NEW BEGINNINGS SINGLES SUPPORT GROUPS, INC.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of the organization shall be New Beginnings Single Support Group, Inc.
(“New Beginnings”).
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
The purpose of New Beginnings Single Support Group, Inc. shall be to benefit the community by
providing a support program for adults who are distressed over being separated, widowed,
divorced or never married and to find purpose and wholeness in all dimensions of their lives
after experiencing a loss. The support will be emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION 1. Membership shall be open to all separated, divorced, widowed or never married
adults who desire to participate in support groups, business meetings or special programs.
SECTION 2. New Beginnings Council shall review and establish dues at the beginning of each
fiscal year.
SECTION 3. The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of the same
year.
SECTION 4. Membership shall be required for any person after sixty (60) day trial period.
Scholarships may be made available for those facing financial hardship.
SECTION 5. Membership shall be required for members of the Council and facilitators.
ARTICLE IV THE COUNCIL
SECTION 1. The Council shall be the governing body of New Beginnings. It shall be
comprised of the officers, the standing committee chairpersons, members-at-large, the chaplain,
and the immediate past president(s) and the director.
SECTION 2. The Council shall meet monthly at a time and place agreed upon by the council
members , no less than 10 per year.
SECTION 3. A search committee, appointed by the Council, shall select the chaplain who can
be of any denomination. The chaplain shall work under the direct supervision of the Council.
SECTION 4. The chaplain, director and any other paid employee of New Beginnings will be a
non-voting member of the Council.
SECTION 5. The Nominating Committee selected from the membership, shall make
nominations for each of the four (4) officer positions. The members of New Beginnings will have
an opportunity to propose candidates for officer position.
SECTION 6. All officers shall be elected at a duly called annual meeting. Only members of
New Beginnings shall be eligible to hold office and vote. None of the earnings of the
organization may inure to any private shareholder or individual.
SECTION 7. In the event of a vacancy in any office during the year, by majority vote, the
Council shall have the authority to appoint a replacement for the remainder of the year.
SECTION 8. The Council shall approve the expenditure of all funds.
SECTION 9. Up to five members may be appointed to serve as at-large-members of the
Council and may be asked to serve on committees where needed.
SECTION 10. The immediate past president(s) shall be defined as the New Beginnings
president who served prior to the current president.
SECTION 11. Any Council member shall have the right to call an Executive Session. No
minutes are taken during these sessions.
ARTICLE V THE ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting shall be held each year during the month of January. The meeting time
and place shall be established by the Council and publicized at least 2 weeks in advance of the
annual meeting. The weekly meeting may be considered the annual meeting. During the
meeting, the slate of officers will be presented to the general membership for discussion and
final vote.
ARTICLE VI OFFICERS
SECTION 1. The President shall be responsible for conducting all regular meetings of the
Council and overseeing all of the officers, committees, Chaplain and Director.
SECTION 2. The Vice President shall have oversight of the Program Committee and fill in for
the President in his/her absence.
SECTION 3. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all regular Council meetings and the
annual meeting. Copies of the minutes of regular Council meetings shall be made available to
each council member prior to the next scheduled meeting. The Secretary shall handle any
official correspondence for the group.
SECTION 4. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate accounting of all funds received and spent
by New Beginnings and provide a monthly report to the Council. The Treasurer shall also
prepare an annual financial report at the end of each fiscal year. The Treasurer will be
responsible for issuing checks in payment for services and expenses. The Treasurer, with the
guidance and assistance of the Council, will be responsible for the preparation of all official
government reports including but not limited to: quarterly and annual payroll reports and
mandated annual financial reports with supporting documentation.
ARTICLE VII STANDING COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. The Program Committee will plan regular weekly programs that encompass
emotional, physical and intellectual aspects of healing. In addition, this committee may plan
other special programs, such as retreats and seminars.
SECTION 2. The Social Committee will plan and assist with activities of a social nature with a
focus on helping members, distressed by the loss of a relationship, to integrate fully as single
persons.
SECTION 3. The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for keeping the group and the
community at large informed of the group’s purpose and programs.
SECTION 4. The Membership Committee shall recruit new members and keep accurate
records of all active members of the group. The committee shall also staff the membership
table.
SECTION 5. The Hospitality Committee will be responsible for setting up for the meeting,
providing refreshments and seeing that the premises is left clean and orderly after each regular
meeting.
SECTION 6. The Facilitator Committee will give attention to recruiting , equipping and training
the support group facilitators. This committee will be responsible for setting up and staffing the
support groups. SECTION 7. The
Internet Committee shall be responsible for developing internet capabilities.SECTION 8. The
Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for soliciting donations from external sources.
SECTION 9. The In-house Fundraising Committee shall be responsible for soliciting donations
from past and present members. SECTION 10. The
Council shall appoint committee chairs or co-chairs from the membership of New Beginnings.
SECTION 11. The size of each committee and selection of committee members shall be at the
discretion of the committee chairs.
ARTICLE VIII AD HOC COMMITTEES
Ad hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the Council to give direction to various
aspects of the program as needed.
ARTICLE IX QUORUM AND VOTING PROCEDURES
SECTION 1. A quorum for the annual meeting shall be those members present at a meeting
that has been announced at least two (2) weeks in advance.
SECTION 2. A quorum for a council meeting shall be fifty percent (50%) of the membership of
the Council.
SECTION 3. All official action at the annual meeting shall require a majority vote of the
members present.
SECTION 4. All official action by the Council shall require a majority vote of the members
present at a duly called council meeting.
ARTICLE X REVISION OF THE BYLAWS
SECTION 1. Any proposed revision of these bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Council
for approval.
SECTION 2. Any revision of these bylaws shall require a majority vote of the Council.
SECTION 3. Any proposed revision of these bylaws, if approved by the Council, shall be
presented to the New Beginnings membership for their approval by a majority vote of the
members present at any duly designated weekly meeting.
ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION
New Beginnings as an organization shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend (collectively
“Indemnify” and “indemnification”) its officers, directors, employees and agents, past and
present, from and against all claims, judgements, actions, damages, liabilities, settlements,
costs, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees and costs),
whether or not involving a third party claim or whether or not caused by the negligence of
New Beginnings or any indemnified party and whether or not the relevant claim has merit.
Original: Reviewed and edited by the Council on; Revisions ratified by the
Council ; Approved by membership