COUNCIL OF GEORGIST ORGANIZATIONS, INC.
Last amended on -October 12, 2021
Article I – Name & Location.
This organization shall be known as the COUNCIL OF GEORGIST ORGANIZATIONS, INC., hereafter referred to as “the Council.” The Council and Registered Agent as provided for by state law shall have and continuously maintain a registered office in the State of Pennsylvania.
Article II – Purpose
Section 1. The purposes of the Council shall be to foster cooperation and communication among organizations working for the philosophy and reforms advocated by Henry George; to sponsor an Annual Conference; to issue and distribute suitable literature; and to engage in such other activities as shall be deemed fitting for these purposes.
Article III – Membership
Organizations, groups and individuals that agree with the purposes of the Council may apply for membership by signing the appropriate application form and remitting membership dues. Upon acceptance by the Council, members shall receive periodic communications, an allotment of any available free literature, and shall be entitled to vote on the election of officers and other business coming before the Council. Members shall be listed in the organization directory.
Individuals, groups and organizations may join as Affiliates by signing the appropriate application form and remitting affiliateship dues and shall receive all benefits except voting and listing in the directory.
The qualifications for membership and for affiliateship, and the respective levels of dues, shall be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and may be amended by a majority vote of the Membership.
If the President or any other officer or member deems it advisable to remove a particular member from membership, the matter shall be submitted to all members in a statement signed by at least three members; an appeal or counter-argument may also be submitted. It shall then require a majority vote of the membership to effect such removal.
Article IV – Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Council shall be an elected President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer. They shall be elected for a three-year term by a plurality of those members voting, the term taking effect at the close of the organization’s annual conference. Officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members voting.
Section 2. The duties of the officers shall be those defined in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.
Section 3. Such staff as may be required shall be appointed by the President for an indefinite period.
Section 4: Executive Committee. The Council’s Executive committee shall consist of a total of seven voting Committee members, being the elected Council officers, each as separately elected for whatever length of term as may apply, plus additional voting Committee members specifically and annually elected for one year terms by a majority of the general membership who are present and voting. The Council President shall serve as the Executive Committee Chair. Mid-term vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Committee for the duration of the applicable term. Non-voting Executive Committee Member shall include the chief Administrator ex officio, and may include any other individual (s), as approved by a majority of the voting Committee members
Article V-Voting & Nomination:
Section 1: Voting Rights: Each organization shall have one vote. A member organization may appoint any person to serve as its delegate to the CGO, with the limitation that no delegate may vote on behalf of more than two organizations.
Section 2: Voting Methods. The Executive Committee shall determine the exact procedure(s) and/or methods to be followed for voting at meetings of the of the Members and of the Executive Committee. Such voting procedures or methods may include by mail and /or by commonly available remote communication technologies such. But not restricted to email and Zoom. to be followed for each vote.
Section 3: Nominations: A nominating committee shall be appointed at the Annual business meeting prior to the election cycle. The committee shall consist of at least 3 member organization representatives, but not more than 5. The committee members shall chose a chair among themselves. The Council Administrator shall be an ex-officio member. All ballots shall be by mail in advance of the annual meeting where the officers are to take office. Any voting member shall have the right to inspect the ballots at the meeting at which the results are announced.
Article VI – Meetings
For the purpose of conducting Council business, an Annual Meeting of the Council members shall be held and chaired by the president, who many delegate this responsibility., All Affiliates in good standing have a voice, but not a vote at all meetings oif the members. The Annual Conference, the Annual Meeting of Members, other meetings of the members, meetings of the Executive Committee, and any/all other official meetings, may be conducted via remote communication technologies such as, but not limited to Zoom. All such official meetings are called and scheduled with the approval of the majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee.
Article VII – Parliamentary Procedure
Where necessary and in matters not covered by these bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised shall serve as a guide to proper procedure.
Article VIII – Ratification & Amendments
These bylaws shall be ratified by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting; and may be amended on the initiative of at least three members and subject to a two-thirds vote of the members voting.
Article IX – Prohibited Activities
Section 1. Distribution: No part of any net earnings shall ever inure to the benefit of private members or individuals.
Article X – Dissolution
In the Event of Dissolution or termination of the Corporation, the Executive Committee shall after paying or making provisions for the payment of all the liabilities of the Corporation as a nonprofit corporation in accordance with the Pennsylvania General Non For Profit Act, shall distribute the assets as the Executive Committee shall determine.