Draft Version of the Flowers Family Reunion Association ByLaws FLOWERS FAMILY REUNION ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS Provisions of the Bylaws shall not be in conflict with the Flowers Family Reunion Agreement Article I.    Name: Flowers Family Reunion Association (FFR) Incorporated in the State of Kansas with business address of: Flowers Family Reunion Attn:  Malachi Flowers, Corporate Secretary P.O. Box 301115 Kansas City, MO  64130-1115 Business Number:  913-735-3651 Article II.    Purpose: The purpose of this organization is to promote harmony and bond of kinship among our family members and to encourage continuous respect and pride to each generation of our family heritage. Social unity is promoted within this organizational process. We have noticed a significant increase in our family and as such it is prudent that we organize the affairs of this Reunion.  Flowers Family Reunion meets annually each year to remember our past, honor our present, and celebrate our future. Article III.   Members: A.            The membership of this organization shall be family members of the Flowers Family. B.            Flowers Family Reunion dues shall be set by the Advisory Board. C.            There are no paid positions in this Flowers Family Reunion.  All work toward the Reunion is strictly voluntary.  Article IV.   Officers: A.    The officers shall be a Chairperson, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, Recording Secretary, Five Trustee(s), Five Advisor(s), and one Officer (Chairman/President/Vice President/Secretary) of each State/City Family Connection B.   Term of office: Each officer position with the exception of the Corporate Secretary shall serve a two year term.    C.    If an officer of the Advisory Board does not fulfill duties required as described in Article V, that Officer will be notified in writing of the meeting at which removal from office will be discussed and voted upon. At that meeting, the Officer may present statements to the Advisory Board in an effort to retain the position.   D.  Removal will occur if so voted by majority of the Flowers Family Members present at the meeting or voting by appropriate proxy.   Article V.    Duties of Officers: A.            A Governing Advisory Board oversees the Flowers Family Reunion Association.   B.            Each board member is expected to execute the following responsibilities: 1.            Be a member of the Flowers Family Reunion 2.            Understand the mission and purpose of the Flowers Family Reunion(s) 3.            Attend and actively participate in board meetings  (every 4 months) 4.            Attend Flowers Family Reunion events as appropriate 5.            Be a spokesperson and advocate for the Flowers Family Reunion 6.            Demonstrate interest and financial support for the Flowers Family Reunion 7.            Identify and recruit Flowers Family Members for the Board and Regional Sub Committees 8.            Play a vital role in shaping the future of Flowers Family Reunion.   C.            The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and shall take the lead in all official business of the organization.   D.            The President shall assist the Chairperson.   E.            The Corporate Secretary shall assist the Chairperson and President in the official business of the organization and serve as the main contact for the Flowers Family Reunion.   F.            The Recording Secretary shall keep records of all proceedings at all business meetings.   G.           The Corresponding Secretary shall assist in all family correspondences.   H.            The Treasurer shall receive, receipt and deposit all monies and assessments from Flowers Family Reunion members.   I.             The Historian/Parliamentarian a.            Shall compile and research all Flowers family history and b.            Shall interpret the by-laws of the Flowers family constitution.   J.             Family State/City Connections a.            Shall gather and disburse information to family members of that region or city. b.            Each Family Connection should submit in writing to the Chairperson and the Corporate Secretary an electronic and written copy of their by-laws signed by three officers. c.             Make reports to Chairperson.   Article VI.     Election of Officers:   The election of officers shall be held whenever a vacancy is created.   A.            Voting for officers shall be done by a show of hands at the business meetings at the Flowers Family Reunion.   B.            The election of officers shall be an agenda item of the family business meeting.   C.            Voters of this organization shall be family members of the Flowers Family.   Article VII.    Meetings:   (Regular, Special, Quorum)   A.            A business meeting shall be held annually on Saturday morning at 9 A.M. at the Flowers family reunion. The city host and/or chairperson shall determine the location.   B.            A quorum shall consist of family members present at the announced time.   C.            Meetings may be conducted in person, via internet chat session via MSN Messenger, or by conference call.   D.            Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairman. Also, any Officer may request a special meeting through the Chairman and Corporate Secretary, in writing. In all cases, special meetings shall be limited to the stated purpose, which must be communicated in advance to all Advisory Board Members and State/City Connections either electronically or Phone.   E.     A quorum of Seven (7) Advisory Board Members shall be present at any regular or special meeting in order for FFR business to be conducted. A majority vote of the FFR members present is needed to approve any FFR business not otherwise specified in the Bylaws herein.   F.            A majority of Advisory Board Members shall be present at any regular, special, or Annual Meeting before the election of officers or amendments to the FFR Agreement or FFR Bylaws can commence. A majority vote of the FFR members present is needed to approve amendments to the FFR Agreement or Bylaws, or to elect officers.   G.           Each Family member present shall have one vote in all matters.   H.            Any Advisory Board Member who fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings without being excused by the Chairman from attending, or who fails to attend six (6) in any twelve (12) month period, will be considered for termination.   I.             The use of written proxies is hereby permitted for those Family Members unable to attend any regular, special, or Annual Meeting. A proxy vote will be counted when it pertains to a specific issue previously discussed by the Advisory Board, not to issues brought up and decided at the missed monthly meeting.   Article VIII.  Order:  The proceedings and deliberations of this organization shall be governed by the Flowers Family Reunion by-laws.   Article IX.    Amendments: These by-laws may be amended or altered at the regular Flowers Family Reunion business meeting by a simple majority vote of members present provided the proposed amendments have been submitted to the Chairperson and Corporate Secretary and signed by three officers of the respective Family Connection, after which approved by a majority of Family Connections, in writing before the meeting.   City Connection submits a request to amend the by-laws signed by three of their elected officers.  The President and/or Secretary of the Connection forwards the Amendment request either electronically and or in writing to the Advisory Board Chairman and Corporate Secretary.  The Advisory Board Chairperson advises Corporate Secretary to send out via electronically a voting card to all Family Connections Presidents and Secretaries.  The respective State/City Connections have 30 days to vote on proposed changes, the Corporate Secretary shall acknowledge receipt of the voting card.  If city connection vote isn’t received, their vote shall become forfeited.  In a case where there is an urgent matter, the connections have 72 hours to vote via telephone to Advisory Board Secretary.  The vote shall be recorded and confirmed.  After majority vote has been received, the by-laws shall be approved as written.   Article X.    Financial Obligations: A.    A minimum contribution of $50 per city annually to assist the host city with setup cost for hosting the Reunion.   a.    If a host city does not attend the reunion in any respective year, that city is still responsible for making payment. b.     The host city treasurer shall notify the FFR Corporate Secretary of all payments not yet received. c.             A minimum contribution of $25 per city annually for ongoing website development. d.            All contracts and agreements written on behalf of the Flowers Family Reunion and any City Committee require two signatures, one signature must be President or Vice President, and second being an elected officer of the family.    B.            Each State/City Connection shall make payable to the respective host city the following dues payable to “Flowers Family Reunion”   Article XI.  Bank Accounts: A.            The Flowers Family Reunion Treasurer and or Corporate Secretary shall open up a Bank Account under the Flowers Family Reunion Account Name at U.S. Bank (The official bank of Flowers Family Reunion).   B.            Copies of Bank Statements shall be mailed monthly to the Advisory Board Chairman, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary.   C.            All requests for withdrawals shall be made utilizing a Check Request Form.  The Check Request Form must be approved in writing by Three (3) officers for any amount over $25.   ARTICLE XII.    Reunion Hosts: A.    The Flowers Family Reunion is made up of family members from all over the country.  We are organized and recognize the following host States/Cities.  This is in no way a reflection of all of our cities where members are present only a list of those that we are aware of.   1.            Atlanta, Georgia Connection 2.            California Connection 3.            Chicago, Illinois Connection 4.            Ohio & Arkansas Connection 5.            Houston, Texas Connection 6.            Indianapolis, Indiana Connection 7.            Mississippi Connection 8.            Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas Connection 9.            Las Vegas, Nevada Connection 10.          Memphis, Tennessee Connection 11.          Miami, Florida Connection 12.          Minneapolis, Minnesota Connection 13.          Nashville, Tennessee Connection 14.          Kentucky Connection 15.          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connection 16.          St. Louis, Missouri Connection 17.          Virginia Connection   B.            The Host City shall submit in writing to the Chairman and Corporate Secretary the following: a.            Bylaws of their respective committee. b.            List of all Officers on the committee with (Name, Position, Email, Phone, Mobile Number)   C.            The Flowers Family Reunion shall meet annually every year to meet, greet, and have fun and fellowship with our kinfolks.  The Host City is responsible to keep costs to a bare minimum so that all family members can attend the event.   D.            Host City is responsible to ensure that the basic agenda of the Reunion is carried out as follows: 1.            Friday Night –  Welcome Reception (Meet & Greet Night) 2.            Saturday Morning – Flowers Family Business Meeting 9 A.M. 3.            Banquet/Luncheon 4.            Picnic or Other Outing 5.            Religious Services – Sunday Morning’s – One Hour 6.            Recreational activities should be planned for the entire family on each day. 7.            Hotel Accommodations should include: 8.            Discounted Room and Tax Rate 9.            Free High Speed Internet 10.          Free/Discounted Parking   In Witness thereof, the FFR Officers have set their hands, the year, and the date below: ____________________ Chairman _____________________ President _____________________  Corporate Secretary