INTER-KREWE COUNCIL BY-LAWS
Adopted June 22, 2006
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization is the Inter-Krewe Council.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to bring together the Krewes and similar organizations and associations (hereafter “Krewes’) who participate in the various area parades, in order to foster a spirit of friendship, co-operation, and camaraderie, and to provide a forum for information about area parades, events, and other Krewe activities.
The Inter-Krewe Council will not engage in any political or commercial for-profit activities. In addition, no meetings or events of the Officers, the Board of Directors, or the Inter-Krewe Council, nor the listings of the representatives to the Inter-Krewe Council, can be utilized in any way for political or commercial purposes, including but not limited to publications, solicitations, distributions, or any other non-Inter-Krewe purposes. Also prohibited is the use of the Inter-Krewe Council name and logo, as well as any and all copyrighted Krewe names and/or logos, without permission of the IKC or the individual krewes.
The Inter-Krewe Council will in no way guarantee its member krewes participation in area parades or other krewe-sponsored events. Participation is strictly an agreement between sponsoring krewes and each individual krewe.
The official designated charity of this organization will be Krewes Kare, Inc.
ARTICLE III
STRUCTURE
The Inter-Krewe Council is composed of two designated representatives from each member Krewe in good standing. One representative will be the President, Chief Executive Officer, or other top official of the Krewe, or that official’s designate. The second representative may be any other member chosen to act as a liaison between the Krewe and the Council. An Officer of the Inter-Krewe Council will not count as one of the representatives of his or her Krewe. The Fiscal Year and Calendar Year for the organization are one and the same.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all Krewes who participate in area parades and other Krewe-related activities. The IKC will not discriminate based on color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, heritage, and/or economic background of krewe membership.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: A Krewe may apply for membership if it has been legally incorporated for at least one (1) year and meets all other membership requirements as listed on the current membership application.
New Krewes will be accepted into the IKC twice a year, at the June and December quarterly meetings. Interested Krewes must submit applications to the IKC Chair by March 1 for consideration at the June meeting or September 1 for consideration at the December meeting.
Each applicant must be sponsored by two IKC Krewes that have been members in good standing for a minimum of two years. A letter of recommendation from each sponsoring Krewe, on official Krewe letterhead and signed by the President or Chief Executive Officer, must be submitted along with the completed membership application.
The Membership Committee will review all applications with the Board of Directors and present a list of eligible candidates, along with related information, to the Inter-Krewe Council members.
If approved by a majority vote, the new Krewe will be accepted into the Inter-Krewe Council and will at that time pay the current dues as specified in the membership application.
DUES: The Board of Directors may vote to establish, modify, or abolish the dues structure. Annual dues notices will be mailed by the IKC Treasurer and, in order to remain in good standing, each Krewe must submit full payment within 60 days of receipt. Any Krewe who not paid annual dues in full within 90 days of receipt of notice will be removed as an IKC Member Krewe. To reinstate membership, a krewe must pay annual dues in full along with a reinstatement fee, the amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.
In the event of the dissolution of the organization, and after payment of all expenses, any remaining assets will be delivered to Krewes Kare, Inc., the official designated IKC Charity.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
The Officers of the Inter-Krewe Council are the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, and the Treasurer. These Officers and three (3) Board Members-at-Large will be voted on by the member Krewes at the June quarterly meeting of the Inter-Krewe Council and will take office beginning with the September meeting. The Immediate Past Chair also serves as an Officer.
DUTIES:
CHAIR
The Chair will coordinate the activities and preside over the meetings of both the Inter-Krewe Council and the Board of Directors and, in addition, will serve as Chair of the Membership Committee and the annual Carnivàle.
VICE-CHAIR
The Vice-Chair will assist the Chair, coordinate the Inter-Krewe quarterly meetings, act as liaison to the Krewes Kare Board, and serve as Vice-Chair of the annual Carnivàle.
SECRETARY
The Secretary will keep minutes of the meetings and the official copy of the By-Laws. In addition, the Secretary will coordinate with the IKC Webmaster to update the IKC roster and the annual calendar.
TREASURER
The Treasurer will be responsible for all IKC-related accounts receivable and payable, prepare quarterly and annual financial reports, and assist with the annual Carnivàle.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
The Immediate Past Chair will serve in an advisory capacity to the Chair and will be called upon to cast a tie-breaking vote. This officer will also serve as Membership Chair.
BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
The Board Members-At-Large will coordinate special projects, serve on the Membership and Carnivàle committees, and participate in Krewes Kare activities.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors will consist of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Board Members-at-Large, the Immediate Past Chair, all Past Chairs, and the Founding Chair, Emeritus.
The Board will direct the activities of the Inter-Krewe Council in accordance with these By-laws. These activities include, but are not limited to, establishing the membership requirements, adjusting the dues structure, and scheduling additional meetings or functions of the Council. In addition, the Board of Directors will serve as the By-Law Committee and the Nominating Committee.
ARTICLE VII
ELECTIONS
The Nominating Committee, consisting of the current Board of Directors, will review the nominees for Officers and Board Members-at-Large, and they will present a slate of candidates to be voted on by the Inter-Krewe Council at the June quarterly meeting.
Any Officer may choose to run for a second term in the same office; however, no Officer may serve more than two terms in any one position. This term limit does not apply to Board Members-at-Large.
No Krewe may have members serving in more than one elected IKC office at any time.
Nominations may also be made from the floor. Any nominee must be a current or past IKC representative from a Krewe that has been an IKC Member for a minimum of two (2) years. Each member Krewe may cast one (1) vote for each office and the nominee who receives the most votes will be elected to a term of one year, to begin with the September meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
The Inter-Krewe Council will meet quarterly to discuss the business of parades, events, and other items of mutual interest. Meetings are open only to IKC krewes and special guests who are invited or approved by the Chair.
Additional meetings or events may be called by the Chair to conduct Inter-Krewe business.
No meeting will be used for political or commercial purposes; however, written material may be disseminated.
Fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the member Krewes at a meeting will constitute a quorum. Each member Krewe will have one (1) vote. A majority vote of member Krewes at a meeting at which a quorum is present will constitute an official act of the Inter-Krewe Council. No vote will be considered valid unless all member Krewes are notified at least one (1) week in advance of the meeting at which the vote is taken.
ARTICLE IX
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Parliamentary Procedures will be followed at all meetings.
ARTICLE X
BY-LAWS
These by-laws may be amended by a 66% vote of all member Krewes present at a regular meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose. IKC Representatives will be notified of this meeting and sent a copy of the By-Laws, with the proposed amendments, at least thirty (30) days in advance.
ADOPTION
These by-laws of the Inter-Krewe Council were duly adopted on the 22nd day of June, 2006.
Yvonne M. Painton, 2005-2006 Chair
