Bylaws

Article VI GROUPS AND GROUP SECRETARIES

Section 6.01 Each group, to the extent consistent with the unity of the Club and AA as a whole, shall be autonomous in the conduct of its meetings and selection of its secretary subject to the remaining sections of this Article. Each regularly scheduled weekly meeting at the Club may be considered as a group for the purposes of these bylaws and the selection of a group secretary. Each such group may also determine whether it shall also be a group for the purposes of selection of a general service representative (GSR) to the AA district or registration with Alcoholics Anonymous. Those not wishing to so organize may be considered collectively as The Palatine Group and may join together for the purposes of selection of a GSR (and other representatives, such as a Grapevine Representative) and registration with the AA General Service Office, New York.

Section 6.02 Contributions at each group meeting shall be turned over to the general revenue of the Club except that each organized group may have special revenue producing projects, in which event funds received from such special projects may be retained by the group and disposed of in any manner decided by the group involved, so long as such projects do not detract from the group’s financial support of the Club.

Section 6.03 Qualifications for Secretaries. Secretaries shall:

(a) have at least six months continuous sobriety and membership in the Club.
(b) be a regular member of the meeting for which they are secretary
(c) be familiar with the secretary guidelines as determined by the secretary of secretaries
(d) seek a replacement from the meeting of which they are secretary, familiarize such replacement with the secretary guidelines, turn over the literature key to such replacement, and notify the Secretary of Secretaries of the change.

Section 6.04 Each group will be responsible for discipline at its meetings, including action to enforce the Code of Conduct.

Section 6.05 The group secretary will attend the bi-monthly meeting of the secretaries, and any and all special meetings called by the secretary of secretaries.

Article VII. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Section 7.01 Membership in the Club shall consist of those individuals expressing a desire for membership in the Club by regular attendance at AA meetings held in the Club.

Section 7.02 Club members may have their membership suspended for violations of the Club’s Code of Conduct.

Section 7.03 No dues or fees shall be assessed for membership without approval of the general membership; nor shall it be necessary that a membership list or roster be maintained.

Article XIII ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Section 8.01 The initial meeting of the membership shall be Noticed and held on or about the 3rd Sunday of February first occurring after adoption hereof; for the purpose of ratification of these bylaws, election of three directors, and any other matters placed on the agenda by the Board; and meetings of the membership shall be Noticed and held on or about the 3rd Sunday of February each year thereafter. Special Meetings may be called and Noticed at other times by the Board.

Section 8.02 There are presently nine directors, each of whom shall be assigned, by action of the Board, to one of three classes:
Three Class A Directors, who shall serve terms expiring at the date of the initial annual meeting of the membership.
Three Class B Directors, who shall serve terms expiring at the date of the second annual meeting of the membership.
Three Class C Directors, who shall serve terms expiring at the date of the third annual meeting of the membership.
The term of each Director so elected at an annual meeting of the membership shall be three years.

Section 8.03 A Director who has been elected to a full three-year term may be re-elected to no more than one additional term of three years. Present Directors and those selected to fill unexpired terms may be elected to no more than two subsequent terms of three years each.

Section 8.04 A quorum for the annual meeting shall consist of all the club members present at the annual meeting.

Section 8.05 Notice to the Membership

(a) The Recording Secretary shall notify the membership of the annual meeting no less than 30 days prior thereto the annual meeting, which Notice shall include:
1) Date, time and location of the meeting.
2) Number of Directorships to be elected.
3) Qualifications for such position.
4) Any proposed revisions to the bylaws, including a copy of same.
5) The proposed agenda.

Section 8.06 Ratification and any subsequent revision of these bylaws require a two-thirds vote by the members present.

Article IX ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Immediately following the annual meeting the Board of Directors shall meet to elect officers and appoint chairpersons for committees.

Article X SPECIAL MEETINGS OR EVENTS

The suggestion, planning and execution of any special meetings, events or projects may originate from the secretaries or from the Board or such committees as they may select, subject however to the final approval of the Board of Directors.

Article XI RELATIONSHIP WITH AA AS A WHOLE

Section 11.01 In keeping with the AA traditions, each group shall, consistent with the unity of the club, be autonomous and work within the AA structure and central organization.

Section 11.02 As mentioned in Article III, Section 01, above, each group may select its own general service representative (GSR) to the AA district and register with the AA general service Office; Any and all other groups may join together for the purpose of selection of representatives and registration with the GSO as The Palatine Group.

Section 11.03 Each group may take up special collections or have special revenue projects for the distribution of revenue funds to the support of the AA district, the Chicago metropolitan office, the Northern Illinois Area, or the AA central office in New York City, so long as such projects do not detract from the group’s financial support of the Club; alternatively, the groups through their secretaries may recommend to the Board of Directors, donation of a portion of its general revenue funds for the support of such AA agencies and to make such donations in a manner consistent with the policies, traditions and guidelines of the Alcoholics Anonymous organization. Any such donations shall be subject to Board approval, and shall not jeopardize the solvency of the Club.

ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Palatine, Inc. on this the
10th day of January, 2017.