions
3. Revenue. Dues shall be assessed by the membership, which may set different levels for differing classes of members, including students, senior members, and honorary members. Dues shall be due and payable on or before August 1. Dues for anyone applying for membership after February 1 shall be reduced by half. Payment of dues shall be a condition of membership but shall not be a legal obligation of any member. The directors shall have the discretion to waive dues on an ad hoc basis. The directors may approve other revenue, but no member shall be personally obligated for the Guild’s debts. Nevertheless, individual members may by written consent contract, pledge, or otherwise bind themselves to the Guild.
Revision
3. Revenue. Dues shall be assessed by the membership. The directors shall set dues, schedules, and mean of collecting dues, as necessary to best suit the needs of the Guild. All changes to dues must honor existing memberships. The directors shall have the discretion to waive dues on an ad hoc basis and may be set at different levels for differing classes of members, including students, senior members, and honorary members. The directors may approve other revenue.
4. No member shall be personally obligated for the Guild’s debts. Likewise, the Guild shall not be liable for debts or obligations incurred by any member when acting without the approval of the Board.
(Note: The directors have found the current bylaw to be excessively cumbersome and does not allow directors to adapt policies which better serve the needs of the guild. We also find it necessary to be more specific about legal obligations and liabilities.)