BY LAWS OF COLLETON COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Colleton County Bar Association.

Section 2. The purpose of the Colleton County Bar Association is to consider and act upon matters affecting the relationship of the profession to the life of the community; to create an opportunity for friendly association and open discussion of common problems of professional interest among the members of the Bar; and to coordinate the efforts of the bar with those of the judiciary for the purpose of facilitating matters of common interest.

Section 1. Any person duly admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of South Carolina, who resides or has an office within the county of Colleton, shall be eligible for active membership.

Section 2. Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote at any regular meeting of the Association at which he is present in person

Section 1. The officers of the Association shall be: (1) President, (2) Vice-President, and (3) Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2. Officers shall be elected annually at the annual meeting.

Section 3. President.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and meetings of the Board of Directors when present. The President shall perform such duties as are incident to the office or as may be required by the Board of Directors and shall recommend such action as he or she deems proper. In all cases in which there shall be a tie vote of the membership, either upon questions or upon elections, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Section 4. Vice-President.
In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall exercise all of the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President.

Section 5. Secretary-Treasurer.
The Secretary-Treasurer shall issue all notices, keep all minutes, sign with the President all instruments requiring signatures, and keep all other records necessary. He or she shall collect all dues and assessments made by the association. 

The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for the Association, shall have charge of the finances of the Association and shall keep accurate accounts of the same and shall have authority to draw checks on the funds of the Association. The Secretary-Treasure shall make such reports and perform such other duties as are incident to this office, or as are properly required by the Board of Directors.

Section 6. All nominations for officers shall be made from the floor.

Section 7. The majority vote of members present shall elect an officer. If no individual receives a majority on the first vote, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall run off and the one receiving a majority shall be elected.

Section 8. In all cases of a tie vote, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Section 1. Members.


The Board of Directors shall consist of the immediate past President, the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary-Treasurer, and three elected members. One member shall be elected each year for a three-year term. The Board shall meet at the call of the President. Duties include planning Association activities and representing the Association between meetings.

Section 2. Committees.


The Board shall establish standing or special committees as needed. The President, with Board advice, shall appoint committee chairpersons and members unless authority is delegated to committee chairs. Suggested committees include Education, Social, and Benevolence.

Section 3. Vacancies.


Vacancies shall be filled by special election at the next meeting.

Section 4. Advisory Council.


Committee chairpersons shall comprise an Advisory Council to meet with the Board at its request.

Section 1. Annual Meeting.


Held at a time designated by the President as the last scheduled meeting of the year. Members shall receive at least two weeks’ notice. Officers and Board members shall be elected.

Section 2. Special Meetings.


Called by the President or upon request of seven voting members. If the President fails to act, the President-Elect or any Board member may call a meeting.

Section 3. Quorum.


Twenty percent of members in good standing constitutes a quorum.

Section 4. Notice.


Written notice at least five days prior.

Section 5. Rules of Order.


Robert’s Rules of Order govern meetings.

Section 1. Dues amounts set by the Board. Members are excused from dues their first year.

Section 2. Members are in good standing unless suspended.

Section 3. After notice, members failing to pay dues after 30 days beyond the fiscal year end are automatically suspended.

Section 1.The by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the Association present at a regular or special meeting of the Association. At least ten days written notice of the proposed amendment and meeting shall be given to the members. Voting or amendments to the By-laws may be done by members present or by written proxy signed by members voting indicating his vote, provided that the member voting by proxy has received a written copy of the proposal amendment.

Section 2. No provision of these By-laws shall ever be suspended at any meeting except by  the unanimous vote of all members present and upon condition that at least  one week prior to such meeting each member shall have been notified regarding the proposed suspension.

The Rules of Professional Conduct in force in the Supreme Court of the State of South Carolina from time to tie shall constitute the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Association.

These By-Laws shall become effective upon its adoption and approval by a majority vote of all members present at a meeting to be held at least one week subsequent to the mailing of a copy hereof by the Secretary to each member of the Association, and upon such adoption it shall supersede and rescind any other By-laws heretofore adopt by the Association.