an official program of OkEq

Constitution of the Green Country Bears

Article I.

The name of this organization shall be the Green Country Bears, hereinafter referred to as the organization.
Section 1.01
The Green Country Bears are an official program of the Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq), the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Article II.

The purposes of this organization shall be to open the social door to our community by encouraging friendship, camaraderie, social events and get-togethers for our bear community.
Article III. Executive Board

Section 3.01
The Green Country Bears shall be governed by an Executive Board made up of the following officers, all full members of the organization and elected annually for one-year terms as provided in the bylaws:
     a) President
    (b) Vice President
    (c) Administrator
    (d) Treasurer
    (e) Webmaster
    (f) One or two members at large [optional]
[The posts of Administrator, Treasurer, and/or Webmaster may be held by the same individual if there are insufficient nominations]

Section 3.02
The Executive Board shall have complete power to manage the business, to raise funds in any manner not inconsistent with the policies of the OkEq, and to perform all other necessary functions.

Section 3.03
Decisions or actions of the Executive Board may be overruled by a two-third majority vote of the members.
Article IV. Executive Board Meetings

Section 4.01
Executive Board and general meetings shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board.
Section 4.02
A quorum in the Executive Board is a majority of its members.
Article V. MEMBERSHIP

Section 5.01
Any Person, age 21 or over shall be eligible for full membership in the Green Country Bears upon completion of the application form and payment of membership dues.
Section 5.02
All Applicants must complete a membership application which must include applicant's complete birthday. The Executive Committee (defined in Article IV) has the right, by a three quarters majority vote to cancel any membership, with written reasons provided to rejected member. Applicants whose membership has been revoked may file a written appeal to the President within fifteen (15) days of notification of disapproval. Within thirty (30) days of the appeal date, the President shall sustain or overturn the disapproval action, stating his reasons in writing.

Article VI. Dissolution - In the event of dissolution of the Green Country Bears

Section 6.01
Any organization property held by the Green Country Bears shall become property of the OkEq.
Section 6.02
All financial assets remaining after meeting outstanding liabilities shall revert to the OkEq general fund.
Article VII.

Amendments to this constitution may be proposed either by the Executive Board or by a petition of ten percent of the members in good standing. Adoption of the amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of the members voting, either in person or by absentee ballot, provided that notice of the meeting and the content of the amendments shall have been announced to the membership at least thirty days prior to the time at which the vote will be taken.

Having obtained the required two-thirds vote of the members voting to ratify this constitution, IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the current Executive Board of the Green Country Bears, have hereunto set our hands this 12th day of May, 20011.

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Conrad Sierra, President
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Brian Thompson, Vice President
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Dennis Kelly, Administrator
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Steve Williams, Treasurer

Bylaws of the Green Country Bears

Article I. Membership

Section 1.01
   Applications for membership shall be electronically submitted via our website or in writing and shall be accompanied by dues as specified herein. All applications for membership shall be acted on by the Executive Board.
Section 1.02    Classes of Membership: There shall be the following classes of members.
   (a) Full Member: Is a Green Country Bear member by virtue of payment of their annual dues, has voting rights, and may hold office.
   (b) Associate Member: Is a Green Country Bear supporter who does not pay annual dues, does not have voting rights, and cannot hold office. They may attend general meetings, voice their opinions and participate in certain group functions.
Section 1.03    General Considerations
Members must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
The organization will not establish any rule, regulation, or procedure, which limits membership based on gender, any physical attribute, race, creed, or sexual orientation.
Article II. Dues

Section 2.01    To maintain Full Membership in the Green Country Bears annual dues of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) shall be paid. Membership shall be good from the time fees are paid until the following year at the same time. (i.e. July 1st of 2010 till July 1st of 2011)
Section 2.02    Full Members who are greater than 30 days past due will revert to Associate Members.
Section 2.03    All payment of dues are final.

Article III. Meetings
Section 3.01    Regular Meetings
The organization shall hold a regular meeting on the second (2nd) Thursday of every month starting at 7:00pm. The meeting is to take place at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, Tulsa OK unless specified two week in advance.
Section 3.02    Special Meetings
Additional meetings to conduct one or more particular items of business may be required on occasion. These "special" meetings shall be communicated by the Secretary to the membership as soon as possible prior to the meeting. A special meeting may not be called for the purpose of elections of officers nor for any other item, which the bylaws state, must occur at a regular meeting.
Section 3.03    Quorum
Quorum at any regular or special meeting shall be 50% + 1 of the full members in good standing present at the meeting.
Section 3.04   Events
(a) Social Events
Social events are official gatherings of the club at which no business should be conducted. All members are encouraged to attend social events. Members are encouraged to review our website social calendar for events.
(b)Tulsa Growl
Tulsa Growl™ shall be the official bear run sponsored by the Green Country Bears.

Article IV. Financial Funds

Section 4.01
(a) All financial monies for the Green Country Bears are maintained by and administered through the OkEq Finance Director.
(b) All financial monies collected for Tulsa Growl are maintained by and administered through the OkEq Finance Director.
Section 4.02    Upon submission of proper receipt documentation and the signature of two Executive Board Members funds may be dispersed by the OkEq Finance Director.
Section 4.03    In addition to the official OkEq Finance Director's accounting of all funds and expense of the group, the Finance Office for the group shall keep an accounting of all funds collected and spent.
Article V. Expenditures

Section 5.01
(a) The Executive Board has the authority to approve expenditures up to and including One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) by a majority vote of the board.
(b) The Executive Board has the authority to approve expenditures for Tulsa Growl up to and including One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1500.00) by a majority vote of the board.
Section 5.02
(a) Expenditures in excess of One Hundred Dollar ($100.00) must be approved by a majority vote at a regular meeting of the organization.
(b) Expenditures in excess of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollar ($1500.00) must be approved by a majority vote at a regular meeting of the organization.

Article VI. Officers and Elections

The executive board shall consist of four to seven officers and is empowered to implement the resolutions and decisions of the club.
Section 6.01    Executive Board
(a) President
The President will conduct all meetings and delegate such authority to another officer if unable to be present. The President will represent the organization as necessary. The President may appoint any necessary committees and the chairpersons of such committees.
(b) Vice President
The Vice President is elected to assist the President. The Vice President shall be the chairperson of all special committees unless the President or the organization appoints a chairperson.
(c) Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for keeping the minutes of all regular and special meetings. The Secretary is also responsible for keeping all necessary records of the club including an up-to-date roll of all members. It is the Secretary's responsibility to notify the membership of all special meetings and changes to regular meetings.
(d) Treasurer
The treasurer is responsible for working directly with the OkEq Finance Director to account for all funds collected and expenses paid on behalf of the organization. The Treasurer will provide an accounting of such to the organization at our regular meetings. The treasurer is responsible for tracking and notifying members thirty days in advance of their annual membership dues anniversary.
(e) Webmaster
The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the online presence of the organization. This includes creation and updating of web pages and may include maintenance of an online calendar. The website will be maintained at the expense of the club.
(f) One or two members at large [optional]

[The posts of Secretary, Treasurer, and/or Webmaster may be held by the same individual if there are insufficient nominations]

Section 6.02    Elections
Nominations for officers in the Green Country Bears shall be held in June of each year, with Elections held in July. All nominees must be members in good standing. Elections shall be by secret ballot in the event that there is more than one nominee for a position. The ballots shall be counted in front of the assembled group with the majority of votes determining the new officer.

Section 6.03    Vacancy in Office

Any vacancy in the Executive Board shall be filled by appointment by the Board. Any such appointment will be only for the remainder of the term of office.

Section 6.04    Removal of an Officer

Officers may be removed by a 3/4-majority vote of all members in good standing; such vote to be in writing and signed. Article VII. Committees Committees shall be established as needed by the President and the chairman of the committee shall provide a report to the general membership.
Article VIII. Bylaws

Amendment to the bylaws shall be proposed in writing by two (2) members of the executive board or 25% of the members in good standing. Proposed amendments shall be presented in writing at a regular meeting and be voted on. An affirmative vote of three quarters (3/4) of the members present shall be required for ratification of the proposed amendment

Having obtained the required three quarters vote of the members voting to ratify these Bylaws, IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the current Executive Board of the Green Country Bears, have hereunto set our hands this 114th day of July, 2016.

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Daniel Gouvion, President
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Scott Tenney, Vice President
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Jimmy Kennedy, Treasurer
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Dennis Kelly, Webmaster
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Charley Fox. Member-at-Large
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Jerry Custer, Member-at-Large