BYLAWS OF POETS & PATRONS. INC.

Article I - Object

The object of POETS & PATRONS, INC., as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, shall be "to encourage creativity among poets and to stimulate the appreciation of poetry." To further this, workshops and contests shall be conducted regularly and collaboration with other poetry organizations encouraged.

Article 2 - Government

The official rules of conduct and all rights and authorities of POETS & PATRONS, INC. shall follow the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of the State of Illinois unless, wherever permitted or deemed advisable, specifically modified by these By-Laws. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall apply when not in conflict with these bylaws.

Article 3 - Membership

Membership in POETS & PATRONS, INC. is open to all who are interested in furthering the object, as stated in Article One.

• A membership is considered to be inactive if the annual dues are allowed to lapse. Dues
  must be paid within 60 days of notification.
• Each active member is entitled to receive all notices mailed to the general membership; to
  submit his poetry for criticism to the workshops during the year. The member is entitled to cast
  one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the membership.

Article 4 - Meetings Bo ard of Directors:

Two regularly scheduled meeting shall be called annually by the president. Special meetings may be called, at the discretion of the president or at the request of board members at any times deemed necessary.

General Membership:

(A) Printed notices shall be mailed to all least two weeks prior to each meeting, stating the purpose of and the place, day and hour the meeting is to convene.

Poets & Patrons Bylaws page 2

• In each even numbered year, a meeting shall be held to elect officer-directors to replace
  those whose terms have expired. Members must be present in person to vote.
• Four workshop meetings shall be held each year. These shall be under the supervision of the
  workshop chair.

(D) Special meetings shall be called only by the president and/or the board of directors; the
imperative reason shall be clearly stated and the notice shall be mailed in adequate time to allow
for attendance by a majority of interested members. Any members or group of members petition
for calling a special meeting must be presented to the president and must state clearly the reason
for the request. This petition must be in writing. The president shall, in turn, present the request
to the board of directors who, at its discretion, can call a special meeting.

(E) An annual poetry contest shall be held with awards given at that meeting in observance of
National Poetry Day.

Article 5 - Election of officers

• The governing body of POETS & PATRONS, INC. shall be the board of directors, which
  shall consist of the current workshop chair, contest chair, webmaster and the following elected
  officers: president, vice president, and treasurer. A vacated office may be filled by the president,
  with board approval.
• Tenure of office shall be for two years, and no officer shall succeed himself more than once,
  with the exception of the treasurer.
• Election of officers shall take place in even number years, as stated in Article 4 (B). The
  workshop chair shall be appointed for a one year term, with the option to continue by mutual
  consent of the board. A contest chair and webmaster shall be appointed each year with board
  approval.
• The immediate past president and immediate past workshop chair shall be invited as an
  advisory board to all board meetings.

Article 6 - Quorum

Four members of the board of directors shall be considered a quorum. Twenty-five percent of members shall constitute a membership quorum.

Article 7 - Dues Dues for all members shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Poets & Patrons Bylaws page 3

Article 8 - Duties of Elected Officers

• The president shall preside at all meetings. With the advice and consent of the Board, s/he
  shall appoint committee chairs as required.
• The vice president shall act as secretary and archivist. In the absence of the president, the
  vice president shall function as president.
• The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the corporation, shall keep membership
  records, send notice for the purpose of dues and keep a detailed record of all money received and
  spent.

Article 9 - Duties of Appointed Officers

• The Webmaster shall be appointed by the Board and serve under its jurisdiction. S/he shall
  service and maintain the website, keeping the information current.
• The Workshop Chair shall plan and execute the four poetry workshops of the year. S/he
  shall appoint the judges, choose the topic and preside at the four meeting.
• The Contest Chair shall plan and execute the annual contest. S/he shall also plan and
  implement the Poetry Awards Meeting.

Article 10 - Implementation, Suspension, Amendment and Repeal of Bylaws

• These bylaws shall become effective immediately upon adoption by a majority vote of the
  general membership.
• These bylaws may be suspended, amended, or repealed by majority vote of members present,
  who will be given advance notice.

Article 11 - Dissolution

• POETS AND PATRONS can be dissolved by majority vote of the members present, who
  will be given advance notice.
• If POETS AND PATRONS should cease to exist, any funds remaining shall be disbursed in
  accordance with Article 5 of the Articles of Incorporation as filed with the State of Illinois.

Submitted April 2006