For the effective operation of the Club, in the conducting of all activities:

“Whereas photography is a hobby for the Palo Alto Camera Club participants, and planned activities add to the enjoyment of the hobby, we hereby declare that each person participating in any Club-sponsored event of competition does so of his own accord and at his own risk.  The Club and its elected officers and appointed chairman assume no responsibility for the personal safety or the safety of any equipment or photographs of those who do participate.

Participation is acknowledgment by those participating that they, individually, assume all risks involved and will not hold the Palo Alto Camera Club or its elected officers or appointed chairmen responsible. 

Effective this first day of January, 1987, and continuing until repealed by action of the Executive Council.” 
 

Executive Committee,
January 1, 1987 and 
in continuous effect.

Article I.  Name

The name of this Club shall be the Palo Alto Camera Club (or PACC).

Article II.  Objectives

The objectives of this club shall be:

1)    an association for the mutual enjoyment of photography .
2)    to encourage the advancement of members in the knowledge, practice and
skill of photography.
3)    to make mutual contributions to the field of photography. (Photography is defined as images produced with the traditional chemical process as well as electronic imaging, or a combination of these methods.)

Article III.  Membership

Any person active or interested in the practice of photography may apply for membership in the club.  The annual dues shall be set by the Executive Committee on or before the November meeting.

Article IV.  Officers

§1   The Officers of this Club shall be:  President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.  Their duties shall be those customarily pertaining to their respective offices and further detailed in Article  I of the by-laws.

§2   The executive body of this Club shall be called the Executive Committee, and shall be responsible for the general guidance of its operations and the transaction of its official business;  subject to the approval of the membership.

§3   The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the Club, the immediate Past President and the chairmen of the Standing Committees.

Article V.  Vacancies

§1   If the office of President shall, for any reason, become temporarily vacant, the duties shall be assumed by the Vice President.

§2   If any office other than that of the President shall become vacant, it shall be filled by appointment of the President, but for no longer than the remainder of the year.

Article VI.  Meetings

§1   Regular Membership Meetings of the Club shall be held at such times and  in such places as decided by the Executive Committee.

§2   Special Business Meetings may be called at any time by the President or by written request of not less than five members or by vote of the Executive Committee.

§3   Annual Business Meetings of the Club shall be held near the end of the year at a place designated by the Executive Committee. All members shall be given official notice at least one month in advance of the meeting regarding 1) the time and place; 2) the official business to be transacted. 

Article VII.  Amendments

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended as provided for in Article VI §2 &3.   An affirmative vote of two thirds of the members present is necessary for passage of an amendment.

Article VIII.  Fiscal Year

The Fiscal Year of the Club may be any appropriate period of 12 months selected by the Executive Committee;  otherwise, it shall be the Calendar Year.

Article IX.  Approval of the Constitution & By-Laws

This Constitution and the following By-Laws shall be regarded as officially adopted upon affirmative vote per Article VII. 

Article I.  Nominations, Elections, and Installation of Officers

§1 Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the members attending the Annual Business Meeting.  If there is more than one nominee for any office, voting shall be conducted by ballot.

§2 The President shall designate a Nominating Committee at least two months prior to the Annual Meeting, consisting of three or more members. 

§3 The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for office. The Slate shall be included in the “Announcement of Annual Meeting”.  (See Constitution Article VI §3) 

§4 The New Officers will be installed at the Annual Meeting.

§5 The New Officers shall be installed by a member as chosen by the President.

Article II.  Duties of Officers

§1  In advance of the first meeting of the New Club Year, the President shall appoint the Chairmen and members of the Standing Committees (forming the new “Executive Committee”). 

The following committees are suggested and may be increased or decreased by action of the Executive Committee as activities of the Club demand:

A. The Executive Committee, through the President, shall keep the membership informed of the Club's financial status, business affairs, and other undertakings, and shall welcome expressions of opinion by the membership

B. Competition Committee -  Print Chairman and Slide Chairman. The Competition Chairmen shall set up the necessary equipment for the evening, provide entry forms, shall facilitate the evening discussion, shall keep records of competition results, submit one copy of evening's results to the clubs newsletter editor;  shall be responsible for collecting and returning entries for the Annual Competition.  Each Division needs a Co-Chairman.  Competition Rules and Categories for the new year, as set by the Executive Committee, will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting.

C. "Councils" Committees -  Representatives and alternates to MPPA, N4C, PSA, etc. shall attend all corresponding council Meetings and Competitions. They shall inform the Club of the Council's activities and select the monthly prints and/or slides for the Council's Competitions.

D. Judges Selection Chairman -  The Chairman shall obtain a qualified judge for each intra-club competition, including the Annual Competition and Council competitions that are the Club's responsibility;  maintain a current list of qualified judges;  and keep a record of the scheduling.  The Chairman also will be responsible for greeting each judge when he or she arrives, interview and make the introduction before each competition.  Lastly, give the judge a Thank You card with gasoline reimbursement.

E.  Hospitality Chairman. The Chairman shall take charge of the refreshment scheduling; and greet new members and welcome visitors.  All Club Members are also encouraged to help make all visitors and new members welcome to our friendly Club. The committee shall organize activities of interest to the Club Members.  Participants in those activities should be aware of the Disclaimer on the first page of this booklet.

G.  Public Relations (PR) Committee - The PR committee shall consist of the newsletter Editor who shall produce and distribute the newsletter at regular intervals, and a Publicity Chairman who shall see that notices of meetings and special activities reach suitable target audiences (via local newspapers, web sites, and camera stores), thereby promoting interest in the Club's programs in the community. 

§2 It shall be the duty of all committee members to attend the Executive Board Meetings as members thereof.

Article IV.  Terms of Office

Elected officers and appointed Chairmen agree to serve for one year increments.

Article V.  Appeals

Any member of the Club who may find cause for dissatisfaction with its operation must appeal in writing to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.