Bylaws

CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES OF CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN NEWCOMERS CLUB

ARTICLE I – NAME

The Club shall be known as Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Club (a not-for-profit social club) shall be to foster friendship among members of the organization and other newcomers in the community and to acquaint members with the benefits of the Colorado Springs area.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section A. Membership in the Club shall be open to any resident of the Cheyenne Mountain community and surrounding areas who pays their membership dues.

Section B. The founding presidents, Bonnie Eigel and Carol Raabe, shall be honorary life members.

Section C. By becoming a member of the Club and enjoying the privilege of membership, each member is subject to and agrees to abide by the Club’s Constitution, By-Laws and Standing Rules, as may be amended from time to time.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section A. The Club fiscal year shall be from June 1st to May 31st. Dues are payable at the beginning of the fiscal year, June 1st, for returning members and must be paid in full by September 30th to be considered a member in good standing and enjoy club benefits.

Section B. The yearly dues amount shall be set by the Executive Board. A member is one whose dues are current for the fiscal year.

Section C. A prospective member shall be required to pay membership dues after attending two Club meetings or activities. Former members must rejoin the Club by payment in full prior to attending any meetings or activities.

Section D. Dues shall be prorated to 50% of the yearly dues (for first-time members only) who join CMNC after February 1st.

Section E. Any dues paid by a member shall be returned in full within the first three months of joining the Club should they be dissatisfied with their membership. After three months, there will be no refund given.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the elected Board Officers who shall oversee all Club business and policy decisions as well as special events. The Executive Board shall meet monthly or as deemed necessary. Each elected Board Member shall cast one vote.  No proxy votes shall be accepted. Most recent past President shall serve as advisor as needed for the year following her term as President. Past President shall have no voting privileges except in the case of a tie Board vote. The Executive Board shall consist of President, Vice President (to step up as President the following year), Treasurer, Membership Director, Activities Director, Program Director, Secretary. Executive Board members shall not hold the same position for more than two consecutive terms. The term of office for each elected officer shall be:

President – One Year

Vice President – Two Years (one year as Vice President and one year as President)

Treasurer – Two Years

Membership Director, Activities Director, Program Director, Secretary: A minimum of One Year and maximum of Two Years.

Members of the Executive Board are also eligible to chair individual activities.

ARTICLE VI – CHANGES

All major changes in Club policies will be presented to the General Membership for voting. No proxy votes shall be accepted at any vote taking.

ARTICLE VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section A. The nominating committee chairperson, a current member in good standing, shall be selected by the current Executive Board and presented at the January meeting. The nominating committee shall consist of the chairperson and four current members in good standing. President of the current Executive Board shall serve in a non-voting

advisory capacity.

Section B. A proposed slate of officers will be announced by the nominating committee at the March General Meeting. Nominations for elected officers shall also be accepted from the general membership at the March meeting. All nominees will be published in the April Newsletter, and the election of officers shall be held at the April General Meeting. A ballot will be taken for any office with more than one candidate. Each member of the Club shall be entitled to one vote. No proxy votes shall be accepted. The officers shall be installed at the May Meeting.

ARTICLE VIII—MEETINGS

Section A. General Meetings of the Club shall be held once a month, September to May, or as prescribed by the Executive Board.

Section B. If a member has a particular point they wish to present at a General Meeting, they may contact the President in advance to discuss their request.

Section C. The cost of alcoholic beverages may not be included in the cost of any meeting, special event or activity group function.

ARTICLE IX – ACTIVITY GROUPS

Section A. All members of the activity groups must be members in good standing (dues current) of the Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club as verified by Director of Membership.

Section B. Activity groups may assess their members directly to cover the cost of any endeavor which is limited strictly to the group.

Section C. Activity groups shall be formed or discontinued as the need arises.

Section D. Activity groups shall meet at times and places of their own choosing, trying to avoid conflict with other groups whenever possible (Consult the President or Newsletter Editor for the monthly calendar.)

Section E. A written proposal for any new activity group must be submitted to the Executive Board for approval.

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND

BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES

The revised Constitution and By-Laws and Standing Rules may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the total members present at any monthly meeting. Recommended amendments will be presented to the Executive Board for approval and, upon approval, be published 30 days prior to voting for member’s review. It is the responsibility of each member of Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club to read the proposed amendments prior to attending the General Meeting when the proposed amendments will be voted on. Members desiring rationale or clarification of any proposed amendments may contact any Board member prior to the General Meeting at which voting will occur. No proxy votes shall be accepted.

ARTICLE XI – GOVERNMENT

Section A. The Executive Board shall have the power to investigate replacing an officer. When a vote is called for by the Executive Board, the majority will take precedence (no proxy votes shall be accepted). The Executive Board’s decision is final and there shall be no further recourse.

Section B. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, shall govern the Club in all cases in which they may be applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XII – INDEMNIFICATION; RELEASE

Section A. The Club may, to the extent permitted by the Colorado Revised Non-Profit Corporation Act, as amended (the “Act”), and in accordance with procedures set forth in the Act, indemnify the officers, directors and agents of the Club from and against any and all liabilities, losses, claims, damages, costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorney fees) incurred by any of them by virtue of serving in such capacities on behalf of the Club.

Section B. Each member acknowledges the purpose of the Club and its activities as stated in the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws and Standing Rules and agrees to assume all risks and responsibilities associated with participation in such activities. Each member releases the Club and its members, directors, officers and the hostess/host/organizer of any Club activity or event from any and all liabilities, losses, claims, damages, costs and expenses (including court costs and reasonable attorney fees) incurred by the member as a result of, or arising out of, participation in Club activities or events.

ARTICLE XIII – DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the Club, after payment of all debts, the remaining assets and other properties, if any, shall be transferred to such other tax-exempt organizations under Section 501-C-(7) of the Internal Revenue Code, working in the same or similar fields, as shall be designated by the Executive Board officers at the time of such dissolution.

In no event shall any portions of the assets and other properties of the Club be distributed to any member of the Club.

STANDING RULES

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

1. The purposes of the Club shall be furthered through monthly meetings, activity groups, and special events for its members.

2. The Club Newsletter, Directory, and other Club publications are produced for the private use of the Club’s members. The Newcomers Club does not provide membership rosters and/or mailing lists to outside concerns, nor does it allow solicitations of members by any other members for business, political, or any other purpose except as authorized by the Executive Board.

3. CMNC is not a philanthropic organization. It has been established as an organization to foster friendships. Should members choose to support a specific charity, they choose to do so independently. Existing Gleaners and Adopt-a-Family charities are considered to be grandfathered.

4. CMNC encourages and expects the courteous and responsible behavior of each member and guest when participating in any event, activity or business of the Club. Behavior determined to be detrimental to the welfare or objectives of the Club or in violation of the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws and Standing Rules may be considered grounds for suspension or termination of membership. CMNC reserves the right to suspend or terminate a member after reasonable notice and opportunity for the

member to be heard as to the grounds thereof.

5. CMNC does not promote or advocate the consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, whenever such beverages are served in conjunction with Club functions, CMNC advocates that member and guest consumption of alcohol shall be limited and responsible.  Each member or guest consuming alcoholic beverages at any Club function or activity assumes personal responsibility for actions and the consequences of those actions.

6. If a member or guest has any special needs or conditions that may impact a Club activity or event, it is that member’s or guest’s responsibility to so inform the hostess/host/organizer who will determine if such special needs or conditions can/will be accommodated. Each member acknowledges and agrees that neither the Club, nor any hostess/host/organizer of a Club activity or event has any obligation to accommodate any such special needs or conditions, nor will they have any liability if any such accommodation is not provided.

7. Club functions open to the public may be held at the discretion of the Executive Board. No one will be admitted to any CMNC function without a paid reservation, where applicable. All cancellations of reservations must be made before the reservation deadline to receive a refund.

8. Except where time and logistics prohibit, all payment for reservations shall be delivered by the reservations Chairpersons to the Club Treasurer before the scheduled Newcomers event. This is especially important for all events partially underwritten by CMNC. Checks shall be made payable to Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club, or CMNC.

9. Club members are permitted to bring guests to Club meetings and to activities/special events on a space available basis. Reservations for guests shall be made by Club Chairperson.

SPECIAL EVENTS RULE

1. The President may appoint a Chairperson and committee for additional events as they occur during the year (i.e., Spring Luncheon, Fall Kickoff).

2. The Chairperson of each additional event shall turn in a year-end report due by the end of the fiscal year (May 31st).

Updated July 2026