GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
1
I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Groton Senior Citizens’ “Club 55” of Groton,
Connecticut.
II – OBJECTIVES
To provide an opportunity for senior citizens to get together in a social and recreational
atmosphere; to provide a meaningful experience for seniors during their leisure time, and
to educate the community as to the continual worth of senior citizens.
III – MEMBERSHIP
A. Members shall be residents of the Town of Groton, age fifty-five and above. Policy
rule is governed by the Parks & Recreation Department, the sponsor.
B. New members (individual/couples) must register at the office of the Groton Senior
Center before becoming Club members. Proof of Groton residency must be shown at
the time of registering, i.e.; driver’s license, utility bill, rent receipt, personal check
w/printed information, library card, or senior citizens I.D. card.
C. Upon payment of annual dues, a member is eligible for all rights and privileges of the
Club. Dues shall be paid by September 1 and run through August 31 of the following
year. Annual dues shall be $5.00 starting September 1.
IV – OFFICERS
A. A President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Historian and
Chaplain shall be elected.
1. All officers may run for consecutive terms up to three (5) consecutive terms.
B. The above officers plus standing committee chairpersons, the immediate Past-
President and the Senior Center Supervisor shall constitute the Executive Board.
C. The Senior Center Supervisor or staff representative shall act as a liaison officer
between the Club and the sponsor, the Parks & Recreation Department at the
Executive Board.
GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
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D. Nominations
1. Nominations for the Nominating Committee will be selected at the August
business meeting with the President having the option of selecting one (1)
member and four (4) being selected from the floor. If more than five (5)
names are chosen, then a secret ballot will be conducted to choose five (5)
members.
2. A Nominating Committee consisting of five (5) members and the
Senior Center Supervisor will convene no later than September 1 of
each year.
3. The Committee will select a chairperson and will schedule as many
meetings as needed to decide upon a slate of officers.
4. No names will be considered after October 31. Any member wishing
to be considered, after the deadline, has the option of pursuing a write
in campaign.
5. The slate of officers recommended by the Nominating Committee will
be presented to the members at the November Club meeting of the
current year. Candidates may be nominated from the floor (with prior
acceptance from the candidate). The Nominating Committee’s
recommendation for the slate of officers shall be published in the
December and January newsletter.
E. An election will be held at the January business meeting. Balloting will be by secret
ballot and a plurality vote will rule in all balloting of officers. Only paid-up members
will be allowed to vote. In the case of one nominee, The Secretary may cast one vote
for the election of that office. Nominees for each office shall be presented by the
residing officers at the meeting and acted on.
1. The officer in charge shall appoint 2 (two) monitors to be present for
the proper collection of ballots in the ballot boxes set up in a
designated area and shall designate 3 (three) members for the counting
of ballots. The votes cast will be verified by the Monitor who will then
present the count to the officer in charge who will announce the results
to the members present.
2. Voting on Election Day will be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. All club members voting will be verified by the
Membership Chairperson or other designated person.
V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. The President shall preside at all meetings and be ex-officio member of all
committees except the Nominating Committee. The President may appoint a
Chairperson of the Special Services Committee and any other committees as shall be
deemed necessary by the membership. The President shall be responsible for the Vice
GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
3
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Chaplain, Historian and Flag
Attendant, Executive Board, Special Committees and Business Meetings.
B. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence and
shall perform and carry out such duties as required by this office. The President and
Vice President shall co-chair and organize special fund raising events.
C. The Secretary shall record all actions of the Executive Board and Business Meetings
and maintain these minutes in an orderly fashion for the future reference of this
organization.
D. The Treasurer shall keep the records of all monetary transactions and shall give a
report at the Executive Board and monthly meetings.
1. All proceeds from activity sales must be counted in the presence of a
staff member, Club Officer, and 1 (one) designated impartial
representative of the Club
E. Assistant Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of the
Treasurer. Assistant Treasurer shall serve as ex-officio member without vote of the
Finance Committee. Also, the Assistant Treasurer shall serve in such other capacities
as assigned by the President.
F. The Historian shall keep records of all Club activities in the official Club scrapbook
to be passed onto succeeding Club Historians.
G. The Chaplain shall be responsible for the prayer and a moment of meditation for our
deceased members at each business meeting and major club functions. In his/her
absence the presiding officer shall be responsible.
H. The Flag Attendant shall be responsible for the Flag Ceremony. In his/her absence the
presiding officer shall be responsible.
I. If an office becomes vacant except for that of President, the current Nominating
Committee shall recommend a replacement for the office to the Executive Board,
which shall then present it to be voted on by the general membership at the next
regular business meeting.
J. The duties of the Executive Board shall be:
1. To act on matters pertaining to the comfort, enjoyment and
participation in activities for all members.
2. To assure that members’ ideas, concerns and opinions are given an
honest appraisal at all times.
3. To provide the members a fair and full report of all business conducted
by this board.
GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
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VI – FINANCES
A. All expenditures over $100 must be approved by a majority of the membership
present and voting. Expenditures $100 and under must be approved by a majority of
the Executive Board present and voting.
B. Distribution of funds from a fund-raising event shall be determined by the Executive
Board and approved by the Club membership.
C. The Audit Committee shall consist of three persons – two whom will be appointed by
the President at the November Business meeting and the third will be a representative
from the Senior Center staff. The audit shall cover the finance records from the first
day of January to the thirty first (31
January business meeting.
VII – ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
A. An Achievement Awards Program is to be established by the Groton Senior Citizens’
Club 55.
B. Finances for the achievement awards shall be taken from the Groton Senior Citizens’
Club 55 Operating Fund.
C. In May, the achievement awards shall be presented to 2 (two) Groton residents
graduating from area high schools or technical schools. A check for not more than
$500 each shall be presented to the applicants selected by the Achievement Awards
Committee.
VIII – SPONSOR
A. The Town of Groton Recreation Department shall sponsor this organization and shall
have final approval of all activities.
B. The Parks and Recreation Department shall provide a Senior Center Supervisor who
will be a liaison between the Club and Sponsor and shall assist in the function of the
Club.
C. The Senior Center Supervisor shall be responsible for entertainment, parties,
luncheons, refreshments, bazaars, trips, collection for meals and dues, decoration and
transportation.
D. A special Club Meeting may be called by the Executive Board and held on a Tuesday
with four days notice.
E. A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of 5 Board members.
GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
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F. All meetings pertaining to the Groton Senior Citizens “Club 55” Committees will be
conducted at the Groton Senior Center.
X – ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Club Business Meeting 12:30 to completion
Club Gathering 12:30 to completion
B. Order of Business
1. Call to order by President
2. Flag Salute by Flag Attendant
3. Prayer and moment of silence for departed members
4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Correspondence
7. Committee reports
8. Old Business
9. New Business
10. Program reminders (Senior Center Supervisor)
11. Motion to adjourn
C. All business of the Club will be governed by the Club’s policies and procedures.
XI – REVISIONS
A. These By-laws may be revised from time to time. The method of proposed revisions
will be governed by the Club’s Policy and Procedures.
By-laws Committee:
Irene Garagliano
Cecilia Cara
Rosemary Golston
Don Mosher
Tom Morris
GROTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ “CLUB 55”
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
REVISED
October 11, 2010
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AMENDMENTS
VII.C. Amendment was voted on and approved on July 10, 2001 at Groton Senior
Citizens Club meeting.
IV A. Amendment was voted on and approved on June 11, 2002 at Groton Senior
Citizens Club meeting.
V E. Addition of Assistant Treasurer position was voted on and approved on
December 13, 2005 at Groton Senior Citizens’ Club meeting.
IV A. 1 Amendment was voted on and approved on December 13, 2005 at Groton
Senior Citizens’ Club meeting.
IV D. 1 Amendment change date from March to August voted and approved Oct. 9,
2007 at Groton Senior Citizens’ Club meeting.
IV D. 2 Amendment change date from April 1
