LocalFiber Bylaws

Mission statement

The organization (club), LocalFiber, was created for the purpose of bringing together the diverse community of small-flock fiber producers and fiber artists of the Finger Lakes Region with the specific goals of strengthening the community, sharing knowledge, and collectively identifying and addressing shared challenges. It is the intent of Local Fiber to be a not for profit entity.

Defined membership

  • Two tiers of membership: full and affiliate
  • For the first year while the inaugural officers are establishing the organization there will be no dues until January 2022 when the following dues will be put in place.
  • Full member benefits
    • Dues – $20
    • only available to people living in the following counties of NY: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben, Seneca, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Yates
    • voting members
    • access to all events, initiatives, and activities
    • member pricing for events/activities/workshops
    • LF may cultivate sponsor relationship with related businesses to get member discounts
  • Affiliates
    • Dues – $5
    • from anywhere outside of the full member listed counties
    • not voting members
    • access to some events/activities may be limited
    • additional fee may be applied to contribute to certain events/activities
  • All member benefits
    • list on website (affiliate basic listing)
      • additional advertising will be available, rates will apply
    • access to community
    • ability to participate in developing infrastructure

Defined the officer roles

  • President
    • Overseeing the management of the organization
    • Be the responsible holder of the federal employee identification number for the club
    • Lead meetings/chair meetings
    • Call meetings
    • Organize Quarterly Meeting (QM) guests
  • Vice President (VP)
    • Organizes the election committee
    • Committee check-in (Oversees sub-committees)
      • Presents committees updates in the absence of committee representative
    • Manage the slide deck for QM
    • Assume the role of president if needed
  • Publicist
    • Manages content for Newsletters, Social Media(SM), Public Relations(PR), Website
      • Does not need to create content but collate and get to whoever needs it (Secretary, Webmaster…)
    • Assume the role of VP if needed
  • Treasurer
    • Manage the accounts
    • Give quarterly reports
  • Secretary
    • Take minutes at executive and QMs
    • Official correspondence (newsletters etc…)
    • Point person to connect to the outside  (PR…)
    • Email manager (Makes sure the right person gets the emails and responds accordingly)
  • Webmaster
    • Performs updates to website
    • Manages software patches
    • Manages annual renewals (coordinate with Treasurer)

Officer terms

1 year (for a maximum of 3 contiguous years)

  • If someone cannot fulfill their duties a new election may be held.
  • Off for a minimum of 1 year from all officer positions after 3 contiguous years

Committees shall be created as needed by the officers and membership to attend the details of special events and initiatives.

Election timing/process

  • Election committee (of 3, 5, or 7 people)
    • Creates a slate of potential officers by petitioning for nominations at the last quarterly meeting of the year.
      • Statements of candidates sent out between last QM of the year and 2 weeks prior to the 1st QM
    • A formal meeting for the specific purpose of electing officers shall be held annually on the Second Tuesday in the month of January
    • Officers assume positions at the 2nd quarterly meeting and serve until the 2nd quarterly meeting of the following year.
  • Non-attendance & digital voting is permitted
  • Elections will be by anonymous ballots

Notice of Meeting is sent out at least two weeks prior to the meeting date. Notice for Meeting sent in an email by the Secretary.

Voting results are determined by a simple majority of those responding.

Revisions of the ByLaws shall be approved by the officers and confirmed by the voting membership by a simple majority of those responding.

Adjustments for the inaugural calendar year

  • The Board of Directors is the election committee
  • Anyone who is currently a member will be able to vote for the inaugural officers, having had a chance to review and understand the bylaws prior.
  • Creates a slate of potential officers by petitioning for nominations at the 1st quarterly meeting of the year.
    • Statements of candidates sent out between 1st QM of and 2 weeks prior to the 2nd QM

Fiscal year

January 1st through December 31st

LocalFiber foundational events

Events that should be organized and executed per calendar year:

  • 4 QMs
    • Defines what we are doing
    • Creates community
    • Identifies initiatives
    • Educational opportunity
  • Fall/Winter Pop-up (if there are enough vendors)
  • Summer conference (if there are enough volunteers)

Original date approved: 03/16/2021

Amendment dates: July 19, 2021, October 14, 2021 (accepted by the board & membership 10/25/21)