Kewe de Kee-yaw Bi-Laws
Article 1- Name
The organization to which these By-Laws apply has been chartered under the Louisiana Non-Profit Corporation Act, under the name of “Krewe LeJeune de Louisiane” hereinafter referred to as “Krewe de Kee-yaw” and had been approved by the State of Louisiana for a tax exempt status. Name change has taken effect on January 20, 2011.
Article 2 – Board Members
The Board members consists of four members listed as follows: One Capitaine, One Co-Capitaine, Advisors and Co-Advisor. In the event the Capitaine is unable to fulfill his/her duties or responsibilities the Co-Capitaine will be appointed by the Board Members or Board Members will appoint an interim Capitaine. The Capitaine appoints the Advisors positions.
Article 3- Duties
Capitaine – The Capitaine will call for and preside at all meetings of the organization and will appoint any special committee chairperson with the help of the Board. He/she oversees all functions of Krewe de Kee-yaw.
Co-Capitaine- To fulfill the duties of the Capitaine in their absence or inability to perform the duties of Capitaine. To vote on all matters which come before the Board.
Advisors - The Advisors also act as Secretary/Treasurer: The Advisors are responsible for taking roll and minutes at each Board meeting and preparing the agenda for meetings. A copy of the minutes will be distributed to each Board member via e-mail as soon as possible after each meeting. The Advisors are also responsible for the current membership list. The Advisors are responsible for current finances including membership dues, all expenditures, and keeping a balanced budget. A fiscal year budget that is from statement, prepared by the Advisors, will be available to the membership upon written request. Checks issued will require two separate Board member signatures.
Article 4 – Membership
This will be a Krewe open to singles and couples as an exclusive private and social non-profit organization. Our purpose will be to provide social activities and parading for the membership. To qualify for membership, you must be an adult male or female twenty-one (21) years of age and above, of good moral character, willing to support the Krewe’s purpose and strive to preserve Krewe de Kee-yaw for their children and grandchildren. Paid membership for individual and couples under twenty-one (21) years of age and above eighteen (18) years of age is allowed by individual or couples having an active member as a sponsor. No alcohol or cigarettes during Krewe de Kee-yaw functions, are allowed to these members by Louisiana State Laws.
Potential members are nominated by a current member and then voted on by the Board Members. The membership number will be maintained at 50 members. A member may be removed from the membership because of non-payment of dues or any infringement of the Krewe By-Laws without refunding of their annual dues. Complaints may be brought to any Board Member and the Board will discuss the complaint and decide if any action should be taken. The Capitaine will inform the complainant of the Board’s decision.
Article 5 – Non-membership
This will be a Krewe open to non-membership individual or couples that will be allowed to ride in parades with Krewe; if membership is not filled and there is space available. These individuals and couples will be charged a set amount of dollars per parade requested by Board Members. These individuals and couples will have to abide by the By-Laws and parade/float rules provided by the Advisors.
Article 5 – Membership Dues and Renewal
All dues must be paid by June 30 of each calendar year. This is to be stated in the annual renewal letter. Such rate will be set annually and is subject to change without notice. All membership rates will be determined and voted on by the Board Members.
Each member will complete an updated membership application annually. Any address, phone or email changes of any Krewe member must be given to the Advisors as soon as possible to ensure receipt of the renewal invitation. The total dues for the initial year of Krewe de Kee-yaw is $25 for individuals and $35 for couples. All application for renewal shall be delivered to the Krewe Advisors with at least the first installment of dues. If a member fails to submit a renewal application and first installment of dues by the due date, membership may not be renewed and the Krewe member’s spot will be available to prospective members. Members will be required to pay annual dues by established deadlines and are non-refundable. Exceptions to the deadlines and late fees are by Board approval only.
In order to renew membership in Krewe de Kee-yaw, the member must be a member in good standing. In order to qualify as a member in good standing, the member must have paid all monies and applicable late fees for the previous fiscal year. Failure to make timely payments and pay late fees imposed may result in termination of membership and forfeiture of all dues previously paid to Krewe de Kee-yaw.
Article 6 – Prospective Members
If the maximum number of desired members is not met, each member may submit names of prospective members at any time to the Advisors. After the candidate has been voted favorably by the Board Members an invitation to the prospective member to join Krewe de Kee-yaw will be mailed, via e-mail when available. The mailed application will only be accepted if completed and returned with the proper payment.
Prospective membership will be by invitation only. All applications for membership must contain the name of an active sponsoring member in good standing. The waiting list will be on a first come, first serve basis. If a prospective member is on a waiting list from the prior year, their name will be given preference and resubmitted for consideration the following year.
Article 7- Committees
The Krewe de Kee-yaw shall create, but not be limited to the following committees, within the budget set by the Board Members:
· Fund Raising Committee
The Fund-Raising Committee shall be responsible for the following:
Selecting revenue generating items
Develop other fund-raising activities
Coordinate all fund-raising activities
Set all final prices for fundraisers
· Float Committee
The Float Committee shall be responsible for the following:
Research float options and present to the board
If building, coordinate the building and design of float improvements
Maintain float and make necessary repairs
Designate a driver(s) for the float for the parades
Coordinate requirements for the driver(s), dates, time & location of the parades
· Scrapbook Committee
The Scrapbook Committee shall be responsible for the following:
Take pictures at all Krewe functions
Gather and document Krewe memorabilia
Create and maintain a Krewe scrapbook(s) and provide for its safekeeping
Bring Krewe scrapbook to Krewe functions
· Socials Committee
The Socials committee shall be responsible for the following:
Determine social events
Select date, time and place for all social functions
Work with Advisors to notify Krewe of events
Coordinate food and decorations as needed for social functions
Organize games, entertainment, etc for all functions
Plan and coordinate lunch, snacks, etc for parades
· Parade Committee
The Parade Committee shall be responsible for the following:
Attend all mandatory meetings
Work closely with the Float Committee regarding requirements for the driver(s), date, times & locations of parades, etc.
Select design for parade decorating according to parade themes
Coordinate the purchase of decorations if needed and provide list of items to Board Members
Make sure all decorations are removed from float and stored away properly
Solicit members and non-members to ride in the parade on a first come, first serve basis according to parade fees
Article 8 – Meetings
The Board Members shall meet quarterly or more frequently if deemed necessary. The Capitaine shall determine the date, time and place of all meetings and coordinate with the Socials Committee Chairperson to organize food, snacks, etc. if needed.
Members of the Krewe may submit any new business or idea to the Board for discussion. All Board meetings will be open to the general membership, unless the Board by unanimous vote elects to go into Executive Session to discuss a sensitive issue. However, attendance at Board meeting is not mandatory for the general membership. All members are encourage to attend regularly scheduled meetings and social events to support the Krewe and remain informed.
Notice of General Membership meetings shall be sent to the membership by email at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.
Article 9 – By Laws
These By-laws may be revised or amended at anytime by a majority vote of the Board Members at a Board meeting.
Proposed amendment from the membership may be submitted to the Board at any time to be considered by the Board Members at a Board meeting.