
Improvement Club
Bylaws & Guidelines
revised and adopted October, 2018
printable pdf version
Adopted 
	October 4, 2018
	
	
	
	NAME
	This organization shall be known as the ANNANDALE IMPROVEMENT CLUB (AIC).
	
	
	
	PURPOSE
The purpose of this 
	club shall be the improvement of the city and thereto for the benefit of the 
	Annandale area in general. Primary priority shall be given to beautification 
	of the city and support of the library along with the welfare of and 
	educational opportunities for our community.
	
	
	
	DESCRIPTION
	Section 1 - The Annandale 
	Improvement Club is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit corporation and is 
	incorporated in the State of Minnesota.
	Section 2 – The mailing address 
	is P.O. Box 207, 30 Cedar St. E., Annandale, MN 55302.
	
	
	
	MEMBERSHIP
	Section 1 – Anyone interested in 
	the purpose of this club may become a member upon paying annual dues.
	Section 2 - No officer, 
	committee chair, or member of this organization shall publicly state any 
	policy, enter into any agreement or otherwise obligate this organization 
	except upon authority of the general membership [notwithstanding Article V, 
	Section 5].
	Section 3 - The expense of 
	fieldtrips, special events and meals shall be the responsibility of those 
	attending.
	
	
	
	EXECUTIVE BOARD
	Section 1 – The Executive Board 
	(also referred to as the board) is made up of the officers of AIC.
	Section 2 – Board members are 
	responsible to read and understand the bylaws of this organization.
	Section 3 – The board will 
	present an annual budget to the membership.
	Section 4 – The board shall hold 
	at least two meetings per year. Meetings shall be at such dates, times, and 
	places the board shall determine.
	Section 5 – Board members, with 
	a majority vote, have the authority to approve expenditures up to $200 and 
	such expenditures will be reported to the membership.
	
	
	
	OFFICERS
	Section 1 – The officers of this 
	club shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and 
	Treasurer. Officers shall be elected for a one-year term. They may be 
	re-elected but may not hold the same office for more than two successive 
	years. Two club members may share an office as co-officers.
	Section 2 
	– Duties of 
	Officers
	
	
	a.    
	
	The President 
	shall prepare and preside at all meetings of the organization, including 
	board meetings, shall perform all duties pertaining to this office, and 
	shall serve as ex-officio 
	member of all committees.
	
	
	b.  
	
	The Vice 
	President shall preside at all meetings of the organization, including
	board meetings, in the absence of the
	president.
	
	
	c.  
	
	The Secretary 
	shall record and maintain minutes of all meetings of the organization and 
	submit written monthly minutes to the president. She shall handle AIC 
	correspondence including the monthly Call to Meeting
	correspondence.
	
	
	d.    
	
	The Treasurer 
	shall maintain the financial records of the organization. She shall annually 
	prepare a Year-End Financial Report and schedule an annual
	audit.
	Section 3 – Officers shall be 
	elected at the annual meeting. A Nominating Committee of three shall be 
	appointed by the president at the previous meeting. The nominating committee 
	shall present at least one candidate for each office, having previously 
	obtained the candidate’s consent. The president shall ask for additional 
	nominations from the floor. If there are two candidates for an office and/or 
	additional nominations, the president shall appoint three election judges 
	and the candidate with majority vote by written ballot shall be declared 
	elected.
	Section 4 – Newly elected 
	officers shall assume their respective duties at the close of the annual 
	meeting in May.
	Section 5 –Vacancies in an 
	office shall be filled by appointment by the executive board.
	
	
	
	CONFLICT OF 
	INTEREST
Each member of the 
	board shall disclose to other members of the board any duality of interest 
	or conflict of interest and make such a matter of record when the interest 
	becomes a matter of board action. Any board member having a possible duality 
	or conflict of interest on any matter shall not vote or use her personal 
	influence on the matter, and shall not be counted in determining the quorum 
	of the meeting. The minutes of the meeting shall reflect that the disclosure 
	was made.
	
	
	MEETINGS
	Section 1 – The Annual Meeting 
	of this club shall be held on the first Thursday of May.
	Section 2 – The regular meeting[s] of this club shall be held on the 
	first Thursday of each month, except July. Further changes can be addressed 
	by the board.
	Section 3 – A special meeting 
	may be called by the president with the approval of the board or by petition 
	of one fourth of the membership, notice having been given to all members.
	
	
	
	COMMITTEES
	Section 1 – The Standing 
	Committees shall be: Beautification, Fundraising, Library, Program, 
	Membership , and Scholarship.
	
	
	a.    
	
	The 
	Beautification Committee shall enhance green space in
	Annandale.
	
	
	b.    
	
	The Fundraising 
	Committee shall raise funds to promote the purpose of the
	club.
	
	
	c.    
	
	The Library 
	Committee shall facilitate the club’s support of the Annandale
	Library.
	
	
	d.    
	
	The Program 
	Committee shall organize the speakers, programs, and special events for the 
	monthly meetings.
	
	
	e.    
	
	The Membership 
	Committee shall be responsible for the membership directory, roster, 
	outreach and welcoming new members.
	
	
	f.      
	
	The Scholarship 
	Committee shall review scholarship applications sent from Annandale High 
	School to determine final selections.
	Section 2 – Standing Committee 
	Chairs shall present project plans to the board, in April, for inclusion in 
	the proposed annual budget.
	Section 3 – A short term 
	committee may be appointed by the board for a specific purpose.
	
	
	
	FISCAL YEAR
	The fiscal year shall be from April 1st
	through March 31st
	.
	
	
	
	FINANCES
	Section 1 – An Annual Budget 
	shall be prepared by the board after consultation with standing committee 
	chairwomen prior to the annual meeting. The proposed budget will be 
	presented for approval to the membership at the annual meeting.
	Section 2 – Dues are collected 
	annually as directed by the AIC guidelines.
	Section 3 – At the April meeting 
	the president shall appoint two members to audit the books of the treasurer. 
	Auditors will give a report at the annual meeting.
	Section 4
	– Emergency funds of $500 
	shall be kept in reserve by the treasurer.
	Section 5 – Financial donations 
	shall be limited to the scope of our purpose and exclude monetary support of 
	unrelated non-profit organizations.
	
	
	QUORUM
	At any meeting, one fourth of the dues paying membership shall constitute a 
	quorum.
	
	
	
	PARLIAMENTARY 
	AUTHORITY
	The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall 
	govern the AIC.
	
	
	
	AMENDMENTS TO 
	BYLAWS
	Section 1 – The whole of these 
	bylaws, or any portion thereof, may be amended by two-thirds vote of the 
	quorum with due notice of intended change having been given at the previous 
	regular meeting.
	Section 2 – The bylaws shall be 
	reviewed on a biennial basis by a committee appointed by the president at 
	the annual meeting.
	The Articles of Incorporation may be amended with the authorization of 
	two-thirds vote of the
quorum with due notice 
	of intended change having been given at the previous regular meeting.
	Adopted September 
	6, 2018
	
These guidelines are 
	in place to ease the transition of officers and to help members understand 
	and be aware of procedures practiced. The guidelines may be changed with a 
	majority vote of the members present.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	The annual dues 
	for members of this club shall be $25, payable at the April meeting, with 
	the exception of Honorary Members who are exempt from dues. A member is 
	deemed in arrears if not paid by June 30th. 
	A member found in arrears will be notified by the secretary and, if no 
	response is received, will be removed from the membership roll on November
	1st.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Members are 
	responsible to inform the secretary of meeting or event attendance and once 
	a commitment is made, payment of all associated fees is
	required.
	
	
	
	President
	
	
	
	
	1.    
	
	
	Become acquainted with proper parliamentary procedures and conduct the
	business meeting 
	accordingly.
	
	
	2.    
	
	
	Update any corrections/additions to the bylaws and guidelines from the past 
	year and retain past versions of these
	documents.
	
	
	3.    
	
	Schedule and 
	preside over meetings of the executive
	board.
	
	
	4.  
	
	
	In April, confirm standing committee chair positions for the coming year.
	Request proposed budgets from standing committee
	chairs.
	
	
	5.  
	
	
	Schedule executive board meeting to prepare proposed budget for upcoming 
	year, using recommendations from the standing committee chairs. The proposed 
	budget will be presented for approval at the annual meeting by the
	treasurer.
	
	
	6.  
	
	Determine quorum 
	for each meeting.
	
	
	7.  
	
	
	Be aware of totes/history kept at the Lake Central Bank and add materials as 
	warranted, including annual reports from the secretary, treasurer, and all
	committees.
	
	
	
	
	1.
	
	Work closely with 
	the president(s) to inform her of upcoming meeting
	arrangements.
	
	2.
	
	Chair the program
	committee.
	
	3.
	
	Gather program 
	ideas from the membership.
	
	4.
	
	
	Prepare and distribute program brochure to members via the AIC secretary. 
	Make copies for the Annandale Public Library display, for membership 
	committee chairs, and to have available at meetings for guests and
	members.
	
	5.
	
	
	Communicate with monthly hostesses and program coordinator regarding
	meeting responsibilities and program
	arrangements.
	
	6.
	
	One month prior 
	to program, contact program coordinator to confirm program
	details.
	
	7.
	
	
	Write a notice in the Annandale Advocate stating the starting time, location 
	and program highlights of each monthly meeting. Include registration
	information.
	
	8.
	
	
	Maintain a
	list of
	honorary members,
	and submit
	the current
	list to
	the program
	committee after the annual 
	meeting.
	
	9.  
	
	
	Announce new honorary members at the annual meeting and give this list to 
	the membership committee chairs, and the executive
	board.
	
Criteria for Honorary 
	Membership in the Annandale Improvement Club:
	
	20 years of membership with health issues, upon request of a member. 40 
	years of membership, upon request of a member.
	80 years of age 
	or older, with 15 years of membership, upon request of a member.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Record minutes of 
	all business meetings and submit a draft to the president within a week’s
	time.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Maintain the AIC 
	group email account at emaildodo.com, send out meeting notices, and 
	communicate with the hostesses concerning meal reservations, caterer and 
	venue including meeting responsibilities and registration
	set-up.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Maintain AIC 
	email account.
	
	
	4.          
	
	Contact members 
	on the call list about upcoming meeting
	reservations.
	
	
	5.          
	
	Prepare 
	reservation list for hostesses to use at
	registration.
	
	
	6.          
	
	Call or email the 
	caterer with total number of 
	reservations.
	
	
	7.          
	
	Contact the 
	program coordinator to give her total number of reservations including
	guests.
	
	
	8.          
	
	Send a reminder 
	notice to members in arrears for membership dues and unpaid reservations.
	
	
	9.          
	
	Prepare a report 
	for the annual meeting which includes the activities of the AIC
	for the past year and list the monthly voluntary donations made by 
	members to charitable 
	organizations.
	
	
	10.       
	
	Purchase a book 
	for the Annandale Area Library, through the Great River Regional Library, in 
	memory of a deceased member.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Collect and 
	record all monies including dues, meal costs, fundraising, and other 
	projects; deposit the funds in the AIC bank
	account.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Disburse AIC 
	funds upon authorization.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Counting and 
	depositing funds: The treasurer and at least one other AIC member will count 
	the monies at the meeting site. Monies will be deposited immediately at Lake 
	Central Bank, either with a teller or in a locked bag placed in the night 
	deposit box. Deposits are verified and placed into the AIC account. A 
	deposit ticket will be received 
	either in person or by mail to AIC at P.O. Box 207, Annandale, MN
	55302.
	
	
	4.          
	
	Report on the 
	financial condition of the AIC at regular meetings and provide
	members with a written report.
	
	
	5.          
	
	Distribute 
	monthly voluntary member donations to appropriate
	recipient/organization.
	
	
	6.          
	
	Report new member 
	information to the membership committee chair(s) and board monthly.
	
	
	7.          
	
	Inform the 
	secretary of members’ financial obligations that are in
	arrears.
	
	
	8.          
	
	Pick up monthly 
	mail at the Annandale Library prior to each
	meeting.
	
	
	9.          
	
	Maintain monthly 
	and annual reports electronically and care for the AIC
	computer.
	
	
	10.       
	
	Prepare and 
	present the annual financial report at the April
	meeting.
	
	
	11.       
	
	Submit annual 
	Form 990N to IRS in April to renew non-profit
	status.
	
	
	12.       
	
	The treasurer, 
	upon approval of a majority of the officers, may invest funds in a
	CD.
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Submit a request 
	to the AIC for any additional funds beyond the budgeted amount for 
	membership approval.
	
	
	2.          
	
	
	Beautification committee coordinators plan the design and care of the Spring 
	and Winter rounds, concrete planters and other garden spots in coordination 
	with the city of Annandale.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Invite community 
	members to participate in beautification
	activities.
	
	
	4.          
	
	Prepare an annual 
	report of beautification activities for the annual
	meeting.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Solicit ideas for 
	fundraising projects from the membership and present fundraising 
	opportunities and projects to the 
	membership.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Inform members of 
	fundraising progress.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Report completion 
	of a fundraiser project to the 
	membership.
	
	
	4.          
	
	Prepare an annual 
	report of fundraising activities and results to present at the annual
	meeting.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Each month report 
	Annandale Public Library activities to the
	membership.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Submit a request 
	to the AIC for approval of any funds beyond the budgeted amount, or that the 
	library or Friends of the Library may
	need.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Prepare an annual 
	report of activities to present at the annual
	meeting.
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Chaired by the 
	vice president.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Meet after the 
	annual meeting to plan programs and venues for monthly meetings for 
	September – August. Assign monthly hostesses, and program coordinators, and 
	determine the charitable organization for voluntary donations from
	members.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Prepare and 
	distribute the program brochure to members via the AIC secretary. Make 
	copies for the Annandale Public Library display, for membership committee 
	chair(s), and to have available at meetings for guests and
	members.
	
	
	4.          
	
	Confirm the 
	program with the presenter a month before the meeting or event. Each month’s 
	program coordinator completes this
	task.
	
	
	5.          
	
	Arrange for the 
	AIC’s audio-visual equipment to be available at meetings. Note: the 
	equipment is not to be lent out.
	
	
	6.          
	
	Send a thank you 
	note to the speaker.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	Provide each 
	member with a Membership Directory containing member information, photo, a 
	copy of the AIC bylaws and guidelines, and historical AIC
	information.
	
	
	2.          
	
	Provide pages to 
	update each member’s directory in the
	fall.
	
	
	3.          
	
	Welcome new
	members.
	
	
	4.          
	
	A dedicated 
	member shall maintain the AIC membership roster and call list. She shall 
	send a current roster and call list to the executive board members by the 
	third week of each month.
	
	
	5.          
	
	Provide new 
	member information to the secretary and
	treasurer.
	
	
	6.          
	
	Outreach: The 
	Sunshine Lady shall send, upon notification, sympathy cards for death or 
	get-well cards for sickness/overnight hospitalization for members, spouse, 
	parents, siblings, in-laws or member’s child/grandchild. Members shall 
	notify the sunshine lady when they hear of any of the
	above.
	
	
	7.          
	
	Prepare an annual 
	report about AIC membership to present at the annual
	meeting.
	
	
	
	
	
	1.          
	
	The scholarship 
	committee, using established criteria, shall review scholarship applications 
	sent from the high school for final selections of AIC’s yearly scholarships.
	
	
	2.          
	
	The chair shall 
	request a check, at the April AIC meeting, for the upcoming year’s 
	recipient(s) be sent to the Annandale High School – in care of the high 
	school counselor. A member of the committee, or designate, will participate 
	in the annual Annandale High 
	School Awards ceremony to award the AIC
	scholarships.
	
	
	3.          
	
	The scholarship 
	committee chair or her designate will announce the scholarship winners at 
	the AIC annual meeting.
	
	
	4.          
	
	The recipient(s) 
	will notify the high school of their completed semester at the school of 
	their choice, and the high school with then award a check to the
	recipient(s).
	This will happen in December or January.
	
	
	5.          
	
	
	The scholarship committee shall recommend scholarship criteria to be 
	approved by a quorum present at a regular monthly meeting of AIC
	members.
1.          
Arrive 45 minutes 
prior to the meeting to set up registration table, name tag table,
and voluntary donation basket. Receive reservation list from the 
secretary. Put tables and items back after the
meeting.
2.          
Display and collect 
name tags.
3.          
Keep donation basket 
monies separate from AIC luncheon and dues
income. Record totals.
4.          
Assist treasurer in 
recording and counting the monies 
received.
5.          
Check members in at 
the membership meeting; record monies received on the registration form.
6.          
Submit the confirmed 
attendance form and funds to the treasurer by the close of the meeting.
Ø
Whenever possible all 
purchases needed for projects or special events should be
purchased within the Annandale 
area.
Ø
Upon completion of a 
project, the project chair shall report to the to the membership. A written 
financial report shall be given to the
treasurer.
Ø
The expense of 
fieldtrips, special events, and meals shall be the responsibility of those 
attending.