BY-LAWS 2007
ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1   The name of the club is Washington Executive Women in Travel.


ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

Section 1   The objectives of the Club are: To develop friendship and understanding and to encourage professionalism, participation and networking among women in organizations related to the travel industry.

Section 2   The Club shall in no case:
  1. Impose any restrictions arising from different social standards, race, religion, politics or gender
  2. Be used in any way as an enterprise for profit.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP (Click here to apply for membership.)

Section 1   Classes: There are three classes of membership: Active, Inactive, and Associate.
Section 2   Qualifications: The qualifications for each class of membership are as follows:
  1. Active Members:
    1. A member must be at managerial level and actively engaged in or selling to the travel industry, or a WEWiT member retired from the travel industry but not holding another full-time position outside of the industry. The categories of members are as follows:
      1. Travel agent: Owner, officer, department head, manager or senior agent (minimum 3 years) of a fully appointed travel agency who is engaged in the promotion and sale of travel and/or in the management of the agent/agency affairs.
      2. Cruise-only agents or independent contractors: Owner, officer, department head or manager of a cruise-only travel agency or an independent contractor or home based agent who is engaged in the promotion and sale of travel and/or in the management of their own agent/agency affairs.
      3. Airline: Manager who is engaged in marketing, sales, reservations, or public relations.
      4. Ground transportation: Manager who is engaged in the promotion and sale of ground transportation.
      5. Steamship/cruises: Manager who is engaged in marketing, sales, reservations, or public relations.
      6. Travel associate: Manager or department head of a travel-related company, such as, but not limited to, governmental agency dealing in travel, tourism or transportation services, travel magazine or newspaper, travel school, national or state travel or tourist office, convention and visitors bureau, private company or association having a travel department, multi-line reps, travel personnel services, or any others who sell to the travel industry.
      7. Hotel and resort: Manager or department head who is engaged in the promotion and sale of hotel or resort space.
      8. Tour operator: Manager who is engaged in promotion and sales of the company's own tour programs.
      9. Meeting Planner: Manager engaged in logistics of convention and conference planning.
      10. At-Large: In the event an Active Member is temporarily unemployed for up to one year, the member will become a Member At Large and will retain all the privileges and responsibilities of an Active Member.
    2. A member must have a minimum of three years of service in the travel industry or related field.
    3. An active member's place of business must be within the Greater Washington, DC area. (An associate member's place of business may be located anywhere.)
    4. No more than three persons from the same organization at a single address may hold Active Membership at the same time.
    5. The Active Membership is limited to one hundred (100) members. No one category may exceed 50% of the membership.
  2. Associate Members: Those who would qualify as active members but live or work more than 50 miles outside of the Greater Washington, DC area.
  3. Inactive Members:
    1. Honorary. Honorary Memberships may be extended to Individuals who have distinguished themselves by service to tourism and travel, but who are not or cannot otherwise be Active Members of the Club.
    2. Retired. WEWiT Members who retire from the travel industry, as long as they do not hold another full-time position outside the travel industry, may choose Retired status if they do not wish to fulfill all of the responsibilities of Active Membership. If Active they are counted in the same category as before retirement.
Section 3   Selection of Active and Associate members. Members will be selected as follows:
  1. Active and Associate Members
    2.
    1. Any Active Member may invite a prospective candidate for membership to attend two open meetings as a guest, at the expense of the sponsor member and/or the candidate. After attending the two meetings, the candidate may submit an application for membership to the Membership Chair, who will determine whether the candidate qualifies for active membership.
    2. If rejected by the Membership Chair, the sponsor will receive from the Executive Committee the reason for the rejection; i.e. the category is filled, candidate did not meet the required qualifications, etc. Applications of candidates who have attended one open regular meeting will be sent by email to the current membership for review and vote.
    3. Upon acceptance by fifty-one percent (51 %) of current Active membership, the candidate will be extended a membership invitation by the Membership Chair.
    4. No applicant will be accepted into the Club as an Active member until the initiation fee and annual dues as provided in Section VI have been paid.
    5. Upon recommendation by the Executive Committee, an Active Member who retires from the travel industry, and who is in good standing at the time of retirement, shall be designated as retired. The member may choose Active or Inactive membership depending on the level of participation they desire.
  2. Inactive Members.
    1. Honorary - Upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and written approval by a two-third (2/3) vote of the current membership, an Honorary Membership may be conferred.
    2. Retired - Upon recommendation by the Executive Committee, an Active Member who retires from the travel industry, and who is in good standing at the time of retirement, shall be designated as retired. The member may choose Inactive membership, rather than Active.
Section 4   Privileges and Responsibilities.
  1. Participation
    An Active or Associate Member may attend and participate in all general and special meetings of the Club, may serve on any standing or special committees established by the Club, and may make motions, vote, hold office, and otherwise participate in the activities of the Club.
    An Inactive Member may not serve on committees, may not make motions, vote, hold office or attend closed meetings.
  2. Dues
    3.
    1. There shall be a one-time initiation fee for all new members. The Executive Committee shall establish the fee.
    2. The annual dues will be established by the Executive Committee each year. The dues are payable on or before January 1 of each year. Memberships effective after July 1 of any year will pay one-half (1/2) of the year's dues.
    3. Inactive (Retired) members will pay reduced dues as determined by the Executive Committee.
    4. Inactive (Honorary) members are not required to pay dues.
  3. Attendance.
    1. Every Active Member is required to attend at six out of eleven of the called meetings in any twelve (12) month period.
    2. Inactive and Associate Members do not have minimum attendance requirements.
    3. All members must RSVP in accordance with the meeting announcement.
  4. Termination of Membership
    1. A membership may be terminated by the Executive Committee if:
      1. The member does not meet the attendance requirements of Paragraph C of this Section.
      2. The member does not pay the annual dues or other invoices from the Treasurer within sixty (60) days of it becoming due, or
      3. Because of a change in job position the member no longer qualifies for membership.
    2. Written notice of a proposed termination will be sent to the member.
    3. The member may appeal this proposed action, in writing or in person, to the Executive Committee.
    4. In reaching a final decision on termination, the Executive Committee will consider any extenuating circumstances presented by the member.
  5. Resignation.
    Any member desiring to resign from the Club will submit a resignation in writing to the Second Vice President (Membership).

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1
  1. Officers. The officers of the Club are President, First Vice President (Programs), Second Vice President (Membership), Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Member At Large.
  2. Duties. Duties of the officers are as follows:
    1. President is responsible for presiding over all meetings of the Club and of the Executive Committee and for serving as the official representative and spokesperson for the Club.
    2. First Vice President (Programs) is responsible for selecting and arranging meeting sites and program agendas, including guest speakers, and for serving as President in the President's absence.
    3. Second Vice President (Membership) is responsible for maintaining all records on the Club's membership and for serving as Chairperson of the Membership Committee.
    4. Secretary is responsible for preparing minutes of the general and Executive Committee meetings, and for preparing and maintaining necessary correspondence on behalf of the Club and Executive Committee.
    5. Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the Club's financial accounts, including handling the receipt and disbursement of funds.
    6. Board Member At Large - Acts as assistant to any board member when needed, and, in her absence, serves in her capacities.
    Section 2    Executive Committee
    1. Composition. The Club will be governed in accordance with these bylaws by an Executive Committee comprised of the six (6) officers, the immediate Past President, and up to two other members. Each category of membership will be represented, if possible.
    2. Functions. The Executive Committee will have general supervision over the affairs of the Club, make the recommendations to the membership, establish standing or special committees as may be needed to carry on the work of the Club, and perform such other duties as specified in these Bylaws. Resignation. In the event of resignation of any Executive Committee member, or if a vacancy is created by other causes during the term of office, the Executive Committee will appoint a Club member to serve for the unexpired term.
    Section 3    Elections
    1. Time and Place. Election of officers and other Executive Committee members will be held at the annual closed business meeting in November. There must be a quorum of 51% of the Active Membership to proceed with the election. If there is no quorum, ballots will be emailed, returned and counted before the January meeting. Fifty one percent (51 %) must be returned for the election to be valid.
    2. Nominating Committee. The Executive Committee will establish a Nominating Committee at least two (2) months prior to the annual closed business meeting in November. The Executive Committee will appoint a Past President to serve as chairperson of the Nominating Committee.
    3. Procedures.
      1. The Nominating Committee will receive nominations and, prior to the annual meeting, present in writing to the membership a slate of at least one candidate for each Office.
      2. Before the election at the annual meeting, nominations from the floor will be accepted.
      3. If there is more than one candidate for any position the office will be filled by written ballot, and the candidate receiving the largest number of votes is elected. Otherwise, the slate presented by the Nominating Committee will be accepted by acclamation following a motion made and seconded.
    4. Term of Office. Each successful candidate assumes office as of the election date and serves for one year or until a successor is installed.

    ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

    Section 1   Monthly General Meetings. Meetings will be held once a month on the first Wednesday of the month. If such date is considered by the Executive Committee to be inappropriate, an alternate date will be scheduled. Out-of-town guests from related fields may be invited to all but closed business meetings. The general meetings will provide the opportunity for members to invite guests. Such guests may be invited to any one of the general meetings or social functions. Prospective members may be invited to any two open regular meetings and social functions.
    Section 2   Annual Meetings. The general November meeting will be the annual closed business meeting. This meeting will include annual reports from the President and other officers and the election of new officers and Executive Committee members.
    Section 3   Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Club may be called by an officer upon written request of not less than one-third (1/3) of the Active Membership or upon resolution approved by a majority of the Executive Committee. Ten (10) days written notice of such a meeting, stating the purpose thereof, will be given to the members.
    Section 4   Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee will meet at least quarterly, and monthly if necessary. The President or any other officer may call a special meeting at any time, upon written request of a majority of the Committee. A majority of the committee must be present to conduct voting.
    Section 5   Quorum. Fifty one percent (51 %)of the current Active Membership will constitute a quorum.
    Section 6   Voting. Where a quorum exists, a simple majority vote of the Active Members present and voting at a called meeting will determine elections and all other matters voted upon, except as provided elsewhere in these Bylaws. Active Members must be present to vote. If a quorum is not met, the business items must go out by mail. Fifty-one percent (51 %) of the Active members must vote in order for the election to be valid.


    ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

    Section 1   Amendment. These Bylaws may be modified or amended from time to time. Advance written notice of the proposed modification or amendment must be given to the membership. Approval of the proposed change by a fifty-one percent (51 %) vote of the current Active Membership is required.


    ADDENDUM
    Resolved, that in the event that this organization shall ever cause itself to be dissolved, any funds remaining in its treasury, after all creditors are paid, shall be distributed to a recognized charity as approved by the membership thereof.
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