1.  NAME
The River Bears, Cincinnati is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio as a non-profit entity and is hereafter referred to as the "River Bears."

2.  OBJECTIVES

To provide recational and social functions for Bears, their friends, and like-mindend men who enjpy "bear culture" and to publicize this element  of the Greater Cincinnati Gay Community, promoting its ideas and presence.
 

1.  ELIGIBILITY

This organization is open to all men with an interest in the above objectives.  Its membership is not restricted to the Great Cincinnati area.

2.  DUES

Dues shall be determined by the Council and are payable annually.  Amount of dues shall be posted on the New or Renewal membership application.

a.  All membership will be come due November 1 of each year beginning in November 1996.

b.  Members will receive three (3) dues notices before being dropped from the membership roster.  Any member with outstanding  dues after January 31 of any year, and having received three (3) notices will be dropped from the membership roster.

c.  Any member who is dropped from the membership roster for non-payment of dues and at a later day wishes to rejoin the organizations will be required to do so as a new member.  In this circumstance, the dues structure for a new member as described above will apply.  Former members rejoining the group as a new member will receive a full new membership package.

3.  TERMINATION

a.  Any member may resign upon written request at any time to the President or other officer of the RIver Bears.

b.  A member will be terminated and dropped from the rosters if their annual dues have not been paid in full by ninty (90) days as of November 1.
 

1.  MONTHLY MEETINGS

The Council will strive to have at least one function per month which is for all members.  In may cases there may also be other activities.  These are not on a planned exact-same-day-of -month basis;  however, all members in good standing will receive a newsletter which outlines these activites, their locations, and dates.

2.  COUNCIL MEETINGS

The Council will strive to meet at least once a month.  The meeting will be called by the President on a mutually agreeable dates.

3.  CONDUCK OF MEETINGS.

The proceedings of the meeting shall follow general principles as set forth in Robert's Rules of Order.
 

1.  SELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

Council members shall be elected by a vote of all members present at the November general membership meeting.  Those members receiveing the highest vote count will be considered elected.  Ballots will be counted by at least three (3) members not on the ballot.

2.  NOMINATIONS

Council members may volunteer to be on the voting ballot or be chosen from the floor by other members present.  Those members whose names appear on the ballot muxt be contacted to ensure they are willing to serve should they be elected.

3.  NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Council shall consist of nine members.  However, in the event of declining membership, the number of council members may be reduced.  In turn, should the membership continue to grow in numbers, the Council may also be increased in order to give better representation to all members.  The number of Council memebers will be determined by the present Council one month prior to the general election.

4.  IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

The immediate past President of the RIver Bears shall be an emeritus member of the Council.  He may guide and give suggestions to the currenty President and Council but has no voting power.

5.  VACANCIES ON COUNCIL

Should a vacancy occur during the year, the Council shall appoint a member to serve for the remainder of that term.  Further, should any Council member miss three (3) consecutive meetings, the President of the Council shall contact that member to determine if he still wishes to serve on the Council or if a replacement Council member should be made.

6.  AUTHORITY

The governing and policy making responsibilities of the Rive Bears shall be vested in the Council who will be respoonsible for its finances and direct its affairs.  All policies shall be formalized, recorded in the Minutes, and be on file with the River Bears' Secretary.
 

 
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

1.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS

All officers shall be elected by the River Bears' Council from the Council members.

2.  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

President:  The President shall be the head of the River Bears and shall preside at all meetings of the membership and Council.  He shall have no vote on council issues other that to break a tie-vote.

Vice President:  The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence.

Secretary:  The Secretary shall supervise the recording of all River Bears proceedings.

Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall supervise the financial accounting of the River Bears activities nd shall sign all checks.
 

1.  APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORITY

The Council shall have the authority to appoint special committees as needed.  The Presiden will appoint the Committee Chairman.  The Committee Chairman will select members to work with him on the Commitee.
 

1.  SOURCE

The finances of the River Bears will be derived from the payment of the annual dues of its membership as well as from the proceeds of special functions organized during the year.

2.  DISBURSEMENTS

The Treasurer shall normally sign all checks; however, in his absence,m any other officer may sign checks as long as authorization is on file with the banking institution.

3,  AUDITS

There will be an auditing commitee withh the Vice President being the Chairman along with not less than two (2) non-council members who will audit the books of the organization at least once a year.  The Committee Chairman will determine the date(s) of auditing.

4.  FISCAL YEAR

The fical year of  the River Bears, Cincinnati shall be from December 1st through November 30th.
 

1.  REVISIONS

These Bylaws may be amended or alltered by a two-thirds vote of the Council at a dully called meeting.  Notice must be given to every Council member of such meeting and a quorum of 75% of the Council must be present at such a meeting before any amendments may be made.

 These Bylaws have been adopted by the River Bears Council on April 6, 1996.

The Bylaws Article II "Membership", Section 2 "Dues" were amended and  approved
by the River Bears Council, effective August 1996. 

Sometime between August 1996 and Present July 2009 it appears that Articel II, Section 2 was again amended changing the dated that membership dues are due and the amounts of membership were changed.