BYLAWS
of the
HAMPDEN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1.1 - The name of this organization shall be the Hampden Business Association ("HBA").

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

Section 2.1 - To promote and maintain a favorable business environment for its businesses and professional members by defining, developing, and implementing programs and services that will expand business opportunities and add to the economic activity of the Town of Hampden.

Section 2.2 - To encourage participation of all other Hampden business people in HBA activities.

Section 2.3 - To continually communicate to Town government and School Administrative District #22 the needs of Hampden's businesses as it relates to planning, zoning, general economic growth and stability, use of facilities, and recreation; and to maintain and improve business-town government-SAD#22 relations.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS

Section 3.1 - The members of the HBA shall be representatives of Hampden businesses, representatives of Hampden Town Government, or representatives of School Administrative District #22, who have paid their dues to HBA.  Annual membership dues for the coming year will be determined at the Annual Meeting in April and payable before the next regular meeting.

Section 3.2 - Membership in HBA is limited to one per organization.  An organization is defined as including all related parent and subsidiary businesses having common ownership through their respective parent organizations.

Section 3.3 - Other Hampden residents are welcome to attend meetings and provide input but will not have an official vote.

Section 3.4 - The HBA shall annually compile a list of all businesses in Hampden with updates as they are known.  Those new businesses shall be invited to attend HBA meetings.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

Section 4.1 - The regular meetings of HBA shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise ordered by the HBA.

Section 4.2 - The regular meeting on the first Tuesday in April shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, setting dues and for any other business that may arise.

Section 4.3 - Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon written request of twenty-five percent (25%) of the HBA membership.  The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call.  Except in cases of emergency, written notice shall be given at least six (6) days in advance of the meeting date.

Section 4.4 - Twenty-five percent (25%) of the members of the HBA shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at a meeting of the HBA.

ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 5.1 - The officers of the HBA shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary/Historian and Treasurer.  These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws and by the parlimentary authority adopted by HBA as further described in Article 6.

Section 5.2 - At the regular meeting held on the first Tuesday of February, a nominating committee of three members shall be appointed by the President.  It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting in April.  The nominating committee shall report at the regular meeting on the first Tuesday of March.  Before the election at the annual meeting in April, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.

Section 5.3 - The officers shall be elected to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and their terms of office shall begin following the installation of officers at the Annual Meeting at which they were elected.

Section 5.4 - No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive full terms in the same office.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 6.1 - The President shall preside at all meeting of HBA at which he/she may be present.  He/she shall have the right to vote on any and all matters placed before the membership.  At the Annual Meeting he/she shall make a report of the term of his/her office as he/she deems proper.

Section 6.2 - It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assist the President in the discharge of his/her duties and, in her/her absence, to discharge said duties.  Should the President's office be vacated, the Vice President shall become President for the remainder of the term.  A new Vice President will be elected from the floor at the next meeting and will serve until the next annual meeting.

Section 6.3 -  It shall be the duty of the Secretary/Historian to attend all meetings of the HBA, keep a correct record thereof and to render a report at each regular meeting of the business of the prior meeting.  The Secretary/Historian shall keep a scrapbook including news articles, pictures, etc. of HBA activities and events.  Secretary/Historian will also perform other administrative matters of HBA as deemed appropriate.  In the absence of the Secretary/Historian, the Treasurer shall assume the duties of the Secretary/Historian.

Section 6.4 - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to hold in trust all funds belonging to HBA, to pay all valid and authorized bills when due and to render a complete account of their official activities at each of its monthly meetings.  The Treasurer shall submit a written report at the Annual Meeting to include a Statement of Condition and a Statement of Income and Expense.  Additionally, the Treasurer shall file all financial reports as required by Federal, State, and Municipal governments.

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

Section 7.1 - Special committees shall be appointed by the President, as HBA from time to time shall deem necessary, to carry on the work of HBA.  The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.

Section 7.2 - All special committees shall be given a charge and a definite limit of time for their existence, plus specified dates for reporting.

Section 7.3 - After the election and installation of officers at the Annual Meeting, the newly elected President shall appoint the following committees:

• Organization and Planning
• Promotions
• Liason

ARTICLE VIII - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 8.1 - The HBA shall be governed at all times by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, with precedence, however, to be given to rules written in these Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 9.1 - These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of HBA by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present, provided that a quorum is present and provided that the amendment has been submitted to the membership in writing at the previous regular meeting.  A copy of any proposed amendment will be sent to all dues paying members prior to the next regular meeting at which time said proposal will be put to a vote of the membership.